Therefore, oocyte maturation occurs much less frequently in winter than at any other time of the year. Still, there are a lot of babies conceived in winter, just as of those conceived in fall, spring or summer. Now, we shall discuss the pros and cons of getting pregnant in winter.

Why Getting Pregnant in Winter?

When it is winter outside, women’s sexual desire is inhibited. But as for men’s desire, cold weather does not influence it. In addition, the U.S. scientists believe that it is best for the couples, who do not yet have children, to try their luck in winter. It is proved that sperm production improves in the male body under the influence of frost and cold. Therefore, the chances of conceiving a healthy baby increase during this period.

If you get pregnant in winter, the second trimester of pregnancy will be in spring. To be exact, this is the period of rapid emotional recovery. The first greenery appears. Yet it does not mean that the future mom will be able to completely stop taking different multivitamin medicines. They must be taken during all three trimesters.

But the third trimester of pregnancy will fall on summer. You will be able to rest from heavy clothing, and there will be no need to look for bigger winter clothes.

Light dresses and sandals for the future mom – what could be better? The delivery itself will take place in early autumn. It means that there will be a great selection of fruits and vegetables at your disposal. Eating all these useful products, the newly formed mummy will easily improve the quality of her milk.

Contra of Winter Conception

The disadvantages of winter conception include the fact that the first trimester of pregnancy will occur during the worst period in terms of epidemiological situation. The fetus is extremely vulnerable in the first couple of months of intrauterine development. Its placental barrier has not yet formed, and the future baby is vulnerable to difficult and dangerous viral infections.

Therefore, pregnant women have to thoroughly realize it and follow all the necessary precautions, such as washing hands with soap more frequently, wearing a gauze bandage, and moisturizing their nose.

The second trimester of pregnancy, if the child is conceived in winter, falls on early spring. However, spring cannot particularly please you with vitamins. To improve the situation, you may eat sauerkraut, since this product contains the remains of vitamin C, citrus fruits, carrot-apple fresh juice, green onions, and parsley.

The expectant mother goes through the third trimester of pregnancy in mid-summer. She may be annoyed at edema. It is also important for the future mom to avoid frequent exposure to the sun, especially from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., not to drink more than 1.5 liters of liquid per day.

By the way, the scientists from England have noticed that the babies expected in fall, are in no hurry to be born: their planned birth is often delayed. Physicians do not yet know how to explain this phenomenon. This tendency might be linked with natural biorhythms, which can compel the body to slow down its livelihood.

So, planning to conceive in winter or not is up to you. In any case, the most important thing for the baby is to be wanted, and then loved!

According to them, 60% of the women, who are taking the appropriate supplements during the course of IVF, get pregnant.

Dr. Rina Agrawal claims that the pills contain substances such as vitamins A, C, E, zinc, selenium, and folic acid that can increase fertility and that our diet usually lacks.

The scientists have tested this theory on 56 women aged 18-40 years. All of them were unsuccessfully trying to conceive a baby during the last year, using the IVF technology.

One half of the women, who participated in the experiment, received miltivitamins daily, and the other half had only pills with folic acid (which is believed to help get pregnant). As a result, it turned out that 60% of the women from the first group successfully conceived a child in the first three months. In the second group, only 25% of the women got pregnant after three months.

The researchers have found that men have sharply reduced chances of becoming fathers after 41 years. There were cases when men had babies at the age of 60 as well as after 70 years, but most of them can be treated as the unusual ones.

For a few years, the professionals, who made these conclusions, had been examining the patients undergoing the IVF procedure of extracorporeal fertilization with donor ovules. In this case, the donor ovules were taken only from healthy young women, so any differences in the further course of the process depended on the quality of men’s sperm.

The results of the study are disappointing for men over 41 years. It is at this age that the fertility of men is annually reduced by 7%. It goes on till 45 years this way, and at the age of 45, the rate decreases rapidly. If the chances of 41-year-old men to have a baby are 60%, 45-year-olds have the chance of no more than 35%.

It turns out that men also have the so-called biological clock. It is certainly not the same as that of women. But the research shows that men cannot be equally fertile throughout their life. And it is worth remembering, especially when it comes to the 40th anniversary.

Other studies also do not encourage late fatherhood. For example, there is evidence that the children, whose fathers are of the older age, have the increased risk of heart defects, schizophrenia, and epilepsy. Of course, one should not panic because male sperm has the ability to renew, and not all older fathers have unhealthy babies. And for the conception, the health of the ovule is most important.

However, doctors still advise to monitor the quality of sperm. To do this, one needs to eat right, not to smoke, to drink alcohol in moderation, to have an active lifestyle, and to avoid taking hot baths since sperm likes cool temperatures. And do not postpone parenthood until later!

Source of the image: Photl.

In recent years, there has been a constant struggle with the excess weight, the nutritionists have insisted that extra weight, in addition to other health problems and appearance, leads to difficulties in conceiving. However, these risks have never been compared with those of underweight women.

The study conducted by the American scientists showed that thin women are less likely to become pregnant than those, who are overweight, and even obese.

