Pregnancy has always been considered a natural phenomenon to happen within a woman’s body that caused by the fertilization of women cells naturally - or via IVF. But women body’s egg cells are limited by nature, and so; they tend to reduce to nil by the age a woman reaches to 50. However, eggs reduction speed is quite different in every woman, and that’s why some women can conceive even after reaching their mid age. Besides eggs, modern fertilization techniques like IVF have also increased the chances for an old woman to get pregnant as she could have in her mid 20s or 30s. If, somehow, a woman gets pregnant after she has passed her menopause stage or stopped her regular maturational period, she still has almost similar chances for a successful pregnancy as a typical young woman. Apart from others, post 50 pregnancies have similar symptoms and signs as a regular pregnancy, yet there are certain risks associated with a pregnancy post 50, like miscarriage, high BP, or low birth rate among others.

Contemporary Lifestyle

Today, women are more subjected to their career orientation, so, sometimes; they themselves prefer not to get pregnant till a specific age. Secondly, new IVF techniques have made it easier for an old age woman to get pregnant and have a healthy baby even after crossing 50s. While some argue against old aged pregnancies citing the chances of inferior well care of yet to come baby. Whatever is the reason, it’s always pleasant if someone gets her first pregnancy symptoms, even if she has crossed her half way mark. Traditional women’s lifestyles never grow the chances of later aged pregnancies as their bodies gradually fade away uterus ability to develop a baby after a specific age.

Extra Care

As told, post 50 pregnancies have a greater risk of miscarriages and an unhealthy baby, so they’re required to undergo sonography tests regularly that could elaborate the well being of the fetus. Due to age factors, too many hormones supplements are also not advisable; perhaps, doctors prescribe as much natural care as possible avoiding any chance for added supplements to reversibly affect the woman or her baby. Another important area of consideration is that these later age pregnancies have greater chances of being developed in fallopian tubes or somewhere else apart from uterus – called Ectopic pregnancy. So, a great care is advisable and any sign of abnormal abdominal cramping, pink gray vaginal discharge, unknown bleeding should immediately be brought into the doctor’s notice.

False Pregnancy, as its name suggests, is a conditional found among few women wherein they feel the symptoms of pregnancy while actually they’re not pregnant. This is a rare condition found in humans, however, is commonly found among other mammals, like dogs, cats, mice, etc. Under false pregnancy, body creates some hormones separations similar to what use to happen in a real pregnancy; hence woman starts feeling like if she is pregnant. Till date, the reasons known for False Pregnancy are hormones imbalance within some women, preferably, those who’re actively involved in physical hard work. False Pregnancy is not a women’s only disorder, coz sometimes; it’s also found among men. Rarely, some men start feeling pregnancy symptoms while they know it can’t be possible.

Causes

False Pregnancy, or pseudocyesis, is basically in existence since ages, and everyone is aware of it, yet the real factors are still unknown. However, widely accepted reasons relate to psychological factors than physical, i.e., it’s normally because of the false assumption of mind to be pregnant which could be coz of a woman’s desperate desire to have a baby. It is fairly common among women who are infertile or have gone through repeated miscarriages; these women themselves develop an internal desire to get pregnant, and, sometimes, their mind starts building a false feeling and her body starts changing accordingly.

Sometimes, it happens spontaneously to a woman who never desired to be pregnant. These are the cases of change in internal endocrine system that starts creating a false havoc.

Testing

A doctor investigating a false pregnancy may scan the abdominal via ultrasound to hear the heartbeat of the fetus. He or she may also scan woman’s pelvic and uterus, even though, sometimes, abdominal and pelvic examination does not clearly rule out a pregnancy then further blood and fetus heartbeat tests are carried out.

Treatment

Since, a False Pregnancy is actually nothing, so it doesn’t require a medical treatment either. However, when a woman assumes her pregnancy for months and suddenly comes to know she is not, it can shatter her metal balance, so her family and friends need to take care of her to avoid any metal stress. In many cases, doctors do not inform a woman about her false pregnancy straight away, instead they gradually let her aware about her false symptoms. Sometimes, some antibiotics are advised to avoid further body infection due to reversing the pregnancy symptoms.

