The Best Time to get Pregnant

Determining the best time to get pregnant can be new territory for many women. The timing can vary greatly from person to person, but there are a few ways to increase your chances of timing intercourse with ovulation. Some people are able to get pregnant very quickly whether they time their ovulation or not and others need a little help.
Timing your ovulation is the key to determining the best time to get pregnant. Ovulation occurs monthly for most women. The ovary releases a mature egg from the follicle and it is sent down the fallopian tube. Within a few days, the egg is dispensed into the uterus and then expelled during menstruation. If the egg is fertilized by a sperm while in the fallopian tube, it will start developing into a fetus. The fertilized egg travels to the uterus and implants into the uterine lining. If this happens then pregnancy occurs. Timing when the egg will be in the fallopian tube can help you make sure that it encounters sperm at the right time.
Your body undergoes changes around the time of ovulation. During the four to five days before ovulation you should have sex every day if possible to increase your chances of conception. Recognizing the signs that ovulation has occurred will help your timing. Some women can actually feel pain in their ovary when they ovulate, but this is very rare. Most women are unaware that they have ovulated. Hormonal changes may cause your breasts to become tender. Your vaginal discharge will change to thin and slippery. All of these things can be used to predict ovulation, but they are sometimes undetectable and therefore unreliable.
Ovulation prediction kits are available over the counter at many pharmacies and drug stores. They are effective, but many women find them expensive and prefer the basal body temperature method of ovulation prediction. You will only need to purchase a basal thermometer which is much more accurate than conventional, mercury or digital thermometers. Take your temperature in the morning before you get out of bed. You should see a slight drop in your temperature just before ovulation and a slight rise in temperature that lasts a few days after ovulation. The change can be as little as a tenth of a degree or up to a whole degree of difference. Most women have about a half of a degree change.
Track your basal body temperature over a few months to determine when you ovulate. Most women ovulate fourteen days before their period starts. Remember that everyone is slightly different and your own body may not be totally predictable. If you are unsuccessful, consult with an infertility specialist for guidance.

About the Author: Eric Daiter is the medical director of The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, LLC, a leading NEW JERSEY INFERTILITY CENTER that offers a complete range of MALE INFERTILITY AND FEMALE INFERTILITY TREATMENT. For more information on The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine and Dr. Eric Daiter please visit www.drericdaitermd.com.

How to Tell When You are Pregnant

There are many symptoms that can help you to realize when you become pregnant before you take a test. Every woman is unique and every pregnancy is unique. A woman who has been pregnant before may have totally different symptoms the second or third time around. By recognizing the signs that tell you that you could be pregnant, you will be better equipped to take care of yourself and your baby early on.
Early detection is important for preventing Neural Tube Defects in your unborn child. You should be taking a daily multivitamin containing Folic Acid before you become pregnant, ideally, or as soon as possible after becoming pregnant. You may be able to detect some symptoms of pregnancy before you actually miss your first period. You could be about two weeks pregnant before you miss your period, or you may have some spotting and not think that you are pregnant. Since Folic Acid is most important during the first thirty days of gestation, recognizing other symptoms is critical.
Many women experience morning sickness, feel nauseated and may actually experience vomitting soon after becoming pregnant. Some women do not experience morning sickness for the first few weeks or ever at all, so it is not necessarily the best way to tell if you may be pregnant. Remember that nauseation is most common in the morning, hence the name, but can occur at any time.
Some women experience swelling of the hands and feet, headache and rapid weight gain. When you become pregnant, your body quickly produces more and more blood to supply your growing uterus and placenta. This extra blood and hormonal changes can make you feel either very tired or you could experience insomnia. Your blood pressure may rise causing headaches and swelling. The extra blood flow and swelling can disrupt the normal flow of blood around your spine and cause you to experience early pregnancy backaches as well.
Many women notice a constant dull ache or even sharp shooting pains through their breasts. This is a normal reaction to the hormonal changes that your body is going through when you become pregnant. Bending over can intensify the pain because of the extra blood flow to the breasts. Another change in your breasts is areola coloration. Most women will see their areola turn from pink to brown within the first few weeks of becoming pregnant. Some women will see a slight change while others experience a dramatic darkening.
If you suspect that you may be pregnant, the best and most reliable way to find out is to take a home pregnancy test. These tests are very accurate in detecting pregnancy hormones and almost never give a false positive. They can detect pregnancy as early as a week after conception. The pregnancy hormone in your body doubles every other day in early pregnancy, so if you are not sure of the results, wait a day or two and test again. If you do get a positive reading, consult with your doctor for a blood test or ultrasound.

About the Author: Eric Daiter is the medical director of The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, LLC, a leading NEW JERSEY INFERTILITY CENTER that offers a complete range of MALE INFERTILITY AND FEMALE INFERTILITY TREATMENT. For more information on The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine and Dr. Eric Daiter please visit www.drericdaitermd.com.

