implantation in the uterus
Now known as a blastocyst, made up of around 100 cells, the bundle burrows into the lining of the womb and an embryo begins to form
I’m so thrilled about your desire to have a baby and say with confidence that there are few experiences in life that top the moment when your pregnancy is confirmed! It’s always a miracle when you consider how many couples experience difficulties when trying for a baby, so our warm congratulations—whether you are just starting a family or bringing a new addition into your current family—a baby to love and be loved by
Tune in to every passing moment and enjoy this season in your life as much as you can
Although time passing during pregnancy can feel like an eternity as the months roll on and your pregnancy grows, believe me when I say “enjoy!” This is such a special period for expectant parents and you will probably look back and marvel at just how quickly it really passed. My advice is to slow down and enjoy this chapter in your life. Before too long you will have entered into the next season following the birth—don’t wish this time away too quickly
Although time passing during pregnancy can feel like an eternity as the months roll on and your pregnancy grows, believe me when I say “enjoy!” This is such a special period for expectant parents and you will probably look back and marvel at just how quickly it really passed. My advice is to slow down and enjoy this chapter in your life. Before too long you will have entered into the next season following the birth—don’t wish this time away too quickly
We’ve been trying for a baby for months and I dread seeing my period—why isn’t it happening
Trying to conceive can be very stressful, leading
to feelings of anxiety and depression as the months pass without a positive pregnancy test. However, try
not to become too disheartened; even if you don’t conceive in the first few months, statistically, the
average couple has an 80 percent chance of conceiving within a year. It is a good idea to keep a note of the dates of your menstrual periods, since this makes it easier to calculate the fertile time of your cycle. The best time for “baby-making” sex is just before ovulation. The average length of a woman’s cycle is 28 days, counting the first day of your period as day one. So if you have a regular 28-day cycle, you can predict that ovulation is likely to occur mid-cycle, on around day 14. If your cycle length varies, this can make calculating the midpoint more difficult, but observing and recording your body’s fertility indicators during your menstrual cycle can help you identify your fertile time
Trying to conceive can be very stressful, leading
to feelings of anxiety and depression as the months pass without a positive pregnancy test. However, try
not to become too disheartened; even if you don’t conceive in the first few months, statistically, the
average couple has an 80 percent chance of conceiving within a year. It is a good idea to keep a note of the dates of your menstrual periods, since this makes it easier to calculate the fertile time of your cycle. The best time for “baby-making” sex is just before ovulation. The average length of a woman’s cycle is 28 days, counting the first day of your period as day one. So if you have a regular 28-day cycle, you can predict that ovulation is likely to occur mid-cycle, on around day 14. If your cycle length varies, this can make calculating the midpoint more difficult, but observing and recording your body’s fertility indicators during your menstrual cycle can help you identify your fertile time
How long should I wait before I go to see my doctor
There is no wrong or right amount of time to wait before going to see your doctor, but a lot will depend on your age and personal circumstances. If you’re both under 35 and have no reason to suspect problems, for example, previous surgery or irregular periods, then the usual advice is to seek help after about a year of trying to conceive. Women over 35 are advised to seek help earlier, since fertility starts to decline more rapidly after your mid-30s. Your doctor can carry out a few basic tests right away to rule out obvious fertility problems, such as monitoring your hormone levels, screening for sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia and semen analysis for your partner. Your doctor may then refer you to a specialist
There is no wrong or right amount of time to wait before going to see your doctor, but a lot will depend on your age and personal circumstances. If you’re both under 35 and have no reason to suspect problems, for example, previous surgery or irregular periods, then the usual advice is to seek help after about a year of trying to conceive. Women over 35 are advised to seek help earlier, since fertility starts to decline more rapidly after your mid-30s. Your doctor can carry out a few basic tests right away to rule out obvious fertility problems, such as monitoring your hormone levels, screening for sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia and semen analysis for your partner. Your doctor may then refer you to a specialist
