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Ovulation Predictor Kits (OPKs)
Becoming a mother is a feeling that is second to none, and getting pregnant is the first step in that direction. If you have been trying for quite some time but are not getting the desired results, an ovulation predictor kit can help you out.
Ovulation is a natural process that denotes the release of eggs from your ovaries. Every month, many eggs mature inside the ovaries. The one which is the healthiest among them moves to the pelvic cavity, and from there, it goes to the fallopian tube.
The egg survives no more than 24 hours without fertilization (the union of egg and sperm).
A sperm can survive not more than seven days inside your fallopian tube. This is the only small window every month when you can conceive.
The sperm which has the ability to swim in a straight line is considered the healthiest one, and this is required for fertilisation. When trying for a baby, your partner needs to ejaculate every 3-4 days to produce such a sperm.
The chances of conception are the highest if the intercourse takes place in the first two days just before ovulation.
Most women take the help of ovulation predictor kits to determine the right days for intercourse. So, how do ovulation predictor kits help? Here is all you need to know about an ovulation predictor kit.
What Is an Ovulation Predictor Kit?
An Ovulation Predictor Kit (OPK) tells you when you are the most fertile. These kits work by detecting the surge in the production of the hormone called luteinizing hormone (LH) that happens a few days before ovulation. Luteinizing hormone and ovulation are closely associated. A surge in the production of this hormone is what triggers ovulation.
Timing the intercourse just a few days after the surge will increase your probability of conception as it is during this time that the egg and the sperm are close to each other. Using ovulation tests to predict fertility is very common among couples trying to start a family, as they identify your fertile window.
When To Take An Ovulation Test?
Ovulation Predictor Kits help you to understand when your fertile period would begin which is usually 17 days subtracted from the actual length of your cycle. So, if the length of your cycle is 28 days, start taking the ovulation test on the 11th day and continue for the next six days.
Types Of Ovulation Tests
There are different types of OPKs and they work in the following ways:
1. Test Strip Method
This is a very popular method of identifying one’s ovulation period. It consists of strips that you need to place into your urine stream directly. You may also dip the strip in a cup containing your urine.
2. Mid-Stream Method
This kit resembles home-test kits for checking pregnancy and the method of testing is more or less same as well. You have to place a few drops of your urine on the test strip and observe the colour change. You need to compare this colour to the base colour. Depending on this, you will be able to say if you have already crossed your ovulating cycle or it is a few days away. The darker the colour of the strip, the closer you are to your ovulation period.
Urine-based OPKs work by testing your urine to check the increase in the LH and this is something that happens only 1-2 days before you start ovulating.
It is important to note that LH in a small proportion is always present in your urine. However, this increases four to five times a few days before ovulation and this is what triggers ovulation. The ovulation cycle is when your chances of conception are the highest.
3. Salivary Ferning Kits
Another way of testing is the use of salivary ferning kits. These consist of a small portable microscope which you need to use and analyse your saliva to determine salt-content. The salt content in your saliva goes up when more oestrogen is secreted. The dried salt resembles fern-shaped crystals.
The ferning is visible one or two days before you start ovulating or a couple of days after it. This helps you understand your most fertile window. At other times, the salt dries without any particular shape.
4. Ovulation Calculator
An ovulation calculator is another tool that you can use. This calculator is available online, and you need to furnish few details like the first day of your last menstruation cycle and the length of your cycle. Once you enter these details, the calculator shows your fertile days to conceive.
What to Choose?
Urine-based tests offer 99 percent accurate results and are the best option for you to use at home. However, do not use these tests as a contraceptive as the results are not foolproof. Moreover, you can become pregnant for up to 24 hours after ovulation. There can be a surge in the secretion of LH, even without the release of eggs. There can be false alarms too before the real one.
Ferning does not give as accurate results as the urine-based tests. Moreover, ferning can take place if you are taking Clomid or similar fertility drugs during your menstrual cycle.
