A Weekly Pregnancy Guide

Every pregnancy is unique as every child carried in the womb has distinct needs and characteristics from the other. Pregnant mothers should seek the advice of people who are experienced and technically knowledgeable with the ins and outs of pregnancy. A weekly pregnancy guide of what happens to you and your baby will help you track the changes on your body, the development of your baby and exert extra effort in ensuring safety and health for you and your child. The most difficult question a mother must answer during pregnancy is this: “What am I supposed to do?” Uncertainties and doubts during pregnancy is usually brought about by the uniqueness of every individual condition although some general occurrences can be true to almost all mothers. Pregnancy symptoms for instance are almost true to anyone who have welcomed a soul inside their wombs. They may, however, vary in terms of degree or frequency or even effect to the mother and the child.

So, you are pregnant. What should you do? The first thing a pregnant woman should do is to celebrate! Getting pregnant is the best role for every woman in the world. The greatest achievement of a woman is to become a mother. No other success can compensate with the joy of having a baby and the wonder of carrying a new life inside your womb. Being pregnant is being aware that your primary responsibility is to keep your body ready for the new baby because whatever happens to you will affect the one inside you. It is then recommended that you are aware of the much pregnancy week information which can give you a detailed account of you and your baby’s progress. Every week for the mother is a week to look forward to because essential marks of growth can be visible. Sometimes you may find yourself tired of anticipating what happens next for your baby but if you are aware how important tracking your pregnancy is, you will never get tired of expecting something new.

Discovering that your baby from being an embryo to having developed distinct visible parts is more rewarding than receiving the most expensive you could ever have. Your weekly pregnancy guide is your partner in knowing what food to eat or what activities should you expect in order to ensure the best possible safety and health for your baby. Guidance on the foods you should avoid is essential. Seek advise from your parents or from those who are experienced in the field especially physicians. You can also browse through the internet websites that can provide you with pregnancy calendar that informs you of your child’s development.

Lastly, there are many pregnancy guides readily available for you. However, you should know that the success of your pregnancy can never be dictated by the doctor or the people around you. Your baby highly depends on you. The success of every pregnancy is dependent on how the mother views it and handles every delicate situation she will be into.

Every pregnancy is as different as every child developing in the womb is unique from another. However, there is nothing to be afraid of since older family members and friends and even the internet can provide you with information and guides to help you get through your pregnancy safely and comfortably.

Information about the Author:

Know the things you should do during pregnancy using a weekly pregnancy guide to aid pregnant mothers available at Aha! Baby. You can also be learn about the physical changes undergone by your baby from the pregnancy week information discussed in detail at Aha! Baby.

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.

Information about the Author:

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.

How To Lose 30 Pounds In 30 Days

There are many reasons that people have to lose weight from cosmetic reasons, serious health problems, and reducing the incidence of complications prior to becoming pregnant. What I am able to explain to you I have been able to achieve and I want to be able to help as many of you as I possibly can. I am a OB/Gyn Physician and see many women struggling with weight. Obesity has reached epidemic proportion in the US over the past decade, and there is no end in sight. There is no single reason that this disease process is out of control. Being overweight is associated with heart disease, strokes, hypertension, arthritis, and cancer. The steps that I am getting ready to explain are very easy and straight forward to implement and follow. The most difficult part of this plan is to maintain consistency and persistency.

1) Eat 5 to 6 small meals a day. Eating breakfast lunch and dinner along with a mid-morning, mid afternoon and evening snack. A protein snack prior to going to bed with minimal to no carbohydrate intake will allow only a minimal amount of insulin to be released and will prevent minimal to no fat uptake at night. Most people make the mistake of decreasing their intake to little or nothing. By spreading the same amount of calories out to 5 or 6 meals a day, the metabolism actually increases by 10 percent which causes fat to be utilized and removed from the body.

a. There should be protein, non starchy vegetables and a fruit at each meal

b. Never miss breakfast and eat oatmeal, grits, or cream of wheat along with eggs (3 to 5), bacon, sausage, or Canadian ham. Eating breakfast is important to elevate your metabolism

c. The protein should consist of minimal fat. Tuna, skinned chicken breast, and steak with the least amount of fat are ideal. No fried foods.

d. No processed foods (breads, cakes, chips)

e. You can eat brown rice or yams at each meal

f. The portions should be no larger than your fist

2) Drink 1/2 to 1 gallon of water a day.

a. As adults become older, they lose their thirst mechanism and stop drinking the proper amount of fluids. This leads to the body becoming acidotic which leads to chronic diseases (heart disease, hypertension, arthritis, cancer, and obesity). So the first thing to do when there is a sensation of hunger is to drink two glasses of water.

b. This helps to flush out all the toxins in the body and assures that the body is fully hydrated and prevents acid build up. It also happens to help increase the body's metabolism. Start off by drinking two glasses of water before breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

c. No carbonated drinks, diet drinks, sweet tea, fruit juices, milk, milk shakes, or alcohol as they contain unnecessary carbohydrates which leads to weight gain

3) Walk on the treadmill or ride stationary bicycle slowly every morning prior to eating breakfast and one hour before going to bed at night. If you are not able to talk while on the treadmill, or riding the bicycle in normal sentences, you are exercising too fast. You can also walk for an hour twice a day if there is no access to a treadmill or stationary bike. If you are unable to walk or ride a bicycle due to physical reasons, then I recommend you walk in the pool for an hour twice a day and move upper extremities underneath the water as you walk.