During the study, 2,500 women (who were trying to conceive with the help of IVF at the Fertility Center of Chicago) were divided into three groups according to their weight: very thin, normal, and obese. During eight years, though at different periods, these women were observed in the center and were trying to get pregnant.

As a result, those who belonged to the group with normal weight, got pregnant in 50% of cases. Among obese women, 45% became pregnant, and only 34% of very thin women from the group were able to conceive.

Very thin women were those with the body mass index (BMI) ranging from 14 to 18. For example, a woman with the height of 162.5 cm and the weight of 44.45 kg could have such a BMI (BMI 17).

It is known that thin women have a reduced amount of the female hormone estrogen which is often associated with infertility among excessively thin women. However, this study considered only the women, who were undergoing the IVF procedure, and all their hormones were brought back to norm. The women from all three groups produced the same number of ovules, and the problem with the conception happened at a later stage, when the fertilized ovule was implanted in the uterus. The embryo finds it more difficult to penetrate into the uterus of very thin women. That is the verdict of the scientists.

Source of the image: Photl.

According to the results of a series of recent studies, problems with teeth and gums can have a negative impact on female fertility. Thus, the women who had gum diseases required on average two more months to get pregnant than the girls who did not have such problems.

The experiment conducted by the scientists from the University of Western Australia, in Perth, shows that it took the ladies, who were brushing their teeth and using dental floss regularly, approximately five months for the conception, while those women who were not so careful in following the rules of oral hygiene needed about seven months to get pregnant. According to Professor Roger Hart, the leading author of the study, it proves that the women who want to become mothers, should necessarily consult their dentist.

The doctors explain the connection between women’s tooth health and their fertility by the fact that periodontal disease leads to the accumulation of a huge number of different pathogens in the mouth. These pathogens cause bad breath and may spread all over the body due to bleeding gums. As a result, other inflammatory reactions may start, and that will have a negative impact on the process of implantation of the embryo in the uterus.

Find the top dentists in Chula Vista to keep your gums healthy and teeth shining white!

Source of the image: Photl.

Norwegian scientists got interested in this problem and conducted a study involving nearly 3000 women. The research took into account all the circumstances of the participants’ life.

The conclusion was unexpected: pregnancy in most cases was prevented by excessive involvement in fitness. Intensive training in gyms to keep fit and to facilitate the flow of future pregnancy turned against the women and their ability to become a mother. The doctors still have not figured out the reasons for the relationship between physical activity and infertility, but they can say with confidence that it is necessary to reduce the intensity of physical exercises just a little, and in a year the reproductive function will be restored.

So all is good in moderation even such a useful thing as fitness.

Source of the image: Photl.

Boffins from the University of Nevada fed caffeine to mice, whose reproductive system resembles that of humans, and found that it produces a particular effect on the fallopian tubes making their smooth muscles more relaxed and loose.

When the egg is to get transported, explains author Sean Ward in the article published in the British Journal of Pharmacology, it’s up to the fallopian tube muscles to provide the necessary impetus – but caffeine interferes with the proper contractions, with the effect that the common run of pregnancy gets disrupted or the woman can develop ectopic pregnancy, that is the embryo is unable to find its way past the fallopian tube and begins to develop there.

It helps understand the processes that lead to ectopic pregnancy, which is “an extremely painful and potentially life-threatening situation in which embryos get stuck and start developing inside a woman’s fallopian tube.”

The experiments on mice, as Ward points out, revealed a lot about how the intake of caffeine tampers with the natural process of child-bearing in women, and go to show that a high consumption of caffeine containing drinks lowers the chance of a healthy and successful pregnancy.

Besides, the new insight into the functionality of the fallopian tubes can give doctors valuable hints towards a better treatment of pelvic inflammation and sexually transmitted diseases.

Source of the image: Photl.

A series of experiments conducted on several species of mammals has shown that immunotherapy can help control fertility. As pointed out by the researchers, the data obtained in the course of the study can be applied to human beings because the mechanisms of their immune system and the process of formulating necessary pregnancy hormones are almost identical to the mammals tested.

So, as a result of certain diseases, the body may produce appropriate antibodies, which reduce the production of progesterone in women and testosterone in men. According to the leader of the research, Professor of biology Bridge Saxena, in the nearest future the scientists are planning to use the data they have obtained to begin the development of a special drug that helps to control the process of reproduction of cats, dogs or other pets.

After proving the efficiency, safety, and reversibility of such interference, the techniques of immunotherapy based on the use of specific recombinant proteins will be used in the treatment of disorders of the reproductive system in humans, as the dostor says. For example, it can be helpful in the case of excessive androgens in women which is a frequent cause of their inability to get pregnant.

Source of the image: Photl.

Developing ovules continues at the age of 30 and 40, but the stock of potential ovules in the ovaries is almost completely exhausted by this time. And though the body chooses the best cells from the remaining number, their quality deteriorates with age which complicates conception and increases the risk of having an unhealthy baby.

At birth, the girls’ ovaries contain about 300,000 potential cells. However, there can be exceptions: some infant girls have up to 2 million cells in their ovaries, while some others have only 35 thousand. In any case, their number is declining faster than it has been thought before. By the age of 30 years, a woman has on average about 12% of the original stock remaining, and by 40 years, she has only 3%. Thus, many ladies are greatly mistaken when they think that they keep being fertile until they produce ovules.

