Understanding Ovulation

Fertility and Ovulation

Determining the fertile days

Most couples only think about fertility after they've decided that they want to get pregnant.
Before this, fertility probably played a rather insignificant role in their lives because during that time, their focus was instead on a reliable form of contraception.
This is why few women actually know when their fertile days are. Before trying to get pregnant, many women are usually unaware of the symptoms which are characteristic of the fertile cycle phase.

When can a woman conceive?

A woman can conceive only when she has sex during the few days around ovulation. Therefore, on most other days in her cycle, a woman is infertile. Many women can recall from biology lessons at school that a woman is supposed to ovulate around the 14th day of her cycle. While this may be the case for some women, there is not enough detailed information to say it applies to everyone.
The fertile phase within the cycle can vary from cycle to cycle, especially since cycles and ovulation can be influenced by outside factors such as diet, stress, and illness.
Because there are so many things that can cause variations within each cycle, identifying the fertile days and ovulation is often difficult. Knowing when you are ovulating will maximise your chances of getting pregnant by allowing you to coordinate your love life with your ovulation.

What about online ovulation calculators?

Online calculation tools used to automatically calculate your fertile days and ovulation using the dates of your last menstruation are not as effective as fertility monitors.
The results are based on static calculation formulae which doesn't take into account your personal conditions. Couples who regularly have sex on the dates calculated by such tools are often unsuccessful at getting pregnant because the fertile phase was calculated incorrectly.
On the other hand, there are entirely natural symptoms you can use to indicate your personalfertile days and ovulation periods, which are the most promising days for conceiving. Read on to find out which symptoms characterise fertile days and how you can monitor your cycle effortlessly.

Increasing fertility by natural means

Before you begin any burdensome hormonal child-planning treatments, you should consider taking advantage of all the pregnancy aids provided by nature. In addition to health risks, hormonal child-planning treatments can increase the chances of multiple births (twins, triplets, etc).
Analysing your current lifestyle and making small changes can help you get pregnant quickly. There are also aids available to help you determine your personal fertile days around ovulation as well as teas and vitamins which can increase you and your partner's fertility. Homeopathy has also been proven successful in gynaecology, especially when it comes to child planning.

Click here to read more about conception and ovulation dates.

10 Pre-Pregnancy Diet Rules

Diet and Pregnancy Planning

Eating for fertility

When you're planning on getting pregnant, a healthy, balanced diet is extremely important. As well as improving your own health, changing what you eat and having a varied diet guarantees the best possible development for your child. Do something good for yourself and your future child and start eating healthy today!

10 rules for good nutrition and reproductive health

A healthy diet not only provides you with energy, improves your mood and helps you to think clearly, it can also improve your health, your sex drive and your fertility.
Eating a balanced, nutrient diet is something to look forward to every day. It increases your quality of life and affects all facets of your health. In order to achieve a healthy diet, you should observe the following rules:

• 1. Drink plenty of water.
• 2. Choose wholefoods that are high in fiber.
• 3. Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables.
• 4. Eat highly nutritious proteins with every meal.
• 5. Make sure you have an adequate supply of highly nutritious oils.
• 6. Never skip breakfast and don't consume anything after 8.00 pm.
• 7. Keep your blood sugar levels constant by eating less and more often, ideally every three hours.
• 8. Avoid caffeine and sugar.
• 9. Choose organic foods when possible.
• 10. Reduce your intake of the following foods: red meat, saturated fats, ready meals, industrially produced foods and foods with high additive and preservative contents.

Research shows that if both partners are overweight, there will be a marked decline in fertility. A Danish study interestingly concluded that fertility is also negatively affected if only the male partner is overweight.

Read more at http://www.get-pregnant-cyclotest.co.uk/pregnancy-pregnancy/preparing-for-pregnancy/diet-for-child-planning.html

All About Fertility

How long am I fertile for?

After ovulation, the egg cell is capable of being fertilised for only 12-18 hours per cycle. For this reason, the timing must be exactly right for pregnancy to occur. Because a woman only ovulates once per cycle, she is therefore only fertile for fourteen days per year if she has relatively short 26 day cycles!
If the egg cell is not fertilised within the few hours that it is capable of being fertilised, it dissolves slowly and allows menstruation to begin two weeks later.