4) Lift light weights in the gym 4 times a week for 30 minutes. (squats, dead lifts, incline bench press, pull downs, pushups, and pull ups)

a. This helps to convert fat to muscle which increases the body's metabolism. Each pound of muscle that you gain in weight burns 50 k/calories more a day.

b. It reduces the amount of blood sugar as it helps the muscles take up sugar from the blood stream which reduces insulin resistance and retards or prevents the onset of Type I (non insulin dependent) diabetes

5) You may eat or drink one hour a week whatever you want. Normally the first two weeks you will do so, but after that you will not want to do this splurge. I normally do this 1 hour "happy meal" for lunch on Sunday afternoon.

By following the steps above, I assure you that you will lose 30 pounds of weight in 30 days. Please do it for the right reason and that is your health. Continue to be consistent with these steps after 30 days and do not go back to your old habits.

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Ocala Women’s Clinic, was established by Dr. James Pendergraft. Our Ocala Abortion Pill Offering the latest, safest and most advanced techniques for providing non-surgical, medical and surgical abortion methods including abortion pill in Ocala. For further information including family planning, please visit our premiere website. www.womenscenter.com

Looking Into the Second Trimester of Pregnancy

During the first trimester of your pregnancy, nothing but fear, doubts and excitement fill your emotions as you let the thought of “being pregnant” sink into your senses. Your questions on what to do next, what is happening to you and your baby and what are you supposed to act are just a few that bothered you. The fear and excitement during the first trimester will be more intense for the pregnant mother during the second trimester. Although the sensitivity of the baby’s formation lay in the first ten weeks, reaching the second trimester is filled with more developments that each mother is looking forward to. These next few weeks of pregnancy bring into the mother a feeling of deep satisfaction knowing that her baby was able to make it during the first crucial semester.

The second trimester is everything about movement and development that are basically happening within the body of the baby. As the first trimester ends on the twelfth week, you will begin to feel how your pregnancy is becoming real every time your baby’s heart beat become more distinct and audible for your heart and ears. The thought of being pregnant slowly sinks into your nerves which is physically evident on the enlargement of your stomach. The latter is just one of the many physical changes you have to undergo being pregnant. However, the excitement continues knowing that two months ago, your baby is nothing but a cluster of cells yet this soon, he is nor beginning to take form with organs, nerves and muscles.

The growth of your baby and the development of his or her organs are explained by your health care provider in all pregnancy information she gets from your prenatal check up. You need to be updated of any changes, big or small about your baby inside. It pays to know how the baby is able to flex and kick on week thirteen and hormones gear up for both male and female babies during week fourteen. Marking the fifteenth week is the formation of the baby’s skin – the largest organ of the body. Highlighting this moment of your pregnancy is the fact that by reaching the sixteenth week of the second trimester, your baby is capable of making facial expressions that show his feelings about everything around him inside. Moreover, at week eighteen, your baby can hear sounds and would be very sensitive to your voice. Week twenty is your pregnancy’s half-way point where your baby grows to an overwhelming six inches log and weighs more or less 9 ounces.

Knowing what happens to the life inside you in all pregnancy information available will aid you in working out for nothing more than your baby’s good. Ask your healthcare providers about the food you can and cannot take together with an exercise program that will not harm the baby inside. The second trimester of your pregnancy is your way to the finale of the journey to having a baby. Take all the best possible actions that will secure healthy growth for your child.

The fear and excitement experienced during the first trimester will be even more intense for the pregnant mother during the second trimester. Although the most critical time in the baby’s growth occurred in the first ten weeks, reaching the second trimester is filled with more developments that each mother is looking forward to.

Information about the Author:

You can learn more about what happens to your baby during the second trimester of your pregnancy at Aha! Baby. You can also find additional pregnancy information to help you understand the changes you and your baby undergo form Aha! Baby.