The researchers believe that their findings will help predict the time of early menopause among women and determine the most favorable period for the removal of ovules from the patients’ cancer-stricken ovaries and their subsequent freezing. The doctors also advise women to undergo regular fertility checks in order to avoid problems with conception.

Source of the image: Photl.

1. Infertility Diagnosis or Keep Trying to Conceive?

It is widely believed that if one’s attempts to get pregnant have been a failure for three months in a row, it indicates serious health problems and possible infertility. But it is not true. According to medical statistics, most couples cannot conceive a child during their first, second, or even third attempt. On average, the couple needs five and a half months in order to achieve a positive result. We cannot but mention that the official medical position is as follows: it is pointless to begin diagnosing one’s reproductive health until after 12 months of regular attempts.

2. Sex Position and Fertility

Certain sex positions theoretically increase the chance of conceiving a child, but direct evidence of this fact has not yet been studied. Sexologists admit that new original positions may contribute to success if they become an additional source of stimulation and excitement. It is in the case of a passionate and sincere contact between the partners that the probability of conception increases.

3. TV to Help Get Pregnant

Last year’s research, conducted by social services in four main cities in the UK has shown that joint watching of erotic films significantly increases the partners’ attraction to each other. And any increased desire ultimately contributes to a more rapid conception.

4. Do I need Orgasm to Get Pregnant?

Despite the available data on the high probability of passionate couples’ success, the necessity of female orgasm during the “planned” love act is under question. We can only assert with confidence that male orgasm is a must for the conception.

5. Cold Feet and Conception

One of the few true facts about conception deals with the temperature regime for the man. Indeed, too warm and tight clothing, underwear, and frequent taking alcohol, hot tubs, and saunas create unfavorable conditions for the viability of sperm. This does not mean that potential fathers should not use hot water or run barefoot in the snow.

6. 3 Days of Sexual Continence Up the Chances to Conceive

Maturation of sperm cells is a subtle process which takes much time. The theory says that making love to conceive a child should not occur more than once in two or three days. In fact, it turns out that this is not true. Statistical data obtained by the scientists from the University of Sydney in Australia, 2008, indicate that the more often contacts in a couple occur, the sooner the couple tends to have a child. The Australians have calculated a formula for a successful fertile period: one day is one sexual intercourse.

7. Boy or Girl?

Those, who sincerely believe in one of the brightest and most unscientific myths that making love on certain days can help you successfully plan the sex of your future baby, will be disappointed. Exactly the same success will be brought by “choosing” a son or a daughter with the help of a coin, playing with it on heads or tails.

8. Nutrition and Getting Pregnant Myths

A number of misconceptions regard certain products. There is ubiquitous information on how the use of mint can visibly reduce the likelihood of conception. In fact, this can only happen if the mint gets into the diet as a cocktail Mojito component. The experiments of German doctors dealing with the problems of IVF, demonstrated that regular consumption of alcohol reduces the probability of conception by an average of 40%.

9. Aspirin and Conceiving a Baby

An interesting, though not completely unambiguous fact is that taking aspirin before an intercourse significantly increases the likelihood of conception. According to the recently published data of the studies conducted at the University of Buffalo and the University of Utah (both in the USA) in 2007, the daily intake of about 100 mg of aspirin increases the chances of pregnancy by more than 20%. Despite the prestige of American scientists, doctors strongly advise against having experiments with drugs.

10. Cough to Help Spermatozoa Reach the Goal

This strange statement will be true only when cough is treated with mucus-thinning drugs. The fact is that some drugs diminish the viscosity of mucus, not only in the respiratory tract, but also in one’s reproductive tracts, thus helping the sperm reach the goal. But, of course, one should not take medication only for the sake of it.

Source of the image: Photl.

While not exactly by two, there is going to be much more worry and scurry, so first of all don’t neglect rest. In fact, get as much of it as you can, that will make for a healthier pregnancy and help you brace yourself for what is coming. It may be a while before you get proper rest, running yourself and even a nanny off your feet round the clock. So relax and let’s get down to discussing some practical points.

1. Twins may want to see the light before the due time, so it’s a good idea to start buying baby clothes and diapers well in advance. Besides, you won’t have to bring in a great bundle of clothes at the last minute paying off a thick wad.
2. Another item you won’t want to purchase too late is a double stroller. See that it is sturdy to last longer when your twins get heavier and bear in mind that a tandem-type stroller may be better to negotiate doorways and narrow passages. Check whether it will hold the car seats.
3. Don’t buy everything in twos automatically, think what items can suffice by one. It may be a bouncy seat or a swing where your twins can take turns having fun, then staying away and then mounting them again making the pleasure fresher. At first twins may also do fine using one crib.
4. Breastfeeding will require a breast pump – and a good one, since it’s going to be in constant use. Choose the best double pump you can find; even if you mean to do without one, there will be times when it will stand you in good stead and enable to get help with feeding.
5. During the first several months you will be surely needing assistance at a short notice. A relative, a teenager next door whom you know well, a nurse for short spells to provide you coverage so you can get a shut-eye – even a short one will take you a long way!
6. Warn your pediatrician that you may need more of his or her service starting from the birth on through the hospital. When you have multiple babies chances that they arrive prematurely are higher and they’re liable to stay longer in the hospital than singles – some pediatrician care may be in the order.

