Here are a few ideas to help you share your very special news with your loved one, friends or family.

1. Using props

• Balloons
  Let your husband come home to a bunch of pink and blue balloons in the lounge. Be creative with the message you place on the ribbon. You could leave it blank and wait for the message to sink in, or hang a sign congratulating him on being a daddy!
• Baby grows
  Buy a baby grow that says world’s best dad, or I love daddy. Wrap this up and present it to him after dinner. Enjoy the moment while he takes in what you have just told him
• Pink and blue sweets
  Using M&M’s, pick out the pink and blue sweets and place them in a jar. Let your husband know you have a new sweetie jar, and that he has to wait 9 months to be able to pinch sweets from it.
• Pregnancy test
  Wrap the test up and present it to your partner when he gets home from work.
  You could get creative, for example while he is working at home and needs a pen, hand him the test and wait. Or go up to him and say, I’m not sure how to read this”
• Favourite colour – pink or blue
  Using booties purchase a pink and a blue pair. Go up to your husband and ask him which colour he thinks you will need in a few months. Watch the grin grow!

2. Using Images

• Chalk board picture
  Get your best friend or someone who can keep a secret, take a picture of you holding a chalk board with your due date on in front of your tummy. Print the picture and frame it. Leave it on the mantel piece waiting for your husband to see it.
• Picture of your tummy
  Pose for a picture with a pair of blue and pink booties on your stomach. Print the picture and give to your husband.
• Image of the positive test
  Take a picture of the positive test and print it out. This can be hung on balloons, or framed or just handed over to your husband to enjoy.

3. Using words

• Cards
  If you are lucky enough that you find out you are pregnant at the same time father’s day is, buy a father’s day card and present it to your partner. Don’t forget to sign off with “I can’t wait to meet you daddy!”
• Books
  If your partner likes to read, wrap up the book My Boys Can Swim! The Official Guy’s Guide to Pregnancy and hand it to him as a gift

4. Using your kids

• T shirts (telling daddy or grandparents)
  If you already have kids let them share the news! Jaws will drop when your tot walks into your next family gathering sporting a tee that reads “I’m going to be a big sister/brother!”
• Signs made for daddy
  Have your child make a sign saying “I’m going to be a big brother”. Let your child hand it to dad when he is home, to take a look at the latest picture he drew at school.
• Tattle tale
  If you have a little tattle tale child, now is the only time to encourage it. Let you child run up to dad with the test in hand and spill the beans.

5. Going Viral

• You have mail
  Send an email out to family and friends sharing your news, you can attach a picture of you holding the chalkboard, or of a positive test and the latest ultrasound

What ever way you decide, have fun telling your partner and friends this exciting news!

If it is true that we are what we eat, then is it possible to improve your chances of conceiving by regulating what you put in your body?

“Absolutely,’ says Elienne Horwitz, a consulting dietician for FertilityCareSA.”Fertility and the chance of conceiving are significantly improved by achieving a healthy body weight and maintaining physical fitness.”

To begin with, being too thin or too fat may have a negative impact on your fertility. Fat is an essential component of body composition and helps promote ovulation. Fertility experts advise that one should eat healthy, exercise regularly, keep a health BMI.

So if it is all about nutrition, what should we be eating – and as important – what should we avoid?

1) Wholegrain, low GI, high fibre carbohydrates

Horwitz indicates there is enough research to show that the quantity and quality of dietary carbohydrates are important determinants of ovulation and fertility in healthy women. Choose wholegrain breads, crackers and cereals, brown rice, potatoes, wholewheat pasta, popcorn, fresh fruit, vegetables, and legumes (split peas, dried beans, lentils, chickpeas). These foods also keep you feeling full for a longer period of time, and therefore may help with weight loss. Remember, obesity affects fertility. Wholegrains have less of an effect on insulin production and therefore are important when it comes to managing insulin resistance and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) which also affect fertility.

