Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Expect Different Changes in Each of the Pregnancy Stages

There are three pregnancy stages called trimesters. Each one lasts for about three months of the pregnancy and involves bringing new changes to your body, the development of the baby and your relationships with your partner and those around you. It is important to have an understanding of what to expect in each of these stages so that you will not become unnecessarily stressed when they occur. The changes involve your emotions as well as the shape of your body and your level of comfort.

The sexual relationship between partners undergoes a change during these stages as well. The first trimester is often a traumatic experience for both partners with the morning sickness, extreme tiredness and general emotional changes, which often results in a decrease in lovemaking. This usually returns to normal in the second trimester. During the third trimester, with your body expanding quite quickly, you may have to find more comfortable positions in order to show your love for one another and sate your sexual desires.

The first trimester lasts for about twelve weeks. The increase in your hormones will cause you some discomfort with feelings of nausea. You may become ill when you see or smell some of your favourite foods and morning sickness is one of the early signs. When you wake in the morning and get out of bed, you may have to run to the washroom to throw up. Some women experience this later in the day and in some cases it is quite extreme. Usually it does abate by the end of the first three months.

In addition to not having any menstrual periods, you will notice that your breasts are tender and seem to enlarge. You will not notice any major increase in the size of your belly, but by the end of the first trimester, the waistbands may feel a little tighter than normal. You will feel tired most of the time and have to take naps during the day or early evening. Another consequence of this early stage of pregnancy is an increase in the frequency of urinating, which means more trips to the bathroom.

Your pregnancy will start to show during the second trimester. The riskiest period for a miscarriage is over and you can start to relax. You will experience more energy during this time and be able to do most of your normal activities. Due to the increased blood flow to the breasts and genitals, you will have an increased interest in sexual activity. You will start to feel the baby moving inside and have your first ultrasound during this time. This will make the pregnancy seem more real to you.

This is the stage of pregnancy when your uterus will start to enlarge as the baby starts to grow and develop more fully. This also puts more pressure on the blood vessels, often causing your blood pressure to rise. There is also more pressure on the ligaments and muscles of your lower body, resulting in back and leg pain.

The final stage of pregnancy, the third trimester, is the time for you to start planning for the baby if you haven¡¯t already done so. All of the baby organs are developed and this is a time for waiting for the baby to grow. Towards the end of this stage, you will experience a nesting attitude in which you want to make sure you have everything ready for the new arrival. You also need to get more rest at this time to prepare your body for the upcoming event.
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For more information onpregnancy stages,early pregnancy discharge, nursing gowns, and related topics visit www.Pregnancy-Period.com

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Planning a Pregnancy One of the Often Overlooked Stages of Pregnancy

Many people refer to the stages of pregnancy as the three trimesters. However, your health before you get pregnant plays an important role in having a healthy pregnancy and in giving birth to a healthy baby. Although many pregnancies are unplanned, when you do start thinking about having a baby it is essential to start the process of planning. Before you even know that you are pregnant, the baby is starting to form in the womb and the organs are starting to develop. To give the little one a head start, the planning stage is a critical one that you shouldn¡¯t overlook.

When you plan your pregnancy, you will likely conceive easier and avoid many of the complications associated with pregnancies. The healthier you are before you get pregnant, the easier delivery you will have and the faster you will recover. This means being aware of your body and the changes it will go through over the 40 weeks of the pregnancy. You do need to have a complete check up to ensure you don¡¯t have any pre-existing medical conditions that will make it difficult for you to conceive and carry the baby to full term. The first step is to stop taking birth control pills. It may take you two or three months after this to be able to conceive. However, if you are using other methods or birth control, such as condoms or a diaphragm, you can easily become pregnant right away.

You should know the common signs of being pregnant, such as a missed period, tender and swollen breasts, an increase in the urge to urinate and nausea. Your emotions will also start to change so that you may start crying over very insignificant things, which could cause your partner to get frustrated with you. These changes occur before you have your first pregnancy test, so you may not even realize that you are going to have a baby.

