The Ovulation Process
Every month an egg is released from the woman’s fallopian tubes. It is this egg that can make a woman pregnant. This process is critical for a woman who is thinking of having a family. An interaction between the brain and the ovary initiates this process. Hypothalamus is a part of the brain that produces a hormone called GnRH (gonadotropin releasing hormone). The hormone is send to the pituitary gland to tell that the body is ready to get in to the ovulation cycle. The pituitary glad is then conveys the messenger that the ovaries may go ahead and release the egg.

If the lady is under stress or starving enough GnRH is not sent by the hypothalamus. Thus indicating the less likeliness of pregnancy as the brain knows that the body will not be able to withstand the pressures of housing a baby.
The eggs dwell in the ovaries. It is here that the hormones estrogen and progesterone are emanated. The eggs are present in a woman at birth as against that of a man who produces sperm all his life.

The Process – Ovulation cycle

The pituitary gland sends a message to the ovaries to release the egg. The egg in its follicle produces estrogen. The increase in the level of estrogen intimates the pituitary gland that it is ready for the ovulation cycle.

Once the pituitary glad is intimated by the increase in the estrogen levels, LH is released in large quantities. This LH surge as it is called is an intimation to the follicle to release the egg. Around 12 or 24 hours after the LH release ovulation takes place. It is the measurement of the LH level what the ovulation detection kits reveal.

After ovulation the follicle turns into a corpous luteum, some kind of cyst. Progesterone is released by this corpous luteum, which is essential for preparing the uterus to nurture an egg to fertilization. This hormone is also responsible for PMS symptoms like breast soreness, water retention, backache, moodiness etc.

Fertilization of the egg begins once it is housed in the uterine wall. It then produces human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG). Pregnancy tests measure this hCG. The ovary keeps producing progesterone if hCG exists. If it doesn’t exist then the ovary stops producing progesterone 9-11 days after ovulation. The fall in progesterone levels then leads to the shedding of uterine lining announcing menstruation. Thus, all the, decrease in hormone levels and menstruation takes you to yet another ovulation cycle.
Variations in the cycle differ from woman to woman. Some may experience a very short spell. And in some it can be enormously long. It even varies from month to month. However the time frame from when the egg is released from the ovary to the time of menstruation is exactly 14 days for all women. This is the time taken by corpous luteum to produce progesterone as it waits to see if the egg is fertilized to bring new life.

The later part of the cycle, from the time an egg is released from the ovary to the start of menstruation, is exactly 14 days in all women. That’s how long the corpous luteum produces progesterone while waiting to see if an egg has been fertilized and if a new life has begun.

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Causes, symptoms, treatment of blocked fallopian tubes

The fallopian tubes are the channels between the uterus and the ovaries. Sometimes these tubes are to found to be blocked or at least one is blocked or there is scarring or other damage to the tube. This damage can lead to infertility. Around 20 to 25% of infertility is caused due to these factors.

Tubal infertility can be caused due to pelvic inflammatory diseases (PID). As an infection begins the body gets ready to attack. White blood cells and other fluids fill the tubes to fight the infection. If the body resistance is good it wins but in the bargain the fragile walls of the tube get scarred.

Due to this, the end of the tube towards the ovaries can get partially or completely blocked and scarred tissues form on the outside of the tube. These circumstances can affect the functions of the ovaries and the fallopian tube and can lead to infertility. However if a PID is treated in the initial stages and controlled these damages will not occur.

Pelvic infections can also take place due to sexually transmitted infections like chlamydeous or gonorrhoea. Termination of pregnancy, miscarriage or difficulty at birth, intrauterine contraceptive methods could also contribute to PID. However the actual main cause of the infection is never known.

Thus if the fallopian tubes are not functioning right, they will not be able to carry the eggs from the ovary to the uterus. This malfunction will lead to more complications. The obvious damage being infertility.

But there are several other disorders blocked fallopian tubes can cause. So if you have any inclination of some fault in your tubes do not take it lightly. Show it to a specialist. It could save you a big deal.

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Pregnancy help, infertility information, infertility resources

Topic :Cervical Mucus
The cells that line the walls of the cervical canal produce mucus. When menstruation occurs the mucus undergoes a change. It gets slippery and moist. Checking cervical mucus can be done using the fingertip. When mucus secretes one can sense it by the vulva i.e. the vaginal lips.

The feeling is similar like that of a beginning of a menstruation cycle. The feeling can include absolute dryness or extreme moistness, stickiness, wetness, slipperiness.
You can also check the mucus by its appearance. Use toilet tissue to wipe the vulva. The moistness gets blotted leaving the mucus atop the tissue.

The color could be white or cream or even opaque or absolutely clear. Often after washing undergarments cervical mucus can be observed, which dries off altering its characteristics to a certain extent.

Use your fingers (i.e. the index finger and the thumb) to check what signs your mucus is revealing. The mucus could be sticky and break-off easily or even smooth. It could also be slippery like the white of an egg and stretch between your fingers for up to several inches before it breaks. This stretchiness defines the mucus as highly fertile. If you cannot check your mucus then you should experiment it once the bowel movement is over.

How mucus affects the fertility cycles

Pre-ovulation – The infertile phase

After the menstrual cycle dry days follow. In the case of short cycles these days may be absent and could be plentiful in long cycles. A dry feeling envelops the vulva and the mucus is not visible.

