Kidco Go-Pod

The Go·Pod™ is an ultra lightweight, portable activity seat developed as an alternative to bulky, stationary activity centers. Its one-of-a-kind 'mobility design' makes it a must have for in-home or travel needs. As living spaces are getting smaller and lives are busier, the Go·Pod sets the standards for both worlds perfectly. Simply fold and go!


$59.99
Available Online and In-Store

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What is ovulation

What is ovulation?

Ovulation is when one or more eggs are released from one of your ovaries. This is the most fertile time of your menstrual cycle. Each month, 15 to 20 eggs mature inside the ovaries. The ripest egg is released into the pelvic cavity and swept into the fallopian tube. Which ovary releases the egg is fairly random. Ovulation does not necessarily switch between ovaries each cycle.

How does ovulation decide when I can get pregnant?

To become pregnant naturally, an egg and a sperm have to meet in the fallopian tube before the egg dies. An egg survives no more than 24 hours after ovulation; unless, of course, it is fertilised by a sperm. However, sperm can survive for much longer within the genital tract (your vagina, uterus or fallopian tubes). It has been found that sperm can survive inside you for up to seven days (NICE 2004: 27). However, sperm with the best motility (moving swiftly, usually in a straight line) are produced when a man ejaculates every three to four days on average (NICE 2004: 27).

This means that you don't have to time sex to the exact moment of ovulation to get pregnant. It is probably more realistic to think of a "fertile window" of about four to five days when live, healthy sperm could meet a freshly ovulated egg.

How can I tell when I'm most fertile?

Ovulation usually takes place 12 to 16 days before the start of your next period. For a woman with a 28-day menstrual cycle (the first day of menstruation being day one), ovulation takes place sometime around day 13 to 15. The length of a normal menstrual cycle, however, varies between 23 days and 35 days so ovulation could occur earlier or later in your cycle.

The simplest way to determine your most fertile time is to pay attention to your body and learn to spot the signs that ovulation is imminent. Try our ovulation calculator to help you work out when your "fertile window" is likely to be. Then start to familiarise yourself with the cycle of hormonal and physical changes that take place each month:

• Changes in cervical mucus
Several studies have found that monitoring changes in the cervical mucus is an accurate and useful method for women to use to predict their most fertile days (Alliende et al 2005; Scarpa et al 2005; Bigelow et al 2004; Attar et al 2002). As your cycle progresses, your cervical mucus increases in volume and changes texture. The greater volume and changes in texture reflect your body's rising levels of the hormone oestrogen and show that you are close to ovulating (Katz et al 1997). You are considered most fertile when the mucus becomes clear, slippery and stretchy. The role of this mucus is to nourish, protect and speed the sperm on its way up through the uterus and into the fallopian tubes for the rendezvous with your egg. Many women compare the copious, watery mucus at this stage to raw egg whites.

• Lower abdominal pain
About one-fifth of women actually feel ovulatory activity, which can range from mild achiness to twinges of pain. Some women describe it as "one-sided back ache" or a specific tenderness. The condition, called mittelschmerz, may last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. If you notice the same type of pain at roughly the same time each month, check the condition of your cervical mucus as well. Ovulatory pain can be a useful guide to their fertile window for some women.

You may not be aware of it but you may be showing other signs that you are at your most fertile. Studies of changes in appearance and behaviour across the menstrual cycle have become more popular in recent years. Think back over your menstrual cycle and you may find that some of the following peaked when you were approaching ovulation:

• Feeling sexy and flirty
Increased libido, improved mood and feeling more sociable may all be signs that you're at your most fertile. If you are in a stable partnership, you may notice a peak in sexual desire when you are in the ovulatory phase of your menstrual cycle (Pillsworth et al 2004). Whether in a settled relationship or not, the fertile window is the period when women are more likely to feel like going out, preferably where they can socialise with other men and be a little flirtatious (Haselton and Gangestad 2006). If you're in a relationship, you may also have noticed that your partner gets a little more possessive and attentive at this time (Haselton and Gangestad 2006)!

• Looking hot, hot, hot!
Studies have found that both how you feel and how you look on the attractiveness stakes goes up when you near ovulation. One study found that women reported feeling more physically attractive at this fertile time (Haselton and Gangestad 2006). You may look more attractive to others too, as it has been found that women take more care with their appearance when they are at their most fertile. Without realising it, you may choose clothes that flatter you and take more care over grooming and accessorising; and the closer to ovulation the hotter women look (Haselton et al 2006). Although we may think that we don't use sexual displays, as commonly seen in the animal world, we can still use our feminine wiles to make sure we catch the eye of the prime male in our life.

• With a scent to drive a man wild
Not only may you look good, you may also smell hot, hot, hot! It has been found that women smell more attractive to men when they are in the ovulatory phase of their cycle than when this fertile window has passed (Singh and Bronstad 2001). You may think that nobody knows you're ovulating but those tell-tale pheromones give the game away.

