Love making during Pregnancy

It is absolutely safe to make love during pregnancy. In a normal pregnancy, you can keep doing it right until your waters break. However, it is important to note that in women with a history of premature delivery, sex during the last few weeks can induce pre-term labour.

You need to check with your doctor before having sex if you:

• Have a history of miscarriages;

Is it safe to travel in two wheeler during pregnancy

• Have a problem, such as placenta praevia or any breakthrough bleeding in early pregnancy. Your doctor may then advise you not to have sexual intercourse until you complete 14 weeks.

• Undergone fertility treatment or are above 35 years old. (In some women, the hormonal changes may lead to an increased sex drive. Others may be completely averse to the idea of making love.)

Breast Changes in Pregnancy

• If you or your husband has a sexually transmitted disease, such as genital herpes.

In any other circumstances, there is no physical reason why you and your husband cannot make love throughout your pregnancy.

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Using Microwave oven during Pregnancy

The risk of getting exposed to radiation during pregnancy while using a microwave oven is minimal (unless of course the oven is leaking radiation rays). While microwave ovens use electromagnetic radiation to cook and heat, there is no substantive research that firmly establishes the harmful effects of these rays on a pregnant mother. In fact, microwave energy is less powerful than the energy emitted in X-rays.

Is it safe to travel in two wheeler during pregnancy

Most health professionals, however, believe that it is good to take precautions. Avoid using a microwave that is defective. Do not use a microwave that is really old or has (even) a slightly broken door. Such machines are hazards not just if you're pregnant, but even otherwise. If you suspect that your microwave oven is leaking, get it checked immediately. To self test a possible leak, you can put your hand by the door to feel an air leakage. You can also tape a rectangular piece of paper horizontally across the door and the oven; if it is fluttering you will know there is a leakage.

Breast Changes in Pregnancy

Most of the current models of microwave ovens for domestic use are shielded to reduce radiation levels to the minimum level. Moreover, operating ovens usually do not leak and even if they do, it will be really slight. However, remember if your oven is leaking and you cannot replace it, it is best to not use it.

Use a microwave oven with care. You will be able to lessen its damages and also use it for longer without any harmful effects on your health.

• Check for the ISI mark or the BIS accreditation.

• Refer to the manufacturer's instruction manual on how to operate the microwave oven.

• Do not use the microwave if the door does not close firmly or is damaged.

• Do not use the microwave if it continues to operate even with the door open.

• Avoid heating liquid in the oven for an excessive period of time.

• As an added precaution, don't stand directly against an oven (and don't allow children to do this) while it is operating.

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Is it safe to travel in two wheeler during pregnancy

Yes. Traveling on a scooter or another two-wheeler is as safe as traveling in any other vehicle. Having said that, a two-wheeler is "friskier" than a four-wheeler and slightly less reliable as you need to balance it. But whatever vehicle you drive, the two main hazards of being on the road are usually unruly traffic and bumpy roads. And you may want to avoid these not only when you are on a scooter, but also if you drive a car. So, if you are pregnant and have to be on the road on a two-wheeler for a couple of kilometers every day, it is advisable to take a few precautions.

In the first trimester, consult your gynecologist before taking to the road. In case of many mothers, the gynecologist may advise to keep away from all kinds of travel stress for the first three months (at least).

Breast Changes in Pregnancy

If you are in your first trimester and your gynecologist hasn’t asked you to stop traveling, you may still want to keep a few things in mind:

• Always wear a helmet and a high visibility jacket.
• Avoid traveling during peak hours.
• Avoid bumpy roads and lanes.
• Travel by a road you know well.
• Try to take a route that has a hospital or an OPD clinic. If you feel unwell while driving, you can quickly stop by one of these and get immediate care.
• If you are riding the pillion, keep reminding the driver to go slow and avoid bumps.
• Avoid being on the road for long hours.
• Do not drive or ride on a day you are feeling dizzy or unwell.
• Avoid being on the road on a rainy day. Two-wheelers are frisky vehicles and can be difficult to manoeuvre during the rains or even after them, when the roads are muddy and slippery and traffic is choked.
• Avoid being out in the mid-afternoon sun in the summer. You are more likely to feel dizzy and dehydrated during this time of the day.
• In the winter, avoid being out in the evening or late in the night. It is not safe to drive in fog or extreme cold weather.