The Third Trimester: Getting Closer to Your Journey’s End

The end is near and you begin counting the days to your due date. Again, fear does not go away since giving birth is another event to overcome on your way to motherhood. Like any other endings, the third trimester is a harbinger to a more exciting event in your life. With the remarkable developments in the last few weeks as pregnant mother, the last trimester is both an ending and a beginning – the end of the baby’s life inside your womb and the beginning of his journey outside as an individual. Anticipating for the birth of your child is also knowing what to expect during the last weeks of his stay inside you.

As you prepare for all baby materials for the coming of your child, your baby also gears up for getting out of the womb. Your baby needs to be equipped with a healthy and fully developed body that will help him survive the world outside. The baby continues to grow and gain weight with body systems achieving maturity. This can be the most uncomfortable moment for the mother since she begins to feel heavy and tired to move or walk longer distances. Fetal development continues while you care to complete your pregnancy planner before birth. The approaching of your due date is indicator enough that you have to practice movements or exercises that will ease up the act of giving birth especially those who are first-time mothers. For those who are planning to breastfeed, breastfeeding courses can be undergone by you to teach you of proper breast feeding techniques.

What to expect during the third trimester is that everything seems to achieve full growth potential. On week 28th, the fifteen-inch long baby is now capable to open and close the eyes and is able to sleep within 20-30 minutes. On week 29, the baby’s movement is more forceful than ever. This is because the bones are now fully developed which contribute to vigorous and frequent movements. On week 33 following the maturity of the eyes, the baby can now detect the presence of light. The 36th week is a moment to look forward to as baby learn to suck his thumb. The whole duration of the third trimester is your baby’s chance to make movements to prepare for the head down position. On the last week before your much-awaited due date, the placenta will provide your baby with antibodies to act as protection for the elements outside the womb.

The counting is nearly coming to end and you have already completed your pregnancy planner to guide you before, during and after giving birth. The end of the third trimester is now within your reach. Your baby is now a few a few moments away from your arms. Let a loving heart and a nurturing hand welcome him in his travel with you through life. What to expect with his birth can be more than the words you have at hand. Seeing him, touching him and loving him is all you can do to express your joy as the mother.

Like any other ending, the third trimester is the final stage to a more exciting event in your life. With the remarkable developments in the last few weeks as pregnant mother, the third trimester is both an ending and a beginning – the end of the baby’s life inside your womb and the beginning of his journey outside as an individual.

Information about the Author:

You can prepare for the end of your pregnancy and learn what to expect during the last trimester of pregnancy at Aha! Baby. You can also find a pregnancy planner at Aha! Baby that matches your needs to serve as your guide in welcoming your baby.

Is It A Selfish Obsession Or A Cultural Problem With Modern Women?

Pregnancy has always been a time when a woman can put on 30 -35 pounds and still feel good and proud of herself, after all she is bringing a new life into the world.

But now it is not like this for every woman. A new study shows that 20% of all pregnant women in the Western world do not gain enough weight during pregnancy.

These women don't eat enough during pregnancy or induce vomiting, overexercise, take laxatives and diuretics. They do these dangerous things for the sake of having a slim figure during and immediately after pregnancy.

Many of these women get inspired by the super-slim celebrities whose pregnant images we often see on TV and magazine covers. These celebrities manage to go through their whole pregnancy without putting on much weight and continue to look slim. They keep their belly bump small so they become skinny again immediately after their baby is born. This unnatural "skinny" image becomes a role model of many other "non-celebrity" women to follow.

So, how much weight should a woman gain during a normal pregnancy? The normal range to gain during pregnancy is 25-35 pounds but the amount of weight to gain is different during 1st, 2nd and the 3rd semester.

In the 1st trimester it is normal to put on 5 pounds. During 2nd and 3rd trimester it is normal to put on 1-2 pounds per week. So all up it should be about 30 pounds by the end of the pregnancy.

When a woman tries to be skinny during pregnancy she is starving the foetus. Starving the foetus is a high risk action and can result in foetal mortality plus a high risk of getting conditions such as:

- Spine bifida
- cerebral palsy
- increased incidents of asthma
- increased incidents of allergy
- ear infections
- low birth weight
- prematurity
- metabolic abnormalities
- growth retardation
- birth defects

The list of serious problems that a baby can get is much longer that this.

Don't you think that pregorexia is the most selfish thing you can ever do? Ask yourself what is this for? - It is all for the sake of attaining this glamorous unnatural look you see on celebrities like Nicole Kidman, Nicole Ritchie who never even had a normal baby bump when they were pregnant, not to even mention their general low body weight.

Also, the big challenge for anorexic women (for those who had anorexia before pregnancy) is that they are expected to gain even more weight during pregnancy then non-anorexic women do - to support the baby.

How much more do you need to gain if you are anorexic? You should check this with your doctor because weight gain can be an individual thing and depends on your initial body weight and body mass index to start with.