The care giver you choose is a part of planning your pregnancy as well. You may opt to use a midwife or a physician. If you do encounter complications, the physician may refer you to a gynaecologist early in the pregnancy or may wait until later. You should get used to being poked and prodded and having many different kinds of medical tests and exams. These include blood tests, tests for glucose and urine tests. Ultrasounds are also part of the prenatal care in which the doctor can determine the health of the baby.

Where you choose to have your baby is also something that you need to consider. While many women choose to have the baby in the regular delivery room of the hospital, you may want to have your baby at home. You do need to make sure that the birth setting you choose offers the best medical care so that if complications arise during the birth they can be handled at this location.

Learning to reduce the amount of stress in your life is also a part of the planning stage. Stress can cause you to enjoy or detest the idea of being pregnant, which in turn will affect the health of the baby. Make sure you are in good physical shape before you become pregnant so that your muscles, joints and ligaments are strong. You should also continue with your exercise as best you can while you are pregnant.
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For more information on thestages of pregnancy, early pregnancy symptoms like discharge, nursing gowns, and related topics visit www.Pregnancy-Period.com

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Boosting Your Sperm Count

Problems related to male fertility have been researched and talked about in the recent past. Infertility and sperm count related problems have been a cause for concern for couples who are not able to conceive.

Following some of the suggestions given below can help in boosting sperm count and thereby the chances of conception. They are:

Cut down on unhealthy habits

It has been medically proven that alcohol and smoking are the main causes for male infertility. Nicotine as well as alcohol inhibits the production of healthy sperms. Men who consume drugs along with alcohol and smoke are at a higher risk of infertility. It is advised to seek professional help to fight such problems.

Take control of stress levels

Stress, depression and other heart ailments are some of the other causes for male infertility and low sperm count. Heredity could be another reason. Tensions at the work place and other personal problems may cause depression which can also lead to male infertility.

One time tested solution which needs to be made part of your daily regimen is regular exercise. Before getting geared up for the exercise regimen, get the green signal from your family physician, so that you do not end up aggravating the problem. Similarly, yoga and other deep meditation techniques are highly effective, since they de-stress the body and helps calm both the mind as well as body.

Follow the right diet

It has been found that obesity is also one of the other reasons contributing to a low sperm count. Eat healthy and nutritious food and desist the temptation of calorie rich soda drinks. Reduce the intake of caffeine. Drink lots of water to keep your body hydrated.

Seek help from a professional

You need to approach fertility clinics and take expert opinion from the experts to boost the sperm count. You need to follow their advice to abstain from alcohol and cigarette smoking.
You could also look at other alternatives like herbal supplements. Extensive research has been conducted on these natural and herbal supplements and they have proven to be highly effective in treating infertility. These herbal supplements are referred as "Semen Volume Enhancers" and they help in improving and energizing sexual health.

Men who drive continuously for long periods of time or men who sit for hours together on the computer need to take a break every half an hour. In case this is not practical, they need to do some exercise with extended breaks. Tight underpants could be another reason for male infertility; the reason being the testes is pressed. Long term sitting results in compression of the testes. During sitting, the thigh area gets warmer and the damage takes place. Professional drivers are also at a greater risk of developing infertility related problems. Temperature changes and lifestyle too have a bearing on the sperm count. Simple and practical changes can be introduced in the lifestyle to fight these problems.

Effect of Cell Phones

Of late, the infertility cases have been on the rise and some of them have been attributed to the extensive use of cell phones. Clinical tests conducted on a group of men who used cell phones for more than four hours daily, revealed that they had a low sperm count. They were potential candidates for developing fertility related problems in the near future.

How can we tackle this problem?

You need to take immediate and responsible steps before the situation gets out of control. Try and cut down on the usage of cell phones. This is one way of preventing phone radiation. Do not attach the cell phone to your belt. Avoid keeping it in your trouser pocket. It results in increase in the temperature. Men of child-bearing age are encouraged to take steps to reduce their exposure to cell phone radiation as much as possible.