2) Lean protein

Remove visible fat from meat and the skin of chicken, and limit eggs to no more than four per week. Decrease your intake of saturated fat by replacing a serving of meat each day with beans, peas, lentils, chickpeas, soybeans or tofu.

3) Dairy

Dairy is important for calcium and vitamin D3. There is not enough published research to conclude that full cream dairy products are better than low fat dairy when it comes to fertility. But there is an abundance of research showing that obesity is linked to infertility. So, choose low fat dairy products (e.g. cottage cheese) when possible, and avoid old/matured cheese or mould if also trying to manage weight.

4) Mono- and poly-unsaturated fats (watching portion sizes)

Examples are vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish (salmon, sardines, herring, trout, snoek, butterfish, mackerel, anchovies, and pilchards). According to the FDA, two servings of fish per week is recommended (1 serving = 150g). Certain fish are high in mercury and should be avoided: Shark, Swordfish, Marlin, King Mackerel, and Tilefish.

5) Supplement with folic acid and omega 3

If you are hoping to conceive, include an omega 3 fish oil (600-800mg per day) supplement in your diet, it is important for the development of the central nervous system (CNS) and a folic acid supplement is important to prevent neurotubular defects of the baby. Folic acid supplement of 400 µg per day is recommended, the requirement  increases to 600µg per day once you fall pregnant.

As always, there is bad news. Some foods to be wary of include:

1) Alcohol

Avoid alcohol to prevent foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) should you fall pregnant unexpectedly. Alcohol can also affect your hormone balance, decreasing your chances of conceiving.

2) Caffeine

Limit caffeine-containing drinks to 2 cups per day (this includes coffee, tea, diet coke). Caffeine has been linked to an increased risk of miscarriage.

3) Restrict simple sugars

Examples are products made with white flour, sweets and beverages with sugar, like regular cold drinks, flavoured water, cordials, and iced tea as these can have an effect on insulin resistance and weight.

4) Artificial Sweeteners

There is no published research that sweeteners are dangerous. However, it is advised to use them in moderation – 4 pills per day or 2 cans of diet cold drink per day. People with phenylkentonuria should avoid sweetener completely.

We all know smoking is dangerous, but it also causes high levels of cadmium, a toxic metal, in the blood, which depletes the body of zinc, an essential mineral needing when planning a baby. Ensure you get adequate sleep – seven to nine hours daily. Try to manage excess stress in your life – don’t be afraid to say ‘no’ once in a while. It is believed that the highly stressful lives we may contribute to infertility.

In essence, take care of your body, so that your body can take care of you and your baby.

For more information about IVF, egg donation and surrogacy please visit http://fertilitycaresa.com/

“Having been through several IVFs myself, I understand the frustration and disappointment associated with infertility”, said Mbali Lechler, Managing Director of FertilityCareSA.

After making the difficult decision to use an egg donor, it may seem almost impossible to choose one from the hundreds on offer. As daunting as the task may seem, Mbali offers a few pointers to keep in mind when searching for an egg donor.

Potential donors should be in their 20s or very early 30s, to ensure the healthiest donor eggs and women should also go through extensive evaluation prior to becoming a donor. Detailed personal information of all donors (for example height, weight, eye colour, hair colour, skin tone, medical history and family’s medical history, highest level of education, aspirations in life and hobbies) give potential recipients as much information as possible. However, egg donors and recipients in South Africa, by law, are to remain anonymous.

South African egg donors should also have a full gynaecological evaluation and psychological assessment by a clinical psychologist, as well as complete blood work. Additional tests may also be requested by the recipients. All tests are in line with international legislation and best-practice guidelines.

In some agencies the donor will be offered the opportunity to write a letter to her potential recipients. A photo of the donor when she was less than 12 years old will allow recipients to make an informed choice, but still ensuring anonymity.

For more information about egg donation, fertility and IVF treatment in South Africa or to speak to one of our fertility specialists, visit  www.fertilitycaresa.com.

