So you are all set to be a parent. Entering the pregnancy stage is extremely critical. But it is the experience of a lifetime. Let me tell you a few factors that contribute to pregnancy.

Ovulation cycle & becoming pregnant
This is the most important cycle in a woman. One should know when the ovulation cycle begins and end’s as that is vital for conception. It is only when the egg is on its way to the uterus that fertilisation takes place. To become pregnant, knowledge of this is foremost.

Sperm Contribution & pregnancy
Sperms are produced through out the life of a man. Yet the life span is very short. Within the testicle it lasts for a month. And once it is in the uterine cavity the life span is between 2-4 days.

The fertilisation Process & pregnancy
After ejaculation around 500 sperms enter the vagina but only around 100 to 200 reach the right location of the uterus. Then they race to the egg and surround it. But only one can enter it. When it finds the right entrance the sperm looses it tail and its head increases in size. Due to its entry the egg too is stimulated to increase in size. The two then grow closer and ultimately merge.

Determining the sex of the child
23 chromosomes make an individual. Of these 22 are same while the differentiating one are the sex chromosomes X and Y. XX makes a girl and XY claims a boy. The egg always contains X and the sperm carries X or Y. Thus it is the male who contributes to the sex of a child. From the male, the Y chromosome (for a boy) is quick but less resistant and the X chromosome (for a girl) is slow but more resistant. Simply indicating that sexual intercourse a little before ovulation may predict a girl while sexual intercourse at the time of ovulation would chance a boy.

Maintain your weight
You have to be just right where your weight is concerned. Underweight would mean malnutrition for the child and overweight leads to diabetes and other related problems during pregnancy. Also studies reveal that excessive weight can lead to obesity even after birth. Keep these points in mind when you are preparing to become pregnant. They help you get prepared for the most important stage in life

Teenage pregnancy has always been seen as a problem of the western world but the hard reality is that it exists as much in our society as it does in the west. Pre-marital sex is not just common to cultures abroad but also to our culture, whether we are willing to accept this or not another thing.

Pre-marital sex and teenage pregnancy is a definite component of our society, period! It mostly goes unnoticed due to the social stigma attached to the unwed girl or her family. Teenage pregnancy is more a problem in rural societies of India than in urban set ups.

The poor soul is seen as an outcast and the stigma is carried for a life time or even for generations ahead. Urban India is changing by the day. With live-in relationships, pre-marital sex and free sex on the rampant, it’s a completely new world but rural India is unfortunately not moving with the same pace. With problems of pre-marital sex and pregnancy come other issues like HIV and AIDS.

Authorities need to create a larger awareness among these poor rural folks about the use of contraception other wise we will all soon wake up to another set of a very different kind of problem. Its time we admit that the difference between the cultures of India and the west on this particular issue is ‘not that pre-marital sex exists in the west and does not exist in India’, but that the west is more open on these issues and therefore register it while in India it’s a very hush-hush thing and there is no way an anyone is going to find out about it! This is a call to move on from a state of denial to that of acceptance of reality and finding a solution quickly to avert more future problems.

It is important that you nourish your relationship as much as your nourish your unborn child during pregnancy. Most women find that their bodies grow large and unwieldy during pregnancy. Many women are surprised to find that their sex drive actually increases during pregnancy, particularly during the second trimester. This is due to the increased amount of blood that is coursing through your pelvis and vagina.

Is Sex Safe During Pregnancy?
Sex is safe during pregnancy provided you have a low risk pregnancy with few complications. Your doctor will let you know if you should avoid sex for any reason at all. Most women can enjoy a healthy and fulfilling intimate relationship throughout their pregnancy, right up until their delivery date.

Will I Enjoy Sex During Pregnancy?
Surprisingly, many women find that they are more sexually aroused during their second trimester than they were prior to pregnancy. The increased blood flow to the vaginal and a woman’s growing bosom often results in a heightened sense of self and sexual arousal.

Most women will shy away from sexual relations during their first trimester when morning sickness and fatigue often get in the way of love making. During the third trimester, some women find themselves uncomfortably large and prefer not to be intimate, whereas others continue having intercourse right up until they go into labor.

Will Sex Hurt the Baby?
One of the most common concerns of fathers to be is that sex will hurt the baby. Some men are afraid that they will bump into the baby when they have sex. By and large however this concern is unfounded. If your husband is overly concerned about having sex during pregnancy, have him join you at your prenatal visits. A little reassurance from your physician that he will not hurt or bump into the baby may be all your husband needs.