In the late second and third trimesters, you will be bigger and may find it difficult to manage your weight on a two-wheeler while you handle the controls, balance and steer to avoid road hazards, lift over speed-breakers and bumps, and negotiate turns. Therefore, it is a good idea to begin planning your mode of travel to work right in the early days of pregnancy. Here are a few ideas:

• Travel with friends or neighbours who go to work in the same area as you. This way you can avoid riding a two-wheeler every day.
• Find out the easiest and quickest bus route to work. In the later months of pregnancy when you are too big to ride your two-wheeler, you can travel by bus.
• If you work near to your home, and you are planning to walk every day, ensure that you walk with a friend or a colleague. You will have help if you suddenly feel unwell on your way.
• And finally, check with your office if you can work from home for a few days a week.

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Are computers safe during Pregnancy

Many pregnant women, or their friends and relatives, worry about this. Some people have heard that using a computer screen increases the risk of miscarriage or causes developmental problems in the baby. Others worry that compared to watching television, we usually sit much closer to a computer screen and for longer periods of time. So the theory goes that while TVs are safe, computer screens may not be.

Is it safe to travel in two wheeler during pregnancy

Safety concerns about computer screens (also known as VDUs or VDTs) have been around since the late 1970s when research was published which seemed to show a link between the use of VDUs and both miscarriage and birth defects. There were also reports of clusters of miscarriages in women working in offices in the US and Canada. In the Civil Service in the UK it was found that significantly more miscarriages were reported by women who worked with VDUs (36%) compared to those who didn't (16%). But it turns out these studies were flawed. When they were repeated they did not produce the same results. The North American miscarriage clusters may simply have been coincidental and did not conclusively prove a link, while the study of civil servants was flawed because it relied on people accurately remembering details of their VDU use some time afterwards.

Later studies were larger and much better designed. These studies failed to find a connection between the use of VDUs and miscarriage and/or birth defects. The fact that these bigger, more reliable studies all produced the same findings suggests that the original studies were indeed flawed and had raised fears about a problem where there wasn't one.

Breast Changes in Pregnancy

Recent reviews have reached the same conclusion: that there is no association between VDU use and miscarriage and birth defects. So, for some time now, women have been advised that VDUs are safe to use in pregnancy and that there is no need to use any protective screening devices. The "non-ionising" electromagnetic radiation emitted by computer screens is much milder than the "ionising" radiation from sources such as x-rays, radiation therapy machines and CT scans, which are known to be harmful to a developing baby. In addition, modern flat-screen VDUs emit lower levels of non-ionising radiation than traditional computer screens.

Although it is impossible to prove that VDU use in pregnancy is 100 per cent safe, there is a wealth of research in this area which has failed to find evidence of harm. So you can be confident that using a computer screen is safe in pregnancy.

Whether you are pregnant or not, make sure you look after your general health and comfort when working with a VDU:

• Take regular breaks, and make sure you get up and move around - 10 minutes in each hour is the usual recommendation but you may need to increase breaks during pregnancy.

• Adjust your chair and VDU so that your posture is good: forearms are approximately horizontal, wrists are straight, eyes the same height as the top of the VDU, back is well supported and feet flat on the floor or against a footrest.

• Arrange your keyboard, screen, mouse and documents (use a holder if necessary) so that you avoid glare and don't have to make awkward movements. You might also want to use an additional anti-glare screen, if that's more comfortable for you..

• Have an eye test - if you wear contact lenses you may find that they become less comfortable during pregnancy, as water retention can affect the shape of the eyeball. Consider wearing anti-glare glasses for on-screen work.

• Take extra care if you work night shifts or irregular work hours.

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Will timing the intercourse to get pregnant stress on your love making

For many couples who are trying to conceive, physically intrusive tests and investigations mean that they can never think quite the same way again about the most intimate aspects of their bodies.

In addition, many couples use temperature charts or ovulation predictor kits, which predict ovulation by measuring the surge of luteinising hormone (LH) or oestrogen just before ovulation, to help time intercourse. Sex can then become a weary chore, undertaken when the date is right, even if both partners' libido has evaporated.

