MicroSort is a method that requires separating the male sperm from the female. There are many doctors and fertility experts that actually state this is the most effective medical method out there. It is also most effective in combination with couples who decide on in vitro fertilization. MicroSort is licensed by the Genetics and IVF institute in Fairfax. The procedure lies in separating the X and Y-bearing sperm by using laser light. A machine is needed for this process, called cytometer. After the division of the sperm, the specimens are introduced in the body of the woman using artificial means, like in vitro fertilization.

MicroSort is bound to have a success rate of 91% for the couples wanting a baby girl and 73% rate for couples looking forward a baby boy. Moreover, there seem to be other medical techniques for choosing the sex of the baby. More controversial strategies have been developed, such as preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) and chorionic villus sampling (CVS). These methods are used more for detecting medical illnesses, but they can be used for distinguishing sex as well. In order to determine the sex of the baby, the PGD procedure is lead by examining an embryo taken from the uterus and replacing only the embryo with the sex the couple wants. CVS technique involves analyzing the chromosomes of the fetus during early pregnancy. Unfortunately, the reason why these methods are controversial is because some couples ended up with abortion, because baby that didn’t have the sex they wanted.

Neither PGD nor CVS are recommended by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine as a sex selecting method for couples. These medical procedures of selecting the baby’s sex have caused a debate in the medical society. Some doctors think it is a great way to balance families and to help couples have their desired baby, but some say things might get out of control. A recent report states that four out of 500 pregnancies with MicroSort procedure have been terminated just because of this reason. Some couples are struggling hard to have a baby and they wouldn’t mind the sex and it is not fair towards them to terminate pregnancies of couples who can have a baby at any time. Trying low tech methods are recommended, they are not invasive and there are 50% chances they will work. Medical methods should still be used just to help procreation and not putting an end to it.

Many women might be tempted to wait until they are pregnant in order to start an exercise program. This should not be the case. It is important to be in shape during the first days of the baby’s development. The mother’s health has a direct correlation with the baby’s start and as soon as you start, the better. More than that, if you get used to the routine, it will be a lot easier to stick with it while you are pregnant and after the pregnancy, when you will want to lose the extra pounds. In order to find the right sport or exercise program, you can choose to combine several and see which one is for you. If it is a bad day outside and you can’t go jogging, you will be able to go swimming at a pool or join a fitness center. Swimming is considered one of the best choices for women who plan on having a baby and even during pregnancy. This is because the sport is zero impact and it offers a very pleasant feeling. Once you are pregnant, the belly starts to grow, the breasts will get bigger, which will eventually cause back pains, hip pains and other difficulties in moving around. It is essential to strength some parts of the body before getting pregnant, as you will increase flexibility and face less pain later. Core training is advisable and it has a lot of benefits. It will assure a better balance and posture, very important for when you are carrying a baby.

On the other hand, it is important to know the limit. Training intensely is not recommended. You should not push yourself to the limit. Until the baby is born, all efforts should be put on hold. Exercising stresses the body at some point and anything in excess is known to cause problems, especially when you are trying to conceive. Instead, many fitness specialists recommend moderate exercising, such as swimming, hiking, walking and even working on the elliptical, but still under a normal rate. When you start exercising, you might be tempted to start losing weight more and more. But it is not the time. Your body needs to stay healthy and nutritious. This means you should continue eating regularly and healthy, not starving yourself. Cutting calories dramatically or eliminating certain foods should be done after consulting the doctor. There are some essential foods that need to be consumed, in order to allow the baby a healthy development when he is on his way. Cardio is known to have a lot of benefits for the body and you can consider 30 minutes a day, or even more, of cardiovascular exercises. It will keep you in better shape and the heart rate will be regular. When delivery is on its way, you need endurance, so you can consider the pregnancy as training for the big race. You will need a lot of energy and a good heart for the process. After the baby is born, you will go through some dramatic changes and cardio is known to help greatly.

But it is not only the woman who needs to train; the male partner should join as well. In order to have a good sperm, the man should be in good shape and health as well. You can start a fitness program together and you can encourage each other along the way. It is advisable to keep the daily exercising even after you conceive a baby. But as every woman responds differently to training, it is best to consult the doctor and have him/her approve the fitness program. No matter what, having a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby matters the most.

What is more, some exercises are known to promote fertility. Among them, yoga is without question the most practiced. Yoga is considered to be gentler and it also helps the body relax and lose stress. All negative emotions that inhibit fertility can be lost thanks to yoga. Another type of exercise that is known to help those who want to conceive is qigong. It refers actually to ancient Chinese exercises to help a person achieve the complete relaxed mode.

