Cervix Position Confusing Me
Question
How important is the cervix in interpreting your chart for Phase 3?
My last chart had the following temps…
97.1
97.2
97.1 S
97.6 S
97.4 S
97.9 D
97.8 D
98.4 D
98.2 D
With just that information alone, we would consider the day my temp was 98.4 as the beginning of Phase 3. However, my cervix was still wide open on the evening of that day. Does that trump the other signs if we are very serious about avoiding a pregnancy?
Thanks for any help or insight you can provide.
Sam
Answer
Last Updated: May 8, 2022
Dear Sam,
When using the cervix observation, if the cervix sign lags behind the temperature and mucus observations in determining the beginning of Phase III, it is not necessary to wait the full three days of cervix closing. In this case, you would add one more day to the temperature and mucus crosschecks; that is, four days of temperature rise plus four days of mucus drying up.
The temperatures you list are not sufficient for the temperature crosscheck. Six low-level temps are required to set the high temperature level. Without seeing your full chart and the reason for the missing low temperature, we can’t determine the beginning of your post-ovulation infertile phase. Based on just the information you have listed, we would not assume you have entered Phase III, especially since you are very serious about avoiding pregnancy.
Andrea and Ron Gronsky
When using the cervix observation, if the cervix sign lags behind the temperature and mucus observations in determining the beginning of Phase III, it is not necessary to wait the full three days of cervix closing. In this case, you would add one more day to the temperature and mucus crosschecks; that is, four days of temperature rise plus four days of mucus drying up.
The temperatures you list are not sufficient for the temperature crosscheck. Six low-level temps are required to set the high temperature level. Without seeing your full chart and the reason for the missing low temperature, we can’t determine the beginning of your post-ovulation infertile phase. Based on just the information you have listed, we would not assume you have entered Phase III, especially since you are very serious about avoiding pregnancy.
Andrea and Ron Gronsky
Answered By:
Andrea and Ron Gronsky
Andrea and Ron Gronsky, PhD, Professional Members of CANFP,now retired, taught the Sympto Thermal Method through the Couple to Couple League, in the Oakland Region.
