• either by adding 266 days to the date of conception,
• or by adding 280 days (exactly 40 weeks) to the first day of the last menstrual period (LMP).

However, unless the exact date of fertilization is known, counting from LMP is the common method of calculating the due date, and it is based on the assumption that fertilization in humans typically occurs 14 days from the onset of the LMP. It is also the method preferred by obstetricians. However, one needs to keep in mind the fact that this 280-day cycle works for the regular monthly cycles, that is to say, cycles that last for exactly 28 days, in which ovulation occurs “by the book” and therefore, the foetus is conceived on day 14 from the LMP.

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 The first trimester (week 1-week 12)

 During the first trimester the hormonal changes affect almost every organ system in the body and more often than not there are a number of symptoms clearly indicating the pregnancy. Thus, there will be no period, and women often experience extreme tiredness, tender, swollen breasts, an upset stomach with or without throwing up (morning sickness), nausea, mood swings, need to pass urine more often, headaches, weight gain or loss, etc. Fortunately, most of these discomforts will go away as the pregnancy progresses. On the other hand, some women might not feel any discomfort at all.

The second trimester (week 13-week 28)

Most women find the second trimester of pregnancy easier than the first, as symptoms like nausea and fatigue disappear. However, the body continues to change, as the abdomen expands, stretch marks appear on the abdomen, breasts, thighs or buttocks, and a dark line runs from the belly button to the pubic hairline. There may also appear dark spots on the face, cheeks, forehead, nose or upper lip (the so called “mask of pregnancy”). However, there is no serious discomfort.

The third trimester (week 29-week 40)

The body is now beyond recognition: the abdomen is huge, the belly button sticks out, and often the ankles, fingers and face are swollen. As the baby is getting bigger and putting more and more pressure on the organs, many women find breathing difficult and notice they have to go to the bathroom even more often. Shortness of breath, heartburn and insomnia are also common, and, of course, the kicks of the baby who is now almost ready to come out. As the due date approaches, the cervix becomes thinner and softer, preparing the birth canal to open during delivery. Contractions also appear, but they do not yet occur at regular intervals and vary in intensity.

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Moreover, it is best to see a doctor for this matter and to check exactly if losing weight is a good idea for having a baby. The doctor is a realistic person and can tell you exactly the health weight range to aim for and if needed, a nutritionist will help setting up strategies for weight loss in preconception. Overweight problems affect the health condition and lead to diabetes, so a check to see if you have diabetes type 2 will clear out any doubts. Women with high blood sugar levels can endanger their pregnancy and risk birth defects. It is best to keep blood sugar levels under control before trying to conceive. BMI stands for body mass index and women with a BMI of 30 or higher face a greater risk of developing gestational diabetes and other problems while pregnant. To cut the odds for complications, it is recommended to lose even 10% of the body weight before conceiving.

It is also known that a healthy diet is favorable for fertility. But quick loss diets are negative on health and fertility likewise. Don’t look on a diet as a punishment, but look for it as a step for having a healthy baby. Fruits, proteins, vegetables and whole grains should be in anyone’s diet. Also, a prenatal vitamin, such as folic acid, will increase to a better health condition. Fat is another factor that leads to changes in hormones each month when ovulating. Too much body fat upsets the balance of the hormones and disrupts the normal course of ovulation. Among fertility problems for plus-size women, two main causes are irregular ovulation and lack or ovulation.

In case months have passed and there is no result in getting pregnant, it is best to schedule a visit to the doctor. The doctor will require information about the period cycle, the weight gain or loss and the partner’s health condition as well. Additional information, such as cervical mucus or the chance sin the basal temperature, is of very much help in assessing the ovulation. For further evaluation, you might be needed to see fertility specialists, in order to run tests and see if you or your partner has any fertility problems. Blood tests are required to check he hormone levels and an ultrasound scan evaluates the reproductive organs. To bring hormones back in balance, it is recommended to lose over 5%-10% of the total body weight. Medication might be needed as well and one of the most common fertility drugs is Clomid, which leads to releasing eggs and increase ovulation.

