Staying Healthy During Pregnancy

For every woman, pregnancy is the greatest time of joy with physical and emotional changes occurring in her body. Certain suggestions are given for having a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. There are chances of miscarriage during the first 3 months of pregnancy. Women can prevent the miscarriage by following a few tips, but these tips do not give you a guarantee that you will have a healthy baby.

To start with a healthy pregnancy, you should start eating a healthy diet rich in vitamins, antioxidants and minerals such as fruits and vegetables, because the nutritive deficiency will result in a development of defected egg or sperm. Pregnant women should avoid alcohol, caffeine and raw foods. Pregnancy is not a time for dieting. You should not be concerned about your weight instead you should start eating healthy diet.

Smoking can be injurious to your baby health. Keep away from smoking even after baby is born for at least 6 months. Smoking can result in serious health risks to the infants.

Doctors always recommend little exercises to do during pregnancy, such as brisk walking, household chorus and yoga. It is Important for a woman to have knowledge about exercises which are injurious during this time period. You should talk to your gynaecologist about the exercises and the duration of exercises which are safe during pregnancy.

Getting adequate amount of rest is necessary during pregnancy time. A pregnant woman should try to sleep on her left side as this position is most comfortable during last trimesters. It will also help in avoiding the unwanted pressure on heart and veins, as the major blood vessels are located in the right side of the abdomen. You can also place pillows under your stomach or legs for a more comfortable position.

Another precaution a woman can follow is to drink plenty of water during the day time. This will reduce the urge to go to washroom at night and do not disturb your sleep. Stress also results in abnormal sleep patterns. Being in stress is normal in pregnancy so a woman should not get worried about mood swings or insomnia during pregnancy.

Everything an expected mother does or think will affect the unborn child. Baby in the womb picks up the positive thought the mother is thinking and in turn will become a positive person, but if you keep worrying and stressing yourself, your baby will receive the negative thoughts and in turn he will be the person according to your thoughts during the pregnancy period.

It is important to learn about your emotional health along with physical health.

Article Source: Saphira_Joseph
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Boy or Girl? Is It Possible to Know at 12 Weeks?

For centuries, people have been proclaiming that they have the ability to predict the sex of a baby while it is still developing in the womb. Some people believe that the way a woman is carrying her baby can indicate the fetus' sex as well as her mood, the state of her hair or skin, the existence of morning sickness, the color of her urine and even the position she was in when she got pregnant. However, these are merely old wives tales and have no bearing in reality.

Still, there has come into existence another theory in which a woman may be able to tell the sex of her baby as early as 12 weeks using an ultrasound scan. Until recently, a mom-to-be would have to wait until the 20-week scan or later to clearly see her baby's genitals. Now, though, more sonographers are researching what is known as the "nub theory," or the determination of a baby's sex based on the "angle of the dangle."

What is the Nub Theory?

Between 11 and 14 weeks' gestation, males and females have a protuberance that resembles a penis between the legs. At this point, the bulge looks incredibly similar in both sexes except for the angle at which they are pointing. According to the nub theory, a girl's "dangle" is 30 degrees or less relative to the backbone, and a boy's "dangle" protrudes at a 30-degree angle or more when the fetus is lying straight on its back.

In order for a sonographer to have the most success of predicting the correct sex, the fetus must not be curled up; it needs to be lying on its back as flat as possible. The image must be taken from the fetus' side as a profile shot, and it is often best if the fetus is right-side up.

Is the Nub Theory Accurate?

According to statistics, 11 weeks may be too early to use the nub theory to predict the baby's sex. An ultrasound performed at 12 weeks is around 80 percent accurate while a scan conducted at 13 weeks may be closer to 94 percent accurate. However, solid scientific research into whether or not the nub theory is a valid method of predicting sex is yet to be undertaken, largely because most medical providers believe that it is just too early to accurately predict a fetus' sex at 12 weeks.

Points to Consider

Some medical facilities simply will not allow sonographers to make any sex determinations at 12 weeks, and many prevent sonographers from informing families of the baby's sex at 20 weeks. Instead, some clinics and hospitals prefer that a sonographer take images and present the findings to a radiologist before an accurate determination is made.
However, sonographers should be prepared to answer questions relating to the nub theory as more women are attempting to discover the sex of their child as soon as possible. While sonographers should not necessarily recommend that parents-to-be paint their nurseries in blue or pink based on the nub theory, these guessing games can help to add a little excitement to the pregnancy.

