The article reviews the wealth of clinical evidence supporting this trend, and demonstrates how the use of gonadotropins in the treatment of infertility, especially in assisted reproductive technologies, has significantly improved outcomes.

Have you checked out our fertility message boards lately? You can come by to ask questions, vent, introduce yourself, or offer other members support. Trying to conceive isn't easy to do, and you don't need to do it all by yourself.

Come join us!

Have You Checked Out Our Fertility Forums? originally appeared on About.com Fertility on Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 at 11:07:28.

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Are you trying to get pregnant? Trying to figure out if you're pregnant or not can be a big deal. I know that my first sign of pregnancy is different than most people - I get horribly, can't-get-your-head-out-of-bed exhausted. This usually happens before a late period even. Some women know they are pregnant from the time of conception, because they are so tuned in to their bodies. Sore breasts rank fairly high on the list of new signs of pregnancy. Other women need that pregnancy test to show them what they may be wondering about. What was your first pregnancy symptom?

What was your first pregnancy symptom?

• Missed Period
• Being Tired
• Morning Sickness
• Sore Breasts
• Other (Please list in comments.)

See the poll results.

Related:

• Pregnancy Calendar
• Your Pregnancy in Pictures
• Pregnancy Books
• 25 Signs of Pregnancy and Early Pregnancy Symptoms

Do You Recognize the 25 Early Pregnancy Symptoms? originally appeared on About.com Pregnancy & Childbirth on Monday, March 8th, 2010 at 08:57:08.

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MORRISTOWN,A N.J. Watson Pharmaceuticals will buy the U.S. rights to two progesterone products used to treat infertility and menstrual problems, the drug maker announced Thursday.

If you haven't visited the support forums on this site lately, here is a sampling of some ongoing threads that haven't yet received many replies. Come on in and share your advice or support today by clicking on the thread title in the following list.

• My daughter lost a baby: A mother wonders if her adult daughter's behavior following her miscarriage is normal.
• Today was my due date: Can you add any words of support to this mom who recently spent the due date pass from the pregnancy she lost watching a coworker cuddle a newborn baby at work?
• Struggling to deal: In the midst of dealing with her own miscarriage, this young mom is coping with being around her boyfriend's newborn baby from his previous relationship.
• Confused by friends' reaction: Why do friends become distant and cold when they learn of a miscarriage?
• Feelings after miscarriage: After a miscarriage, it's normal to feel betrayed by your own body, but how do you move forward and make peace?

You can also start your own thread in the forums if there's something in particular on your mind. In any case, you're not alone in dealing with your miscarriage and it can be helpful to talk with others who have been there. Be sure to visit today.

Join the Discussions in the Miscarriage Support Forums originally appeared on About.com Miscarriage / Pregnancy Loss on Monday, March 8th, 2010 at 03:34:18.

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With my most recent pregnancy, I didn't gain as much as I had with previous pregnancies. Partly because it's just the way it worked out and partially because the newer recommendations are to gain a bit less these days. You're probably wondering what is going to happen with your pregnancy weight gain. Unfortunately, pregnancy is not the time to go carte blanche and eat all you want, you are still subject to adding those extra party pounds. Remember weight gain doesn't have to be the first sign of pregnancy! I did read recently that the average weight gain, in general, is one pound over the holidays, but when you're pregnant it's more of making every bite count. So while you can still enjoy yourself, just remember that moderation is the key to avoiding those extra pregnancy pounds.

In fact, in one study about pregnancy weight gain in women who are obese (BMI above 29), it is being said that not only do they not need to gain a lot of weight, but a neutral gain and even a loss may be perfectly acceptable for these patients. One of the studies talked about the benefits of weight loss in pregnancy, as far as preventing some diseases like pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH), gestational diabetes (GD) and it could even help lower the c-section rates. Though, as with any medical study there may be flaws. So before you jump on the band wagon, make sure you read an alternate view before you leap.

Related:

• Pregnancy & Exercise
• Nutrition in Pregnancy
• Nutrition for Baby

_{Photo (c) iStockPhoto}

Source:

Gestational Weight Gain and Pregnancy Outcomes in Obese Women How Much Is Enough? Deborah W. Kiel. Obstetrics & Gynecology 2007;110:752-758

Gaining Weight in Pregnancy originally appeared on About.com Pregnancy & Childbirth on Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 at 08:55:04.

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The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is preparing to release a statement of warning for sling users. There have been some injuries and even seven deaths for infants in slings. Some of these accidents happened when there was equipment failure, like the sling broke and the baby fell out. Other concerns are the position of the baby and ensuring that the baby doesn't lay facing the wearer's body and smother in the clothing of the wearer. No specific sling manufacturer has been called out.

While I believe that every parent should always consider that any product that you use has limits and risks. The CPSC notes many infant injuries and deaths every year from other products like baby cribs, strollers and toys. All infant gear should be used with a watchful eye, meaning that statement that says "Adult Supervision Required" means just that.

So don't panic over the new announcement. Slings have simply gained enough popularity that there is now a notable number of people using them. And as that number goes up, warnings for using common sense must be used.

Related:

• Infant Carriers & Slings
• Cuddly Wrap
• Moby Wrap
• Mei Tai

Slings to Get Warning originally appeared on About.com Pregnancy & Childbirth on Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 at 16:51:25.

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Related:

• 6 Questions to Ask Your Practitioner About VBAC

6 Questions to Ask About VBAC originally appeared on About.com Pregnancy & Childbirth on Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 at 09:15:19.

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Summer, an About.com reader, posted this story to the forum this week. Her daughter, Cheyenne, was born at 32 weeks due to fetal distress. During her 6 weeks in the NICU, Cheyenne battled many issues, including IVH, reflux, and apnea. Happily, Cheyenne is now 10 weeks old, at home with her family, and thriving.

If you would like your child featured in a Preemie Spotlight, please share your story or post it to the forum.

Preemie Spotlight - Cheyenne originally appeared on About.com Preemies on Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 at 00:38:39.

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Female fertility: Why lifestyle choices count Female fertility can be affected by your lifestyle choices.

Yesterday I attended the National Institutes for Health Vaginal Birth After Cesarean Consensus Conference. (You can watch the webcast live at: http://consensus.nih.gov/2010/vbac.htm) Just hearing the few tidbits of stories from the practitioners, like mothers laboring in hospital parking lots to avoid unnecessary surgery, has me anxious to hear the stories that happen today during the actual portion set aside for stories from mothers. Will you hear a story similar to yours? I'm tweeting live at: RobinPregnancy

Related:

• Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC) Birth Stories
• 10 Reasons to Have a VBAC
• VBAC eCourse
• C-Section Birth

VBAC Consensus - Mother's Stories originally appeared on About.com Pregnancy & Childbirth on Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 at 08:35:03.

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