There are no controversies on this matter – smoking and infertility are very tightly linked. Once you see the truth about smoking and infertility I’m certain it’ll be a lot easier to give up the habit.

Did you know that all other things being equal, smokers usually take more time to conceive than non-smokers? I can understand that from an entirely practical viewpoint. Smoking decreases your sex drive and makes kissing quite unpleasant, which usually means not as much sex, which means less chance of a baby. I read the British Medical Association circulated some other information about the associations between smoking and infertility: apparently, you have a 40% lower chance of getting pregnant if you smoke, compared to an individual who has never smoked. The same guys say that 5000 miscarriages and 120 000 cases of male impotence are brought about by smoking every year. Miscarriages and impotence – that sounds rather stressful to me. I was under the impression that smoking was supposed to help with stress, not cause it!

That does not mean that smoking can be used as additional contraception! Smoking in pregnancy can have damaging effects on your unborn child. If you smoke prior to and throughout pregnancy, you have an increased chance of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy and your child has an increased chance of having a malformation such as cleft lip and palate. Smoking while pregnant generally results in a low birth weight or early birth, which has complications of its own, and also influences your baby’s future respiratory health – which means more stress and expense on medical care for you when your child grows up. Smoking, you or someone else in your house, also increases the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Not only will you be disadvantaging your child, but you’ll be causing yourself a large amount of extra stress and added expense that you could have avoided.

The scientists aren’t sure exactly sure how smoking impacts fertility – but for the most part they recognize that it impacts the quantity and quality of the woman’s eggs and it could cause permanent harm to the ovaries and make menopause start earlier. Having the optimum estrogen levels is also important for your fertility and smoking can influence your body’s making of estrogen. If the man smokes then fertility is also influenced, even though again, scientists are not sure how. They think that smoking can bring about low numbers of sperm and increase the chances of having deformed sperm, not ideal if you want a healthy baby! Although there is less evidence to link smoking and male infertility, if you think you’re cleared, think again. A woman’s fertility will be affected by her partner’s smoking nearly as acutely as it would be influenced if she smoked herself.

If you experience other fertility problems already, smoking is positively one of the damaging things you can do. Smokers who intend to conceive through IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) need almost twice as many treatments than non-smokers. IVF is already quite pricey, over $12 000 a time. I’m not eager to have to pay double! Although smokers usually take higher quantities of fertility medication, it still isn’t as successful as the normal amount is for non-smokers – ka-ching, ka-ching – it keeps adding up.

Obviously, not all smokers are the same and your fertility will be affected by how much you smoke and the amount of time you’ve smoked for. If you stop then within a year your fertility is just about the same as someone who has never smoked, though some ovary damage can be irreversible. So for your own wellbeing, for your chances of conceiving and delivering a healthy baby who will become a healthy adult, and to save yourself stacks of money in cigarettes and healthcare, don’t overlook these links between smoking and infertility.

Here is more information on Reasons for Infertility. Here is a website with a free mini-course dedicated to Infertility. 

Acupuncture for Infertility – Tracing Its Roots

Acupuncture, which originated in China, is over a thousand years old.  Many people in the Western medical practice see it as an effective procedure to address a wide range of health problems.  It can address problems with muscle tension, the skin and even help one quit smoking, among others.  Reports from latest studies reveal that acupuncture is highly beneficial to couples with infertility issues.

The Western View

There remain some Westerners who doubt acupuncture’s effectiveness, despite its popularity.  Very little scientific evidence is available to support acupuncture. As a result, many people shy away from using it.  But many researchers are already investigating the issue, according to the National Institutes of Health in the United States.

Hazards To Health

Acupuncture, when done by a trained acupuncturist, is normally painless.  Only a small few have reported adverse outcomes.  Some of the usual risks linked with acupuncture include minimal bleeding, organ puncturing, broken or forgotten needles, and the spread of infection.  These are virtually eliminated when an experienced practitioner does the treatment.  However, acupuncture is not recommended for individuals who use blood thinners or having bleeding disorders.

A Solo or Complementary Procedure

Acupuncture, when used as a solo treatment, is regarded as an alternative method in treating fertility concerns.  It is also seen as therapy that can complement modern fertility treatments.  When used by itself, acupuncture benefits those who have functional problems, like intermittent ovulation, better.  When applied alone, it might not be as effective to treat structural problems, like a sperm duct blockage.