]]> https://boyorgirl.cc/2014/10/fitness-importance-when-trying-to-conceive/feed/ 0 https://boyorgirl.cc/2014/09/what-to-avoid-while-trying-to-get-pregnant/ https://boyorgirl.cc/2014/09/what-to-avoid-while-trying-to-get-pregnant/#comments Mon, 01 Sep 2014 18:48:22 +0000 https://boyorgirl.cc/?p=799 The decision of having a baby is big and it must be thought of in advance. More than that, a woman must make some changes in her life before getting pregnant. But the changes depend on each case, as some are already prepared. The things that need to be done in advance include changes in diet, in lifestyle, quitting some bad habits, incorporating some new types of food in a meal and more. But once you take things step by step, you will notice a significant improvement of how you feel and your body will be prepared for conceiving a baby. There is a thorough planning and preparing that must be considered and both partners should be prepared emotionally, physically and psychologically. In order to have a safe pregnancy and a healthy baby, some changes must be done.

From the time you decided to have a baby, you need to be more aware of what you eat and to control your weight. Underweight or overweight women face difficulties when it comes to having a baby. This is why it is important to have a normal BMI in order to keep track of ovulation and to succeed in getting pregnant. Everything you eat goes directly or indirectly to your baby and his/her development. There are certain foods that should definitely be avoided, as they can lead to complications with the baby and developing some problems in his/her growth. Food that usually contains soy and soybeans should be avoided. Estrogen is present in soybeans and it can lead to an imbalance of hormones, affecting the ovulation and the production of eggs. A few months before you are trying to have a baby, you should stop eating soybeans. Lunch meats and bologna are not indicated for women who are trying to conceive. Also, peanut butter, spinach interferes with the calcium level in the body, which is essential for the development of the baby. Fizzy drinks, soda and sugary drinks and foods need to be avoided as much as possible. These affect the sugar in blood and can imbalance the level of the reproductive hormones. Those who drink a lot of caffeine should know that is not healthy for this major decision. But if you really can’t stand without a morning coffee, do not exceed the limit. Not to mention more serious complications that drugs, alcohol and smoking cause. The father should also consider quitting smoking, as it can lead to infertility and thus, harder times to conceive a baby. Raw or uncooked meat, eggs and other aliments should be strictly avoided. Certain types of cheese, such as soft cheeses, need to be avoided. Raw fish, such as sushi should be avoided as much as possible. It will help prevent possible food poisoning that can be harmful to the fetus. Many doctors and specialists recommend avoiding foods that are made with white flour. Instead, you can substitute it with whole grains that will improve the digestive system. White flower foods make it difficult for the body to get rid of toxins and it can make the conception process harder.

One important aspect that all women and men should avoid when trying to conceive is stress. Stress can cause serious problems with fertility and those under pressure will have trouble at this aspect. Learning how to relax is the key. Medication is not indicated, so there are other methods through which one can learn to relax, meditation, breathing exercises, yoga, and certain sports and so on. Drinking alcohol is not beneficial in a healthy lifestyle, but it isn’t surely recommended when trying to conceive. In fact, both partners should avoid alcohol as much as possible. It affects the liver, which has the basic function of eliminating toxins and hormones. The sperm quality and quantity can be seriously affected.

Knowing what things to avoid while trying to get pregnant is essential, but it also matters greatly to know what type of foods to consume in order to assure the maximum health for the body. The body will go under some changes and this is why it is important to be prepared for what is coming on the way. In many situations, if the woman has some deficiencies of certain vitamins and minerals, the doctor will prescribe some supplements. Whether you are trying to get pregnant, you should consult your doctor and see exactly if you are prepared, what changes you should make and so on. There are also many restrictions when it comes to medication, as most of them should be avoided. More natural treatments can be used instead. During pregnancy as well, there are a lot of things to avoid and things to incorporate in one’s diet and life. The decision of having a baby is grand and it will affect both partners. A parent to be must always focus on the health of the baby and must do everything possible to have a healthy pregnancy and birth.