My periods are really irregular—what are my chances of becoming pregnant
Menstrual cycles that vary more than a few days in length from month to month are considered irregular
periods. An irregular cycle can be troublesome when trying to get pregnant, but being aware of your
fertility signs can help you determine when you are approaching your short window of fertility. Irregular ovulation and menstruation account for around 30–40 percent of fertility problems. Although there are many factors that determine how fertile a woman is, such as her age, whether her cervical fluid is wet enough to sustain sperm, or whether her fallopian tubes are open, the most important factor is whether she ovulates—releases an egg—regularly each month. Sometimes, a condition called anovulation occurs in which there
is a menstrual bleed but no ovulation. If you don’t release an egg each month, you won’t have as many
chances to get pregnant, in which case you may be given medication to encourage ovulation. It would be wise to talk to your doctor about your cycle
Menstrual cycles that vary more than a few days in length from month to month are considered irregular
periods. An irregular cycle can be troublesome when trying to get pregnant, but being aware of your
fertility signs can help you determine when you are approaching your short window of fertility. Irregular ovulation and menstruation account for around 30–40 percent of fertility problems. Although there are many factors that determine how fertile a woman is, such as her age, whether her cervical fluid is wet enough to sustain sperm, or whether her fallopian tubes are open, the most important factor is whether she ovulates—releases an egg—regularly each month. Sometimes, a condition called anovulation occurs in which there
is a menstrual bleed but no ovulation. If you don’t release an egg each month, you won’t have as many
chances to get pregnant, in which case you may be given medication to encourage ovulation. It would be wise to talk to your doctor about your cycle
Preconception diet
A varied, balanced diet is key to good reproductive health. Certain foods in particular contain essential vitamins and minerals that are thought to benefit eggs and sperm and the health of the future embryo. These include foods rich in vitamins A, B, C, and E, folic acid, calcium, omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids, zinc, and selenium
A varied, balanced diet is key to good reproductive health. Certain foods in particular contain essential vitamins and minerals that are thought to benefit eggs and sperm and the health of the future embryo. These include foods rich in vitamins A, B, C, and E, folic acid, calcium, omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids, zinc, and selenium
I don’t want to get pregnant yet but maybe next year—what can we do now to prepare
Adopting a healthy lifestyle and improving your general well-being are sensible measures if you are planning a pregnancy. Start by looking at your diet (see above). Is it well balanced? Could you cut back on the amount of salt, sugar, and fast or processed food you eat? You should also increase your intake of fruit and getables, particularly green leafy vegetables, which are a good source of folic acid. Exercise is important too. If you have a current exercise regimen it’s safe to continue with that, or do gentle exercise, such as swimming or walking, which are ideal before, during, and after pregnancy If you smoke, you should try to quit, since this
is beneficial for your general health and, more specifically, reduces the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, low birth weight, and sudden infant death. Likewise, you should try cutting down on or stopping your alcohol intake. The best advice is to avoid drinking alcohol completely even while trying to get pregnant. You should, of course, refrain from drinking alcohol once you are pregnant, since safe levels of alcohol intake are difficult to determine. Checking your rubella status is a sensible measure since rubella can cause fetal ormalities if you aren’t immune and contract the infection in the first three months of pregnancy. If your immunity is diminished, you may be given a vaccine and should then wait three months before trying to get pregnant. If you have a preexisting medical condition or are taking medication, talk to your health-care practitioner about how these may affect a pregnancy. Once you start trying to get pregnant, make a note each month of the first day of your period since this is one question your midwife or doctor will ask to determine your estimated due date
Adopting a healthy lifestyle and improving your general well-being are sensible measures if you are planning a pregnancy. Start by looking at your diet (see above). Is it well balanced? Could you cut back on the amount of salt, sugar, and fast or processed food you eat? You should also increase your intake of fruit and getables, particularly green leafy vegetables, which are a good source of folic acid. Exercise is important too. If you have a current exercise regimen it’s safe to continue with that, or do gentle exercise, such as swimming or walking, which are ideal before, during, and after pregnancy If you smoke, you should try to quit, since this
