Become Pregnant

All about pregnancy

2007-04-20T05:04:00.000-07:00

Becoming pregnant and all that is involved is highlighted in the post at the pregnantaid.com blog.
For more information http://pregnantaid.com

http://pregnantaid.com/become-pregnant/what-is-pregnancy/trackback/

Ovulation Predictor Tests

2005-08-16T23:24:00.000-07:00

Ovulation Predictor Tests

Another ovulation predictor test monitors the amount of estrogen a female has in her system. Like luteinizing hormone, estrogen also increases before ovulation. However, the difference is that the levels of estrogen gradually increase, and therefore give the woman even more time to predict ovulation. The estrogen is monitored by an ovulation predictor saliva test, and can show that ovulation will occur four days later after the increase in estrogen is found. This is a great indication because a man�s sperm can live inside a woman for up to five days, so once the estrogen level is determined to have increased, intercourse during this time can improve a couple�s chances to conceive a child. The donna ovulation predictor is a prime example of an saliva ovulation kit that can be used in the privacy of your own home and doesn�t involve injections or other fertility drugs.
Speaking of fertility drugs, Clomid is a popular one that, while it won�t predict your ovulation, it will increase the chances of regulating your ovulation. Taking Clomid and counting the days in your menstrual cycle will get you on a regular calendar and improve your chances of ovulating when you want to. Of course, Clomid is a fertility drug and you should of course contact a physician before using it � and discuss all the side effects that might occur.

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Planning ahead: having a baby What ovulation pred...

2005-08-16T22:02:00.000-07:00

Planning ahead: having a baby
What ovulation predictor method is best for you? Initially, you might think the answer is easy. But after researching all the methods, you might want to know which one will work best for you and why. It�s not a simple choice that anyone can make for you. The decision has to be based on a number of unique and specific factors that only you and your physician know. But, if you are currently thinking about having a baby, predicting your ovulation can definitely help you on your way.
These first few methods are things that will help you get more in tune with your body. A very simple way to predict ovulation is to simply count the days in your cycle. Begin counting with the first day of bleeding, and finish when you reach your next period. This will tell you how long your cycle is. Traditionally, ovulation occurs eleven to fourteen days into the cycle. This is a very easy method to predict ovulation, and doesn�t cost anything. It is not as accurate as other tests, however, like monitoring your body�s temperature.

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Counting Your Menstrual Cycle A very basic way ...

2005-08-16T18:44:00.000-07:00

Counting Your Menstrual Cycle

A very basic way to predict ovulation is to count the days of the menstrual cycle. A woman�s menstrual cycle begins on the first day of bleeding. Begin counting from that day and count the days until the next period. This is a woman�s menstrual cycle. Ovulation usually occurs somewhere between the 11th to 14th day during the cycle. If your menstrual cycle is regular, obviously it will be easier to determine when ovulation will begin. If your cycle is irregular, it may be best to determine your cycle by counting the days a few different times, to get a better grasp of just how irregular your cycle is.
Another simple method to determine ovulation is to monitor the body temperature. During ovulation, the body temperature can rise. Though not significantly, a basal body temperature thermometer can measure the subtle increase and then let you know when ovulation is occurring. It is important to know that this method will only let you know when you are ovulating, and will not be able to predict ovulation. But if you couple this with counting the days in the menstrual cycle, you will be able to more accurately predict your ovulation cycle.

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These next methods use products that can cost a bi...

2005-08-16T15:31:00.000-07:00

These next methods use products that can cost a bit of money, but with that price comes enhanced accuracy. Ovulation predictor kits can be purchased and used in the privacy of your own home. A first response ovulation predictor test will give you a great chance of predicting your ovulation, and in turn give you all the signs of when to have intercourse. Predictor kits like these monitor the fluctuations of hormones in the body � hormones like luteinizing hormone and estrogen. These hormones will show an increase before ovulation, and give you the time you need to plan when the best time for conceiving is. Kits like the clear plan easy ovulation predictor and the assure ovulation predictor can be used to accurately pin point the time of ovulation and give you twelve to thirty-six hours time before ovulation occurs. Saliva ovulation predictor kits can give you up to four days notice, which sometimes works even better since sperm can live in the female body for up to five days. Once the estrogen level increases intercourse immediately after can result in the conception of a child.
All these methods have their pros and cons; it is up to you to decide which one will work best for you and your specific situation. If you�re unsure, consult with your doctor and see what he or she advises.