Article Source: Lisa J Parmley
Credit Picture :Celina Gatley

     

Basic Tips for Getting Pregnant

Many people write to me desperate to become pregnant but under the impression that all they have to do is to have unprotected sex a few times and you will become pregnant. These couples soon find out that this is not the case; many begin to wonder if there is something wrong with them and start to wonder if they have a fertility problem.

A little investigation into the process of becoming pregnant will show us that the woman ovulates only once a month and that the ovum will only last about 12 hours before it dries up and becomes unable to be fertilized. This little fact alone puts into perspective the timescale a little and when you think that you have been having unprotected sex for 3 months and that to you seems like ample time to become pregnant then think again about the percentage of the total time in those three months that you could actually conceive and you will begin to understand why it is actually a close to a miracle that anyone becomes pregnant at all under the best of circumstances.

We have so much fear of getting pregnant drummed into us as teenagers that we really believe that simply having unprotected sex a few times will undoubtedly result in pregnancy and when it doesn't we begin to wonder if we are infertile or not.



Simply arming yourselves with a little knowledge of how the process of pregnancy occurs and how the male and female bodies react can dramatically improve your chances of becoming pregnant.

Little facts like how to tell when you are about to ovulate, how the man can increase or decrease the potency of his sperm and knowing what foods are congenial to conception can all increase your chances of becoming pregnant and raise your hopes so you do not sink into a depression about not becoming pregnant which can also have a detrimental effect on the conception process.

Here are a few very general tips I give out to the many people who regularly write to me the very same question... 'I have been trying to get pregnant for three months and can't... Please help me';

* The basic key is to keep a healthy mind and body... i.e., health eating, no drinking, smoking or drug taking (including prescription drugs where possible - consult your doctor).

* Smoking not only causes damage to the fetus in the first few days of existence but also greatly lowers the chances of getting pregnant for both the male and female.

* The use of cannabis or marijuana acts as a natural contraceptive slowing the sperm's ability to travel by up to 50%.

* Are you aware of when you ovulate? (There are methods outlined at our website on how to do this if you are not.)

* In an ideal situation you should aim to make love a few hours before ovulation actually occurs.

* Repeated ejaculation dramatically lowers the male sperm count. To retain a healthy sperm count you should make no more than once every 2 or 3 days.

* Avoid the use of tight male underwear

Article Source: Heather Barnard

Image Source : The Colourful Mom

Planned Pregnancy

Starting a family is a big decision. While it is nice to have a family taking care of them is a lot of work and can be difficult. Planning your pregnancy is a safe way to go. While you probably won't be prepared for every little thing that comes up you will have a good head start!

Understanding how your reproductive system works and when you are going through each stage is an important step of planning your family. Knowing when you are ovulating is an important step as well! There are many whys you can find this out. In the past you just had to guess and count however this method can be flawed. If you are off by a day or two in your estimates you can miss the chance and have to wait approximately 26-28 days for your cycle to repeat.

However today there are tests that can predict when you will ovulate next saving many planned families the heartache of waiting. You can take this test and it will tell you if you are ovulating by detecting hormones your body will give off during that part of your cycle. You can also wait for your next period and count down from there though this way has more chance of making mistakes.

In addition to planning when you are ovulating you should make sure that you're prepared with a trusted physician to handle your pre-natal care. It is important that you take extra vitamins and are getting the nutrition you and the baby need to stay healthy. Lack of the proper nutrition can result in health risks to you and the baby.

It is also wise that when planning to become pregnant you stay away from anyone who smokes, or does drugs. These things can be hazardous to the unborn babies health and if you are not fully healthy when conceiving you can jeopardize the life of your unborn child. Planning a pregnancy means sacrificing things you normally do to help bring your new child into the world. Making sure every precaution is taken to ensure they are safe is the most important thing.

Some forms of drugs and things like second hand smoke can be harmful to you and definitely harmful for you unborn baby. Listening to your physician and making sure you do all you can to conceive and carry the child to term is very important to a good start of your child's life. Once they are here it will make it all well worth it!

