Baby gender prediction scientific and traditional

Baby gender prediction has been one of the earliest studies of mankind. This curiosity to know beforehand the sex of the baby has led to the innovation of many tactics across the globe. With the progress in medical science and the invention of sophisticated machines, baby gender prediction has become quite advanced.

CHROMOSOMES: SEX DETERMINERS

Chromosomes are the prime determinants of gender in babies. There are 23 pairs of chromosomes and 46 diploids in human beings. Chromosomes are found in cells. They are microscopic formations. Chromosomes are the carriers of the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) molecules. Chromosomes are made up of protein and DNA.

DNA & ITS FUNCTIONS

The deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecules are the structures that carry forward the hereditary traits from one generation to another in human beings. Therefore DNA determines the characteristics including the development of organisms.

SEX CELLS & CHROMOSOMES

In medical terminology, the sperms and eggs are called sex cells. The sperms and eggs contain 50% of the chromosomes that are found in the remaining cells of a life form. This reduced quantity of chromosomes is termed the ‘haploid number’.

Following fertilization, a zygote is formed with the union of a sperm with an egg. The zygote is the offspring’s first cell. It consists of the diploid number of chromosomes.

THE X & Y CHROMOSOMES

While most life forms have total sets of corresponding chromosomal pairs (autosomes), some other organisms like birds and mammals, one pair of chromosomes – the sex chromosomes are unidentical. It is this pair that plays the dominant role in the determination of the gender of the being. There are two copies of the X chromosome in females whereas the males have one chromosome each of X and Y.

An offspring always inherits one X chromosome from the mother. On the other hand, a male baby inherits a Y chromosome from the father while a female offspring gets an X chromosome.

The unmatched sex chromosomes bring out the sex-linked inheritance which is a series of gene inheritance. This aspect differentiates these organisms from the autosomes.

BABY GENDER PREDICTION: TWO DIVISIONS

Baby gender prediction processes can be broadly divided into two categories, viz., scientific and traditional. The scientific methods done in clinics include ultrasound besides other diagnostic testing.

CLINICAL TESTS

The most dependable but invasive baby gender prediction that can be done in a clinic is the chorionic villus or amniocentesis sampling test. However, doctors do not perform these tests simply to ascertain the sex of the baby.

Another baby gender prediction test is the through the ultra sound examination of the womb. Nonetheless, the results are not 100 per cent accurate. Moreover, in many instances, ultra sounds come up with also wrong results insofar as baby gender prediction is concerned.

TRADITIONAL BABY GENDER PREDICTION METHODS

There are several other traditional methods that have been practiced across the world since time immemorial. The aspect particularly notable with these systems is that they have evolved from practical experiences wedded to religious and natural occurrences. Subsequently, modern science researchers have verified the veracity of these postulates and even established as theories determining baby gender prediction. Nonetheless, the definite results emanating from any of these traditional practices are yet to fully satisfy the clients as sure shot tests to determine the sex of the baby.

The five most popular traditional baby gender prediction methods are the following:

• Chinese Gender Chart
• The Drano Gender Prediction Test
• Old Wives’ Tales Gender Prediction Method
• Gender Prediction Based On Baby’s Heart Rate

Chinese Baby Gender Predictor

There is no scientific proof of its accuracy, but case studies claim it to be right in about 70% of the cases. You can try out the calculator below, it may predict your baby gender right however it is great for entertainment.

Pregnancy week by week – The Crucial Phases

A normal delivery of a baby gets completed in 36 weeks. Actually, any account of pregnancy week by week would be incomplete if we do not include the day when the to-be mother reported missed periods or menstruation.

So, it would not be wrong to state that the beginning of pregnancy is conception while the ultimate stage is the birth of the baby. The entire process of pregnancy gets completed in nine months. In other words, the baby comes to the earth right from the mother’s womb via the vagina within the fag end of 270 days.

However, there may be premature birth. In the same way, the actual date of birth of a baby can get extended beyond the expected day owing to several reasons. Whatsoever it may be, it is of utmost importance that we understand the entire process of pregnancy week by week.

CHILDBIRTH STAGES

The pregnancy week by week stages of childbirth after conception can be divided into four clear stages, viz., pre-labor; labor, delivery and the post-delivery stage.

