The “What Are the Symptoms of Infertility?” plus 4 more

What Are the Symptoms of Infertility?
Symptoms of Getting Pregnant - Your Basic Pregnancy Testing Questions Answered
Back Pain and Pregnancy Alternative
Pregnancy Fat - How to Lose it in Just 4 Easy Steps
Say Goodbye to Pregnancy Fat!

Posted: 11 Dec 2009 08:10 PM PST

The first and most obvious symptom of infertility is the inability to conceive. Beyond that, there are almost as many symptoms of infertility as there are causes for the condition.

Symptoms of Infertility

For women, irregularity in the menstruation cycle is a major symptom of infertility. In men, reduced hair growth, loss of sexual urge, and reduced sexual performance are signs of possible infertility. These symptoms are often signs of hormonal issues as well.

For women age thirty or above who have failed to menstruate for six months, it is advisable to consult with a physician. Beyond that, most couples should give their conception attempts at least a year before they decide to seek medical attention for infertility.

Of course, if a woman experiences pain in her pelvis that increases in duration and frequency, she should visit her doctor immediately.

Many times, it is the conception planning itself that is the problem, rather than some underlying inability to conceive. It is important for every woman to become familiar with her own ovulation cycle if she wants to accurately schedule her conception attempts. Men have their part to play in this process as well, as maintaining a high level of fitness helps to keep sperm healthy and active, as does avoiding alcohol and tobacco. Of course, both partners need to avoid stress and ensure that they eat a healthy diet.

What You Should Do If Discover The Signs of Infertility

If, however, one partner seems to be showing signs of infertility, consulting a doctor is the logical decision to make and seek the proper infertility treatment. Though infertility is commonplace these days, it can often be corrected by relatively simple alterations in lifestyle or medications to correct an imbalance of hormones. It is heartening to realize that ninety-seven percent of couples who experience some form of infertility never have to resort to the more complex and expensive forms of infertility treatment such as in vitro fertilization.

Still, conceiving a child is anything but an instantaneous process. It is wise for couples to consider that most couples engage in sexual activity for roughly nine months before they get pregnant. That average is the reason why most experts encourage couples to try for at least a year prior to consulting a physician or seeking treatment - unless your symptoms are severe. In fact, the majority of doctors will advice their patients that a minimum of eight months of unprotected sexual activity should occur prior to any concerns over possible infertility.

Reduce Infertility Stress and Bring on Romance!

One thing to do when concerned over the possibility of infertility is to reduce stress. Though it is difficult in this fast paced world, sometimes it is just necessary to get away on a romantic adventure - a surprising number of children are conceived while their parents are away from the home environment! For couples with the time and resources, a full-blown vacation or cruise is an ideal getaway. For many couples, in fact, a relaxing pre-conception getaway may be the last time they spend alone together for a number of years - especially if they manage to get pregnant. The important thing is for couples to refresh themselves, remove stress, and restore the romance in their relationship.

The bottom line is that being aware of the various symptoms of infertility doesn't mean that couples have to let their lives be ruled by those symptoms. It is far more important for them to relax their minds and bodies, enjoy each other's company, and take comfort in the fact that the odds of eventually conceiving are on their side.

fivefilters.org featured article: Normalising the crime of the century by John Pilger

Symptoms of Getting Pregnant - Your Basic Pregnancy Testing Questions Answered

Posted: 11 Dec 2009 08:06 PM PST

Once you have decided to start a family, you have probably engaged in a slew of activities to get ready. You have prepared yourself physically. You have charted and tracked temperatures to predict your fertile days. You have made sure that there has been just enough sex on just the right days. And now, you have to wait. But how long do you have to wait before you can take a test? What kind of test should you take? How accurate are the tests? Should I have my doctor do the test, or can I do them myself? If these are the questions you are asking yourself, then you've come to the right place. Read on to find the answers.

Pregnancy Testing Question #1: How do I find out if I am pregnant?

If you are sensing classic pregnancy symptoms such as tiredness, nausea, and breast tenderness, there is a good chance that you are. To find out for sure, you need to take either a urine or a blood test.

Pregnancy Testing Question #2: Does my doctor have to do the test?

Maybe. Doctors can administer blood tests, which are the most accurate way of testing for pregnancy. You can test for pregnancy yourself using an at-home urine test, even though the blood test is the most accurate. The pregnancy tests have gotten much more accurate, so if you see a strong test result, you can be certain that you are pregnant.

Pregnancy Testing Question #3: How soon after I have sex can I take a test to see if I am pregnant?

