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.

Gemma Potter, the resident of the English city of Plymouth, is only 23 years old now. In 2006, when she met her future husband, she was a very young girl. Their love was passionate and mutual, but soon Gemma noticed a strange thing: all the contraceptives, which she resorted to, were completely ineffective.

As a result, she has given birth to three children during 5 years, and two pregnancies ended in miscarriages.

But the most piquant is the fact that the woman with three children and a young mother – judging by modern standards – is pregnant for the sixth time, although she took every precaution to prevent pregnancy.

Gemma and her husband Glenn made love no more than three times from the beginning of September until early December – once a month, as it turns out. The woman was very worried that she would get pregnant once again. But there was no way to escape her fate. Neither pills, nor intrauterine devices and hormone injections could help her. During the fall, she and Glenn used condoms, but Gemma still got pregnant.

At first, the doctors, whom she spoke with, only smiled and advised her to comply with the prescribed rules for the use of various contraceptive methods more carefully. But now they look at the woman as a kind of a medical phenomenon.

Gemma complains she has forgotten what a party with friends is like. She has forgotten the taste of champagne, whiskey, and wine. She will never be able to find a good job again, and all of that is because she is constantly pregnant. Gemma loves her children and her husband, but she is terribly afraid to once again discover that she is pregnant.

The woman decided that in future she would take advantage of this feature of her organism. After giving birth to their fourth child, Gemma is going to become a surrogate mother.

In fact, she can even be considered young in comparison with the new generation of parents, who prefer using reproduction methods and have their first-born babies in the age, when their peers are already nursing their grandchildren.

Getting Pregnant Despite Menopause

60-year-old Ann Maloney, the mother of two children (her elder daughter Isabella is 10 years old, and her younger daughter Lily is 7), gave an open-hearted interview to the New York Magazine telling about how her girls had been born. She met her second husband, John Ross, when she was 47, and a year later the spouses decided to have a child (a donor ovule was used for the conception). To have her second baby, Ann resorted to hormonal drugs and addressed the doctors, who managed to draw her out of the menopause. Today, the couple is happy, despite their age. The elderly parents say that they have enough strength and energy to raise both daughters.

Getting Pregnant at 53

A similar thing happened to a 53-year-old Kate Garros, who had lost her chance to become a mother at an early age. This story also involved a second marriage. Kate’s husband had been dreaming of having twins. The couple also used donor ovules for the IVF. Now, Alexandra and John have been making their mom and dad happy for seven years. However, the mother is now 61 years old, and she suffers from arthritis, which constantly reminds her of her age. From her personal experience, Kate says that people are baffled if you do not look like a typical mom, whom they expect to see.

Parents or Grandparents?

Fiona Palin from Los Angeles is 48 years old. Five months ago, she gave birth to a baby, Katherine. By that time, Fiona and her husband Nick had almost lost hope of ever becoming parents. It took them 10 years and 6 IVF attempts; three cases of pregnancy ended tragically. During the last attempt a frozen embryo was used. Fiona confessed of her thoughts that nothing would happen again, and they did not have any hopes left. But after nine months of an ‘ideal’ pregnancy, Catherine was born, and everyone would call her Kiki with affection. The baby is nearly six months old, and her mother still cannot quite believe that a miracle has happened.

Her husband is well aware of the fact that he could have been the grandfather of his daughter. He was not kidding when he said with irony that he did not have any grandchildren, so he decided to have his own child. He realizes the bitter truth that he can not be there when his daughter turns 30. His wife plans to send their daughter to a boarding school when she becomes a teenager, so that Kiki could have at least some “sisters”.

Here is how the psychologist Julianne Zweifel commented on the emerging tendency: “Children have the right for at least one parent alive and well.”

Why Are Pregnant Women “Getting Older”?

Mothers are getting older with every year. Over the past 10 years, the number of the women giving birth after 45 has increased more than twice in the USA. The number of those who gave birth after the age of 50 has increased by 375%. The reason for this rapid growth is the improvement of medical technologies, such as freezing of embryos, which allows women to postpone motherhood for the time being. Obstetricians and gynecologists claim that the biological age of many 50-year-old women is 10-15 years less than the real age, so they are fully capable to bear children. The studies have shown that those, who decide between pregnancy and career and prefer to pursue a career, postponing their pregnancy “for later times”, are wealthy, educated, and, consequently, physically healthier than their average statistical peers. Richard Paulson, fertility expert at the University of Southern California, says that these 50-year-olds are very young.

According to La Liberte Angel, who runs a California website for older mothers, women are too much under pressure which is often quite unreasonable. Women are expected to be responsible for the household duties, to earn money and to give birth within a certain period of time. However, the risks remain significant. Mothers aged 35 or more are 20% more likely to experience preterm labor, which leads to an increase in health problems for the child (the risk involves the lungs, the gastrointestinal tract and neurology, and the chances that the baby will be autistic also increase). However, the mothers themselves are having difficult times. Pregnant women, who are over 40, face the risk of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and hypertension. That is why many clinics, specializing in IVF, set strict age limitations.

What Makes Older Women Decide to Get Pregnant?

