Will Zika Zap Your Pregnancy Dreams?

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Zika has become a pretty big buzzkill for any woman living in a Zika-infested area who wants to get pregnant. Having a baby has pretty much become a “no go” for women who live in certain parts of the world. In fact, in some areas (cue El Salvador), women are being advised to wait two years before expanding their family. And no matter how you look at it, that’s a serious time out.

The reason that this red light won’t change to green is that Zika can cause some pretty poor pregnancy outcomes, including miscarriage, microcephaly, and brain and eye abnormalities. And unfortunately, Zika doesn’t discriminate. It is an equal-opportunity infector. Whenever you meet the Zika virus (a.k.a. your first, second, or third trimester), it can cause you problems. So in order to stay protected, here’s our advice on how to avoid getting bitten.

First things first, no matter how bad you need some beachside R&R and a tan, there are some places that women and men who are planning an upcoming pregnancy shouldn’t go. No matter how cheap those airline tickets are, now is just not the right time. If you are planning on getting pregnant, plan on looking at the Zika map before you plan your trip. And because that map is constantly changing, we not only recommend you check it before you board that plane but also be smart and buy some travel insurance! And if you live in a Zika-infested area, talk to your OB/GYN before you give the baby thing a go. Ideally, waiting (or seeking fertility assistance to preserve your fertility) is your best and safest bet.

If you must go to a Zika-infested area and you have babies on the brain, you must wear bug repellant—an Environmental Protection Agency-approved bug spray with DEET—all over. You should also cover any exposed skin, stay in air-conditioned or screened-in areas, and treat your clothing with permethrin (an insecticide). Follow these rules whether it is night or day, and make sure to reapply. What to do when you get home (a.k.a. how long must you wait before trying) depends on what happened while you were away….

Scenario A: You find yourself a victim to the mosquito and come down with Zika (a.k.a. have the symptoms and test positive). This means you will need a lot more than anti-itch cream. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) recommends waiting six months after the start of the symptoms to give the baby thing a go. For men who contract the Zika virus, the time-out period is no different. Your guy will be sitting on the sidelines for six months before he can try to get you pregnant. And while you are in this holding pattern, you should abstain from intimate sexual contact (vaginal, anal, or oral intercourse) or use a barrier method. Condoms are key to reducing the risk of Zika transmission. Protection is the key to prevention!

Scenario B: You may have Zika. You got bitten by something while in Puerto Rico, for example, but don’t know if it was Aedes (the Zika specific mosquito) or just an annoying mosquito. You don’t have any symptoms, but you are scared! The ASRM is recommending that you stroll on down to your local lab and get Zika testing (a viral RNA test) within two weeks of the bite/trip.

If you come back negative, while it is a relief, you are not off the hook just yet. The ASRM recommends repeat testing eight weeks later. If this test is negative, you are in the positive for attempting pregnancy. Although no test is 100% accurate (Zika can still reside in semen or bodily fluids even with a negative test), the double negatives should help you breathe a big sigh of relief. But remember, while in limbo land (arriving home and awaiting the second test eight weeks later), it’s best to use condoms or abstain. This will ensure that you protect yourself from potentially contracting or passing on the Zika virus.  

Scenario C: You don’t find yourself a victim of the big Z, but you are at risk for exposure (a.k.a. you traveled to a Zika-infected area but have no symptoms consistent with Zika). Individuals in this situation should adhere to the same guidelines as our friends in Scenario B. You should strongly consider getting Zika viral testing, even if insurance won’t pay for it, upon your arrival home and then again eight weeks later. And just like scenario B, during the eight-week waiting period, protection (condoms) is your best bet.

And while the medical world and Zika have done some serious speed dating (a.k.a. we already know a lot about Zika), there is still much that is unknown, particularly when it comes to how long Zika can remain in our systems (LINK: Buzz on Zika). As a result of the unknowns when it comes to Zika, we are uber-conservative (and we are not talking politics!)

We have read the recommendations from the three big candidates: the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the ASRM. We have chosen to vote for the lattermost. If our views are too harsh and you are pulling the lever for the CDC or ACOG (they suggest women only wait eight weeks after getting Zika to start trying again rather than six months), that’s okay. Just make sure to check with your OB/GYN. His or her voice matters when it comes to your vote!

