Things You'll Need:
- Basal body thermometer
- Chart to track fertility signs
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Step 1
Take your temperature every morning upon waking. It is important to use a basal body thermometer, which calculates your temperature to 1/10 of a degree. As soon as you wake up, you must take your temperature. Do this before you get out of bed, talk to anyone or sit up.
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Step 2
Record your waking temperature on a fertility chart. Either use an online fertility chart or one copied out of a book. One book that will explain your fertility signs and also contains fertility charts is "Taking Charge of Your Fertility," by Toni Weschler.
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Step 3
Observe the pattern of your temperature. For the vast majority of women, your temperatures will be low during the first, pre-ovulatory phase of your cycle. A pre-ovulatory temperature usually ranges from 96.9 to 97.5 degrees. After ovulation, your temperature will rise from 1/2 to one whole degree, and should range from 97.5 to 98.6 degrees. For conception, intercourse must take place between three and five days before your temperature rises. Once your temperature rises, your egg will either be fertilized, or dead and gone.
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Step 4
Observe your other fertility signs, which include cervical position and cervical fluid. During your fertile phase, from three to five days before ovulation, your cervical position will be soft, high, open and wet. During your nonfertile days, your cervix will be firm, low, closed, and dry. You will notice wet cervical fluid, sometimes compared to egg white, on your most fertile days. To get pregnant easily, time intercourse to take place every 24 hours while experiencing a soft, high, open cervix and wet cervical fluid.
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Step 5
Once your temperature rises, continue to chart your temperature. Some signs that you have achieved pregnancy include spotting from five to 10 days after ovulation and a second spike in your temperature after the fifth day past ovulation. If you experience 16 days of high temperatures without your period starting, it is likely that you are pregnant. If you experience 18 days of high temperatures, you are almost certainly pregnant.
