How to Eliminate Pain Nausea When Pregnant

Often there are often constraints faced by pregnant women is the feeling of nausea that sometimes difficult to overcome. Every mother will experience a "schedule of nausea" distinct difference, there is only early days, only at night, or even feel nauseated all day.

Although nausea is a part of the process of pregnancy, it does not mean that there is no way out. Therefore, there is no harm in listening to some of these tips :

1. Nausea in the morning when the low sugar levels, therefore eat bread or biscuit before lifting his head from the pillow to raise blood sugar levels.


2. While a toothbrush, do not use too much toothpaste. If necessary, use toothpaste with mint to reduce nausea. After that, gargle with warm water.


3. Eat food that contains high-carb.


4. Reduce fatty foods and whole milk, hard cheese, and eggs in the diet.


5. Chew dry biscuits between meals so your stomach is not empty.


6. Avoid crowded room, the heat and smell smells that sting.


7. Consultations with doctors wearing anti-nausea drug that is safe for consumption.

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Sex During Pregnancy

Sex during pregnancy. My wife is three months pregnant. Is it okay for us to have sex? I feel embarrassed to ask our family doctor. We are avoiding sexual contact; but I do feel the urge for sex. What do we do?
This is one of the most common questions posed by couples expecting their first child. Their lack of knowledge regarding the correct method, timing and frequency cause varied misconceptions and at times, a total withdrawal from sex. This often backfires, as the woman, owing to her psychological state and emotional needs, fails to understand the behavioural changes in her partner. Here’s what to expect.

Emotions on high

During pregnancy, a woman’s mental make-up undergoes a dramatic change. She becomes emotional and sometimes oversensitive. The way her needs are acknowledged (or dismissed) affects her mental state and thereby the foetus as well. If she feels that her husband is not adequately responsive, she may get irritable, and suffer from insomnia,loss of appetite or over-stimulated hunger.

Most men are unaware that their behaviour often causes these emotional upheavals. Many take the easy way out and take their wife to the doctor, without realising that she simply needs her husband to understand her moods, feelings and anxieties.

Discrepancy in sex drives

The changes taking place in the mother-to-be are part of her biological make-up. Hormonal and chemical changes prepare her for conception, pregnancy and childbearing. The awareness that she is pregnant creates new aspirations and sexual relations go down the priority ladder. There is, however, no such biological change in the man. He needs to make himself aware of the physical and emotional demands of fatherhood, but continues to feel the urge for intercourse. In such a situation, it is essential that he does not force this one-sided need on his pregnant wife.

For intercourse

Though a woman may not have strong sexual urges, she does need warm and gentle physical contact and caressing. In the process, if she is aroused and willing, they can have intercourse too. However...
- Avoid the missionary (man-superior) position. Woman on top position is advisable, or they both could be in a sitting position, so that there is no pressure on her abdomen and that movement is gentle.

- The ‘spoon position’ is also recommended. The position is when the couple lie on their sides, their legs bent upwards, both facing in the same direction, with the man behind the woman. It is called the ‘spoon’ position because it is like two spoons, one nestling inside the other. This is a very ‘gentle’ position as neither partner is putting any weight on the other, and it is particularly good for making love to a pregnant woman.

Watch out for

• If, during missionary position, the man is on the top, his weight bears down on the woman, and without his realisation, the movements can become rough. This, in turn, can disturb the foetus.

• Intercourse should be avoided from the sixth to the twelfth week of the pregnancy, as it can cause miscarriage. Sexual abstinence is recommended during the last two months of pregnancy as well. At this time, if one indulges in sexual intercourse, there is risk of the essential amniotic fluid leaking out, causing complications.

• During the fourth to seventh month of pregnancy, intercourse is allowed unless you are otherwise advised for medical reasons.

• Sexual acts such as oral and anal sex should be avoided.

Word of caution

During pregnancy, a woman does not retain her shapely figure. It is possible that the man may be sexually drawn to other women. In fact, men are often tempted to indulge in extra-marital affairs during this time. A woman’s needs during pregnancy undergo a major transition. It’s certainly not right, if the husband, instead of understanding this change, enters a relationship outside marriage.