Denial of
Pregnancy is a rare condition wherein a pregnant woman is unknown to his
pregnancy, perhaps, sometimes, she doesn’t aware about her pregnancy until she
starts her labor pain. This looks strange, but it happens rarely with almost
one in 500 pregnancy conditions. The reasons for such dissimilarity are yet
unknown but researchers consider some hormone imbalance within a woman’s body
that deprives her to feel any symptom of her pregnancy. It’s not uncommon
nowadays for anyone to unaware about her pregnancy until 20 weeks passed by,
coz women take it as the delayed menses while actually, they’re being pregnant.
Pregnancy denial can be classified into three categories: Affective Denial,
Pervasive Denial, and Psychotic Denial. Apart from these three forms, pregnancy
denial can have other biological or psychological disorders, which deprive her
feeling her pregnancy symptoms.

Affective Denial

Affective Denial
is a stage when a woman doesn’t feel any maternal changes in her body, neither
she mentally feels anything like pregnancy. Perhaps, these women do not change
their lifestyle or apparent look to disguise them as pregnant. However, these
women are sometimes aware of their pregnancy but their internal body’s hormones
never let them express their pregnancy. This phenomenon usually finds in
working women who spend most of their time working, so their body gradually
develops these hormones.

Pervasive Denial

Pervasive Denial
of pregnancy is another pregnancy condition wherein a woman doesn’t not feel
any or little physical signs about her pregnancy, i.e., she doest not gain
weight, continues bleeding, doesn’t change her food habits, and, etc.
Responsible hormones, sometimes, do not change the physical appearance of a
pregnant woman. Though, it’s a rare condition yet it is rather common among
working women. Pervasive Denial is not a rare finding among those women who
used to physically active since their childhood, and so, their internal
hormones conceal their pregnancy symptoms without any adverse effect to their
pregnancy.

Psychotic Denial

Psychotic Denial
is something wherein pregnancy symptoms are misunderstood for something else,
like ulcer, clot, or other diseases that cause similar side effects. These
women, sometimes, never know about their pregnancy until their labor pain
starts. This is preferably happened with women of urban or rural areas where
medical science’s latest techniques are not accessible. In developed countries,
Psychotic Denial is very rare to find coz those women regularly use various
pregnancy test kits to find about their pregnancy.

Injectable contraceptives contain synthetic hormones and are given via deep intramuscular injection.  It is usually given every 3 months.  They mimic the functions and actions of the main hormones responsible for ovulation.  It is a very effective form of reversible contraceptive method.  Two types of injectable contraceptives are available: the progestin-only and the combination of progestin and estrogen.  The more popular one is the progestin-only.  It is available in many brand names, but the Depo-Provera is the most popularly known and used.

The Good

Injectables, as they are fondly called, are gaining popularity lately.  There are many reasons behind this.  Aside from being extremely effective, it is very convenient because you don’t have to take anything daily or do anything at all unlike those natural family planning methods where you always have to compute and be aware of your body.  Women only have to go to the clinic every 3 months, so aside from convenience, privacy is also an advantage.  Injectables are also said to improve menstrual cramps, depression, endometriosis and premenstrual symptoms.  You also lose less blood during your menstruation.

The Bad

There are also disadvantages when it comes to injectables.  Some women who use injectables experience very irregular periods.  It may bother some.  It also causes weight gain, so exercise and careful diet is more a must.  There is also increasing concern regarding the long term effects of taking in synthetic hormones.  Not only do they cause bone degeneration, but they also predispose the woman to developing cancer.  This is true especially for those with family history of cancer.  Also, normal ovulation does not resume immediately after stopping the injections.  It may take a couple of months before your ovaries function again.

Effectiveness, Limitations and Side Effects

Progestin-only injectables have 0.1% to 0.6% failure rate, while combined injectables have a 0.2% to 0.4% failure rate.  They are not subject to user error which makes them very effective.  However, there are limitations as to who are eligible in using this method.  Girls below 16 should not use them because of its effect on bone density.  Before using injectables, you must first make sure that you are not pregnant as it may cause significant harm to the fetus.  A woman about to use this must also be aware of the possibility of losing her period entirely with prolonged use.  There are also side effects associated with injectables such as headache, decrease in libido, and probable difficulty in conceiving after taking this medication.  It is also not recommended for women with Diabetes, high blood pressure and those with blood clotting disorders.

