How To Improve the Chances of Pregnancy

For some people, pregnancy seems to come extremely easily – but for others it can be quite some time before they manage to conceive. Assuming you fall under that latter category, it is important that you do everything you can to improve your chances. The good news is that there are a lot of steps that you can take which will help tremendously.

Tracking Fertile Days

The most important aspect of increasing your chances of pregnancy is to ensure that your intercourse is focused on the days when you are most fertile. Generally speaking, this means that the day of ovulation, and two days prior to that are the days that you should be focused on.

Unfortunately for many people identifying these fertile days is a bit difficult. If you were to ask around on social networks for mothers such as https://moms.com/ - you’ll begin to realize that fertility cycles tend to differ from woman to woman as well as cycle to cycle. As such, the typical ovulation calculators that you would find are not wholly effective.

If you want to be certain that you’re tracking your most fertile days correctly, you need to chart your own fertility signs. Among the signs that you’re going to want to track include your cervical fluid and basal body temperature. Other signs that are also important include observing changes to the cervix, OPKs, and so on.

It is for this reason that you might consider using an app like the Fertility Friend app. Not only will it help you to chart your signs so that you can positively identify your most fertile days, but it will also provide other tips, such as these 2 great tips on ways to get pregnant app.

Make no mistake, trying to get pregnant can often be a difficult and stressful period for both you and your partner. However it is important that you try to alleviate that stress as much as possible, because it will hinder rather than help your chances. Be sure that your attempts to get pregnant don’t become a chore, but rather try to remain positive while attempting everything that you can.

Should you have any real difficulties over a prolonged period, it may be helpful to consult an expert in fertility and have both you and your partner tested. From there, you can move on to other methods of inducing pregnancy – if required.

What to Due? Preparing for Baby #2 Giveaway!

Welcome to the What to Due? Preparing for Baby #2 Giveaway!

Hosted by Spit Up is the New Black

I've teamed up with Ashley over at Spit Up is the New Black to celebrate the welcoming of baby #2! She's hand selected products for, and in preparation of, a second child, and has partnered with over a dozen amazing companies to offer one lucky reader over $1,700 worth of baby essentials!

#DueWithBaby2 Prize Suite:

• Sarah Wells “Maddy” Breast Pump Bag
• Britax B-Agile
• Britax B-Safe
• $100 Gymboree Gift Card
• Naturepedic Organic Cotton Ultra 252 Seamless crib mattress
• guzzie+Guss G+G 401 Rock
• Boppy Custom Fit Total Body Pillow
• Tiny Love Discover the World Mat
• California Baby Calming Newborn Tote
• aden + anais classic crib sheet
• aden + anais mela bamboo swaddles
• Tommee Tippee 360° sealer™ Diaper Disposal System
• Tommee Tippee 3-Pack Closer to Nature Bottle 5oz
• Freshly Picked mocs
• Little Treetops My Mom is Blogging This onesie
• Undercover Mama Slim Mama
• Pink Lining Mum on the Run bag
• The NüRoo Pocket
• Bebé PODPants
• I See Me! personalized big sibling book
• Philips AVENT Breast milk storage bags

ONE lucky winner will win ALL of the items listed above! 

To enter to win this suite of prizes, please use the entry form below. 

Open to residents of the contiguous US states, ages 18+. 

Giveaway closes 7/31/14 at 11:59PM ET. Good luck!

Entry-Form

This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook or Twitter. Prizes to be fulfilled by Britax, Sarah Wells, Gymboree, Naturepedic, guzzie+Guss, Philips AVENT, Boppy, Tiny Love, California Baby, aden + anais, Tommee Tippee, Freshly Picked, Little Treetops, Undercover Mama, Pink Lining, NuRoo, Bebe PODPants, and I See Me. Color and/or style of prizes may vary. Prizes will be shipped separately. Neither Spit Up is the New Black nor any blog in which this giveaway is posted is held liable for lack of prize fulfillment. Open to residents of the 48 contiguous United States, ages 18+.

Placenta - Will You Ingest It For Health Reasons?

I have been hearing tales about how some mothers would ingest their "cooked" or dried and encapsulated placentas to keep postpartum depression at bay. I have seen handmade soaps infused with placenta and I dare not ask if the placenta used is of human or animal. My stomach turns just by thinking about it.

I may be one of those with the faint heart and stomach. I think I cannot eat my own placenta inspite of the health benefits a lot of people claim about it. My personal opinion about placentophagia or the practice of eating the placenta is leaning towards the Hannibal Lector kind. So pardon me. I don't wish to offend those who have found this practice really helpful and beneficial health-wise.

Here are some health benefits of ingesting placenta which I scoured in the internet:

It replenishes nutrients lost during pregnancy because placenta has a high content of vitamins such as B6.