Never carry a cell phone on the belt or in a pocket near the groin, where it can raise the temperature in this receptive area and could lead to fertility problems.
Information about the Author:
Steve Taylor is the webmaster of popular Male Fertility Information website. visit us online at www.malefertilitysupplements.com

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Facts and Information on Tubal Ligation Reversal and In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

It takes a lot of consideration and reflection before you can decide as to whether you should go ahead with a tubal ligation procedure, partly because it is supposed to be permanent. Unfortunately there are many women who, after performed this procedure, years later then feel they after all want to have another child and for many of them a reversal is achievable. Pregnancy rates after a reversal tubal ligation are high and the covalence period is quick. This could be the option for you if you want to add to your family.

Tubal ligation reversal will not be a good option for every woman. To find out if the procedure is suitable for you, visit a tubal reversal doctor who will carry out an assessment by examining your fallopian tubes with the aid of a laparoscope, a tiny camera used to investigate the insides of your tubes to determine their health.

The doctor will also examine your records from when you had your tubes tied, as they will need to know which type of method was used to block them. Before the specialist can consider your tubes to be healthy they have to find out how they have been blocked, the length of your remaining tubes and if they seem undamaged.

A tube reversal involves rejoining the two parts of the fallopian tube that remain after a section has been tied, clamped, or burned. Generally a healthy fallopian tube is around 10cm in length. After having your tubes tied the remaining tubal segment lengths can vary. The longer the tubes the higher the probability you will get pregnant.

Although tubal ligation reversal is not a procedure to be taken lightly, it is not a complicated surgery and can be done on an outpatient basis by a very experienced tubal surgeon. How long your reversal takes will depend on how they were tied in the first place and the expertise and knowledge of your doctor. After the operation a patient should take it easy for at least a week before returning to work and if experience any bleeding or infection then get in touch with the clinic or hospital where the surgery was performed.

The actual tubal ligation procedure only takes around an hour and the chances of getting pregnant after a tubal ligation reversal are higher than pregnancy rates for in-vitro fertilization and it will certainly be a cheaper alternative

Of course, there is no certainty that you will conceive after having a tubal ligation reversal just as there is no certainty that any woman will become pregnant even if she hasn’t had tubal surgery. Your age and health will affect your chances of getting pregnant; a young woman will generally get pregnant a lot easier than women over 35 and 40.

If you feel unease about having tubal surgery then an alternative is to try in-vitro fertilization (IVF). This is a method used by many women who have previously had their tubes tied. Success rates however are not as high as a tubal ligation reversal and there are higher costs involved. Also be prepared for lots of visits to the clinic and numerous injections if you are considering going down this route.

Studies show that a tubal ligation reversal is generally more successful for women wanting to get pregnant than undergoing IVF treatment. A fertility clinic will be able to answer all your questions and address any worries you may have with regard to the procedure. Although tubal ligation is intended to be permanent, a good surgeon will have a lot of success in repairing the fallopian tubes of women who want to have another baby. Before making any major decisions consider all your options and good luck!
Information about the Author:
Michiel Van Kets provides article services for Dr. Gary Berger, who is widely known as the tubal reversal doctor with the most experience reversing tied tubes and tubal ligation in the Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center. For information and advice on reversing tubal ligation, sterilization and tubal reanastomosis visit the website.

Monday, April 26, 2010

The First Trimester of Pregnancy: A Time of Caution

The first trimester is the most critical moment of pregnancy since the mother should take all necessary precautions to be able to ensure safe growth of the baby. During this time, developments of essential body parts happen that pregnant mothers should know what food to eat and what activities to take. Whatever changes that will take place during the first twelve weeks of pregnancy will be permanent. Whatever the beginning is will be carried throughout the end.

It may be said however that the early pregnancy stages should be treated with care, it does not mean that the next few weeks of being pregnant should not be considered essential too. The point of saying this is that the essentials of your baby’s growth like the placenta and the fingers and the vital organs happen to initiate during this term. There are a lot of good things that you could expect from the first trimester of your pregnancy. Knowing these expectations can give you track of what is going to happen and what will you to adapt to the event or change.

