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Trying for a baby? Being healthy before, during and after pregnancy involves so many different aspects of your life. So, here is compilation of a quick list to help you stay on the healthy side.

1. See your practitioner before becoming pregnant.
2. Start changing your food habits to include a healthy variety of foods.
3. Exercise! Starting now will help you stay in shape during pregnancy, can lower your risk of miscarriage, and has been proven to help reduce labor complications and length.
4. Educate yourself!
5. Eat a new vegetable you've never tried.
6. Check out a book on pregnancy.


7. Figure out what to do about chemical birth control, like the birth control pill.
8. Stop smoking. There are many programs to help you.
9. Take a prenatal vitamin. They can be prescribed by your practitioner or you can buy them over the counter. Ensure it contains 0.4 mg of folic acid.
10. Ask your partner to join you on your new healthy habit changes.
11. Track your cycles. Learning what you can about your cycles will help determine when you ovulate and when you conceived. These make for more accurate due dates.
12. If you need a new practitioner, interview before you become pregnant.
13. Ask your friends about pregnancy and parenthood.
14. Avoid chemicals that could possibly harm your baby. You can find these at work, in your home, and just about anywhere, be environmentally sensitive.
15. See your dentist before you get pregnant and brush your teeth daily.
16. Tell any medical professional that you may be pregnant if you are trying to get pregnant. This can prevent exposure to harmful tests and chemicals if you are pregnant and don't know it yet.
17. Stop changing cat litter.
18. Remember, it can take up to a year to become pregnant. If you have been actively trying for a year or more than six months if you are over 35, see your practitioner.
19. Act pregnant. This includes not drinking alcohol, even while trying to conceive. There is no known safe level during pregnancy and alcohol can cause birth defects.
20. Announce your pregnancy when you are ready.
21. Talk to your parents, what do you want to take from their experiences? How do you want to be different?
22. Rest when you can. Nap!
23. Start a journal.
24. Use non-medicinal remedies for problems like nausea, heartburn, and constipation.
25. Drink six - eight eight ounce glasses of water a day.
26. Read yet another book!
27. Join a prenatal yoga or exercise class.
28. Keep your prenatal appointments with your midwife or doctor. This will help ensure that if you have any problems that they are caught early and kept to a minimum.
29. Take an early pregnancy class.
30. Remember to add 300 - 500 calories a day while pregnant.
31. Tour your selection of birth facilities before making a choice if you are not having a home birth.
32. Review the signs of premature labor and warnings signs for when to call your practitioner.
33. Talk to local doulas and start interviewing. Doulas can help you have a shorter, safer and more satisfying birth.
34. Keep a food diary to ensure that you are keeping up with your daily requirements.
35. If you are decorating your house or a nursery remember to avoid fumes often associated with paint and wall paper. Perhaps have friends do the heavy work while you help make snacks for them. Keep the windows open!
36. Baby sit a friend's baby and learn a bit about caring for a newborn.
37. Take a childbirth class. Sign up early to ensure you get the class and dates that you want.
38. Swimming is great in late pregnancy. It can help relieve a lot of aches and pains and makes you feel weightless.
39. Take a breastfeeding class to help prepare you for the realities of breastfeeding.
40. Stretch before bed to help prevent leg cramps.
41. Continue to exercise, even if you have to slow down. This will help you recover more quickly.
42. Write a birth plan. Something to help you clarify what you want or need for your birth experience. Share this with your practitioners and those you have invited to your birth.
43. Have film and cameras ready!
44. Practice relaxation whenever you can. Try for at least once a day.
45. Do pelvic tilts to help with late pregnancy back pain. It will help relieve your pain and even encourage the baby to assume a good birth position.
46. Pack your bags if you are going to a birth center or hospital. Don't forget your insurance cards, pre-registration forms, camera, birth plan, etc.
47. Review the signs of labor and warning signs.
48. Take a picture of yourself before the baby comes!
49. Read birth stories.
50. Kiss the baby!

