Post # 1

Member
4801 posts
Honey bee
Is there a special type of thermometer you use for charting? Or will my regular ol’ one do?
If there is no BFP this month I’m going to start hardcore charting. I need to feel like I’m doing something. Thanks 🙂
Post # 3

Member
5654 posts
Bee Keeper
A bbt thermometer will measure to the hundredth degree so its important to use it for charting since cycle & ovulation temp changes can be in those small degree changes. It’s just a bit more precise. 🙂
Post # 4

Member
642 posts
Busy bee
I’ve just started charting and I bought a normal thermometer without researching and it’s been a bit of a pain. I really doubt its accuracy, and since the spike I’m looking for is only 0.2 degrees celsius, there isn’t a whole lot of room for error.
I’m buying a basal body thermometer ASAP.
Post # 5

Member
642 posts
Busy bee
Also, if you have an iPhone or iPad, the app Kindara is AMAZING for charting, and free. It has seriously made it so simple for me.
Post # 6

Member
9050 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
Yep, Basal body should measure to the hundredth degree. I used the one I had in my cupboard for a couple months just to try if I’d even stick to the temping, and liked it well enough so bought the basal. I think it was around 15 bucks.
Post # 7

Member
4581 posts
Honey bee
I used a BBT thermometer that I got at CVS for $10 or $15. It’s worth it to buy the special kind.
Post # 8

Member
4801 posts
Honey bee
@AdriannaJean: Thanks I’ll check that out on my iPhone!
Ok that makes sense…I didn’t realize the temperature differences were that small. I guess I’ll wait until I get my period and then buy one. Fingers super crossed I won’t need to although it’s probably a long shot 
Post # 9

Member
2450 posts
Buzzing bee
not all BBT thermometers go to the hundredth. you don’t need the hundredth.
the difference between a regular thermometer and a BBT thermometer is that a BBT one is more accurate and should get your exact temperature within a tenth. regular thermometers can have a variance of a whole degree.
Post # 10

Member
881 posts
Busy bee
I would recommend buying a basal thermometer. It is much more accurate, and there is a big difference (as far as charting goes) between a temp of 97.05 and 97.14 (both of which would be 97.1 on a regular thermometer).
Post # 11

Member
1782 posts
Buzzing bee
I have an Exergen temperal scanner thermometer – I am thinking this works great. Have been charting with it for a few months – been proven to give the most accurate temperature. Do any other bees use the Exergen temperal scanner?
Post # 12

Member
4575 posts
Honey bee
I never used the BBTs, but i hear they are more accurate. I use a regular thermometer and my doctor also said it was fine. I just started temping this cycle and so far I have no complaints with this method.
Post # 13

Member
4282 posts
Honey bee
TCOYF says you shouldn’t use a BBT that goes to the Hundredth…. You don’t need it. I use a BBT form Nexcare and track all my temps on Fertility Friend. Good luck!
Post # 14

Member
1018 posts
Bumble bee
I don’t know exactly what the difference is in the design, but I can tell you that using a good BBT thermometer made a big difference for me. When I used a “regular” thermometer my temps were lower and all over the place. When I started using a good BBT therm I began to see more stable temps. I also love how mine beeps as it goes so I don’t fall completely asleep while temping 😉
Post # 15

Member
553 posts
Busy bee
I also use a bbt thermometer. I also have the cvs one that
@iheartnerds mentioned. I paid around the same. Happy charting!
Post # 16

Member
441 posts
Helper bee
I use a plain ol’ digital thermometer. As long as you can see a temp shift, it doesn’t really matter, but I bet it’s nice to have the extra accuracy of a BBT thermometer.