This can be dealt with if the man is equally involved with the pregnancy. In fact, the couple can create deeper bonds during this period. Being present during sonograph sessions, choosing the baby’s name, his/her new clothes, etc can help men grow in their new role. (indiatimes.com )

Teenage Mothers 'More Likely to Give Birth Prematurely'

Teenage mothers 'more likely to give birth prematurely'. Teenage mothers are more likely to give birth prematurely and have underweight babies, research shows.
The study also indicated that one quarter of teenage mothers get pregnant again before they turn 20, and that they are at particular risk of a preterm birth the second time around.

Premature babies are more susceptible to a range of medical problems and are at greater risk of dying in the first year of life

These teenagers are 93 per cent more likely than adult women to give birth early, prompting experts to warn that must me done to prevent girls becoming pregnant again immediately after giving birth.

Researchers at the University College Cork in Ireland, who conducted the survey of more than 55,000 births, called for more health and sex education to prevent the “biological immaturity” of young mothers from damaging their babies’ prospects.

Premature babies – generally defined as those born earlier that 37 weeks in pregnancy – are more susceptible to a range of medical problems and are at greater risk of dying in the first year of life.

The study of children born to mothers aged between 14 and 29 in the North West of England found that younger teenagers were more prone to premature birth than older teenagers.

Ali Khashan, who carried out the research, said the results indicated that some teenage girls were failing to receive proper medical advice after becoming pregnant – and that young mothers tended to slip through the net of the health services when they had a second child.

Dr Khashan said: "It is possible that the increased risk of poor pregnancy outcome is related to biological immaturity.

“It is also possible that the increased risk of poor pregnancy outcome in the second teenage pregnancy is related to numerous complicating factors such as greater social deprivation and less prenatal care."

Professor Louise Kenny, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Cork University Maternity Hospital, who led the study, said: " A first pregnancy may be the first and only time a pregnant teenager interacts with health services and this opportunity should not be overlooked". ( telegraph.co.uk)

Rise in Teenage Pregnancy Rate

Rise in teenage pregnancy rate. The pregnancy rate among teenage girls in the United States has jumped for the first time in more than a decade, raising alarm that the long campaign to reduce motherhood among adolescents is faltering, according to a report released Tuesday.

The pregnancy rate among 15-to-19-year-olds increased 3 percent between 2005 and 2006 -- the first jump since 1990, according to an analysis of the most recent data collected by the federal government and the nation's leading reproductive-health think tank.

Teen pregnancy has long been one of the most pressing social issues and has triggered intense political debate over sex education, particularly whether the federal government should fund programs that encourage abstinence until marriage or focus on birth control.

"The decline in teen pregnancy has stopped -- and in fact has turned around," said Lawrence Finer, director of domestic research for the Guttmacher Institute, the nonprofit, nonpartisan research group in New York that conducted the analysis. "These data are certainly cause for concern."

The abortion rate also inched up for the first time in more than a decade -- rising 1 percent -- intensifying concern across the ideological spectrum.

"One of the nation's shining success stories of the past two decades is in danger of unraveling," said Sarah Brown of the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. "Clearly, the nation's collective efforts to convince teens to postpone childbearing must be more creative and more intense, and they must begin today."

The cause of the increase is the subject of debate. Several experts blamed the increase in teen pregnancies on sex-education programs that focus on encouraging abstinence. Others said the reversal could be due to a variety of factors, including an increase in poverty, an influx of Hispanics and complacency about AIDS, prompting lax use of birth control such as condoms.

"It could be a lot of things coming together," said Rebecca Maynard, a professor of economics and social policy at the University of Pennsylvania. "It could be we just bottomed out, and whenever you are at the bottom, it tends to wiggle around. This may or may not be a sustained rise."

The report comes as Congress might consider restoring federal funding to sex-education programs that focus on abstinence. The Obama administration eliminated more than $150 million in funds for such groups, but the Senate's health-care reform legislation would reinstate $50 million.