For a woman, there are few things as soul-destroying as not being able to fall pregnant. After all, women are bombarded with images of motherhood on a daily basis – whether on television commercials, in movie scenes or during trips to the grocery store, reminders that women are meant to conceive and deliver healthy, happy babies come at us from every corner.

The internet should never be used as a diagnostic tool, but merely as a guide – so if you have been battling to conceive for some time now and suspect that there may be a problem, your first port of call is your nearest fertility clinic. Your inability to fall pregnant could be caused by an underlying medical condition that can affect your quality of life in other ways, so make an appointment as soon as possible. At this appointment, it is likely that your doctor will do a comprehensive set of diagnostic checks as well as a full blood workup, which will hopefully pinpoint the problem.

In the interim, read through our list of 16 common (and not so common) reasons for infertility:

1. Low sperm count

We’ll start with it possibly being his fault!

Some men have lower sperm-counts than others, and it’s possible that your partner may be the obstacle to your falling pregnant. Have him checked out – and meanwhile, ask him to ditch tight-fitting pants and briefs for loose ones, as this can sometimes be the cause of the problem.

2. Age

Whether we like it or not, time marches on… and it’s a fact that women’s fertility starts to nosedive after the age of 30. Men also experience plummeting fertility with advancing age, though this decline starts a little later than for their Missus.

3. Sex mistakes

You may be battling to falling pregnant simply because you’re not having enough intercourse, you’re having too much of it, or because you may be having sex at the wrong times in your cycle. Tracking your ovulation and menstrual cycle and aiming for focused action during your most fertile period may help.

An ovulation predictor kit is the best way to pinpoint your most fertile time of the month.

4. Stress

Everyone knows that stress can affect us in all spheres of our life, and conception of a child is one area where this holds very true. Women who experience high stress levels will find it very difficult to fall pregnant, so keep an eye on this.

5. Medicines & DRUGS

Studies show that several medications can affect fertility in both men and women. These include recreational drugs, steroids, antidepressants and some prescription medication. Even more reason to say no to drugs.

6. Bad Habits

Nobody is an angel, but your bad habits may be preventing you from having that bundle of joy that you’re so desperate for. Cigarettes, alcohol, caffeine, lack of exercise and poor sleeping patterns have all shown to affect fertility, so now would be a good time to clean up your act.

7. Unhealthy Weight

Your body needs to be in optimum condition in order to conceive. If you are significantly overweight or underweight, your system is just not primed to enter into a pregnancy. Visit a dietician and a personal trainer to get you on the right track towards your goal weight.

8. Poor diet

Input equals output, and your body requires the correct fuel to be at its best. Make sure that you are eating enough fibre, protein, complex carbohydrates and good fats. And take a multi-vitamin and mineral complex for good measure.

9. Early menopause

One of the most common reasons that older women battle to conceive, early menopause is common amongst heavy smokers and those undergoing chemotherapy. You may need to have your hormone levels checked – talk to your gynaecologist about your options.

10. Tubal blockage

Often caused by tubal disease or tubal ligation, tubal blockage is a common cause of both infertility and tubal ectopic pregnancy. Speak to your doctor about tubal surgery as a possible remedy.

11. Hyperprolactinemia

Common in women who have had a child previously, hyperprolactinemia causes the production of the milk-producing hormone prolactin in women who are not breastfeeding. This disorder sometimes results in secondary infertility.

12. Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition that is characterised by the growth of endometrial cells on the ovaries, outer uterus or Fallopian tubes. Although benign, these cell implants can cause pain, discomfort and problems conceiving.

13. Thyroid problems

Often overlooked as a possible cause of infertility, hypothyroidism (under-active thyroid) or hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) have both shown to affect a woman’s ability to fall pregnant. Fortunately, this condition is easily treated, so with luck and the right medication, you could be on your way to Lamaze classes in no time.

