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!

On Monday the Nothin’ Better to Do singer for the umpteenth time asked some of her fans to “stop discussing my ovaries,” adding that she had never attempted to conceive. In her opinion, conception often comes a great problem for couples, some of which have to go on trying for a long time and fail.

The Grammy-winning artist confessed the ongoing pregnancy rumors make her feel confused – although she would often laugh at some nitwit speculations she read. She believes it’s a crazy game to concoct articles and false news out of nowhere.

Rimes, 29, is 10-month-long wife to her Northern Lights costar Cibrian, 38, who has two sons, Mason and Jake, from his previous marriage to Brandi Glanville. While she is childless, she is taking care of his children looking upon them as her own.

Not that she is all out to replace their mother, as the country singer explained in her blog last September. But raising children “in a loving, safe and proper environment” is always one of a woman’s chief issues.

Her husband, she wrote, had wanted her to regard them as a family from the beginning, and she had grown to consider Ciprian’s boys as part of her family whom she is sharing with their biological mother – “and hopefully one day another wonderful man.”

The decrease in sperm concentration is caused by poor nutrition and obesity. These factors also affect the motility of sperm. Proper diet makes pregnancy much more likely.

Fruits and grains are an important component of men‘s nutrition, which increases the quality of sperm. But one should avoid red meat, coffee and alcohol.

The so-called “male factor” is currently very important in the treatment of infertility. Previously it was thought that almost everything depended on the woman, and the inability to conceive was often associated with obesity, smoking, and alcohol. Now, it seems that the same requirements should be presented to both partners.

The researchers insist that the sperm concentration is negatively influenced by such factors as body mass index and alcohol consumption. A positive effect on the concentration and motility of the sperm is observed after consuming grains, as well as practicing split meals (when the number of meals per day increases, and the size of the dishes gets smaller). This has been proved by the leading IVF researcher Edson Borges, working in Sao Paulo, as well as his colleagues in the UK. He studied 250 men, who had passed the IVF procedure. The results were encouraging! A diet with a lot of fruits and grains increases the chances of conception because the quality of sperm is improved by more than 40%.

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.

This was proved by the Danish researchers from Aarhus University during the experiments on animals. The researchers had been forcing the mice to a low-protein diet for ten weeks before mating. While the mice were bearing their offsprings, they received their usual diet. The mousekins were born underweight and had an increased sensitivity to insulin which in the future could lead to a highly probable problem with type 2 diabetes. Also, it is proved that sensitivity to insulin often causes obesity in males.

The scientists believe that the results of the experiment may be relevant for people as well, though with some precaution. At least, when examining the influence of nutrition on the health of a future baby, the doctors obtained the same results from studying mice and human beings. That is why the women who are planning a child in the future are recommended not to stick to a strict diet for at least a few months before the alleged conception.

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.

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.

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.

The scientists’ opinions vary as to the question of useful effect of the antioxidants on the process of conception. A recent experiment has proved that antioxidants reduce ovulation. In the course of the study, the scientists added antioxidants in the ovaries of laboratory mice, and as a result, the ovaries produced too few ovules, which in its turn would reduce the probability of conception significantly.

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.

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.

Such phenomenon is very rare (there are only ten reported cases) and is called superfetation. It happens when a woman ovulates more than once a month and a second egg is fertilized soon after a pregnancy has already begun.

According to the Grovenburgs’ obstetrician Michael Mailart, the superfetation can be verified after birth by comparing the babies’ chromosome set and metabolism.

It’s curious that due to his location in the womb, a second baby should be born first; either it will be a vaginal delivery or a Cesarean section. Due dates for the babies are 2009 and 2010.

Source of the image: presstv.ir.

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.

During the study 116 men suffering from infertility issues were supposed to make sex daily for a week. As a result, 4 out of 5 men showed 12% decrease in DNA malfunctions. Additionally, the number of spermatozoons fell from 180 millions to 70 million, but the latter grew more active.

David Greening’s findings in fact contradict the current approach to male infertility treatment which suggests that men should abstain from sex for a few days to improve fertility.

Source of the image: flickr.com/photos/mazelx.

According to scientists, although the artificially-generated spermatozoon lacks mobility and may fail whenever an ovule is encountered, it possesses qualities of its natural prototype and is capable of fertilization.

Scientists think, this finding may signify a breakthrough advance in infertility treatment which may implement artificial spermatozoon within 10 year time already.

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

Challenges for Women Trying to Conceive after 35

A lot of studies have proved that the probability of ovulation decreases in women after they cross the age limit of 30, decreasing fertility. Women in mid-thirties and older may often have regular cycles without an egg released. Moreover, the quality of the egg decreases when women reach the age of 30 and even more when a woman crosses 40.

The following are a few reasons why conceiving after 35 becomes difficult for women:

• various uterine disorders and fibroids,
• decrease in cervical fluid.
• endometriosis
• development of scar tissue around the cervix or fallopian tubes due to a surgery or infections.
• chronic health problems, such as diabetes and hypertension.

