Signs of Ovulation

If you are trying to conceive, then you already know efforts will be focused on a small window of time during ovulation. However, trying to determine when you are ovulating is not as easy as it would seem. Here are several indicators that you are ovulating.

Changes in cervial mucus can indicate when ovulation is about to occur. Cervical mucus will become very abundant, sticky, and clear as ovulation nears. It often looks like egg whites and is referred to as egg white mucus. When stretched between the thumb and forefinger, it will stretch several centimeters before breaking. This egg white mucus provides an optimal environment where sperm can live up to three days.

Increased estrogen levels during ovulation sometimes cause your sex drive to increase.
As ovulation approaches, the position and firmness of your cervix will change. The cervix will rise, soften, and the cervical opening will begin to widen in preparation for trying to get pregnant. This period is known as SHOW - soft, high, open and wet. After this optimal baby making period, the cervix will lower and begin to harden again. Right before your period, it will feel very hard and pointed. To learn the proper way to check your cervix and determine how it feels, you should talk with your health care provider.

Premenstrual symptoms are an indicator of approaching ovulation. Symptoms can include breast tenderness, abdominal discomfort and bloating, moodiness, and abdominal cramps or twinges. It is up to you to identify your body's cues that will tell you when your cycle is gearing up to make a baby.

Some women experience mittelschmerz. Mittelschmerz is a German word meaning "middle pain." Typically mittelschmerz is felt on one side in the lower abdomen and may last anywhere from a few minutes to several days. The pain descriptions range from a small twinge to severe discomfort (which is rare). Other symptoms may include some vaginal discharge, bleeding and nausea.

There are two possible explanations for this pain. One reason is that pressure and pain is caused when the ovum stretches the membrane when it is released. Another reason may be because fluid and blood are released when the ovum leaves the ovary.

Basal body temperature, your temperature when you first wake up in the morning, is a great indicator of pending ovulation. Basal body temperature usually ranges between 96.0 to about 98.0 degrees prior to ovulation. Hormonal changes caused by ovulation will raise BBT by 0.5 to 1.5 degrees two to three days after ovulation has occurred. This increase in temperature will remain until your next period. This change in temperature can be measured with a special BBT thermometer designed to read temperatures to 1/100th of a degree.

Another sign of ovulation is the LH surge. This cue can only be determined with the aid of a special ovulation testing kit. The Luteinizing hormone, or LH, is responsible for stimulating the ovaries into releasing a mature egg. LH is always present in the blood stream in small amounts. However, the pituitary gland increases the amount of LH dispersed to begin the ovulation process. When LH surges in this manner, it can be detected via urine testing strips or sticks for a short period of time.

These signs are all valuable clues in determining when conception is most likely to happen. As you make efforts in learning your body and its cycle, you will become more confident in determining when you are most likely to ovulate and you can coordinate your conception plans to take advantage of this extremely fertile time.

(Extracted from amazingpregnancy.com)

Meridian Exercise

(Extracted from Heavenly Bodies Clinic)

Meridian Movements Chart

heavenlyBODYworks MERIDIAN EXERCISE
How many times have you joined a gym only to give up going after 3 weeks? It might have been because the way you exercise at a gym can remind you a lot of the exercise you get in life: Lift that load! Press that weight! Fight those situps! You wise up and quit the gym, opting for buying the equipment for your spare room. Pretty soon you're tread-milling or biking 10 mile mornings, while you drink your coffee and read the paper - great multi-tasking - but, you soon discover, ineffective at keeping you in shape.

Focus on the healing element of exercise.
Meridian exercise movements incorporate the 12 postures that are known to energize the 12 meridians. (illus) These postures are simple to learn and do. The movements require a sense of discipline and deep, continual breathing into the abdomen helps you maintain the posture. The body should be relaxed, with no muscle tightness, hip and spine alignment straight, knees slightly bent.

Keep your mind clear and focused on the posture.
Clearing our mind and focusing on the present moment can be difficult. Everyone has reasons not to be mentally present for exercise, as the details of our busy lives vie for our attention. It can seem ever more mentally interesting to rehash the gossip from work; or to go over a million retorts we should have given to the various assholes of the day; and even in the absence of any drama to dwell on, what’s for dinner can grab attention away from our body. heavenlyBODYworks teaches the health-giving, rejuvenating aspects of body movement that brings a deep, healing quiet.