How to increase your chances of conception

If you have unprotected sex every two to three days then sperm with good motility will be in the right place whenever you ovulate. Regular sex throughout your cycle is the approach that fertility experts recommend for increasing your chances of getting pregnant (NICE 2004: 27). Making love when your cervical mucus is wet, slippery and therefore most receptive to sperm will also increase your chances of conception (Bigelow et al 2004; Scarpa et al 2005). And you'll be happy to know that the odds are with you.

In normally fertile couples, there is a 20 to 30 per cent chance of getting pregnant each cycle (HFEA 2006-7: 6). This means around 84 per cent of women who have regular sex without using birth control will get pregnant within one year (NICE 2004: 26). If they keep on trying, half of the remainder will get pregnant in the following year, giving a grand total of 92 per cent of couples conceiving within two years.

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EARLY PREGNANCY SYMPTOMS

Missed Menstrual Period

A missed cycle can be a sign of pregnancy. It is usually the first indicator that conception has occurred, although some women claim to know they are pregnant before they miss a period.

Morning Sickness

NAUSEA can be a sign that a woman is pregnant. Many women say that they've had NAUSEA up to two weeks before an expected monthly cycle and before any other symptom. Eating crackers before getting out of the bed in the morning can help, and eating several smaller meals instead of larger ones throughout the day can also limit NAUSEA.

Tender Breasts

Tender, swollen breasts are another early symptom. While tender breasts are a symptom of an impending cycle, enlarged breasts are not. Sore and swollen breasts with a tingling sensation can be an early indicator of pregnancy.

Fatigue

Extreme fatigue can be another indicator of pregnancy, especially if other symptoms are present. A nap a day can help a pregnant woman maintain normal daily activities.

Frequent Urination

An increased urge to urinate can be an indicator and usually occurs between 6 to 8 weeks pregnant

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Dieting when pregnancy can lower baby's IQ

LONDON: Women may be risking a low intelligence quotient (IQ) for their unborn babies by dieting during  pregnancy, a new research indicates.

Cutting back on vital nutrients and calories in the first half of pregnancy stunts the development of an unborn child's brain, says a new study.

Although it was carried out on primates, researchers say the same findings are likely to be true for women, reports the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Thomas McDonald of the University of Texas Health Science Centre US, who conducted the study, said: "This study is a further demonstration of the importance of good maternal health and diet."

"It supports the view that poor diets in pregnancy can alter development of foetal organs, in this case the brain, in ways that will have lifetime effects on offspring, potentially lowering IQ and predisposing to behavioural problems."

Past studies have shown that severe diets, famines and food shortages during pregnancy can harm unborn babies, according to the Daily Mail.

But the new study looked at the sort of "moderate dieting" typical of women in Britain and America. They compared two groups of baboon mothers at a primate research centre in San Antonio, US.

One group was allowed to eat as much as they wanted during the first half of pregnancy, while the other group was fed 30 percent less, a level of nutrition similar to what many prospective mothers experience, the researchers said.

In the second group, cells did not divide as much as they should and connections between neurons were not made.

Lack of nutrients interfered with the way brain cells connected in the unborn babies and altered the expression of hundreds of genes - many involved in cell growth and development, the researchers reported.

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TEENAGE PREGNANCY

Pregnancy is sometimes unplanned, especially for younger women. Our bodies are made in such a way that we can get pregnant as a teenager, even when we don't want to. This is a time in our lives when we may not be emotionally and financially ready to deal with having a child. Be brave; you have a challenge ahead of you. and having a baby is hard some people think that it is easy and some teens want a baby but they don't know how hard it is. 

STEP 1

If you suspect you might be pregnant, take a pregnancy test. Don't put it off, because knowing you're pregnant is vital to your health and gives you the most options if you're not sure you want to be a parent. Some symptoms of pregnancy include a missed menstrual period, fatigue, breast tenderness, mood swings, and nausea. When you first discover you are pregnant, you should tell someone that you trust and who will support you.

STEP 2

Support:If both or one of your parents support you, that is wonderful, as they have experience and can guide you through parenting. If the father of your baby supports you, that, too, could be wonderful, as he could willingly help you by taking you to appointments, paying for baby stuff, being emotionally supportive, and so much more. If you don't find support, tell people you trust until you find people who will support you. If no one knows or supports you, you could be going through this alone.

STEP 3

Apply for Medicaid and WIC to cover your medical expenses, food and living expenses if necessary. Oftentimes, there is support for young women, and it can help you to find jobs, finish high school, and go to a vocational school or college.

STEP 4

Take a parenting course

STEP 5

Find a place to stay. If your parents don't support you, or are giving you an ultimatum to do their wishes or move, and your boyfriend is not supportive, see if you can find a relative, friend, or anyone who has your best interests. If you don't have support from friends or family, seek support groups who are in similar situations.

STEP 6Get advice. If you're afraid of having a baby, consult an elder, nurse, doctor or midwife. Ask them what to expect.

STEP 7

Save money. Be thrifty in what you buy. There are oftentimes places where you can buy stuff for you and your baby very cheaply, such as yard sales and thrift stores.

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SEX DURING PREGNANCY

 SEX DURING PREGNANCY

For most women and their partners, pregnancy brings changes in the sexual relationship.

