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  • All You Should Know About Tanning While Pregnant

    All You Should Know About Tanning While Pregnant

    There’s a lot of confusion among those who are pregnant regarding the safety of getting a tan. Even in the absence of a fetus, experts continue to disagree about the risks – real or imagined – of exposing the body to ultraviolet light. Given the glut of misinformation, it’s understandable that women who are carrying a child might have reservations about tanning beds. Today, I’m going to clarify some of the existing misperceptions. It’s only by exposing the falsehoods that you can make an informed decision regarding what is best for you and your unborn child.

    In this article, we’ll explore a few reasons why you might want to tan your skin. I’ll explain the basics of UV light along with the effects they can have over time. I’ll also describe some of the precautions you should take when using tanning beds.

    Reasons To Tan While Pregnant

    It’s not uncommon for pregnant women to feel unattractive. Their bodies are changing, expanding as their baby’s due date draws closer. Often, giving their skin a golden brown or bronze tan can lift their spirits and provide a boost to their self-esteem.

    Other reasons are health-related. Researchers discovered long ago that UVB rays from the sun were instrumental in the synthesis of vitamin D. This vitamin is important; it encourages the absorption of calcium, prevents diabetes, and can even defend against gum disease. Some studies have suggested that vitamin D can also help curb heart disease, osteoporosis, and cancer.

    The sun remains a constant source of UVB rays. However, because managing exposure levels can be challenging, many pregnant women prefer the convenience of home tanning beds. That begs the question, “Isn’t UV radiation harmful to a fetus?”

    Understanding The Effects of UV Light

    Much of the concern that surrounds the use of tanning beds during pregnancy focuses on the radiation that such systems emit. In effect, many people believe that exposure to UV radiation will harm an unborn child. It’s important to realize that there are many different types of radiation, each with varying levels of intensity and impact. Computers emit radiation; so do cell phones, smoke detectors, magazines, and even bananas. And of course, UV light is another source.

    There are no studies unequivocally substantiating that radiation from UV light poses harm to a fetus. In particular, ultraviolet rays that are produced by tanning beds do not penetrate deeply enough. That said, overexposure does pose a potential risk in the same way that basking for several hours under intense sunlight does.

    Precautions To Consider

    People who tan regularly are concerned with safety regarding skin health, cancer, and sunburns. Tanning beds can be a safe means of tanning since the environment can be controlled by an experienced tanning salon professional. Also, you have the option of adjusting the strength of the UV rays and a lot of the times they will give you samples of various tanning lotions that can enhance your tan while protecting your particular kind of skin. If you are pregnant, and you still want to tan then, you may want to consider spray tan if you are concerned with the safety of the exposure to UV rays.

    If you are planning to tan on your own at home and will not have a tanning salon to control the tanning environment, then you may want to reference the-the skin chart created by the United States Food and Drug Administration. This chart helps you determine your skin type, if you should tan, for how long, and much more. The most sensitive skin type is type I and this skin type rarely tans, most exposure to the sun will burn the skin. People with skin type VI will never burn any matter how long they are in the sun they always tan. It is important to figure out your skin type to make sure the exposure you receive is safe.

    It is recommended to wear sunscreen or tanning lotion even if you are trying to tan it’s important to protect your skin from burning. Most tanning lotions protect your skin while enhancing the tan. The best way to get a tan without any streaks is to exfoliate your skin regularly. You will want to do this by scrubbing off dead skin all over your body using a body scrub. Make sure to pay more attention to areas around joints where there tends to be a lot of dead skin. This will help even out your skin layers so the tan you get will be a bronze color all throughout your body.

    Pregnant women need to take a few steps to ensure their bodies are prepared for exposure to UV light. Hydration is critical – especially so during the first trimester. Using tanning bed lotion and limiting your exposure to UV light – far easier with tanning beds than direct sunlight – is also important. Most experts agree that spending too much time under the lamps can lead to overheating of the body, which can potentially harm an unborn child. So, watch the amount of time you’re spending.

    Realistic Expectations

    To make an informed decision about getting a tan while pregnant, we first needed to dispel some of the common myths surrounding it. Exposure to the UV light does pose a potential risk to a fetus, but only in cases of overexposure. And even then, the risk is identical to that posed by direct sunlight. The key is to take a few precautions, such as keeping hydrated and limiting the amount of time spent under the lamps. You can enjoy a gorgeous tan without concern about your unborn baby’s health.

