Conception and Pregnancy

Abbreviations used in TTC forums

preconceptions — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:37:34 +0000

Forum Abbreviations
For those of you who aren’t sure what some of the abbreviations used in the forums are, here is a list of the common ones. Feel free to add to it if anyone has anymore.

Abbreviations:

AC – Assisted Conception

AF – Aunt Flo (periods)

AFAIK – as far as I know

AI – Assisted or Artificial Insemination

AID – Artificial Insemination with Donor Sperm

AIH – Artificial Insemination with partner’s sperm

AP – Attachment Parenting

ART – Assisted Reproductive Technolgy

BBT – Basal Body temperature

BCP – Birth Contol Pill

BD – baby dancing (sex)

BFN – big fat negative on pregnancy test

BFP – big fat positive on pregnancy test

BTW – by the way

BW – blood work

BG – Buddy Group

CC – Controlled Crying

CD – cycle day

CIO – Cry it out

CM – cervical mucus

D&C – Dilation & Curette

DH, DS, DD, DF, DB – dear husband, dear son, dear daughter, dear fiance, dear boyfriend

DI – Donor Insemination

DPO – days past ovulation

DSD – dear step daughter

DSS – dear step son

EBM – expressed breast milk

EP – Ectopic Pregnancy

ER – Egg Retrival

ET – Embryo Transfer

EWCM – Egg White Cervical Mucus (description of cervical mucus at ovulation time)

EPO = Evening Primrose Oil

FET – Frozen Embryo Transfer (or fertilised egg transfer)

FSH – Follicle Stimulating Hormone

FWIW – for what it’s worth

FYI – for your information

*g* – grin

GD – Gestational Diabetes

GYN – gynaecologist

HPT – home pregnancy test

HTH – hope this helps

ICSI – Intracytoplasmic Sperm Insertion

IMO – in my opinion

IMHO – in my honest opinion

IUI – Intrauterine Insemination

IVF – In Vitro Fertilisation

IRL = In real life

IYKWIM – if you know what I mean

JMHO – just my honest opinion

KUP – Keep us posted

LOL – laugh out loud

LP – Luteal Phase

LPD ? Luteal Phase defect.

MIL, FIL, BIL, SIL – mother, father, brother, sister-in-law

M/C – miscarriage

M/S – morning sickness

O – Ovulation

OB – Obstetrician

OHSS – Ovarian Hyper Stimualtion Syndrome

OI – Ovulation Induction

OPK – ovulation prediction kit

OPU – Ovum (Egg) Pick Up

OT – Off Topic

OTT – Over The Top

PCOS ? Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome

PG – pregnant

POAS – pee on a stick(HPT or OPK)

POF – Premature Ovarian Failure

PMSL – pi$$ myself laughing

ROFL – rolling on floor laughing

ROFLMAO – roll on floor laughing my a$$ off

SAHM – stay at home mum

SD – Step Daughter

SO – significant other

SS – Step Son

TIA – thanks in advance

TTC – trying to conceive

TMI – Too Much Information

U/S – Ultrasound

WAHM – work at home mum

2WW – 2 week wait (wait after ovulation)

POF – Premature Ovarian Failure

TTC a girl

preconceptions — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:12:36 +0000

This is some useful information for TTC a Girl. GOOD LUCK!

FOR A GIRL

SUPPLEMENTS

Every day of the cycle
Calcium (1200 mg a day)
Magnesium (250 mg a day)
Folic Acid (450 mg a day)
Acidilophis (2 a day)
B6 (100 mg a day)
Chasteberry (Vitex) (500 mg a day)
(Better to not take Prenatals as that has Potassium in it)
Tums (whenever you think about it- isn’t necessary to take this and calcium since it is the same thing)

Every day from AF to O
Cranberry (total of 1,500 to 10,000 mg a day if possible)
Lydia Pinkham

Before sex
Sudafed (or Claratin D, etc.) (a few hours before sex)

Husband take
Cranberry (as much as he’ll take)
Any of the other supplements you are taking if he’ll take them except Vitex or Lydia Pinkham.

DOUCHING

A few hours before sex
Vinegar and water (4 parts water to 1 part vinegar)
Lemon and water (equal parts water and lemon)
Lime and water (same)
Replens or Rephresh vaginal moisturizer (every three days only and only a fingertip full- not the entire applicator!)

You want your PH to be as close to 4.5 as possible.

TURKEY BASTER METHOD

Have dh “do the deed” into a cup or condom (non-spermicidal one!) Add 3-4 drops of lemon or lime to the sperm and let set for a few minutes (some women heat up the cup under warm water for a few minutes.) Check the PH if wanted, then put the mixture into you.

“GIRL DIET”

Lots of calcium (milk, yogurt, etc.)
Low salt intake
Low caffeine

Husband the same if possible

OTHER THINGS

Shettles Method
Have sex from the end of AF to at least 2-3 days before Ovulating

O + 12
Opposing theory of Shettles- abstain from sex for at least one week, and then have sex 12 or so hours after you ovulate. Obviously, you have to pinpoint your ovulation exactly for this.