is beneficial for your general health and, more specifically, reduces the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, low birth weight, and sudden infant death. Likewise, you should try cutting down on or stopping your alcohol intake. The best advice is to avoid drinking alcohol completely even while trying to get pregnant. You should, of course, refrain from drinking alcohol once you are pregnant, since safe levels of alcohol intake are difficult to determine. Checking your rubella status is a sensible measure since rubella can cause fetal ormalities if you aren’t immune and contract the infection in the first three months of pregnancy. If your immunity is diminished, you may be given a vaccine and should then wait three months before trying to get pregnant. If you have a preexisting medical condition or are taking medication, talk to your health-care practitioner about how these may affect a pregnancy. Once you start trying to get pregnant, make a note each month of the first day of your period since this is one question your midwife or doctor will ask to determine your estimated due date
Should I be taking folic acid before trying for a baby
Folic acid has been shown to reduce the incidence of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, in a fetus. If you are planning a pregnancy, you should take a daily folic acid supplement of 400 micrograms up to three months before conception and then continue with this until the 12th week of pregnancy. This supplementation is in addition to a balanced diet that includes green leafy vegetables and legumes, both of which are good natural sources of folic acid. Many breakfast cereals also contain folic acid, as do some fruits, such as oranges, papayas, and bananas. Any woman with epilepsy who takes anti-epileptic drugs should take a higher dose (of 5mg) of folic acid supplementation
Folic acid has been shown to reduce the incidence of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, in a fetus. If you are planning a pregnancy, you should take a daily folic acid supplement of 400 micrograms up to three months before conception and then continue with this until the 12th week of pregnancy. This supplementation is in addition to a balanced diet that includes green leafy vegetables and legumes, both of which are good natural sources of folic acid. Many breakfast cereals also contain folic acid, as do some fruits, such as oranges, papayas, and bananas. Any woman with epilepsy who takes anti-epileptic drugs should take a higher dose (of 5mg) of folic acid supplementation
I’m on the pill but want a baby—what is the next step for me
Whether you are taking the combined pill, containing estrogen and progesterone, or the mini pill, which contains only progesterone, stop taking them at the end of the package. You will have a withdrawal bleed as usual and then your next bleed will be a natural period. Don’t worry if your normal periods don’t start immediately; for some women, it can take a few months for their menstrual cycle to return
Whether you are taking the combined pill, containing estrogen and progesterone, or the mini pill, which contains only progesterone, stop taking them at the end of the package. You will have a withdrawal bleed as usual and then your next bleed will be a natural period. Don’t worry if your normal periods don’t start immediately; for some women, it can take a few months for their menstrual cycle to return
Some doctors recommend allowing a month or two for your natural cycle to return before trying to conceive. Others believe there’s no point in waiting. However, it can help to wait for one natural period before trying to get pregnant, since this means the pregnancy can be dated more accurately and you can start pre-pregnancy care, such as taking folic acid and adopting a healthy lifestyle. Don’t worry if you do get pregnant sooner, it will not harm the baby
I’m a bit of a binge drinker. Is this OK as long as I stop once I’m pregnant
It would be far better for your health and the health of a future baby to stop binge drinking before you conceive. The effects of alcohol on a developing baby or fetus are influenced not only by the amount of alcohol consumed, but also by the pattern of drinking, with binge drinking and chronic alcohol consumption in pregnancy considered particularly harmful. Binge drinking and alcohol addiction have been shown to affect the health of the developing baby, so if you know that you drink more than you should, consider how you can reduce your intake before conceiving. Government policies now advise total abstinence from alcohol, but do acknowledge that the occasional drink in pregnancy is unlikely to result in harm to the fetus