    Although there has been little research on the safety of tanning during pregnancy – it is important that expectant mothers understand the potential risks of doing so. Some salons go as far as requiring a letter from a health professional before allowing the pregnant mother to tan; others limit the exposure of the expectant mother in the tanning bed.

    Regardless, the waiver that is signed before entering the tanning bed ultimately put the fault of any risk that occurs in the person wishing to tan. This should give some clue to the dangers of the activity.

    Compiled using information from the following sources: Mayo Clinic Guide To A Healthy Pregnancy Harms, Roger W., M.D., et al, Introduction. American Cancer Society, http://www.cancer.org/

  • Baby Shower Fruit Basket Made From Watermelon

    Baby Shower Fruit Basket Made From Watermelon

    This has got to be the cutest thing ever! If you need a fruit plate for a baby shower, don’t put that exciting fruit out on a plain old plate. Give it some pizzazz! Make a baby bassinet made from a watermelon and use a cantelope as the baby’s face.

    For more detailed directions on how to make this adorable creation, check out Mandatory Mooch which is where I found it. Kudos to them for putting it up!

  • Pregnancy Test – A Plus Or Minus Says It All

    Pregnancy Test – A Plus Or Minus Says It All

    A pregnancy test, as the name implies, is simply a test used to determine whether or not a woman is pregnant. Often used early in the form of a home pregnancy test, this process is helpful in making an early determination. An unborn child will require medical care even before they arrive and an early diagnosis is important so that the mom-to-be can learn the best types of food to consume, begin pregnancy classes and prepare for the family’s new addition.

    The most popular type of pregnancy test, which is used for early detection, is a home pregnancy test. These can be found at most major retail and/or drug stores and can provide quick results. Because these are amateur tests, meaning they are not performed by a licensed medical doctor, there is always the possibility of a false reading.

    Pregnancy Test

    If the directions are followed correctly, however, the accuracy rate is quite respectable. Before seeing a doctor, many women want to have an idea as to whether or not they are pregnant, which is why an at home pregnancy test is very popular.

    Depending on the results of a home pregnancy test, a woman may still wish to consult a physician to ensure certainty. During the visit, a physician will relay the determination of pregnancy or the absence thereof and, if necessary, will provide additional information for expectant moms.

    It can be difficult to realize the symptoms of pregnancy for first-time moms-to-be, which is why it is important to learn about the possible signs of an early pregnancy. Among them, an increased sensitivity to certain foods and/or smells, recurring morning sickness, fatigue, exhaustion and mood swings.

    It is important to have a pregnancy test following the onset of any or all of these symptoms because a positive result means that a new change in lifestyle may be in order. Pregnant women will likely be instructed to avoid air travel, smoking or being near secondhand smoke and the consumption of alcohol.

    Any and all of these can be harmful to a child and should therefore be avoided. It is very important that pregnant women speak with their doctor about the best ways to ensure the development of a healthy child.

    This article is to be used for informational purposes only. It is not designed to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice and/or recommendations. A woman who believes that she may be pregnant should consult a licensed medical doctor for a pregnancy test and the best method of ensuring the health of her unborn child.

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  • What Are The Early Signs Of Pregnancy?

    What Are The Early Signs Of Pregnancy?

    Pregnancy is the carrying of one or more embryos or fetuses by female mammals, including humans, inside their bodies. In a pregnancy, there can be multiple gestations (for example, in the case of twins, or triplets). Human pregnancy is the most studied of all mammalian pregnancies.

    Human pregnancy lasts approximately 9 months between the time of the last menstrual cycle and childbirth (38 weeks from fertilisation). The medical term for a pregnant woman is genetalian, just as the medical term for the potential baby is embryo (early weeks) and then fetus (until birth).

    Early Signs Of Pregnancy

    A woman who is pregnant for the first time is known as a primigravida or gravida 1: a woman who has never been pregnant is known as a gravida 0; similarly, the terms para 0, para 1 and so on are used for the number of times a woman has given birth.

    In many societies medical and legal definitions, human pregnancy is somewhat arbitrarily divided into three trimester periods, as a means to simplify reference to the different stages of fetal development.

    The first trimester period carries the highest risk of miscarriage (natural death of embryo or fetus). During the second trimester the development of the fetus can start to be monitored and diagnosed. The third trimester marks the beginning of viability, which means the fetus might survive if an early birth occurs.

    Before pregnancy begins, a female oocyte (egg) must join, by male spermatozoon in a process referred to in medicine as “fertilisation”, or commonly (though perhaps inaccurately) as “conception.”