Male fertility

This does not mean, however, that a couple has to sleep together within this very short period of 12 - 18 hours per cycle in order to get pregnant. The lifespan of sperm cells can stretch up to 5 days. Male sperm cells can survive in a viable fertilising state and wait for ovulation (under optimum conditions) for up to 5 days inside a woman's body.

The journey of the sperm

When a man ejaculates, several million sperm enter the vagina and immediately make their way inside the woman. If they find suitable conditions, it is only a matter of a few minutes before the first sperm cells pass the mouth of the uterus and enter the uterus itself.
After sexual intercourse the sperm cells swim, surrounded by cervical mucus, into the uterus and then into the outer ends of the Fallopian tubes, where fertilisation can occur. This is where they wait for the egg cell.

The patient sperm cells

Assisted by the rhythmic contractions of the uterus, some of the sperm cells enter into the Fallopian tube. The remaining sperm make themselves comfortable in the folds of the uterine lining and after some time has passed, begin their own journey into the Fallopian tubes. Therefore, a large number of sperm cells arrive little by little in the Fallopian tubes.
If the women has not begun ovulating, the sperm cells wait for the egg cell for up to five days.

Fusion of sperm cell and egg cell

Usually, several dozen sperm cells simultaneously succeed in penetrating the protective wall of the egg cell, but only one single sperm is capable of penetrating the center of the egg cell and fertilizing it. This sperm cell's membrane then fuses with the egg cell's membrane. Directly after this occurs, the egg cell's membrane hardens in order to block the entry of any other sperm.

Will it be a boy or a girl?

The sperm that has penetrated the egg cell is crucial in determining the sex of the baby. If the sperm is carrying an X-chromosome, it will be a girl. If it is carrying a Y-chromosome, it will be a boy.

Sex for Conception

Very few couples analyse their fertility and reproductive cycles before they begin pregnancy planning. Often, their previous forms of hormonal contraception cause them to forget about the natural cycle that occurs on a monthly basis. For this reason, knowledge of cycle phases, fertile days or ovulation tends to be minimal.
One of the most important facts to take away from this page is that having sex a few days before ovulation can bring about a pregnancy.

READ MORE HERE: http://www.get-pregnant-cyclotest.co.uk

The (Surprisingly) Complicated World Of Conception

What does it take for successful conception?

Becoming pregnant requires the perfect interaction of many factors. Successful conception is such a complex procedure that without assistance and a bit of knowledge, you may find it difficult to achieve your goal of getting pregnant.

How a new life is created

The essential requirements for bringing about a pregnancy are sexual intercourse, a sperm cell that is capable of fertilising and an egg cell that is capable of being fertilised.
Timing is everything when it comes to combining these three factors. Two periods of time that must coincide in order for pregnancy to occur: the life span of the egg cell and the life of the sperm en route to the egg cell.

• The egg in the ovary must mature normally and the egg must have left the ovary


• The Fallopian tube must be able to pick up and receive the egg from the surface of the ovary using its fimbriae (finger-like projections).


• The woman's vaginal passages must be open to allow the sperm to enter the Fallopian tubes and to enable the fertilised egg to be transported into the uterus


• Sperm cells must be created in sufficient numbers, quality, and motility.


• Sperm cells must be present at the right time in the fallopian tubes


• The uterine lining must be prepared to receive the egg

To learn how to pinpoint the days when the chances of getting pregnant are at their highest, visit the fertile days section.

The Chlamydia Risk

Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted disease and because it rarely presents symptoms, often goes undetected. Symptoms frequently appear years after the original infection, which prolongs the diagnosis and treatment.Chlamydia can cause infertility and if you're infecting during pregnancy or birth, you also run the risk of infecting your child.

READ MORE HERE: http://www.get-pregnant-cyclotest.co.uk

3 TIPS FOR MANAGING STRESS WHILE TRYING TO CONCEIVE

We were young and in love, married for 4 years, and ready to open a new chapter of our lives. 