2 Weeks Wait Exercise - Part 3

Cat Stretch Pose

Sit with buttocks on the heels (Vajrasan). Raise the buttocks and stand on the knees. Lean forward and place the hands flat on the floor. This is the starting position. Inhale while raising the head and depressing the spine so that the back becomes concave. Exhale, while lowering the head and stretching the spine upward.

At the end of the exhalation contract the abdomen and pull in the buttocks. Head will be now between the arms, facing the thighs. This is one round. It may be done for 5-10 times .Be careful not to strain yourself.

Benefits
This asan improves flexibility of the neck, shoulders and spine. Tones female reproductive system. Can be safely practiced during first 6 months of pregnancy.

2 Weeks Wait Exercise - Part 2

Chakki Chalan Asan (Churning the Mill Pose)

Sit with legs stretched out in front of the body about one foot apart. Interlock fingers of both hands and hold the arms out straight in front of the chest.
Make large circular movements over both feet, trying to take the hands over the toes on the forward swing and coming as far back as possible on the backward swing. Practice 10 times in each direction.

Benefits

Excellent asan for toning the nerves and organs of pelvis and abdomen preparing them for pregnancy. Useful in regulating menstrual cycle. Also an excellent post natal exercise.

2 Weeks Wait Exercise - Part 1

Personally i think Yoga is a better form of exercise during the 2 week wait.


1. Ardha Titali Asan (Half Butterfly)
How to do?Sit with legs outstretched. Bend the right leg and place the right foot as far up on the left thigh as possible. Place the right hand on top of the bent right knee.










Hold the toes of the right foot with the left hand. While breathing in, gently move the right knee up towards the chest. Breathing out, gently push the knee down and try to touch the floor. The trunk should not move. Movement of leg should be achieved by the exertion of the right arm. Repeat with left leg. Slowly practice about 10 up and down movements with each leg. DO NOT STRAIN.




Benefits
It is an excellent practice for loosening of hip and knee joints, which shall enable faster delivery.


2. Poorna Titali Asan (Full Butterfly)
How to do?Sit with legs outstretched. Bend the knees and bring the soles of the feet together, keeping the heels as close to the body as possible. Fully relax the inner thighs. Clasp the feet with both hands.


Gently bounce the knees up and down, using the elbows as levers to press the legs down. Do not use any force. Repeat up to 20-30 times. Straighten the legs and relax.

Benefits
Tension from inner thigh muscles is relieved. Removes tiredness from legs.

Yoga and Pregnancy

Many times we asked ourselves is exercise ok for pregnancy or concieving. Well i think we should forgo those strenous exercise during the 2 week wait and maybe replace by yoga instead.

Benfits of yoga during pregnancy:

Yoga Exercises
These gently work on the reproductive organs and pelvis to ensure a smooth pregnancy and a relatively easy childbirth. At the subtle level, these ensure optimum supply of blood and nutrients to the developing foetus.

Breathing
These powerful techniques ensure the abundant supply of oxygen and a better life force for you and your child. These methods work on your fitness during pregnancy.

Mudras and Bandhas
The psycho-physical stimulation of these gestures and locks have powerful effects on a woman’s reproductive organs.

Meditation
Meditation will help you resolve the deepest of neuroses, fears and conflicts, which are so common during pregnancy. Meditation brings with it an incredible awareness which helps you connect with your child in a way that is impossible to explain.

Deep Relaxation
Yogic sleep is particularly effective during pregnancy for physical and mental relaxation as well as for childbirth preparation.

Tips to have a baby boy

Determining the Time of Ovulation: Determining when you ovulate is vital when you are learning how to conceive a boy. Shettles recommends that you have sex as early as 24 hours before ovulation to no more than 12 hours past ovulation in order to increase your chances of conceiving a boy. Having sex too far in advance to ovulation will dramatically decrease your chances of conceiving a boy. The timing of intercourse in relation to ovulation is a vital factor in increasing your chances of having a boy.

Frequency and Timing of Intercourse: Shettles says in order to increase the chances of having a boy, you should have sex no earlier than 24 hours before ovulation to 12 hours after ovulation.Intercourse closer to ovulation the faster but less robust Y (boy) sperm. The cervical mucus present at ovulation is less acidic and "slippery" enough to help the Y (boy) sperm reach the egg more quickly.

