Embarking on the journey of pregnancy often involves a lot of new information, and understanding how to use a premom chart when pregnant can feel overwhelming. The Premom app, a popular tool among those trying to conceive, provides a wealth of data that can be particularly insightful during early pregnancy. Specifically, basal body temperature (BBT) tracking, a key feature of the Premom chart, offers clues about hormonal shifts. Coupled with data on luteinizing hormone (LH) levels, understanding your Premom chart when pregnant offers a powerful way to monitor your body’s signals and navigate this incredible time.

Image taken from the YouTube channel Premom Fertility & Ovulation Tracker , from the video titled Tracking Your Basal Body Temperature – BBT Basics with Monica, NFP Instructor .
Decoding Your Premom Chart During Pregnancy: A Guide to Understanding Your Data
Pregnancy is a time of incredible change, and tracking your health becomes even more important. If you’ve been using the Premom app to chart your cycles, you might wonder how to interpret that data now that you’re pregnant. This guide will help you understand what your Premom chart can tell you during pregnancy and what information is no longer relevant.
Understanding What Remains Relevant on Your Premom Chart
While some aspects of your Premom chart lose significance after conception, others can still offer valuable insights into your overall health and well-being. It’s essential to understand which data points to focus on.
Basal Body Temperature (BBT) Trends
Although BBT charting is primarily used for ovulation prediction, a sustained rise in BBT is often one of the earliest indicators of pregnancy. Here’s what to look for:
- Consistent High Temperatures: Typically, after ovulation, your BBT rises and remains elevated for about 10-14 days before dropping, signaling the start of your period. If you become pregnant, your BBT will generally stay elevated above your coverline.
- Interpreting Dips: While a consistent high temperature is a good sign, occasional dips are normal. Don’t panic if you see a slight drop; BBT can fluctuate. However, a significant and sustained drop could warrant a conversation with your doctor.
- Limitations: Relying solely on BBT for confirmation or monitoring of pregnancy isn’t recommended. It’s primarily useful as an initial indicator and for identifying potential trends to discuss with your healthcare provider.
Symptom Tracking
The Premom app allows you to track various symptoms, and this feature can be helpful during early pregnancy.
- Documenting Early Pregnancy Symptoms: Continue logging symptoms like nausea, fatigue, breast tenderness, and frequent urination. This log can help you notice any changes or patterns and communicate them effectively to your doctor.
- Identifying Potential Concerns: Note any unusual or severe symptoms, such as severe cramping or bleeding, and contact your doctor promptly.
- Personalized Insights: Symptom tracking allows you to understand how your body is responding to pregnancy, which can be comforting and empowering.
Understanding What Becomes Less Relevant on Your Premom Chart
Once you’re pregnant, some previously crucial aspects of your Premom chart become less important.
Ovulation Prediction
Obviously, ovulation prediction is no longer relevant because ovulation stops during pregnancy.
- OPK Readings: Ignore any OPK (ovulation predictor kit) readings you take after confirming your pregnancy. They will likely be inaccurate and only cause unnecessary anxiety. Pregnancy hormones can interfere with the LH surge detection that OPKs rely on.
Cervical Mucus Tracking
While you can still track cervical mucus, its interpretation for fertility purposes is no longer applicable.
- Changes in Cervical Mucus: Cervical mucus may change during pregnancy, becoming thicker and less abundant. These changes are primarily due to hormonal shifts.
LH and FSH Levels
These hormones are primarily tracked for ovulation prediction.
- Hormone Strips: Ignore any results from measuring LH and FSH levels, as the results will no longer correlate to a woman’s menstrual cycle
Using Premom for General Health Monitoring During Pregnancy
Beyond the specifics of charting, the Premom app can still be a useful tool for general health tracking during pregnancy.
Weight Tracking
- Monitoring Weight Gain: Use the app to track your weight gain throughout your pregnancy. This helps you and your doctor ensure you’re within a healthy range.
- Customizable Goals: You can set personalized weight gain goals in consultation with your healthcare provider.
Medication and Supplement Logging
- Organized Record Keeping: The app allows you to log any medications or supplements you’re taking, ensuring you have a comprehensive record for doctor’s appointments.
- Dosage and Timing: Track the dosage and timing of each medication or supplement to maintain consistency.
Integrating Your Premom Data with Medical Advice
It’s crucial to remember that your Premom chart is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions about your pregnancy.
Sharing Information with Your Doctor
- Prepare for Appointments: Use your Premom data as a starting point for discussions with your doctor. Be prepared to share specific information, such as BBT trends or unusual symptoms you’ve tracked.
- Open Communication: Encourage open communication with your doctor about your charting practices and any questions or concerns you have.
Understanding Limitations
- Self-Diagnosis: Never attempt to self-diagnose or self-treat based solely on your Premom chart. It is important to note that Premom charts are not a medical device.
- Individual Variability: Every pregnancy is different. What is normal for one person may not be normal for another.
By understanding which aspects of your Premom chart remain relevant and how to integrate that information with medical advice, you can use this tool to support a healthy and informed pregnancy.
FAQs: Premom Chart When Pregnant
Have questions about using your Premom chart during pregnancy? We’ve compiled some of the most common inquiries to help you decode your data for a happy and healthy pregnancy.
Can my Premom chart actually tell me I’m pregnant before a test?
While a Premom chart can show patterns suggestive of pregnancy, it cannot definitively confirm pregnancy. Pay close attention to trends in your Basal Body Temperature (BBT) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH) levels. Sustained high BBT after ovulation and a continued rise or elevated LH can be indicators. However, always confirm with a home pregnancy test or blood test from your doctor for an accurate diagnosis. Your Premom chart when pregnant is a supporting tool, not a standalone diagnostic.
What do I do with my Premom chart once I get a positive pregnancy test?
Continue tracking your BBT with your Premom chart when pregnant during the first trimester. A consistently high BBT is generally a good sign that the pregnancy is progressing. However, remember that BBT can fluctuate, and a slight dip isn’t necessarily cause for alarm. Discuss any significant changes with your healthcare provider. After the first trimester, BBT tracking is generally less helpful.
Why is my LH level still high on my Premom chart when pregnant?
Elevated LH levels can occur in early pregnancy. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG), the hormone detected by pregnancy tests, is structurally similar to LH. The LH test strip may pick up on hCG, resulting in a seemingly high LH reading even after a positive pregnancy test. Don’t rely on the LH readings during this time; focus on confirming the pregnancy with your doctor and monitoring other pregnancy symptoms.
What if my Premom chart doesn’t look "textbook" perfect during pregnancy?
Not every Premom chart when pregnant will perfectly reflect textbook examples. Every woman and every pregnancy is unique. Variations in BBT and hormone levels are common. Avoid comparing your chart too closely to others online. Instead, focus on communicating any concerns or unusual patterns to your doctor, who can provide personalized guidance and reassurance.
So, whether you’re a seasoned Premom user or just diving in, remember that understanding your premom chart when pregnant is all about empowering yourself with information. Best of luck on your journey!