Preconception

I'm retiring as editor of this topic so this is my last article on here. I have a couple of special announcements in the article, so please read.

Oct 1, 2005 - Lori Ramsey

We’ve all seen the commercials promoting home pregnancy tests that can be used up to five days before the menstrual period is due. Many women run out to purchase these tests, paying large amounts for the ultra sensitivity. Before you do, read the facts about such tests first.

Sep 1, 2005 - Lori Ramsey

In today’s world of “hurry up and wait” we all want results immediately. For those whose lives are hectic and harried this article is for you!

Aug 1, 2005 - Lori Ramsey

Diet is important to maintain optimum health and all the more when trying to conceive is it important to eat right and increase your chances of conceiving a healthy baby. It’s true that women on “junk food” diets can conceive, but it’s always best to do all you can to ensure a healthy baby.

Jul 1, 2005 - Lori Ramsey

Often women who are trying to conceive have questions about what to do or not to do while pregnant, but does the same hold true while trying to conceive?

Jun 1, 2005 - Lori Ramsey

In the twenty-first century the term “infertility” is very prevalent. In the modern countries of the world, there are more women now than ever facing infertility problems (the inability to conceive).

May 1, 2005 - Lori Ramsey

The very act of trying to conceive can bring on more stress than couples can imagine, especially if it’s taking months or years. Month after month of negative results can bring on added stress, and this isn’t healthy for the reproductive cycle. Stress actually hinders ovulation, and puts the delicate reproductive hormones out of balance.

Apr 1, 2005 - Lori Ramsey

Every woman who is of childbearing age and is sexually active will have at least one miscarriage in her life. One in five pregnancies ends in miscarriage. The biggest percentage of these miscarriages occur within the first six weeks of pregnancy. Most women will have an early miscarriage at around four or five weeks and not even be aware that is happening. Only the woman who is charting her fertility signs and testing early will discover this.

Mar 1, 2005 - Lori Ramsey

Are you truly prepared for getting pregnant. Many women stress about becoming pregnant. A lot of couples want everything perfect before they even start to try. This could become an obsession. What couples must realize is that nothing is perfect and that a baby is made one day at a time – one tiny cell at a time.

Feb 1, 2005 - Lori Ramsey

The OvuLite is one of the best selling monitors because of its quality design and purpose. Each OvuLite offers unlimited testing with 98% accuracy.

Jan 1, 2005 - Lori Ramsey

Reviews of the Cue II and the OvaCue fertility monitors written from personal experience with them.

Dec 1, 2004 - Lori Ramsey

Article 2 on the Fertility Product Reviews. This month's review is of the Ovuscope Easy Saliva Analysis Ovulation Detector.

Nov 1, 2004 - Lori Ramsey

The first in a series of fertility product reviews. This month's review is of the Ovu-Tec Fertility Detector.

Oct 1, 2004 - Lori Ramsey

Many women experience spotting at some point during their cycle. Sometimes it’s perfectly normal, and sometimes it's an indication of something wrong, be it minor or major.

Sep 1, 2004 - Lori Ramsey

You’ve tried to conceive for months now, buying pregnancy tests like they were going out of style. You’ve obsessed about your fertility signs, agonized over your basal temperatures, probably driving your mate nuts. You’ve cried over all the negatives while analyzing all the possible early pregnancy symptoms. I know how this feels, I’ve been there! But there will come a day, hopefully, that you will gaze upon a pregnancy test that will shine two lines boldly back at you. You will feel elated, joy, excitement and possibly even fear. You finally have that positive pregnancy test! What now?

Aug 1, 2004 - Lori Ramsey

The purpose of charting the basal body temperatures is to find out when ovulation occurs. To some women, the chart will be “text-book” meaning the lows will be in the 97.0 F range and the highs in the 98.0 range, with a .4 rise the day after ovulation and a 14 day luteal phase (the time from ovulation to menstruation or the start of the next cycle.) This is not always the case, though, and for the majority of women who experience some variations on their temperature charts, there are possible explanations.

Jul 1, 2004 - Lori Ramsey

The longest time period during the month is the two weeks between ovulation and hopeful positive pregnancy test or start of the next cycle. Try to get through this time period without feeling like you are going crazy. It takes a little bit of patience and some inventive strategies or plans, but you can survive without climbing aboard the obsession train.

Jun 1, 2004 - Lori Ramsey

A fertility monitor is a device that alerts to impending ovulation. They go by many different names: fertility monitor, ovulation monitor, ovulation microscope, fertility microscope, saliva monitor, saliva microscope are the popular names, with the term “fertility monitor” being the most popular. They require samples of saliva, urine or cervical fluid to run the test. There are many different brands and types of fertility monitors ranging from around $20 to $400.