Sexual Position: Shettles suggests that if you are trying to conceive a boy, deep penetration from your partner, preferably with the "doggy style" position, will deposit the sperm closer to the cervix giving the more aggressive and quicker moving "boy" sperm a head start to fertilizating the egg first.

Sex and Orgasms: When trying to conceive a boy, Shettles suggests that orgasms during sex are a good thing as the body produces substances after orgasm that makes the vaginal environment more alkaline, which favors the "boy" sperm.

The contractions which accompany an orgasm help move the sperm up and into the cervix, giving the "boy" sperm an extra chance at being available when your egg is available for fertilization.

Considerations for the Men: Have your partner wear boxers. Wearing tight fitting underwear increases the heat levels around the testes and can, in turn, lower the sperm count. Wearing loose fitting underwear helps keep the testes cooler.Have your partner drink a caffeinated beverage right before sex. This makes the Y-Sperm more active.

Tips to have a baby girl

Determining the Time of Ovulation: Determining when you ovulate is vital when you are learning how to conceive a girl. Shettles recommends that you have sex 2 1/2 to 3 days BEFORE ovulation in order to increase your chances of conceiving a girl. Having sex closer to ovulation will dramatically decrease your chances of conceiving a girl. The timing of intercourse in relation to ovulation is a vital factor in increasing your chances of having a girl.

Frequency and Timing of Intercourse: Shettles says in order to increase the chances of having a girl, you should have sex everyday from the end of your period up to 2 1/2 to 3 days before ovulation. After this point, do not have unprotected sex until several days past ovulation. Intercourse further away from ovulation favors the larger slower moving X (girl) sperm. The weaker Y (boy) sperm will die more quickly in the more acidic preovulatory vaginal / cervical secretions and by the time of ovulation there will be a much larger concentration of X (girl) sperm available to fertilize the egg.

Sexual Position: Shettles suggests that if you are trying to conceive a girl, shallow penetration from your partner, preferably with the missionary position, will deposit the sperm closer to the entrance to the vagina. This area is more acidic than closer to the cervix and acidity will work against the weaker "boy" sperm leaving more "girl" sperm available to fertilize your egg.

Sex and Orgasms: When trying to conceive a girl, Shettles recommends that you don't orgasm during sex as the body produces substances after orgasm that makes the vaginal environment more alkaline, which favors the "boy" sperm. The contractions which accompany an orgasm help move the sperm up and into the cervix, giving the "boy" sperm an extra chance at being available when your egg is available for fertilization.

Yoga for fertility

Have you ever heard that yoga aid fertility? Well I came across it while surfing the web for exercise to improve fertility. Anyway no harm trying for those who are inTTC.
Relax and enjoy is the key I suppose which I am now trying to as well.

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There are certain yoga postures that are helpful to improving fertility that you or your partner might want to try. Such postures include:

supported bridge pose: lie on your back keeping your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Move your feet as close to your buttocks as you can. Inhale and exhale using deep, relaxing breaths, and then carefully raise your pelvis and buttocks off the floor, while maintaining your thighs and inner feet in a parallel position. Clasp your hands behind your back. Hold this pose for a minute or so while continuing to take deep, relaxing breaths.

legs on wall pose: lie on the ground with your buttocks close to a wall. Slowly inhale and exhale, while extending your legs up the side of the wall. Rest your legs on the wall so that you create a 90-degree angle at your pelvis. Hold for two minutes and then release your legs slowly.

cobbler’s pose: sit on the floor with your legs stretched directly in front of you. Bring your feet toward your groin while inhaling slowly and push the soles of your feet together. Carefully lower your knees to the ground while clasping your toes. Maintain this posture, being careful so as not to strain your legs, for between one and five minutes.

Exercise your way to fertility

Have you ever ask the question : "Is exercise okay while trying to conceive?"

Hope the following helps to provide you the answer:

• Does your partner like to spend hours on the exercise bike at the gym? Tell him to hop on the treadmill instead. A study at the University of California School of Medicine revealed that men who cycle more than 100 km per week put their fertility at risk. The repeated banging of the groin against the bicycle seat can damage critical arteries and nerves.