A woman above the age of 35 or running in her mid forties should also keep in mind that she has higher chances of miscarriage which go up to 35% higher, as well as a higher risk of chromosomal abnormalities.

With a long list of health problems, how can a woman think of conceiving after 35?

How to Increase the Chances to Conceive in Older Age?

The following things can be done to increase the chances of conceiving.

• Setup a meeting with your health care provider to discuss the subject. An experienced doctor would review your recent medical requirements, your current lifestyle, as well as your medical history. After going through all these details, your doctor will be able to come up with a numbers of tips on how to conceive, such as taking folic acid, vitamin E and eating a healthy diet.
• The second most important recommendation that you should follow in order to conceive is quit smoking, avoid or completely stop drinking alcohol. Also, try to consume less caffeine.
• There are fertility tests that you and your partner should go through. You will be able to buy these tests at any drug stores.

Trying to Conceive after 35 – Tips for the Man

You should get your partner involved in this process as well – and here are some tips for the man planning to conceive. The man should also give up smoking and reduce the amount of alcohol consumed to the minimum. He is also supposed to wear something loose and comfortable rather than wearing anything tight which could hamper his sperm. Your partner must also avoid hot baths as they may make the sperm less effective. And in the end, your male partner should also be told to limit the sexual intercourse to once every two days to make his sperm counts high.

Stay Positive and Be Patient

After all that has been said, the most important factor for you is to stay positive. You have to accept the fact that for women aged 35 and more it takes a longer time to conceive. Following the tips above will boost your chances of conception.

If after trying to conceive for six months you have no signs of pregnancy, you should visit your health care specialist for some additional help in solving the problem. Your doctor would then conduct a fertility test in both of you or may recommend consulting a fertility specialist.

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

According to the experts, increased blood supply promotes movement of the eggs to the ovaries and embryo implantation in the womb.

A previous study showed that weight reduction in obese women increases chances of ovulation by 30-40 per cent. The new study examined the role of blood flow in the process of ovulation and pregnancy for the first time. The specialists believe that a larger study needs to be conducted for a full examination of this point. However, at the moment the scientists are confident that the body weight is linked with the ability to have children and even the smallest weight loss increases the chances of conceiving.

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

I didn’t manage to change my way of life (more walks in the fresh air, going to sleep early) so fast, but I hope, I will very-very soon. I normally go to sleep at about 3-4 am, sometimes later, very seldom – earlier, but my gynecologist says, it MUST be changed for the sake of baby. This unhealthy regimen has been for a year, so it’s going to be really, really hard to change it, in consideration of the fact that we both (my husband and I) live according to it. We both work at home, this is why it’s hard to wake up early if you don’t actually need to. But, as already said, I will do my best to change it and make my way of life as healthy as possible.

What Causes Anovulation?

There are quite a lot of reasons to know why a woman is not ovulating regularly. If you consult a doctor, he/she would prescribe certain drugs that will cause ovulation. A woman who is not experiencing any bleeding at least once in a month will not be able to notice that she does not ovulate unless she is monitoring her basal body temperature. The chart would appear to be very irregular with either the temperature shooting up constantly or no temperature rise notification in it at all.

There are various reasons for anovulation. Some of them include:

1. Breastfeeding
2. Pre-menopause
3. Illnesses
4. Stresses
5. Coming off the pill
6. Hormones like Depo-Provera
7. Traveling
8. Vigorous Exercise
9. Extreme weight loss or weight gain
10. Other medical conditions – like pituitary gland problems and polycystic ovarian disease.

Anovulation and Getting Pregnant

Anovulation could be very discouraging when you are planning to conceive. However, you should not worry about it as there is help available. If you notice that you are not ovulating, you should consult your doctor. There will be a chain of tests undertaken to recognize your levels of hormones and a few drugs will be prescribed for fertility and ovulation.

What Medicines Are Prescribed to Treat Anovulation?

The widely prescribed drug is Clomid or Pergonal. These drugs are prescribed with small doses initially to offer a chance to your body to ovulate and then the doses increase in anticipation of the ovulation. Quite a few women will surely ovulate after taking these drugs. However, Clomid is only prescribed when the origins of infertility are unknown.

If there is no regular menstrual cycle, the drug Provera, or something similar to it is prescribed to encourage menstruation. Just the once ovulation occurs, the doctor can then better inform you if there is any additional help required.

What Natural Ways Can Encourage Ovulation?

There are a lot of natural herbs that can also bring about ovulation. That is the reason why we recommend you to meet your doctor first and take their advice. Vitex provides help to control the estrogen and progesterone hormones which helps in ovulation. You should check the bottle to know the dosages. Vitex should not be taken if you are already prescribed Clomid.