    In most cases, this occurs through the act of sexual intercourse, in which a man ejaculates inside a woman, thus releasing his sperm. Though pregnancy begins at implantation, it is often convenient to date from the first day of a woman’s last menstrual period. This is used to calculate the Estimated Date of Delivery (EDD).

    Traditionally (according to Naegele’s rule, which is used to calculate the estimated date of delivery, or EDD), a human pregnancy is considered to last approximately 40 weeks (280 days) from the last menstrual period (LMP), or 37 weeks (259 days) from the date of fertilization. However, a pregnancy is considered to have reached term between 37 and 43 weeks from the beginning of the last menstruation.

    Babies born before the 37 week mark are considered premature, while babies born after the 43 week mark are considered postmature.

    According to Merck, the norm for human pregnancy is that it lasts 266 days from the date of fertilization. This is 38 weeks, or approximately 8 Gregorian months and 22.5 days, or 9.0 lunar months). Counting from the beginning of the woman’s last menstrual cycle, the norm is 40 weeks (the basis for Naegele’s rule).

    According to the same reference, less than 10% of births occur on the due date, 50% of births are within a week of the due date, and almost 90% within two weeks. But it is not clear whether this refers to the due date calculated from an early sonograph or from the last menstruation (see further down).

    Though these are the averages, the actual length pregnancy depends on various factors. For example, the first pregnancy tends to last longer than subsequent pregnancies.

    An accurate date of fertilization is important, because it is used in calculating the results of various prenatal tests (for example, in the triple test). A decision may be made to induce labour if a baby is perceived to be overdue. Due dates are only a rough estimate, and the process of accurately dating a pregnancy is complicated by the fact that not all women have 28 day menstrual cycles, or ovulate on the 14th day following their last menstrual period. Approximately 3.6% of all women deliver on the due date predicted by LMP, and 4.7% give birth on the day predicted by ultrasound.

    The beginning of pregnancy may be detected in a number of ways, including various pregnancy tests which detect hormones generated by the newly-formed placenta. Clinical blood and urine tests can detect pregnancy soon after implantation, which is as early as 6-8 days after fertilization. Home pregnancy tests are personal urine tests, which normally cannot detect a pregnancy until at least 12-15 days after fertilization. Both clinical and home tests can only detect the state of pregnancy, and cannot detect its age.

    In the post-implantation phase, the blastocyst secretes a hormone named human chorionic gonadotropin which in turn, stimulates the corpus luteum in the woman’s ovary to continue producing progesterone. This acts to maintain the lining of the uterus so that the embryo will continue to be nourished.

    The glands in the lining of the uterus will swell in response to the blastocyst, and capillaries will be stimulated to grow in that region. This allows the blastocyst to receive vital nutrients from the woman. Pregnancy tests detect the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin.

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  • 6 Non-Toxic Nail Polish Brands

    6 Non-Toxic Nail Polish Brands

    sparitualIf you are expecting and rarely seen without freshly painted nails you may want to consider non-toxic nail polish and review a study where popular brands were tested for toxic chemicals.

    Did you know that most drugstore brands have formaldehyde, triphenyl phosphate or other dangerous toxic chemicals and exposure is probably not good in pregnancy?

    Triphenyl Phosphate (or TPHP) is known to be a hormone disruptor of the endocrine system. The endocrine system controls all of the hormones in the human body which makes it dangerous to a developing fetus.  Triphenyl phosphate is commonly used to make plastics and as a fire retardant in foam furniture.

    In the study, 25 women were tested 10 to 14 hours after applying popular name brand nail polish.  All of the women tested positive for triphenyl phosphate, revealing it in their system through a urine test.  While non of the women in the study were pregnant, this is alarming. One shocking tidbit was that out of ten polishes that were tested for triphenyl phosphate, 8 tested positive with two not disclosing the chemical on it’s label.

    Formaldahide is also commonly found in nail polish and according to the CDC known to cause cancer, “The higher the level and the longer the exposure, the greater the chance of getting cancer. Exposure to formaldehyde might increase the chance of getting cancer even at levels too low to cause symptoms.”

    For those with young daughters who use nail polish, you may want to consider a healthier alternative to drugstore brands. Because some of the mentioned toxic chemicals are hormone disruptors, they can mess with hormone regulation or worse.  I think it’s fair to say that these chemicals are especially harmful to children and pregnant women and should be avoided.

    Also see, How Nails Change in Pregnancy.