Most of these changes are influenced by the couple's feelings about the pregnancy and its associated changes. You may find that pregnancy complements your sense of sexuality, making you feel more feminine and desirable or, on the other hand, you may feel awkward and unattractive. Many women have less sexual desire during the first three and last three months of pregnancy. Early in the pregnancy you may be plagued by nausea and vomiting, fatigue and tender breasts while later in the pregnancy your protruding abdomen may make intercourse uncomfortable. During the second three months of pregnancy, however, you may feel full of energy and have a renewed interest in lovemaking.

Mother vs. Wife

During pregnancy not only is your body changing but your newfound maternal feelings can trigger complex emotional responses. Suddenly, motherhood and sexuality may seem mutually exclusive, resulting in a loss of sexual desire. These feelings generally resolve themselves as you get used to your new role. Worrying about childbirth and the many responsibilities of childrearing can also be a major source of stress during pregnancy which may affect your sexual desire.

Father vs. Husband
Many men find mom's changing body very beautiful and desirable while others have trouble adapting to the changes pregnancy brings. It is important to remember that even if your partner is not turned on by your pregnant body, he is still turned on by you. A father's desire for sex can decrease during pregnancy due to concerns he may have about impending parenthood, finances, the marital relationship and, of course, concerns about the health and well being of mom and baby.

A Bundle of Worries
You and your partner may worry that intercourse can endanger you or the baby. In most cases, it is safe to continue to make love throughout pregnancy. This is something that you should confirm with your caregiver to put your mind at ease. Couples are usually told to avoid sex only if your water has broken, if there is or has been bleeding, if it is painful for the woman, or if there have been any warning signs of miscarriage or preterm labor.

Worries that your partner's weight on top of your abdomen can hurt the baby or cause you discomfort can be remedied by use of a variety of positions such as side lying and hands and knees positions. Further discomfort can be avoided by gentler, more shallow penetration of the penis into the vagina. Remember, the baby is protected by the cushioning effect of the amniotic fluid and the seal provided by the amniotic sac and cervical mucus.

Some women are afraid to have an orgasm because it can cause the uterus to contract. In a normal pregnancy this should not be a concern. The uterus contracts in the same manner with Braxton Hicks contractions which are a perfectly natural occurrence during pregnancy.

Use Your Imagination
You and your partner may find that with a little imagination and a good sense of humor you can find new, more comfortable positions for love making.

If you find that you are feeling less than sexy during late pregnancy, pretty nightgowns may make you feel more attractive and may be a turn on for your partner. Dimming or turning out the lights, burning candles or incense, and putting on soft music might help you feel sexier and less inhibited.

Even if you and your partner do not have strong sexual needs throughout the pregnancy, you may have an increased need for physical affection, for gentle touching, cuddling, holding and hugs. You will want to nurture feelings of emotional closeness as well by spending time talking together, sharing feelings, and experiencing the pregnancy together.

Throughout this change in your sexual relationship you and your partner will need good communication, understanding and patience to keep your loving relationship strong. The groundwork that you lay now will carry you through those first hectic weeks of parenthood.

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Let's all connect!

One thing we'd love to do at Dear-Born Baby is support those that support us - you! Do you have a blog out there that you think other Dear-Born Baby customers should know about? If so let us know by replying to this blog post and leave a link to your blog. We'll put it in our blog roll to the right.  To start us off, here is an awesome DIY Project spotted over on Hudson + Co that we love and this was spotted over at Mon Petit Amour

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PREGNANCY TESTS

                              SEE  VIDEO PREGNANCY TESTS

That depends on whether you're using a urine test (the most common kind) or a blood test. All pregnancy tests measure the amount of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), the pregnancy hormone, in your body. But the two types of tests differ in how (and when) they detect it.

Home pregnancy tests are urine tests. They detect the amount of hCG in your urine, but only when it reaches a certain level. Some home pregnancy tests are more sensitive than others. More sensitive tests may be able to detect low levels of hCG a few days before your period is due.

However, whether you use an ordinary or a more sensitive home pregnancy test, if you use it too early in pregnancy the amount of hCG in your urine may not be high enough for a positive result. Almost all urine pregnancy tests will give you accurate results if you test at around the time your period would normally be due; about two weeks after you ovulate.

A test may be negative for several reasons: you may not be pregnant, or you may have ovulated later than you thought (and so not be far enough along for the test to detect your hCG). In a small number of women, hCG levels can be very low and this may also affect the outcome of pregnancy tests.

The blood test for pregnancy measures the amount of hCG in your bloodstream, not your urine. Blood tests can measure much smaller amounts of the hormone, and so can detect pregnancy earlier than urine tests, usually about six to eight days after ovulation. However, these are only available through your doctor who is unlikely to offer one unless you have pressing medical reasons to know quickly whether or not you are pregnant.

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ERGObaby Carrier

Ergo Baby Products Available Online and In-Store
Available here See Lindsay's review of the Ergo on her blog!

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Save 15% on Britax this Friday at Dear-Born Baby!

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