And one more thing to prepare is yourself. Expecting is all right, but when the happy parents are actually holding their newborn twins, they usually run through all kinds of strong emotions, so be ready for short spells of shock and fear lest you fail to cope. They are quite natural feelings that will come and go, leaving behind only love that has come to stay and take you through the first strenuous days until you get into the stride.

Source of the image: Photl.

The essence of the experiment was in the fact that a professional “medical clown” spent half an hour in the patients’ wards after the placing of the embryo into the uterus. The main purpose of this visit was to reduce the patient’s stress.

It had been earlier reported that a nerve-point massage, aimed at reducing stress during the placement of the embryo into a woman’s uterus, doubled the chances of getting pregnant. Scientists believe that the more relaxed a woman is during the placement of the embryo in the uterus, the greater the likelihood is that it will consolidate and begin growing.

In addition, as in any study, there is a possibility that the result is a pure coincidence. Nevertheless, it is worth trying. The clowns are not intrusive and do no harm. As for the people, suffering from infertility, they will have one more reason to smile and forget about the problem.

Source of the image: Photl.

Physical wilting is an individual process. Aging process of a woman’s ovaries is by no means less individual; this process is not directly related to the woman’s age. Some women lose fertility when they are rather young, other still have it in their fifties.

British obstetricians developed a special test, which allows every woman to determine whether it is a good idea to bear a child after 30. If the woman’s fertility is decreasing, the test will warn her that delaying childbirth is not a good idea.

This test is the result of the six-year study, which was conducted by biologists at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. Dr. Gillian Lockwood began her research after observing that many young women repeatedly fail at conventional In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatment.

While studying a large group of young women, the British scientist discovered that those who failed at IVF also had low levels of inhibin B hormone. It turns out, that level of this hormone is related to functionality of the woman’s ovaries. So, as ovaries lose their ability to produce healthy eggs – levels of this hormone drop at the same rate. Results of this simple test are based on the level of inhibin B hormone in the woman’s body.

Dr. Gillian Lockwood says that many patients who fail at IVF, a lot of them are career women, say that if they knew that their fertility was decreasing they would not have delayed childbearing for so long. The new test will help women stay on top of their fertility and motherhood.

Source of the image: Photl.

How does ovulation decide at what time I can get pregnant?

The life of an egg after ovulation is just 24 hours. For any woman to get successfully pregnant, she should try to have a sexual intercourse during the time that ranges from one to two days before the process of ovulation and just 24 hours after ovulation. The major reason behind this is that the life of a sperm is two or three days inside a woman’s body. If during this period fertilization takes place the egg is going to survive.

Having sexual intercourse during the time of ovulation, increases the possibilities for a woman to get pregnant. In case of fertile couples, the chances for a woman to get pregnant increase by 20% in each cycle. Women who would not use any type of birth control pills have more chances to become pregnant anytime in a year. You can determine the process of ovulation, by simply observing the changes in your body that occur every month. You can even use this understanding in avoiding sexual intercourse when you are close to the time of ovulation. On the other hand, this type of method for birth control and certainly fail at times.

How can I know when I’m ovulating?

You should calculate 12 to 16 days before your next periods are about to happen. This will allow you to notice as to when you will be ovulating. For many women who undergo a 28 day cycle experience day 14 as their day of ovulation. To understand this, you should know as how long your cycle lasts.

The most efficient way to know when your body will be the most fertile is to keep your mind on the changes that occur in your body and trying to notice these symptoms that ovulation is about to take place.

Transformation in cervical mucus

As your cycle moves ahead, you will notice the change and volume of your cervical mucus. This change is a sign of the estrogen levels rising in the body. You will be known to be the most fertile when the mucus becomes translucent, smooth and elastic. The mucus looks almost like raw egg whites.

Usually, the mucus acts as a shielding obstacle, however during the time of ovulation, this permits the sperm to pass from your cervix to the uterus and finally to the fallopian tubes for meeting the egg.

A rise in body temperature

You can determine your body temperature to rise by 0.4 to 1.0 degrees and at times you will not notice the temperature shift. However, you can determine this by using and basal body thermometer (BBT). The rise in your body temperature is a sign that you are ovulating. This happens when there is takes place the creation a hormone called progesterone during the process of egg releasing from the ovary.

You will be the most fertile at least two or three days before your body temperature reaches the peak. A lot many medical studies claim that you also get an advantage of an additional 12 to 24 hour passage of fertility after you take notice of the body temperature rising.

A lot many experts recommend that you should take a note down of your body temperature rising each morning for a few months to know the pattern of your ovulation date. This will help you to plan on with your partner as to when you should have sex to conceive.

Lower abdominal ache

Almost 1/5th of the women can really get the sensations of the activity of ovulation that ranges from mild pains to cramp. This condition is called mittelschmerz and can last for a couple of minutes or a few hours.