And it went just as we planned. I stopped taking the pill, my period resumed, and within a few months we were gleefully prancing around our small living room waving the positive pregnancy test in the air. The months that followed were full of anticipation, ultrasounds, and baby furniture buying.

Everything seemed so simple yet so grand; as if the entire cosmic universe was coming together to make our transition into parenthood breathtaking. Then, one cold November morning, Dusten decided the time had come. We nervously, slowly - ah, those glorious contractions - walked the halls of the hospital towards the delivery room, room 318. And there he was born.

Fast forward 5 years. We were ready for Number Two. More then ready for number two in fact, we had been trying for five months. And it was beginning to get stressful.  

Life was different while we were hoping to conceive Number Two. Trying to stay on top of my accounting job, shuttle Dusten to soccer, make dinner, stay on top of bills, and perhaps spend time with my husband. And then on top of it, the baby thing. There was the burning desire to expand our family coupled with inevitable reality of ‘not this month.’ Yeah, that was stress.

Carrie - Age 36

Sound familiar? You're not alone. The time gap between when a couple decides they are ready for a baby, and when that baby decides to actually come along, can often be longer than anticipated, leading to frustration and disappointment month after month. Then, to add to the stress, studies show that stress itself can impede conception, - so you’ll probably end up stressed about the stress you feel!

Here we’ve compiled three top tips for maintaining balance and serenity as you embark on your journey towards parenthood.

1. Eat A Colorful Diet. No we don’t mean skittles! If you're eating a balanced, energizing diet, chances are you are going to feel balanced and energized. Assess your diet by taking a look at the colors on your plate. Are you eating a naturally colorful diet, abundant with fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and nutrient dense proteins? Think bright red tomatoes, rich green avocado, wild pink salmon, and blueberries. Be creative, and have fun.

2. Take The Pressure Off By Knowing Your Fertility Window.  Its important to nurture your relationship with your husband, but the thought of a ‘fun date’ or ‘spontaneous sex’ can be quite challenging when you're pinning a lot of hope on each time you make love. But it doesn't have to be that way.

Get your hands on a fertility monitor like Cyclotest Baby, and you’ll know when during the month you can conceive. On those days you can strategically plan to have intercourse, and during the rest of the month you are free to be as spontaneous as you want. Plan date nights for outside of the fertility window, at a time when you can simply enjoy each others company with zero pressure. Play an adult board game, go for a moonlit walk, or just snuggle close on the couch watching TV. When you track your fertility with Cyclotest Baby, you’ll give yourself the gift of clarity, and you’ll be amazed to see how much better you’ll feel when you are able to release that pressure.

3. Keep calm and Carry on. Print out your favorite version and tape it on to your refrigerator or above your desk. Don’t let the small, or even big, bumps in your day or week get you down. Throughout the day, coffee will spill on white shirts, plans will have to change, and expectations will be dashed. Holding on to negative experiences after they occur adds more stress to your body, so it is important to breath and move on.

Put these tips into practice right away, and you’ll see how much better you feel about yourself. Perhaps you’ll even see that elusive plus sign sooner than you’d think!

Getting Your Husband On Board With NFP

 

You’re interested in natural family planning, but the thought of broaching the topic with your partner sends you into a mild panic attack. Or you’ve been dreaming of going off hormones, but think that a conversation with your husband is not even worth the time; its so obvious the idea will be immediately dismissed. Sound familiar? Well, we’ve got to tell you, you're not alone. In fact, this is one of the top reasons women claim they can’t make the switch over to NFP.

Unfortunately, we can’t say that there is a quick fix solution or offer you magic fairy dust to sprinkle on your husband to make him open to the possibility. Actually though, the first step towards a NFP boils down joint knowledge and communication. Easy to say, but much harder to actually implement. Communicating effectively about sex, and life in general, is the foundation of NFP, and the journey towards a deeper connection starts right now.

From middle school sex ed, all the way through marriage, most men view contraception as primarily a women’s problem. She ovulates and gets her period, she takes the pill, she represses her fertility, and she takes care of business to insure “worry free” sex.