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First month off pills-- Strange cycle?

2005-08-16T12:41:00.000-07:00

What type of protection (Condoms, pills, patch, pulled out) did you use? Well, we had unprotected sex for several minutes before he put on the condom. (This has been the case on a few occassions this month)Did you have any problems with your protection (condom breaking, missing pills)? Not that this is a problem compromising the effectiveness of the condom, but prior to this month I had been on birth control pills for 5 months (thought I'd add every helpful bit I could.) How many days are between the first day of one period and the first day of the next? Generally, the pill has kept my cycles at a nice 28, 29 days. Have you had any major changes which could change your cycle (major change in diet, exercise, new medication, major stress, etc.)? The only significant change would be deciding to switch from birth control pills to condoms. What was the date of the first day of your last period? June 7What date(s) did you have sex? June 10, June 13, June 15, June 20-23Where was ejaculation (in vagina, in condom, outside body, pulled-out, etc.)? He actually ejaculated inside of the condom. I've just been curious as to whether pre-cum contained enough live sperm to be a viable problem. Do you or do you not want to be pregnant? We weren't planning on it until sometime later in the year, but it be a pleasant surprise. Is there anything else which leads you to believe that you are pregnant? No. It's obviously too early to have symptoms. I honestly doubt I've even ovulated yet. However, taking into consideration how wacky going off the pills maybe one's cycles, I wasn't sure what was possible. Pardon my naivety =] more...

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Getting Pregnant

2005-08-16T10:25:00.000-07:00

The path to getting pregnant. Getting pregnant is one of the most exciting and nerve-wracking times of a woman's life. Making the decision to become a parent is one of the most important steps on the path to getting pregnant and having a baby.... more...

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Early Signs Of Pregnancy

2005-08-16T04:34:00.000-07:00

Go to your doctor at early signs of pregnancy. The early signs of pregnancy differ from woman to woman, and often go unnoticed or are attributed to something else. Fatigue, for example, is one of the early signs of pregnancy, but you may write it... more...

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Stages Of Pregnancy

2005-08-16T03:07:00.000-07:00

Your body and the three stages of pregnancy. There are three stages of pregnancy : the first, second and third trimesters. Each is 12 weeks long and we will help you determine what to... more...

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Pregnancy Calculator

2005-08-15T21:23:00.000-07:00

Adding the days on the pregnancy calculator. A pregnancy calculator is an extremely useful tool as you make your way down the path of pregnancy. It is difficult to pinpoint the exact day of conception, but pregnancy calculators strive to give you a... more...

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Sex During Pregnancy

2005-08-15T17:24:00.000-07:00

The low-down on sex during pregnancy. Well, there was much talk about sex before pregnancy, in order to conceive, but now you might be wondering about sex during pregnancy . Now here are answers to such questions as: Can I have sex during pregnancy?... more...

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How To Get Pregnant

2005-08-15T14:58:00.000-07:00

Your guide on how to get pregnant: Increase your knowledge and family here. You want to know how to get pregnant , and this site is dedicated to answering all your baby-related questions. At how-to-get-pregnant-i.com, you can find all the... more...

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Signs Of Pregnancy

2005-08-15T12:21:00.000-07:00

Your changing body: Signs of pregnancy. There are many signs of pregnancy throughout the nine months. Some are clearly obvious that you have a growing baby in your womb, and others only you can feel. While the rotund mound under your shirt where... more...

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Best Time To Get Pregnant

2005-08-15T08:21:00.000-07:00

Watching the clock: Is it the best time to get pregnant? You might imagine yourself saying "Is it time?" nine months down the road when you baby decides it's time to begin that frenzied ride to the hospital, but before that it is important... more...