Heart Rate, Shmart Rate: Pregnancy and Exercise

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There may be no greater taboo topic (other than who you voted for and what God you believe in) than pregnant women and exercise. Finger pointing, whispering, and gasps are the norm when a visibly pregnant woman hops on a treadmill. For some, it evokes the same feeling as a pregnant woman who smokes a cigarette. “How can she do that; doesn’t she know she’s hurting her baby?” No major fitness brands cater to pregnant women, and clothing lines for the pregnant athlete are scarce. It’s close to being off limits. News flash, world: the data on no exercise for pregnant women are old and no longer relevant. It’s time to turn things up and break a sweat. Here’s why.

Exercise is Excellent for Everyone. Young, old, pregnant, and postpartum, exercise is a good thing. Physical activity has a positive impact on almost every organ and organ system in your body: hearts, lungs, brains, and bones. It also is a major weapon in the war against obesity, which we are currently losing big time as a country. Additionally, those of us who move on a daily basis not only look better but also feel better. (The chemicals that bring you up are released into the brain during and after exercise. They will keep you flying high for many hours post-workout).

Exercise in pregnancy achieves all of the above benefits, plus some others. Women who get to the gym when expecting should expect a lower chance of gestational diabetes, macrosomic (large) babies, high blood pressure, and excessive weight gain. And we OB/GYNs are not the only ones endorsing exercise in pregnancy. The US Department of Health and Human Services recommends that healthy pregnant and post-partum women participate in at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity. They are also cool with women who like to take it up a notch, which means those who engage in vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise can keep it up.

While we are not telling you to go out and achieve your PR in the marathon or train for an iron man (or woman!) in the dead of summer, we are telling you to get out, get active, and stay fit. You will have to make modifications in your regimen. You will have to share your big news with your fitness instructor. You will have to stay extra hydrated and wear loose, breathable clothing. But if given the all clear by the OB, you won’t have to sit on the sidelines.

In pregnancy, our bodies change big time (no brainer). But it’s not just that belly that we acquire; it’s also a shift in the point of gravity, laxity of the ligaments/joints, increase in blood volume, and decrease in vascular resistance. The last two are what can make you feel lightheaded and your legs swollen. Be conscious of these differences. Your awareness will keep you out on the track, in the studio, or on the mat longer.

Not every pregnant woman can bike, spin, or lift weights. Some pregnancies are more complicated, and the pregnant woman can’t exercise ad lib. For this reason, it’s important to be as open and honest with your OB/GYN about what you want to do as you would with your trainer as to what you want to build. We need to know what you’re doing so that we can tell you what is okay to do.

There are certain medical conditions (restrictive lung disease, severe anemia, heart disease) as well as specific obstetrical conditions (incompetent cervix, placenta previa after 26 weeks, premature labor) where exercise is prohibited. In addition, if you were a couch potato before pregnancy, it’s probably not the best idea to start doing boot camps once you pee on the stick. A more gradual progression into exercise is probably the way to go.

No one really knows where that magical 140 (maximum heart rate for a pregnant woman) number came from. We have searched textbooks (both online and in print) to find out why this number?? We got nothing good! And that’s because it was never based on any real data. The new recommendations from the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists on Eexercise and Pregnancy no longer stipulate that heart rate be used to assess how hard a woman is working when she is working out. We now recommend using “ratings of perceived exertion” to monitor exercise intensity (a 15-grade scale; very, very light → very, very hard).

Using the “talk test” is another way to measure exertion. (We prefer the “sing test”: can you sing the song playing on your iPhone?) Although we don’t want to hear you belting out the lyrics to “I Will Survive,” we do want to know that you will survive this workout class. If you can sing or talk, you can breathe, and if you can breathe, your baby is getting oxygen—and then you are all good.

Exercising in pregnancy has been viewed as selfish. Here’s what they say: Women who exercise care more about their bodies than their babies. Women who exercise are vain and self-centered. Women who exercise are not good mothers-to-be. This is downright bogus and simply BS. Studies show that babies actually like exercise just as much as their mothers do. While their heart rates increase, their birth weight does not decrease. In fact, babies born from mothers who exercise see benefits, from their brains to their bodies to how they are birthed (C-Section vs. vaginal delivery).