FIRST STAGE: Pre-labor is characterized by irregular contractions of the uterus. The cervix (uterine centre) starts thinning off, softens up and starts dilating.

SECOND STAGE: Labor is identified by strong and regular uterine contractions.  Each contraction dilates the cervix even as the head of the baby rotates to face and fit through the pelvis of the mother

THIRD STAGE: Finally is the stage of natural delivery. The mother responds to the pelvic muscle pressure and naturally pushes or puts pressure downwards. During this process, the birth canal widens. The mother’s pressure slowly pushes the crown of the baby into the canal. Then the entire head of the baby emerges. It is at this time that the medical personnel turn the shoulders of the baby. With each next contraction, one shoulder emerges. Next, the remaining portion of the baby’s body slides out of the birth canal rather easily. After that, the umbilical cord is cut and sealed off.

The fetus gets oxygen and nutrition from the placenta of the mother through the umbilical cord.

THE FINAL STAGE: The final phase is completed within the next ten minutes or so. As the uterus keeps on contracting, the process expels the umbilical cord and the placenta that were severed earlier.

THE CRUCIAL PHASES

The expectant mother needs to take extra care not to mess up affairs. The initial 16 weeks constitute the crucial phase in the life of the fetus when infant’s physique takes shape. The baby’s internal organs, brain, legs and arms are formed at this juncture. This can be ensured by following these 10 golden steps primarily during the first four months.

1. Always consult the physician for any developments. Keep your physician duly informed of any new developments or complicacies as well. Ardently follow the advice of the gynecologist.

2. Practice positive thinking.

3. Do breathing and light physical exercises.

4. Have lots of fresh food particularly fruits and raw vegetables as salad.

5. Keep yourself involved in creative pursuits.

6. Jot down a diary of the day-to-day developments insofar as the changes of your body and your feelings are concerned. You can also plan out the life of your baby. You will be reflecting on them leisurely in your post motherhood stage. These notes will also help you to face similar situation in the subsequent pregnancy processes.

7. Stay in a comfortable pollution-free environment and simply steer clear of unpleasant situations and irritant people.

8. Don’t do hard labor that may put undue pressure on the abdominal area and which may have an adverse effect on the fetus.

9. Don’t go for self-medication. It can have lots of side effects, and which may jeopardize pregnancy.

10. Avoid X rays, smoking and drinking particularly alcoholic ones.

Pregnancy questions – The Sure Shots About pregnancy

Here are the answers to the pregnancy questions. Our attempt will be to answer all possible posers about pregnancy.

THE SURE SHOTS ABOUT PREGNANCY

The most obvious pregnancy question is: Am I pregnant?

A few ask: What is pregnancy?

The other common poser is: What are the signs of pregnancy? Or “How do I know that I’m pregnant?

Many pose: How do I counteract pregnancy?

Others pose: Are the alternative means sure shots against pregnancy?

WHAT IS PREGNANCY?

Let’s take up the most vital of the pregnancy questions. What is pregnancy?

Well, pregnancy is the natural process of a mature person – particularly of a woman – becoming a mother. Pregnancy starts from the time when a fertilized egg of the woman gets united with a sperm from the male with whom the woman had sexual unions. It is not necessary that the first time a woman has a physical relationship with a male, she will become pregnant.

EGGS & PREGNANCY: WHAT ARE THEY?

Let’s see what an egg is.

First, adolescent females produce eggs. The moment a girl matures into an adolescent, her body undergoes physical changes. Adolescence is not the same for all girls. It depends on climatic, genetic and dietary aspects. Usually adolescence takes place during the teenage.

All communities have rituals to make the adolescent girl aware that she has to change her playful childlike ways and especially know that she can now become a mother after sexual relationships with males.

The egg is a body. It is produced by females of animals, birds, insects, and mammals among others. The egg is produced in the ovary. An egg can develop into an individual. The biological term for such an egg is ovum.

WHEN ARE THE EGGS RELEASED?

The eggs are released during the menstruation phase which happens after approximately 30 days. The woman then has to take care not to do too much of physical labor. This is primarily because she loses blood and other elements from the body. As a result, she remains rather weak. Mentally and psychologically also she remains disturbed. That’s the time when the family members have to be build bridges with her. This develops her confidence and also aids her in tiding over this problem.