There is no doubt that getting pregnant is a balanced and deliberate decision. The children, who are born with “older” mothers, could hardly be more desired and loved. Sometimes their appearance can save a marriage that has been crumbling on the eyes, as if it were a house of cards. That is what happened with the relationship of John Travolta and Kelly Preston. After the death of the elder son, 16-year-old Jett (he had died of epilepsy in the Bahamas), the star couple was about to divorce. Fortunately, Ella Blue now has a younger brother Benjamin. The happy father says his son is so smart, cute, healthy, and wonderful. He is simply delighted with the kid, who “makes every day of his life better.”

The new meaning of life, no more and no less – that is what babies give their “adult” mothers.

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.

The idea of such a database belongs to London Sperm Clinic. In addition to a detailed description of the appearance of the donor, the questionnaires contain the information about one’s personal qualities and hobbies. When delivering their biomaterial to the Bank, the donors fill out a questionnaire and write a brief curriculum vitae explaining the reason that forced them to donate the material to the bank. By the way, most men viewed the donation as the act of philanthropy.

The staff of the clinic, in their turn, describe their impressions of the donor, and their opinion can also be seen in the questionnaire.

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.

True, she has a lot of evidence to furnish corroborating her point of view, celebs with slim fatless waistlines that have children, like Kelly Ripa or Victoria Beckham who is expecting her fourth.

Rancic confessed that she went so far as to personally pinch Gisele Bündchen to ascertain whether she has got a fat layer on her body – and found none.

And if she is outspoken about her (unsuccessful so far) attempts to get pregnant on the Style Network’s Giuliana & Bill, that doesn’t mean she likes to be pestered with mentions of her figure.

Rancic keeps receiving what she calls “ignorant comments” in amounts that excite her indignation. Fashion stylist Rachel Zoe, another celebrity endowed with a small frame, who got pregnant last fall, makes her latest trump card. “Rachel Zoe is pregnant! To all the haters, get informed!” exclaimed the TV lady.

It’s up to doctors to judge how much a person’s body weight influences one’s ability to conceive, Rancic reminded those who prefer to harp on the subject of weight.

Stinging comments aside, the Rancic family are still unable to get round the problem. Giuliana confessed to UsMagazine that she had gotten over 60 IVF shots per month, a measure supposed to have stimulated conception. These attempts had been going on for two years during which the famous host felt like a lab rat popping in and out of clinics.

“I forgot what it was like to feel normal,” Rancic complains telling that she wants to lay off treatment for some time.

Source of the image: Nydailynews.

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.

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.

She shared the thoughts that are troubling her with Us Weekly. “I want kids,” she said, “but I’m scared!”

The pain of childbirth is the first thing that keeps her off getting pregnant. Last December, when her sister Kourtney delivered son Mason, it looked like nothing much – “but I don’t believe it” is what Khloe keeps saying. She is terrified of labor, pain and epidural needles.

Although she dropped twenty pounds during 2009, Khloe is still conscious of being the fat Kardashian sister, and the possibility of struggling to lose after-pregnancy weight and failing is another major scare.

And then there is her nephew Mason, 9 months, who is so good-tempered and lovely… Her own child would have somebody to live up to and be not a shade less adorable than his cousin!

Source of the image: Accidentalsexiness.

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.

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.

Almost half of those interviewed said that they want to postpone pregnancy or have fewer children because of their financial problems. 31 percent said they don’t want to have children at the moment, 28 percent want fewer children than previously planned, and 7 percent said they don’t want getting pregnant at all. About two thirds (64 percent) agreed with the statement that As long as the economic situation remains the way it is now, I can’t afford having a baby. The researchers also found that every fourth woman (or their partner) has lost jobs or health insurance over the past year. Besides, 52 percent said their financial situation got worse compared to what it was a year ago. Over half of the women are concerned if they could take a proper care of their baby.

These findings are raising concerns among scientists. Such changes in childbearing attitude and related behavioral changes can stay on after the recession is officially over. Men obviously share their partners’ attitude.

Earlier this year, doctors reported a surge in the number of vasectomies (male sterilization) since the economy stumbled.

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

Recent CDC (The Centers for Disease Control) report revealed that pregnant women are at higher risk of developing severe complications after infection with swine flu. Reeves also claims that pregnant women should be aware that anti-viral drugs like tamiflu are safe in pregnant women. Dr. Reeves says that the benefits from using the drug outweigh the risks. It’s important to remember that anti-flu drugs work better if you start taking them within two days of the first flu symptoms. Physicians encourage that women don’t delay with the treatment.

In addition to pregnant women, other flu risk groups that will be vaccinated include: people who live or care for children younger than 6 months of age; health care personnel and paramedics; people aged from 6 months through 24 years; people aged 24 through 56 years whose risk of complications is related to chronic health disorders or compromised immune system. The listed groups make for nearly half population of the United States. Experts note that once people from higher risk groups have been vaccinated, the vaccinating will continue among other groups, including people over 65.

Before using any medications, even those regarded to as safe during pregnancy, please, consult your health care specialist.

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

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.

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.

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.