The new findings immediately set off a debate over funding. Critics argued that the disturbing new data were just the latest in a long series of indications that the focus on abstinence programs was a dismal failure.

"Now we know that after 10 years and over $1.5 billion in abstinence-only funding, the U.S. is lurching backwards on teen sexual health," said James Wagoner of Advocates for Youth, a Washington advocacy group.

Supporters of abstinence programs, however, said the findings provided powerful evidence of the need to continue to encourage delayed sexual activity, not only to avoid pregnancy but also to reduce the risk for AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.

"Research unmistakably indicates that delaying sexual initiation rates and reducing the total number of lifetime partners is more valuable in protecting the sexual health of young people than simply passing out condoms," said Valerie Huber of the National Abstinence Education Association, who blamed the increase on several factors.

"Contributors include an over-sexualized culture, lack of involved and positive role models, and the dominant message that teen sex is expected and without consequences," Huber said. The Obama administration is launching a $110 million pregnancy prevention initiative focused on programs with proven effectiveness but has left open the possibility of funding some innovative approaches that include encouraging abstinence.

The rate at which U.S. teenagers were having sex rose steadily through the 1970s and 1980s, fueling a sharp rise in teen pregnancies and births. That trend reversed around 1991 because of AIDS, changing social mores about sex and other factors, including greater use of contraceptives, which pushed the U.S. teen pregnancy rate to historic lows.

The U.S. rates still remained higher than those in other industrialized countries.

The decline in teen sexual activity had leveled off starting about nine years ago, and the teen birth rate began to increase in 2005. It wasn't known before if the increase was due to more pregnancies or fewer abortions and miscarriages. For the first time, the new analysis uses those factors in calculating the teen pregnancy rate.

The analysis examined data on teenage sex and births collected by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics and data on abortions collected by the CDC and Guttmacher -- the two best sources of such data.

The abortion rate among teenagers rose 1 percent in 2006 from the previous year -- to 19.3 abortions per 1,000 women in that age group, the analysis found. Taking that and miscarriages into account, the analysis showed that the pregnancy rate among U.S. women younger than 20 in 2006 was 71.5 per 1,000 women, a 3 percent increase from the rate of 69.5 in 2005. That translated into 743,000 pregnancies among teenagers, or about 7 percent of women in this age group.

"When birth rates go up and down, it could be the result of kids getting fewer abortions," said John Santelli, a professor of population and family health at Columbia University. "This shows that it's a true rise in pregnancies."

The rate increase was highest for blacks. Among blacks, the rate increased from 122.7 per 1,000 in 2005 to 126.3. For Hispanics the rate rose from 124.9 per 1,000 women to 126.6. Among whites, the rate increased from 43.3 per 1,000 women to 44.0. ( washingtonpost.com)

Ten Things That Might Surprise You About Being Pregnant

Ten Things That Might Surprise You About Being Pregnant. Pregnancy is a subject that generates a lot of paper. Bookstores and libraries devote not just shelves but entire aisles to it. At your first prenatal visit, your doctor will likely load you down with armfuls of pamphlets that cover every test and trimester. But despite all this information, pregnancy can take any soon-to-be parent by surprise.

What the Doctor May Leave Out

If your doctor hasn't mentioned the following topics during your visits, he or she isn't purposefully omitting the information. More likely, your doctor hasn't brought them up because pregnancy affects women in different ways. For example, some pregnant women experience morning sickness in the morning, some feel it all day, and some never have it. Or your doctor might not mention something because it doesn't have a medical focus — a doctor may not have any more insight into your increasing shoe size than your neighbor does! Also, some women may think questions about breast size or hemorrhoids are too personal or embarrassing to ask their doctors.

Any concerns you have about your or your baby's emotional or physical health, regardless of how unrelated or trivial they may seem, should be discussed with your doctor. He or she has seen many expectant parents, some less worried and some more worried than you, and can reassure you when there is no problem or give you more information when there is one. And if your doctor doesn't take the time to listen to your concerns or doesn't seem to take them seriously, you should feel free to get a second opinion.

