Basal thermometers are unheard of by many, but to women who are trying to conceive, they are a familiar term. If you are one of those women, or the husband to one, you have probably heard of a basal thermometer and are wondering if it is a purchase you should make.
Basal Thermometers
A basal thermometer is designed to accurately read your basal body temperature, which is your resting body temperature. Typically, basal body temperature is read first thing in the morning upon waking. To gain an accurate basal body temperature, it is best to have at least four hours of sleep before reading your BBT. Basal thermometers read down to the nearest tenth of a degree and some even to the nearest 1/100th of a degree. Digital basal thermometers typically contain memory storage so that you do not have to immediately record your temperature. In addition, basal thermometers are known for their speed, ranging from 30 to 60 seconds to gain an accurate temperature reading.
Standard Thermometers
Standard body thermometers were created to simply read and monitor body temperature, but also read basal body temperature. In years past, basal thermometers read more accurately than standard thermometers, but today you can find normal digital body thermometers that read down to the 10th degree as well. If you are charting your temperature, the nearest 10th of a degree is all the accuracy you need. Note however, that ear thermometers are not typically accurate enough for BBT recording. Another upgrade in standard digital thermometers is memory. As basal thermometers do, you can find normal body thermometers that also store your last temperature taken. Standard thermometers however do still typically take longer to gain an accurate reading than basal thermometers, averaging around 60 seconds or more.
Consistency
Often if there is an error in temperature recording, the fault lies in the one recording the temperature, not in the instrument used. When recording your BBT, your consistency is more important than the instrument you use. It is essential to take your BBT at close to the same time daily, staying within a half hour of the same time. Moreover, take your temperature the same way and always before you get up from at least four hours of sleep.
Natural Family Planning
If you are using a natural family planning method, it is likely that you are taking your basal body temperature daily. If so, a basal body thermometer may be easier for you, as it is quicker in gaining an accurate reading. Because you have to read your BBT before getting out of bed, a shorter wait for your reading may be worth purchasing a basal thermometer. Utilizing NFP methods requires recording other fertility signs outside of BBT. Keeping the most accurate BBT, would allow you to closely correlate it and your other signs. It is essential to have a thermometer that reads to the nearest 10th degree. If you desire even greater accuracy, to the nearest 1/100th, the basal thermometer would be your best choice.
Availability
Basal thermometers may be more difficult to locate than a standard body thermometer. If you find that a basal thermometer will best fit your needs, it may cost a little more than a normal thermometer and may not be located at your local chain store. If you cannot find one at your local stores, they are available for purchase over the Internet. In the end, basal thermometers and normal thermometers perform the same function, however a basal thermometer gives a quicker, more accurate reading.