Pregnancy can be one of the most exciting times of a woman's life, but it can be difficult to find clothes that you feel good wearing as your pregnancy progresses. There are some important things to keep in mind when you are purchasing maternity clothes.

Specialists recommend the pregnant woman to choose loose-fitting cotton pregnancy clothes and stay away from tight clothes because they block the skin from breathing. As the body temperature rises easily during pregnancy, the pregnant woman should wear layers that can be easily removed. Natural fibers are recommended as perspiration is increased during the 9 months. Shoes must be comfortable and flat if possible as the feet might be swelling and in the last months of pregnancy a little bit on unbalance in walking might occur.



Here are our tips for you to make the perfect pregnancy purchases:

1. Hold off on purchasing maternity clothes until about your second trimester. Sure, you are excited as anything about the pregnancy but for the majority of women, you will not start to show until the second trimester. For the first three months, most of your clothes except the tightest ones, will continue to fit perfectly well. If you are having twins or triplets, however, you may need to shop earlier.

2. Buy at least a few maternity pants or skirts before you need them, however. Often, there is a sudden growth spurt about the second trimester (for a single-baby pregnancy) in which in the span of a few days or a week, your usual pants will suddenly not fit. You will need to have enough clothing to at least get by until you can go shopping.

3. Use a "belly button". Even before you rush out to buy maternity clothes, it is good idea to purchase a belly button, which is a simple device consisting of elastic with buttons. It enables you to widen jeans and skirts a little (or a lot later on) and then you can pull these on over the growing bump. Cover with a long shirt, top or t-shirt and nobody will be any the wiser. (The "belly button" may not allow you to wear non-maternity clothes indefinitely, however, so start thinking about buying real maternity clothes!)

4. Shop at maternity clothing stores. These stores are more likely to have knowledgeable staff, quality maternity clothing, and so on than other retail stores. Also, if you're a petite, a plus-size, tall, or otherwise hard to fit you'll be more likely to find clothes in a maternity clothing store than at a general clothing retail store. Most sizes are based on your pre-pregnancy size but brands will vary.

5. Be aware that good quality maternity wear is designed to last through the nine months of a pregnancy and will stretch with you. It is better to buy two very good items than a dozen cheap ones to ensure this long-lived durability and quality.

6. Visit your favorite clothing or department store with a maternity line. Chances are excellent that you will like and fit the maternity lines as well.

7. Experiment with clothing styles. Your body is changing and so is what you will look good wearing.

8. Choose clothes for their stretch capacity without the fabric appearing that it is stretched.

9. Wear maternity clothes that look and feel good. Maternity clothes have come a long way in fashion since your mother's pregnancy; you don't need to wear ugly clothing just because you're a mother-to-be.

10. Avoid itchy or synthetic items where possible as your hormones will only help you feel itchier, stickier and hotter than normal! Most maternity clothes will contain Lycra or spandex for stretch capacity, but be sure whenever possible choose clothing with a natural fabric blend.

11. Purchase the same size that you were pre-pregnancy. If that size doesn't seem to fit, trust your judgment and buy a size larger or smaller. (However, if in doubt, go larger!)

12. Select several different styles and fits to try on. Pants, in particular, come with many different types of stretch panels, and will often fit and feel different. Also, as you progress in your pregnancy, it may not be only your stomach that grows, but also your posterior and hips.

13. Ask if the store has a "prosthetic tummy." This is a pillow-like object that you can wear under the maternity clothes to check the fit. It isn't a perfect indicator, but will help you in buying maternity clothes to wear later on. If one isn't available, try using a shopping bag with one or two clothing items in it--it works surprisingly well!

14. Buy or make nursing bras (a bra that allows you to uncover one breast at a time) around the last trimester if you are planning on breastfeeding. They are convenient and easy to use in public places. Make sure when pregnant to go to a lingerie store and get measured a couple of times as your bra size will flunctuate during your pregnancy, this will give you the most comfortable maternity bra.

