So, your pregnancy test shows you might be expecting. Now what?

So, you have bought your Predictor pregnancy test and are waiting anxiously to see whether there will be two lines. The five minutes may seem like hours, but then time comes to a standstill when you see the pink second line. Depending on your situation this could be the most exciting feeling you have ever experienced or the most daunting. Whichever feeling or emotion you are experiencing, take a deep breath.

What to do next? The best suggestion is to wait a bit before announcing your news. We know it’s a big moment, but, unfortunately the little pink line doesn’t always mean a happy ending. Let’s get realistic for a moment. According to www.newhealthadvisor.com the percentage risk for miscarriages is:  75% of all miscarriages happen in the first two weeks, 10% in weeks three to six and then 5% in weeks seven to twelve. Due to these stats, it is normally recommended to not tell many people about your pregnancy for the first couple of weeks. Your family and close friends will support you through the first trimester. We do not want to instil a sense of fear but we do want you to know the facts.

Now for the guide to your pregnancy- there is none. Oh, almost every single mom you know will dish out advice left and right, and there are many books and a great deal information on the Internet, however, each and every pregnancy is different. You will probably end up doing what comes naturally anyway. You’ll be amazed how quickly you figure it out.

During the first trimester the small fertilized cell known as zygote changes into an apple sized foetus. Their body and limbs are growing, while the organs are taking shape and the little foetus now begins to move. Did you know by week six your baby starts to develop their arms, legs, hands and feet? Fingers and toes appear at around week ten.

In the first trimester your body, emotions and habits will start to change. Embrace this time and always find the positive in the changes. Shouting at your husband and then crying because he actually went to the garage at 2 am for that if-I-don’t-have-this-now-I’m-going to-lose-it packet of chips and chocolate, is absolutely allowed. Many women mention how their breasts enlarge and are sensitive, this is a normal process which gives you an excuse to buy some gorgeous new bras. “Evil personified” as one mom called it, is morning sickness and this is experienced by a vast majority of moms-to-be in the first trimester. There are many suggestions to help with this from drinking ginger tea to lemonade, but rather check with your doctor for any suggestions they may have.

The first trimester is one of great excitement, changes and nerves. Be gentle with yourself, these are big changes, and you don’t have to be okay with everything. It’s your pregnancy, and you can cry if you want to.

http://www.newhealthadvisor.com/9-Weeks-Pregnant-Miscarriage-Risk.html

Out of approximately 350 million sperm cells, only about 250 make it to the egg

These little guys can take up to ten hours to make the journey up to the fallopian tube.

Sperm cells have been known to survive from 2 to 5 days in a woman’s body.

But the ovum is really only viable for about 12 to 24 hours after ovulation.

So timing is everything!

Don’t be discouraged if it takes longer, even the healthiest of couples only have a 15 to 20% chance of falling pregnant every month they try. And then, as we all know from watching Kirsty Alley’s movie “Look who’s talking” only one lucky little one makes it in.

It takes about 20 minutes for the sperm cell to enter the egg (ovum). The moment that this happens, the sperm cell’s nucleus merges with the egg’s. This means that fertilisation has happened. After this, the egg is referred to as a Zygote, and it’s the very first step in its journey towards being a proper little human. The little zygote then starts drifting toward the uterus, splitting into two, then four, then eight etc cells every 12 hours.

In the meantime, the uterus has been priming itself to receive this little morula (not the fruit). This is when your body starts pumping out the hormones like oestrogen and progesterone.  A few days later, the little morula is changing yet again. A cavity forms its centre, and two groups of cells form on its sides: one group will become the embryo, and the other will become the placenta.

Then it’s time for another name-change, a blastocyst. Approximately a week after fertilisation, the blastocysts tumbles out of its surrounding membrane in order for the growing cells to more easily bond with the uterus.

The little blastocyst anchors itself to the wall of the uterus. This implantation is when mother and embryo become linked together, sharing hormones and other essential fluids.

This is the time when you can start testing for pregnancy, as the hormonal surges will only increase from here on out.

 **Let Predictor Early, the most sensitive test on the market, help you receive this incredible news as soon as possible!

References

http://www.babycenter.com

What is Infertility?

Have you tried to fall pregnant with no success?

Are you considering fertility treatments?

Infertility is an unfortunate reality in our lives today. It affects up to 1 in 4 couples worldwide (WHO).  For both women and men, it can be quite a distressing not being able to fall pregnant.

Many couples are astounded when they fail to fall pregnant and they often don’t understand how it could happen to them or what to do about it. In order for conception to be successful the male’s sperm needs to travels up the woman’s fallopian tube and fertilise an egg that has been released after ovulation. Most couples don’t realise that they are affected by infertility until they have been trying to fall pregnant for over a year. A medical practitioner will then send them for special tests in order to determine the cause of their infertility. Possible causes include:

• – Low sperm count or abnormal sperm morphology (structure)

• – Structural problems with the woman’s fallopian tubes or uterus

• – Ovulatory dysfunction

• – Or an inability of the sperm to penetrate the woman’s cervical mucus

Every couple is unique and requires a different fertility plan. You should seek medical advice as soon as possible and you may need additional fertility counselling to help you conceive.   

What is IVF?

IVF is one of the most talked about fertility options available today. The word has become synonymous with infertility. There are many other treatments available and your fertility specialist will be able to direct you to the procedure that would be best suited for you and your partner.

IVF stands for In Vitro Fertilisation. It is an external fertilisation process whereby a fertility specialist surgically removes developing eggs from your ovaries and fertilises them in the laboratory using the partner’s sperm sample. Once the egg is fertilised and the embryo forms, the egg is then surgically implanted into your uterus.

 Success rates:

Success rates vary from woman to woman and depend entirely on a woman’s age, severity of infertility as well as other factors. Typically, one cycle of IVF can take between four and seven weeks and many women need at least three cycles in order to conceive.  Women with high chances of conception have an IVF success rate of approximately 40%, but majority of women have a success rate of 20-35%. 

If you are trying to conceive please consult your Fertility specialist for the best treatment for you.

References:

1. http://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/guide/in-vitro-fertilization
2. NHS Choices. http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Fertility/Pages/IVFexplained.aspx
3. Cape Fertility Clinic. http://capefertilityclinic.co.za/fertility-treatment/in-vitro-fertilization/
4. Resolve; The national infertility association. http://www.resolve.org/family-building-options/ivf-art/what-are-my-chances-of-success-with-ivf.html
5. Boivin, L. Bunting, JA. Collins. KG. Nygren. International estimates of infertility prevalence and treatment-seeking: potential need and demand for infertility medical care. Oxford Journal. Volume 22, Issue 6. Pp. 1506-1512