Some acupuncture experts encourage the use of Chinese herbs to complement acupuncture treatments.  If you are taking prescription drugs, check with your doctor before starting any program of herb therapy.  There are certain herbs that may inhibit the action of fertility procedures and drugs.  

Acupuncture & Fertility - Does It Truly Work?

How acupuncture works as a infertility cure is still debatable.  However, practitioners emphasize this age-old treatment’s ability to normalize the body’s functions.  It improves the flow of blood to reproductive organs and steadies hormone levels.  As a result, ovarian function is improved among females and sperm production is increased among males.

Acupuncture positively affects women who use it together with other procedures that aim to boost fertility.   Acupuncture has been found to help women relax while undergoing fertility procedures.  Women undergoing IVF, or in vitro fertilization, boost their conception rate with the introduction of acupuncture into the program.

The Selection Process

Healthcare professionals who want to add acupuncture to their roster of services are required to have around 300 hours of specialized training to be certified.  Those licensed in other medical fields must still complete 2000 to 3000 hours of training and pass the board exam to be officially called an acupuncturist.

A lot of people are into acupuncture nowadays, and this number is rising by the day.  To make sure patients land in good hands, here are some things that must be taken into account.  A background check on the selected acupuncture expert must be done prior to agreeing to any procedure.  A professional must first acquire the approval of the local government and undergo certain trainings before he or she can practice in a specific area.Reliable recommendations for acupuncture services would be family and friends who’ve benefited from the them.

Before jumping into the procedure, patients should always ask about the possible total costs to be prepared.  It’s great to know that some insurance providers will pay for acupuncture treatments.

What You Can Expect

To get the best results, one has to undergo more than one acupuncture treatment.  Frequent visits, usually lasting a few weeks to a few months, must be done to maximize its benefits.  Patients should expect each visit to their acupuncturist to be at least an hour long, with time for discussion of lifestyle and present health condition, as well as thoughts and queries about the process.

Women love ways of guessing what gender their baby will be. A fun way to learn of your baby’s gender is with the Chinese Conception Chart. It is an ancient chart believed to have been found in a royal tomb over 700 years ago. Now, the chart is said to be on display at the Beijing Institute of Science in China.

This chart is fun to use, but is not based on anything technical. Even if it is accurate does not mean that it should be taken seriously. It takes the age of the pregnant woman and the month of conception and decides whether the baby will be a boy or girl. Supposedly to get results that are more accurate it is better to use the lunar months instead of regular months. The months run 29 days in the lunar months.

The age that you are when becoming pregnant is usually a hit or miss with one of the sexes on the chart. Ages on the chart of more likely having a girl on an 18 to 45 range are 21, 22, 30, 31, 32, and 34. The ages more likely of having a boy are 18, 20, 23, 26, 31, and 43. Ages 19, 24, and 33 are close with girls only being more common on a scale of 7 to 5. The same 7 to 5 ratio can be applied to the ages 25, 27, 36, 37, 41, and 44. These ages, however, boys are out numbering girls. Ages 28, 29, 35, 39, 40, 42, and 45, it is a fifty -fifty chance of having a girl or boy.

Looking at the conception months, things are less broad. The monthis do not lean as much one way or the other as the ages do. In January, February, May, and October the odds of having a boy are much higher than of having a girl. July is the best month to try to get pregnant if wanting to have a boy. June, August, September, and November, while not extremely greater, it is more common to have a girl according to the chart. April has better odds of producing a girl. If you do not care either way then March and December are good months for you.

When looking at the spread you can notice that boys are more common when you look at the ages, but when looking at the conception month it is fifty-fifty. Of course, there are the many ages and couple of months that are a fifty-fifty chance anyway. It is curious thing to notice when pregnant at what age you are not only the month you conceived but the odds of it being a boy or girl at any month.

When using the Chinese conception chart, it is good to remember that it is all in good fun. It is an entertaining way to get a guess at your baby’s gender. Sometimes the chart proves true, but it is not 100% accurate and in no way scientific. So, use this chart for a bit of entertaining, but not for getting your hopes up about how to design your baby room.