• You can have too much of a good thing -- at least when it comes to exercise. Excessive amounts of exercise can lead to such fertility problems as irregular periods, anovulatory cycles (cycles in which ovulation does not occur), and luteal phase deficiencies (a problem that occurs when the second half of your cycle isn't long enough to allow for the proper implantation of the fertilized egg). The moral of the story? Stay active, but don't overdo it.

• Don't go on a crash diet if you're hoping to try for that Y2K baby. Starvation diets, purging, bingeing, and yo-yo dieting affect ovulation and consequently your fertility.

Next question is have is that "Can exercise affect implantation?"

• Yes, "excessive" exercise can interfere with conception.

So while doing exercise, in my opinion is to do it moderately. I suppose anything too much may not be good for health.

Sharing with you the benefits of exercise.

Exercise and Stress
Developing a healthy exercise routine is an excellent way to increase fertility as well as to improve overall healthy. Exercise reduces high stress levels, which are linked to the development of cardiovascular diseases and depression, which can in turn negatively affect ovulation and menstruation.

Exercise, such as Pilates and yoga, releases endorphins which condition the body to respond in a more healthy manner to stress and also improves overall mental health, thereby improving a woman’s chances of getting pregnant.

Footnote: We should try to RELAX when trying to conceive as STRESS affects FERTILITY!

Create a Sperm friendly environment

In the fertile woman there must be normally functioning ovaries. She must ovulate (produce an egg). The uterus must be normal and the Fallopian tubes must be clear so that the sperm and egg can meet. In the fertile man there must be production of millions of healthy, active sperm. And in both the man and the woman the hormone-producing glands must be normal.

Interesting finding is that :The male seminal fluid is alkaline. The fluids in the female vagina are acid-this probably being nature's way of helping to keep harmful bacteria from causing infection there. At the same time, acidity is harmful to sperm, and if the semen lacks enough alkaline to neutralize the female's acid fluids, the sperm can be immobilized. Fertility specialists sometimes need to "equalize" the alkaline-acid environment in the vagina to avoid the destruction of the sperm.

Base on the above, woman should try to create an alkaline-acid environment in the vagina to avoid the destruction of the sperm.

Take a look at the following:
Chasteberry or Vitex (vitex agnus-castus, chastetree berry) stimulates the hormones involved in ovulation, restores female hormonal balance, and increases ovulation frequency. Vitex is useful in normalizing pituitary gland functions and the balance of progesterone and estrogen levels. Vitex is often used as herbal treatment for infertility and is especially helpful for women with irregular menstrual cycles, anovulation (failure to ovulate) or a short luteal phases (a shortened second half of the menstrual cycle). The effectiveness of vitex increases over time with continued use.

Red Clover (trifolium pretense) restores and balances hormonal function and nourishes the uterus. Red Clover contains isoflavones (estrogen-like compounds) which promote estrogen production and which may enhance fertility in women and boost estrogen levels in women with estrogen deficiencies. In addition, the Red Clover contains calcium and magnesium which can relax the nervous system and improve fertility. Traditionally, Red Clover has been administered to help restore irregular menses and to balance the acid-alkaline level of the vagina to promote conception.

Siberian Ginseng (eleutherococcus senticosus root) has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to reinforce the body's vital energy (what the Chinese call chi). Siberian ginseng may positively affect hormone levels, tone uterine muscles, support healthy uterine function, and enhance fertility.

Ginkgo Biloba has been used in traditional medicine to treat circulatory disorders and enhance memory – and recent scientific studies lend credence to Gingko claims. In addition, laboratory studies have shown that Gingko improves blood circulation and increases peripheral blood flow to the reproductive organs, maintaining healthy blood vessel tone. Gingko also performs a cleansing antioxidant function.

PABA is a B Complex vitamin that is synthesized in the body. PABA is believed to increase the ability of estrogen to facilitate fertility and increases the ability of some infertile women to become pregnant. A clinical trial reported that 12 of 16 previously infertile women were able to become pregnant after supplementing with PABA over several months.

Antioxidant Support: Vitamins C and E are important vitamins and cleansing antioxidants that play a vital role in repairing damage caused by the environment, aging, and in preventing cellular damage due to oxidizing free radicals. Vitamin E is an important antioxidant central to overall reproductive health and wellness.

Avoid Coffee!

