Recording the basal body temperature (BBT) is a common way to maximize a woman's chances of becoming pregnant. So what's the lowdown on BBT, and how can you use this method to help you conceive?

Basically, your BBT is your temperature right away when you wake up in the morning, says Dr. Stephanie Maves, a family medical practitioner at Franciscan Skemp Healthcare in Onalaska, Wis. You can record your temperature on a monthly chart to determine the days when you're most fertile to conceive. Having this information can give you a better chance for having intercourse at the "right time" of your cycle, she says.

BBT is based on some simple facts. A female's temperature typically runs lower before she ovulates. After she ovulates, it's higher. About two days after ovulation, your temperature increases by .4 degrees, Dr. Maves says. For example, before ovulation, your temperature may run between 97 and 97.5 degrees Fahrenheit. After ovulation, the temperature rises to around 97.6 to 98.6 degrees.

Here are top tips to achieving your most precise BBT reading:

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