14. LPD

Caused by any number of factors, Luteal Phase Defect occurs when the endometrial lining does not respond to the stimulation of progesterone, which in turn affects fertility. LPD is treated with the appropriate hormones, to which the patient generally responds relatively quickly.

15. Anovulation

Anovulation is the body’s failure to ovulate – thereby rendering conception impossible. This condition is influenced by various factors and is often temporary. Your fertility care provider will be able to confirm or exclude this as a possible reason for your inability to fall pregnant.

16. PCOS

Commonly under-diagnosed, polycystic ovarian syndrome affects around 5% of all women in the 20-40 age group. Characterised by cysts on the ovaries, this condition can cause many symptoms, one of which is difficulty conceiving. Once diagnosed, PCOS is treated with ovarian drilling, which punctures the cyst. Unfortunately, the chance of a healthy pregnancy is still less than 50% following the procedure. Should you suspect PCOS, speak to your doctor as soon as possible, as early detection is always key to successful treatment.

Before you start trying for a baby it’s a good idea to visit your gynae for a preconception check-up. It might be useful to know if you have any underlying medical problems that need to be under control before pregnancy. Besides, you probably have a million questions you want to ask. So pay your gynae a visit, find out everything you need to know and enjoy peace of mind before you start trying to conceive.

These are statistics on how long it takes to get pregnant after you go off the pill:

• 25% fall pregnant in the first month
• 60% fall pregnant within six months
• 75% fall pregnant within nine months
• 80% fall pregnant within 12 months
• 90% fall pregnant within 18 months

You should actively try to conceive for at least one year before seeing your gynae for advice related to fertility problems. Approximately 30% of infertility is caused by male factors, 30% by female factors, and the rest is either a combination or the cause hasn’t been found. If you are over 35, however, you should seek help after six months of actively trying, as a woman’s fertility decreases with age.

In order to fall pregnant it’s important that a woman gets to know her own fertility cycle very well. Once you are off the pill and your cycle is regular, you’ll be able to know exactly when you ovulate – which is when you are most likely to fall pregnant. According to Web MD symptoms of ovulation include a slight rise in body temperature, changes in cervical mucus – such as a thin, watery discharge – and a one-sided twinge of pain. If you are unsure and not experiencing any of these symptoms, however, you can always get hold of an ovulation kit from your nearest chemist, which will tell you exactly when you are ovulating. The first day of your menstrual period is day one of your cycle, and in an average 28-day cycle ovulation takes place around day 14. But every woman is different, so you need to read the signs and get used to your body and what it’s telling you.

There are many factors that can affect your fertility:

• Your health influences your fertility to a great deal. The healthier the both of you are, the greater the chances of conceiving.
• Your age also influences your fertility. It’s easier for women under 35 to fall pregnant.
• Lifestyle factors such as smoking, drinking alcohol and indulging in too much caffeine, as well as bad eating habits, can affect fertility in both you and your partner.
• Timing of having intercourse is also important. When you are ovulating your body is prepared to conceive and therefore your chances of falling pregnant are greater.

In order to boost your fertility, you should start taking prenatal vitamins when trying for a baby – folic acid in particular. You should also lead a healthy lifestyle and regular exercise is important, as it maintains your weight and helps reduce stress.

There are a few tips and even myths about sex when it comes to falling pregnant – such as your intercourse position. Although it makes sense that the missionary position is better, because it allows the sperm to enter the cervix easier in terms of gravity, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t fall pregnant using a different position.

Lying in bed with your feet in the air afterwards will not make a difference, however staying in bed for 10-15 minutes in order to allow the sperm that’s going to get into the cervix, get there, is a good idea.

Overdoing it, however, is not necessary. Sperm can live up to 72 hours after intercourse, which means every other day at the right time of the month is enough. Also, a man’s sperm count can deplete if he ejaculates too often. On the other hand, only having intercourse once a month on the day of your ovulation, is not good either. You might be under the impression that your man should “save up his sperm” for your fertile period, but this is a huge myth. By the time ovulation comes, his little men would be lethargic and slow. And you need happy, fresh sperm that can go the distance.