As a general guideline, pregnant women are supposed to put on about 30 pounds during pregnancy. This means that you should consume an extra 50 calories in the first trimester of pregnancy, an extra 300 calories in the second trimester and extra 400-500 calories in the third trimester.

Now, how do you know if you are getting pregorexia?

If you think too much about being skinny during pregnancy, think about what clothes to wear so you look like you are not pregnant, about how to fool people in to thinking that you are not pregnant.

If you constantly think about food and eating or non-eating - these are all signs that you may have pregorexia.

If this is the case go to your doctor immediately and fix the problem as soon as possible. Otherwise your baby could be in big danger of dying in the womb. You will regret it your whole life, and even if the baby is born do you want it to suffer all its life from birth defects: just because you wanted to be thin to look good for the sake of vanity?

Anorexia and pregnancy are totally incompatible and against nature.

Information about the Author:

Dr Irina Webster MD is the Director of Eating Disorder Institute. She is an author of many books and a public speaker. www.eatingdisorder-institute.com

Disclosing the Perfect Stranger: A Guide for Egg and Sperm Recipients

One decision that is often overlooked in donor facilitated arrangements is the determination to disclose to future offspring their genetic origins. In the past this was always done anonymously and the secrecy continued over the course of a lifetime. However, recent studies on sharing genetic origins with offspring have proved that disclosure of genetic origin at a young age is healthy in maintaining a strong relationship and bond for all involved parties.

The three main factors that play into disclosure are does the child have an inherent right or need to know biological origins, and what is in their best interests? How disclosure impacts the recipient parents? And finally, when to disclose the information to offspring?

The best interests of child can be argued from both sides, a growing number of mental health professionals agree that a child has a fundamental right to know his biological origins. No one can predict if this medical information may be necessary in the event of a medical emergency or how access to this information may help an individual when he/she is ready to start their own family. It can be argued that this information is fundamental to an individual’s sense of self and personal identity. These values need to be analyzed on an individual basis consistent with thoughts and beliefs of that particular family unit. Maintaining secrecy can be difficult, especially family secrets. If discovered, by accident, the risks of impacting the relationships and family bonds could be jeopardized.

In a study performed by Lycett et al., (2004) the impact of disclosure was analyzed on families willing to share this information with their offspring. Out of 46 donor created offspring, 60% of the families had elected not to disclose genetic origins and the remaining 40% planned to disclose the child’s origins once the child reached adolescence. What was most interesting about this study is that between the two groups there were no differences between the disclosing and non-disclosing fathers. It was the non-disclosing mothers who reported a strain with keeping the secret. Thus, indicating that non disclosure impacts mothers more intensely than it impacts fathers. Many mothers fear the reaction from the child, and are concerned about placing a strain on the parent child bond. The study highlighted that these parental attitudes may in fact impact the parent-child bond as the children get older.

In contrast, a study performed by Van Berkel et al., (2007) in the Netherlands, where non-anonymous donation is standard and the only option available, investigated secrecy in open donation arrangements. Of the participants, the vast majority felt that origins of conception had no influence on their relationship with the child. The mothers did, however, show a greater level of concern about the disclosure plans and how the children would react to the information. Thus emphasizing the fear factor expressed by mothers is in the previous study. However when comparing being required to use open donation vs. anonymous donation, all mothers agreed that the genetic origin did not impact their familial relationships and or bonds with their children. The vast majority of the cases studied in the Netherlands, showed the children regarded the donor as an aunt or special family friend.

Disclosure is not something that occurs one time. Disclosure is a story that evolves over time and through a series of opportunities for parents to come to terms with their decision and to share with offspring the need to use donor gametes as well as the emotional decision that led them to this path. Disclosure involves the need to share that the importance of family and the need to become a family unit. The decision to disclose genetic origin greatly varies from family to family and is often impacted by the specific family unit, their structure and makeup, their religious, social and cultural values.

Finding the perfect stranger is hard work physically, emotionally and often spiritually. But in addition to identifying the perfect candidate, making the decision to disclose the biological connection involves a host of various feelings, emotions and considerations that may influence the type of donor you choose. When considering using a donor, it is important to consider how and if you plan to disclose to your offspring. The type of donor you choose may affect if, but also how and when you choose to disclose to your child their origin of conception since the donor you choose may play into the roles and relationships among parents, children and extended family.

Finally, it is essential to know when to make the decision to disclose genetic origins to offspring. Although there is no one right answer, recent data shows that sharing genetic origins with children at a young age is much preferred to divulging the information in adolescence. A recent study performed by Cambridge University researchers has found that disclosure of donor paternity at an early age lowers the likelihood of negative reactions from the offspring. The study findings published in the recent issue of Human Reproduction provides different perspectives regarding the response of the offspring depending on the age at which their biological origin is disclosed. Traditionally, donor conception has been treated with secrecy. A recent increasing trend towards openness of genetic origin has showed positive impact on children of all ages. In fact, most mental health professionals specializing in collaborative reproduction, encourage parental openness to reveal genetic origins to children as young as three years old. This trend can further be evidenced by the growing number of children books written about donor conception and geared for children between the ages of three and eight years of age.