Exercise is good for both parties, mother and baby. While we may not be there to run beside you during this pregnancy, we can offer you a few parting pieces of advice:

  • Make sure to stay cool (don’t exercise in a 100-degree basement!).
  • Make sure to stay well hydrated.
  • And make sure to stay well nourished, with adequate caloric intake.

Other than that, lace up your sneakers, clip into the saddle, or roll out those yoga mats. It’s time to get moving!

IVF Do’s and Don’ts: The Seven Best Ways to Prepare from Head to Toe

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Some of the questions we are most frequently asked by women who are preparing for IVF include “What can I do to improve my chances” and “What can I do to stay safe during the process?” Women will offer to do anything, from going gluten-free to dye-free to preservative-free, to amp up their chances of seeing a smiley face on the “pee” stick. But the reality is, despite our best efforts to find some control in a frighteningly and frustratingly uncontrollable process, so much of what makes an IVF cycle a success or a failure is out of one’s control. So while we can’t tell you how to make sure it works we can tell you 7 ways to make sure you stay safe, sane and (fingers crossed) successful!

  1. Get your head in the game: Positive thinking is essential! Harping on what could go wrong or what has gone wrong in the past is not helpful; in fact, it could be detrimental. Hit up a support group; spending time with your peers can be super helpful when navigating a scary process. We also recommend engaging in any practices such as meditation, yoga, and exercise that will help keep you calm and centered. The exercise will need to be modified mid-IVF cycle but even then, walking, stretching and meditation are soothing.
  2. Breathing: Be aware of your breathing patterns. While we are fans of deep breathing and centering yourself, we are talking about shortness of breath. This can be a sign of overstimulation or in rare cases a blood clot and should be reported to your doctor during your IVF cycle.
  3. Bloating: Put your skinny jeans in the back of your closet, and say goodbye to them for about three weeks. The IVF medications will cause you to retain water. This will lead to bloating and some temporary (again, temporary) weight gain. We promise it will come off!
  4. Constipation: As your ovaries grow and your hormone levels rise, your digestive system will often slow down. This can lead to indigestion and constipation. Make an effort to increase your fiber content, and drink about one to one and a half liters of water a day from the get go, as this can help keep your system up and running!
  5. Urination: Most of us neither count how many times we urinate nor keep track of the color of our urine on a daily basis. However, when doing fertility treatments, it is important to pay attention to what’s streaming. Dehydration occurs more frequently; infrequent trips to the bathroom combined with dark urine can be signs that your tap is running dry.
  6. Ovaries: This will likely be the first time you feel your ovaries. While you always knew they were there, you probably never felt them as you walked, ran for the bus, or even lay on the couch. Be mindful of them, and note any severe abdominal pain. This could be a sign that the ovaries are twisting.
  7. Toes: Treat yourself to a pedicure! No seriously, do it! While you will definitely not find that advice in a medical textbook, being good to yourself will help you through this stressful and uncertain time.

We wish we had the magic bullet and knew the ingredients to the secret sauce, but much like the fountain of youth, the “It” action or practice simply does not exist. While we are big fans of good, healthy living, don’t beat yourself up for that can of diet soda or the glass of rosé—they aren’t the reason your IVF cycle didn’t work. Our tips may not ensure success, but they will definitely help make the journey smoother.

Achoo…F-F-F Flu! The Flu Vaccine and Pregnancy

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Break out the tissues, start brewing the tea, and swallow that Echinacea, because winter is coming! No, this is not an episode of “Game of Thrones,” but a chill is in the air. When the temperatures drop, anxiety over the flu rises, as does our consumption of vitamin C. Hand washing becomes an obsession, and coughing or sneezing without covering one’s face is the biggest faux pas. Despite what may feel like a lot of hype, the flu is the real deal, especially for women who are pregnant.

Because the flu can be way more than a one-day couch-lounging event, any method to prevent catching it is of the utmost importance. In addition to good hand washing and sanitary practices, the flu vaccine can significantly reduce one’s chance of getting the flu. Given changes in the immune system and respiratory system, pregnant women are at increased risk for not only getting the flu but also getting the flu with a vengeance.