    The great news is that there is non-toxic nail polish available that do not have these chemicals in them. Toxin free brands are more expensive than the drugstore polish but you might find it’s worth it to spend a few extra dollars for a healthier alternative. Here are a few that claim to be toxin free:

    Non-Toxic Nail Polish

    1. Honeybee Gardens is water-based, toxin free and vegan and can be removed with rubbing alcohol. Impressive.
    2. Acquarella is water based and toxin free with a nice selection of colors.
    3. Peacekeeper Cause-Metics This polish is toxin free and has a nice selection of polishes perfect for summer. It is infused with argan oil, one of my favorite agents for nurturing the skin and nails. We found these were sold out at the time of checking.
    4. Scotch Naturals is favored by some bloggers.
    5. Piggy Paint is one of the cheaper brands of the toxin-free polishes.
    6. Suncoat doesn’t seem as durable as some of the others since it is made to peel.

    We also found this list of popular drugstore brands that contain some of these chemicals,  http://www.ewg.org/research/nailed.

    non-toxic nail polish

  • Levi Johnson Gets Joint Custody with Son

    Levi Johnson Gets Joint Custody with Son

    Screen shot 2016-02-25 at 1.46.34 AMThe long seven year child custody battle between Levi Johnston and Bristol Palin appears to be resolved. Johnson shared on social media that he had spent over 100K on 3 different attorneys but that it was all worth it in the end.

    “I’m so happy to have my son in my life, and to put all of this back in forth in the courts behind me,” shared Johnson who is happy to be co-parenting his son.

    When Johnson got behind by $66K in child support a firestorm of publicity broke out between him and the mother of his child, Bristol Palin who was not very happy with the situation.  He claimed she was keeping his son from him and she responded with a public statement saying that he failed to keep up with child support payments.

    Legal action began in 2013 and it has taken seven years to bring the custody battle to resolution.

    Bristol Palin was 17 and Levi Johnson just 18 when the couple were first engaged.  She was five months along in her pregnancy.  Tripp Easton Mitchell Johnston was born on the morning of Dec. 27, 2008.  Long story short, they broke their engagement one month after their sons birth and went their separate ways only to reunite again months later, engagement back on.  Then finally, it was over, really over.

    Johnston went on to marry Sunny Oglesby in October, 2012. In addition to his son, Johnson has two daughters with Oglesby, Breeze Beretta and Indy Rae who was born in January 2015.

  • more Pregnancy faq

    Will eating fish and seafood during pregnancy harm my unborn baby?

    Some varieties of fish may be contaminated with mercury (or “PCBs”), because of environmental pollutants. Larger, long-lived fish contain the highest levels of mercury. Mercury (which accumulates in the skin and fat in fish) has been found to cause cancer and it also crosses the placenta and can be harmful to unborn babies.

    Pregnant women are advised to avoid eating shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish (also called golden or white snapper). Limit tuna steak and albacore “white” tuna to one serving a month and canned light tuna to one 6-ounce can a week. Never eat raw or undercooked fish or shellfish such as oysters, clams, mussels or sushi, which may contain bacteria including salmonella and hepatitis A.

    Always cook or freeze fish to kill possible parasites. It is recommended that fish be cooked to 140 degrees Fahrenheit or frozen for at least a week at -10 degrees Fahrenheit, which will kill most parasite larvae.

    What in the world is “Kegel” exercises?

    Kegel exercises (or “pelvic floor muscle exercises”) are a series of simple internal exercises done to strengthen and tone the muscles in your vaginal, rectal and perineal area. Your pelvic floor muscles may be stretched and weakened as a result of pregnancy and birth, which may result in uncontrollable incontinence.

    By doing Kegel exercises daily during pregnancy, you can prepare your muscles for delivery and have a faster recovery postpartum. To perform Kegel exercises, identify your vaginal muscles by starting and stopping urination. When you stop your urine, you have located the correct muscles. Tighten the muscle for a count of four and relax for a count of four, over and over again. Repeat these exercises 2-3 times a day for five minutes.

    Is it alright to sleep on my stomach while I’m pregnant?

    During the first trimester, any sleep position is alright. But after 12 weeks or so, lying on your stomach may put pressure on your unborn baby and should be avoided when possible. Besides that, it can put added strain on your neck and back, causing pain.

    Early in pregnancy, you’ll need to get used to sleeping on your side, which is the best position for pregnant women, especially the left side, which allows maximum blood flow to your baby and also keeps your baby’s weight from applying pressure to the inferior vena cava (the large vein that carries blood back to your heart). In addition, lying on your side will help take pressure off your back. Place pillows between your knees and one behind your back for extra support and to keep you from rolling during the night. Special “pregnancy pillows” may help even more.

