CLICK HERE for The "Everything
for Your Pregnancy" Store
... ~~~~~~~~~~~~Conception Chart
A conception chart is a bit more useful for having a child than for avoiding having one, though they can be used for both. The western conception chart only claims to be able to predict cycles of ovulation and tell you when you will be the most fertile so that you can be sure to have sex on those days, while the chines conception chart claims much greater powers. The chines conception chart claims to actually be able to predict the child's gender based on the phase of the moon, the mothers age, and a variety of other factors, but most people are skeptical to say the least.
The only people who use a conception chart to try to avoid birth are devout Catholics, and members of other faiths which forbid the use of birth control. This is called the rhythm method, and is unfortunately far less reliable than the use of plain old birth control. My sister married a Catholic, and subsequently converted and became an extremely devout Catholic herself. She would carefully mark her conception chart with symbols indicating the days when she was and when she wasn't fertile, but unfortunately, the whole thing failed spectacularly. Within 6 months, she was pregnant with her first child. Within another four months of giving birth, she was pregnant with her second. It is plain to see that there are some things which a conception chart was not meant to do.
Unfortunately, conception charts aren't always that useful even for encouraging pregnancy. For most people, having enough unprotected sex virtually guarantees that they will have a kid. For those with serious fertility problems, however, making sure to have intercourse at the appropriate time is simply not enough to do the trick. A conception chart is one of the tools used by fertility experts to try to encourage pregnancy, but often more drastic methods like artificial insemination are required to do the trick, so to speak.
One way or another, there will be results eventually if both people are persistent, and if there aren't those results, there are always other options available. For example, the couple can adopt, or even hire a surrogate mother. Personally, I am a big fan of adoption, instead of bringing another child into the world. With the number of unwanted kids, it really is a wonderful thing to ensure that one of them grows up in a loving family, who might otherwise have not.
CLICK HERE for The "Everything
for Your Pregnancy" Store
... ~~~~~~~~~~~~Early Pregnancy Testing
Early Pregnancy Testing
After years of trying unsuccessfully to conceive a child, I am the queen of early pregnancy testing. I know that science tells us that early pregnancy testing is not always accurate, but who has the patience to wait weeks before finding out if they are carrying a little bundle of joy?
My doctor frowns on early pregnancy testing. He told me that it takes about two weeks after you conceive to accumulate enough HCG for a test to give a positive result. By his calculations, early pregnancy testing is just a waste of money. Maybe he is right, but I just can’t help myself and I give into the early pregnancy testing bug every time.
I order pregnancy tests online by the case. I keep them in my bathroom so that I can satisfy my early pregnancy testing whim any time I feel like it. Early pregnancy testing can be extremely frustrating. The three minutes it takes for a line to show up can seem like hours.
I try to follow the early pregnancy testing directions. I try to wait for three minutes before I look at the test to see if I am pregnant. Oh, who am I kidding? Every time I give into the urge for early pregnancy testing, I end up sitting on the bathroom counter, holding the test in my hand for the entire three minutes, verbally willing a line to show up.
When the three minutes have gone by, I stand there, twisting the test to every angle imaginable. I hold it at arms length. I put it right up to my nose. I squint my eyes, hoping that the blur it creates will show me an early pregnancy testing line. I examine each shadow and I have even been known to rip apart an early pregnancy testing kit to see if the line is more visible outside the casing.
Yes, I know. I have it bad. I am suffering from EPTS. (Early Pregnancy Testing Syndrome) I have even been known to dig an hour old test out of the trash just to see if a line somehow snuck onto it.
When I finally did get pregnant, I couldn’t believe that I was really seeing a line. I went through five more early pregnancy testing kits before I believed that I was pregnant. I had spent so many years with negative pregnancy results that I didn’t know a positive result when I saw it.
CLICK HERE for The "Everything
for Your Pregnancy" Store
... ~~~~~~~~~~~~First Signs of Pregnancy
Planning for a pregnancy is an exciting time filled with dreams of your little one. There are things you can do to ready yourself for conception and the following months. Even if you are not experiencing the early signs of pregnancy, it is crucial that you prepare yourself for your intended conception.
The first few weeks of pregnancy are very important in the baby’s development so it is a good idea to refrain from doing things that can be harmful to the fetus. It is wise to quite smoking before you conceive. Once you decide that you want to have a child, put the cigarettes out and stay away from them. Of course, this is no easy task, but it won’t be any easier after you experience the early signs of pregnancy.
Drinking in excess is also detrimental to a developing baby. Before you notice the first signs of pregnancy, keep drinks to a minimum or stay away from alcoholic beverages entirely. The same goes for prescription medications. Inform your doctor that you are trying to conceive and find out if any prescription medication you may be taking can harm the baby.
Many women choose to wait until they have the first signs of pregnancy to quit their bad habits. Some wait until they miss their period before talking to their doctors, but taking care of these things before you are pregnant will benefit the baby. Part of this is because you have already rid you body of toxins and you are have the information you need from your doctor.
There is no bad time to start an exercise program. Consider working out before you notice the first signs of pregnancy. It is important to consult your physician before starting any exercise program and make sure to exercise in moderation. Many women make the mistake of waiting until the baby is born before starting a regular workout routine but a moderate exercise plan can be easily followed throughout your pregnancy.
It is important that you always take care of yourself in general. It doesn’t matter if you are planning to have a baby or if you are having the first signs of pregnancy. Bad habits are hard to break and they are not really easier to break when you are carrying a child. Introducing you baby to a healthy body that was taken care of before the first signs of pregnancy were even apparent will increase the baby’s chances of having a healthy start.
|