Along with the muscle aches, runny nose, and headaches, pregnant women are at a much higher risk for all the negative and serious complications that come with the flu: ER visits, hospital admissions, intensive care stays, and even mortality. Simply stated: the flu and pregnant women do not mix.

Because of this oil-and-water situation, it is crucially important to receive the flu vaccine once it becomes available, no matter what trimester or “pre” trimester you’re in. The flu vaccine in pregnancy is at the top of every OB’s list, so it should be at the top of yours as well.

Additionally, research shows that the babies whose mothers received the flu vaccine while pregnant have a lower chance of developing the flu as an infant. The flu vaccine is not approved for use in babies younger than six months; therefore, the best way for these babies to receive protection is through their mothers (antibodies against the flu will pass from mom to baby through the placenta and protect the baby for up to six months of age). Simply stated, the best way to prevent and protect both you and your baby from being sidelined in a serious fashion from the flu is to receive the flu vaccine at the outset of the flu season.

The flu vaccine USED to come in two formulations, a shot and nasal mist.  The nasal mist was NOT safe in pregnancy (it was live weakened virus).  But the CDC pulled this version from circulation as it was not found to be effective.  So currently, all formulations are safe before, during, and after pregnancy.

There has also been some controversy on the use of thimerosal, a mercury containing preservative used in some vaccines, and autism.  There is no solid scientific data to support a link with thimerosal causing autism in children born to women who used these vaccines.  Thimerosal-free formulations of the flu vaccine do exist but the ACOG and CDC do not necessarily recommend pregnant women use only these formulations.

Bottom line: if you are not getting the vaccine from your OB/GYN, make sure to share your big baby news with the healthcare provider who will be administering the vaccine.

Getting the flu while pregnant is no joke. While it’s totally normal to be extra cautious about what you eat, take, or do while pregnant, the flu vaccine gets the double thumbs up.

When a Drizzle Becomes a Downpour: Post-Partum Hemorrhage

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Bleeding after baby is nothing to say “boo” about. It happens to everyone, and it’s normal. First comes baby, then comes placenta, then comes bleeding. It’s a pretty standard course of events. For most women, the bleeding is moderate and slows down pretty quickly. Although pads become our good pals in the postpartum period, we are usually ready to break up with them after about four weeks. However, for some women, bleeding after baby (a.k.a. post-partum) can be heavy, heavier, and heaviest. When it starts and is difficult to stop, we call it a post-partum hemorrhage (a.k.a. PPH).

PPH can be the real deal. In fact, post-partum hemorrhage is the number-one cause of maternal mortality worldwide. It’s estimated that about every four minutes, a woman dies from PPH somewhere in the world. It’s a very serious problem. When the excessive bleeding occurs within 24 hours of Baby’s arrival, the PPH is classified as a primary PPH.

Almost all of the primary PPHs occur because the uterus is unable to contract or clamp down. Other likely causes include a retained placenta and blood clotting problems. Secondary PPH occurs between 24 hours and 6 to 12 weeks postpartum. When you see the red faucet turning on, off, and then on again, it is usually from retained placental tissue, abnormal placental attachment, infection, or clotting disorders.

As OBs we develop a pretty strong stomach and pretty thick skin. Very few things make us nervous or make us break a sweat. However, one exception to this rule is a bad PPH, the kind that seems to have no end in sight. If you should find yourself floating down this river, this is what your OB will do:

  1. She/he will start looking and start massaging. Uterine massage is the first move in this situation—most women are bleeding because the uterus has not yet contracted. Massage will move the uterus closer to contraction.
  2. When you still feel the pain or are still bleeding despite massage, medications come next. IV infusions, IM shots, and possibly even a trip to the operating room can be in your near future.
  3. Surgical interventions are reserved for really free-flowing situations, and we only go there when we have no place else to go. However, if we need to bring out the big guns to put an end to the bleeding, we can do it.
  4. If we need to call in our peers from other parts of the hospital—radiologists, interventional radiologists, surgeons, the blood products lab, etc.—we will. As the captain of the team, we need a good offensive line to defend the blitz. We may even need to transfuse blood products to keep you safe and keep things steady.

