How can I know I have an accurate BBT...help??

Question

I've just started charting using fertility friend. I was doing well for a few days (waking up right around 6:10 am and taking my BBT); however, for the past 4 days I've been awaken (by my dog none the less) anywhere between 3:00 and 5:00. Then I'll get back to sleep (I lose maybe 5-10 minutes of sleep because I let her out to drink water or pee) and wake up at 6:10 to take my BBT. I know you're supposed to have 3 straight hours of sleep before taking your BBT, but how accurate can mine be? I've also just started spotting really really light brownish (yesterday was one spot, and today has been two), and I'm not sure if its implantation or my period coming on. Right now, I'm on cycle day 27, but I had a messed up cycle last month which came at 38 days instead of 28 like usual, so I don't know if this will actually be my regular period or what. By the way, my temps have dropped yesterday and today (from 98.2 to 98.0 and today at 97.9) so I'm assuming I'm probably getting my period on time

so really my questions are: Are my current BBT temps accurate even with the loss of sleep? (or to clarify - does it really make a huge difference if I'm getting up for a bit during the night then checking BBT an hour later?)
What else can I do (besides checking CM and CP) to make sure I do well next cycle if my period really does come on? (I've never been one to sleep throughout the night, as I tend to wake up at all hours, just tossing and turning or because of my dog).

Answer 1

Just getting up for a few minutes and then going right back to bed won't make much difference. And if it were to make a difference you BBT would be higher, not lower, than typical due to the movement before taking it. I wouldn't worry too much about it.