Regardless of the method you use, try and maintain an ovulation calendar so that you have a clear idea of the tentative days when you would be most fertile.
How To Use Ovulation Kit?
In the case of urine-based OPKs, collect your urine in a cup or bowl or place the strip under as you pee. You will observe a change in the colour of the strips which indicates whether there is a surge in the production of LH.
You can also make use of digital OPKs that show symbols to tell when you would be most fertile. A digital ovulation test is also quite popular.
The general instructions usually vary a bit. However, as a rule of thumb, it is important that you collect your pee between 8:00 in the morning and 10:00 at night. The ideal time is believed to be between 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm. Try and maintain a fixed time for testing every day.
How To Read Ovulation Test Results
To know how to read the test results, you first need to conduct the test in the proper way.
Try and collect your pee more or less around a fixed time every day. This will help you track changes more accurately. Also, do not collect the urine just after waking up. By doing so, you might miss the first day of surge in your luteinizing hormone. Drink fewer liquids for a few hours before taking the test, to avoid the dilution of the test results.
Make sure to read the result within ten minutes of conducting the test. While the positive result would not change, a few other coloured bands might start to appear. Throw away the ovulation test strips or cards after you have read the results.
If you are opting for the salivary ferning kit, you would need to take the test just after waking up, before you drink or eat anything. Make sure that the saliva you test is free from air bubbles. Place saliva on a slide or simply lick the slide. Wait till the saliva dries and use the microscope to check if it has formed any fern-shaped patterns.
Advantages Of Using Ovulation Kits
There are many advantages of using OPKs. Some of them are:
Ovulation kits offer nearly accurate results and they are more precise than any other method of identifying the ovulation period. If you do the test properly, OPKs are 97 percent effective in detecting the LH surge, which is used as a marker for ovulation.
Ovulation kits are also easy and convenient to use. Apart from the ease of use, you are also required to conduct the test during the middle of your cycle, the time when you are most likely to ovulate, meaning this is something that you do not need to do every day. In the case of other tests like basal body temperature, you need a daily commitment. Here, all you need to do is place a few drops of your urine on the strip or stick.
OPKs are also easily available. You can purchase these kits in your local pharmaceutical store and even supermarkets. You do not need a prescription for buying these kits.
It is always easier to conceive when you know when your fertile period is. This is more so when you and your partner have such routines that regular sex is a problem. You can schedule the intercourse in such a way that it falls within your fertile window.
Disadvantages of Using Ovulation Kits
Every coin has two sides. Ovulation kits have a few cons too and they are:
OPKs do not actually say whether you have ovulated or you are going to do so. They detect the surge in LH production which is thought to precede ovulation. There are times when an egg does not emerge from the follicle. This is referred to as the luteinized unruptured follicle syndrome.
OPKs are also not able to say whether your cervical mucus will be able to provide the sperm with a conducive environment to swim through. What you experience as vaginal discharge in the middle of your cycle is mucus secreted by the cervix that offers the sperm a fertile environment for fertilisation. OPKs cannot track whether this cervical mucus is optimal for conception or not
Ovulation kits do not work if you are on fertility drugs. OPKs do not give proper results when your system has fertility drugs like Pergonal.
Ovulation kits also do not actually come cheap. The branded ones (which you should use for accurate results) are quite expensive and often one kit is not enough.
OPKs do not work well for women who are above 40. Women who are nearing menopause already have a high concentration of LH in their urine all the times. Thus, OPKs fail to give proper results.
Hormonal changes, cysts, and even fertility medications can lead to ferning even when you are not ovulating. Also, you are required to take the ferning test several times in a day and you need to plan them around your meals. This can be a problem.
So, there are both advantages and disadvantages associated with ovulation predictor kits. The advantages obviously outweigh the disadvantages. This is the reason why millions of future moms are using this kit to help them conceive. OPKs offer better results when teamed with monitoring drugs.