It’s a good idea for couples to think it will take a year to fall pregnant. In that way there’s less stress, and if you do fall pregnant earlier – it’s a great, welcome surprise! Don’t be impatient and have fun while you’re trying. Because most importantly; you should relax and enjoy this time of your life.

References:
www.webmd.com
www.buzzle.com
www.pregnancyquickstart.com
www.amazingpregnancy.com

There are a few theories about ensuring the sex of your baby. The most common one is based on the fact that the female sperm cell (the X chromosome) has a longer life span, while the male sperm cell (the Y chromosome) is a faster swimmer. This theory claims that if intercourse takes place before ovulation, approximately three days prior, you stand a good chance of conceiving a girl. If intercourse occurs at the time of ovulation, however, you stand a better chance of conceiving a boy. Although this theory has been used with success for many couples, please be warned that it is not fool-proof and it’s possible that this method will not work for everyone.

When it comes to folk wisdom there are numerous theories out there, however most are rather unreasonable. One theory says that certain foods you eat can determine your baby’s gender – claiming that if you eat red meat and salty foods you stand more of a chance to have a baby boy, while if you eat fish, veggies and sugars you stand more of a chance of having a baby girl. Another theory says boys are conceived on the odd days of the month, while girls are conceived on even days. One theory even claims that if a man initiates sex, you will have a boy. And if a woman initiates sex, you will have a girl. But of course none of these theories are supported by modern science, so it’s entirely up to you whether you choose to believe in them or not.

Even though you might have three boys and are dying for a girl to balance out your family, or you desperately want a baby brother for your daughter, at the end of the day it really doesn’t matter whether your baby is a girl or a boy as long as he or she is healthy. You should rather concentrate on having fun making a new life!

This ancient Chinese Birth Chart is an entertaining tool you can use to predict whether your baby will be a boy or a girl – based upon your age and the month of conception. Just remember that this chart is for entertainment only and does not guarantee to give accurate results:

A newborn baby girl has around 450 000 eggs stored in her ovaries. When she starts her period, usually between the ages of 11 and 14, one of these eggs will ripen each month. It’s common for teenagers and women in their forties to have longer, irregular cycles and often fewer periods. But if your cycle changes dramatically in your twenties and thirties, and your periods are heavy and long or if you bleed in between them, you should speak to your gynae about it – especially if you are trying to fall pregnant.

The menstrual cycle is described as the cyclical development and shedding of the endometrium – the lining of the uterus. In other words, the menstrual cycle is the series of changes a woman’s body goes through to prepare for a pregnancy. If you understand your cycle, you will be able to chart your fertility patterns, predict when you will ovulate and thereby increase your chances of falling pregnant.

A woman’s fertile period takes place 5-7 days before ovulation, the day of ovulation and the day thereafter. This is when you should have intercourse as you’re most likely to fall pregnant during this part of your menstrual cycle. After this period in time, the chances of conception decrease as an egg only has a life span of approximately 24 hours.

The menstrual cycle is divided into two parts: pre-ovulation and post-ovulation. Even though the length of the menstrual cycle can vary from woman to woman, it is an average of 28 days. Working with this average in mind, pre-ovulation begins on day 1 and marks the start of menstrual bleeding – lasting between 3 and 5 days. By day 7, the eggs in the ovaries will start to ripen as a result of hormonal changes. Between days 7 and 11, the lining of the uterus will begin to thicken. And after day 11, usually on day 14, the egg which is the most ripe will be released from the ovary and begin to travel down the fallopian tube toward the uterus.

Normally your cervix produces a thick, opaque mucus that sperm can’t penetrate. But just before ovulation oestrogen changes the mucus so that it becomes thin, clear and stretchy – allowing the sperm to swim through the cervix, into the uterus and up to the fallopian tubes where fertilisation may take place.