Vasanti Jadva, from the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Centre for Family Research, University of Cambridge, UK, and colleagues, conducted a study which evaluated the difference in responses of children and adults, when informed about their genetic origin. The scientists analyzed the data obtained from anonymously completed online questionnaires by 165 members aged between 13 and 61 years, of the Donor Sibling Registry (a worldwide registry for donors).

The study results showed that, compared to offspring of heterosexual couples, children born to lesbian couples and single mothers received information about their donor conception at an earlier age. It was also noted that the mean age of disclosure was 14 years, with 19% of the offspring knowing about their paternity after the age of 18 years and 30% before three years of age. The study also showed that 38% of the offspring did not recall the exact age of disclosure since they were too young to remember.

Yet another study on donor conception conducted by Golombok et al. (1995), showed no adverse effects on child development or on familial relationships were evidenced when children were made aware of genetic origins at a young age. Yet, a higher incidence of negative feelings was reported among individuals who received information about their origin in adulthood compared to those who were informed about their genetic origin during childhood or adolescence.

In my years of experience working with hundreds of intended parent(s) who have conceived through donor gamete, I have found that many want to share openly with their children, but just don’t know where to begin. Disclosure can be uncomfortable primarily because it was not the pathway to parenthood of choice. I encourage my clients to focus on how fortunate they are to have access to advanced technologies and fertility treatments as well as a special donor who so generously and willingly gave of his/herself to share the essential piece necessary to conceive. This small shift in conjunction with a decisive disclosure plan and the knowledge that the psychological well being of the child and the family bond will not be severed, has enabled so many of my clients to come to the realization, “I am so fortunate today, to have my most wanted child, and so fortunate back then, to have the perfect stranger.”

Information about the Author:

Mindy Berkson’s, advocacy work affords clients an insider’s approach to navigating through the infertility process. Mindy utilizes nationwide resources to develop individualized and comprehensive plans, including relevant insurance and financing information, to help clients make informed decisions. For more information about Lotus Blossom Consulting, LLC, call toll free (877) 881-2685, email consultant@lotusblossomconsulting.com or visit them on the web at

7 Steps To Boost Your Sex Life

Getting scientific about sex in the name of procreation can take out all the fun out of making babies. Nature intended it to be fun and pleasurable.

Orgasms are amazing immune boosters and stress busters. They do wonders for the pelvic region, infusing the area with fresh oxygen and nutrients.

During orgasm your feel good hormones: endorphins are released. Studies have shown that endorphins can increase pain tolerance by 70%. These feel good hormones can alleviate fear, anxiety, headaches, period cramps and promote a feeling of deep relaxation and wellbeing.

Endorphins are not the only hormones that get released during sexual climax.

Studies have found, a steroid hormone DHEA, gets released shortly before climax in several times the normal quantity. DHEA promotes glowing skin, boosts immune function, improves brain function, supports the cardiovascular system, fat metabolism and even has antiageing properties! Who wouldnt want some of that?

Other three hormones (among others) which get released as a result of an orgasm are serotonin, oxytocin and estrogen.

Serotonin is another feel good hormone shown to reduce cravings for alcohol, cigarettes and junk food.

Oxytocin boosts trust and feeling of closeness to your partner. And incidentally this is also one of the hormones released during breastfeeding to encourage bonding between the mother and her baby.

Women who have sex on a weekly basis have higher levels of estrogen which can regulate menstrual cycle, increase HDL (good cholesterol), decrease LDL (bad cholesterol), improve bone density, strengthen the cardiovascular system and make your skin soft and glowing!

And if that is not enough you will also burn approximately 140 calories during sex and your appetite will be temporarily suppressed thanks to an alkaloid phenetylamine released during sex.

Need I say more?

Ok, here is one of the most important benefits of orgasm: Super Immunity. Studies have shown that regular orgasms can boost your immunity by 20%. In particular we are talking here about infection, cold and flu fighting antibodies. During sex you also flush out toxins (in the sweat) and increase oxygenation of the cells (deep breathing)!

So if you are not making most of this God given gift already here are:

The 7 steps to boost your sex life

1. She likes longer foreplay and getting turned on it the mind is the key. Be totally honest about your fantasies and share them with your partner.

2. He likes visual stimulation. Go shopping for the lingerie he finds stimulating.

3. Discover Kama Sutra.

4. Change the scenery. Having sex only in the bed and your bedroom can get boring. Discuss with your partner what would appeal to both of you. Be like teenagers again!

