Predicting Ovulation the "natural" way

I know many women use an OPK, but I wanna know if anybody's doing it the old fashioned way and just using a simple thermometer to calculate when you're ovulating. My mother swears by this and I was just going to do the same.

You think it's any good tho? I mean I know the main difference is that OPK tells you BEFORE and the increase in your temperature just tells you DURING or after, but by starting to calculate months in advance you'd probably be able to predict it just as accurately I would assume.

So I'm not sure - curious if anybody else is using this technique. And furthermore if anybody knows a thermometer that's better than the others when it comes to predicting ovulation, please let me know (like if it has to be a special basal body thermometer or not)

TIA

Message edited 6/12/2009 7:44:09 PM.

Re: Predicting Ovulation the "natural" way

You do need a special basal thermometer but they're easily available - I got one at CVS. You also have to be really good about taking the temp at the same time and before engaging in any activity - including going to the bathroom. There are pros and cons to all methods I think. I tried this for one cycle and found it too difficult to do it the right way and if you aren't strict about it, then you won't see the pattern. The primary disadvantage is that the temp rise is AFTER ovulation so it's probably too late. But you do learn about your cycles and if you have fairly consistent cycles, they won't vary much from month to month. The really great thing is that it does confirm you're ovulating, which a lot of women wonder about, esp those like me with irregular cycles, but given the irregularity of my cycles and the PITA factor, the cons outweighed the benefit for me.

Re: Predicting Ovulation the "natural" way

i used temping and checking my cm. fertility friend was a big help in tracking it all. opks never worked for me.

Re: Predicting Ovulation the "natural" way

Message edited 9/1/2011 7:20:03 PM.

Re: Predicting Ovulation the "natural" way

I thought about trying this but I dont think I have the patience. Plus, I feel like I am always hot so I cant imagine being able to detect a 2/10 of a degree difference

This is my 2nd cycle TTC. Both cycles I got a +OPK on CD20. (We BD'ed a lot more this cycle before we got the
so Im hoping that makes the difference this month)




to everyone regardless of method

Re: Predicting Ovulation the "natural" way

wow - i didn't realize how serious you've gotta be with it. Like taking the temp every morning at the same exact time before even sitting up, and then having to record it so accurately. I really didn't think it was so intense. I'll probably just give the OPK a try. You can get those at regular pharmacys, right? Like walgreens?

Re: Predicting Ovulation the "natural" way

Posted by Ever-After

I'll probably just give the OPK a try. You can get those at regular pharmacys, right? Like walgreens?

Re: Predicting Ovulation the "natural" way

I've been trying with the thermometer but my temps are all over the place and I've only been doing it for 2 months. I've also been checking my cervical position. This is only our 2nd month TTC and I was on bc for years for PCOS before so I'm not sure how it's all falling into place in terms of my cycle length and all that but I can't wait 4 hours to pee so I can't use OPKs! I go like every hour.