The Best Time to get Pregnant

Determining the best time to get pregnant can be new territory for many women. The timing can vary greatly from person to person, but there are a few ways to increase your chances of timing intercourse with ovulation. Some people are able to get pregnant very quickly whether they time their ovulation or not and others need a little help.
Timing your ovulation is the key to determining the best time to get pregnant. Ovulation occurs monthly for most women. The ovary releases a mature egg from the follicle and it is sent down the fallopian tube. Within a few days, the egg is dispensed into the uterus and then expelled during menstruation. If the egg is fertilized by a sperm while in the fallopian tube, it will start developing into a fetus. The fertilized egg travels to the uterus and implants into the uterine lining. If this happens then pregnancy occurs. Timing when the egg will be in the fallopian tube can help you make sure that it encounters sperm at the right time.
Your body undergoes changes around the time of ovulation. During the four to five days before ovulation you should have sex every day if possible to increase your chances of conception. Recognizing the signs that ovulation has occurred will help your timing. Some women can actually feel pain in their ovary when they ovulate, but this is very rare. Most women are unaware that they have ovulated. Hormonal changes may cause your breasts to become tender. Your vaginal discharge will change to thin and slippery. All of these things can be used to predict ovulation, but they are sometimes undetectable and therefore unreliable.
Ovulation prediction kits are available over the counter at many pharmacies and drug stores. They are effective, but many women find them expensive and prefer the basal body temperature method of ovulation prediction. You will only need to purchase a basal thermometer which is much more accurate than conventional, mercury or digital thermometers. Take your temperature in the morning before you get out of bed. You should see a slight drop in your temperature just before ovulation and a slight rise in temperature that lasts a few days after ovulation. The change can be as little as a tenth of a degree or up to a whole degree of difference. Most women have about a half of a degree change.
Track your basal body temperature over a few months to determine when you ovulate. Most women ovulate fourteen days before their period starts. Remember that everyone is slightly different and your own body may not be totally predictable. If you are unsuccessful, consult with an infertility specialist for guidance.

About the Author: Eric Daiter is the medical director of The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, LLC, a leading NEW JERSEY INFERTILITY CENTER that offers a complete range of MALE INFERTILITY AND FEMALE INFERTILITY TREATMENT. For more information on The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine and Dr. Eric Daiter please visit www.drericdaitermd.com.

The Importance of Folic Acid

If you are a woman of child bearing age, you should be taking a daily multivitamin containing the B-vitamin Folic Acid. This is especially true if you are currently trying to become pregnant. Even if you are not trying to get pregnant, you should still consider taking them, just in case. About half of all pregnancies are unplanned and it is critical to a baby’s development that it receives enough Folic Acid in the first few days and weeks of its life.
Fruits and vegetables contain Folic Acid, but very few people get enough of it daily from food sources alone. A multivitamin containing Folic Acid or prenatal vitamins containing Folic Acid are the only way to ensure that you are getting enough Folic Acid to greatly reduce the risk of Neural Tube Defects.
Ideally, you should begin taking the vitamins before you get pregnant. They are essential during the first few days and weeks of the pregnancy. The Neural Tube is one of the first things to develop in your baby. The Neural Tube will become the brain and spinal cord as it develops. A properly formed Neural Tube will also produce bones and other structures around the nervous system to protect it. If the Neural Tube does not have enough Folic Acid to form correctly, then the brain, spinal cord, skull and spine may not fully form. This can cause Neural Tube Defects such as Spina Bifida and Encephalocele.
Spina Bifida occurs when there are abnormalities of the spine, the spinal cord and the surrounding tissues that protect the spinal cord. Many times the spinal cord will be exposed and underdeveloped leaving it very vulnerable to damage and injury. Paralysis, incontinence and strange skin sensations are common with Spina Bifida patients. Extensive medical care and surgeries are usually necessary.
Encephalocele babies are born with a hole in their skull. The hole will have a portion of the brain protruding from it. The brain is squeezed through the opening and can have varying degrees of damage as a result. Surgery is required to save as much of the brain as possible and minimize future damage.
We know that Folic Acid protects babies from these crippling and sometimes fatal defects. Your doctor should urge you to take a daily multivitamin containing Folic Acid if you are trying to conceive. Taking it before you become pregnant and consistently for the first thirty days is the best way to protect against Neural Tube Defects.

About the Author: Eric Daiter is the medical director of The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, LLC, a leading NEW JERSEY INFERTILITY CENTER that offers a complete range of MALE INFERTILITY AND FEMALE INFERTILITY TREATMENT. For more information on The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine and Dr. Eric Daiter please visit www.drericdaitermd.com.