MENOPAUSE

Ovulation stops after menopause. The menopause period also varies from woman to woman. It generally starts from the age of 50 onwards. That’s the time, when the physique of the woman starts changing once again. The psychological state of the woman also undergoes tremendous variations.

The capacity of her ovaries also decreases. As a consequence thereof, the natural process of the woman producing the eggs starts retarding. Hence, the possibilities of such a woman becoming a mother decrease to a great extent.

THE MOST FERTILE PHASE OF A WOMAN

The most fertile period of a woman is the 10-18 day after menstruations starts. If she makes love without any safety (read condoms or other external family planning methods), and there is ejaculation from the male in her vagina, there is all the likelihood that she may become pregnant.

However, it may sometimes take several such repeated unions over successive days to prepare the vagina of a virgin for motherhood. This is mentioned so that there is no misconception among the newly weds as to why they have not become parents despite their relationships.

NEED FOR CONTINGENCY MEASURES

This is the time when constant touch must be made with the gynecologist. The pregnant woman will have to go through regular clinical tests. The test results will be analyzed and supplementary minerals, vitamins and other elements would be prescribed. The patient will have to dedicatedly follow the medical regimen for her health and the well-being of the new-born.

Pregnancy Preparations – The Crucial 15 Steps

Pregnancy preparations boil down to just one statement: Don’t worry, be happy! This means you do your bit the best way possible… the rest will take care of themselves!

The Tough Gets Going When The Going gets Tough

A well-begun mission is equivalent to winning 90% of the ultimate war. Here, it’s much more than a bloody battle… it’s all about a positive purpose – giving birth to a life that will have a mission to accomplish, ultimately!

A Total Overhaul Need Of The hour

Pregnancy preparations are must for both the mother and also for the father besides for the other members of the family.

This is primarily because pregnancy preparations include an overhaul of the entire lifestyle of the immediate family. This is important because you are going to begin a new life. That’s true. This new innings demands that you prepare for not only yourself but also for the new comer of your family.

Whatever it might be, the very fact that you are reading this article up to this point shows that you are really serious about the topic. So, let’s not tarry, and proceed to the point head on.

The Ultimate truth

And, you will be the maiden teacher, friend, philosopher and guide in that path! So, pregnancy preparations actually chart a wide purview: physical, psychological, emotional and financial with all the four propped up on the plane of being more practical rather than being too ethical or emotive.

How do I Know Whether I’M Pregnant Or Not?

Know about the menstruation cycle and your menstruation timings to ensure hassle-free pregnancy preparations. If the regular menstruation cycle has stopped after union, then that’s the first point to be noted. However, just because menstruation has not happened in due time does not necessarily mean that anyone is pregnant. There may be slight variations in the menstruation cycle. Then how do you judge whether you are pregnant? Well, if menstruation does not happen for a period of five to six days after union then it can be an indication of the woman going nature’s way. Immediately consult the gynecologist.

What would happen then?

You might have to go through several tests – these include basically clinical sample tests of the patient’s urine and blood. There may be several other examinations to ascertain the overall physical state of the mother to-be.

For instance, the doctor will be in a better position to guide the person when he studies the reports of the clinical tests. Remedial steps are taken to obviate the possibility of any latent ailment posing hurdles in problem-free pregnancy. Such detailed analyses followed by intensive consultations go a long way in rectifying the deficiencies in essential elements in the person’s physique. Especial care is taken to check whether the person has the required amount of minerals, vitamins, blood corpuscles, and hemoglobin, among others.

The Crucial 15 Steps

Pregnancy preparations include the following steps:

1. Ascertaining whether you are pregnant or not;
2. Sticking with zeal to the gynecologist’s prescription;
3. Positive thinking;
4. Doing mind control exercises;
5. Staying active – physically and mentally;
6. Having the right wholesome diet;
7. Saying ‘No’ to any negative thoughts;
8. Preparing for a tension-free final countdown;
9. Building up a psychological buffer stock;
10. Adoption of a ‘cool’ hobby;
11. Practical Points;
12. Financial features;
13. Getting admitted into a reputed hospital;
14. Proceeding to the ‘birth-giving unit’  (labor room) with confidence and faith in the Almighty; and finally
15. Promise to cooperate with the hospital authorities, doctors, matrons, nurses, and especially with the ward boys.