Unless you are above the age of 40 years, you can easily use these kits to identify the days in your cycle when you will be most fertile.
What Else To Know?
Common drugs like paracetamol do not affect the results of this test. However, as already mentioned, this test does not work if you are taking medicines that contain LH or human chorionic gonadotrophin.
Many brands offer ovulation test kits and you can even order these kits online. Make sure you look for a trusted one. Talk to friends or relatives who have already used these kits and conceived. Happy conceiving!
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14 Best and Cutest Nursery Theme Ideas For Your Baby Girl's Room!
Your baby girl is the centre of your universe, the queen of your heart, and the apple of your eyes - she is your everything. It is no wonder then that, after she comes home, you want the whole house to reflect the joy you feel inside your heart! Whether you have a nursery room for her, or are decorating your bedroom for her, you'd want to add that element of special magic...
We have put together for you some really cute baby girl nursery themes that are any mother’s delight! Check them out for your little daughter as you go about decorating the house for your darling:
1. My Little Princess
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="430"] Source: https://in.pinterest.com/explore/baby-beds/[/caption]
Your little girl is your princess, right? Why not give her the royal treatment with a princess theme nursery using a combination of brown, white and gold? A carriage-shaped crib, some candle holder-shaped lights, and a crown shaped chandelier are sure to make your little one feel royal as she sleeps through the night!
2. Nautical Theme
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="430"] Source: https://in.pinterest.com/explore/nautical-theme-nursery/[/caption]
As your child sets sail into the world, the nautical theme will be perfect to help her navigate through the first few years! A combo of white and blue with subtle touches of wood will provide a cool and comforting environment for your baby! Anchors and compasses can be central to the nautical themed nursery of your child!
3. Under The Sea
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="430"] Source: https://i.pinimg.com/564x/a0/60/dd/a060dd7d7a05304051d8e325c306bcde.jpg[/caption]
If not navigating the shores of life, take a dive under water with an under the sea theme for your little one. Use the beautiful coral reefs and sea life as your inspiration and create a nursery to inspire a sense of wonder in your little one’s life!
4. Enchanted Forest
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="430"] Source: https://in.pinterest.com/explore/forest-nursery-themes/[/caption]
The enchanted forests are the premise of a ton of beautiful fairy tales - why not transport your little one into a magical world with an enchanted forest themed nursery? With a combination of fairy lights and wooden textures, build a whole new world - just for your baby girl!
5. The Mighty Mountains
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="430"] Source: https://i.pinimg.com/564x/8f/08/3d/8f083df2078576717d69521b3185876c.jpg[/caption]
Bring the mighty mountains within your child’s reach with this theme. With pretty decals, and themed bedding, your little one will surely feel safe as the mighty mountains comfort her through sleep.
6. Sports Theme
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="430"] Source: https://i.pinimg.com/564x/a0/df/e6/a0dfe65a9d335c818089035ca6024973.jpg[/caption]
Who says sports-themes are only for baby boys? Many little girls we know are super keen on sports and physical activities! Share your love for sports with your little daughter with a sports themed nursery. From basketball to baseball, every sport-related distinctive element can be brought together beautifully for a stylish nursery.
7. Floral Theme
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="430"] Source: https://in.pinterest.com/pin/493566440395468884/[/caption]
Take your inspiration from nature as you bring in a floral theme for your child’s nursery. Bring in elements of nature like butterflies, different flowers, and rainbows for a whimsical touch to soothe your little one through the night.
8. Playful Planets
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="696"] Source: https://in.pinterest.com/explore/space-themed-nursery/[/caption]
Give your budding astronaut a headstart with a solar system themed nursery. Use neutral tones like gray with pops of yellow and planetary decals and mobile to reinforce the solar system theme.
