Basal Body Temperature Assessment: Is It Useful to Couples Seeking Pregnancy?

Abstract

Advanced practice nurses in primary care settings are often asked to give appropriate advice to couples seeking pregnancy. This article examines the issue of basal body temperature (BBT), a time-honored way to establish the presence of ovulatory cycles, and asks if BBT is an outdated recommendation. The article also reviews the benefits and limitations of recommending BBT to couples seeking pregnancy in light of recent fecundity research.

In Brief

For untold decades, basal body temperature has been taught to couples who were seeking pregnancy. Is there science to back up this practice? Is BBT a viable method of detecting ovulation?