You can take a pregnancy test a few minutes after sex, but you will not get an accurate result. If you want an accurate test result, you probably aren't going to get one until somewhere around 14 days after intercourse when you were ovulating. This time period should coincide with when you are schedule to get your period again. The reason that you need to wait is that when a fertilized egg attaches itself to the lining of the uterus, the body produces a hormone called human chorionic gonadotrophin, or HCG. Home pregnancy tests evaluate the level of HCG found in the urine, so as time progresses, there will be more HCG in the urine if you are pregnant. If your body starts producing HCG levels quickly, then you may be able to get an accurate result earlier, but it really is best to wait about two weeks after your predicted ovulation date.

Pregnancy Testing Question #4: Do all home pregnancy tests have the same level of accuracy?

Pregnancy test manufacturers all claim to have the most accurate tests, but in reality, accuracy is very dependent upon how soon after conception your body starts releasing the HCG.

Pregnancy Testing Question #5: If I get a negative test result on one day, could I get a positive test result the next day?

Again, it all comes down to the HCG levels in the urine. It is possible for this to happen if you take a test 24 hours before the HCG shows up.

Pregnancy Testing Question #6: Is there a certain time of day that I should take the test?

Absolutely. You should take an at-home pregnancy test first thing in the morning, as that is the time of day when your urine is most concentrated and therefore has the greatest probability of containing HCG. It does not matter what time of day a blood test is administered, as pregnancy hormone levels are consistent throughout the day in the blood stream.

fivefilters.org featured article: Normalising the crime of the century by John Pilger

Back Pain and Pregnancy Alternative

Posted: 11 Dec 2009 06:38 PM PST

Increased appetite, increased weight, compressed organs, exhaustion, sleeplessness. As if pregnant women didn't have enough to worry about as far as their health already, many will experience the torture of back pain as their pregnancies progress. To make matters even worse, taking anti-inflammatory medicine is not recommended for the pregnant mother, due to possible harm to the fetus. What is a mother to be to do to alleviate the problem of back pain caused by pregnancy?

Why do pregnant women experience back pain?

The most common form felt by pregnant women is in the lower lumbar region, also called the body's powerhouse. This is where the majority of our weight is born, by a group containing just five bones as well as several muscles, ligaments, and nerves.

The increased weight added during pregnancy (and the fast manner in which it is added) puts even more pressure on this already loaded region. Certain muscle groups will bear the weight of this pressure, which can cause the entire structure to fall out of alignment. Back pain is the result of this muscle imbalance.

Of course, this is likely not the only reason why you are feeling back pain during your pregnancy. This is often the total effect of several different occurrences, and the pain felt during pregnancy is no exception. Hormones released may soften the ligaments and joints in your pelvis, meaning there is less support for the lumbar region. It's harder to maintain correct posture as your body is stretched to different proportions, again skewing the distribution of weight. Even the growth of breasts can cause unequal weight distribution!

Strengthening

As with all causes of back pain, however, there are ways in which pregnant women can mitigate the pain in their lower backs, perhaps even preventing it altogether.

One way is to perform some mild exercises throughout your pregnancy. It's important to talk to your doctor to make sure they are right for you, but a combination of stretches and yoga will go a long way in strengthening the muscles of your sensitive back region.

Many doctors also recommend that pregnant women maintain some activity during their pregnancies. This can be as simple as a short walk, some time in the pool, or on an elliptical trainer or stationary bike. Remember, don't overdo it!

You also need to remember to avoid repetitive motions, including repetitive sitting patterns! Don't sit behind a desk or on the couch for a long time without getting up every once in a while (every twenty minutes is perfect) and stretching your legs.

Finally, pay attention to your posture as often as you can. Sitting up straighter, standing straighter, and forcing yourself to sleep in certain positions can really take the strain off of your back.

Treatments

For some women, this may be enough to prevent back pain altogether during pregnancy. For others, though, some pain will occur. Here are some ways to alleviate the stress.

First, talk to your doctor. You want to be sure first of all that the back pain you are experiencing is not a symptom of a serious problem with your pregnancy, and that you take steps to treat it which are not harmful to you or your baby.

Your doctor may be able to recommend some medicines which have no negative effects on the fetus. These may even include some herbal remedies.

Using hot/cold applications such as hot water bottles and ice will also be effective. These help to stop the muscle spasms which are at the root of back pain.

Finally, you may find that alternative pressure relief treatments are effective in reducing back pain. While they may not cure the exact problem itself (strain or sprain and inflammation) they may ease discomfort or stress which can be manifested as back pain.