Observance of these 15 tablets of pregnancy preparations will ensure a smooth sails. Bon voyage!

Symptoms of Pregnancy – How Do I get Pregnant?

There are many symptoms of pregnancy. The most prominent symptom of pregnancy is missed periods or when the menstruation cycle stops after a session or sessions of unprotected sex.

How Do I get Pregnant?

The first precondition to be pregnant is to experience unprotected sex. The compound term ‘unprotected sex’ implies physical union between the two sexes or partners of the opposite sex without any family planning measures like the cup for the females or the condom for the males.

Nonetheless, the very act of such unison between the man and the woman would not naturally lead to pregnancy all the time. This is again due to certain preconditions that remain to be fulfilled. The first is whether the ejaculation of the male’s semen within the vagina of the female has taken place within the most fertile phase of her ovulation stage or not.

Secondly, the two persons must be capable of producing the right amount of healthy eggs and sperms. Remember that pregnancy is generally the result of one virile sperm (of the male) out of hundreds such sperms that unite with the mature egg (of the female).

If the above preconditions are fulfilled, the chances are that the woman will conceive.

Menstruation Moves

However, just because menstruation has stopped does not necessarily mean that you are pregnant. This is particularly true in the modern-day context. This is because menstruation can stop or you may have missed periods due to continued exhaustion or stress.

Besides, menstruation cycles continue for some phases even in the post-conception stage. Irregular menstruation cycles are also common with many women.

Factors Affecting Periods

The modern-day lifestyle marked by the junk food culture also has an adverse effect on our health including certain key functioning of several organs inside the body. This is especially true of the womenfolk. Let’s see how. The modern-day women have to juggle several things in their day-today life. They have to successfully play the multiple roles of the spouse, mother, and also that of being one of the providers or even the sole provider of her family by being professionals. Obviously, the traditional home maker is now an astute juggler in the ways of the world.

The corporate world puts its heavy demands on time and energy on its personnel who lead a mechanical life full of mental stress, and which in turn ultimately saps the physical energy.

All these factors can bring about changes in the hormonal balances. These imbalances effect missed periods as well.

Why Some Normal Women Don’t Conceive The Maiden Time?

There is a pointer here. The have been umpteen instances when a normal woman fails to conceive despite having unprotected sex with the partner whereas there are also lots of cases when a woman becomes pregnant the very first time she makes love.

The pertinent poser: Why is it so? Here too, there may be many factors involved.

According to medical researchers, one of the obvious reasons is that the vital organs of the woman involved in the birth process need a gestation period to get ready for pregnancy. The woman conceives after a series of unprotected sex with the partner.

Beware: Missed Periods Don’t Signify Pregnancy

However, it is not necessary that just because the regular menstruation cycle has missed its roster that a woman has conceived. This is because missed periods can be due to other factors as well.

Post pregnancy – Clinical And Homely Care

The post pregnancy stage is as important as the earlier phases of pregnancy. Depending on whether the delivery was a normal one or caesarian as well as depending on the overall state of the patient, the post pregnancy treatment needs to be determined.

CLINICAL & HOMELY CARE

So, what are the important aspects to be looked into during the post pregnancy period? Well, these include the medical (clinical) care as well as the homely environment. Both aspects ensure early recuperation for the mother besides giving the proper nursing to the baby.

It needs to be noted that the mother and the baby require intensive follow-up action insofar as their health aspects are concerned.

SHOULD I EXERCISE IN THE POST-PREGNANCY PHASE?

Certain post pregnancy exercises are also recommended for some mothers. These light physical exercises combined with the breathing exercises help to bring back the body of the mother to its former form. Here are the guidelines:

Start exercising only when you feel strong enough. You shouldn’t exert undue pressure on your body. Many mothers do the exercises after the postpartum checkup done at the end of six weeks following delivery.

YOGIC ASANA & PRANAYAMA

There are specific yogic exercises (asanas) including the controlled breathing tactics (pranayama) for the mothers. Regular practice of these asanas and pranayamas quickens the pace of recuperation.

The best way to begin the exercise roster is with the mind control steps. Concentrate on your abdominal and pelvic areas especially the uterus, vagina, and the hips. Visualize their strong and firm earlier shapes.