Possible pregnancy symptoms

One of the first symptoms of pregnancy is a missed period. This is a symptom that defines the first trimester of pregnancy but not all women can benefit from its input, especially if they are used to not having regular menstrual cycles. In other cases the usual menstrual cycle is confused with the so-called implantation bleeding that is caused by the attachment of the fertilized egg to the maternal uterine wall. This bleeding is confusing because it usually occurs around the same time when the future mother expects her monthly period. However, this implantation bleeding is different from the regular monthly period because it lasts fewer days and is less heavy. What needs to also be kept in mind is that modern medicine has proven that a missed period can occur because of a wider variety of reasons and not just pregnancy. That’s why this symptom can not assure a woman that she is pregnant.

If this first symptom is present any woman should continue with noticing possible changes in the appearance and behavior of her body. The list of possible appearance changes includes the different coloring of the nipples and the darkening of the skin that is also known as melasma. The first of the two symptoms mentioned involves the darkening of the area around the nipple (known as the areola) and can be accompanied in some cases by a dark line that units the central abdomen and the pubic area. In medical terms this line is said to be the linea nigra. In most cases this dark line disappears after giving birth although the color change of the areola can persist. The second appearance change mentioned that can be associated with pregnancy is a condition known as melasma or chloasma and involves the darkening of certain skin areas on the face. The likelihood of this symptom being present is higher among darker-skinned women, so only a certain percentage of pregnant woman are at risk of developing this pregnancy symptom.

Another possible pregnancy symptom is considered to be the increased frequency of headaches. These headaches tend to mark the early stages of pregnancy because they represent the body’s reaction to the hormonal changes that occur. Also a normal reaction of a pregnant woman’s body is considered nausea associated with vomiting. This is yet another pregnancy symptom that has been documented to affect especially the first trimester of a pregnancy, but it’s not typical for all women. Also possible pregnancy symptom is considered to be frequent urination.

The increase in cervical fluid is one of the specific signs, because the body increases the amount of cervical fluid. Women can notice that when they are more moist towards the middle of their cycle. Women also state they are more sexually attractive and attracted to their partner in that time as well. Moreover, the cervix moves forward at ovulation and it is possible to determine the position on your own. Just wash your hands and stick a finger inside your vagina and feel the cervix. When you are not fertile, the cervix is not open and hard. But the cervix is easier to reach at ovulation; it is softer and slightly open. Moreover, a representative pain appears and some women notice it, some don’t. It is called Mittelschmerz or middle pain. It arises from the ovary just before the ovulation or during it.

Tracking the basal body temperature can be a very good sign as well. While you track it, you will be able to see that temperatures shift downwards and then suddenly they increase. This indicates the ovulation and it requires you taking the temperature on a daily basis. There are test kits that can be bought in order to determine the LH amount in the urine. Ovulation prediction kits are available for purchase and they will make it easier to find out the perfect timing. In order to keep track of the menstrual cycle, a calendar is needed. It is more accurate than traditional rules and it states those two weeks before and two weeks after a period, a woman will likely be ovulating. One of the most important factors is the cycle length. Approximately, for an average woman, the cycle length is 28 days. Mark a date on the calendar on the day you experience the first menstrual bleeding. Continue along the month by marking each day and make another note when the first day of the next period begins. The number of days in between the cycles is the length of it.

As you are aware of the cycle period, you can estimate that you will be at ovulation within a few days, usually, women will ovulate about two weeks prior when the period begins. This is only estimation, but marks the calendar when you suspect the two weeks will be.

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The woman’s egg lives for about 12 hours after it is released and the man’s sperm lives inside the woman’s reproductive track for up to 5 days. Basically, the egg can be fertilized in those 12 hours. To add more, fresh sperm is not able to fertilize the egg, as it takes a period of time, known as capacitation, to occur. Once it is inside the woman’s reproductive system, the sperm goes through some changes and becomes more mobile and able to penetrate the egg. The capacitation process can take up to 10 hours. The five days before the ovulation are very important. Mature sperm, the one that has already gone through capacitation process, ready for the egg to be released is the key to getting pregnant.

The day of ovulation is essential, but it is not the best day to have a baby. It is important to know when a woman is ovulating and try to have intercourse close to that period. There are studies and researches that show that the day of ovulation is not the key to getting pregnant. In fact, the day after the ovulation is better and has increased chances of conceiving. The explanation is due to the ejaculated sperm, which is mature and had enough time to reach the egg. Two days before the ovulation is also considered to be more likely than one day before ovulation, to get pregnant. It will give the couples the highest chances of conceiving.