How does an ovulation predictor kit function?

Ovulation predictor kits are easily available without any prescriptions at drug stores and grocery stores. The function of this kit is to detect the flow of luteinizing hormone (LH) in your urine which is present just before ovulation. The ovulation predictor is much easier to use and more precise as compared to the BBT. These can calculate ovulation almost 12 to 36 hours before hand to take full advantage of your probability of conception in the very first month of your use itself.

Again they are not perfect. Sometimes false LH flows can happen earlier than the actual one that takes place before ovulation. Sometimes they are able to take notice of LH positively or negatively, however, they cannot perfectly determine whether you will be ovulating or not. LH has also got chances to flow even before the egg is released.

To obtain maximum exactness, follow the directions in the kit. If the instructions request you to test the first urine of the day, you should rather opt for the second urine test. Sometimes urine gets concentrated during the night and can come up with false results of “positive”.

You must start calculating your cycle on the first day when your periods begin. If you possess a 28 days cycle, you should start using the test from the 11th day and continue using it for 6 days. Or sometimes the ovulation kit manufacturer would ask you to continue the test for a certain number of days, so you should follow that. If you have a cycle between 27 and 34 days, the range of your ovulation could be somewhere in between of day 13 till day 20.

The best ways to begin and start testing is on the 11th day and continue till the 20th. If you have an irregular cycle, this is not the most suitable way for you to detect your time of ovulation. This is because the kits range between $20 to $50 that only allows you 5 or 9 days of tests. This process might lead you to buy more ovulation kits in a month.

Source of the image: Herdaily.

There can be many issues created by infertility and some of them are:

• The emotional agony of not conceiving month after month.
• Tests to figure out the possible problems.
• Finding the right option that may aid in conception.
• The outrageous expense of choosing the medical process of conceiving.

Things to do for the Man Wanting to Conceive

You should convince him that the test is not a struggle to prove his masculinity, but an easy process of sperm donation. A fertility test is actually useful, because it will push away all the emotional troubles and find any possible problems. You should make him understand clearly that the test will speed up your conception process and make you feel much better.

The Sperm Test

The test is indeed nothing to be stressed about. It is very easy, and he may even be allowed to collect his sample at the convenience of your home. If it’s not allowed, then he will be asked to go to a private room and deposit his sample; he will even have access to “appropriate pictures” to help him. Of course, it might feel awkward when he will give over the transparent plastic cup filled with his seeds for future generations, but you will soon laugh it away with friends.

The day of the results is perhaps the toughest at day, especially the part of coping with the outcome. The results depend on two things – the shape and size of the sperm (also called morphology) and their ability to swim (also called mobility).

The Sperm Quality

A sad but unexplainable fact is that men’s sperm has degraded in quality over the last few decades (mobile phones are one of the suspects), so an increasingly number of people have to hear that their sperm are no Michael Phelps. These tragic comments are indeed a punch to the self respect of a man, so it is your duty to be very considerate with him, just like you can expect him to be considerate with you if it was the other way around.

Ask for Medical Help in Case of Male Infertility

But most men don’t have to fear anymore, because modern medical achievements have made it possible to turn even the worst swimmers effective. Their progeny can continue due to the blessings of artificial insemination, fertility drugs and IVF. You should explain all your possible options and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each one. You should unanimously agree on an option and advance.

How to Cope with Male Infertility

The most difficult issue of male infertility is finding a way to alleviate the desperation of their partners for not being able to get pregnant. If a woman decides that they want a baby, they usually become very obsessed with it. This obsession is not easily comprehensible by a man, but this is simply a matter of hormones.

Suggestions for the Would-be Pregnant Woman

Take it easy, because conception can take a while. On average, mid to late 20’s old woman can take up to 4 cycles; the numbers increase with age. If you panic in front of him, then this will only pressurize your man and stress him.

Have Fun While Having Sex

Don’t let your desperation ruin the fun of making a baby.

Seek for Medical Help Together

Visit the doctor together in case you are worried about not becoming pregnant. Decide together if you think testing is required or not.

Ask Other Parents for Advice

Seek advice from friends with kids and ask them what worked for them; convince your man to do the same with you.

Never Pressurize!

There are tons of stories out there that say how a couple gave up after years of trying to have a baby and then finally got pregnant. Statistically it seems that pressure has an effect on your chances of becoming pregnant. So take it easy and find ways to relax.

Think about your fertility

It’s better to decide beforehand what to do if things don’t go according to plan. So talk about the chances of fertility and your possible actions.

Support Each Other

The journey of pregnancy to birth to parenting is an adventure that relies heavily on communication, emotional support and consideration. Infertility is like an assassin as bad as miscarriage, and this causes lots of emotional misery.

Source of the image: Photl.

The clever invention resembles a patch to be worn on the body. It calculates best fertility periods by taking body temperature, as many as 20,000 readings per day. At your command the efficient system passes on the data to the DuoFertility Reader that you are holding in your hand, and you get a visual read-out that marks out the best fertility days for the oncoming week.

It looks like there are many women – and their partners! – who will profit by this ingenious device.