Altered States

Pregnancy doesn't just change your body — it affects the rest of you, too.

1. The Nesting Instinct

Many pregnant women experience the nesting instinct, a powerful urge to prepare their home for the baby by cleaning and decorating. Or perhaps you'll want to tackle projects you haven't had time to do, like organizing your garage or closets.

As your due date draws closer, you may find yourself cleaning cupboards or washing walls — things you never would have imagined doing in your ninth month of pregnancy! This desire to prepare your home can be useful because it will give you more time to recover and nurture your baby after the birth. But be careful not to overdo it.

2. Inability to Concentrate

In the first trimester, fatigue and morning sickness can make many women feel worn out and mentally fuzzy. But even well-rested pregnant women may experience an inability to concentrate and periods of forgetfulness. A preoccupation with the baby is partially the cause, as are hormonal changes. Everything — including work, bills, and doctor appointments — may seem less important than the baby and the impending birth. You can combat this forgetfulness by making lists to help you remember dates and appointments.

3. Mood Swings

Premenstrual syndrome and pregnancy are alike in many ways. Your breasts swell and become tender, your hormones fluctuate, and you may feel moody. If you suffer from premenstrual syndrome, you're likely to have more severe mood swings during pregnancy. They can make you go from feeling happy one minute to feeling like crying the next. You may be irrationally angry with your partner one day, then a coworker may inexplicably irritate you the next.

Mood swings are incredibly common during pregnancy, although they tend to occur more frequently in the first trimester and toward the end of the third trimester.

About 10% of pregnant women experience depression during pregnancy. If you have symptoms such as sleep disturbances, changes in eating habits (a complete lack of appetite or an inability to stop eating), and exaggerated mood swings for longer than 2 weeks, you should talk to your doctor.

Unexpected Effects of Pregnancy

4. Bra Size

An increase in breast size is one of the first signs of pregnancy. Breasts usually become swollen and enlarged in the first trimester because of increased levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. That growth in the first trimester isn't necessarily the end, either — your breasts can continue to grow throughout your pregnancy!

In addition to the size of your breasts, your bra size may be affected by your rib cage. When you're pregnant, your lung capacity increases so you can take in extra oxygen for yourself and the baby, which may result in a bigger chest size. You may need to replace your bras several times over the course of your pregnancy.

5. Skin

Are your friends saying you have that pregnancy glow? It's only one of many skin changes you may experience during pregnancy due to hormonal changes and the stretching of your skin to accommodate a larger body. Pregnant women experience an increase in blood volume to provide extra blood flow to the uterus and to meet the metabolic needs of the fetus. They also have increased blood flow to their other organs, especially the kidneys. The greater volume brings more blood to the vessels and increases oil gland secretion.

Some women develop brownish or yellowish patches called chloasma, or the "mask of pregnancy," on their faces. And some will notice a dark line on the midline of the lower abdomen, known as the linea nigra (or linea negra), as well as hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin) of the nipples, external genitalia, and anal region. These are the result of pregnancy hormones, which cause the body to produce more pigment. The body may not produce this increased pigment evenly, however, so the darkened skin may appear as splotches of color. Unfortunately, chloasma can't be prevented, but wearing sunscreen and avoiding UV light can minimize its effects.

Acne is common during pregnancy because the skin's sebaceous glands increase their oil production. And newly formed pimples might not be the only evolving spots on your face or body — moles or freckles that you had prior to pregnancy may become bigger and darker. Even the areola, the area around the nipples, becomes darker. Except for the darkening of the areola, which is usually permanent, these skin changes will likely disappear after you give birth. Many women also experience heat rash, caused by dampness and perspiration, during pregnancy.

In general, pregnancy can be an itchy time for a woman. Skin stretching over the abdomen may cause itchiness and flaking. Your doctor can recommend creams to soothe dry or itchy skin.

6. Hair and Nails

Many women experience changes in hair texture and growth during pregnancy. The hormones secreted by your body will cause your hair to grow faster and fall out less. But these hair changes usually aren't permanent; most women lose a significant amount of hair in the postpartum period or after they stop breastfeeding.