About 10% of non-coffee drinkers took more than 12 months to conceive, compared with 17% of consumers of four or more cups daily. The estimated relative risk of failure to conceive within one year (after adjusting for age, parity, weight for height, welfare status, and tobacco and alcohol consumption) was 1.8 (95% CI 1.1-3.0) among consumers of four or more cups of coffee compared with non-coffee drinkers.

True or not is between a line. To be on the safe side avoid coffee. No harm right?

BBT Charting

What is basal body temperature?
Basal body temperature (or BBT) is the temperature of the body at rest. The BBT method requires charting your basal - think 'base' - body temperature when you're completely at rest. For most women, 96 to 98 degrees is considered normal prior to ovulation and 97 to 99 degrees after ovulation. By charting the differences - in one-tenth degree increments - you can determine when ovulation has taken place.

BBT Charting - How Can It Help In Conceiving?
During the first two weeks of a woman's cycle, her body temperature is lower (97.0 to 97.5 F), due to the presence of estrogen. With ovulation, a rise in body temperature takes place - caused by an increase of the hormone progesterone - in order to provide a warmer, more fertile environment in the womb. A minimum temperature rise of 0.4 to 0.6 degrees F can be measured - and this change will last through the duration of the menstrual cycle. By monitoring when this temperature change takes place, you can estimate when ovulation has taken place.

How to take your Basal Body Temperature?
1. Taking Your BBT Temperature
Take your BBT temperature first thing each morning - as soon as you wake up. It is recommended that you remain in bed (as any physical activity can increase your resting temperature), as well as avoid eating or drinking. Coffee can wait! Either insert the thermometer in your mouth - or alternatively your rectum - and wait five minutes. Read the temperature to within 1/10 of a degree and record the reading.

2. Charting Your BBT Temperature
Starting on day one of your menstrual cycle - the first day of your period - begin recording your BBT temperature using a calendar or notebook and graph paper. Each morning, record your temperature. Plot each day's BBT on the graph. Your temperature rise may be sudden, gradual, or in steps. The pattern may vary from cycle to cycle.

3. Predicting Ovulation
For most women, 96 to 98 degrees is considered normal prior to ovulation and 97 to 99 degrees after ovulation. By charting the differences - in one-tenth degree increments - you can determine when ovulation has taken place. Typically a rise of at least 0.4 to 0.6 degrees will take place at ovulation, though for different women the temperature increases may be sudden or gradual.

Folic acid

Folic acid is a B vitamin. It helps the body make healthy new cells. Everyone needs folic acid. For women who may get pregnant, it is really important. When a woman has enough folic acid in her body before and during pregnancy, it can prevent major birth defects of her baby's brain or spine.

Foods with folic acid in them include leafy green vegetables, fruits, dried beans, peas and nuts. Enriched breads, cereals and other grain products also contain folic acid. If you don't get enough folic acid from the foods you eat, you can also take it as a dietary supplement.

Saliva Ovulation Predictor Test

Another means of detection using the following:



How the Saliva Ovulation Predictor Test Works:

Most women ovulate near the middle of their monthly menstrual cycle. The average cycle length for a woman is between 23 to 35 days. It is possible, however, to have a longer or shorter menstrual cycle. Sometimes it is even possible to have ovulation occur twice in one month, or to have a month where no ovulation occurs at all. Most doctors agree that ovulation usually happens 13 to 14 days before starting your period or monthly bleeding.
Each month, as a woman, your saliva goes through changes because of different hormones. One of these hormones is estrogen. Just prior to ovulation, estrogen levels increase and create a distinct pattern in your dried saliva that looks like frost on a window pane. This pattern is called ferning.


When you see these patterns you will know that ovulation is likely to occur in the next 24 to 72 hours. However you are able to see through using this method, your estrogen levels increase daily.


It is important to note that an estrogen surge or ovulation may not occur in all cycles.
Results will typically appear as shown in this image, however please note that the results have been enhanced in black. The unit you choose may also have a different color illumination.



Picture of the ferning:

Ovulation Test Kits

Hi there,

Now I am trying to look for some information on how to improving my chances to be a mummy again. I already has a son who is now going to be 5 years old.

2 years back I found out the existence of Ovulation test kits that can be used to test when is your ovulation within a few minutes using urine and hence increasing the chances of conceiving.
Some people sold these test kits or strips online via auctions and some at the online store. Try and see for yourself.