    Back to Pregnancy Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

  • more Pregnancy faq

    Can taking castor oil to induce labor harm my baby?

    There is a debate over whether or not taking castor oil to bring on labor increases the risk of the baby having it’s first bowel movement before or during birth. A baby’s first stool is called meconium and if the baby inhales some, it can be very dangerous and can cause the baby to develop pneumonia. There is no clear evidence to support this theory as of now. A more common side effect is severe diarrhea, painful intestinal cramping (similar to food poisoning) and possibly nausea and vomiting in the mother, which can lead to dehydration. Castor oil has long been used as a strong laxative, which stimulates the bowels and bowel contractions are believed by some to help stimulate uterine contractions as well. In addition, castor oil is thought to stimulate production of prostaglandins, which induce labor. The safeness, as well as the effectiveness of castor oil to encourage the onset of labor is questionable. If you are overdue, your doctor or midwife can advise you on safer, gentler alternatives, if necessary. Effective induction methods include cervical prostaglandin suppositories or gel and rupturing the membranes.

    My shoes don’t fit now that I’m in my third trimester. Should I be concerned?

    It’s very common for women’s feet to get larger during pregnancy and for their shoe size to change. Besides not being able to fit into any of your pre-pregnancy clothes, your shoes are likely to feel snug now due partly to edema (swelling), caused by fluid retention, which tends to increase during the third trimester. Another reason for your foot expansion is after the second trimester, your body starts producing a hormone called relaxin, to prepare your body for delivery by loosening and softening up the ligaments in your pelvis to help accommodate passage of your baby through the birth canal. Relaxin loosens up other joints throughout your body as well, including your feet, which are particularly affected, causing them to slightly lose their arch and spread. In most cases, your feet will return to normal after the birth of your baby, although some women notice a half size difference. Even though this is a natural part of pregnancy, you need to take care of your feet by elevating them whenever possible and drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day to reduce edema. Orthopedic shoe inserts may be necessary to help support your falling arch. To be more comfortable, wear slip-on shoes that aren’t too tight and if you go shoe shopping, go later in the day, because feet tend to swell more as the day goes on, so the same shoes that feel comfortable in the morning, may be too tight in the evening.

    Can you tell me what “nesting instincts” are?

    Nesting instincts refer to the burst of energy that typically happens sometime during the ninth month of pregnancy and sometimes during the onset of labor. You may feel the uncontrollable need to rush around and take care of any unfinished business in preparation for your baby’s arrival. A day of preparing for your baby’s birth gives you the sense of accomplishment as well as a healthy diversion from the boredom that commonly is associated with the endless final weeks of pregnancy. Good projects include washing and folding baby clothes, sewing something for baby, setting up the nursery and shopping for baby items, although don’t overdo it to the point where you become exhausted.

    Menstrual Periods, Drinking and Hair Dye
    Cats, Ultrasounds and First Movements
    Fish, Exercising and Sleep
    Sex, Cesarean and Back Labor
    Tanning Beds, Weight Gain and Areola Changes
    Castor Oil, Smaller Shoes and Nesting Instincts
    First Prenatal Visit

  • Pelvic Pressure

    When your joints begin to relax in preparation for childbirth and also when your baby drops during the third trimester, you may experience a feeling of constant heaviness or pressure in your pelvic area. Swimming or being in the water, if possible, can temporarily relieve some of the pressure, along with soaking in a cool bath or applying a cold pack. Continue with your Kegel exercises, to reduce soreness and look into a maternity support belt, to alleviate pressure.

     

    more Discomforts

    —Backaches
    —Breast Discomfort
    —Braxton Hicks Contractions
    —    Constipation
    —Dizziness and Fainting
    —Fatigue
    —Hand Numbness
    —Headaches
    —Heartburn and Indigestion
    —Hemorrhoids
    —Increased Discharge
    —Itchy Abdomen
    —Leg Cramps
    —Nausea and Morning Sickness
    —Overheating
    —Pelvic Pressure
    —Sleep Trouble
    —Swelling
    —Urinary Problems
    —Varicose Veins

  • Ovulation Tests and Testing

    Ovulation testing allows you to predict ovulation and anticipate the best time to have intercourse to conceive a baby, as well as understand more completely how your body works. Unlike BBT charting, ovulation testing helps you anticipate ovulation – not just confirm that ovulation has already happened. There are two main ovulation testing varieties: tests that measure luteinizing hormone (LH) in your saliva (or ovulation microscopes) and tests that measure LH in your urine (OPKs or ovulation test sticks/strips).