Moon theory
Girl- conceived in the “new moon” phase
Boy- conceived in the “full moon” phase

Extra’s
No female orgasm
Missionary position for sex
Husband take HOT bath or shower a few minutes before sex (or have a heating pad heat up his “buddies”)
“Jump and Dump”- go to bathroom and “dump” everything right after sex
Sex every day (or more)
Girl outfit under bed
Wooden spoon under bed
Dh wear “tighty whities”

Exercise and Pregnancy

preconceptions — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 23:13:47 +0000

Prescribing a medication for pregnant women is a complex process.

Before obstetricians and gynecologists decide which dose of which drug can best treat a condition without putting any harmful side effects on the mother and the baby, they consider the patient’s age, general health, the number of months before delivery, tolerance for medications, and any other drugs the pregnant patient may be taking.

Prescribing exercise on pregnant women has to be just as scientific and precise. The type, intensity, frequency, and duration of a “dose” of exercise are all critical. One person’s healthy, vigorous workout could be hazardous to another. These dangers may be greater in pregnant women because they are more likely to have strains and other serious side effects for the would-be mother.

However, if exercise will be implemented and carried out in a normal, average range, exercise will not have an effect on the overall condition of the pregnancy and especially on labor or delivery.

Pregnancy

Quality prenatal care should be given to a mother during her pregnancy. She should be prepared for the normal delivery of a healthy baby. Complications should be prevented at all costs.

All of these things are boiled down to the fact that a pregnant woman should be cared in such a way that she will not be compelled to do vigorous work but should not also stay in bed and be inactive until she gives birth to her baby.

Consequently, a pregnant woman’s condition varies in relation to the growth and development of the baby in side her womb. Therefore, it is necessary that proper health guidance be provided by her physician during her visit.

Moreover, it is important to keep the pregnant woman’s life active in order to promote good health, not only for her but also for the baby most importantly.

Physical conditions like blood pressure, weight and health status is usually monitored during the pregnant woman’s visit to her doctor. For this reason, it is significant to note that exercise can be the number one factor in order to keep these aspects in good condition.

As the health experts contend, adequate physical and emotional information is needed by a pregnant woman to prepare herself for delivery. She needs practical health messages in keeping herself and the baby healthy.

Hence, for mothers or would-be mothers who are not yet aware why they should exert some effort in engaging into moderate, normal exercise, here is a list of some of its benefits so that you will be able to understand the reason why pregnant women have to exercise regularly:

1. Defiance against fatigue

As muscle becomes fatigued, it produces less force. To accomplish a task like climbing the stairs, for example, more units of muscle must be called into play to back up the wearied muscles.

The tired muscles are both less efficient and less effective. Hence, this will just put more strain on the pregnant woman because of the weight that is continuously adding up each day. That is why tired muscles will usually result to leg cramps or sore muscles.

What every pregnant woman must know is that exercise improves the condition of the muscles and their ability to work longer without fatigue.

2. Reduce backaches

Even when you sit or stand, some muscles are working, and such relatively easy postures can tax some muscles and cause fatigue. The muscles of the lower back, for example, can be exhausted and worn out by the effort of keeping erect when a pregnant woman stand still for several hours.

With exercise, a pregnant woman can correct this error by developing her posture.

3. Increase the amount of oxygen

Work and exercise rely on glycogen, a substance produced by the body from complex carbohydrates and stored muscles and liver. The supply of glycogen in the muscles determines and limits the duration of activity. Exercise depletes the glycogen in the muscles and leads to tiredness.

However, when glycogen is depleted by strenuous activity, it is replaced in quantities greater than before, as if the body recognized the need to lay in a larger supply of fuel.

Hence, oxidation is essential for converting glycogen to the energy that pregnant women need to wiggle a finger, flex a muscle, or practice the lungs and heart for some blowing action during normal delivery.

These are just some of the many benefits exercise can bring to pregnant women. Besides, nothing is completely wrong for a pregnant woman doing some moderate exercises. The only important thing to remember is that before starting an exercise program, whether pregnant or not, it is best to consult your doctor. As they say, doctors know best!

Chemical pregnancy

preconceptions — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 23:10:09 +0000

Chemical Pregnancy
A chemical pregnancy or early loss is when an egg is fertilised but does not implant properly into the uterine lining. This can be for numerous reasons and should be documented by your doctor if you experience one or more chemical pregnancies or early losses. A woman may get a positive pregnancy test before her period is due but her period comes either on time or a few days late. It is said that roughly 25% of all pregnancies result in a chemical pregnancy or early loss but most women do not even realise they are pregnant as they are thier period may come on time or slightly late and they have not tested for pregnancy before their period was due.

http://www.preconceptions.com.au

Ovulation

preconceptions — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 23:06:38 +0000