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Pregnancy Symptoms

2005-08-15T03:23:00.000-07:00

What to do when your body shows pregnancy symptoms. Pregnancy symptoms are some of the most well-known elements of being pregnant. Think of all the times you have heard the words "morning sickness" in conversation, movies or books. Not... more...

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William Pregnant Story

2005-08-14T17:53:00.000-07:00

My husband and I were married in December of 1970 and
have had a happy marriage since then. We have a lovely
daughter who is now 25 years old and lives out of state
with her husband. But things have changed considerably
in the past few years.
Although I was very faithful to my husband and he was
to me, he opened my eyes to more than I ever thought
would be possible in my life. I never even thought of
the possibilities of straying from our monogamous
relationship and thought my husband of so many years
was the same.
It all began about five or six years ago when, during
foreplay, he started mentioning what it would be like
me to have sex with other men.
I could remember lying in bed one particular morning
and he woke me up by fingering my pussy. As he slowly
awoke me and had me moaning he was whispering in my
ear that he had had a dream that night of me having
sex with a black man.
Now, let me tell you that even though I came from a
family that was truly a bunch of rednecks and despised
black people for no apparent reason, I didn&#8217;t feel the
same way. In fact, I&#8217;ll have to admit that on more
than a few occasions I have played with myself and
have thought of a big black cock sliding deep inside
of me. But I was so dedicated to my marriage that I
left these feelings to my innermost thoughts and
shunned them from my real life. Not, because of any
racial prejudices but because I was committed to my
marriage.
Anyhow, my husband was whispering into my ear this
particular morning about a big black man laying between
my legs and pushing his big stiff cock into me until I
was stretched almost beyond my limits. It wasn&#8217;t long
before he was asking me if I liked the way that big
dark piece of meat felt getting all sticky and sliding
into my innermost depths.
Just vocalizing that I wanted it to be rammed into me
deeper set me off, into one of the most intense orgasms
I can remember ever having up until that point in time.
We never discussed the subject again until one evening
at the dinner table my husband candidly asked me if I
ever thought of having sex with William, the only black
man at my workplace.
I told him that although I thought William was a well
built and sexy looking man and that had fantasized
about other women at work making love to him after
hearing them comment about his looks. But that I had
never thought about letting him fuck me.
I think the seed was planted then, and a couple of
nights later when my husband and I were having sex I
whispered into his ear as he was humping away at me,
&#8220;Honey, would you like me to date William?&#8221;
I could tell by his increased pace that he was more
than ready for me to go out with him. When we were
finished making love and we were laying in each other&#8217;s
arms we talked about the possibilities.
I told my husband that William had asked me out a
couple of times but that I had just laughed and in a
kidding manner had told him that married women just
didn&#8217;t do that sort of thing. William would always
tell me that he didn&#8217;t want to take me away from my
husband, just take me out and have a good time.
o-O-o
Well the opportunity finally presented itself about a
week later, on a Wednesday afternoon, much due to my
encouragement and he asked me out for that Friday night
if I could get out of the house.
I told my husband that evening that William had asked
me out and wanted to know what he thought. He just
looked at me and then we had a long talk. He told me
that he knew I was faithful to him and he said that
sexual fidelity was not what he felt made me faithful.
He said that although he was not interested in going
out with other women, he always thought the idea of me
doing it with other men was super stimulating to him.
To my surprise he admitted that he&#8217;d always had that
fantasy about me with other men, even when we were
dating back in high school. He said that as long as I
was careful and had a good time, and most important to
be willing to tell him everything that happened after-
wards.
So the next day at work I told William that my husband
thought that I was going out with the girls at work and
that I&#8217;d be gone most of the evening.
But then I looked around the office, and in a very
quiet voice I said, &#8220;But if you wanted to go out on a
date with me instead, I could tell them that I didn&#8217;t
feel like a girls night out.&#8221; I told him that he would
have to be discreet and no one could ever find out or
it could never happen again.
o-O-o
Friday evening finally rolled around and I met William
at a pre arranged location. I&#8217;m not going to get into
the sordid details of what happened, but we did end up
having great sex that night and when I walked into my
house at 4:30 a.m. the next morning he was still awake.
I held him close for a few minutes and could feel his
stiff swollen cock against my leg. I knew what he
wanted but I had to tell him that we couldn&#8217;t have sex
that morning because my pussy had been used almost all
night.
I told my sweet husband all about how William had used
me, how we&#8217;d done it six times and how I&#8217;d eaten his
sperm twice too. My husband was aghast that any man
could get his rocks off eight times in one night. But
it was true.
William just kept saying that he liked white pussy the
best, then he&#8217;d start fingering me or eating his come
out of my pussy again until I was writhing around
going absolutely crazy. What a man he is.
We ended up making love before we went to work even
though I was sore. After telling my husband how
William had used me all night long, he couldn&#8217;t take
any more and just about raped me. If I hadn&#8217;t given in
I&#8217;m not sure what would have happened.
It wasn&#8217;t all that painful anyway, because William
had stretched me so much that I hardly felt my
husband&#8217;s smaller prick.
We now have a very exciting sex life even though I have
had three black lovers since that time and am currently
81/2 months pregnant with my second black lover&#8217;s baby,
even though my current lover thinks it belongs to him.
My husband never wants to participate in any of my
sexual encounters, but always insists that I tell him
what I did. He told me that it was just as satisfying
for him to see me sexually satisfied as it would be for
him to go out with other women.
We talked for quite some length about us having another
child and it was very exciting going through the small
steps of stopping birth control and waiting each month
to see if my egg would be fertilized by one of my black
lovers sperm.
I have many experiences to share with other women about
my feelings if they would care to write me and tell me
of other similar circumstances by emailing me at:
darlene5050@hotmail.com.
I know there are people that don&#8217;t agree with inter-
racial relationships or a wife going out with other men
is a good thing, but unless you have a relationship
with your spouse that is based on total honesty, we see
no reason that people should not explore their
fantasies.
You only have a certain amount of time here on this
earth and we enjoy each others company as well as
sharing our sexual adventures.
more...