    Saliva-based ovulation tests require the collection of a saliva sample, by swabbing your tongue and placing it on a microscope lens or slide for examination. Your saliva begins to form distinct fern-like patterns (when observed under a microscope) about 3 days prior to ovulation, caused by increased estrogen.Unlike urine-based tests, test your saliva first thing in the morning, before drinking water or brushing your teeth. After observing your saliva, record your observations on your chart. The average cost for a salvia-based test is about $30-$80 and includes a portable microscope and multiple slides, which are reusable.

    Some urine-based ovulation tests require the collection of a urine sample to dip the test strip in, while others require holding the test strip in your urine stream (midstream test). There are others that require you to collect your urine and drop it into a test hole. Make sure you read and follow the instructions on the package carefully. The average cost for a urine-based test is approximately $15-$25 for a 5-day testing pack and they are not reusable.

    Ovulation takes place once your pituitary gland releases a burst of LH, causing a follicle within your ovaries to break open and release an egg into one of your fallopian tubes. Just preceding ovulation, women experience this “LH surge”, which is basically a sudden, dramatic, and brief rise in the level of LH. A small amount of LH is present throughout your menstrual cycle, but during the middle of your cycle, it dramatically increases. LH levels are only elevated for a couple of days each cycle (when you are most fertile). Urine-based ovulation tests work by detecting the surge in LH, allowing you to predict with great accuracy your most fertile time of the month.

    –read more on Ovulation Tests

  • Ovulation Tests and LH

    As soon as the LH surge is detected, successful fertilization is most likely to take place one to three days afterwards, with peak fertility at about 36 hours past the LH surge. Have intercourse during the 2-3 days following your LH surge to maximize your chances of getting pregnant during that cycle.

    LH should be measured on a daily basis and unlike pregnancy tests, morning is not the best time to collect samples for ovulation tests (unless you are testing saliva). LH is synthesized in your body early in the morning and will not appear in your urine until the afternoon- which is the best time for testing. Be sure to test at the same time every day and also refrain from drinking liquids about 2 hours prior to testing, because otherwise your sample will be diluted and may interfere with accurate detection of LH.

    When used correctly, ovulation tests are excellent predictors of ovulation and are very helpful when trying to become pregnant. It is best to use a combination of methods when trying to pinpoint ovulation. Ovulation tests can be one of your methods, along with tracking your BBT, observing changes in your cervical mucus, monitoring your physical and emotional symptoms and checking the position and shape of your cervix. Ovulation testing can be very accurate, as long as the directions are followed exactly.

  • Ovulation Calendar

    Knowing and understanding what leads up to ovulation and when you ovulate will allow you to make love on the most fertile days of your cycle and increase your chances of conceiving. Timing when you make love is a very critical part of getting pregnant, since a woman is fertile for only a few short days each monthly cycle. This ovulation calendar is based on a typical 28-day cycle. If your cycles are shorter or longer, you will need to adjust this accordingly. Ovulation generally occurs about 14 days before your next expected period.

    Days 1- 4 of your cycle

    The first day of your cycle is the day that your menstrual period begins. If you become pregnant this month, your doctor or midwife will count this day as the beginning (the first of about 280 days of pregnancy), even though you haven’t even ovulated or conceived yet.

    Right now, you are on your period and your uterus is shedding the extra built-up tissue and blood lining that it no longer needs. In essence, your body is cleansing itself in preparation for the possibility of an up-coming fertilization. At this point in your cycle, your estrogen and progesterone levels are low.

    Days 5- 8 of your cycle

    Your menstrual period is ending and your uterus is starting to gradually build up a new endometrial lining, due to the rising level of estrogen in your body. The presence of estrogen is also making your basal body temperature (BBT) remain low for now. One of your ovaries is starting to mature and prepare an egg (which is encased in a sac called a follicle) for ovulation.

    Your cervical mucus is typically fairly dry right after your period stops, although the number of dry days after your bleeding ends, varies from cycle to cycle. The lack of mucus prevents sperm from penetrating your cervix at this point in your cycle. Also about now, your cervix may be very firm, pointed and closed. It should be easily reached by your fingertip, since it’s position is so low.

    Days – 9 to 12 of Cycle
    Days – 13 to 16 of Cycle