May 1, 2004 - Lori Ramsey

A tilted uterus is a term used to describe a uterus that is tilted backwards from the cervix, toward tailbone.

Apr 1, 2004 - Lori Ramsey

If you’ve been trying to conceive for some time, the inevitable question will come from well-meaning family and friends: “When are you going to have a baby?” These seemingly innocent questions can really make you feel bad, especially if you’ve been trying unsuccessfully for a while. How to answer these questions without wanting to dot their eyes takes some ingenuity.

Mar 1, 2004 - Lori Ramsey

The time from ovulation till taking a pregnancy test can be an emotional and stressful time. Many refer to this as the two week wait. I refer to it as the obsession train ride or the emotional roller coaster. Read on to find out how to deal with these preconception woes.

Jan 1, 2004 - Lori Ramsey

Of all the advances in modern medical technology, I think that the invention of chemical birth control has been the most detrimental to women. I can’t begin to tell you how many women email me each week, who have had the shot “Depo Provera” and are having problems conceiving.

Dec 1, 2003 - Lori Ramsey

Part 3 of my favorite Questions and Answers for getting pregnant. These questions are gathered from the many emails I have received the past couple of years.

Nov 1, 2003 - Lori Ramsey

If you’ve been trying to conceive for some time, I’m sure you’ve heard of the drug Clomid. There are several different reasons that Clomid may be prescribed.

Oct 1, 2003 - Lori Ramsey

Natural pregnancy achievement starts with charting your fertility signs, basal body temperature, cervical fluid and cervical position. These three will help you to know when you are about to ovulate, when ovulation happens and will possibly alert you to pregnancy. If you are having problems conceiving, there are many natural cures and remedies out there that are gentle on the body.

Sep 1, 2003 - Lori Ramsey

If you have been trying to conceive for longer than six months, if you have had more than one miscarriage, even early miscarriages, then you owe it to yourself to find out all you can about natural cures and remedies and about your rights as a patient. I strongly encourage education in the area of human reproduction.

Aug 1, 2003 - Lori Ramsey

This is the 21st century and women have many neat and useful products to aid in the road to conception. I will go over some of the items that I find both useful and interesting.

Jul 1, 2003 - Lori Ramsey

These are some more of my favorite quesitons and answers about trying to conceive.

Jun 1, 2003 - Lori Ramsey

These are some of the most asked questions about getting pregnant I receive. I compiled them into an article for easy reading.

May 1, 2003 - Lori Ramsey

The question is often asked exactly when conception occurs, especially if intercourse and ovulation are on separate days. There are many things that come into play here leading up to conception. I will explain each to give you a clearer picture of this wonderful process.

Apr 1, 2003 - Lori Ramsey

I receive a lot of emails asking what I recommend to get pregnant. There are actually three things I recommend; 50 mg of vitamin B6 a day, at least one glass of plain decaf tea, and using a natural progesterone cream after ovulation. Of the three items, the top recommended one is the progesterone cream.

Mar 1, 2003 - Lori Ramsey

One of the most asked questions when trying to conceive is "When can I test?" The answer depends on when ovulation occurs and when implantation happens and on what brand of home pregnancy test you are using.

Feb 1, 2003 - Lori Ramsey

Happy New Year! If you’ve crossed over into 2003 without conceiving in 2002, don’t loose heart. Conception can sometimes take a while to happen. Making your new year’s resolution to relax may just be the key to actually conceiving this year.

Jan 1, 2003 - Lori Ramsey

You finally arrive at that wonderful point. You take the test and see those two double lines. Elated with joy, you can't wait to share the news, "I'm pregnant!" The first person who should know is "Daddy".

Dec 1, 2002 - Lori Ramsey

It's common for lovemaking to take on a totally different role while trying to conceive. Now lovemaking becomes baby-making and it's during this sometimes stressful time that the sizzle fizzles.

Nov 1, 2002 - Lori Ramsey

I highly recommend charting your fertility signs and symptoms if you are trying to conceive. Not only will it help in pinpointing ovulation but it will help you to discover any infertility problems you may have.

Oct 1, 2002 - Lori Ramsey

Are you a breastfeeding mom who is trying to conceive again? Does breastfeeding prevent pregnancy, or can you get pregnant while nursing a baby? To draw some conclusions about breastfeeding while trying to conceive, I spoke with Dr. Bradley Goldberg, MD.

Sep 1, 2002 - Lori Ramsey

Remembering the days of trying to conceive, I admit to my secret obsession and share the funny details of my days. I hope this article will spark a smile on your face as you realize you're not alone on this journey to motherhood.