Most parents hit it off with their little ones right away. The tremendous need to bond with a newborn is normally triggered by an intense emotion that makes a parent-particularly the mother-want to love and protect her young offspring. For some people, however, this may require a longer period especially after a complicated pregnancy or a strenuous labor.
Nonetheless, “my first baby” guidebooks usually reiterate the value of bonding time in spite of the preceding circumstances.Teenagers will also get help grom this guidebook

The Importance Of Bonding Time

Research suggests that babies who cultivate satisfying relations with their parents are likely to develop into well-adjusted and confident adults. Plus, they have also shown to do better in school.

In truth, the necessity of spending some quality time with your baby has an absolutely natural origin. It is actually an instinctive process-one that had been interwoven in the fabric of human nature.

Attachment tips for parents

If you wish to improve your relationship with your little one, you surely need to make an effort towards the fulfillment of your goal. First-time parents-such as yourself-would certainly consider the following bonding tips to be of use.

1) Use touch

One of the baby’s earliest means of communication is through touch. So make the most of this by holding your little one closely. In case you need to carry few chores you may take your baby in hands or can make use of a sling as an alternative.

2) Breastfeed

Breastfeeding a baby will guarantee that he (or she) gets frequent close contact with his (or her) mom. This certainly helps foster an early connection between mother and child. Sadly, the task isn’t always that easy. In order to resolve breastfeeding difficulties and other related issues, you may seek the advice of a health counselor or simply talk to an experienced parent who can help you with your predicament.

3) Sing or hum a tune

It doesn’t really matter if you’re an excellent singer or not so long as you can carry a tune. Your little angel will love listening to your voice just the same. Even the metrical nature of popular nursery rhymes is extremely comforting and is thought to facilitate language development.

4) Give your baby a massage

A massage offers a more planned and controlled manner of touching your little one. The quality time spent with a child improves their mental and physical abilities.

5) Talk to your baby

Although your little one may not comprehend what you’re saying, he (or she) will love hearing you talk about anything under the sun. In addition, your baby will acquire confidence from the fact that you’re always there for him (or her) even though you still have tons of household chores to do.

6) Make the most of daily activities

Even the time spent for diaper-changing can be converted into a wonderful bonding period. Be sure to take advantage of the opportunity to just talk to, kiss or cuddle your baby. tell your little angel that how much feel and rapturous love you have for him (or her). This will also help you forget about what a messy task it is to frequently change diapers. In other words, it’s like hitting two birds with only one stone.Buy some good clothes for baby and spend some more time with them.

So don’t let a fast-paced life stop you from bonding with your baby. Learn to relax and take pleasure in every minute you spend with him (or her). Books with “my first baby” themes will almost certainly tell you the same thing about the value of spending some
quality time with your little one.

Pregnant women are always in need of a little pampering and thoughtful maternity gifts are the perfect way of showing you care. Receiving pregnancy gifts can make a pregnant woman feel special and appreciated, at a time when she may not be feeling her best. There is a wide range of maternity gifts available nowadays, particularly online.

Here are my favourite suggestions for maternity and new mum gifts.

Comfortable clothes:
Maternity clothing and nursing clothes are also thoughtful and much appreciated presents. Breast feeding tops, maternity loungewear; perhaps even an evening dress can be offered as gifts. Or perhaps some maternity accessories for comfort, such as a pair of luxury slippers, or style like a bright scarf.

Jewellery
A beautiful pregnancy gift would be a long necklace with a chunky pendant. The long shape lengthens the woman’s look, and a large pendant balances their bump. Check that the necklace adjusts so the pendant can fall just above the bump.
Stylish new mom gifts include reminder bracelets. For breast feeding Mums this bracelet is a beautiful way to remember which side they need to begin the next feed on.

Toiletires and skincare products
Maternity presents such as moisturising body creams, scented oils, candles, and bath oils also make much appreciated luxury presents. Watch out for luxury gift packs of creams and massage oils that help prevent and remove the marks that are often inevitable after child birth. Pregnant women love to feel luxuriated.

Still not sure?
If you are still unsure about the kind of maternity gift that will be appreciated, you can always give a gift certificate that can buy something useful and essential. This is an alternative way to ensure that a gift is not duplicated and the recipient is able to select a gift that matches her tastes exactly.

Maternity gifts are a nice way to show that you are thinking of someone during their pregnancy. They are also a generous way to mark the new baby’s birth with a gift for the new mum rather than the new arrival!