fertility friend or TCOYF software?

[mokey4]

Hey everyone, I'm new here. In fact, I've just read through most of Taking Charge of Your Fertility, and I'm on my 2nd day of charting. I think it will take me a couple of months to really figure out what the different kinds of cervical fluid look like, and get used to taking my temp first thing

Comments

[crowjane]

If you are using FAM as birth control, it is very important to use a basal thermometer and to take your temp at the same time every day.

[mokey4]

Thanks, I think after reading all the comments I will buy a basal thermometer asap.

[littlebuhnee]

1) I used the TCOYF software along with FF a few years back, and while it seemed that TCOYF was a bit more accurate, I found the user interface on FF (especially some of the VIP features) to be more friendly.

2) A regular digital thermometer will not be as accurate as a basal one. You should be able to get a basal at your local drug store for $7-10.

3) I can usually vary about an hour on either side without things getting too wonky. But the closer you can stick to the same time every day, the better. If you get a thermometer with a memory feature, could you set a clock for 4:45 every day, and on those days when you can sleep in, just take your temp, go back to sleep, and recall and record your temp later?

[mokey4]

Good idea on #3- I generally fall back asleep pretty quickly. I'll make sure to get a basal thermometer with memory so that's one less thing to do early in the AM. And i can use my cell phone to wake me up at 4:45, that way i don't need to reset the alarm clock.

[burntbuffalo]

First off as my disclaimer, I use FAM to know my body and what's going on. Eventually I'll use it for BC but I don't yet. I've charted for 5 or 6 cycles

[alasharia_la]

where did you get your spread sheet from? I personally prefer spreadsheets to FF and TCOYF, mostly because I recognise that computers (and programs) aren't always right.

[burntbuffalo]

I created one on Excel, complete with a graph. I just took the elements from both FF and TCOYF that I liked and added a couple of my own just for me. For me it's perfect.

[burntbuffalo]

oh, if you want some pointers on how to set up a graph or are interested in seeing how I have it set up I could probably email it as an attachment or something.

[christirose]

1. I used to use Fertility Friend but, got put off by it. All the TTC language was annoying me. To be honest, I’ve never tried Ovusoft (Mac user here). Now I just use Pocket Excel on my cell phone. I trust my own interpretations and I find the instant convenience hard to beat.
2. The most important thing about a thermometer - more important than decimal places (well it should have at least tenths) and the “basal” label - is how accurate it is and how much you trust that accuracy because you’re looking for a temp shift of a half degree (farenheit) or maybe even less. That said, I have noticed, most basal thermometers have a margin of error of around ±0.1 to ±0.2 and fever thermometers have a margin of error of around ±0.2 to ±0.3 (all anecdotal from checking manufacturer websites and packaging, maybe someday, I’ll compile a chart of all this). Anyways, I use a BD Flex. TCoYF recommends the BD Basal but, eh, I like the flex better. I like the BD Basal’s color though, LOL.
3. Every woman is different. For me, time of day means very little in terms

[cluckydude]

I have an alarm clock with two alarm settings. It works well for me, I just pop the thermometer in my mouth and back to sleep I go.

Taking my temp works fine for me, charting it works great, interpreting it gives me nothing but erratic temps, so I've given up for now.

Little mentioned fact - charting in Celsius is better than charting in Fahrenheit. If you're in the US, you may have trouble finding a C thermometer, but since C degrees are smaller than F degrees, you get more accuracy.

[kamomil]

FYI, C degrees are bigger. Freezing to room temp is only 20 degrees difference in celsius, whereas in F, it's 36 degrees difference

[mokey4]

I guess another thing to consider is the thermometer's margin of error- it may even things out if the margin of error is greater in the scale that has more numbers.

[kamomil]

in my opinion, if the thermometer goes to 2 decimal places, I figure should be fine for FAM purposes.

My celsius one does go to 2 decimal places, but I only really pay attention to the first decimal place. Eg. my temp ranges from around 36.4 before ovulation to 36.6 - 36.8 after.