Some women find that they grow hair in unwanted places, such as on the face or belly or around the nipples. Others experience changes in hair texture that make hair drier or oilier. Some women even find their hair changing color.

Nails, like hair, can change noticeably during pregnancy. Extra hormones can make them grow faster and become stronger. Some women, however, find that their nails tend to split and break more easily during pregnancy. Like the changes in hair, nail changes aren't permanent. If your nails split and tear more easily when you're pregnant, keep them trimmed and avoid the chemicals in nail polish and nail polish remover.

7. Shoe Size

Even though you can't fit into any of your prepregnancy clothes, you still have your shoes, right? Maybe — but maybe not. Because of the extra fluid in their pregnant bodies, many women experience swelling in their feet and may even have to start wearing a larger shoe size. Wearing slip-on shoes in a larger size will be more comfortable for many pregnant women, especially in the summer months.

8. Joint Mobility

During pregnancy, your body produces a hormone known as relaxin, which is believed to help prepare the pubic area and the cervix for the birth. The relaxin loosens the ligaments in your body, making you less stable and more prone to injury. It's easy to overstretch or strain yourself, especially the joints in your pelvis, lower back, and knees. When exercising or lifting objects, go slowly and avoid sudden, jerky movements.

9. Varicose Veins, Hemorrhoids, and Constipation

Varicose veins, which are usually found in the legs and genital area, occur when blood pools in veins enlarged by the hormones of pregnancy. Varicose veins often disappear after pregnancy, but you can lessen them by:

• avoiding standing or sitting for long periods of time
• wearing loose-fitting clothing
• wearing support hose
• elevating your feet when you sit

Hemorrhoids — varicose veins in the rectum — frequently occur during pregnancy as well. Because your blood volume has increased and your uterus puts pressure on your pelvis, the veins in your rectum may enlarge into grape-like clusters. Hemorrhoids can be extremely painful, and they may bleed, itch, or sting, especially during or after a bowel movement. Coupled with constipation, another common pregnancy woe, hemorrhoids can make going to the bathroom downright unpleasant.

Constipation is common throughout pregnancy because pregnancy hormones slow the rate of food passing through the gastrointestinal tract. During the later stages of pregnancy, your uterus may push against your large intestine, making it difficult for waste to be eliminated. Constipation can contribute to hemorrhoids because straining may enlarge the veins of the rectum.

The best way to combat constipation and hemorrhoids is to prevent them. Eating a fiber-rich diet, drinking plenty of fluids daily, and exercising regularly can help keep bowel movements regular. Stool softeners (not laxatives) may also help. If you do have hemorrhoids, see your doctor for a cream or ointment that can shrink them.

Birth Day Surprises

10. Things That Will Come Out of Your Body

So you've survived the mood swings and the hemorrhoids, and you think your surprises are over. Guess again — the day you give birth will probably hold the biggest surprises of all.

Only 1 in 10 mothers' water breaks before labor contractions begin. Some women never experience it — a doctor may need to rupture the amniotic sac (if the cervix is already dilated) when they arrive at the hospital. How much water can you expect? For a full-term baby, there are normally about 2.1 to 5.9 cups of amniotic fluid. Some women may feel an intense urge to urinate that leads to a gush of fluid when their waters break. Others may have only a trickling sensation down their leg because the baby's head acts like a stopper to prevent most of the fluid from leaking out. In any case, amniotic fluid is generally sweet-smelling and pale or colorless and is replaced by your body every 3 hours, so don't be surprised if you continue to leak fluid, about a cup an hour, until delivery.

Other unexpected things may come out of your body during labor in addition to your baby, blood, and amniotic fluid. Some women experience nausea and vomiting. Others have diarrhea before or during labor, and flatulence (passing gas) is also common. During the pushing phase of labor, you may lose control of your bladder or bowels. A birth plan can be especially helpful in communicating your wishes to your health care providers about how to handle these and other discomforts of labor and delivery.