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Antiepileptic drug increases birth defect risk

2005-08-14T14:39:00.000-07:00

The results of a Finnish population-based study confirm that pregnant women taking the antiepileptic drug valproate run the risk of having a child with birth defects. more...

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It's up to pregnant woman to ease her fears of obese child (6/24/2005)

2005-08-14T10:52:00.000-07:00

A reader writes: &quot;I have struggled with a weight problem all my life. My husband is also overweight, but he carries it well. We recently found out that I am pregnant, and while I am very happy and excited, I dread having a child who might also be fat like me.&quot; more...

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2005-06-26T15:20:00.000-07:00

The LUTEAL PHASE also known as the Post Ovulation Time is the amount of time between ovulation and the start of the menstrual period. This time is usually very stable in most women. For those of you who have irregular periods, the irregular part is before ovulation occurs. Once ovulation has occurred then the period will arrive after exactly the amount of days of your Luteal phase which in most women is 14 days.

When to get pregnant - Ovulation time

If you spend a few months charting your cycle the you will notice that once you have ovulated, the time until your period is always exactly the same, even if you are irregular with your periods.

Check out this and other REALLY usefull information at my new site

Get pregnant at www.pregnantaid.com

Mice Reveal A Key to Infertility (HealthDay)

2005-05-25T16:24:00.000-07:00

Mice Reveal A Key to Infertility (HealthDay)
Studies in infertile female mice are helping scientists understand why women sometimes fail to conceive.

Read How Author Carol Conceived Naturally at 41

Vitamin C May Help Protect Babies of Smoking Moms (HealthDay)

2005-05-25T16:23:00.000-07:00

Vitamin C May Help Protect Babies of Smoking Moms (HealthDay)
High doses of vitamin C may help reduce fetal lung damage linked to maternal smoking, according to new research in monkeys.