Preconception Tips

Unfortunately, if they are not successful in conceiving, sex becomes associated with failed procreation month after month. This negative cycle is well known by fertility experts. According to The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists: "Timing intercourse to coincide with ovulation causes stress and is not recommended." Stress of any kind can have all sorts of negative effects on your relationship, including knocking your sex drive and decreasing how often you have sex, which is not going to help you.

Am I Pregnant?

Ironically, studies also show that the continued use of temperature charts and ovulation predictor kits does not improve your chances of getting pregnant naturally in the first place. Charts can provide other sorts of useful information about the length of your cycle and how regularly you ovulate but when it comes to timing intercourse, you may find that your fertility specialist advises you to steer clear of them.

Instead, some experts advise focusing on making love during your non-fertile times, when the emphasis cannot be on baby making. You're only fertile a couple of days each month, so you can use the rest of the time to enjoy each other sensually and sexually. Do some of the things you used to enjoy with each other physically, whether that means long lingering French kissing, massage, or an impromptu "roll in the hay". Why not spend time rekindling your romance by arranging a candle-lit dinner or a weekend break. All these things may bring some of the closeness back into your relationship.

Most couples actively trying for a baby and having regular sex will become pregnant within one year. The emphasis is on regular because having sex every two to three days throughout your cycle will ensure that a supply of sperm is in the right place whenever you ovulate. Simply knowing this and allowing yourself to stop focusing on your "fertile window" may bring some of the spontaneity and joy back into your physical relationship.

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Getting pregnant and timing intercourse

When is the best time to have intercourse if we're trying to conceive?

Ideally you need to have intercourse as near as possible to the time you ovulate (when the egg is released from the ovary). Sperm can live inside you for up to seven days, but the egg is around for only 12 to 24 hours. To increase the likelihood of conception, you would ideally have intercourse one or two days prior to ovulation. That way, there is likely to be a healthy supply of sperm waiting in your fallopian tubes when an egg is released.

Preconception Tips

So that's the ideal, but it's not essential to restrict sex to a day or two before the time you think you'll ovulate. One study of the timing of intercourse in 221 women who were trying to conceive found that the 192 women who got pregnant had had sex at some point in the six days leading up to ovulation, as estimated by urine tests. The majority conceived as a result of intercourse in the day or two before ovulation. But six per cent were identified as having conceived as the result of intercourse three or more days before the day of ovulation.

FAQs on getting pregnant

Exactly when a woman ovulates in any given cycle isn't always easy to predict. It depends in part on the length of your menstrual cycle, although recent research has shown that the "window" of ovulation can vary more than was once thought, even when your menstrual cycles are regular. This is one of the reasons why fertility experts recommend having sex every two to three days throughout your cycle, rather than focusing your efforts on the days when you think you're about to ovulate.

How do I know when I'm ovulating?

Some women are very aware of when they ovulate. Other women don't notice any changes at all. If you're thinking about getting pregnant, get in touch with your body by looking out for the natural signs that you're approaching ovulation. These may start about three weeks before you expect your next period and include:

• Increased vaginal discharge that takes on a wetter, egg-white quality as you approach ovulation

• Increased libido

• Slight feelings of discomfort on one side of your middle abdomen

If my periods are irregular, will it be harder for me to get pregnant?

The more irregular your periods are, the more difficult it is to predict ovulation. However, if you are ovulating then as long as you are having intercourse two or three times a week, you will be having sex at the right time.

Pregnancy Test Kits.. How they works

What else can I try?

Many experts feel that for most couples having sex two or three times a week is the most effective way of maximising your chances. It's certainly worth trying for at least a few months before looking at other ways to detect ovulation.

If you do not become pregnant after, say, six months of actively trying (particularly if you are over 35 years of age), it's worth talking to your doctor. He or she may well suggest that you track your cycle for a few months to identify how regular your periods are and when and if you are ovulating. Your doctor can also give you advice about your health and what you can do to increase your chances of conceiving.

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Increasing the chances of getting Pregnant

The simple, and recommended, way to boost your chances is to have unprotected sex every few days throughout your cycle. This ensures a supply of sperm where you need it when you ovulate. Having a healthy diet and lifestyle will help, as will keeping your stress levels low.