Article Source: Heather Barnard

Image Source : Teresa Robinson

Preparing for Pregnancy After 40

40' is that age after which a woman may face a lot of complications in getting pregnant and also during child-birth. Do not worry, you are a woman of the modern era and one who doesn't get petrified with any problem. It's your choice that you wanted to make a career and then get married, irrespective of your age.
Certain precautions need to be taken if you are planning to have a baby after 40. Here are those:

1. Fix an appointment with a gynecologist - A gynecologist is the perfect person to consult while preparing to get pregnant after 40. First and foremost have a complete medical check-up. If you have lifestyle diseases like diabetes or high blood pressure, you must definitely let your gynecologist know about it. As people age, they are bound to contract these lifestyle diseases and sometimes the medications for these conditions may be harmful for conception. Older women may also have conditions directly related to conception like PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) or endometriosis. It's better to identify any of these conditions before trying to conceive.

2. You can also ask the doctor a realistic time frame for resolving and managing any of these health conditions, in case you are diagnosed with one of these. The possibilities of getting pregnant after resolving these issues and any other concerns you may have.

3. Keep a positive attitude and leave everything on God and your medical practitioner and things will fall in place - A positive attitude is very important for a healthy pregnancy and delivery, so be calm and lift up all your worries in prayers.

4. It's also important to know whether you can continue with the medications you are on during pregnancy and breast-feeding - Whether it needs to be really resolved before getting pregnant or can it wait to be resolved till your baby is a bit older, your doctor will be able to guide you properly on this front.

5. You should clear even the slightest doubt you got regarding any matter to your gynecologist - This is to avoid frustration after the baby is born. The percentage of children born with chromosomal defects or Down syndrome is more among women giving birth after 40. Hence it's good to clear even your slightest doubt, be it a small tablet or capsule you have for your allergy. Leave no stone upturned in getting pregnant after 40, by exploring all possibilities and not leaving anything on chance.

Article Source: Sanjana
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Methods Of Conceiving A Baby Boy

Natural gender selection which is a practice of trying to control the sex of children in order to get a desired gender is as old as civilization. No wonder numerous old wives' tales on this practice abound. Although some of these tales may be mere superstitions, quite a number of them are scientifically correct. These proven facts, though not always iron clad, can greatly improve your chances of a child of a preferred gender. Here is some basic knowledge to have if you are trying to conceive a boy.

• Sperms contain a mixture of X (girl sperm) and Y (boy sperm) chromosomes which determine the gender of a baby. Of these two, only the Y sperms are responsible for a boy.

• The Y sperms are smaller, more motile and move faster to reach the egg than the X sperms.

• Unlike the X sperms, the Y sperms have a shorter lifespan and are very much affected by the PH

At this point, it is vital to consider the factors that can assist the Y sperms in reaching the egg first and fertilizing it, resulting in a boy being conceived.

1. Your PH balance and diet. The Y sperms can only survive in an alkaline environment in contrast to the X sperms which are more resilient and can survive in an acidic environment. Studies show that the diet of a woman a few weeks before conception influences the chemical composition of her reproductive system. Diets rich in potassium result in more alkaline secretions which favor the survival of Y sperms, while a diet rich in calcium and magnesium gives rise to a more acidic environment which eliminates the Y sperms more quickly. To make your PH level more alkaline, consume foods with high potassium content like red meat, bananas, white beans, dark leafy.

2. Getting the timing right. The more you have sex during ovulation, the better the odds of the Y sperms reaching and fertilizing the egg first. This means that to get your desired result of conceiving a boy, you need to have regular sex on the day of your ovulation or a day or two before. This will afford the Y sperms the opportunity to reach an egg first before they die off.

3. Choosing the right position. The sex position you adopt will also affect the likelihood of the Y sperms getting to an egg faster. It is best to use a position that allows the penis to penetrate deeper and the man should ensure he ejaculates close to the neck of the cervix as possible. To achieve deeper penetration, try using the missionary, doggy style and woman-on-top positions.


4. Other factors. A woman having an orgasm before the man increases the likelihood of conceiving a boy. The female orgasm secretes chemicals inside the vagina which makes it more alkaline, a favorable condition for the Y sperms to be able to swim safely to the cervix.

Remember, there is no 100% guarantee that using these methods will result in your conceiving a boy, but it does increase your chances of success.