Aug 1, 2002 - Lori Ramsey

I recommend a basal thermometer if you are serious about fertility charting. Why? Because a basal thermometer will give you temperature readings to the one-tenth of a degree. This is very important when charting, because every tenth of temperature has significant meaning.

Jul 1, 2002 - Lori Ramsey

Fertility journaling is very important if you are trying to conceive. Find out why in this article.

Jun 1, 2002 - Lori Ramsey

Are fertility and ovulation monitors worth the investment? Read this article and find out.

May 1, 2002 - Lori Ramsey

Surprise! I had a nice Christmas present last year and found out on New Year's Eve that we are expecting our 4th baby! Here are the success details.

Apr 1, 2002 - Lori Ramsey

A humorous look at the life of an egg.

Mar 1, 2002 - Lori Ramsey

A glossary of reproduction terms.

Feb 1, 2002 - Lori Ramsey

The first day of your cycle can be an emotional day if you’ve been trying to conceive. It’s a day filled with both devastation and hope.

Jan 1, 2002 - Lori Ramsey

The female reproductive cycle is completely run by hormones. Without the hormones, conception would not occur. It’s no wonder that if any of the key hormones are out of whack then infertility is the result. Maintaining a balance of this fine tuned system of glands and hormone excretions is paramount in the act of conception.

Dec 18, 2001 - Lori Ramsey

Trying to conceive when the man has infertility poses new obstacles to overcome. Most people assume that when infertility is an issue – it’s a “female” thing. Quite honestly though, male factor infertility accounts for many of the childless couples.

Dec 4, 2001 - Lori Ramsey

Find out the meaning to all the abbreviations you see at most "trying to conceive" websites and email groups. Plus, I list my favorite forums!

Nov 20, 2001 - Lori Ramsey

Endometriosis affects 5% of the females of childbearing age. If you have been diagnosed with endometriosis you may have a little problem conceiving. What exactly is endometriosis and how is it dealt with?

Nov 6, 2001 - Lori Ramsey

This article lists links to my favorite pregnancy sites. I invite you to check them out now!

Oct 23, 2001 - Lori Ramsey

Elizabeth Geiger is the creator of the website The Baby Corner. Elizabeth talks about what inspired her to creat Baby Corner as well as what Baby Corner offers.

Oct 9, 2001 - Lori Ramsey

Do you realize that the baby you so desire is with you right now? In fact all your future children are with you and have been with you since the beginning of your life. While you try to conceive your precious baby – think on these things:

Sep 25, 2001 - Lori Ramsey

Trying to conceive a baby can be very stressful on the woman. I mean, we are the ones who have to actually “conceive” the baby and carry it for 9 months. But oftentimes it takes much longer than 9 months to conceive. It is during those long months that we experience a lot of stress. But what about our husbands?

Sep 11, 2001 - Lori Ramsey

Trying to conceive a baby can be very trying to a relationship. Oftentimes if the journey to conception has taken on epic lengths, the relationship with the one we love the most will suffer. Balancing the chore of conception with the play of lovemaking is the key to a happy and healthy relationship. And don’t let stress be the driving force.

Aug 28, 2001 - Lori Ramsey

If you are thinking about getting pregnant - or if you are trying to get pregnant - you really should have a check up with your doctor. If you don’t already have a doctor, then the wonderful task of deciding on which one to see is ahead of you.

Aug 14, 2001 - Lori Ramsey

Is there truly a best time to conceive a baby? In a typical woman’s cycle - the window of opportunity for conception each month is indeed very narrow. There are countless numbers of women who have conceived without even trying or without knowing exactly when conception happened. But for those of us who are actively trying and getting to know our bodies better as a result - there is a vast amount of education to be had about the best time to conceive.

Jul 31, 2001 - Lori Ramsey

In the past several months I’ve done a series of “Preparing for Pregnancy” articles. Though it is probably an unattainable goal to have all your ducks in a row before conceiving; it would be nice to at least know what you’re facing, which is the purpose of this series of articles. If you haven’t already done so, go back and read through the entire series. At least that way you’ll have some food for thought.

Jul 17, 2001 - Lori Ramsey

It may not seem logical to decide before conception even occurs whether or not you want to give birth at home or at a hospital, but depending on your decision, the amount of finances it will take and your insurance, deciding right now is perfectly fine. You can never be too prepared for your pregnancy even before it happens. Here’s some food for thought…

Jul 3, 2001 - Lori Ramsey

Now is the time to decide who will be your healthcare provider during pregnancy. You will want to visit with this person prior to pregnancy to determine if they will support the kind of pregnancy and birth experience you desire. Even if you choose a midwife, you need to have an OB in mind in case of complications that sometimes arise during pregnancy.

