Chart Q: coverline?

[katieb4tom]

Can someone explain the coverline to me? Is this just the average of my temps? I am 10 DPO and have had a slight (.3) temp drop, but not below my coverline. To expect your period, does your temp need to drop below the coverline? I am new,  this is my first chart. If you want to reference, I'll paste the link in a sec. Thanks, I did read the FF e-book, but it's a lot to remember, esp with my life lately and my emotional over-involvement in this whole situation!

Edit to add chart: www.fertilityfriend.com/home/19fe0d

[VillainV]

FF says:

"How does Fertility Friend determine the coverline?

The coverline (the line drawn horizontally across your chart once ovulation is detected) is a visual tool to help you easily see your pre- and post-ovulation temperatures. It has no physiological significance whatsoever so where it is placed does not have much importance as long as it helps you to see your ovulation pattern.

Fertility Friend sets a reasonable coverline based on the pattern of your unique chart.

If the coverline is not where you expected to find it, you may be thinking of the Fertility Awareness Method Rules which place the coverline at one tenth of a degree higher than the 6 previous temperatures before ovulation. If this is the method you wish to use, (it is best suited to those with clear chart patterns), you can use it by adjusting the tuning section in the charting software. The coverline on the advanced (recommended) setting will usually be found a bit lower to avoid unnecessary anxiety during the luteal phase and to recognize more complex ovulation patterns."


So, basically it's the temperature that your BBT stays above after you ovulate. It separates your Pre-O temps from your Post-O temps (most of your pre-O temps should be below it, and most of your post-O temps should be above it). Your body doesn't know or care what your cover line temp is, and everyone's body acts slightly differently.

Personally, my temps stay above the cover line until a few days into my period. Some people's temps start to drop before their period starts.

[awick14]

This is my first month temping as well and I had to look this information up as well.

I believe there is a mix of staying above cover line until AF has started and dropping before on this board. You have a very pretty chart. I wish mine looked like that. I got cross hairs this morning and I am now confused I have a few temps above my cover line from before O. I guess I'll just have to wait and see what next month brings.

[simpsongal]

Ditto villainv, it's a visual tool. When you chart a few cycles you should see some patterns forming. And your coverline will probably not be at the same level each month (e.g., mine's lower this month). It looks like I get a temp drop to/below the coverline a few DPO. I don't think it's anything to be worried about - my googling indicates this can be common. Knowing it's a pattern for me I don't get excited thinking it's an implantation temp drop (which only occurs in like 1/5 charts), or that I O'ed late.

ETA: <a href='My Ovulation Chart '>My Chart</a>- you can see the temp dip to which I'm referring on my chart.

[katieb4tom]

simpsongal--I had no idea that the implantation dip was such a low occurrence! I had been half-looking for that the past few days (DPO's 7-10).

awick--thanks for saying my chart is pretty, I feel so flattered! ha! Actually, I always think its problematic that I have so many open circles. My schedule (and fatigue level) does not let me wake up at the same time each day.

villainv--super helpful, thank you!

I am coming to think that FF is really only good to confirm O (which is what I started it for, I wasn't sure I was). I keep hoping it will tell me more, but every time I refer back to the e-book for some deep insight that will confirm my pregnancy it says 'there is no way to no this without a positive pregnancy test'. I guess you just can't avoid waiting through the 2ww!

[katieb4tom]

so I didn't realize I was putting the ninja shortcut in there, but hell, when else will I use a ninja face? So I'll leave it!

[katieb4tom]

dup

[awick14]

Feb 22, 2013 9:44:46 GMT -5 katieb4tom said:

I am coming to think that FF is really only good to confirm O (which is what I started it for, I wasn't sure I was). I keep hoping it will tell me more, but every time I refer back to the e-book for some deep insight that will confirm my pregnancy it says 'there is no way to no this without a positive pregnancy test'. I guess you just can't avoid waiting through the 2ww!

FF does only confirm O. But if you do it for a while then you will start to see a pattern and it will help you guess when you are going to O.

Have you read Taking Charge Of Your Fertility (TCOYF)? I think it is a better reference then FF. I think it explains things easier for me to understand.

According to TCOYF you can "confirm" pregnancy only after 18+ days of high temps.
Of course you should still take a HPT.

[VillainV]

I think FF says that to cover their butt. I mean, yeah, the only way you can "confirm" pregnancy is by taking a pregnancy test. Some people find it helpful/interesting/maddeningly addictive to compare their charts/symptoms to other people who have become pregnant. Personally, I think it can make it more of a mind-fuck, but I still do it anyway:-) Oh well....

But yeah, charting is a tool, and the sole purpose is to help you figure out if/when you ovulate. Once you've figured that out, you don't even really NEED to chart temps during the 2ww. But I do anyway:-)

[simpsongal]

Here's a FF study about the frequency of implantation dips. Apparently, it's common to get an estrogen surge during the LP too, which can also cause a dip (that's probably what's going on with me).

www.fertilityfriend.com/Faqs/Implantation-dip-study.html

There's no avoiding the 2WW. I'm in the middle of the 2WW and I plan on wasting a few pregnancy tests testing too early.

[statlerwaldorf]

Sometimes my temps drop below coverline on the day I get af and sometimes they don't drop below the coverline at all. Some cycles they start dropping around 10 dpo and other cycles they don't drop until the day of af. I usually get a small drop around 8-10dpo.

[katieb4tom]

My temp dropped over the past two days...and started CD 1 today, sigh.

[VillainV]

Aw, sorry Katie. I think I'm gonna be out this month too....

[awick14]

Feb 25, 2013 9:51:54 GMT -5 katieb4tom said:

My temp dropped over the past two days...and started CD 1 today, sigh.

((hugs))