We are here to provide solution to your pregnancy issues and make sure you have your baby successfully in the next nine months, we provide couples with a completely natural solution to choosing the gender of their baby, making it a massive opportunity for anyone interested in getting into the lucrative baby and mothers niche. Written to show mothers and fathers how to best enhance their probability in having the baby of their dreams.for more articles and consultation

Article Source: Carl Hen
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What Is The Earliest Pregnancy Test For Detecting Pregnancy?

If there is one question hopeful moms ask, it's which pregnancy test is the earliest pregnancy test to detect pregnancy. Even though most women find out they are pregnant by the time they are four weeks along, it's not soon enough for women who've been trying to become pregnant and are beyond excited about the prospect of becoming a mom and welcoming a new baby into the world.

The reason it takes four weeks to find out a woman is pregnant has to do with hormones and the beginning stages of pregnancy. After conception occurs, you are not considered immediately pregnant. Once your egg is fertilized, it has a long road ahead of it before you can be officially considered pregnant. Once the egg is fertilized, it heads into your fallopian tubes where it travels into your uterus. Once in your uterus, the egg then has to implant itself into the wall of your uterus. It is not until this occurs that you are officially considered pregnant, because this is when your body begins to produce the pregnancy hormone called human chorionic gonodotropin, or hCG as most women hear it referred as.

Home Pregnancy Tests

Home pregnancy tests cannot detect pregnancy until your body has produced a specific amount of hCG. While each test is different, most don't detect hCG until levels reach at least 25 mIU/ml. Before you are pregnant, your levels of hCG are less than five. Yours could be anywhere from 0 to 4. The level of hCG in your body doubles every 48 to 72 hours. Since every woman is different, some women are able to find out much sooner than others and some women have to wait weeks even after they miss a period before they know whether or not they are pregnant.

Either way, most tests cannot detect pregnancy until at least the first day of your missed period. Even the earliest pregnancy test won't work for all women. If you are the kind of woman whose hCG levels take three days to double, your egg took longer than usual to implant, you conceived later than you thought or you simply don't produce enough hCG as early as others; you might not be able to detect pregnancy with even the earliest pregnancy test.

The Earliest Pregnancy Test

Now that you are in a place in which you are hoping to become pregnant, you will ask yourself which pregnancy test is the earliest pregnancy test. The truth is, there is only one test on the market designed to detect pregnancy earlier and more accurately than the others. While most pregnancy tests that claim they can detect pregnancy earlier than others are right, they can still only detect pregnancy as many as five days prior to the day you expect your period to arrive but hope that it does not.

The First Response Early Response pregnancy test, however, can detect pregnancy even earlier. This is the earliest pregnancy test on the market. You can find out up to six days prior to the date of your expected period whether or not you are pregnant. The reasons this test works so early is that it has been proven to detect hCG in levels as low as 6.5 mIU/ml. This is uncommonly low. Even if your hCG levels take longer to rise than other women, you will more than likely still find out early whether or not you are pregnant.

Does it Work For Everyone?

The First Response Early Response test will not work for all women. While it is 99 percent accurate, this percentage is taken into consideration the first day of your missed period. Its accuracy rating is just above 50 percent six days early and it rises gradually from there each day. However, because of the test's ability to detect such low levels of hCG, even if it doesn't work six days early, it does have a better chance of working early. You might just need to keep testing until you receive a positive result. If you still don't receive a positive result on the day of your missed period and your period does not arrive, your doctor might want to see you if your period still has not arrived a week after its scheduled due date.

What Do Women Like About This Pregnancy Test?

What women love about this test is that it is easy to use. It's a digital test, which means reading the results is easy. There is no confusion or question as to what the test actually says. If you are pregnant, the test says, "Pregnant." If you are not pregnant, the test says, "Not Pregnant." There are no double lines or faint lines or maybe there maybe not lines to look for on this test.

While it's one of the more expensive tests, ranging anywhere from $12 to $16 depending on which retailer you choose to shop, women don't care about the price. When it comes to finding out you're pregnant almost a week earlier than most women, price doesn't matter. Additionally, finding out early also makes it possible that you will have a healthier pregnancy because the certainty will convince you to begin making healthier eating decisions, healthier drinking decisions and taking care of your body sooner than other women.
The earliest pregnancy test might not work for everyone, but it does work for more women than not. Go ahead and find out if you're pregnant early; you will be glad you did.

Article Source: Jones
Image Source: Flickr