Lots of surprises are in store for you once you become pregnant — but none sweeter than the way you'll feel once your newborn is in your arms! ( kidshealth.org)

How Healthy Eating Could STOP You Getting Pregnant

How healthy eating could STOP you getting pregnant. Could a healthy diet reduce a woman's chances of getting pregnant?

That's the worrying conclusion of new research that shows eating foods high in fibre may damage fertility.

The findings show high-fibre foods such as wholemeal bread or pasta may disrupt a woman's hormone balance.

Fertility fears: Eating too much fibre could prevent women becoming pregnant

The more of these foods women ate, the lower their levels of hormones vital for the reproduction process.

Researchers from across the U.S. came up with the results after following 250 women of childbearing age for a two-year period.

They not only found that hormones dropped with high fibre intake, but that there was an increase in something called anovulation.

This is when a woman goes through a menstrual cycle but her ovaries fail to release an egg.

It was already known that anovulation occurs when hormone levels drop due to extreme exercise, anxiety or stress.

But this is believed to be the first study highlighting the dangers of a healthy diet. ( dailymail.co.uk)

Five Absolute Signs of Pregnancy

Five Absolute Signs of Pregnancy. Pregnancy is probably the most glorious phenomenon that can ever happen in a woman. It can also be the most problematic. A woman's body undergoes drastic changes to accommodate the needs of the developing fetus. Some of these manifest themselves in the earliest stages of pregnancy and are very endemic to pregnancy. Here is a list of the tell-tale signs that a pregnancy is right at its onset:
1. Missing the monthly period.

This is a classic pregnancy symptom; especially if a woman's monthly cycle is as precise as the Big Ben. If a woman misses a period, it is probably time to take a home pregnancy test. However, if the woman's menstruation is not very regular, she should wait for a couple of days before taking a pregnancy test.


2. Soreness of breasts.

During pregnancy, breasts tend to be very sensitive. This is accompanied also by the darkening of the areolas or the concentric circle surrounding the nipples. A woman may also feel that her bra doesn't fit her as comfortably as before. This is natural because the breasts tend to increase in size when pregnancy sets in. For some, breast sensitivity is a very uncomfortable ordeal to live with during pregnancy. Fortunately, this wears off come the second trimester. For others, breast sensitivity can be a plus since this translates to heightened pleasure during intimate moments.


3. Morning Sickness.

Pregnant women usually deal with unsettled stomachs each morning during the first weeks of pregnancy. They may also sustain vomiting and feel weakness of the body. Contrary to popular belief, and to the suggestion the name implies, "morning" sickness does not only occur in the morning. Some women come down with nausea in the afternoon or in the evening. Other expectant mothers feel sick the whole day. This is maybe a side-effect due to the increase in the estrogen levels in a woman's body due to the pregnancy.


4. Unusual eating habits.

Women who are in the early stages of pregnancy sometimes crave for food they have never before or rarely eaten. It is also natural for them to be greedy. Some women may at times crave for unusual food, at the same time some women may hate the kind of food which used to be one of their favorites.


5. Spotting and discharge.

In the early stages of pregnancy, mucus begins to accumulate around the opening of the cervix to form the mucus plug, a barrier which serves as protection for the developing baby. Around the time of the implantation, or the time when the embryo has implanted itself on the uterine lining, pregnant women may notice a bit of spotting. Spotting due to pregnancy is light in volume and pinkish in color, as opposed to the deep red color associated with regular menstruation. It is important to emphasize though that discharge during pregnancy should not be accompanied by other distinctive signs of infection such as itchiness, burning sensation and foul odor.

Aside from these symptoms, a pregnant woman may also experience several other complaints such as fatigue, constipation, increase in basal body temperature even after her period is due, frequent urge to urinate and heartburn. Other unusual symptoms that an expectant mother may experience include enhanced sense of smell, weepiness and complexion problems also known as "breaking out". If a woman is experiencing one or more of these symptoms but still is unsure, a convenient home pregnancy test will easily confirm if she can expect a baby in the near future. ( articlealley.com)

How to Get Pregnant

How to get pregnant. Wondering how to get pregnant? Maximize your fertility — and know when to seek help. Some couples seem to get pregnant simply by talking about it. For others, it takes plenty of patience and a bit of luck. If you're wondering how to get pregnant, start the old-fashioned way. Here's what you need to know — and when to seek help.