5. Nourish the inner child and dont forget to live. Being focused on your work, home and trying to get pregnant can turn your life into a routine in which you dont have the time to even think about what it is you enjoy. What are your hobbies? If you cant think of any, what were your hobbies as a child/teenager? Take time out each week to do the things you love/used to love and nourish your inner child. The child like curiosity about life will return and open up new possibilities for you. For we see only what or mind allows us to see, by expanding your mind your options and new possibilities will appear on the horizon.

6. Take a break from the usual surroundings. This can vary from a holiday or a weekend away or even just a night in nice hotel in your city. New surroundings influence our brain to view things a new. Make it a habit to escape the routine on a regular basis. Change is as good as a holiday.

7. Food delicious food! There is a lot to be said about aphrodisiac food and spices. Get creative in the kitchen and whip up a delicious dinner (organic ingredients please!) that would even make Aphrodite blush. Here are some aphrodisiac foods and spices:

- Asparagus
- Cacao
- Celery
- Dates
- Durian fruit
- Oysters
- Pimento
- Pineapple
- Pomegranate
- Sweet potatoes
- Squash
- Basil
- Cardamom
- Cayenne
- Ginger
- Cinnamon
- Vanilla

What are you waiting for? Instead of relying on drugs, junk food and vices to make you feel good, have sex instead and boost your fertility in the process!

Copyright 2009 Iva Keene and Natural Fertility Prescription

Information about the Author:

Leading Fertility Naturopath Iva Keene publishes the Ultimate Fertility ezine with tips to get you pregnant ASAP. Get your free Fertility advice at www.natural-fertility-prescription.com To see more articles like this one see Iva's Blog at www.natural-fertility-prescription.com

How To Harness Negative Emotions To Nurture A Fertile Mindset

Emotion = energy in motion. Each emotion has a frequency and a wavelength.emotions

This is why dogs can sense your fear and growl at you or can sense your sadness and nuzzle you to make you feel better.

Like anything that emits a frequency, emotions require energy.

That valuable energy is coming from your energy reserves. Some unpleasant emotions (sadness, anger and rage) can actually help us grow and teach us a lot as long as we know how to harness them.

Lets look at some common negative emotions in turn:

Sadness can be a therapeutic emotion if we allow ourselves to express it. Crying can be very cleansing; it removes old painful emotions and memories.

Here is what Clarissa Pinkola Estes wrote about tears and crying in her beautiful book: Women who run with the wolves:

Tears are rivers that take you somewhere. Weeping creates a river around the boat that carries your soul life. Tears lift your boat off the rocks, off dry ground, carrying it downriver to someplace new, someplace better.(C. Pinkola Estes)

Anger and rage are very powerful emotions. They can also be very cleansing, but in a different way (like a thunder and lightning storm) if released in a productive way.

Guilt is an emotion with little to offer: guilt keeps taking and gives nothing back. Unresolved guilt can attack our own being from the inside and literally eat away at us.

The first step towards releasing an emotion is to become aware of it. Sometimes we carry an emotion around with us for so long that we forget what it really feels like to be free of it.

Here are the 8 ways for harnessing your emotions

1. Become fully aware of how you feel and write it down.

2. Write down all the thoughts that come up while feeling each emotion. These are the anchors which keep the emotion in place.

3. For each emotion write down what exactly makes you feel this way (a person, a situation, something about you).

4. The emotion will intensify or change when you hit the cause and when it does just allow it to flow.

5. If its a person that is making you feel the way you do, write a letter to that person explaining exactly how you feel and why. You dont have to send the letter, you can throw it out as a symbol of letting go of that emotion in your life.

6. If you have had a miscarriage or an abortion write a letter to the spirit that was with you and explain to them that you miss them (if you miscarried) or why you could not look after them at the time (if you had an abortion). Tell them that you wish for them to return and explain that you first need to let go of all the negative emotions related to the event in order for the spirit to move on or come back to you.

7. Before going to sleep at night, think about your desire to be pregnant and have a baby. Lie down in your bed and mentally scan your body for any images or emotions that may be coming up and remember their location. Notice the colors and shapes that you see as they will be valuable clues as to where your blockage to pregnancy may lie. Take a deep breath and visualize the emotion/shape/color leaving your body with the exhalation and new bright white/golden light filling its place on the next inhalation. Repeat this for all blockages you come across. Next visualize the golden light filling your whole body. Express your gratitude for your beautiful healthy body and go to sleep. Keep repeating this for a month, or until you cant detect any odd shapes and colors with your mental scan.

8. Become aware of your real emotions. Many times we consciously desire one thing but subconsciously believe the opposite. Maybe you have an underlying emotion deep within you which is preventing you from becoming pregnant. If that may be the case write down on a piece of paper why you possibly would not want to be a parent or be a parent but not be pregnant.