Many are asking when it is better to conceive. Couples who have sexual intercourse at least two or three times a week without using contraception, there are more than 8 in 10 chances to become pregnant in the first year. Timing sexual intercourse to be close to ovulation is considered by many beneficial and rather productive, but it is not always the case. Regular sex can prevent stress and pressure that occurs with timing ovulation and stress is known to affect fertility. In case you and your partner have been trying for over a year to have a baby and have not succeeded, then you should see a specialist. This is available especially in case of couples who are over their 35. It is known that having a healthy weight is very beneficial for the body, but it is also quite beneficial for the baby making as well. Having a normal weight increases the chances of ovulation. The BMI (body mass index) for the adult woman is among 19-25. In case your BMI is over 29, then you should start a weight loss program in order to improve your chances of getting pregnant. In the other case, if the BMI is under 19, you might face the situation of having irregular or no periods at all. This means that you are not ovulating regularly and thus, you have fewer chances to conceive a baby. This is why it is recommended to start a dietary plan that includes healthy foods and exercising. Speaking of which, deciding to exercise or to follow a sport is very indicated for women who are trying to get pregnant. It helps the muscles develop and stay strong and during the pregnancy, it will make it easier for the woman to carry the extra weight.

Every woman sets up a goal to eat healthier at some point, but they fail to succeed in most cases. But with such a strong reason (having a baby and a healthy one), they should be more determined to do it. By eating healthy, the body will have the needed dosage of vitamins and minerals. It is essential to include healthy foods, plenty of vegetables and fruits, whole grains, good fats, dairy products and more. Protein is needed, found in fish, meat, and starchy foods, including rice, potatoes, bread and pasta. Drinking a lot of fluids daily hydrates the body. But those who drink a lot of coffee should limit the intake of caffeine, especially energy drinks and fizzy drinks. Also, avoid eating foods that are high in sugar, salt and fat. There are certain types of foods that can increase the risk of developing bacteria inside the body, which ultimately affects the baby in a negative way. The Department of Health recommend women who are planning to get pregnant to avoid the following:

• Uncooked meat or ready-prepared meals
• Soft cheese, blue-veined cheese, such as Brie, Camembert and Roquefort
• Pates
• Raw seafood, such as oysters and large fish, like shark
• Unpasteurized cheese or milk
• Uncooked eggs or uncooked egg products, such as mayonnaise (the home-made one)

There are other foods that should be avoided due to certain substances found in them, which can cause complications and risks, such as the following:

• Large quantities of liver, supplements with plenty vitamin A (these can harm the baby)
• No more than two cans of tuna on a weekly basis, as they contain high levels of mercury
• Certain types of fish: swordfish, shark, fresh tuna, marlin, because of the high level of mercury that affects the baby’s nervous system.

Eating large quantity of peanuts while pregnant can increase the chances of your baby developing allergies. In most cases, women are advised by their doctors to take supplements with folic acid, 400 micrograms on a daily basis after they stop taking contraception, up until they are pregnant in 12 weeks. Folic acid can prevent the baby from developing serious complications to the brain and nerves. The Department of Health also advises women to take supplements with vitamin D.

If you are wondering when to get started, well, it depends on your condition and how much work you have ahead. You should allow yourself about 3 months to release the bad habits and build up on the new ones. If there is a significant weight that needs to be lost or gained, then you should give yourself more time. In case there are other disorders that come in discussion, such as eating disorder, diabetes and others, you should consult your dietician or therapist to help you overcome the obstacles. To help you with the “fight”, you can always join some clubs or groups with other future mothers to help you along the way. If your partner also needs to lose some weight or make some changes, like quit smoking, alcohol and so, then you can get a healthy program together and team up for the baby to come.

Furthermore, it might be hard to give up on junk food or sweets, but throwing them from the kitchen and around the house will help greatly. A healthy preconception diet should not include refined carbs, such as cake, white bread, cookies and so, no sugar snacks, no soda and no saturated fats like burgers, chips, fries and others. Losing all these unhealthy foods will help you track your ovulation, so you will know better when it is better to conceive. The rapid digestion of carbs, junk food, will increase the blood sugar, leading to insulin and a disruption of the balance of the reproductive organs required for reproduction. All we eat has a direct effect on our body and it can be regarded as a cycle.