Post-ovulation is known as the Luteal phase and the start of this period is marked by a slight, measurable temperature increase. Following ovulation, the egg travels to the uterus via the fallopian tube. If conception occurs the egg is fertilised by a sperm and “implantation” occurs in the uterus. Should the egg not be fertilised within about 24 hours, however, it will expire and passed from the body at the start of the next menstrual period. The Luteal phase is usually the same length in all women, 14 days, while pre-ovulation varies in length.

Getting your timing right and achieving your goal of falling pregnant is just the start of a long and rewarding journey. You have months of pregnancy ahead of you as well as a lifetime of joy with your child!

References:
www.webmd.com
www.babycentre.co.uk

]]> http://www.pregnancyweekbyweek.co.za/2009/10/your-menstrual-cycle/feed/ 7 http://www.pregnancyweekbyweek.co.za/2009/10/pregnancy-signs-and-symptoms-how-do-i-know-if-i-am-pregnant/ http://www.pregnancyweekbyweek.co.za/2009/10/pregnancy-signs-and-symptoms-how-do-i-know-if-i-am-pregnant/#comments Thu, 01 Oct 2009 08:55:00 +0000 Editor http://www.pregnancyweekbyweek.co.za/?p=2299 Every day a large number of women worldwide ask themselves the following question: How do I know if I am pregnant? Although pregnancy symptoms vary in intensity, frequency and duration from woman to woman and from pregnancy to pregnancy, the earliest pregnancy signs are usually easy to recognise. Herewith a list of common symptoms that can indicate the fact that you are indeed expecting a baby.

1. Missed period
When your period is late the most logical conclusion you come to is the fact that you must be pregnant. You don’t have to be, however, as your period can be late for a number of other reasons – such as stress, illness, being overweight or underweight and changes in medication.

2. Morning sickness
Nausea and/or vomiting are pregnancy symptoms that are most common between weeks four and eight, however some women experience morning sickness throughout their whole pregnancy while some don’t experience it at all. Morning sickness – usually triggered by certain smells – can actually occur at any time of the day, and is generally caused by a rapid rise in oestrogen produced by the foetus and placenta.

3. Extreme tiredness and exhaustion
In your first pregnancy trimester your body is trying to get used to all the changes that are happening within, and will be working hard to adjust to these changes. This means that you’ll more likely than not feel very tired – more so than what you normally do. Also your foetus is taking necessary nutrients from you in order to grow, which means that your supply of important vitamins and minerals such as iron will decrease. Besides, your body is producing more progesterone – which is known to cause tiredness. You’ll also be emotional as hormones are playing havoc with your body, and this will no doubt wear you out as well.

4. Bloating and a higher body temperature
A bloated tummy can be an early pregnancy sign, and so can a higher body temperature. BBT, your basal body temperature, is the temperature of your body as you wake up and get out of bed in the morning. During ovulation your BTT normally increases, but during menstruation it decreases again. However when you have conceived your BTT continues to stay high after your period is late. This means that a high temperature could indeed indicate the fact that you are pregnant.

5. Tender and swollen breasts
Tender and swollen breasts is a common early pregnancy symptom for most women. As your breasts undergo changes to prepare for breastfeeding, they will be sore and extra sensitive. The same goes for your nipples, which sometimes also darken in colour.

6. Light bleeding and cramping
When a fertilised egg implants itself in the uterine lining, 10-14 days after conception, you might experience a light bleeding. And when your uterus begins to expand in order to make room for your growing baby, cramping similar to menstrual cramps often occur.

7. Lower back pain
When it comes to lower back pain, this is a common early pregnancy sign that can be caused by a number of reasons – such as weight gain, the fact that your posture gets thrown out of alignment, lack of sleep because you are uncomfortable and hormonal changes (i.e. joints and ligaments are loosening up to get your body ready for birth).

8. Frequent urination
For a pregnant woman running to the bathroom all the time is very common -especially in your first and last trimester – as your uterus is growing and puts pressure on your bladder. Also, pregnancy causes extra body fluids to be processed by your kidneys and bladder.