You can try to increase your chances of conception by 50% by drinking tea. To lengthen the leuteal phase and fertility, a dose of 25 mg – 100 mg of vitamin B6 can help. Consumption of evening Primrose oil before the expected ovulation can help in the production of the white cervical fluid, which is known as the most fertile fluid.

There is no need to worry about anovulation as it is not a major reason for infertility. Science and technology have moved to greater heights and things can be done to help nature. Anyway, first of all you should begin with charting your basal body temperature and seeing your doctor.

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

In What Cases Is IVF Used?

When IVF was invented, its role was to aid women suffering from infertility caused by infertile or diseased uterine tubes. However, with new developments, IVF can now treat cases like endometriosis, hostile cervical mucus and other infertility related cases. It has even been tested on male partners with a low sperm count problem; although it has been proved to work, the overall success rate isn’t very high.

How Is IVF Done?

In Vitro Fertilization is carried out with a laparoscope, which is basically a form of telescope that is put inside an anesthetized woman’s abdomen to extract an eggs from the ovary just before they are about to be released naturally by ovulation. Separate sperms are collected from the male partner and then washed and diluted. The extracted eggs and the diluted sperm are then mixed in a glass dish. If fertilization between the egg and the sperm is successful, then the embryo is developed in the lab. After about two or three days, the embryo is placed in the woman’s uterus with the help of a plastic tube.

Possible Side Effects of IVF

IVF does have its boundaries and side effects though. The success rate isn’t 100% and there is a risk of ectopic pregnancy, or extrauterine pregnancy – which is a special case when the embryo is inserted and developed outside the uterine cavity; this is very dangerous because in such cases the uterine tube usually erupts. Furthermore, successful implantation and development doesn’t always end up with childbirth. Miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies are more common through IVF than when you try to conceive the natural way.

How Effective Is IVF?

There is no general trend in the success rate for In Vitro Fertilization. The numbers vary from place to place, so it’s difficult to predict the efficiency. Some figures suggest that for each happy couple who went through a successful IVF procedure, there are a few more couples who didn’t have such luck. With technological advancements, the IVF procedure is becoming more and more streamlined and efficient, but the latest facts from the important IVF centers state the following: 8-10% probability of pregnancy if only one embryo is placed in the woman’s uterine tube; 20% probability for two embryos; 30% for three embryos. Considering the dangers involved, more than three or four embryos are never inserted. Again, it must be noted that pregnancy does not always result in birth, just like in natural conditions.

IVF Gives a Hope

In Vitro Fertilization is a great technological development for the infertility treatment. The whole process requires very high tech equipment along with extremely skilled medical operators. No doctors or medical scientists can make success promises with IVF yet, but we can’t deny the fact that IVF has put a smile on many couples’ faces and is a ray of hope for many others waiting for it to be perfected.

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

Sometimes spouses are so overwhelmed by worries that they seem to get lost. Here are three dangerous situations any expecting couple may face.

1. Broken Sexual Identity

There are persons whose self-esteem is strongly determined by their sexual identity. The sexual identity, on its turn, is associated with fertility. If something goes wrong, you partner may be thinking like “I’m a useless woman” or “I’m not a real man”.

What Can You Do about It?

Try to support your spouse by making him or her understand that your partner is great whatever the quality of sperm or fallopian tube health. That works if your really care for your partner.

2. Deciding on Who’s the Leader in the Home

Some couples see pregnancy problem as a cause for fighting over the issue who’s the leader. Who should choose sex positions? Who should take care of contraception? Who should decide on the right pregnancy diet? But for the can’t-get-pregnant-problem, they would have picked up another cause.

What Can Be Done Instead?

Do the list together. You know, set a kind of a household policy. It may stir up some discussion. Well, you have your weekend to figure it all out. Remember that you are doing this for your future baby’s sake. But do you really need to decide on who is better for the leader’s role?

3. Pregnancy Problems or Mutual Claims

Not all marriages are for love. Sometimes, love springs up later. It may happen that spouses get attached to each other after having their own baby or making an adoption. The pregnancy problems may provoke aggression or obscenities towards a person you decided to build a family with. And what was the pregnancy problem at first evolves into mutual bitter reproaches like “You don’t need me, you need a child” or “You are hysteric, no wonder you had the miscarriage!”

What Would Help in this Situation?

Imagine you are 25 years from now and you are an empty-nester. Your son, or a daughter, has a big house and doesn’t want to have children (and that’s a person’s right to decide, by the way). Do you want to be together in twenty five years? It’s up to you. Or you think it is impossible to be happy in marriage?

You Do Have a Baby

Remember, if you plan to have a baby, your baby is already here. You are thinking and dreaming about your baby. You are arranging everything. You are talking about your future child even if you say nothing. At the back of your mind, you are a family now. However, family physiologists warn both parents against being too much focused on their kids. These parents sacrifice a lot, and the sacrifice won’t do any good for your kids in the first place. Trust family physiologists. They had a great experience.