Secondary PPH is treated in more of a sly manner. It is not as dramatic, at least initially, as primary PPH. It can happen while you are still chilling in the hospital or hanging at home. As you can imagine, the latter can be very scary. While it is very rare (about 1%) of all pregnancies, it is usually due to retained placental tissue (darn thing just won’t go away!). It can also be an expression of an underlying blood clotting disorder that you never knew existed. In most of these cases, the first person on speed dial should be your OB/GYN. They will want to see you ASAP. They will often send you for one ultrasound and possibly more. While the operating room may be in your near future, we hope to avoid it. Too many trips to the OR, particularly in the post-partum period, can lead to scar tissue.

Although we can’t always predict who will bleed heavily in the post-partum period, it is not simply a game of eenie meenie miney mo; there are some red flags. Risk factors include long labors, fast labors, assisted labors, and labors that needed Pitocin (did we leave any labors out?). They also include a history of PPH in prior pregnancies, elevated blood pressure, a big uterus that held more than one baby, and infection. The best way to treat a PPH is to be prepared. Therefore, if you fall into one or more of these categories, we may full court press you, even if it’s just an easy jump shot. We would rather overreact than under prepare.

When the drizzle turns into a pour and you have forgotten your umbrella at home, you will kick yourself for not listening to the weather report. Drizzle, we can deal with. Nothing gets ruined, and it passes quickly. A downpour is a whole different situation. The same can be said for bleeding post-partum. Minimal or moderate bleeding is normal, doable, and “deal-able.” A little massage and medication and you are on your way. The more serious stuff can be dangerous. Downpours can turn into thunderstorms and hurricanes, if you don’t act quickly. Make sure you have shared your whole medical history with your OB/GYN, as this will serve as their trusty weather app. We don’t want to leave anyone out in the storm!

But My FSH Is Normal…Doesn’t That Mean I Will Have a Baby?

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Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the most fertile of us all? And while we wish it would be as simple as “My Queen, you are,” it is nowhere near this clear. Although the mirror is there (in the form of hormone levels and ultrasounds), the glass is blurry. Nothing from FSH to AMH to AFC (antral follicle count) can reliably predict with certainty who will have success with IVF and who won’t. Much of what holds the answer to this age-old question is not defined by lab tests or imaging but by the most basic of numbers—age and how long you have been trying.

When interpreting the results, either with or without your doctor, you should be careful in how you let the information make you feel. Everything must be analyzed in context and assessed carefully. A high or low value can lead to instant joy or despair. And while some of this is warranted, and some of it is not—the truth usually lies somewhere in the middle. To understand how close you are to each goal post, you need to have your results reviewed rather than just Googled.

But if you are going to take to the Internet, here are a few pointers from your favorite fertility MDs:

  1. FSH must be checked on day 2 or 3 (latest day 4) of the cycle. After that, the data are nothing more than a bunch of numbers printed on a page (exception: women with very, very long cycles). If you think you might be that exception, talk to the person who sent the blood in the first place!
  2. FSH must be checked with Estradiol. An FSH in isolation is like an alto without a soprano; it may sound good but can’t really be appreciated in isolation. The brain makes FSH. The ovaries make estrogen. Although the two are produced in opposite ends of the body, they work very closely together. In terms of ovarian reserve testing, estrogen suppresses FSH levels (an elevated estrogen results in a low FSH). Therefore, a normal FSH level is only as normal as your estrogen level. Simply stated, an elevated estrogen can mask an elevated FSH. As a result of their tight relationship (#BFFs!), to have an accurate assessment of your FSH you need to know what your estrogen level was on the day the FSH was sent!
  3. AMH can be checked at any time, on any day, in any month. It is usually not impacted by the period, the pill, or pregnancy. It is a hormone made by the resting follicles, which rest, no matter what your body is doing!

Bottom line… be careful when looking into and listening to that mirror. While the words may be what you want to hear (or not—cue Snow White!), you must make sure the person speaking to you is telling you the truth. You may not want to hear it, but it will help you figure out your best next steps.