Pre Pregnancy Fitness

If your lifestyle makes it difficult to have regular sex (because of work trips away or the demands of existing children), you may want to pinpoint your fertile window. Women with an irregular cycle may also prefer to take some control over their baby-making. (If you're on a cycle of assisted conception treatment, your doctor may have asked you to detect ovulation as part of the process.) An easy and accurate way to do this is by using urine-based ovulation predictor kits, which you can buy from pharmacies and, sometimes more cheaply by buying in larger numbers, online.

What is vaginismus?

A more time-consuming but cheaper way of working out when you are likely to be ovulating is to track your basal body temperature (BBT) and cervical mucus (CM) using a BBT or fertility thermometer.

Using this method, you have to chart your cycle every day, first thing in the morning, for a few months. Then you can recognise your pattern and have a better chance of predicting your most fertile days. Most women see a spike in their temperature, signalling that they've ovulated, and notice that their mucus looks and feels like raw egg white at around the same time. When the two coincide, it tells you that you have ovulated.

Is it safe to travel in two wheeler during pregnancy

Provided you have a regular cycle, you can work out the days in future cycles when you're more likely to conceive and so make sure that you have sex at least once at those times until, hopefully, you conceive.

Preconception Tips

Whether your approach to baby-making is to make love regularly and see what happens or to focus on your fertile window, we wish you luck!

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Walking and Pregnancy

Walking during pregnancy is one of the simplest and easiest ways to maintain your fitness levels and help promote a fast and easy labor. While walking won't guarantee a quick labor, it will help improve your endurance and help you recover much more quickly from the trials and tribulations of birth. Most doctors recommend that pregnant women engage in some form of regular exercise. If you haven't exercised prior to becoming pregnant, you might consider walking during pregnancy the best form of exercise available.

Tips for Walking Efficiently

Walking during pregnancy is not only good for your body but also good for your soul. Just getting out and enjoying some fresh air will do wonders for your spirit and your mood during pregnancy. While a casual stroll will help lift your spirits, a vigorous walking routine is what you'll need to engage in to provide maximal health benefits. Here are some tips for maximizing your walking regiment and promoting your health and fitness during pregnancy.

• Maintain good posture when walking. You don't want to casually stroll down the street with your shoulders humped over or lean over your child's stroller when walking. This will not help improve your health and may even contribute to back pain. When walking during pregnancy you should make a point to stand tall, you can practice at home by standing in front of a mirror. Relax your abdomen then pull your abdomen and shoulders back. Some women find wearing a maternity belt during pregnancy helps correct their posture, relieve back pain and improve their posture when walking. If you don't have a maternity belt you can easily acquire one online or at a local maternity store.

Breast Changes in Pregnancy

• Look forward while walking. You don't want to focus on the ground or look from here to there. You should look ahead a few feet in front of you. This will also help promote good posture and prevent you from accidentally walking into something (lets face it, we are all a little clumsier when pregnant).
• Walk quickly. You don't need to run and you don't need to job to reap the health benefits of walking. That said, you'll get a lot more out of your exercise routine if you walk at a swift pace. You can actually keep track of your heart rate while walking. You'll want to walk at a pace that is vigorous enough to get you breathing but not so fast you can't carry on a conversation. Most doctors recommend keeping your heart beat around 140 BPM while exercising during pregnancy.
• Stretch. You should stretch both before and after walking during pregnancy. During pregnancy our muscles and ligaments are more relaxed than normal thanks to circulating relaxin in the body, a hormone that helps prepare our bodies for labor and delivery.

Is it safe to travel in two wheeler during pregnancy

This handy little hormone can however also increase our risk for injury during pregnancy and make us feel a bit sorer than usual. Start your exercise routine slowly so you can monitor for soreness. You may find walking too quickly initially results in pelvic or hip soreness. Take things easy and work up to a more vigorous pace. Stretching before and after any physical activity may help improve your flexibility and cut back on any soreness you experience.

Pregnancy and Swelling

If you find you are having trouble getting motivated during pregnancy consider teaming up with a friend. Find another mother who is pregnant or a neighbor that has children and needs to go for a walk. The two of you will become best of friends and help keep each other motivated during and after your pregnancy.

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