9. Headaches, dizziness and fainting
Increased hormone levels can cause intense headaches when you are pregnant, especially in your first trimester. And simple tasks such as climbing stairs and standing in line at the grocery store can make you feel light-headed or even make you faint. When you are pregnant your uterus swells and will compress arteries in your legs – which in turn can drop your blood pressure and make you dizzy. Also, if you don’t eat for a while you may feel very faint.

10. Mood swings and irritability
It’s completely normal to feel anxious about pregnancy and birth. It’s also normal to at the same time feel happiness and anticipation. Increased hormone levels in pregnant women can indeed cause severe mood swings, and feeling irritable is also very common. A patient, loving partner who can give you plenty of hugs is definitely what the doctor orders here!

11. Loss of appetite, food cravings and aversion to certain foods
Pregnancy hormones play a big role here, but there’s also some truth in the theory that you crave what your body needs and are repulsed by what’s not good for you; which explains why regular coffee and alcohol drinkers often go off it as soon as they are pregnant. Whatever your cravings are, try to not give into them too often unless they are healthy foods, and try to stay away from those foods that make you feel ill. And although you’re experiencing loss of appetite, remember that your baby needs nutrients – which means that you have to carry on eating whether you like it or not.

12. Just “that” feeling
A mother’s intuition is more often than not proven correct. So if you think you might be pregnant, especially when experiencing a few of the pregnancy symptoms explained above, you are more than likely right!

The symptoms of pregnancy can very often be mistaken for the onset of premenstrual symptoms, as some of the early symptoms mimic these quite closely. Also, signs varies from woman to woman and you can never really be 100% sure of what’s going on until you have taken a home pregnancy test (or two). So run to the pharmacy, grab a couple of tests and confirm that feeling once and for all… Good luck!

A home pregnancy test is approximately 99% accurate if used as instructed, and is generally performed by placing a few drops of urine on a test stick. This will then detect if the pregnancy hormone called hCG is present in the urine. This hormone is released by the placenta when a woman is pregnant, and accounts for the early symptoms of pregnancy.

The pregnancy hormone hCG can be detected as early as 10 days after conception, but it is advisable to wait until your period is about a week late before performing a pregnancy test – as this will help to avoid a false negative result.

In order to increase the accuracy of a home pregnancy test, the test should be performed when urinating for the first time in the morning – when the levels of hCG will be higher because the urine has been in your bladder for over four hours.

Remember to read the instructions thoroughly and have all the necessary equipment (a cup to collect the urine sample and a watch for timing the test) at the ready before performing the test.

A typical positive pregnancy test will reveal two lines, while a typical negative pregnancy test will reveal only one line. Sometimes you might want to do another test once the result of your first test is revealed – just to be on the safe side and perhaps to convince yourself of the fact that the result is indeed real.

If you obtain a positive result from a home pregnancy test, you may want to confirm the results with your doctor by having a blood test performed. A blood test, while being more expensive than a urine test, is more sensitive to hCG and can detect this hormone as early as a week after conception. A doctor will draw blood and send it to a laboratory for analysis, after which results can take up to a day to be delivered.

Once you have confirmed the fact that your are pregnant, it’s time to celebrate and share the news with your loved ones… Enjoy!

]]> http://www.pregnancyweekbyweek.co.za/2009/09/how-and-when-to-take-a-pregnancy-test/feed/ 4 http://www.pregnancyweekbyweek.co.za/2009/06/your-essential-pre-conception-planning-checklist/ http://www.pregnancyweekbyweek.co.za/2009/06/your-essential-pre-conception-planning-checklist/#comments Mon, 22 Jun 2009 08:03:33 +0000 admin http://www.pregnancyweekbyweek.co.za/?p=597 Positive lifestyle changes as long as six months before conception can be very beneficial to your pregnancy, which means that where possible pre-conception planning is a must. The first four to eight weeks is the most important time during pregnancy, as this is when the foetus’ organs are being formed. Don’t wait until you’re pregnant before you stop smoking, drinking and taking prescribed medicine, or start adding supplements to your diet. Having said that, life doesn’t always turn out the way we plan it! For many falling pregnant is not a planned event, but things miraculously turn out well anyway. If you are planning to fall pregnant, however, getting ready begins way before doing the wild monkey dance!