Come Out, Come Out Wherever You Are: Ectopic Pregnancy

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A positive pregnancy test brings with it big-time butterflies, big, bright smiles, and a big bag of unknowns. But very rarely does it bring the big question “Wow, I wonder if this pregnancy is located in the right place.” We all just sort of assume that, when we find out we are pregnant, the pregnancy is within the uterus. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Pregnancies located outside of the uterus, better known as ectopic pregnancies, are not uncommon (and unfortunately never viable). In fact, about 2% of all pregnancies are located outside of the uterus. Bottom line, ectopic pregnancies are a big deal, and if misdiagnosed, can cause a big problem.

While it’s hard to find anything positive to say about ectopic pregnancies (they are a serious foe for any OB/GYN), the good news is that most ectopic pregnancies pick the same hiding spot…again and again and again! The majority of ectopic pregnancies can be found within the fallopian tubes (about 97%).

The remaining spots where ectopic pregnancies like to hide include the ovaries, the cervix, the abdomen, C-Section scars, or the uterine cornua (the uterine horn). Unfortunately, even when ectopic pregnancies hide in the same place, they are not always immediately visible. When they are small, they can escape even the shrewdest of physicians. It is for this reason that we use both pregnancy levels (hCG), weeks of pregnancy, symptoms (pain and bleeding), and the ultrasound pictures to determine if there is a pregnancy hiding where it shouldn’t be. During this “come out, come out wherever you are” phase, it is important to stay close to home and be in constant communication with your OB/GYN. Keeping us posted will allow for a speedier end to this game of cat and mouse.

Another key player in the ectopic hiding game is knowing who is most likely to have an ectopic. Identifying those at risk allows us to send out the search party early (a.k.a. watch a woman who has risk factors for an ectopic the moment she tests positive for pregnancy). Such risk factors include women who have a history of an ectopic pregnancy, previous surgery on one/both of their tubes, a history of PID, STDs, infertility and/or infertility treatments, smoking, or previous pelvic/abdominal surgery. They serve as hints or flashing red lights for OB/GYNs when patients complain of vaginal bleeding and/or abdominal pain in the first weeks of pregnancy.

Knowing what might be lurking outside of the uterus allows us to keep our eyes open and our minds ready to act. Intervening early in the game (when the ectopic pregnancy is small) can minimize the damage that an ectopic pregnancy can cause.

Once an ectopic pregnancy has been discovered, we move pretty quickly to make sure it doesn’t go back into hiding. We initiate treatment immediately and act fast to put an end to this problem. Treatment can be medical, surgical, or in some cases, simple observation. Which is right for you depends on many factors: a woman’s medical and surgical history, the size of the ectopic pregnancy, the pregnancy hormone level, how far along the pregnancy is, and the symptoms one is feeling. After analyzing these factors, the decision to administer methotrexate (the medical treatment) or undergo a laparoscopy will then be determined.

Make sure you have a thorough discussion with your MD about why he or she has selected the specific treatment plan. Although your pregnancy may be hiding, you should not be kept in the dark about what’s going on inside of your body and why a certain treatment is being used.

Ectopic pregnancies are no joke. If untreated, they can lead to massive bleeding and even death (#1 cause of death in pregnant women in the first trimester). It’s because of this that we OB/GYNs get very worked up over even the possibility of one and will stop at nothing until they are found. We will send blood tests on you every two to three days, bring you in for multiple physical exams, and even ask you to undergo repeat ultrasounds to help us figure out where the pregnancy is and how to make it go away. While the follow up can be annoying, it is essential.

In this game of hide and seek, it’s important that we play together (patient + physician) on the same team. Ultimately, no hiding spot is immune from an ectopic. As a united front, we find it quicker and make sure it doesn’t go back into hiding. So let’s uncover our eyes and start searching!

Contraception: When You Just Can’t Comprehend Conceiving

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For many, the birds and the bees are as simple as the As, Bs, and Cs. If you have unprotected sex, you are putting yourself at risk for pregnancy (as well as a plethora of some pretty nasty infections). While there will likely come a day and time that seeing a smiley face on the pregnancy stick brings a smile to your face, now is probably not that time. You are career focused. You are education focused; you are you focused (at least for now). We totally get that.

But while you are not ready today, you don’t necessarily want to give that option up in the future and commit yourself to abstinence. We are here to review with you the many reversible forms of contraception that are available, effective, and reliable. (Note that reversible is bolded. We will not be addressing irreversible forms of contraception, a.k.a. tying anyone’s tubes  LINK: Done and Done).  