Good nutrition is important for all of us.  It becomes crucial when you start eating for two.  There are specific guidelines regarding diet during pregnancy.  There are certain recommendations in the amount of nutrient intake especially those that are essential for your baby’s growth and development.  These guidelines are adjusted accordingly when you are carrying more than one baby, when you are over or under weight, when you have difficulty in eating or when you have allergies.  Normally, your OB would tell you whether you need to consult to a nutritionist or not.

Weight Matters

Pregnancy is the worst time for you to think about losing weight.  Weight gain during pregnancy is one of the parameter used to determine fetal development and well being.  If your pre-pregnant weight is normal or desirable, the normal total weight gain through out pregnancy is 25 to 35 pounds.  In case of those who are shorter than 5’2”, they may have lower normal weight gain.  It is important to have a normal weight before trying to get pregnant.  Being under or overweight will affect the baby, so weight corrections should be done before and not during pregnancy.

Essential Nutrients

Protein is the tissue building nutrient.  Since the fetus is rapidly developing its organs, protein is very vital during the prenatal period.  Folic acid contributes to normal development of the fetus’s nervous system.  Lack of this may lead to neurological deficits.  A certain dose of folic acid is given through out pregnancy.  Calcium intake should also be increased since the baby’s bones are quickly forming.  Strong bones are needed to prevent congenital deformities and fractures during normal child birth.  Iron is needed by the baby for normal formation of blood components especially red blood cells.  Iron supplements should be given on a daily basis for all pregnant women.  Other vitamins and minerals in the form of a multivitamins and minerals tablet should also be taken by the mother.  They help in proper growth and development of the fetus.  Lack of certain vitamins and minerals may lead to deformities and sickness to their unborn child.

Food Servings

There’s no better time for you to be conscious about your food intake than when you are pregnant.  Generally, there are recommended food servings for each food groups.  For the bread and cereals group, 6-11 servings are recommended; for the vegetables group, 3-5 servings; for the fruit group, 2-4 servings; while for the protein and dairy group 2-3 servings are ideal.  It is important to keep in mind the serving sizes of each type of food.  Some food like meat products has relatively small serving sizes.  You may have eaten 3 servings already and not know it.  It is also important to maintain your fluid intake to a minimum of 8 glasses.  You don’t want to dehydrate your baby as this may interfere with development.  Proper nutrition during pregnancy goes a long way for your child.  Embrace the body changes, its normal.  Pregnancy is a temporary state, ensure that you are eating properly and there’s no way why you should return to your normal sexy state.

Assisted Reproductive Technology refers to different types of artificial and partially artificial means to become pregnant.  It is the current management to worsening infertility problems nowadays.  It is also called ARTs for short.  ARTs are not easily recommended by physicians.  It is a rule of thumb to always try out the most conservative measures first.  This technology is very invasive and expensive.  ARTs should be the couple’s last resort.  In the late 1980s, the first test-tube baby was born via in vitro fertilization (IVF).  After this, there was increased popularity not only of IVF but also other forms of ARTs.

IVF & ICSI

The first and most popular is the in vitro fertilization (IVF).  In this process, the eggs and sperms are combined in a petri dish inside a laboratory and waits until fertilization occurs.  The embryos are left to develop for about 3 to 5 days then placed in the mother’s uterus.  Success rate is about 28% to 35%.  In intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), on the other hand, one sperm is injected directly inside an egg.  After fertilization occurs, the embryo is then placed inside the uterus.  It has a 35% success rate and more expensive than IVF.

GIFT & ZIFT

In gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT), eggs and sperms are combined in a dish and then injected surgically into the fallopian tubes where fertilization usually takes place.  It has a low success rate and is not a common practice anymore nowadays.  Zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT) is very similar to GIFT.  It differs in the sense that fertilization should take place first and the zygote is injected in the fallopian tube.  Still, this has a low success rate compared to IVF, and that’s why it is not commonly practiced nowadays anymore.

Donors and Surrogacy

Donors are needed when one of the partners are not able to produce mature and functioning eggs or sperms.  Donated cell is mixed with the functioning cell, they wait for fertilization, and then the embryo is implanted on the mother’s uterus.  You may have to need bigger budget as you may have to pay big for the donor cells and the procedural cost itself is more expensive than others.  Surrogacy, on the other hand, is the last resort of all the last resorts.  It is done when the mother’s uterus is not competent enough to go through pregnancy.  Another woman carries the embryo from the husband and wife’s egg and sperm then gives you the baby after being born.  There are many legal and ethical concerns not only with surrogacy but for ARTs in general.  Always remember that careful review, consideration and consultation is required before making a decision.