Then, do the breathing exercises. You can try controlling the inhalation and exhalation steps. But, remember not to overdo them. Exercise in a relaxed and a leisurely manner.

CARDIOVASCULAR EXERCISES

Once you start gaining confidence about the state of your health, you can include the cardiovascular exercises too. These include light weight training, aerobics, and swimming.

The three most popular exercises recommended for mothers (in the post-pregnancy stage) are the head shoulder raises, the pelvic tilt, and the pelvic floor strengthener.

1. The head & shoulder raise exercise

This exercise strengthens the abdominal muscles in the post-pregnancy stage.

You need to do this exercise while lying down on the floor. Put your hands behind your head. Bend your knees.

Inhale and concentrate on the abdominal muscles. Slowly tighten them.

Let the small part of the back lie flattened on the floor. Pressing down on it gradually raise your shoulders off the ground, wait for some seconds and then again lower it back onto the floor.

Relax for a few seconds and repeat the sequence. You need to do the exercise eight to ten times.

2. The Pelvic tilt exercise

This post-pregnancy floor exercise tightens the buttocks and the abdomen.

Lie down on the floor. Bend your knees so that your feet lie flat on the ground.

Slowly inhale and concentrate on your expanded abdomen.

Wait for sometime, and then exhale slowly even as you lift your tailbone towards your navel. Keep your hips on the floor.

Once you reach the highest point of the tilt, make your buttocks tight. Hold on to the position for a few seconds. Then release.

Repeat the sequence 10 times.

3. The pelvic strengthener

This floor exercise works in a two-fold manner. Even as it accentuates blood circulation in the entire pelvic area, it also helps the vaginal canal regain its shape. This is how you need to carry out the schedule:

First, lie down on the floor;

Then, bend your knees. Your feet will lie flat on the floor.

Next, concentrate on the vaginal muscle. Slowly tighten them. The tactic to do is to attempt an interruption to the flow of urine.

After that, hold the position as you count till six.

Finally, release the vaginal muscles. Relax and breathe normally.

Repeat the exercise twice or thrice.

Early Signs of Pregnancy

The most prominent of the early signs of pregnancy is when menstruation stops.

Nonetheless, the first precondition to be pregnant is that the couple needs to experience unprotected sex between them. The ideal means to determine the state is to undertake a pregnancy test. It can be done at home or in any registered clinic.

THE EIGHT COMMON EARLY SIGNS OF PREGNANCY

The nine commonly reported early signs of pregnancy are the following:

1. Breasts becoming tender

Breasts of several women who have conceived become tender. This happens at the early stages of pregnancy, but decreases towards the second trimester. It is a natural occurrence. The breasts go tender due to hormonal changes.

2. Morning sickness

Morning sickness is a common early sign of pregnancy. It is characterized by the urge to vomiting or nausea. Many deem the term ‘morning sickness’ a misnomer because the syndrome can happen at any point of the day.

Most of the first timers experience this syndrome in the first trimester. Women experience morning sickness as a part of the pregnancy process during the first three to four months of conception. The rate of occurrence of morning sickness decreases towards the second trimester.

The cause for morning sickness is believed to be HCG, the hormone that initiates the process of pregnancy. Morning sickness can cause weight loss in those cases where the woman experiences frequent nausea.

Women carrying multiples are reported to experience severe morning sickness strikes. In instances of severe morning sickness seek advice from your care provider. There are many treatments.

3. Excessive urge for urination

Frequent urination is interlinked with the changing shape and size of the uterus following conception. As the uterus enlarges to provide space to the fetus, the uterus presses down on the bladder. This accelerates the urge for urination. This in turn leads to dehydration.

It is against this backdrop that gynecologists advice the pregnant women to drink lots of fluid including fresh water. Water therapy cleanses the body of the toxic materials also. Moreover, abundant deposit of water ensures good health for the mother as well as the baby in the womb.

4. Moodiness

Psychological support and a caring attitude from the family members backed up by a cordial atmosphere can resolve the sharp shifts in mood of the woman going the nature’s way.

Positive thinking, yogic exercises like pranayama (breathing exercises), light asanas (yogic exercises) and a pollution-free environ can help the pregnant woman tide over this early sign of pregnancy.