Getting pregnant takes more than just knowing the dates when couples should have sex. The ovulating and its calculation can be tricky. There are several methods of predicting ovulation and not all of them are precise. If the fertile window is miscalculated, then the entire time frame can be missed. Researchers have also found that the most important factor is what happens with the cervical mucus on the day people have sex is important, and not the day people have sex. The cervical mucus acts as a transportation method, as it helps the sperm go through the vaginal environment. The sperm is able to glide through the vagina, as the mucus is slippery and lubricate. More than that, it has important nutrients that help the sperm survive. It increases its mobility, allowing it to reach the egg faster and easily. Timing when there is fertile cervical mucus is also very important in the process of getting pregnant. Women having intercourse on the day they notice cervical mucus, have more chances to conceive.

Furthermore, there are some fertility signs that women should pay a lot of attention to. When they are ovulating, many women experience lower abdominal pain. These pains act as an indicator to when women are ovulating and it occurs monthly. Another way to monitor ovulation is to check the temperature every morning, before getting out of bed. The chances of getting pregnant are high when the temperatures start going up. This tells when the body is ovulating. Some women find it very easy to get pregnant and they end up having a baby without any effort. But some women find it very hard and they do have to pay attention to every detail and to know exactly the right time to conceive. There are some other tips and tricks that can help increase fertility. A very important aspect is to stay healthy. Taking prenatal vitamins can be indicated, avoiding alcohol and tobacco and maintaining a healthy lifestyle and a normal body weight. Having a relaxed and calm peace of mind helps a lot for both partners. Being always stressed out can reduce the chances of getting pregnant. It can reduce fertility. The love between each other should be placed on the first place, as it will increase the chances of getting pregnant.

There are many online due date calculators that can estimate the time when a woman if ovulating. The calculator is based on the last period and on the duration of the cycle. The calculator will add 40 weeks to the predicted first date of the last menstrual period. There are many such calculators that say to help women get pregnant. The pregnancy due date calculator calculates the exact date the baby will be on his way and more aspects as well, such as the glucose screen and more.

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Factors affecting couples to get pregnant

Ovulation is one of the key factors, because with no ovulation or with irregular ovulation, women cannot conceive. The older the woman is, the lower are the chances of getting pregnant. Bad quality eggs and old age make it difficult to have a baby. But men face difficulties as well, especially when it comes to sperm count. The less sperm available, the longer it takes to get pregnant. Blocked fallopian tubes will make it difficult to get pregnant and this will eventually lead to medical procedures and treatments. The timing in which you make love must be every week, 2-3 times, especially in the fertile days and the day of ovulation, when making sex even more often can lead to getting pregnant.

If the factors above apply and there are no abnormalities, then the chance of conceiving a baby in the ovulation cycle is about 25%-30%. Chances can even be zero when any of the factors presented is abnormal. Around 50% of the couples succeed in having a baby within the four months of trying and about 75% of the couples will conceive within the first eight months. The cycle falls after the age of 30. In case a year passes and there is no success, consider talking to a doctor to see the chances available. In the first step, medication will be offered and then you will be presented with other procedures, such as in vitro insemination.

Is it possible to get pregnant faster?

There are a few techniques that couples can follow in order to speed the process. The first thing to be done is to consider when you are at ovulation. Only in this period of time you can get pregnant, as one egg is released from the ovary. There are studies that show that making love when ovulating will help getting pregnant faster, better yet, from two to three days before ovulation and in that specific day of course. Health condition pays a great role within fertility and. Overweight and underweight can cause difficulties in getting pregnant and there are a number of medical conditions and diseases that can lead to difficulties as well.

On the other hand, men can remain fertile for a longer period of time. Even so, men fertility does decrease within age, but it happens gradually. But the decline of fertility in men can affect the health of the baby. Doctors always announced women their biological clock is ticking and if they want to get pregnant, they should hurry up and do it. Recent studies show that men also have a biological clock and it is ticking as well.  The biological clock in case of women implies a decline of oestrogen and increased chances of genetic abnormalities. But this is exactly what happens to men as well. As men get older, there is also a decline in testosterone.  This was not appreciated in the past. Back then, when the subject of biological clock came on, it referred to diseases that caused the baby to have health problems and to die at early age. Within the last four or five years, studies showed that children can be affected by various syndromes with an older father, such as Down syndrome, autism disorders and more.

