We may know lots of friends or family members who managed to conceive after only having intercourse once or after only trying to get pregnant for one or two months. If it is taking you longer then don’t feel despondent as the facts prove that there is only a few days each month when it is possible for the sperm to fertilise the egg.  

Once every month an egg will be released by the ovary and it will start its journey down the fallopian tube towards the uterus. The egg will only live for about 24 hours and if it isn’t fertilised by a sperm then you will have to wait until the next month when the whole process starts again. The good news is that although the egg only lives for 24 hours, it doesn’t mean that you must have intercourse on the exact day to get pregnant as sperm can actually live in the reproductive tract of a woman for around 72 hours. This means if you have intercourse 3 days before you ovulate, you still have a chance that the sperm can fertilise the egg. 

As there are only a few days each month when conception can occur, it’s a good idea to get to know your monthly menstrual cycle. 

• Get a calendar and write down the exact date of when you get your period. You may need to keep track of it for at least a couple of months so you know the length of your cycle.
• Around 14 days after the first day of your period ovulation should occur.
• After ovulation you will find that your body at rest temperature (BBT) will rise by one half or one full degree and will remain like this until the end of the cycle. Keeping track of your BBT by taking your temperature every morning before any activity will also aid you in getting to know exactly when you are ovulating
• You may also notice that at your time of ovulation your cervical mucus becomes thicker and a little ‘jelly’ like. It actually changes in consistency at this time to allow the sperm to enter the fallopian tubes.

If you have been trying to conceive for a year or longer and nothing has happened it really is worth consulting your G.P who can investigate any infertility issues.

by: Lynn Powers 

by: Elizabeth Pantley

Are your mornings rushed, chaotic and disorganized? Then it’s time to get control and make morning a good start to a wonderful day! When your morning activities run smoothly, and you’re out the door on time it can make your whole day feel better. To create a peaceful morning routine, follow these steps:

Start your morning - at night!

A real key to smoothing out your morning is to prepare as much as you can the night before. This means choosing the day’s clothing, packing lunches, gathering homework, signing permission slips and setting the table for breakfast.

Post a calendar.

Buy the biggest wall calendar you can find and hang it in a central location. Write down events and appointments for everyone. Use different colours marking pens to code items for easy reading. Keep the calendar up to date and you’ll be more organized!

Use a morning list.

Sit down and analyze a typical morning. Make a list of everything that needs to be done. Create a poster-sized list of the standard morning activities listed in the order to be done:If you have a child who gets easily distracted and ignores the morning chart - don’t give up! Just make a small mini-size chart, laminate it, put it on a chain and let your child wear it as his “morning necklace”! Your part is to make a few gentle reminders, “How are you doing on your chart this morning?”

Check out sleep time.

If your child has trouble getting up in the morning and sticking to his schedule take a look at what time he or she goes to bed. Without adequate sleep a child won’t be able to follow a morning routine successfully.

Fix problems with a family meeting.

If problems persist take the time to sit down with your children and talk about it. Let everyone have a turn talking, and then work to arrive at solutions that will benefit everyone.

Praise successes.

Remember, your words of praise will encourage your children to continue to meet their goals!

Picking a name for your baby can be a challenge. Everyone wants the perfect name for their baby. Some people have names picked out long before they are even expecting, others don’t make a final decision till they are holding their newborn in their arms.

We have put together a few things to consider when picking out a name for your new baby.

·         Even if you think you know the sex of the baby it is a good idea to have boy and girl names picked out. Occasionally people get fooled.

·         Kids can be mean, make sure your baby will not have initials that could cause hurt feelings at a later date.

·         Pay attention to nicknames, even though you don’t plan on calling the child by a nickname other people, especially when they start school, will. Don’t pick a name that has a nickname that you despise. For example, if you cannot stand Timmy you may not want to name your baby Timothy.

·         How does it sound when you put it all together? Do you trip over the names, or does it flow?

·         When choosing the spelling for the name you pick out keep in mind you don’t want your child to have to correct everyone’s pronunciation.

·         Go to a crowded playground where there are lots of children and yell it out loud a few times. How many children answer, do people look at you funny, does the name feel right? Don’t tell anyone what you have chosen until after the baby is born. That way you cannot be pressured into a name you don’t like or out of one you do. Also it may keep someone else who has their baby first from using your perfect name.

Being a parent can be a worry at the best of times but when your baby or child appears unwell it can be difficult to assess just how sick they are. Do they need to see a doctor, do they need medicine or are we just panicking about something that will simply get better by itself.

Trust your instinct – you know your child better than anyone and if you are at all concerned then it is always better to seek professional help by visiting your G.P. If you’re unsure whether to go to the surgery or ask for a home visit, phone and talk to the receptionist or to your G.P. You can explain their symptoms and your situation. Wrapping a sick child up and going by car is totally different than if your only option is getting to the surgery by bus!

Sometimes there should be no grey areas of whether you need to seek help

Urgent symptoms

• A very high temperature of over 39 degrees especially if it’s accompanied by a rash
• Drowsy, hard to wake and disorientated
• Fits or if your baby turns blue, pale or seems floppy
• Breathing difficulties, rapid breathing or grunting
• High temperature but the hands and feet feel clammy
• A purple or red rash anywhere on the body.

If in doubt, always seek advice, even if it turns out to be nothing. Don’t be afraid of seeming like an over protective parent, better to be safe than sorry!