9. A Sky Full Of Stars
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="430"] Source: https://in.pinterest.com/explore/star-wars-bedroom/[/caption]
Inspire your little one to reach for the stars with a starry theme for her nursery. Give the ceiling a makeover with some twinkling lights and use the inky blue night sky colours to highlight the soothing lights that will have your little one dreaming of the stars as she sleeps.
10. Vintage Carnival
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="696"] Source: https://in.pinterest.com/browneyedsade/?redirected=1[/caption]
Take your little one on a trip back in time with a vintage carnival themed nursery! A muted colour theme with pops of bright colours and stripes for furniture pieces will do the trick perfectly! Don't forget the range of stuffed animals!
11. Rainbow Range
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="696"] Source: https://in.pinterest.com/pin/120189883780300677/[/caption]
Get your child to follow the rainbows with a rainbow themed nursery. Use a neutral base colour for the walls with rainbow accents to spruce it up and celebrate the arrival of your little one in a blast of colours!
12. Storybook Theme
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="696"] Source: https://in.pinterest.com/anicolo11515/?redirected=1[/caption]
Share your love for your favourite storybook character with your little one with a storybook-themed nursery. From 'Alice in Wonderland' to 'Winnie the Pooh', go wild with your imagination as you go about creating a whole new world for your little one!
13. Music Maestro
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="430"] Source: https://in.pinterest.com/shortbeca/jaxons-nursery/[/caption]
Music is considered to be food for the soul – make sure your little one is enriched with the beauty of music by creating a music themed nursery. From musical notes and instruments to mix-tapes and records, use a combination of musical elements to create the perfect environment for your budding music maestro!
14. Minimalist Theme
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="430"] Source: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/explore/wood-wallpaper/?lp=true[/caption]
Finally, minimalism is the theme to go for if you want to keep things simple. Use neutral colours for your baby's nursery and keep the furniture to a minimum and make sure they complement each other well. There's a lot of beauty in simplicity. Read more
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Using Puzzles To Boost Development in Preschoolers
The benefits of puzzles for child development span from emotional and physical development to cognitive skill development. Puzzles are interesting, mind-bending and packed with colorful fun. Yes, it's time to introduce jigsaws, building blocks, etc. to your child too!
The pluses of doing puzzles with kids can be attributed to the ways in which they lead to the overall development of kids above three years of age. From improving upon their memory and fine motor skills to sharpening problem-solving skills or polishing shape recognition techniques, puzzles for kids do it all. Here we discuss some top benefits of puzzles for growing children, such as yours!
How Puzzles Help Your Child Develop
1. Enhancement of Physical Skills
Learning puzzles for preschoolers help in developing a smart interrelation in hand-eye coordination. They align what their hands do, the way in which their little brains relate to incoming inputs, and what their eyes see. Stacking puzzle games allow for gross motor skills development to an extent that they start influencing their finer motor skills as well. This, in turn, leads to better typing and handwriting skills in future.
2. Enhancement of Cognitive Skills
The importance of doing puzzles with kids would also extend to their overall cognitive development. By manipulating small puzzles, kids get an idea about their surrounding world. They start learning the right ways of handling things, dealing with peers, and solving small problems on their own. Puzzles for 3-year-old kids also benefit their memory retention power.
3. Shape Recognition Becomes Easier
Circles, squares, triangles and other shapes form the first puzzles for preschoolers, and pave the ground for the growth of smart shape recognition skills. Caregivers and parents should introduce simple, basic shapes at the onset, and move on to abstract jigsaw puzzles only when they have been mastered.
4. Better Emotional Skills
Once children achieve their first few goals of solving easy puzzles, they strive to come up with smarter strategies for difficult puzzles given to them. Their goal setting abilities are impacted in such a way that they start piling up familiar colours and shapes for future referencing purposes. Practicing to be patient, right till they reach the end of the puzzles on hand, helps them become more focused and goal-oriented as well.
5. Benefits of other Puzzles
Slightly advanced puzzles like building blocks and easy board games can be solved in multiple ways. Their different colors and problem-solving modes allow for creative freedom. They also help in furthering social skills and strategy building skills.