Men under 25 years old have higher chances of having children born healthy. But once the age 40 is reached, the chances of autism disorders in children are increased. There is a direct increase of disorder appearances associated with age. As men are older, the offspring have higher risks of schizophrenia. When both men and women are over their 35, complications and problems start to appear. For instance, if the woman is under 35 and the baby has Down syndrome, it does not matter how old the father is. But if the woman is over 35, the age effect is more dramatic from the father. People consider that as long as men can produce sperm, it means they are still fertile. In theory, men can have children at any age, as long as they still have sperm. But fertility does decline, as the sperm quality decreases as the male gets older. After the age of 30, it is known that men start facing a drop in testosterone of 1% per year. In order to make good quality sperm, testosterone is needed and it symbolizes energy. This means it will take much longer for a man to help conceive a baby.

Age has a direct impact on a woman’s reproductive system. A woman has a limited number of eggs and as the woman advances in age, there are fewer eggs available. Age does have impact on the sperm as well. Cells in the body deteriorate as men and women get older. Sperm cells keep regenerating themselves, as opposite to eggs. But genetic mutation occurs due to the constant turnover of sperm cells. The higher chances of a disorder to happen are at older age, when the sperm cells continue to divide. The male clock starts ticking after the age of 30, when there is a decline in man’s health. This happens when discussing about hormones. It starts at that age, but it does not happen at once, but gradually. If both partners are over 35, genetic testing is needed and there should be awareness between them. Men can be in control of the situation and decrease the possibility of having genetic and abnormal sperm. This implies no smoking, a better lifestyle, taking care of any infections that might appear in the way and more. A healthy lifestyle is known to help lower fertility and to improve the age factors that lead to it.  Just as it happens in women’s case, obesity does affect men as well. There is a direct correlation between the testosterone level and the waist size. On the other hand, being too thin is also unhealthy. The indicated B.M.I. should be between 20 and 25.

The biggest problem is that couples wait too long to have children and they postpone the event. Young couples need to be aware of this information and should know the causes and the consequences of having children at an older age. It is best to have children earlier than later. It is healthy for the parents, but for the children as well. In time complications can appear and many will end up needing surgical interventions and medication.

Men and women are affected by age when it comes to fertility.

As men and women age, the reproductive organ functions will slow down and the possibility to conceive is lower. There are significant effects that can be observed when it comes to both genders. When it comes to women, they are all born with the amount of eggs that will be released for the duration of their lifetime and they are not able to produce any more eggs. Thus, age is considered an important cause and it affects infertility. As they advance in life, women will have fewer years left to have a baby. About 12 months are needed to suspect a couple of infertility. The hormonal imbalances can cause miscarriage and there are many situations in which women in older ages have experienced such risks. The reproductive organs slow down with age, lowering the chances in getting pregnant. The most viable eggs are released by women in early ages and the less viable eggs can have DNA problems. It is also known that many women in their older age have problems when they are pregnant and they often meet complications.

Infertility is a serious problem that can be handled in various ways by couples, but in many conditions, it can lead to relationship failures. There are certain medical treatments that can improve the condition and there are infertility solutions, like medication, surgery or even a combination of both. After reaching the age of 30, fertility tends to drop dramatically. But the age does not influence just women, as men are also dealing with certain situations. Fertility affects both men and women, but at different ages. For many years, people have assumed that male fertility remains the same from the adolescent period to old age, but it is not the case, as the biological clock is also ticking for the men as well.

Men in their 70’ and 80’ are still able to conceive, but it will take several years until they succeed, compared to months long that younger men are able to. At older age, the sperm’s mobility and shape changes and tends to decline. There are many studies that reveal the fact that the probability of a couple trying to conceive within a month is 8% when the men is under 25 and when the male is over 35, the percentage will rise to 15%. Also, women who have partners with 5 years older than them, have lower chances to have a baby within a year. This is compared to women who have partners of the same age as them.