Back pain is something common to all pregnant women, as their body goes through severe changes. It's important to prepare for this part of pregnancy as soon as possible, and to know how to alleviate the pain once it does begin to occur.

fivefilters.org featured article: Normalising the crime of the century by John Pilger

Pregnancy Fat - How to Lose it in Just 4 Easy Steps

Posted: 11 Dec 2009 05:47 PM PST

You've gone through the last 9 months of your life and finally you have your little bundle of joy wrapped up tight and in your arms. But how are your arms looking? Are they toned and trim or are they covered in a layer of post pregnancy fat? If you're like the vast majority of moms you're probably not feeling like you're ready to grace the cover of the latest fashion or exercise magazine. But there is hope! Below are a few tips to help you go from being the frumpy "before photo" to the sexy "after shot." Pregnancy fat beware!

1. Drink a glass of water right before you eat a meal

A study done by scientists at Sensei Inc, an exercise and nutrition study, found that on average people who drank an 8-ounce glass of water right before a meal ate on average 75 less calories and were better able to manage food temptation. Women wanting to lose pregnancy fat need to drink around 64 ounces of water a day. Dr. Trent Nessler, managing director of Baptist Sports Medicine says that most people don't understand how powerful a weight loss and metabolism tool that water is. He says that being just 1% dehydrated can cause a significant drop in metabolic rate.

2. Get adequate sleep

You might be thinking, yeah right! It's sort of a rite of passage to be severely sleep deprived during the first few months after you have your baby but lack of sleep can make your pregnancy fat loss goals come to a screeching halt. Studies suggest moms who get more than 5 hours per night are more likely to lose the pregnancy fat.

3. Keep the stress at a minimum

Stress causes so many negative emotions which are proven to break down the immune system and cause a host of other health problems including dropping the pregnancy fat. Find some stress relieving activities such as exercise, reading, meditation and prayer, listening to music or whatever it is you like to do and watch the pregnancy fat melt off.

4. Ask for help

Get with some other moms and help support and keep each other accountable. There are tons of ways to meet other mothers out there who want to lose the pregnancy fat like you do. Search for mom weight loss groups on sites like Craigslist or Facebook or call the Parks and Rec. department in your city to find like minded people.

fivefilters.org featured article: Normalising the crime of the century by John Pilger

Say Goodbye to Pregnancy Fat!

Posted: 11 Dec 2009 05:45 PM PST

So you have your little bundle of joy with you and you're basking in the bliss of motherhood. There's nothing like holding a newborn in your arms and feeling the bond between a mother and her child. Ok, so that's the only part of motherhood they show on the T.V. commercials. Now in reality having a baby is great and brings joy. But what about all of the pregnancy fat that seems to be bulging out everywhere on your body?

You might be thinking that you don't have time to lose weight because of your busy schedule or that there's nothing you can do about pregnancy fat. Not true! There are some simple and easy ways to lose pregnancy fat that doesn't take any extra time.

Losing pregnancy fat isn't as hard as it sounds. I mean, some people make it sound like pregnancy fat is some kind of special fat that is permanently attached to your body. That's simply not true and here are a few easy and convenient ways to make pregnancy fat disappear.

1. Breastfeed your baby.

It amps up your metabolism and makes for a more healthy baby. A win-win situation for mom and baby!

2. Realize that it took you 9 months to gain the weight so don't expect it to drop off over night.

Be patient and incorporate the right steps and the pregnancy fat will come off. It's a fact that fit mothers have more energy, have lower rates of postpartum depression, and enjoy the experience of motherhood more than unfit moms.

3. Drink a lot of water.

Drinking at least 64 ounces a day will increase metabolism, give you more energy, and you'll have great looking skin too. And just think, you'll get a ton of exercise walking back and forth to the bathroom!

4. Eat a protein rich, high fiber diet.

Your body uses twice the energy to digest protein, which means it burns twice as many calories just by eating delicious foods like lean chicken, fish, and legumes. Fiber helps the body digest food better, keeping nutrients in and getting rid of the waste.

5. Develop a positive body-image.

Research published by the Columbia School of Public Health reported that women with a poor body-image were more unlikely to lose pregnancy fat and higher rates of depression. The study also showed that the children of these women also suffered from poor body-image even at a young age.

Combine these easy activities with a few walks throughout the week with your baby and you'll see the pregnancy fat melt off.

fivefilters.org featured article: Normalising the crime of the century by John Pilger