15. Consider nursing clothes for the breast-feeding mother-to-be. These items (usually shirts, but also camisoles and dresses) have openings that make it easier to nurse, especially in public. Nursing sleepwear likewise makes for less disrobing at nighttime feedings. However, it is best to see how your existing clothes work before spending too much money on these specialized items - many modern clothes work well without special features.

16. Repeat as necessary: as you progress into your pregnancy, you may discover some purchases simply didn't work out as you thought. There's several reason for this, including how you're carrying your baby and how your body changes during pregnancy. It's hard to predict these things weeks or months in advance.

Don't think you somehow failed in shopping if a pair of pants that was comfortable for weeks suddenly becomes uncomfortable. So be careful not to think you'll finish all your shopping in one weekend, or otherwise buy all your wardrobe at once.

YES! Unless there is any medical reason to prevent it, sex is safe for most couples during pregnancy. In fact, during pregnancy, your body contains higher levels of hormones. These hormones cause physical changes, which in turn can create heightened physical sensations.

Sex during pregnancy has the potential to be great, with some women experiencing orgasm or multiple orgasms for the first time!


It is perfectly safe to have sex during pregnancy — as long as you are having a healthy pregnancy and your doctor/practitioner has not told you otherwise.

Be sure to talk to your practitioner about specifics for you. When your practitioner says, "No sex." Find out what they mean, do them mean no orgasms? Do they mean no intercourse? If so, for how long? For example, if a woman has a slight bit of bleeding in the first trimester, it's common to be told to avoid intercourse and orgasm for the period of one week from the last episode of bleeding.

Typically, though, the exhaustion, nausea, and changes in hormonal levels that occur during the first trimester can cause a woman to not feel very sexy. But your sex drive should return once you are in your second trimester. In fact, your big belly may provide a great opportunity for you and your partner to start experimenting with some new positions. Just remember to take it slow and discuss any discomfort you might have with your partner and ob-gyn.

It is getting harder for you and your partner to have sex during pregnancy, especially when you're into the third trimester. Here is some sex position that you can try during your pregnancy period.

Woman on top - This allows you to control the depth of penetration, and the majority of the movement. You can go as fast or as slow as you'd like, while controlling the depth of the penis. This position works really well throughout pregnancy and at the very end of pregnancy.

Spooning - This position gets it's name from the way spoons fit together in the silver ware drawer. Usually it's best if the man is behind allowing his penis to go between your thighs and enter you from behind. This creates no pressure on the abdomen, and allows for a shallow penetration. Many women find this a very relaxing position for sex during pregnancy, and it can be used throughout.

Hands & Knees - This is a very good position for pregnant women again because of the lack of direct pressure on the abdomen, although as your get larger your belly may actually rest on the bed. Some women find this difficult at the very end of pregnancy, depending on how high they are able to hold their belly off the bed and still allow for penetration.

Side Lying - This can be kind of tricky, but it can be done! Lay on your side with your partner facing you, try pulling one leg up to allow room for your partner. This may get tiring after awhile, and may not be easy for the last part of pregnancy.
All of the above mentioned positions also allow for manual stimulation of the clitoris either by yourself or your partner. This can greatly increase your chances of becoming multi-orgasmic, not to mention it's a lot of fun.

The benefits of continuing to have sex during pregnancy

Physical and emotional bonding between you and your partner - this is important, as you are about to embark on a new journey together as parents. The closer you are the easier it will be!

Preparation of the pelvic muscles for childbirth - sex will help to keep your pelvic muscles toned and strong for the extreme physical experience ahead and the recovery of the pelvic muscles after the birth.

Enjoyment! Being pregnant is a new experience and there's no reason why it can't be a new sensual experience too!There are many physical and emotional changes during pregnancy. While some sexual relationships may improve during pregnancy, others may stagnate or suffer - understandably so. The best approach is to be open with one-another about your feelings, needs and expectations.