But wait a second. Where is the honesty and communication in that equation? The relationship, the ‘WE’ of the intense bond of a sexual relationship, is mitigated by eliminating the need to discuss the aspect of fertility and sex.  Sex is a powerful and intimate experience, one that is constantly changing and evolving, and should be a central discussion in any committed relationship. But in all honesty, it’s just not that easy to communicate lovingly and sensitively about the topic of sex. And the longer we can go without mentioning it, the more we tend to fall into repetitive, perhaps negative, habits.

Many women think that their husband or partner will push aside the idea of NFP as a contraceptive method, but in fact, as an NFP teacher, I find that once men gain the knowledge and are explained the logic of an alternative method, they can see the appeal and agree that it might be time for a shift. Look into the local NFP courses offered in your area, and see if they have an introductory presentation. Have information on hand before you broach the subject, then make it a joint exploration, even a date night where the two of you explore your joint fertility heath.  

When you start the dialogue about NFP with your partner, remember that you are in a loving, mutually respectful relationship. No husband wants his wife to be exposed to harmful chemicals that have short term side effects and potential long term health hazards.

Your partner wants the best for you. He wants you to be healthy, happy, and secure. He wants to be involved and invested, willing to look at fertility as a ‘OUR issue’ instead of ‘YOUR issue.’ And above all, both you and your partner want to develop the art and language of positive communication. A discussion about NFP and birth control is only the first step in a wondrous journey of communicating effectively. Because after all, if you can make communicating lovingly about sex a habit in your marriage, you’ll be able to communicate lovingly about just about anything else. 

 

With Special Thanks To Ira Winter RN MSc BSc CFCP at Life FertlityCare

To learn more about the benefits of NFP visit http://lifefertilitycare.co.uk/ .

Q&A About Getting Pregnant After Using Hormonal Contracpetion

 

Congratulations! You are off the pill and are ready to take the first steps towards bringing a new baby into your family. This is an exciting chapter in you and your partner's lives, one full of fresh and exciting hopes and dreams.
 

Q: How long after taking the pill can we start trying to conceive?

A: After making the decision that the time is right to have a baby, of course you want to see the positive sign on the pregnancy test right away. Any delay can be really difficult! But women are often advised to wait roughly three months after coming off the pill before trying to get pregnant.


Three months is approximately how long the body takes to get back to its natural rhythm after experiencing a surge in hormones. In some cases, it can take up to 18 months for the hormonal balance required for pregnancy to be restored. This is especially common if a combined pill (progesterone/estrogen) was used.

So while you can feel free to get busy trying right away, don't be alarmed if it takes you a while as your body adjusts and tries to find its natural hormonal balance. 

Q: What should I know about becoming pregnant after coming off a three-month hormonal injection cycle? 

A:Trying to get pregnant after coming off a cycle of the three month injection method of birth control has an even greater disadvantage. As a result of the injection dramatically altering the cervical mucus, it is commonly advised to wait twelve months or even longer conceive.


Its hard to get away from it, the bottom line is that an influx of hormones will alter you body's natural rhythm, and you may have to wait quite a while to actually become pregnant. This waiting time can be agonizing - after all, the reason you stopped using contraception was so that you could finally see the long awaited plus sign on the pregnancy test!

Q: What can I do restore my natural system after coming off hormones?

It is clear that traditional birth control methods, with their hormonal altering substances, are going to take a toll on the natural system of your body, and can affect your general health and your desire to become pregnant. The liver filters all the toxins out of our body and is especially taxed by the overload of synthetic hormones. Additionally, the hypothalamus and pituitary glands, that are in charge sending hormonal messages, are also thrown out of balance with the influx of synthetic hormones.


Fresh wholesome foods can help you detox your body and bring it back to its natural state of functioning. Protein, healthy fats, and fiber aid in hormonal production while green leafy vegetables are critical in detoxing the liver. Medication can also cause a general depletion of vitamins so be sure to eat a rich varied diet and supplement your intake with a with a multi or prenatal vitamin.