Jun 19, 2001 - Lori Ramsey

Why would you want to know what a baby needs before you are even pregnant? Well, it could be a rude awakening if you became pregnant and had no idea what you were getting yourself into. This article will explain the basics of what a newborn needs – just so you’ll know and be prepared.

Jun 5, 2001 - Lori Ramsey

While some pregnancies may start out normal – they may end up being high risk. Those conditions such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, placenta problems and such occur after the pregnancy is established and then deem the pregnancy high risk. Today I want to talk about factors that are preexisting and will cause the pregnancy to be a high risk right from the beginning.

May 22, 2001 - Lori Ramsey

While you are in the planning stages of a pregnancy you probably don’t quite yet realize the vast amount of changes your body will undergo. In a manner of nine months you will not only go through a huge physical change – but will endure many levels of comfort zones – meaning it will take more time and effort to find ways of relaxing and resting.

May 8, 2001 - Lori Ramsey

The time to start thinking about your health, weight and exercise is before pregnancy occurs. During pregnancy is not the time to lose weight or to start a new exercise program. It’s important to maintain these specifics before conception occurs.

Apr 24, 2001 - Lori Ramsey

Each year the costs of prenatal care multiplies astronomically. Before you get pregnant is the time to consider how these costs will be met – cash, insurance or Medicaid.

Apr 10, 2001 - Lori Ramsey

In the next couple of months I will be doing several articles titled “Preparing For Pregnancy”. The road to conception is best started off with much preparation.

Mar 27, 2001 - Lori Ramsey

How much time should you spend trying to conceive? How much time before seeking professional help? How much time before taking a break? When you first started trying did you set a time limit in your mind? I know I did. It helps to set goals, especially when doing something as stressful as trying to conceive a baby.

Mar 13, 2001 - Lori Ramsey

Sometimes Mother Nature will cooperate and you will get pregnant the month you start trying. However, for a vast number of women this isn’t the case. Sometimes Mother Nature needs a little boost in the area of fertility. This article is intended for “simple” help in obtaining pregnancy.

Feb 27, 2001 - Lori Ramsey

Some women will experience pregnancy symptoms even before their menstrual cycle is due. Find out what the symptoms are.

Feb 13, 2001 - Lori Ramsey

Yes, drink lots of water while you are trying to conceive. This is important for so many reasons. Aside from the fact that water is just plain good for you – it is a terrific aid in getting pregnant among all the other benefits it bestows upon your body.

Jan 30, 2001 - Lori Ramsey

Most of what I’m going to talk about in this article are considered old wives' tales. As for the validity and accuracy of these tales – I’ll leave that up to you.

Jan 16, 2001 - Lori Ramsey

If you’ve had the misfortune of suffering a miscarriage, you no doubt know the pain and heartbreak of losing a baby – no matter how early or late the miscarriage was. If you were trying to get pregnant in the first place then you’re number one question will probably be “when can I try to conceive again?”

Jan 2, 2001 - Lori Ramsey

If you have thyroid disease conception can be a tricky thing. Thyroid disease is easily treatable and a healthy pregnancy can come out of it.

Dec 19, 2000 - Lori Ramsey

Are you breastfeeding a baby and want to become pregnant? Is it possible to even get pregnant? Though breastfeeding is considered a natural birth control, conception can happen.

Dec 5, 2000 - Lori Ramsey

Is douching safe? The answer may surprise you - as douches are widely marketed and bought by millions of women every day. Read on to find out if you should be douching while trying to conceive.

Nov 21, 2000 - Lori Ramsey

Is it truly possible to select the gender of your baby? There are some who seem to think so - find out about gender selection in this light-hearted article.

Nov 7, 2000 - Lori Ramsey

There are many herbs on the market today. In this article I go over the more popular "fertility" enhancing herbs, briefly explaining their actions.

Oct 24, 2000 - Lori Ramsey

Charting your fertility signs can greatly shorten the time you seek for help if you find you have certain infertility causing problems. Find out how charting can benefit you.

Oct 10, 2000 - Lori Ramsey

Fertility tests are run after a certain amount of time is spent in trying to conceive unsuccessfully. This article explains the tests and what is involved in them.

Sep 26, 2000 - Lori Ramsey

Proper nutrition is very important even while in the planning stages of pregnancy. Taking a prenatal vitamin is just one thing you can do to prepare for your baby - eating healthy is another.

Sep 12, 2000 - Lori Ramsey

Timing intercouse for conception is a concern for those trying to conceive. Find out if it's actually important to "time" it and why.