Understanding when you're most fertile

Conception is based on an intricate series of events. Every month, hormones from your pituitary gland stimulate your ovaries to release an egg, or ovulate. Once the egg is released, it travels to one of the fallopian tubes. If you want to conceive, now's the time. But how can you tell when you're ovulating? For many women, it's like hitting a moving target.

Keep an eye on the calendar

Use your day planner or another simple calendar to mark the day your period begins each month. Also track the number of days each period lasts. If you have a consistent 28-day cycle, ovulation is likely to begin about 14 days after the day your last period began.

If your cycles are somewhat long, subtract 18 from the number of days in your shortest cycle. When your next period begins, count ahead this many days. The next week is a reasonable guess for your most fertile days.

• Pros. Calendar calculations can be done simply on paper.
• Cons. Many factors may affect the exact timing of ovulation, including illness, stress and exercise. Counting days is often inaccurate, especially for women who have irregular cycles.

Watch for changes in cervical mucus

Just before ovulation, you might notice an increase in clear, slippery vaginal secretions — if you look for it. These secretions typically resemble raw egg whites. After ovulation, when the odds of becoming pregnant are slim, the discharge will become cloudy and sticky or disappear entirely.

• Pros. Changes in vaginal secretions are often an accurate sign of impending fertility. Simple observation — particularly inside the vagina — is all that's needed.
• Cons. Judging the texture or appearance of vaginal secretions can be fairly subjective.

Track your basal body temperature

This is your body's temperature when you're fully at rest. Ovulation may cause a slight increase in temperature — typically less than one degree. You'll be most fertile during the two to three days before your temperature rises. You can assume ovulation has occurred when the slightly higher temperature remains steady for three days or more.

Use an oral thermometer to monitor your basal body temperature. Try the digital variety or one specifically designed to measure basal body temperature. Simply take your temperature every morning before you get out of bed. Plot the readings on graph paper and look for a pattern to emerge.

• Pros. It's simple. The only cost is the thermometer. It's often most helpful to determine when you've ovulated and judge if the timing is consistent from month to month.
• Cons. The temperature change may be subtle, and the increase comes too late for conception — after ovulation has already happened. It can be inconvenient to take your temperature at the same time every day, especially if you have irregular sleeping hours.

Try an ovulation predictor kit

Over-the-counter ovulation kits test your urine for the surge in hormones that takes place before ovulation. For the most accurate results, follow the instructions on the label to the letter.

• Pros. Ovulation kits can identify the most likely time of ovulation or even provide a signal before ovulation actually happens. They're available without a prescription in most pharmacies.
• Cons. Ovulation kits often lead to excessively targeted sex — and timing sex so precisely can invite being too late. For some women, the cost of ovulation kits is prohibitive.

Maximizing fertility

When you're trying to conceive, consider these simple do's and don'ts.

Do:

• Have sex regularly. If you consistently have sex two or three times a week, you're almost certain to hit a fertile period at some point. For healthy couples who want to conceive, there's no such thing as too much sex. For many couples, this may be all it takes.
• Have sex once a day near the time of ovulation. Daily intercourse during the days leading up to ovulation may increase the odds of conception. Although your partner's sperm concentration will drop slightly each time you have sex, the reduction isn't usually an issue for healthy men.
• Make healthy lifestyle choices. Maintain a healthy weight, include physical activity in your daily routine, eat a healthy diet, limit caffeine and keep stress under control. The same good habits will serve you and your baby well during pregnancy.
• Consider preconception planning. Your health care provider can assess your overall health and help you identify lifestyle changes that may improve your chances for a healthy pregnancy. Preconception planning is especially helpful if you or your partner have any health issues.
• Take your vitamins. Folic acid (vitamin B-9) plays an essential role in a baby's development. A daily prenatal vitamin or folic acid supplement beginning a few months before conception significantly reduces the risk of spina bifida and other neural tube defects.