Here is an account of the week by week changes of your baby during the first few weeks of your pregnancy. For the week 1 of your pregnancy, the health care provider will count forty weeks from the first date of your last menstruation. This means that your pregnancy period kicked off even when you aren’t pregnant yet. The second week is the week of fertilization. This time the sperm and egg unite to create a zygote. The zygote then travels from the fallopian tube to the uterus.

Pregnancy stages include the third week as important part of the whole pregnancy when the zygote turns into a blastocyst and nourishes itself in the placenta. Moreover, the embryonic period begins at week 4. the baby’s heart and the circulatory system forms. At week five, your baby reaches the size of the tip of the pen. His can be very exciting since the mother can now hear the baby’s heart beating her. Week six marks the forming of the passageways like the mouth and the inner ear and the formation of the digestive and respiratory tracts. The pregnancy’s first trimester still continues with the appearance of the umbilical chord in the seventh week. The arms will look like a tiny paddle that indicates the baby’s movement. On week eight, The baby’s fingers and toes form. The baby is an inch long in the ninth week. Your baby’s head will be tucked down unto the chest as it looks half the size of the body.

Neurons multiply in week ten and it could be possible that baby’s sex can be apparent. Determining the gender of the baby is one of the highlights of pregnancy. Other mothers, however, will still have to wait for the next pregnancy stages because babies might not have positioned themselves to be easily seen by the practitioner. On the last part of the initial trimester, baby’s finger nails and toe nails appear.

Taking care of your baby all through out the pregnancy is a must for mothers who want to ensure the baby’s physical, mental and emotional stability.

The first trimester is the most critical moment of pregnancy since the mother should take all necessary precautions to ensure the safe growth and development of the baby. During this time your baby starts to develop critical body systems. To ensure their proper growth, pregnant mothers should know what foods to eat and what activities to avoid.
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Know what happens to your baby during the first trimester of your pregnancy at Aha! Baby. You can also find articles explaining your baby’s developments for all pregnancy stages at Aha! Baby.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

How is Gender Determined? The Answer You've Been Looking For.

The gender of an organism is determined before the moment of fertilization, when female and male gametes join and the zygote is formed. Gametes are haploid cells that contain half of a genetic set. Male gametes are called spermatozoan, while female gametes are called ovum, or eggs. Eggs can only contain an X chromosome, while sperm can contain either an X or Y. Whether an X or Y chromosome is carried by the sperm is a crucial part of determining the gender of the child.

How is Gender Determined? - Biology

It's impossible to tell the sex of a human child for the first ten weeks. Up to this point, the baby has the potential to become a male or female. Fetuses have basic female genitalia for several weeks after fertilization. At 12 weeks, the chemical differentiation occurs. If the Y chromosome isn't present, and the child has an XX chromosome pair, the mullerian ducts change into more pronounced female genitalia, triggered by a boost of estrogen.

If the infant has an XY chromosome pair, increased testosterone levels trigger the formation of wulffian ducts. These ducts become the male genitals. The clitoris changes into a penis, and the labia turns into a scrotum. This occurs between 16 and 20 weeks into the pregnancy.

In most cases, the presence of the Y chromosome decides the gender of the child. Occasionally, a female with an XY combination or a male with an XX combination occurs. This is due to increased levels of estrogen or testosterone respectively. Sexual development occurs normally, yet some fertility issues can occur in adulthood.

How is Gender Determined? - Cultural

Gender is determined by a myriad of factors, and boils down to how gender is actually defined. Biologically, gender is defined by the presence of certain reproductive organs. More correctly, gender is defined by attitudes, behaviors and roles, defined by the society of the individual. Gender is mostly a cultural product, resulting form interaction between the person and their society. Following this line of thought, gender is and can be entirely determined by the individual.