Sometimes its the fear of pregnancy that keeps it at bay.

Fears can pose a mental or physical block to pregnancy and as such you need to become aware of them.

To see how quickly thoughts can influence your body do the following exercise:

- Imagine you are standing in the open doorway of a flying airplane with a parachute attached to your back.

- All you can see is the ground far below and you need to jump.

If you visualized this and you are not a professional skydiver its most likely that your palms went sweaty or your heart started racing. Even though this was not real, your brain interpreted your thoughts and visions as real. Fears and thoughts and beliefs from a long time ago have the same effect on our conscious and subconscious mind and the body.

So there is a lot to be said about the things we read, saw, heard as we were growing up. We may have forgotten about them but our subconscious mind hasnt.

There are many effective methods for releasing old negative emotions which are standing in our way of living a full and a happy life. Good emotional cleansers are:

- Meditation

- Visualization

- TFT

- EFT

- Yoga

- Breathing Exercises

- Creative expression (dance, painting, writing)

- Exercise

- Massage

- Heart to heart talk with your best friend

- NLP

Copyright 2009 Iva Keene and Natural Fertility Prescription

Information about the Author:

Leading Fertility Naturopath Iva Keene publishes the Ultimate Fertility ezine with tips to get you pregnant ASAP. Get your free Fertility advice at www.natural-fertility-prescription.com To see more articles like this one see Iva's Blog at www.natural-fertility-prescription.com

The Art Of Being Right On Time For Conception

When it comes to identifying your most fertile times many women are more than happy to swap their bodys wisdom for a gadget or a test kit.

These gadgets and kits are not only expensive, but they also make you feel like you would never be able to work this out yourself.

Mother Nature thinks of everything and she even came up with a clever way of letting you know when you are most likely to get pregnant.

All women are familiar with PMS symptoms (pimples, sore boobs, cravings, mood swings etc.) but very few can accurately recognize the symptoms of their peak fertility.

What are they?

- Mucus fluctuations

- Heightened Sex Drive

- Pheromones make you more attractive to the opposite sex for the duration of your peak fertility (how sneaky is that?)

- Energy boost

Out of those the most reliable key to recognizing your most fertile time is your cervical mucus. I know to some the thought of examining your mucus may sound gross but seriously, its the easiest and simplest way of telling when you should have sex to get pregnant (and avoid sex if you dont want to get pregnant), so just do it. Your cycle is as unique as you are and no gadget will be able to tell you as precisely as your own body when you are fertile. You will also learn a thing or two about your cycle which may surprise you or even alert you that something is wrong. So rejoice that you have an access to such an amazing built in mechanism. Ok here we go;

Mucus fluctuates with your hormones

- At the beginning of the cycle your oestrogen levels are low. The mucus mirrors its levels and will be scanty, sticky and tacky and opaque in colour. This mucus is infertile and hostile to sperm as its acidic and thick thus not allowing the sperm to swim forward. It forms a plug across the cervix preventing sperm from entering.

- As your oestrogen gradually starts increasing with your approaching ovulation, the mucus will change in quantity and texture. This mucus is not yet fertile but its becoming more fluid and the pH is increasing and becoming more sperm friendly.

- As you approach ovulation your mucus will become wetter, clearer and thinner. And there will be more of it (profuse). This is already fertile mucus and it will enable sperm to swim and survive due to a friendly pH.

- Right before ovulation when oestrogen levels peak, mucus will become raw egg white like, it will stretch between your fingers up to 5-10 cm. This type of mucus is also called spin for its ability to be stretched. This is the most fertile type of mucus, it dislodges the mucus plug, leaving the gates to the cervix open, and its consistency allows the sperm to swim and survive. (hint: this is the mucus with baby written all over it)

- After ovulation as the levels of oestrogen start to drop, the mucus will gradually return to what it looked like after the period and before ovulation: infertile.

What are we looking for when checking mucus?

- How does it feel when you are walking around?
- How does it look?
- How much of it is there?
- What colour is it?
- How does it smell and if you are brave enough taste?

When should you check your mucus?

When you have to do a wee. Simple! Before doing a wee just check if there is any mucus on the mouth of the vagina. If there is, examine it between your fingers and use the above criteria to tell if its fertile or not.

This is a simplified explanation of the basics for recognizing your peak fertility. It takes time and practice before you can confidently rely on this information alone. There are also additional natural methods which can confirm whether you ovulated or not. So seek help and advice from a qualified health practitioner versed in natural fertility, who will teach you how to chart your cycles properly.

Having said that practice makes perfect and the sooner you start the faster you will master the art of determining your most fertile time.