So, wait no longer and start introducing puzzles of varying difficulties(and new puzzle sets) to keep your kid’s interest alive. Read more
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Babyhug Opal 3 in 1 Cozy Rocker Sleeper With Mosquito Net Review
MOM this word is the most wonderful word to be heard as a women. As every women even I waited for that magical moment. Finally it arrived and I came to know that I concieved. This feeling is the best feeling I ever had in my lifetime.
The days passed on the little one inside my womb started growing I could feel those momevmebts and that kicks will never forget those amazing feelings. Finally the day has arrived to see my little one. As soon as I took him into my hands I promised him that I will give him the best whatever I give to him.
As he is growing up I was planning to buy a cosy rocker sleeper for him I was in search of it finally I came across Babyhug rocker sleeper along with the mosquito net. Yeah this catched my eyes and ordered it immediately.
After three day my door bell rang and the delivery boy handovered the package. My first impression with this package was I just felt in love with the package. By seeing it I decided that I ordered the best product to my baby as promised.
Finally I unpacked the package and kept the parts infront of me and started assembelling it. It just very simple to assemble and the final output came so perfect.
The rocker has all the features which I was looking for. It has music,vibration, mosquito net. The music so soothing that as soon as I place my baby he sleeps In it very comfortably he never got irritated. And the mosquito net is the best one it is some soft and even my baby holds it it designed in such a way that it doesn't harm them.
Overall this is the best product in the budget friendly. Any new mom's looking for rocker this will be the best choice. Please just go for it without any second thoughts.
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Dr Priyanka Kalra has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 4 months
13 hours ago
Q. mam i am 21 week continuing in my pregnancy but my baby not moving as much
Dr Priyanka Kalra
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
12 hours ago
A. pl do ultrasound. better to show to specialist always as they get the correct diagnosis. try to avoid self and extra medication that will only complicate this and create more damage to the child
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Mom of a Newborn child
12 hours ago
Q. #asktheexperts what is muconium staining?
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
12 hours ago
A. due to feetal distance that will be mcconium passing in the uterine cavity itself. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 2 months
12 hours ago
Q. #asktheexperts What should I buy for my baby however I'm just expecting in 2 month
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
11 hours ago
A. you can get information regarding essentials of the new ones watch any YouTube channel. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Rashmi has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 5 months
11 hours ago
Q. I got faint line all my pregnancy test and I missed my periods for 10 days but USG and TVs test confirm there is no pregnancy is there any chance that it is very early stage that's why it is not visible???? or TVs test is the last thing that can tell that really there is no pregnancy
Read moreRashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
11 hours ago
A. I think it would be advisable for you to get an ultrasound done with your doctor that’s going to give you a clarity because if there is a pregnancy it would be visible at least at least that sack is visible if it’s a regular pregnancy so it would be advisable to have a test with your doctor
Dr. Minal Acharya has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
7 hours ago
Q. mere twins baby girl and boyhai one month 8 days old kya mai ghutti de sakte hun ya gripe water de sakte hun aur kab se start kar sakte hun
Dr. Minal Acharya
Nutritionist
7 hours ago
A. dear Mum, you should not give any sort of gripe water or ghutti to your baby. these are unhealthy and dangerous and can cause infection to your baby. so, these should be completely avoided.
Dr Vandan H Kumar has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
6 hours ago
Q. I am currently 32 week pregnant.I recently had growth scan.mu baby is in cephalic presentation. Does this change as I approach my due date. Also my EDD is July 25 and EDC is July 2. what is my expected due date. Also what is EDC?
Dr Vandan H Kumar
Paediatrician
6 hours ago
A. edc is expected date of delivery only.
that is 40 weeks
You will get more information for your query with your family doctor. You may meet your dr in person for proper guidance .
It is important to remain in contact with your doctor.
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