Aug 29, 2000 - Lori Ramsey

Sometimes while on the road to conception we run into fertility problems. Happily there are medical procedures now that can remedy some of the infertility issues. In this article I cover a thumbnail sketch of the IVF route - the information in this article is average at best - as I am sure each doctor follows their own protocol - this article shows what to expect typically.

Aug 15, 2000 - Lori Ramsey

This article answers the question many women ask about when to start fertility treatments. Much of it depends upon the age of the woman, their circumstances and their doctor.

Aug 1, 2000 - Lori Ramsey

Orgasm is nature's built-in way of helping conception to happen. Find out why and if it's truly necessary for a woman to have one in order to become pregnant.

Jul 18, 2000 - Lori Ramsey

Chemical pregnancies are early miscarriages and as many as 8 out of 10 women will experience one sometime during their fertile years. When on the journey to conception, find out about these early miscarriages and how to determine if you've experienced one or not.

Jul 4, 2000 - Lori Ramsey

The importance of taking prenatal vitamins are paramount before the baby in conceived. Find out why in this article.

Jun 20, 2000 - Lori Ramsey

When is the best time to get pregnant? This is the number one question for those on this incredible journey of conception. I highlight some of the attributes of a woman's cycle that gives clues as to when the best time is.

Jun 6, 2000 - Lori Ramsey

Guaifenesin, better known under the brand name of Robitussin, is a great help in making cervical fluid more fertile around ovulation time.

May 23, 2000 - Lori Ramsey

Aspirin can help with fertility by helping the blood flow to the uterus and ovaries. Find out how aspirin can benefit you in the journey to conception.

May 9, 2000 - Lori Ramsey

Evening Primrose Oil (EPO) is used by woman of all ages to help with many ailments, among which PMS and quality of fertile cervical fluid are helped.

Apr 25, 2000 - Lori Ramsey

Vitex or Chaste Tree Berry is an excellent herb in aiding women with fertility problems.

Apr 18, 2000 - Lori Ramsey

This article is the theme to how I got pregnant each time. Read it with an open mind and relax and have fun - getting pregnant is a fun thing to do!

Apr 11, 2000 - Lori Ramsey

Progesterone cream can be used to help boost progesterone levels and correct luteal phase defects.

Apr 4, 2000 - Lori Ramsey

Vitamins play a key role in a woman's general health. Vitamin B6 goes beyond that, helping to correct some fertility problems.

Mar 28, 2000 - Lori Ramsey

Ovulation predictor kits are to help a woman know when she is about to ovulate. This article tells of the pros and cons of such kits.

Mar 21, 2000 - Lori Ramsey

When to test? What brand of test? These are important questions that a woman may have towards the end of her cycle. I answer these questions and give lists of pregnancy tests and what level of hCG they detect as well as a list of what a "normal" pregnant woman produces at the beginning.

Mar 14, 2000 - Lori Ramsey

I love to read success details on getting pregnant -especially when I was trying to conceive. It somehow helped me to relate or to think of new ways of approaching things. This article I share with you my newest blessing and good news - the beginning of my third pregnancy

Mar 7, 2000 - Lori Ramsey

Luteal phase defect is one of the main reasons miscarriages occur. There are a number of measures that can be taken to lengthen the luteal phase and thus promote a healthy pregnancy.

Feb 29, 2000 - Lori Ramsey

Anovulation is when a woman does not ovulate. Find out why a woman can bleed and have what seems like menstruation and in fact be anovulatory. Find out what can be done to correct this infertile problem and turn it around.

Feb 22, 2000 - Lori Ramsey

This article puts all three charting signs-basal body temperature, cervical fluid and cervical postion together. A short review of all three signs as well as some information on charting other fertility signs.

Feb 15, 2000 - Lori Ramsey

The third article in the basics of charting - the cervical position. Find out how this evasive sign can be more reliable in telling a woman where she is in her cycle than basal body temperature/cervical fluid combined.

Feb 8, 2000 - Lori Ramsey

This article entails charting the fertility sign of cervical fluid. A very interesting sign - often overlooked - can help to determine where a woman is in her cycle more so than with temperatures.

Feb 1, 2000 - Lori Ramsey

This article gives the details of charting the basal body temperature, the how-tos, what-fors and basics to get started in charting the fertiltiy symptoms.

Jan 25, 2000 - Lori Ramsey

This article is about me and my quest into motherhood. I give the details of the early beginnings of my first two pregnancies - sharing with you my success stories.

Jan 18, 2000 - Lori Ramsey

The article informs of the factors involved in when ovulation occurs.

Dec 3, 1999 - Lori Ramsey