This may be an ideal opportunity to build on your sexual relationship, explore each other and find new ways of giving each other pleasure. On the other hand, you may look at exploring your emotional relationship; while having sex during your pregnancy.

Thalassemia is an inherited autosomal recessive blood disease. In thalassemia, the genetic defect results in reduced rate of synthesis of one of the globin chains that make up hemoglobin (Hemoglobin is a substance that red blood cells need in order to carry oxygen to body tissues).

Women with thalassemia who require blood transfusions often have a higher rate of infertility. However, some women with the disease are able to become pregnant. If you have thalassemia and you are thinking of becoming pregnant, there are numbers of important health considerations you should consider for you and your unborn baby.


Consider your baby’s health

If you have thalassemia and your partner carries the trait for thalassemia, there is a chance that your baby may inherit the disease as well. A doctor or a genetic counselor can explain the risks to you and your partner, and offer you testing options to determine if your unborn baby has been affected or not.

Consider the mother’s health

The stress of pregnancy can make the symptoms of thalassemia worse. The woman’s heart and liver are most vulnerable during pregnancy, as is the endocrine system, which secretes hormones in the body. Each of these systems must be closely monitored before and throughout pregnancy.
During pregnancy, the volume of blood in the mother’s body rises substantially. This can lead to anemia, which can increase the need for blood transfusion, and makes the heart work that much harder to push blood to all the body’s tissues. The higher volume of blood in the mother’s body also adds to the amount of work that the heart has to do. Therefore, women with thalassemia need to have their heart function checked before they become pregnant. During pregnancy, they may need to have regular blood transfusions to lessen the amount of stress on the heart.

People with thalassemia have an increased risk of developing type 1 diabetes. The stress of pregnancy can worsen this condition. Diabetes needs to be well controlled before and throughout pregnancy.

Folic acid is an important nutritional requirement through the early weeks of normal pregnancy, and the same is true for women with thalassemia. In addition to helping to prevent neural tube defects in the developing baby, folic acid will help to reduce the mother’s risk of developing a special type of anemia called megaloblastic anemia. Other nutrients and supplements may be needed as determined by your doctor.

We will discuss in our next article on how to cure the Thalassemia and options that you have either in medical/science ways and also, the alternative ways.

Home pregnancy tests work by detecting hCG, the "pregnancy hormone". This hormone begins developing in the body about six days after conception. The levels double every 48-72 hours. A pregnancy test that can detect lower levels will be able to detect pregnancy sooner than a test that can only detect higher levels.

Most home pregnancy tests are rather expensive, costing around $15-20 at the drugstore. This article will guides you on how to purchase and take cheap home pregnancy tests that will only cost one dollar each, and that are just as accurate as the more expensive ones.


Step 1:
There are two cheap ways to get a home pregnancy test. The first way is to go to your local dollar store. For only a dollar, you can get a test that detects low levels of hCG, allowing you to take the test sooner than a lot of the more expensive tests. Even though these home pregnancy tests are so cheap, they get high review ratings on the trying-to-conceive discussion boards I've read.

You will probably need to ask the cashier for the home pregnancy test- as they usually keep the tests at another places behind the counter.

Step 2:
The other option for a cheap pregnancy test is ordering them online. For about the same price, you can buy a pack of home pregnancy tests that detect the lowest levels of home pregnancy tests. See link below on where to buy.

Step 3:
Once you have your cheap pregnancy test, it's easy to take. The best time to take it is when you first wake up in the morning, as this is when urine is the least diluted. The most common method for taking these is to simply hold the test's detector strip under a stream of urine as you go to the bathroom.

Step 4:
Then, you have to wait a few minutes for the results. The amount of time depends on the particular home pregnancy test.

Step 5:
Once that amount of time has passed, look in the result window. A line (or plus sign, depending on the test), no matter how faint, means you're pregnant!