Source of the image: Duofertility.

Blood group O may prevent a woman becoming a mother due to the fact that women with blood group O are more likely to have lower egg count or poor quality eggs compared to those with another blood group.

At the same time, women with blood group A as confirmed by the scientists are more fertile – they have maximum egg count.

The practical significance of this discovery will help doctors prepare a very effective program of conception for women with blood group O. First, these women are encouraged to give birth as early as possible and not to postpone the happiness of motherhood to a later age.

Source of the image: Photl.

Take Folic Acid

The most important of all is that you must start taking folic acid supplements soon. Folic acid reduces the chances of neural tube defect in your baby by 50% to 70% only if you begin to take no less than 0.4 mg of folic acid every day for at least two to three months before you start making attempts to conceive. The neural tube defect could be like anencephaly or spinal bifida.

Sexual Life

You should try and make your sexual life a little more interesting by trying to make love in other rooms than your bedroom. Also, making love during odd times of the day could be really a thrilling experience.

Behavior after Sex

You must avoid running to the bathroom as soon as you make love. You should lie down for a minimum of five minutes which increases the chances of the sperm to meet your awaiting egg. This will surely help you attain a proper conception.

When is the Most Fertile Period?

Just five days after ovulation is your fertile period. So you should make love quite often in this period. If you have the resistance to make love every 48 hours, there is one guarantee that a fresh sperm will want to meet you egg.

Chances of Conceiving a Baby

Making a baby is the game of numbers. Even if you are trying to do everything right, there are chances of just 25% to 30% of conceiving in a periodic cycle.

Quit Smoking

If you are trying to conceive, and have not quit smoking yet, this is the right time. A scientific study determined that odds of a woman conceiving are reduced by 50% if she is still smoking.

Cut Down on Caffeine before Pregnancy

Caffeine is yet another enemy for your conception process. It is time you should consider the option of decaf. Caffeine hampers the developing baby’s growth by contracting blood vessels and dropping the flow of blood towards the uterus. If a woman drinks more than three cups daily, it is yet another problem that causes infertility amongst many.

Job and Health

If you or your partner is exposed to hazardous substances such as harmful chemicals, then you should think about changing your job before you begin to plan for a baby. Certain chemicals or harmful rays have an effect on the quality of sperm and the progress of the embryo.

Medical Checkup

Before jumping on the bed with your partner for having a baby, you must first visit a doctor for a preconception checkup. Let your doctor know about your medical history and your willingness to conceive and have a baby with your partner.

You need to be certain that you have been thoroughly screened for STDs. Millions of women in North America are affected by pelvic inflammatory disease every passing year. The major reason behind this is untreated sexually transmitted disease.

Taking Medications

If you are taking any sort of pills or over-the-counter drugs for anything, you need to tell you doctor about it. You doctor will certainly tell you to either stop the medication or will tell you to continue if it is safe for the baby.

Diabetics Getting Pregnant

If you are a patient of diabetes, you should make sure that your blood sugar levels are under control before you conceive. A scientific study determined that women who have badly restricted insulin-dependent diabetes are at higher risk to give birth to babies with birth defects four to six times more than a non-diabetic woman.

Healthy Diet for Getting Pregnant

If you are searching for a very good resource of folic acid, you can do it by simply having a glass of orange juice or a fresh orange. Orange is the finest source for folic acid. It is a very vital nutrient for any woman who is willing to conceive.

Learn how to make your Vagina Sperm-Friendly

1. Avoid vaginal sprays.
2. Get rid of scented tampon (these will cause pH imbalance)
3. Don’t use artificial lubricants
4. Never use vegetable oils
5. Avoid glycerin – it kills the sperm
6. No saliva – it’s another sperm killer.
7. Don’t douch right after the sexual intercourse. Douching modifies the general acidity of the vagina. Douching can also cause vaginal infections and or pelvic inflammatory disease. It can also sweep away the cervical mucus which helps the sperm to travel.

Physical Activity and Healthy Way of Life before Conception

Exercising is surely good for help, but if you overdo it, it can cause issues of fertility problems like irregular menstruations, anovulatory cycles in which ovulation is absent as well as luteal phase deficiencies. A luteal phase happens when the second half of your cycle is not lengthy enough for the proper implantation of the fertilized egg.

If your man is into too much of cycling, ask him to walk on the treadmill instead. A study conducted by the University Of California School Of Medicine proved that men who are prone to cycling more than 100kms per week are putting their fertility in danger. This happens because the groin keeps hitting the bicycle seat which can harm the essential arteries and nerves.

There is no need for you to go on a diet thinking that you will conceive a baby easily. If you start starving yourself, or are over-eating would surely affect your ovulation and in return your fertility.

If you are not physically active, consult your doctor whether you should opt for anything that would boost your stamina, develop your strength and your cardiovascular health. Don’t do anything active without the consent of your doctor.

Pregnancy and Prenatal Vitamins

If you regularly take vitamin supplements, then at times large doses of some kinds of vitamins possibly will be hazardous for your developing baby. At this point, you must change your course towards prenatal vitamin previous to you conceive.