Copyright 2009 Iva Keene and Natural Fertility Prescription

Information about the Author:

Leading Fertility Naturopath Iva Keene publishes the Ultimate Fertility ezine with tips to get you pregnant ASAP. Get your free Fertility advice at www.natural-fertility-prescription.com To see more articles like this one see Iva's Blog at www.natural-fertility-prescription.com

Meet The Most Important Mineral for Your Fertility

Zinc is the most important mineral and antioxidant in pregnancy and preconception. It is required for foetal growth and development of muscles and bones. It reduces the risk of stretch marks, perineal tears, cracked nipples and it is necessary for immune function and brain formation.

82% of pregnant women world wide are deficient in zinc

A study found that 82% of pregnant women world wide are deficient in zinc. Low zinc levels in pregnancy have been linked to labour complications, low birth weight and premature delivery.

Fertility in men

Zinc is very important nutrient for male fertility and deficiency has been linked to low testosterone and low sperm count and motility. Sperm contains up to 5 mg of zinc per ejaculation, so it is very important for men to keep up their zinc levels. Studies have shown that zinc has been implicated in testicular development, sperm maturation, and testosterone synthesis.

Fertility in women

In women zinc plays a role in sexual development, ovulation, and menstrual cycle. Concentrations of zinc and folate may have substantial effects on reproduction. Zinc is also required for production of healthy eggs in women. Deficiency during pregnancy can lead to miscarriages and retarded development due to abnormalities in the chromosomes (DNA).

Longevity and Beauty

It is an anti aging mineral and is required for proper tissue repair and hormonal balance. When you are deficient in zinc, your body will go get some from your own reserves. It will start with tissues which cant hold onto it very well. They are the skin and hair. The result is flaky skin, stretch marks and hair loss. It is not surprising that many women develop stretch marks and report hair loss in pregnancy. Hair loss can be influenced by hormonal changes in the body but it is also a definite sign of zinc deficiency.

Multitasking Mineral

Zincs other roles include;

- Co factor of hundreds of enzymes, including enzymes involved in food digestion and absorption.
- Proper DNA replication and function.
- Regulates the pH of the cells (if cells are too acidic they are more prone to disease).
- Essential for vitamin A and folic acid metabolism and transportation
- Required for activation of T-lymphocytes (white blood cells required for cell mediated immunity) and making the natural killer cells more lethal then they already are.
- Controls release of insulin (hormone required for absorption of glucose, imbalance can lead to diabetes, insulin resistance, PCOS and infertility).
- Makes up one of the most potent antioxidants produced by the human body: Superoxide dismutase (SOD).
- Plays an important role in the health and flexibility of the connective tissue, skin and blood vessels.

Absorption

Zinc absorption can be impaired if you are taking antacids and proton pump inhibitors. It requires acidic environment for optimal absorption and is therefore best taken away from food on an empty stomach.

As it competes for absorption with other nutrients dont have it at the same time as your multivitamin. Zinc absorption is adversely affected by so many chemicals commonly found in natural food and it fights for absorption with so many other nutrients, not much of it ends up getting absorbed! Therefore zinc should be taken on an empty stomach last thing at night.

Deficiencies and Excesses

Vegans and vegetarians can be deficient in zinc as vegetables, fruits and grains are not optimal source of zinc. Phytic acid found in legumes will also block zinc and other mineral absorption. In addition smoking, drinking coffee, tea and alcohol increases your need for zinc.

Signs of zinc deficiency are loss of appetite, hair loss, white bands and spots on the nails, frequent colds and infections, slow healing wounds, stretch marks, dermatitis, diminished sense of smell and taste and premenstrual pimples and many more.

Excessive zinc consumption of 40mg/day may compete with copper and impair immune function.

How much to have?

Recommended daily intake of zinc is 8 mg/day for women, 11mg/day for men, 11 mg/day during pregnancy, 12 mg/day during lactation.

In men with sperm abnormalities 25-50 mg of zinc have been shown to increase sperm count and boost testosterone levels.

Where to get if from?

Lean meat, oysters, whole grains, nuts, pumpkin seeds, egg yolks, supplemental form: look for zinc acetate, the best tolerated and bioavailable form of zinc in a supplement. Stay clear from zinc oxide as its the least absorbent form of zinc!

Sources:

Ebisch IM, et al. The importance of folate, zinc and antioxidants in the pathogenesis and prevention of subfertility. Hum Reprod Update. 2007 Mar-Apr;13(2):163-74.

Groper S, Smith J, Groff J. 4th Ed. 2005. Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism. Thomson, USA

Keene, I. Natural Fertility Prescription, Australian Natural Therapeutics, Switzerland.

copyright 2009 Iva Keene and Natural Fertility Prescription

Information about the Author:

Leading Fertility Naturopath Iva Keene publishes the Ultimate Fertility ezine with tips to get you pregnant ASAP. Get your free Fertility advice at www.natural-fertility-prescription.com