What is Dilation and Curettage?

Dilation and Curettage is commonly referred to as a D&C. A D&C is a surgical procedure that helps doctors to determine if the uterine lining cells are abnormal. This procedure is usually performed in an attempt to diagnose abnormal menstrual bleeding. It can also be used to help determine the presence of or severity of endometrium cancer. A D&C can also be used to remove scar tissue, polyps or other growths inside of the uterus.
A D&C is almost always performed under general anesthesia. The surgery itself does not take very long and you can usually go home soon after the procedure is over. General anesthesia is used because it is essential that you do not move during the surgery. Some women prefer to have an epidural, spinal block or local anesthetic. Talk with your doctor and anesthesiologist about which options are available and make your decision based on your doctor’s advice.
You will be placed in the stirrups, much like you are for a gynecological exam. The surgeon will go in vaginally and dilate your cervix with a tube that will give access to your uterus. A metal instrument called a curette will be inserted through the cervix. The curette is a metal handle with a loop at the end. The loop is used to scrape cells from the uterine lining. Tissue is removed from the endometrium and sent to the lab for examination. If there are polyps, scar tissue or other growths present, the surgeon may be able to remove them at this time. An ultrasound may be used to identify tissues that might be removed.
Risks are generally minimal with the D&C procedure. The uterine lining usually heals itself with little complication. There is a chance of bleeding and infection. Risks are higher if there is already an infection present in the uterus or if you have undergone any other previous uterine surgeries. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics if you are in a higher risk category.
The D&C procedure is not as commonly performed as it used to be. Advances in medicine and hormone treatment have reduced the number of D&C’s necessary to manage abnormal bleeding. Smaller plastic curettes are commonly used to get uterine lining samples during office visits. You need to talk to your doctor about the risks and all of your options. Make sure that you ask all of your questions and choose the procedure that best suits your needs.

About the Author: Eric Daiter is the medical director of The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, LLC, a leading NEW JERSEY INFERTILITY CENTER that offers a complete range of MALE INFERTILITY AND FEMALE INFERTILITY TREATMENT. For more information on The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine and Dr. Eric Daiter please visit www.drericdaitermd.com.

What Causes Endometriosis?

The true cause of endometriosis is unknown, but there are a few widely accepted theories. If you have been diagnosed with endometriosis, then you may have some questions about its causes, problems, and symptoms.
Endometriosis is common for many women of childbearing age. It is usually found when a woman has problems conceiving and seeks the help of an infertility specialist. Endometriosis occurs when cells and tissues similar to your uterine lining grows outside of the uterus. The cells and implants can grow on your uterus, ovaries, inside of your abdominal cavity, and on surrounding organs. Endometriosis can cause serious, even life-threatening problems when it is left untreated.
Symptoms of endometriosis include pain, from mild to severe, abnormal bleeding, and infertility. Some women have undetectable symptoms and the endometriosis goes undiagnosed and untreated until it is discovered through infertility treatments. The only way for endometriosis to be definitively diagnosed is through a laparoscopic surgery.
Laproscopy involves a small laparoscope being inserted through a small incision in your belly. The scope is a long tube that allows your doctor to look around your abdominal cavity. Your reproductive organs will be inspected and biopsies may be taken for study in the lab. Laparoscopic surgery is also used to remove endometrial implants, cysts and scar tissue.
Endometrial tissues are the same types of cells that your uterine lining is composed of. Therefore, the endometriosis reacts to hormones in much the same way that your uterus does. As hormonal signals tell your uterus to grow a lining, the endometriosis also grows. When hormonal changes cause the lining to shed, such as in menstruation, the endometriosis also sheds. This can cause considerable pain and even the pooling of blood. Implants can grow and interupt the function of the organs that are near it.
The most common consensus among experts concerning the cause of endometriosis is that uterine lining cells when shed, travelled up through the fallopian tubes instead of out through the cervix. The cells were expelled from the fallopian tubes into the abdominal cavity, where they implanted and grew. Most endometriosis implants are usually located on the outside of the fallopian tubes, ovaries and uterus.
No matter what the cause, endometriosis is a serious condition that should not be ignored. It is a progressive disease that only gets worse until menopause. It will not get better on its own. Pain is not an indicator of how severe endometriosis is. Mild pain can occur with severe endometriosis while severe pain can occur with mild endometriosis. If you suspect that you may have endometriosis, do not hesitate to get a diagnosis and immediately begin treatment.

About the Author: Eric Daiter is the medical director of The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, LLC, a leading NEW JERSEY INFERTILITY CENTER that offers a complete range of MALE INFERTILITY AND FEMALE INFERTILITY TREATMENT. For more information on The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine and Dr. Eric Daiter please visit www.drericdaitermd.com.