Gender reassignment surgery is becoming increasingly accessible. This breakthrough can successfully change the genitalia to that of the opposite sex. Petitioning a court and requesting a gender change is a way to legally recognize a gender change. Transgender and transsexual people are increasingly accepted in today's culture.

How is Gender Determined? - Other Methods

Some species of birds, insects, and fish have a different way to determine sex. For these animals, the female gamete can contain either a Z or W chromosome. Male gametes only carry the Z chromosome, making ZW pairs female and ZZ pairs male.

Other insects like wasps and bees don't have sex chromosomes. The gender of these species is determined by fertilization. Fertilized eggs become females, while unfertilized eggs become males. This process of unfertilized reproduction is called parthenogenesis.

How is Gender Determined? - The Future

How gender is determined may be determined by parents in the future. New research indicates that the sex of the child may be highly influenced by the diet of the mother. It is thought that the foods eaten by the mother can affect the environment of the womb and fertilization. Calcium, potassium, and vitamins C, E, and B12 are all linked to producing male offspring.
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Visit as at bright-horizon.org to find more interesting articles there!

Friday, April 2, 2010

More information about pregnancy may be of paramount importance

The woman’s body may have different reactions and the pregnancy sighs may differ as well. Therefore, am I pregnant or not? This seems to be one of the most common questions because the women tend to experience a wide range of pregnancy signs. But the early pregnancy signs may not occur at all and this is when the pregnancy test can be extremely helpful in order to find out whether you are pregnant or not. Such tests can be found online but you will have to browse the internet in order to find a reliable site that can provide you with quality tests. The early signs are likely to differ from woman to woman and you have to be aware that knowing the signs is of paramount importance especially if you are already experiencing their effects.

The signs may also be related to other causes besides pregnancy and you have to be aware of this fact too when wondering if you are pregnant or not. You must provide yourself with more information about pregnancy in order to know how to deal with this wonderful situation. For instance, if you miss your period, you should know that this sign may show you that you are already pregnant. Still, this sign may be related to a disease too and you will have to pay a visit to the doctor in order to find the real diagnostic.

You will have to take the pregnancy test in order to make sure that you are pregnant or not. Missing your period is among the most common signs that can show you that you are pregnant. Still, you will have to undergo the test too in order to be sure. Frequent urination is among the most common signs too and you will have to provide yourself with more information about pregnancy in order to understand the way your hormones change their natural level because of the implantation of your embryo.

Still, if you are already experiencing one of these signs, you must confirm this situation. In case that the result is positive, you should provide yourself with the useful pregnancy calendar in order to monitor the entire pregnancy period. This calendar is to be used in order to learn more about the way your body and your baby are progressing together during the pregnancy. This piece of information is valuable because this calendar can show you whether the things are going in the right way or not.

The constant monitoring of your pregnancy is extremely helpful and you should make use of this tool in order to avoid certain common fears that are related to this period. So, if you have already found out the answer to the question “am I pregnant or not?”, you should browse the internet in order to find a reliable site that can provide you with the pregnancy calendar. This calendar is likely to be available for free and the only thing that you will have to do is to register with a particular site by entering the e-mail address in order to receive all the updates. By doing this simple movement, you will provide yourself with more valuable information about pregnancy.

For instance, you will learn more about the way your body and your child develop. You may learn more about the changes that are going to take place in your body when expecting a child and you will be bale to relax because you will avoid the constant worries. Suggestions and tips are also likely to be included in these e-mails in order for you to become more prepared for your baby and his/her arrival. The benefits that can be brought along by these e-mails are enormous and you should become aware that gaining knowledge about your pregnancy is of paramount importance when you are expecting a child. You will be able to organize the necessary baby care in advance. You will be able to plan everything in order to make sure that your baby will be healthy and happy. The only thing that you need is to find out more information about pregnancy because ignorance is not bliss in this particular case.
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More information about pregnancy is of paramount importance when expecting a child. And if the answer to the question am I pregnant or not? is positive, you will have to prepare yourself and try to learn more about your pregnancy