It would be far better for your health and the health of a future baby to stop binge drinking before you conceive. The effects of alcohol on a developing baby or fetus are influenced not only by the amount of alcohol consumed, but also by the pattern of drinking, with binge drinking and chronic alcohol consumption in pregnancy considered particularly harmful. Binge drinking and alcohol addiction have been shown to affect the health of the developing baby, so if you know that you drink more than you should, consider how you can reduce your intake before conceiving. Government policies now advise total abstinence from alcohol, but do acknowledge that the occasional drink in pregnancy is unlikely to result in harm to the fetus
Does smoking stop you from becoming pregnant
There is evidence that smoking compromises your menstrual and reproductive health. Women smokers who try for a baby can take up to two months longer to conceive than nonsmokers. It is not clear how smoking damages women’s fertility, but it may affect the release of an egg before fertilization or the quality of the eggs. It is thought to take around three months for fertility to improve after stopping smoking
There is evidence that smoking compromises your menstrual and reproductive health. Women smokers who try for a baby can take up to two months longer to conceive than nonsmokers. It is not clear how smoking damages women’s fertility, but it may affect the release of an egg before fertilization or the quality of the eggs. It is thought to take around three months for fertility to improve after stopping smoking
Giving up smoking is one of the single most important things you can do for yourself and for the health of a future pregnancy. If you currently smoke, then it is wise to consider giving up, or at least cutting down, even if you don’t plan to have a baby right away. The American Medical Association estimates that smoking and passive smoking are responsible for a large percentage of miscarriages and impotence in men aged between 30 and 50 each year. Women who smoke are also more likely to have an ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage. Medical research has also shown beyond doubt that smoking affects the development of babies in the womb since they are starved of oxygen while they are growing. Smoking remains one of the few potentially preventable factors associated with low birth weight, premature birth, stillbirth, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS
My partner says soft drugs are OK—should we stop now that we’re planning a baby
By soft drugs, you may be referring to nicotine or marijuana. Tobacco smoke and marijuana smoke are highly likely to be harmful to fetal development and should be avoided by pregnant women and any woman who might become pregnant, or is planning to become pregnant, in the near future. A chemical present in marijuana known as THC is thought to reduce luteinizing hormone (LH). This hormone triggers ovulation in women and is involved in sperm production in men. So, as well as being potentially harmful to a fetus, smoking marijuana can result in a short-term decrease in reproductive ability
By soft drugs, you may be referring to nicotine or marijuana. Tobacco smoke and marijuana smoke are highly likely to be harmful to fetal development and should be avoided by pregnant women and any woman who might become pregnant, or is planning to become pregnant, in the near future. A chemical present in marijuana known as THC is thought to reduce luteinizing hormone (LH). This hormone triggers ovulation in women and is involved in sperm production in men. So, as well as being potentially harmful to a fetus, smoking marijuana can result in a short-term decrease in reproductive ability
Is it safe to take prescribed or over-the-counter medicines
If you are trying to conceive, it’s best to avoid taking any drugs, prescribed or otherwise. Some medicines can decrease fertility, so tell your doctor you are trying for a baby if you need a prescribed medicine. This is just as important for men as for women, since some prescriptions can affect sperm production or development. Talk to your doctor too if you are on long-term medication, since he or she may be able to prescribe an alternative if the original drug is known to have an effect on fertility. If you do require short-term pain relief, then a low dose of acetaminophen is considered safe, but talk to your doctor or pharmacist if in doubt
If you are trying to conceive, it’s best to avoid taking any drugs, prescribed or otherwise. Some medicines can decrease fertility, so tell your doctor you are trying for a baby if you need a prescribed medicine. This is just as important for men as for women, since some prescriptions can affect sperm production or development. Talk to your doctor too if you are on long-term medication, since he or she may be able to prescribe an alternative if the original drug is known to have an effect on fertility. If you do require short-term pain relief, then a low dose of acetaminophen is considered safe, but talk to your doctor or pharmacist if in doubt
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