Stable relationship
It’s important for both partners to be happy with the decision. Do you both agree that now is a good time to try for a baby? Contrary to what many women believe, a baby cannot save a relationship – it can actually have quite the opposite effect. The most desirable condition will be for you to be happy together, stable and ready for change.

Medical check-up
Make an appointment with your gynaecologist for a medical check-up. Once he gives you the go-ahead, make sure you discuss all the do’s and don’ts with him. If you have diabetes, for example, your gynae should be made aware of the medication you’re taking. It’s also a good idea to ask whether you should get any vaccinations before your fall pregnant, as well as going for a dental check-up – as you’re not allowed to have serious dental treatments while pregnant.

Healthy eating habits
Healthy eating habits start way before you fall pregnant, so best you get used to dodging the chocolates and coffee and start reaching for the good stuff instead. Foods to avoid include refined products, caffeine, too much animal fat and salt. Beneficial foods include avocados, raw nuts and seeds, olives, sweet corn, raw fruit and veggies, potatoes, brown rice, grains etc. If you struggle to take in dairy foods, you can eat other foods high in calcium - such as spinach, broccoli and nuts. Good sources of iron are liver, red meat, hummus, lentils, pumpkin seeds, nuts and leafy veggies. Keep in mind, however, that this is not the time to punish your body by means of a diet or a low calorie intake. If you keep your baby’s health top priority, you will automatically make good food choices. It’s all about balance.

Supplements
Even if you’re making healthy food choices, you also need to supplement your diet with vitamins and minerals. Discuss your prenatal vitamin needs with your gynaecologist during your medical check-up. You should definitely take Folic Acid while trying to fall pregnant; also found in citrus, dark green veggies, beans and berries.

Exercise
If you’re already following a exercise routine, keep it up. If you’re more of a couch potato, swap the couch for the outdoors and start walking, cycling or swimming. Perhaps you find it easier to join a gym? Whatever your preference, it’s better to get active before you fall pregnant, as it will improve the quality of your pregnancy and result in an easier birth. Discuss pregnancy and exercise with your gynae during your medical check-up. Also keep in mind that stress can have an effect on your chances of falling pregnant as it’s known to cause infertility problems. A good exercise routine, such as a Pilates class at the end of every day, might just be what the doctor ordered. It will help you relieve stress and make you feel on top of the world.

Prepare your body for pregnancy
A great way of preparing your body for pregnancy is to rid it of all the bad stuff , such as stress, pollution, bad eating habits etc. If you are smoking and/or drinking, now is a good time to stop. Eat a lot of fruit and raw veggies, drink at least two litres of water a day and exercise regularly.

Last but not least, let’s take a look at a general pre-conception checklist.

• Weight: If you are very underweight or overweight it can cause birth defects.
• Smoking: Smoking is associated with low birth weight, premature births and sudden infant death syndrome.
• Alcohol: Researchers have not been able to determine a safe level of alcohol intake, therefore it’s better to avoid it altogether while trying to conceive, being pregnant and while breastfeeding.
• Prescribed medications: Discuss this with your gynae as some medications might have to be stopped or changed.
• Genes: Share your medical history with your gynae so that he can be prepared for any condition that might pipe up.

We can’t always choose our circumstances. Sometimes we just have to do the best with what we’ve got, and know that our best is more than enough. If you are in a position where it’s possible to plan your pregnancy, you are extremely fortunate as you can really give your child the best start in life. This is the time to take stock, make lifestyle changes and embrace the good life. Happy planning!