10. A baseline may be drawn after observing a temperature shift . . .

Your BBT baseline will remain relatively the same from cycle to cycle within 1 graph space (0.05 degrees Celsius). You will know the BBT shift has occurred when three consecutive normal temperatures are 2-4 graph spaces (0.1 to 0.2 degrees Celsius) above the previous 6 normal low temperatures. The graph on your Justisse Method BBT chart is especially designed for plotting BBT points. Even though the shift is small in degrees, it shows up dramatically on your graph.

The three high BBTs must be normal. Disturbances such as illness, taking your BBT too late, not enough rest (5 hours minimum), or excessive alcohol consumption the evening before, can give a false high temperature. Temperature readings during a disturbance are disregarded when drawing the baseline. It is important when counting three high temperatures that disturbances are taken into consideration. If there is doubt that the temperature shift is normal, WAIT until the disturbance has passed before counting three. In the meantime, continue with regular and accurate mucus observations, as mucus will guide you through these disturbances. Usually a false high temperature due to a disturbance will stay high for only one or two days. The exception to this is a flu or cold that lasts more than one or two days.