Read How Author Carol Conceived Naturally at 41

Men's Social Status Linked to Heart Disease (HealthDay)

2005-05-25T16:21:00.000-07:00

Men's Social Status Linked to Heart Disease (HealthDay)
Scientists may have uncovered a reason why men who are socially isolated tend to have more cardiovascular disease.

Read How Author Carol Conceived Naturally at 41

Pollutants Prove to Affect Male Fertility (HealthDay)

2005-05-25T16:20:00.000-07:00

Pollutants Prove to Affect Male Fertility (HealthDay)
Environmental factors may be affecting men's fertility, a new Scandinavian study contends.

Read How Author Carol Conceived Naturally at 41

Pregnancy and Epilepsy Cause Tough Choices (HealthDay)

2005-05-25T16:19:00.000-07:00

Pregnancy and Epilepsy Cause Tough Choices (HealthDay)
Pregnant women with epilepsy face a difficult decision: to continue treatment with anti-epileptic drugs and risk birth defects or stop taking the drugs and risk uncontrolled seizures that can harm the fetus, contends a report in the journal Epilepsia.

Read How Author Carol Conceived Naturally at 41

The virus stops here

2005-05-25T16:18:00.000-07:00

The virus stops here

A couple of weeks ago, I cruised the "baby supplies" aisle at Walgreens while Beaker was off looking for something: fragrance free shaving cream, perhaps? In between the disposable nursing pads and the supposedly a

Read How Author Carol Conceived Naturally at 41

Our last California party

2005-05-25T16:17:00.000-07:00

Our last California party

It's a fecund group. I'm not the only pregnant woman in an ugly salmon pink maternity T-shirt. Two babies, three toddlers, two preschoolers, several others under 10. The older kids run for the backyard swing set. L

Read How Author Carol Conceived Naturally at 41

Ultrasound Spots Bowel Complication in Newborns (HealthDay)

2005-05-25T16:16:00.000-07:00

Ultrasound Spots Bowel Complication in Newborns (HealthDay)
Using a form of ultrasound called color Doppler sonography to measure blood flow to the intestines of newborns can help radiologists spot a serious complication of a bowel disease called necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).

Read How Author Carol Conceived Naturally at 41

Will We Ever Get Pregnant? (Coping With Infertility)