Ovulation
Ovulation is the release of an egg from the ovaries. During a woman's follicular phase several follicles
start to mature and nourish the eggs. Typically one dominant follicle will continue to maturity and the
others will degenerate. When ovulation occurs the egg will break out of the follicle and start to travel
along the fallopian tube where conception may take place. The left over follicle becomes the corpus
luteum and either degenerates (if conception hasn't occured) and menstruation will start, or if conception
has occurred it continues to produce progesterone through the early weaks of pregnancy.
http://www.preconceptions.com.au

Timing baby making intercourse

preconceptions — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 23:01:41 +0000

Timing Intercourse
Baby making intercourse should occur within the 3 days leading up to ovulation and possibly the day of
ovulation for optimal chances of conceiving.Women who are using OPKs (ovulation predictor kits / tests)
can time intercourse for when they receive a positive OPK result as ovulation typically occurs between
24-36 hrs after the first positive OPK.

Another indication that you may be in your fertile time is by observing your cervical fluid. If you are
around your known or predicted ovulation / fertile time and watery or egg white cervical fluid is noticed
it is recommended to have baby making intercourse to optimise your chances of conception.
Fertile cervical fluid (watery and eggwhite) nourish the sperm while waiting for ovulation to occur.

Most of a womans cycle the cervix is blocked with a mucous plug which prevents sperm from entering
the cervix into the uterus. For a few days a month the cervical fluid becomes thinner (hence watery
cervical fluid) which allows the sperm to pass through the cervix into the uterus.

Typically sperm should be already in the fallopian tubes waiting for the egg to be released for conception
to occur. It is possible for conception to occur outside of these fertile days depending on the
environment within the uterus and fallopian tubes for sperm to be nourished and survive longer.

http://www.preconceptions.com.au

Gender selection

preconceptions — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 22:58:47 +0000

It is believed that sperm which produce baby boys swim faster but survive for a shorter time and sperm
that produce baby girls swim slower and survive longer. Some women who are trying for one particular
gender use this method to try and sway the odds of conceiveing the gender of their choice.
They do this by:

Trying for a baby boy – Have baby making intercourse as close to ovulation as possible and skipping the
days before ovulation.

Trying for a baby girl – Have baby making intercourse 2 and 3 days before ovulation and skipping the
days closer to ovulation.

These methods are not proven, not enough research material is available to determine if it is reliable and
may or may not result in the gender of choice. Most women/couples are usually happy with any gender
baby if it is healthy. Therefore it is recommended that (if gender is not a major issue) to have
intercourse as often as possible during your fertile window to increase chances of conception of either
gender. Trying to sway the odds by any method may prolong the trying to conceive journey and still
may not result in the gender of choice.

http://www.preconceptions.com.au

Cervical Fluid

preconceptions — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 22:25:30 +0000

Cervical Fluid
Observing your cervical fluid can give you a good idea of when you are entering your fertile window.
The following types of cervical fluid may be found.

Dry - No cervical fluid found. This is typical just after your period ends.

Sticky - Typically white but may have a tinge of yellow. It cannot be streched and will usually crumble.

Creamy - Typically whitish in colour and has the consistency of a lotion/cream.

Watery - Typically clear and resembles water. Usually you will notice a colourless wet spot on your
underwear. Watery cervical fluid is classed as fertile cervical fluid.

Egg White - Typically clear or opaque and is stretchy. Can typically be stretched repeatedly and not
break apart or dissolve. This is your most fertile cervical fluid and is generally found right before ovulation.

Watery and Egg White cervical fluid are the most fertile as they nourish sperm while waiting for ovulation
to occur.

http://www.preconceptions.com.au

Basal Body Temperature (BBT)

preconceptions — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 22:22:31 +0000

Basal Body Temperature (BBT)
Basal Body temperatue is your temperature at rest upon waking in the morning, without the influence of
physical activity or stress. Taking your temperature in the morning upon waking is the most relibale way
to record temps for charting purposes. Temperatures can fluctuate during the day depending on the
amount of activity, stress levels and outside temperatures, making day-time temp taking an unreliable
form for charting. In order to get an accurate chart reading over the whole cycle it is recommended to
take your BBT after at least 3-4 hours of sleep, at the same time each morning and without getting out
of bed. Temperatures will typically increase by about 0.11 degrees Celcius each hour, taking your
temperature at irregular times may lead to an inacurate chart interpretation.

http://www.preconceptions.com.au

When to test for Pregnancy

preconceptions — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 22:17:33 +0000

When to test for pregnancy.
The most reliable time to test for pregnancy is when you are past your typical luteal phase (when your period is due or late). Some women may get a positive test sooner especially with the extra sensitive tests on the market these days. It has been reported of women receiving a positive as early as 7 or 8dpo (days past ovulation) although this may not be a reliable time for most women. If you are unsure of your typical luteal phase length it is best to wait until at least 14dpo before you may get a positive test. If you test earlier and do not get a positive, do not give up hope as it still may be too early for the HCG hormone to show in your urine. HCG can usually be detected in the blood before it is detected in the urine.

http://www.preconceptions.com.au