Understanding the Process of Using Egg Donation in Fertility Treatment

About 1-in-8 couples of childbearing age experience fertility issues; that makes up about 7.3 million people in the United States alone who have tried to become pregnant unsuccessfully or have experienced a miscarriage. For those couples who are seeking a biological bond with their potential future-child, in vitro fertilization, or “IVF”, has become a widely-utilized fertility treatment. However, IVF is not always successful, and for some couples, may never be successful, even after spending years undergoing several cycles of treatment. For these couples, egg donation becomes the next available course of action.

Using eggs supplied by a donor allows women who lack healthy and viable eggs of their own to become pregnant at a high overall success rate. This treatment option is used most often in women who have already undergone several cycles of in …

5 Ways to Increase Your Chances of a Natural Delivery

There is no doubt that cesarean sections are on the rise. The increased number is rather alarming, even to the medical field. While there are certain circumstances that a C-section is the best option, it isn’t always the case.

There was a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine which shows that at least 1/3 of cesarean sections are carried out before 39 weeks, which is too early. This will put a newborn at a higher risk for health issues.

While there are several C-sections performed for medically sound reasons, this same study found that at least half of them are elective, or optional surgical births. At the very least, some C-sections can be prevented, with a little effort during pregnancy and labor.

So, let’s take a look at what you can do to …

Why Cord Blood Banking? The Pros and Cons of the Important Issue Facing Expecting Parents Today that Could Potentially Save a Child’s Life

Expecting parents are positively overwhelmed by information from internet searches, books, pamphlets, research, studies, speculation, and sworn-by testimony regarding anything and everything having to do with the soon-to-be tiny new addition to their household. From the very moment the pregnancy test comes back positive, expecting parents are faced with information overload while having to make crucial decisions regarding their child before they are even brought into the world. As medical advancements continue to be made, parents are expected to be informed, know to request certain information, and ultimately make decisions about a myriad of different issues that will affect their child.

One of the more recent issues facing expecting parents today that has received a ton of press and attention is the option of banking umbilical cord blood. This decision can become a difficult …

A Healthy Mom Means a Healthy Baby: 3 Important Pregnancy Health Tips to Practice Today

If you’re pregnant or trying to conceive, then you’re probably overwhelmed by all the information surrounding the topic. You can’t do this, you shouldn’t do that, you can’t eat this, and the list goes on and on.

The good news is that you can sit back and relax. It’s time to cut to the chase with the top three tips that you can use today to have a healthy, safe, and happy pregnancy before you welcome your bundle of joy into the world:

Consider your dental hygiene.

When you’re pregnant, the last thing on your list may be making a dental appointment. But due to higher levels of progesterone and hormone changes during pregnancy, it can promote increased bacterial growth on your teeth. Basically, your gums will be much more susceptible to infection and inflammation, which leads to …

Get This Baby Outta Me! Will Old Wives Tales Work?

Anyone who’s been pregnant before can tell you that they scoffed at all of the old wives tales and superstitions that everyone and their mother tried to share with them. That was, until they found themselves two or even three weeks overdue with no end in sight.

If you find yourself in the same predicament, or even if you’re just a little bit curious about how to induce labor naturally, superstitions surrounding labor and delivery are worth exploring. More and more expectant mothers are considering these alternative methods, according to a recent study from Ohio State University. Roughly 50% of mamas who are 37 weeks pregnant have tried different superstitious methods to stimulate labor, including masturbation, sex, and eating spicy food.

The good news is that none of the above methods are harmful, so many pregnant ladies …

3 Reasons to Get a Prenatal Massage

Massage has been used for centuries to improve health, relieve stress, and ease tension in the muscles. And who would benefit more from this than a mom-to-be? Pregnant women often experience strain and muscle cramps as a result of carrying extra weight coupled with changes in their growing bodies.

Prenatal massage is an excellent way for a pregnant woman to relax, unwind, and relieve stress safely and naturally.

Here are some of the top reasons to enjoy a prenatal massage today:

Reduce Anxiety: Studies have confirmed that regular massage treatments throughout pregnancy can help to reduce anxiety and even alleviate depression. Most prenatal massage is done through the lighter therapy of Swedish massage, which helps to relax tension in the muscles and improve circulation using mild pressure applied to the muscles. Swedish massage is the recommended form …