2005-05-25T13:22:00.000-07:00

Will We Ever Get Pregnant? (Coping With Infertility)
By Jon Henshaw M.A. For most couples, the decision to get pregnant is usually a calculated and thoughtful choice that isn't easily made. There are often concerns about financial security, loss of leisure time, and questions of one's own readiness to become a parent. More often than not, one person is more ready than the other to have children. So, when there's finally consensus in a relationship to have a child, expectations for getting pregnant are usually high, and couples generally expect to get pregnant almost immediately. However, more often than not, it usually takes several months for couples to conceive. The process of copulation is quite simple, but the chance of a viable pregnancy is not. In fact, the average chance of conceiving each month is only 15%, and the chance of spontaneous abortion is also 15%. The good news is that 85% of couples will be successful during their first year. Crisis Once a couple has decided to get pregnant, and they've been unsuccessful for several months, trying to get pregnant can become burdensome, disappointing and frustrating. Women often begin to question their ability to conceive, which in turn can create an identity crisis. Although it's not true for all women, many women partly define themselves by their gender, and their ability (or potential) to reproduce. When this ability becomes jeopardized, feelings of worry and panic become frequent. Depending on a woman's personality, she may become more determined to become pregnant, or she may seep slowly into depression. Simultaneously, men experience the crisis in another way. Sexual intercourse becomes redefined. Sex is no longer a simple, instinctual drive that is perpetuated by visual stimulation. Instead, sex becomes deflated. It transforms into a delegated task. The original intention of sex (a desire for pleasure), succumbs to the reality that a man's genitals are solely a tool to aid a woman in reproduction. Nothing more. Nothing less. Although a woman is not defined by her ability to conceive, and a man's task of ejaculation is not his sole purpose for existing, these ideas can still consume their thoughts. In general, couples begin to change their traditional roles regarding sex. The woman becomes more aggressive, insisting that they have sex (in order to conceive), and the man becomes more and more disinterested. A physical pinnacle of this crisis usually amounts to undesirable aggressive sexual behavior from the woman to the man, and the inability for the man to sustain an erection and ejaculate. In an oversexed society, such as ours, the disinterest from the man to the woman, and the inability of the man to perform, can create feelings of panic, devastation, and depression. The crisis is not only confined to the bedroom. A couple is also forced to reevaluate, and in some instances become aware of for the first time, their long term expectations for their relationship and themselves. If a couple already has a preconceived notion of how their lives will unfold, and it doesn't occur, reevaluation becomes an unavoidable consequence of unfulfilled expectations and dreams. Questions that often go through couple's minds include: - "What happens if we can't get pregnant?" - "How far are we willing to go in order to get pregnant, and can we afford it?" - "What will our friends and family think?" - "How long will this take?" - "What happens if we find out we can never have children?" - "What if we have to adopt?" - "How will my partner react if I end up being the reason we can't get pregnant?" Coping There's no easy way to endure the inability to conceive. Anger and frustration, the pressure of time, feelings of loneliness, loss and grief, and the insidious nature of stress all contribute to lowered levels of happiness and contentment. However, there are ways to cope individually, and as a couple. The level of couple cooperation and the quality of their communication plays an important part in how well a couple will cope. Furthermore, couples with coping strategies that involve active problem-focused planning, networking, and information seeking behavior often seem to fair much better than couples that don't. Below are some suggestions to help couples cope with infertility: - Don't minimize feelings. Feelings are there for a reason. Respect your partner's feelings and learn to embrace and accept your own. - Listen and talk to each other. Listening and talking creates intimacy in your relationship, and can help encourage and strengthen each other through this difficult experience. - Become educated about fertility and infertility. RESOLVE is a great place to start - http://www.resolve.org/. - Find diversions. Although you shouldn't avoid the problem, it can often be helpful to take a break from it. - Don't tell everyone what's going on. Don't tell friends or family simply because you think they should know. Instead, tell friends or family that have a history of being good listeners and encouragers. Otherwise, it they could make a bad situation worse. - Have sex for the sake of sex. Try to have sexual intercourse during times that are not close to ovulation. The time after a woman has stopped her period, and before she ovulates, can be a great time for a couple to have sex without the pressure to conceive. - Be patient. Conceiving can take a long time. Sometimes it's best to lower your expectations, but to still keep trying. Others find it helpful to take a break, and to start trying again in a couple of months. - Pray and meditate. If you are spiritually inclined, prayer and meditation can be calming, and give you a sense of peace about your situation. - Seek counseling. Counselors are trained to help couples through life crisis. If possible, seek out a counselor who specializes, or has experience with infertility issues. Jon Henshaw M.A. is a Marriage and Family Counselor in Denver, Colorado. For more information, please visit http://www.familyresource.com

Read How Author Carol Conceived Naturally at 41

How to Prepare for Pregnancy

2005-05-10T04:31:00.000-07:00

Why is it important to prepare for pregnancy?

You probably won't know you are pregnant for the first three to four weeks. By then, your baby is already forming major organs and structures. Some medicines, illnesses, or bad habits (like smoking or drinking alcohol) can affect your baby before you even know you are pregnant. To be safe, you should act like you are already pregnant before you try to get pregnant.

When should I see my doctor?

Get a checkup from your doctor before you try to get pregnant. Your doctor will ask you and the baby's father about your medical and family histories. You can discuss your pregnancy plans with your doctor and ask questions.

Is exercise okay?

Yes. Regular moderate exercise is good for you and your baby and can be continued during pregnancy. Do not get overheated and avoid using hot tubs in early pregnancy. If you plan to do any especially vigorous forms of exercise, discuss this with your doctor first.

Should I take vitamins?

