Shake shake shake...
Written: Aug 27 '01 (Updated Aug 27 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: More accurate than digital
Cons: Have to wait 5 minutes for a reading
The Bottom Line: Supposedly more accurate than the digital one. Quick and easy way to increase your chances of getting pregnant.
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| LauraRN's Full Review: B-D Glass Basal Thermometer |
I have been using the BD Glass thermometer for four months now, since I stopped taking my birth control pills. I originally wanted a digital model, but I was unable to find one so I got the glass one.
What is a glass thermometer?
Most of us know thermometers as those little digital ones that go under your tongue and beep when ready. A glass thermometer is the kind your mother might have had when you were a child. It has mercury inside and takes 5 minutes to give a reading. The basal thermometer measures temperatures to 0.1 of a degree but sometimes the mercury will end up inbetween the two lines so I guess it's 0.05 of a degree. This supposedly makes it more accurate than the digital one, but it's kind of a pain because you have to leave it in so long. The mercury is also a hazard if the thermometer is broken. (More about that later.) The thermometer must be shaken down to below 96 each day. This takes practice.
What is the point of this thing anyway?
The concept of the basal thermometer is that you take your temperature every morning (at the same time) and chart it on a graph. If you are trying to get pregnant, it will help you to determine when you might be ovulating. If you are trying to not get pregnant, it will give you some idea of when to avoid intercourse. Of course, it is not an exact science and there are many other more effective methods of birth control.
The temperature must be taken first thing in the morning, before you get out of bed (a pain in the neck when I have to PEE!!) and you are supposed to lie perfectly still. The instructions say that it can be taken orally, rectally or vaginally. I've stuck to the oral method. The thermometer must be left in place for 5 minutes in order to get an accurate reading.
I have a little graph by my bedside where I chart my temperature. I also record my period, intercourse and any significant symptoms I'm feeling that day. The idea is when a woman ovulates there is a sharp decrease and then increase, then consistent elevation until menses starts. If the temperature remains elevated for 18 days consistently, it is likely that the woman is pregnant. The problem is that it can only predict when ovulation has occurred, not when it is occurring exactly, so of course that just means you have to be really busy around that time. :)
You should not shake the thermometer down before taking your temperature because the exertion could affect it (according to the instructions.) I solve this problem by shaking it down after I'm done with it so it is ready for the next day.
One important note: If you drop it, do NOT pick up the mercury and throw it in the trash. Follow your local hazardous waste disposal procedure and don't let your children play with the mercury because it can be very dangerous. (Ok, so I warned you. I know you're just going to throw it in the trash anyway. But don't say I didn't tell you so. :))
Does it work?
Well, I'm not pregnant yet but I do know when I ovulated last month. Hopefully it will work for me. It's a cheap, easy way to increase your chances of getting pregnant. I recommend it.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
LauraRN
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Location: Rochester, NY
Reviews written: 64
Trusted by: 22 members
About Me:
Nurse practitioner seeking employment.
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