When you think birth control, two options probably come to your mind first—condoms and pills. And while these are very popular methods, they are not the only ones out there. They require some brainpower and even willpower and therefore are not right for everyone. So here is a list, with the pros, cons, and everything in between on what’s out there (in as few words as possible!). 

  1. Male Condoms:
    • Pros: Cheap, easily available, minimal planning, reversible, protect against STDs
    • Cons: Must be used consistently; applied correctly, can break…
  2. Female Condoms:
    • Pros: You are in the driver seat, no need for a prescription, does not require a fitting, can be placed before intercourse starts
    • Cons: Cumbersome, hard to find, can’t be reused
  3. Oral Contraceptive Pills (OCPs) (known by most of us as “the pill”)
    • Pros: Highly effective when taken correctly, other positive bodily features (decreased risk for ovarian and uterine cancer, goodbye to acne and unwanted hair growth, shorter/lighter periods, less cramps), when stopped periods/regular cycles return pretty quickly
    • Cons: Not highly effective when not taken correctly, many reasons why women can’t take the pill (headache variants, high blood pressure, etc.), does not protect against STDs
  4. Hormonal Patch
    • Pros: Does not have to be swallowed (for all of you who have trouble with pills), does not require daily administration (patch is changed once/week), reversible
    • Cons: Must “make weight” to use this option (women heavier than 195 pounds have decreased efficacy with this option), not ideal in women with sensitive skin or dermatologic conditions, slightly higher risk of blood clots (versus the oral route)
  5. Hormonal Ring
    • Pros: Can be placed in the comfort of your home (and does not need to be sized), more private (not worn like a patch or taken like a pill), offers all the benefits of the pill (decreased cancer risk, shorter/lighter periods, less cramping with your period)
    • Cons: Higher rates of vaginitis/vaginal wetness, requires a prescription, some report feeling it
  6. IUD (non-hormonal = Copper T, hormonal = Mirena, Skyla, Liletta)
    • Pros: Most effective form of reversible contraception, once it’s properly placed in the uterus, it’s pretty much smooth sailing for five to 10 years, does not interfere with the spontaneity of sex, can be used in women who need to avoid estrogen
    • Cons: Must be placed by a medical professional, can be expulsed, “mal-placed,” or broken, strings can get lost and require surgical removal, placement can (in very rare cases) cause pelvic inflammatory disease
  7. Depo-Provera (aka “depo”)
    • Pros: Is taken every three months (does not require daily administration), eliminates monthly menses, can be taken by women who can’t take estrogen (Depo-Provera contains only progesterone), reduces the risk of migraines
    • Cons: It’s a shot, can cause weight gain, can lower bone mineral density, menses can take many months to return
  8. Implantable Devices (Implanon, Nexplanon)
    • Pros: Effective for several years after placement, can be used in women who can’t take estrogen, does not need to be placed before intercourse
    • Cons: Must be placed and removed by a medical professional, often causes irregular bleeding, discomfort/pain at site of implant
  9. Diaphragm/Cervical Cap
    • Pros: Provides contraception without delivering hormones, can be carried in even the smallest of purses! Can be used while breastfeeding, cannot be felt by you or your partner
    • Cons: Requires a fitting, can be difficult for some women to place/insert, can be pushed out by certain sexual positions, not as effective as hormonal contraception
  10. Withdrawal
    • Pros: Can be used in a real bind (requires nothing but commitment!), no medical/hormonal side effects, free, no prescription required
    • Cons: Not really a reliable method for contraception. Simply stated, it’s an ineffective way to prevent pregnancy, requires trust, and is not good for men with premature ejaculation or men who are not sure when to “pull out”
  11.  Rhythm Method (Fertility Awareness-Based Methods = FAMs)
    • Pros: Minimal cost, no medication required, safe, can be stopped at any time
    • Cons: Timing is key (you must be really in sync with your body and know when you are ovulating), not the most effective way to go about preventing pregnancy, there are several days in the month where sex is off (requires a committed partner), no protection from STDs

Birth control, like those who use it, comes in many shapes and sizes. And in almost all cases, one of the shoes fits. While you may never, ever choose to wear a diaphragm or test out the female condom, at least you know what’s out there. Unwanted and unplanned pregnancies happen, sometimes even while using contraception. But by utilizing a form of birth control that works for you, you can dramatically reduce the chance that it will happen to you. While we fully support a night out at the casino, we do not recommend gambling on the possibility of pregnancy. Unlike the blackjack table, here, the risk is not worth it.