Infertility is a reproductive problem encountered by some couples nowadays.  Many infertile couples eventually experience insecurities and incompetence especially those who are wishing to be parents.  In the advent of modern science, many treatments were established to enhance the probability of pregnancy in most infertile couples.  One of which is the use of fertility drugs.

 Types and Uses of Fertility Drugs

Fertility drugs are medication used to induce pregnancy.  These drugs are especially designed to improve the production of hormones responsible for ovulation in women and spermatogenesis (production of sperm) in men.

A common infertility problem encountered by women is decrease in production or failure to produce egg cells.  This is due to the decrease in production of gonadotropic hormones which is composed of the follicle-stimulating hormones (FSH) responsible for the maturation of the ovum and the luteinizing hormone (LH) which is responsible for ovulation.  Clomide Citrate is the drug, which is the counterpart of FSH and LH.  Besides inducing ovulation, it also enhances production of sperm in males with low sperm count.

Another drug which enhances ovulation is menotropin (pergonal).  This is also known as the Human menopausal gonadotropin.  They have been taken out from the menopausal woman’s urine sample which contains FSH and LH.  Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) is combined with menotropin to potentiate the effects of the latter drug to induce ovulation.

Some women have abnormalities in the production of FSH.  Most physicians prescribe them with Urofollitropin (Metrodin).  This drug usually contains only FSH.  This is indicated to women with polycystic ovary syndrome.  As a side effect, women often have multiple ovum production every month resulting in multiple pregnancies.

Progestin or Progesterone, which is also known as the” hormone of the mother”, is another drug used to treat infertility.  Progesterone stimulates the anterior pituitary gland to secrete hormones which thickens the uterine wall in preparation for implantation.  As the fertilized ovum is released from the fallopian tube, it needs to attach to the uterine lining and begin to form germ layers which eventually will become the essential organs of the fetus.  This drug is indicated to those women who have habitual miscarriages.

Other fertility drugs are especially produced for men with low sperm count or low sperm motility.  Proxeed is a drug used to treat oligospermia but there are few reports to provide evidences of cure.

Additional Information

Fertility drugs can really induce pregnancy, but make sure that you use a drug that is prescribed by your physician.  Dedication and conscientiously drinking these medications will give a better chance of having pregnancy and living your life as a parent.

Search the net and ask your friends.  There are a lot of ways in which people claim to predict baby genders correctly while it’s still in the womb.  There are some that obviously are myths of old times, but some, surprising at it may seem, produce correct results.

Are They Superstitions?

Gender prediction of unborn babies is one of the favorite parts of a mother conceiving.  It’s just so exciting to guess whether you will have a little baby boy or girl.  There is actually a Chinese calendar where you predict your baby’s gender by determining the Chinese age of the mother during a certain month.  Some guess according to whether you have a big belly, your hair and nails grows faster or slower than usual or if you like sweet or sour foods.  Some say you will have a boy if the baby’s heart rate is above 140 while a girl’s heart rate would fall below 140.  These all seem like superstitions.  The only definitive and objective way to determine the sex of your baby is to get an ultrasound at around 20 weeks age of gestation when the baby’s genitals are fully differentiated and recognized.  The debate is - should we know the baby’s gender before birth or not?

The Bad

Parents who decided not to know the gender of the baby say that knowing it is one of the most wonderful moments of being a parent.  They love to be in suspense, and the element of surprise is there.  It gets you to think about different possibilities with both genders.  You get to choose two different set of names and spend your pregnancy wondering which baby clothes and stuff you should buy.  They also like the guessing game that people and friends play all throughout the pregnancy.

The Good

Parents who decided to know the gender of their baby via ultrasound argue on practicality.  They say that it helps them plan ahead and ready themselves.  They can pick the color of the child’s room and things accordingly while saving themselves from the hassle of repainting and returning baby stuff for different colors.  It helps them decide on important issues like whether to circumcise the baby or not.  Most importantly, some parents say that knowing the baby’s gender right away makes them feel more bonded with their child.  They are able to pick out a name and call their baby its name even before he or she is born.  They also say that it gives them motivation during difficult labor that they are already going to meet little John.

It’s Up to You

Whether or not to know your baby’s gender is up to you.  There is no right or wrong answer.  It is based on the beliefs and opinions of the two most important people in the baby’s life.  Whether you keep it a surprise or not, the most important is, the baby is healthy and you take care of him/her the best you can.