Measuring Basal Body Temperature

If you are worrying about your basal body temperature (BBT) to keep a record of your most fertile days, you should get a hold of a digital thermometer instead of a traditional mercury one. The digital thermometer is easier to read and it beeps to remind you for recording your reading just in case you are not aware of it.

Eating, drinking and even moving out of the bed can affect your body temperature. Put a hold on these activities before you take your reading.

If you did not have enough sleep any night, you should note it down in your temperature chart. If you are not able to get sleep for at least three continuous hours, then your BBT reading can still be untrustworthy.

Sometimes, you will not be able to notice any difference in your BBT chart. This is normal for a lot of women who are regularly ovulating and there is no sudden temperature rise in their bodies after ovulation. A constant BBT throughout the menstrual cycle is perfectly normal.

Am I Pregnant?

To know you baby-making moment, here it is. The most fertile time for a woman is when the cycle is leading five days up to ovulation. If you are getting any signs of ovulation, you are at the right spot.

If your menstrual cycle is longer or shorter than 28 days, there are possibilities that you will not ovulate on day 14. The process of ovulation begins 14 days before the next menstrual cycle.

After the ovulation, you just have to patiently wait. At times, there is not sufficient human chorionic gonadotropin present in your urine for testing even after 12 days after the ovulation. Sometimes it takes a little longer time.

When Does It Make Sense to Make a Pregnancy Test?

If your period is late as compared to your natural time, you can simply note down whether your number of days since ovulation are longer than normal. If you’re results of elevated temperatures are at least 18 times in numbers, or if your temperature stays elevated for more than 3 days than your longest luteal phase to date, you can come to the conclusion that you are pregnant.

Signs of Pregnancy

Usually hCG begins to produce in the body just a week after conceiving. The combination of hCG with growing progesterone levels make the blood flow increase towards the region of your pelvis. This will make you run towards the bathroom a lot many times as your pregnancy advances.

Spotting during Pregnancy

You should not be afraid if you find some small amount of spotting on your inner wear. A lot of women undergo this implantation bleeding for nearly a week after conceiving. This is the time when the fertilized egg gets attached to the uterine wall. A lot of women commit a mistake in thinking that this is the beginning of their menstrual cycle which can cause them to panic.

Source of the image: Photl.

It “does sound rather a lot”, admits Dr. Mike Smith of First Response upon analyzing the results of the poll involving 3,000 mothers.

Wishing to conceive a baby, 10% women decided it would be best to have their husbands home from work on the days they were ovulating. But another 70% women shy from the idea of working on it and would much prefer a spontaneous fit of passion to result in their getting pregnant.

Men seem to like it both ways… as they should.

Dr. Smith further remarked that it doesn’t have to take all of the 104 times and six months estimated, because many couples, fired by the wish to have a baby, engage in sex as often as they can.

But women who are not wanting to get pregnant for the present shouldn’t rely heavily on these data and had better use precautions every time they have sex.

Source of the image: Photl

Women involved in the study were asked to fill out two questionnaires.  Interestingly, the second questionnaire was given to the participants ten years after they did the first.

Researchers discovered that women were able to get pregnant after about one year passed since they reduced physical activity.

Source of the image: photl.com.

If you know all the early symptoms and signs of pregnancy, you should also know the non-pregnancy signs as well. The symptoms of pregnancy differ from one woman to another. To clear your doubts, you should know all the symptoms of pregnancy before comparing yourself with a cousin or your sister who used to be pregnant.

Signs of Pregnancy from Your Body

There are several changes that a woman passes through during pregnancy. There are sudden psychological and hormonal changes that happen in a woman’s body during pregnancy. Almost all women are able to notice the similar symptoms of pregnancy during the first trimester; however they can be slightly different.

The following are the early symptoms of pregnancy

1. Bleeding Due to Implantation.

   Bleeding happening due to implantation is also called vaginal spotting. It is one of the most common symptoms of pregnancy which takes place when the egg attaches itself to the uterus walls. The following are the ways to distinguish vaginal spotting from regular vaginal bleeding:

   • Implantation bleeding happens after about five days of the fertilization.
   • The color of the implantation bleeding is light in color differentiating it from the menstrual bleeding.
   • Minor cramps are also experienced by some women during implantation bleeding.
   • If you are going through something which is looking like implantation bleeding, you should try running a home pregnancy test.

2. Frequent Urination.

   If you are running towards the bathroom every now and them, then this is one of the early symptoms of pregnancy. The ligaments in the uterus stretch causing hormonal changes and frequent urination. These happens due to the enlargement on the uterus which gets prepared to build room for the fetus by pushing the bladder.

3. Tender and Sore Breasts.

   You might experience severe soreness and pain in your breasts during pregnancy. This happens because the breasts get prepared for producing milk and enlarge due to hormonal changes.

4. Increase in Body Temperature.

   Increase in body temperature usually happens after possible conception. If your body temperature keeps on a high scale at a basal thermometer, then this is a symptom of pregnancy.

5. Missed Periods.

   Missing a regular period is one the most sure signs of being pregnant. However, this symptom of pregnancy varies in women.