It curbs postpartum depression.

It aids in the production of milk.

Well, the health benefits are quite few but a lot of young mothers these days are trying this placentophagia. People justify this practice to be helpful to women who have given birth since other mammals do it too. 

No matter what Science or Medicine or other experts say about this practice, I don't think I can ingest mine. So, how about you?   

Pregnant at 38

Not me! That is for sure. One of my close friends is about to give birth any day now. The whole gang was surprised to hear of the very good news last year when she told us she was "anticipating." Some of my close pals have tried desperately to have another baby added in their brood but none has been successful but her. And we are all happy for her! Imagine, her eldest is already 16 and now she is to give birth 16 years later. We all cross our fingers that the baby will be a girl this time so she has the complete package.

I am thinking of giving her something special because I don't think she has baby stuff left. Aside from that, she also lives in France and I don't think she has taken her belongings there. An ergo baby carrier is on the top of my list and few baby clothes too. I haven't really decided yet because there are so many options. All these baby products in the market are just so adorable.

My Friend is Pregnant!

News flash! This should be in front page! I am so happy because one of my best friend is pregnant. Her first child was born many years ago and now she is going to have another baby. All of us in her circle of friends are really hoping it is a baby girl this time. She really wanted to have a little "princess" at home.

Her circle of friends are very quick to remind her to take her prenatal-vitamins, have a good rest, do not over-tire herself, eat vegetables and fruits and take everything easy in terms of her activities. She is already in her late 30's and may experience different symptoms now as compared to her first pregnancy. It has been a long time so she may find her second pregnancy a challenge. So, we are all supporting her and make sure she is healthy and fit to go through this second pregnancy without or at least, very minimal complication.

Pregnancy Around

My friend gave birth last November to a healthy baby boy. She was one of those baby boomers last year. Lately, she has been showing signs of "another" pregnancy. I have not seen her take any prenatal vitamins yet or at least not when I am around. We are just a little concerned because she is sickly lately and slightly anemic. I just cannot help but wonder if she is pregnant again. Her friends think she should give herself enough time to recover. My OB-Gyne once told me not to get pregnant right away because our bodies need some time to recover.

Health Nut - Prenatal Vitamins

Pregnancy is one of the most elating feeling a woman can experience in her lifetime. I enjoyed being pregnant. I love the subtle changes happening to my body while going through the various stages of pregnancy.

Being pregnant does not entail just eating the right food which will give the proper nutrients a growing baby and mother need. A pregnant mother must also compliment her diet with prenatal vitamins so that she does not miss out on the important folic acid, calcium, iron and other important vitamins and minerals she and the baby will need while pregnant.

So if you have a "bun in the oven" and want to ensure the baby's health is just right, do not skip on your prenatal vitamins.

Baby Boomers!

2009 is the year where almost every female relative or friend I know is pregnant. Okay, I am exaggerating there. The truth is I have several friends and a relative who are all above 40 and have been trying to conceive for sometime and guess what? I think Lady Luck has been working hard lately because all of them just announced they are pregnant! Talk about baby boomers.

First, my sister-in-law is pregnant, then 2 of my friends in Canada are "infanticipating" and 2 of my gal pals here in Dubai are also heating some nice, cute "buns" in their ovens. What is so funny about this whole thing is that, they announced their pregnancies one after the other and I could not help but laugh about the joke. Well, I thought it was until they all confirmed their pregnancy.

So I am in a predicament as to what to give all these mommies-to-be for their babies and themselves. I am sure I will get baby-shower invitations left and right.

I hastily checked the site for nice baby and mommy-to-be products I can give which are really unique, chic and sassy. Petunia Pickle Bottom will be the answer to my gift-giving woes. I checked the variety of elegant, classy, very pretty products they carry. I think the mommies-to-be will not be disappointed to see what's in their gift boxes.

I am eyeing the Petunia Pickle Bottom diaper bags for half of my pregnant friends. I like the various designs that I can choose from. They all look so chic without giving away their real purpose. You won't be able to make out they are diaper bags because of the look. Some even look like hobo bags. How come these bags didn't show up in the market when I was pregnant?

Of course I won't let all my pregnant mommy friends to have the same baby-shower gifts, right? I am keen on the Petunia Pickle Bottom baby slings as well as an option to give for the other half. I prefer this from the conventional baby carrier I used for my daughter 11 years ago. This baby sling follows the natural contour of the baby's back and that makes it all natural. The baby is like being cradled by the mommy's arms. It makes bonding stronger.

Apart from the above items, the Layla Grayce-Petunia Pickle Bottom site also carries receiving blankets, organic blankets, baby one-piece clothes, crib bedding brocade and linens.