5. Exhaustion

Physical exhaustion leading to mental stress is quite prominent in the early phases of pregnancy. Exhaustion lessens towards the second trimester.

There is nothing to worry about. This is just the inbuilt biological mechanism preparing the body to adapt to the complex and yet well coordinated pregnancy processes.

6. Forgetfulness

This is a common early sign of pregnancy. It can be tackled by the woman immersing herself in some creative pursuits.

The best way to not suffer from forgetfulness especially during the first trimester is to start jotting down notes. It can be about her planning for the new life.

7. Smell sensitivity

Most of the women who have conceived adopt a strong sensitivity to smells in the surroundings. In severe cases, this growing sensitivity to smell can also translate to certain food, particularly the ones they savor. This smell sensitivity remains as a syndrome with the woman during her entire pregnancy period.

8. Lightheadedness

Once you experience lightheadedness, immediately consult the doctor. It is a common occurrence during the early stages of pregnancy.

Lightheadedness can be a sure sign of some complicacies. Many women become dizzy if they rise from the seat they may be occupying for a long time.

Pregnancy calculator – When Should Pregnancy Calender Start?

Pregnancy calculator points to any of the various methods to determine the birth time of the new-born. The intellectuals having a medical point of view among the Homo sapiens have been resorting to various means to pinpoint the day when a baby would be born. Obviously, many things are to be taken into account.

Since the days of yore, there have been various attempts to ascertain with 100 per cent surety the day when a baby is born. Carrying forward the trend, alternative health practices as well as modern medical science has innovated strategies to identify the day after conception a newborn is delivered. These processes are collectively termed Pregnancy calculator.

Hence, pregnancy calculator refers to the roster starting from the time when there has been missed periods following unprotected sex. Pregnancy points to the stages through which a woman has to pass through before becoming a mother. It is necessary that the mother and her spouse remain doubly aware of the precautions necessary to have a tension-free pregnancy or to stay from pregnancy even after having unprotected physical relationship(s).

PREGNANCY CALCULATOR: HOW TO GO ABOUT IT?

Such remedial measures can be taken by charting out a pregnancy calculator. Therefore, the woman going nature’s way must take special note to jot down in her diary the last time she missed menstruation after experiencing unshielded physical union with her partner of the opposite gender.

Notably, a missed period or menstruation is the immediate sign of conception.

WHEN SHOULD PREGNANCY CALENDAR START?

The pregnancy calculator needs to commence from conception. The pregnancy calendar concludes with the delivery of the baby.

To properly calculate the pregnancy calculator we must understand the various processes that lead to pregnancy. The aspects that are closely connected with the pregnancy calendar are menstruation or periods, conception, pregnancy, and delivery. Let’s analyze each of these processes.

PREGNANCY CALCULATOR & CONCEPTION

Conception occurs when the egg of a female gets united with the virile sperm of a male within the vagina. Now commences a romantic journey of the mature egg. It moves backwards towards the uterus and gets lodged at the uterus opening thereby blocking the very uterine passage through which the mature egg passes into the vagina during menstruation. This stops the process of any other egg proceeding from the uterus into the vagina to be dislodged as it should be after every 25-30 days. The mature egg now starts taking form giving shape to the fetus which finally develops into a baby.

Therefore, the pregnancy calendar starts with conception. It leads to the pre-labor stage. Next is the post-labor stage which leads to birth of the baby. The delivery of the baby is done either through the normal process or by caesarian.

Conception is the union of a sperm (from the male) with a mature egg (of the female) within her vagina. This unison results in the egg being fertilized. The fertilized egg then moves backwards from the vagina to get stuck at the opening of the uterus which actually produces the eggs.

This blocks the passage of the uterus. Thus the fertilized egg negates the possibilities of more eggs sneaking into the vagina during the menstruation cycles.

The most fertile phase for an egg to be fertilized is between the 10th and the18h days.

PRENATAL TESTING

Prenatal Testing is must to determine the actual state of pregnancy. Prenatal tests need to be done the moment a woman realizes that there are missed periods following unprotected sex. Such clinical tests are done at very economical rates in any medical clinic. Nowadays, it can also be done at home also.

Prenatal testing basically includes testing the blood, stool and urine of the pregnant woman. These prenatal tests serve as vital data for the doctor to assess the overall condition of the mother to-be.