Temping confusion

[Anonymous]

This is my first month so likely I just don't have it down yet. OPK's were showing peak and I got one elevated temp on the day after I think I ovulated but now it's back to 'normal' after just one day. Does this mean that I ovulated (with the higher temp) but didn't conceive so now it's back down? Or is it possible that I didn't ovulate b/c temp didn't stay up for more than one day. I know it's possible to get positive OPK w/o ovulating which is what I'm worried about. I'm probably overthinking it, but would love guidance on this if anyone has any.

[Anonymous]

I don't have a good answer and am also somewhat confused by temping. I've read that an elevated temp for 3 days means you've ovulated and then it's supposed to stay up. But then I also read that a dip can mean you have ovulated. My temp swings quite a bit but that could be related to mouth breathing or maybe having a glass of wine?

Op, this is not helpful, sorry.

Does anyone have a clear temping basics site they could recommend?

[Anonymous]

i've often had a dip the day after the rise and I think I read online that was pretty normal. Temping is really something you need to do for a few months in order to see a pattern and assess if you are ovulating. It will become clear that there's a definite shift a few days after ovulation. It's more of a retrospective technique. I would start doing OPKs too if I were you.

[Anonymous]

sorry, missed that you are doing OPK. Keep temping and it will become more clear

[Anonymous]

Thanks PP! I seem to have had a one-day rise and back to just above average. I think that means I ovulated but am not sure. But to your point, maybe more time will give clarity on this. My first month has had some pretty drastic ups and downs so I just don't think I've gotten the hang of it yet.

[Anonymous]

On a similar note, does anyone have a good BBT thermometer recommendation? My temp this AM shifted by 3 degrees within seconds so I'm beginning to question the one that I have.

[Anonymous]

OP, download the Fertility Friend app and plug your data in. It's not the nicest looking app, but it has the best algorithms and is very, very trustworthy.

I also have a Mabis BBT thermometer. It's like $8 on Amazon, but Reddit loves it and that was enough crowdsourcing to get me on board.

Lastly, to answer your original questions:

Does this mean that I ovulated (with the higher temp) but didn't conceive so now it's back down?

No, that's not how it works. The temp shift is caused by hormones which are present in your luteal phase (after ovulation) regardless of whether the egg is fertilized.

Or is it possible that I didn't ovulate b/c temp didn't stay up for more than one day.

That's possible, but it's too soon to tell. You may just have had a wonky temp cause by mouth breathing or something. Keep temping until it's clearer.