Because of the increasing number of infertile couples due to inevitable conditions, researchers found a way to revive procreation and give a chance for couples to start a family.

What are the Indications of Egg Donation?

Egg donation is defined as providing egg cells to research institution for the purpose of helping those misfortunate (infertile) couples.  Most of these eggs are used in artificial insemination (in vitro fertilization).  Egg donation is needed by women with abnormalities in the reproductive system.  Women, as young as 20 years, can experience menopause.  Some women were born with mal-developed ovaries or without ovaries.  Another reason for egg donation is for the benefit of those women who underwent hysterectomy or have reproductive problems.  Other women with genetic disorder or gay couples can benefit from egg donation.

Egg Donor’s Criteria and Motivation

Egg donors are screened both physically and mentally to assure of the soundness of the eggs.  Every egg donor is required to sign an informed consent before the start of insemination.  Egg donors agree to give up any claim of ownership to the egg.  Most egg donors come from donor registries and others are provided by couples who want to submit to artificial insemination.  After signing the informed consent, the donor undergoes IVF simulation and egg retrieval procedure.  After retrieving the egg, the sperm is then combined with the ova and is placed in the laboratory for several days.  When the embryo is formed, it is then placed in the recipient’s uterus to be carried for 9 months and treat the baby as her own.

Egg donors have only two reasons for motivation.  Some women served as volunteers to help couples who want to have a family.  They like the feeling of helping others without asking in anything return.  On the other hand, some women are attracted to the handsome monetary compensation offered by many health institutions.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Egg Donation

Definitely, egg donors are of great benefit to their recipients.  But donors and recipients still encounter problems after insemination.  Donors can suffer from hemorrhage or abnormal production of egg cells becomes of hormonal replacement therapies.  They can result to hyper-ovulation or liver failure.  Apparently, most donors increase their risk to ovarian cancer and early menopause.

On the other hand, recipients are at risk for communicable diseases.

In order to avail of the monetary compensation for egg donations, some donors conceal their true reputation.

Sometimes, physicians accidentally place two or more eggs in the recipient’s uterus.  That’s why multiple births are common effects of egg donation.

During the period of adolescence and early adulthood, many teenagers and young adults become curious of their sexuality and sexual preferences.  They tend to experiment and engage in sexual activities, but oftentimes, curiosity can lead to accidents.  By accidents, I mean unwanted pregnancies or catching STDs.  Perhaps as early as the school age years, children are exposed to issues on sex and protection against STDs or unwanted pregnancies.

As the girl reaches puberty, her body undergoes tremendous changes, both physical and emotional changes.  Hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, increase in production, and they are the ones responsible for the changes in the woman’s body.

Basal Body Temperature

There are changes in a woman’s body which can help determine the fertility and infertility periods.  A method which can determine if a woman is fertile is by measuring her basal body temperature.  The basal body temperature is baseline temperature of your body.  During the ovulation period, the temperature rises slightly by 1/3 to 1/2 degrees.  This is considered as the woman’s infertile days, thus, it is safe to engage in sexual intercourse.  On the other hand, if the woman’s basal body temperature falls and rises up to a full degree, it is considered as her fertile days.  It is not safe to engage in sexual intercourse.  But in order to achieve the accurate results, a woman must take her temperature before getting up in the morning, apart from performing any activities.

Cervical Mucus Test

The use of cervical mucus can also determine your fertility period.  A woman can observe her underwear for traces of mucus, or she can get a sample of mucus from the opening of the cervix.  If a woman is infertile, the cervical mucus is thick in consistency and does not stretch when it is pulled between the fingers.  Alternatively, if a woman is fertile, the consistency is thin, watery and clear.  It stretches one inch when pulled between the fingers.  Usually after every menstrual period, woman experiences dryness for several days, then it becomes low and cloudy.  But during the ovulation phase, it becomes slippery and transparent.

Cervical Position Test

Another method to determine your fertility period is by checking your cervical position.  You can choose any position as long as it’s comfortable for you.  Some women prefer the sitting position while others choose to squat or pull one leg up after the other.  You may use your non-dominant hand to spread the vaginal lips and insert your other hand to the position of the cervix.  It is somewhat round, cylindrical in shape.  If it’s far back, then you’re infertile, but if it’s in a low position, then you are fertile.