However, if the test shows up negative, that doesn't mean that you are not pregnant. You should try again in a few days to be on the safe side.

Step 6:
If you find that you are indeed pregnant, you should enjoy yourself and make an appointment with doctor as soon as possible!

So, you think you've got the signs that you are pregnant right now. You don't want to do the pregnancy test first, but is that signs are true?

Well at first, you should know the symptoms that you are pregnant or not. Here is the list of symptoms that you should be aware of:

My Period is Late – The most common reason for missing your period is pregnancy and this is often the first sign that makes you suspect your pregnancy. Only a pregnancy test followed by a pelvic exam, can tell you positively whether you are pregnant or not. Once your health care provider rules out pregnancy as the cause of your late or missed periods, the next step is usually to rule in or out several other possible explanations for absence of menstruation or amenorrhea.


Unusual tiredness – Early pregnancy is time when a woman’s body is working very hard to keep up with the changes that occur. This means increased hormone production, as well as the fact that the heart is pumping harder and faster due to the escalation of blood flow – necessary to bring nutrients to the growing fetus. Increased progesterone production is the primary reason for the extra fatigue most pregnant women experience early in their pregnancy. Progesterone, known to cause sleepiness and a natural central nervous system depressant, is the reason this occurs. Another reason for fatigue and unusual tiredness during early pregnancy are the emotional extremes experienced often during pregnancy. It’s not uncommon for a pregnant woman to burst into tears for no apparent reason other than the hormonal fluctuations that occur during this time. This symptom is also a sign to get more sleep before your baby arrives when you’ll need your energy to care for your newborn baby.

You can get many vitamins that will boost you more energy which are many available out there. You can also take a look of one of our recommended product, Women's Multi Vitamin.

Swollen, tender, or sore breasts and/ or nipples – Often this is the first physical sign of pregnancy. In fact, some women know when they are pregnant based on this sign alone. The reason breasts and/ or nipples are often sore, swollen, or tender during early pregnancy is because the breasts are undergoing changes to prepare for breastfeeding. The reason for this is the increased production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone that occurs and the breasts and/ or nipples are often particularly painful during a first pregnancy.

Morning sickness – Nausea during pregnancy can occur with or without vomiting. While morning sickness is most common between weeks four and eight during pregnancy, many women experience this symptom beginning about two weeks from their date of conception.

Morning sickness is a misnomer since it can, and often does, occur at anytime of the day or night. The most common reason for this symptom seems to be the rapid rise in estrogen, produced by the fetus and placenta. Another trigger for nausea is odors. During pregnancy, a woman’s sense of smell increases considerably and can make almost anything from everyday household odors, foods, perfume, and smoke, to name a few, trigger a bout of morning sickness or nausea and vomiting.

The most common foods to trigger morning sickness are coffee during the first weeks of pregnancy, meat, dairy products, and spicy foods. However, it’s essential to understand that literally anything can trigger nausea and/ or vomiting during pregnancy. In fact, I personally know someone who became nauseated during one of her pregnancies every time she passed a microwave in operation.

Light bleeding and/or cramping – The most common reason for light bleeding during early pregnancy is implantation. Implantation bleeding occurs when the fertilized egg implants itself in the uterine lining and usually occurs about 10 to 14 days after conception. Bleeding caused by implantation is very light, often the only sign you might notice that indicates implantation has occurred is a small (can be as small as a pinhead followed by no further bleeding) spot of blood left on your panties.

Cramping that is similar to menstrual cramps occurs very early during pregnancy and happens when the uterus begins to expand to make room for the embryo to develop into a fetus that continues to develop for a total of 40 weeks gestation when your baby is born.

Always running to the bathroom – During the first trimester of pregnancy, it’s easy to believe you might have to “move” into your bathroom since it seems you are constantly running to make to the bathroom. The growing uterus causes frequent urination during pregnancy. The first and third trimesters of pregnancy are typically when the most intense frequent urination happens.