Partners often react very individually when it comes to sex and pregnancy. While some men find the site of their wife’s blossoming body a true turn on, others are ambivalent or even a little turned off by pregnancy. It is important that you are open, honest and communicative with your partner about your needs during pregnancy, and try not to take any emotions your partner may be feeling personally.

Remember that pregnancy is often an emotional roller coaster, and your husband or partner may be more concerned that you might react differently, or may be scared of the idea of having a family in general. Some men have a difficult time being intimate with their wives even when they recognize that they will not harm the baby, because they feel another presence is in the room.

That said, many men and women have remarkable sexual relationships throughout their pregnancy. Even if you do not engage in intercourse with your husband, it is important that the two of you work on nurturing your relationship throughout your pregnancy. Foot rubs, kissing, back rubs and holding hands are all excellent ways to share some intimacy without actually engaging in intercourse.

The best way you can ensure that you and your partner remain close during your pregnancy is to check in with your partner on occasion. Inform them of your needs, let them know where you are coming from and what you need or want from them.

Positioning
If you and your partner are interested in maintaining a healthy sexual relationship during pregnancy, then undoubtedly you must be wondering what positions will work best for you as your belly grows and expands. The best thing you can do during your pregnancy is keep an open mind and be creative. Most women will find that it is uncomfortable to enjoy sex in a missionary position after about the first or mid second trimester. Try flipping over, woman on top and even lying next to one another during your pregnancy.

Giving birth will no doubt be one of the most magical moments of your life and to ensure that your child is strong and happy, it is important you do all you can to have a healthy pregnancy. To help you and your baby on your way, this article has compiled a number of tips that are guaranteed to make those nine pregnancy months the best they can be!

The first thing you must do when you find you are pregnant is to visit an obstetrician/gynecologist (OBGYN). They will give you an ultrasound to see how far along you are and whether your pregnancy appears to be normal. This stage is crucial and it is important not to leave this too late.

After this, you must begin to change your lifestyle. Remember, you are no longer eating and exercising for yourself but for two! Firstly, if you are a smoker or a drinker, you must quit. Cigarette smoke can lead to low birth weight in babies as well as miscarriages and tubal pregnancies so try to avoid second hand smoke as it is not conducive to a healthy pregnancy. The same can be said for alcohol and other toxic chemicals and substances such as paint fumes. These items are both damaging to the mother and to the pregnancy.

Another part of changing your lifestyle is your diet during pregnancy. Make sure to drink plenty of water - about 6 to 8 glasses a day. It is not healthy to be overweight or underweight during a pregnancy but do remember that you shouldn't diet during pregnancy. Pregnancy is not a time to be worrying about your weight! Don't skip meals as you and your baby need as much nutrition and calories as possible, although not the fattening kind so make sure you get a balance. Junk food is great to satisfy those crazy pregnancy cravings but try not to go overboard!

If you are worried about weight gain during pregnancy, a great alternative to dieting is light exercise. You may not have loved it before your pregnancy, but learn to love it now as it will definitely pay off in the long run by keeping your baby healthy and your body fit. Light exercises will not harm your pregnancy so try swimming, yoga and walking.

An additional healthy pregnancy tip that those with busy schedules tend to forget is the importance of sleep. Make sure to get plenty of rest so that you and your baby can recuperate and to ensure that your immune system is as strong as possible. It is advised that you rest on your side to reduce swelling and generate the best circulation to your baby.

To recap: avoid damaging substances such as nicotine and alcohol, don't diet during pregnancy, drink plenty of water, practice as much exercise as safely possible, and get plenty of sleep! Following these pregnancy tips will make certain that you have a healthy pregnancy and have a happy and fit child.

Lovely words and most interesting. ......... ..with due respect I would
add that it takes both to put forth day by day .....by turning sand
into lovely peals, to balance our expectations, and there is always
Inshallah ...the opportunity to start to make a deliberate effort to
do out best ...respecting the other persons personal boudaries ,
searching for ways to enrich your mates life, quite , confident
strenth that comes with selfrespect, and know that live is never
perfect ....and we need not to be in a constant quest to fix
everybody, Allah in his mercy made us all unique...... ..I dont want
to be anybody else but my very best......Sarah
> A Husbands Tale
>
> By Ms. Du`aa' Hamdy
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c=Article_C& cid=1172571475
> 024&pagename= Zone-English- Family%2FFYELayo ut#**1>
> www.islamonline. net
> Translated By Ms. Yosra Mostafa
> [Image] You thought you never knew the taste of
> suffering until you met a grumpy woman who is mean and makes your
life
> like hell. Is this the woman you married? Do you feel that you will
not
> make it to the following year? Read about the trials and
tribulations of
> one.