When the Alarm Clock Goes Off….Timing Intercourse

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There is almost no worse sound than the buzz of the alarm clock. No matter how much you love that song or how long it took you to find that perfect tune, when you hear it at 6 AM, you want to cringe. But for many couples, particularly those who have been trying to conceive for some time, getting into bed can be just as difficult as getting out of it.

Timed intercourse (or sex when your ovulation app goes off) can be stressful. It can also become exhausting and overwhelming. However, the good news is that timed intercourse (a.k.a. having sex when you are ovulating) is not clocked to the minute. You have a pretty good snooze button built in. Here’s why…

Both sperm and egg have some longevity in them. They can last way longer than you think. In fact, sperm can live for up to five days in the female reproductive tract. So if you can’t get things done on the day you ovulate but did the day before, you are covered. The egg is also no shooting star. It is in play for fertilization 12 to 24 hours after it is ovulated.

Bottom line, when the buzzer goes off, you can definitely doze for a bit. So while the day before or the two days before ovulation is most likely to yield a pregnancy, don’t count out what you do before or after the ovulation alarm goes off!

Let’s stay with the sleep metaphor. We often think a really good night of sleep can erase the five nights before where you got no more than 10 hours total. And while you may feel better after that long night of Zzzzs, you are still somewhat zonked. The same goes for your guy’s sperm (sort of). Sperm that is released every couple of days rather than every couple of weeks is of way better quality. Consistent ejaculation, just like consistent sleep, can do a body (and a future baby) good.

So don’t feel stressed when that buzzer goes off. The fertility alarm clock is not set to the hour or even the day. The sperm and egg have a pretty good chance at crossing paths even if they get out of the gate at different times. While you have to be on time for most other scheduled events, this is one that you can be a little late for. You will still get where you need to be!

Five Things to Do Before Getting Pregnant

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  1. Clean up your life!
    While we neither want to sound like your mother nor tell you to “clean up your room,” now is a good time to take note of your habits and eliminate some of your most unhealthy ones. Although we don’t want you to throw everything fun away, we do suggest cutting out the excesses. Maintain (or initiate) a healthy diet, try and catch some good zzzzs, and engage in exercise. Honestly, you should be doing this anyway (do we sound like your mother yet?), so why not get the process started before your plus one is present?
  2. Make sure you are taking a prenatal vitamin.
    Whether you are pregnant, considering pregnancy, or are nowhere near wanting a baby, vitamins are a good thing. Despite our best efforts to maintain a well-balanced diet, we usually are missing something. Prenatal vitamins are chockfull of good things (for both you and your baby). Generic or prescription, brand name or basic really doesn’t matter (especially in the “trying” phase). Most have the same ingredients and are equally good at giving you what you need.
  3. Establish care with an OB/GYN that you gel with.
    The doctor-patient relationship is an important one, no matter what body part you are taking care of. However, the OB/GYN-patient relationship is particularly unique; they will be there when you bring life into this world! They will likely be your coach and your confidant through some pretty amazing and sometimes tough times. So while they don’t have to be your BFF, they should be someone you can see yourself spending a lot of quality time with.
  4. Invest in reliable reading material.
    You will no doubt have at least several hundred questions when the process begins. When do I have intercourse? What are signs that something is off? How will I know if the pregnancy is normal? Why do I feel like this? All are totally normal! And while your doctor is there to offer advice, sometimes those questions hit in the middle of the night. Finding a good book or seeking out a reliable online source (#truly, MD) can be a smart idea.
  5. Take a deep breath.
    Even saying the words out loud: “We are ready to have a baby” can be overwhelming and frightening. Although it may take some years to get to this point while others reach it in a minute, vocalizing this statement is a big deal. The fact is, you are not alone. Most of us are never really ready and don’t have any idea what to expect. Just take it one day at a time. You will get through this and maybe even have some fun along the way!