Taking 400 micrograms of folic acid (a B vitamin) every day before you become pregnant and during early pregnancy helps prevent birth defects of the brain and spinal cord. It is safe to take a daily multivitamin tablet. Avoid high doses of vitamins because they can be harmful.

Do I need to change my diet?

You should eat a balanced diet with foods rich in folic acid, such as green leafy vegetables, broccoli, oranges, and bananas. Your diet should also include enough iron and calcium. If you cannot drink milk, you can get calcium from fortified orange juice, fortified breads and cereals, or calcium supplements. Do not drink more than two cups of coffee or six glasses of tea or soda per day. Try to reach a healthy weight before pregnancy. Women who are very overweight or underweight may have more problems with pregnancy. You should not be on a weight-loss diet during pregnancy.

What else should I avoid?

You should avoid toxic substances and chemicals at work and at home. Smoking cigarettes increases your risk of miscarriage or having a baby with a low birth weight. Your doctor can help you stop smoking. Alcohol and illegal drugs such as cocaine, marijuana, and heroin can cause birth defects or other problems in your baby. If you cannot stop using drugs, ask your doctor for help.

What do I need to know about genetic diseases?

The older you are, especially if you are older than 35, the higher your risk for having a baby with Down syndrome or other genetic problems. You can be tested for some of these problems during your pregnancy.

If you have a high risk of passing a genetic disease to your baby, your doctor can refer you to a genetic counselor for education and help. People who are black or from the Middle East or India can be tested for sickle cell disease and thalassemia. If your family is from the region of the Mediterranean Sea or Southeastern Asia, you might be screened for thalassemia. If your family is of European Jewish or French Canadian origin, consider screening for Tay-Sachs disease. If you or the baby's father has a family history of cystic fibrosis or congenital hearing loss, you might be tested to see if you carry one of these traits. There are many other genetic diseases that can be detected by testing. Problems in previous pregnancies, such as repeated early miscarriages, may show a need for genetic evaluation.

What tests should I have before I get pregnant?

You should consider testing for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as HIV and syphilis. Treatment can prevent you from passing a virus to your baby. Other STDs such as gonorrhea and chlamydia should be treated before pregnancy.

Do I need any immunizations?

If you are not immune to rubella, you will need a booster shot of MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) at least one month before you get pregnant. If you have never had chickenpox, you should have two injections of this vaccine at least one month before pregnancy. You may need the series of three hepatitis B vaccines if you have not had them before. A flu shot is also recommended for pregnant women, usually between October and December.

What can I do to avoid infections?

Pregnant women should not clean a cat's litter box and should wear gloves while gardening. Pregnant women should eat meat only if it is well cooked. These precautions help protect against toxoplasmosis, an infection that can cause birth defects. Women in child care or health care jobs should wash their hands often. They should also use gloves when touching body fluids of sick children to protect from viral infections that can harm the growing baby.

What if I have health problems?

If you take any medicines regularly, ask your doctor if you can take them when you are pregnant. If you have diabetes, hypertension, asthma, or epilepsy, the condition should be well controlled before pregnancy.

When should I stop taking my birth control pills?

Discuss this with your doctor. Usually, you should stop birth control pills at least two months before trying to get pregnant. Then your periods can return and your cycles can be tracked. However, it will not hurt the baby if you get pregnant right after stopping the pill.

Can I work during my pregnancy?

Most women without special risks can work during pregnancy. Physical jobs may need to be modified during pregnancy. Sometimes, problems occur during pregnancy, and you may need to take time off from work. Be sure you understand your employer's rules about parental leave benefits as well as the maternity coverage of your health insurance plan. Consider putting money into savings to cover your expenses if you have to take time off work during pregnancy.

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This handout provides a general overview on this topic and may not apply to everyone. To find out if this handout applies to you and to get more information on this subject, talk to your family doctor.

Visit familydoctor.org for information on this and many other health-related topics.

Get Pregnant

2005-05-10T04:25:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the 'become pregnant' blog.
I hope to fill this with usefull information on how to get pregnant, dealing with infertility and natural conception methods.

More information on how to get pregnant