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Wondering how to get pregnant? Maximize your fertility — and know when to seek help. From MayoClinic.com Some couples seem to get pregnant simply by talking about it. For others, it takes plenty of patience and a bit of luck. If you're wondering how to get pregnant, start the old-fashioned way. Here's what you need to know — and when to seek help. Baby-making basics Conception is based on an intricate series of events. Every month, hormones from your pituitary gland stimulate your ovaries to release an egg, or ovulate. This often happens around day 14 of the menstrual cycle, although the exact timing may vary among women or even from month to month. Once the egg is released, it travels to the fallopian tube. If you want to conceive, now's the time. The egg has about 24 hours to unite with a sperm. Since sperm cells can survive in your reproductive tract for two to three days, it's best to have regular sex during the days leading up to ovulation. If the egg is fertilized

For the health of your baby, make sure your body is ready for its demands. From MayoClinic.com If you've decided you're ready to get pregnant, you may already be emotionally committed to parenthood. But is your body prepared for the task ahead? Ideally, preconception planning begins up to a year before conception. To help ensure a healthy pregnancy, schedule a preconception appointment with your health care provider as soon as you begin thinking about pregnancy. Be ready to answer the following questions. What type of birth control have you been using? If you've been taking birth control pills, your health care provider may recommend a pill-free break before trying to conceive. This will allow your reproductive system to go through several normal cycles before you conceive, which will make it easier to determine when ovulation occurred and establish an expected due date. During the pill-free break, you may want to use condoms or another barrier method of contraception. Are

What is gestational diabetes? If your blood sugar level first becomes too high when you are pregnant, you have gestational diabetes . It usually goes away after the baby is born. High blood sugar can cause problems for you and your baby. Your baby may grow too large, which can cause problems during delivery. Your baby may also be born with low blood sugar. But with treatment, most women with gestational diabetes are able to control their blood sugar and give birth to healthy babies. Women who have had gestational diabetes are more likely than other women to develop type 2 diabetes later on. You may be able to prevent or reduce the severity of type 2 diabetes by staying at a healthy weight, eating healthy foods, and increasing your physical activity. What causes gestational diabetes? The pancreas makes a hormone called insulin . Insulin helps your body properly use and store the sugar from the food you eat. This keeps your blood sugar level in a

From KidsHealth.org I’ve heard that there are certain foods I should avoid during pregnancy. Is that true? - Shantelle Yes. Although most foods are safe to eat, some might be problematic during pregnancy. For example, you should avoid or limit your exposure to foods that are more likely to be contaminated with bacteria (such as raw meat and fish), since food-borne infections may cause birth defects or miscarriage. And foods that might contain high levels of mercury (such as certain types of fish) can cause damage to the developing brain of a fetus. Foods to steer clear of altogether during pregnancy include: soft, unpasteurized cheeses (often advertised as "fresh") such as feta, goat, Brie, Camembert, blue-veined cheeses, and Mexican queso fresco unpasteurized milk, juices, and apple cider raw eggs or foods containing raw eggs, including mousse, tiramisu, raw cookie dough, eggnog, homemade ice cream, and Caesar dressing raw or undercooked fish (sushi), shellfish, or meats p?t

From KidsHealth.org Q: Can I use a microwave during pregnancy? —Alicia A: Yes. There are no medically proven risks to microwaving. Microwaves rarely leak radiation; and if they do, it's in extremely small amounts that are virtually undetectable. If you're still concerned, you might want to make sure your microwave is working properly and isn't leaking or damaged. Researchers have determined that if a microwave does leak any radiation, it diminishes significantly with distance from the microwave. In other words, if you have any concerns, stand a few feet away instead of immediately in front of the oven. For more information, check out these articles. Staying Healthy During Pregnancy 10 Things That Might Surprise You About Being Pregnant Reviewed by: Elana Pearl Ben-Joseph, M.D.

From Kidshealth.org Pregnancy is a subject that generates a lot of paper. Bookstores and libraries devote not just shelves but entire aisles to it. At your first prenatal visit , your doctor will likely load you down with armfuls of pamphlets that cover every test and trimester. But despite all this information, pregnancy can take any soon-to-be parent by surprise. What the doctor may leave out If your doctor hasn't mentioned the following topics during your visits, he or she isn't purposefully omitting the information. More likely, your doctor hasn't brought them up because pregnancy affects women in different ways. For example, some pregnant women experience morning sickness in the morning, some feel it all day, and some never have it. Or your doctor might not mention something because it doesn't have a medical focus—a doctor may not have any more insight into your increasing shoe size than your neighbor does! Also, some women may think questions about breast size or

Now that you're pregnant, taking care of yourself has never been more important. Of course, you'll probably get advice from everyone - your doctor, family members, friends, co-workers, and even complete strangers - about what you should and shouldn't be doing. But staying healthy during pregnancy depends on you, so it's crucial to arm yourself with information about the many ways to keep you and your baby as healthy as possible. Prenatal Health Care Key to protecting the health of your child is to get regular prenatal care . If you think you're pregnant, call your health care provider to schedule an appointment. You should have your first examination during the first 6 to 8 weeks of your pregnancy, which is when your menstrual period is 2 to 4 weeks late. At this first visit, your health care provider will figure out how many weeks pregnant you are based on a physical examination and the date of your last period. He or she will also use this information to predict

From KidsHealth.org Although you may not feel like running a marathon, most women benefit greatly from exercising throughout their pregnancies. But during that time, you'll need to discuss your exercise plans with your doctor or other health care provider early on and make a few adjustments to your normal exercise routine. The level of exercise recommended will depend, in part, on your level of pre-pregnancy fitness. Benefits of Exercising During Pregnancy No doubt about it, exercise is a big plus for both you and your baby (if complications don't limit your ability to exercise throughout your pregnancy). It can help you: feel better. At a time when you wonder if this strange body can possibly be yours, exercise can increase your sense of control and boost your energy level. Not only does it make you feel better by releasing endorphins (naturally occurring chemicals in your brain), appropriate exercise can: relieve backaches and improve your posture by strengthening and toning

Working during pregnancy—How to have a healthy, productive nine months on the job. From MayoClinic.com Most women are able to continue working during pregnancy. However, simply being pregnant can present challenges at the workplace. To stay healthy and productive on the job, learn how to alleviate common pregnancy discomforts—and know when occupational duties might jeopardize your pregnancy. Easing nausea and vomiting It may be called "morning" sickness, but pregnancy queasiness can hit at any time—day or night. To help ease nausea when you're on the job: Avoid nausea triggers. That double latte you craved every morning before pregnancy or the smell of foods reheated in the break room microwave may now make your stomach flip-flop. Steer clear of anything that seems to trigger your nausea. Snack often. Crackers and other bland foods can be lifesavers when you start to feel nauseated. Keep a stash at work for easy snacking. Hard candy, lemon drops, ginger ale or ginger te