Approaching ovulation – the fertile phase

Oestogen levels increase with the onset of menstruation. The rise in its levels leads to increase in mucus. A moist or sticky feeling can be sensed in the beginning and a scanty amount of mucus in white or creamy colour is seen to secrete. This mucus breaks-off easily when held by fingertips but its shape is clearly visible. Blobs of mucus keep increasing as the cycle approaches. It can increase to ten times more as the Oestogen levels increase. The vulva feels very slippery at this stage as the mucus lubricates it. Here the fertile mucus can be observed. It stretches within the fingertips. Fertile mucus is the home to fertility. It allows the sperm to pass freely into the cervix. It lets the sperm live for up to 3 and sometimes up to 5 days or even longer.

The peak day

When the mucus can be seen and felt and is highly slippery and stretchy it indicates the peak day of the fertile mucus.

Post-ovulation

After the peak day passes the vulva once again feels absolutely dry. This is due to the progesterone secretion that acts as a barrier to any penetrating sperm.

The mucus differs

Every woman secretes different levels of mucus and it also differs from one menstruation cycle to another. However any major deviation should be alerted to the doctor.

Pregnancy topics :

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miscarriages

blocked fallopian tubes

Signs of Pregnancy

human fertilization

fallopian tubes

ovulation cycle

trying to have a baby

cervical mucus

ivf experience success rates

low sperm count

intrauterine insemination

self insemination for pregnancy

ultrasound & ovulation scans

becoming pregnant

stages of pregnancy

reproduction facts

pregnancy questions

surrogate mothering

male semen test

sperm donors

pregnancy calculator

infertility treatments medicines

ectopic pregnancy

endometriosis

hirsutism

exercise during pregnancy

Chinese Gender selection chart !

Prenatal Parenting

Trying to conceive

So you are preparing yourself to have a baby. Trying to conceive can sometimes be as simple as no task at all. But at times it can be very trying.

Fertility problems though mostly related to women, men cannot be totally exempted from it. After all it is a partnership act. So here are some tips on how the partners can conceive. A handful tips are certainly useful.

Your Nutrition
You are not the same lady before you got pregnant as pregnancy changes your entire metabolism. You should therefore ask your gynecologist on the amount of weight gain that should be attained. If you can exercise and what type of exercises? If you have to follow any particular nutritional diet?

Your doctor may advise you to take in prenatal vitamins and change your eating habits. This is to ensure not only the health of your baby but yours too.

If you are on drugs, indulge in smoking and drinking. You have to stop it immediately. These vices can harm your baby and you. You have to learn how to sought out your lifestyle issues to give your pregnancy duration your best.

The change in diet

Well, it can be quite demanding. But a change in diet is welcome 4 months before your conception. You should try to come off caffeine products like coffee, chocolates even soda. Give up smokes, even second hand smoking and hard liquor.

Diet should compulsorily include low fat and high fiber. Folic acid up to 400 mcg per day should be consumed. Your source for folic acid and vitamin B are the prenatal vitamins, dark leafy vegetables, oranges, grapefruits, other citrus fruits, nuts, wheat breads, beans, cereals etc. You should consider making them a part your daily diet.

Why stop coffee?

Well, studies have shown that coffee affects the ovulation process directly. And also the chances of conceiving. Hence a woman is recommended to keep her caffeine intake to a couple of cups only per day. Also be careful of hidden caffeine in aerated drinks and tablets. Read the contents carefully on purchased articles before consuming.

Why are prenatal vitamins important?

Your prenatal vitamins include great amounts of specific vitamins that are not provided by other vitamin tablets. If you tell your gynac that you are planning to conceive, they will get you on it immediately. The prenatal tablets consist of Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Thiamin, B6, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin E, Zinc, Copper, Panthothenic acid, Potassium, Vitamin A. These are very vital to save your baby from any birth disorders.

Any particular food items?

Well research does not provide any particular diet that helps to conceive. But oysters have been an all time good advice due to its high zinc content. But you should not limit yourself to one diet. Try to eat a variety. That will kill boredom. Breads, cereals include everything. An overall diet can aid healthiness and your doctor can tell you if there are any shortcomings.

Birth control pills

If you were on them, then it would take you some time to get back to normalcy. Your doctor would advice you to wait for your first period after stopping the pills and then try to conceive.
Your weight plays an important role in getting pregnant. If you are just right for your height and body then it is easier getting pregnant. Else being overweight or underweight can cause a delay.

Your ovulation cycle
You have to know your ovulation cycle if you want to conceive. If you miss the most fertile days then that can delay the entire process. Ovulation kits help know the onset of ovulation as they detect the hormones in the urine.

A positive mind

Depression and stress affects the fertility of a woman. Avoid them with stress management techniques like yoga and other relaxing exercises. Get yourself in the positive frame of mind to avoid any fertility problems.

For the man
He should give up all types of briefs and choose to wear boxers. It helps increase sperm count. Sex in the morning is the best as it contains the highest number of semen.
A few positions for sex

The missionary position i.e. the man over the woman is said to be the best as it helps navigate the sperms directly to the uterus. Also a pillow under the woman’s hip will help directing the semen. Standing, leaning, straddling should be avoided.

Cervical mucus

Before ovulation there can be little or no mucus. But during ovulation the mucus is highly fertile. Check with your fingertips. If the mucus stretches in your fingers for a few centimeters then it indicates high fertility. This is the best time to conceive.

So as you are on your way to maternal bliss use the above-mentioned if you are trying to have a baby, we wish you all the best 🙂

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