6. Weakness and Fatigue.

   Feelings of exhaustion are normal after getting pregnant. If you are getting the feelings dizziness with some of the other symptoms, you should contact your doctor. This is one of the earliest symptoms of pregnancy. This symptom is known as “Morning Sickness” which can happen in anytime of the day.

If you are going through any one of the symptoms of pregnancy mentioned above and are expecting to conceive, then you should start keeping a track of any of the symptoms and tell your gynecologist after you set up a meeting. However, if you had planned this pregnancy before, you will start noticing the symptoms of pregnancy soon after five days of conception. You should take proper guidance as soon as you suspect of being pregnant so that your baby would develop a good health and a fit mind.

Source of the image: sxc.hu/profile/biewoef.

Boys are known to be more vulnerable as fetuses. That’s why they tend to need more energy and nutrients for survival. The scientists studied genes in the placenta of pregnant mice and found the difference among groups fed with regular, high-calorie and low-calorie diets.  After 12 days (pregnancy period for mice is 24 days), about 2000 genes were identified in the genome of mice from all the three groups.  The scientists concluded that maternal placenta can adjust to specific conditions, influencing the gender of fetuses.

The diet “for boys”, according to scientists, includes high calorie foods as well as sufficient levels of calcium and vitamins C, E, and B12. Additionally, it is recommended to have a hearty breakfast to increase the daily calorie intake.

Source of the image: sxc.hu/profile/biewoef.

But once artificial fertility measures are taken, a study in Fertility & Sterility reports, the number of male expectances comes down.

The study is looking into a particular reproduction technique scientifically labeled intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). ICSI is the method commonly employed to cope with male fertility problems and it is becoming more popular by day. It involves injecting the father’s sperm into the eggs extracted from the mother.

ICSI is considered very beneficial since it also serves to bring down the chances of giving birth to triplets or even more babies at a time.

But, as it turns out, blastocyst-stage embryos show a direct contrast to what we find in the natural state of things – less male babies are born.

Therefore scientists believe that ICSI shouldn’t be resorted to unless absolutely necessary if we wish to avoid the spread of this potential side effect.

Source of the image: sxc.hu/profile/Rotorhead.

As a man’s weight increases so his chances of becoming a father decreases. The researchers studied more than 300 couples undergoing IVF treatment. Dr. Hassan Bakos of the University of Adelaide, Australia, said that as parental body mass index increased, successful pregnancy rates plummeted.

Couples involved in the study were either undergoing IVF treatment or an alternative procedure. Almost 80 percent of male participants were either overweight or obese. The man’s weight played no role at the initial phases when embryo develops. However, by day four of embryo cell division, when genetic factors become important, signs of impaired development were found. The evidence suggests that DNA damage and oxidative stress are to blame, according to Dr. Bakos.

So before planning on pregnancy, both partners have to try to make their weight normal to increase their chance of conceiving a baby.

Source of the image: sxc.hu/profile/asifthebes.

Age and Fertility

Biologically, we are more fertile during a certain timeframe. Right time to conceive begins as we turn 18 and extends into 20s. With early 30s approaching, our reproductive abilities start declining gradually. However, it’s not before reaching the age of 35 when fertility can become a problem. Towards 40s, women are more likely to encounter more difficulties getting pregnant. While the nature signals the best time for pregnancy is reaching 20s, social realities weigh in and 20s just seem not that right for many young moms.

Why Old Age Pregnancy

Today’s women tend to miss fertile 20s as they are busy with starting a career, figuring out an advanced education, or even both. Having a baby in 20s may be very challenging financially, without job security and all. Let’s face it, having a baby requires not only parental love, it also needs sound household budget.

Early pregnancy may be hard on a relationship, too. Younger moms simply don’t have enough life experience to deal with baby-related stresses while fathers may feel alienated as they see their wives suddenly preoccupied with a child. This transition period would take a lot of tolerance to come through and emerge stronger as a family. Unfortunately, many marriages don’t pass the test.

Form this perspective, matured couples would have fewer problems having a baby. They gain more experience with age and are more ready to make sacrifices which parenthood requires. Maturity also matters when it comes down to weathering the trauma of pregnancy and labor. Older women are more likely to be easier with the problem of pregnancy pounds and other post-pregnancy issues.

Pregnancy Complications

But as we proceed with our careers, reproductive time’s ticking away. Now as you’ve crossed the age of 30, it might take a bit harder to conceive. Of course, turning 30 doesn’t mean at all you are getting irretrievably infertile. And the study of the University of Texas at Austin just backs up the assumption. According to scientists, the best time to get on a journey into motherhood is 34. At this point a woman is quite healthy to have a baby and achieves financial stability.

However, beyond this line, pregnancy complications can be piling up. Another study conducted by Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority, UK, showed a steady rise of fertility treatments among women over 35. More and more babies are born as a result of IVF treatment with higher risk of birth defects. So older age pregnancy doesn’t seem like a totally safe haven. Obviously, as we get older, our health weakens. Many women over 35 are very likely to develop diabetes or high blood pressure, making it tougher to carry and deliver a healthy baby.

Pregnancy is a milestone event whatever time it happens. So, what time seems best to you?

Source of the image: sxc.hu/profile/ecahal.