Unfortunately, the affect of age is not only visible in the sperm’s mobility and available eggs for the woman, but it can also affect the health of the baby. Children face higher risks of genetic abnormalities and health problems when their biological father is at an old age. The reason behind this is because the sperm produced by older men has suffered DNA mutations and it is also unhealthy and damages. Men aged 36-57 years old face higher possibilities of producing damaged sperm compared to younger men of 20-35 years old. Not to mention that semen quantity decreases after the age of 55.

The fact is that age does influence fertility and older men can be frustrated with this aspect.

However, there are certain things that a man can do in order to stay healthy and to increase fertility and potency. Of course, keeping a healthy diet is essential. The size of the waste is associated to the testosterone level. Fats increase the level of testosterone, so men should avoid eating fatty food that can produce fat and increase weight. By keeping a healthy diet, the risks of facing heart diseases can be lowered down. Medication can also affect male fertility, such as steroids and nitrofurantoin. Medical check-ups should be done on a regular basis, since causes of infertility can be suggested by inflamed veins in the scrotum.

There is nothing wrong in setting down at an older age and trying to have children.

Even if male fertility can be affected as men age, many studies show that fertility can be retained to older ages, up to 94 years actually.

There are of course some risks, but keeping a healthy lifestyle can beat the biological clock. This applies in both cases, for men and women. There are many studies on the subject of male fertility, since it is a known fact that women meet complications if desiring to have children at an older age. Both men and women should be in peace with their biological clocks and they should consider having a baby in time. Such things must be planned in advance. Having a healthy baby is the most important thing and since age affects this as well, besides fertility, many future parents should be aware.

First of all, you can evaluate yourself and see exactly in which stage of your life you are, what are your future expectations and desires, is parenting one of them? Do you enjoy spending a lot of time around children? Do you enjoy it greatly or not? Of course, having your own children is different than taking care of others, but it still gives you a view towards your attitude and your life. Parenting brings a lot of rewards and a lot of fun moments, but it is more than that. There are also situations that will make you angry, tired, and anxious and you have to be prepared for them as well. You can’t choose to be a parent for the best years or for the best days only. Are you the type of person who can commit to something on long term? And when it comes to a child, it is a lifetime commitment. There will also be many stressful situations; do you cope well with stress? The level of stress you can cope with can affect your children and your ability to keep calm and be a good parent. If you know you can’t handle it right, it would be a good time to learn some new coping techniques and do something about it.

What kind of hopes and expectations do you have from a child?

Are you ready to be disappointed? A child might not be exactly what you dreamed about and as we all make mistakes; he/she will make their own. Think about your parents and what did you learn from them, what you think you can do different and what techniques you will change in the future. Some of the lessons you learned are positive and some negative, but you need to learn from them to see exactly where you are.

There are many differences between you and your partner and you need to know how you can both cope with them and how you will react in certain situations. You can manage some role play and set up some situations and see exactly what do you assume it would happen. It can be a fun game and it can be a great opportunity to see yourself and your partner in the role of parents. How do you think you would discipline your children? Check with your partner and evaluate your thoughts. If you talk about issues now, you will know what to expect in the future and it will give you a chance to talk about boundaries and where you want them to be established.

Think of the life you have now. Are you 100% content with it?  Do you think something is missing? If you know people who do not have children, talk with them and see how they feel about their decision. If they regret it or if they are happy with the choice they made. Of course, you should not base your decision of what they say, but hearing some opinions about parenthood choices can raise some new ideas that you can consider. When you have a child, it is important to see if you have people you can count on. There will be situations in which you will need some help, especially if both parents can’t stay at home carrying for the child. It would be great to have family members and friends who are able to help you with parenting once in a while. In present, you might have a lot of spare time, but when you become a parent, that free time will go away. Are you ready for it? There can be situations in which you will not be able to do the things you like and decide to leave town out of the bloom for a weekend off. Children should be the number one priority, so are you up for it?

Your life will go through some major changes, changes that will affect your energy, your time, your body even, and your desires and so on. Take a while and consider this and evaluate your options. There are many parents who did not get the chance to evaluate such considerations, but in case you do have it, don’t waste it and have a reality check to see the level of preparation you and your partner have.