Don't:

• Smoke. Tobacco changes the cervical mucus, which may keep sperm from reaching the egg. Smoking may also increase the risk of miscarriage and deprive your developing baby of oxygen and nutrients. If you smoke, ask your health care provider to help you quit before conception. For your family's sake, vow to quit for good.
• Drink alcohol. Alcohol is off-limits if you're pregnant — or hope to be.
• Take medication without your health care provider's OK. Certain medications — even those available without a prescription — can make it difficult to conceive. Others may not be safe once you're pregnant.

When to consult a doctor

With frequent unprotected sex, most healthy couples conceive within one year. Others need a bit of help.

If you're in your early 30s or younger and you and your partner are in good health, try it on your own for one year before consulting a doctor. You may want to seek help sooner if you're age 35 or older, or you or your partner has known or suspected fertility issues.

Infertility affects men and women equally — and treatment is available. Depending on the source of the problem, your gynecologist, your partner's urologist or your family doctor may be able to help. In some cases, a fertility specialist may offer the best hope. ( MayoClinic.com)

Back Pain During Pregnancy

Back pain during pregnancy. Back pain is a common complaint during pregnancy. Here's how to find relief. Back pain is a common complaint during pregnancy. And it's no wonder. You're gaining weight. You're walking in a new way. And your hormones are relaxing the muscles and ligaments throughout your body.

But you don't have to grin and bear it. Often, you can treat — or prevent — back pain during pregnancy with simple self-care strategies or complementary therapies.

Give back pain the boot

Consider these steps to ease back pain:

• Practice good posture. As your baby grows, your center of gravity shifts forward. As you compensate in some way to avoid falling forward, you may strain the muscles in your lower back — which can cause back pain. Enter the principles of good posture. Tuck your buttocks under, pull your shoulders back and downward, and stand straight and tall.
• Sit and stand with care. Sit with your feet slightly elevated. Choose a chair that supports your back or place a small pillow behind your lower back. Change position often, and avoid standing for long periods of time. If you must stand, rest one foot on a low step stool.
• Sleep on your side. Sleep on your side, not your back. Keep one or both knees bent. It may also help to place one pillow between your knees and another under your abdomen, or use a full-length body pillow.
• Lift properly. When lifting a small object, squat down and lift with your legs. Don't bend at the waist or lift with your back. And know your limits. Ask for help if you need it.
• Get the right gear. Wear low-heeled shoes with good arch support. Wear maternity pants with a low, supportive waistband. Consider using a maternity support belt.
• Try heat, cold or a back rub. Apply heat to your back. Soak in a warm bathtub or try a heating pad. Some women find relief by alternating ice packs with heat. Rubbing your back also may help. Better yet, ask someone to rub your back for you.
• Stay fit. Regular exercise can keep your back strong and may actually relieve back pain. With your health care provider's OK, try swimming, walking or riding a stationary bike.
• Try pelvic tilt exercises. Kneel on your hands and knees with your head in line with your back. Pull in your abdomen, arching your spine upward. Hold the position for several seconds, then relax your abdomen and back. Repeat five times, working gradually up to 10. Ask your health care provider about other stretching exercises, too.
• Consider complementary treatments. It's unclear how effective chiropractic care or acupuncture are at treating low back pain in pregnancy. But they may provide comfort for some women. These methods are likely safe during pregnancy — as long as you're receiving good prenatal care. Discuss your pain with your health care provider first, however, to make sure your back pain isn't caused by an underlying condition.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) is safe to use during pregnancy, but other pain relievers — including aspirin and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) — are not. Check with your health care provider before taking any medication to treat your back pain.

Take back pain seriously

Back pain during pregnancy probably won't come as a surprise, but that doesn't mean you should ignore it. A low, dull backache may be a sign of preterm labor. And severe back pain or back pain that's accompanied by vaginal bleeding or discharge may indicate an underlying problem that needs attention. If you're concerned about your back pain, contact your health care provider right away. ( mayoclinic.com)