Now that you know what is not good to eat, you can focus on the right things to eat. There are a lot of alternatives and a lot of easy to make, delicious and nutritious foods, so you should not worry about the lack of possibilities. First of all, calcium is very important for the mother’s bones. Eating dairy products is a must, such as cheese, milk, yogurt and more. Almond, juices, veggies and certain soy products are also rich in calcium. Having enough calcium in your bones will also make sure the baby will develop its bones healthy and normally, without future problems. Moreover, lean protein is a must. You can find it in chicken, in eggs, beef, fish (but not those types high in mercury) and seafood. Why is lean protein important? Scientists say that switching one animal protein for a plant protein can boost the baby-making process. But overdoing the protein is also not a good thing. It is a matter of keeping everything balanced. Iron is important, as within the menstrual cycle, there is much loss of iron and having disruption in cycles can make it harder for women to conceive. Iron can be found in collard, spinach and other leaf greens, in oatmeal, dried apricots. To keep the insulin levels normal and the reproductive hormones in balance, women need complex carbs, like whole grains, whole bread and whole rice. These also provide a healthy dose of folic acid, which is a supplement that many recommend taking during preparation for pregnancy. Fresh fruits and vegetables should never be out of a meal, especially those that are brightly coloured, like carrots, mangoes, sweet potatoes, berries, red peppers and more. These also produce antioxidants, essential for conceiving the baby. But your partner should also get a bite of them, as the sperm will swim faster to its target.

Not all fats are unhealthy, there are some essential for the body. Olive, nuts, seeds, canola, avocados are filled with healthy fats and you should choose to consume as many as possible. They increase fertility, especially fats that contain Omega 3 (walnuts, salmon and Omega 3 eggs).

The bodies should be prepared before pregnancy and this would be ideal. Women should assure they go through a proper diet, with the needed vitamins and proteins. The need for a good nutrition will be spotted in pregnancy and when it is time for breastfeeding. More than that, prenatal vitamins should be taken. Specialists recommend a dosage of 800-1000 mcg of folic acid per day in order to reduce the risk of neural tube defects that the baby can suffer. Supplements with folic acids should be taken prior to conceiving. This is because many women do not know they are pregnant, only after a few weeks, and by this time, the neural tube is already developed. In a woman’s life, pregnancy is one of the most demanding periods and it requires a proper nutrition. It is needed to support the rapid development and growth of the baby and to replace the nutritional reserves for the mother. For example, in case the mother to be does not have enough Calcium in her bones, the baby will take its needed dosage anyways and after pregnancy, the mother can face serious problems, such as osteoporosis.

Luckily, there is much information available for a healthy diet for the women who want to conceive. A diet that consists of rich foods and proper supplements can help guard the body against deficiencies during pregnancy and help the baby develop naturally, decreasing the risks of malformations and future diseases. To support the nutritional demands for the baby and the mother, more proteins, vitamins, calories and minerals are needed. Because of the high blood volume, iron needs to increase in the body. To decrease the risk of poor pregnancy conditions, the mothers should consult the health care provider and see if she needs any iron supplements. But iron is also found in healthy foods, such as fish, liver, spinach and others. Women also need extra protein to support the tissue of the foetus, maternal tissues and placenta.

For the proper function of the thyroid, iodine is needed. During the pregnancy, placenta will extract iodine from the mother and a deficiency can cause some serious problems to the foetus, such as mental retardation. On the same subject, low maternal zinc levels are often associated with low birth weight. Vitamin D and magnesium are needed for the growth of the baby. Vitamin D is needed for tooth enamel foundation and for bone ossification. Magnesium levels tend to decrease during pregnancy and luckily, oral magnesium supplements are also beneficial for treating leg cramps during pregnancy.

Staying healthy implies eating right. There are certain foods that should be consumed and certain foods that should be avoided. Foods containing high levels of vitamins, minerals, proteins and so, are needed more. After the first three months of pregnancy, the need of the body for certain nutrients increase. This refers to iron, vitamin C, calcium, folate and protein. The essential fatty acids are also needed for the healthy development of the baby. Supplements with Omega 3 (which is found especially in seafood) are recommended and Omega 6 as well. But before taking any extra vitamins and supplements, it is best to consult the doctor, as when pregnant, anything can affect the baby. It is indeed rather difficult to comply with all the requirements needed and maintain a healthy diet. But having a healthy baby is all that matters and unfortunately, nowadays we can never be too sure of what we are eating. This is why it is always important to set up a healthy diet in advance and to integrate fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish and others.

Staying healthy is often associated with having an active lifestyle, meaning exercising. Before pregnancy, it is suitable to prepare the body with certain fitness programs. Walking, swimming and even yoga or breathing exercises will do wonders for your body and for the baby. Strenuous exercises should be avoided, horse riding as well, scuba diving and skiing too. Anyone looking forward to having a baby should prepare themselves with some lifestyle changes. A planned pregnancy can be dreamy and as long as everything is followed correctly, there are fewer chances of complications and of something going wrong. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

• 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.

Incoming search terms:

• due date boy or girl

 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.

Incoming search terms:

• symptoms of baby boy during third trimester

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.