Posts Tagged testosterone
Predict Baby Gender: How Do You Know It’s A Boy Or A Girl?
Posted by in Pregnancy on September 26th, 2009
Right at the moment of conception, life begins. It starts when the egg unites with the sperm. There are two types of sperms – the X and the Y. A baby girl is conceived if the X-sperm fertilizes with the egg while a boy is conceived if a Y-sperm unites with the egg. – This is how conception of a baby happens and thus; how baby gender is determined as well.
Expectant parents get very anxious and ecstatic at the same time to find out about their baby’s gender – which is why weeks before you can even confirm baby gender, they would go as far as taking baby gender quizzes, using baby gender calculators and the like. But are there really ways to predict baby gender? How can you tell if it’s a boy or a girl? During the first few weeks, males and females can be very much alike but there are a few unofficial ways to predict baby gender. Keep in mind; however, that gender will only be officially confirmed after the ultrasound on your 5th month. Below, we will share with you some hints to help you predict baby gender.
l During the first half of the first trimester, babies – destined to be girl or boy alike – have almost the same sexual equipment called the “genital duct.” Both can make either a female or male organ. It starts as three tiny bumps in between the legs. The major change becomes visible on the later part of the first trimester. Those destined to become a boy ( with one X and one Y chromosome) produces the male hormone called testosterone which allows the bump to develop male sexual organs. This bump begin to elongate to form the penis and the two other bumps on the side form the scrotum. The testicles start to develop right inside the lower part of the abdomen and descends into their permanent place in the scrotum either before or after birth.
l The testicles, which are surrounded by fluid in a separate compartment, can be detected on 2D diagram and image by the 36th week.
l Babies with two X chromosomes are girls. If there is no testosterone, the bump in the middle of the legs remain very small and the ones on either sides start to fold to form the labia. The labia surrounds the entrance to the vagina. Unlike the scrotum, the labia do not fuse together and instead of testicle formation in the lower abdomen, baby girl develops ovaries which stay within her pelvis permanently.
Other soon-to-be parents resort to answering baby quizzes or computing the odds through baby gender calculators. If you intend to use either of these, keep in mind that these are not official ways to predict baby gender. In order for you to find out whether it’s a boy or a girl, you need to have an ultrasound by your 5th month. The gender result around this time is most likely to be accurate than any other baby gender predictor hint or quiz.
You can find helpful information about baby gender quizzes and everything you need to know about how to predict baby gender at Aha! Baby.
Article Source: Predict Baby Gender: How Do You Know It’s A Boy Or A Girl?
Is it Safe to Use Perfume when Pregnant?
Posted by in Pregnancy on September 21st, 2009
Something that may not occur to most pregnant women is that perfumes and other scented products may not be the most desirable thing to wear during this time. Even though something applied to the skin topically seems harmless, there are a few things to consider if you wish to use perfume when pregnant. Currently the research on this matter is somewhat inconclusive. So, is perfume harmful? Or is it something you can safely enjoy during your pregnancy?
While most research into whether it’s safe to use perfume when pregnant has not found a link to most of the common worries like miscarriage and stillbirth, some recent studies have found that there may be a link between perfume use and reproductive problems in male children. It seems that perfume use between 8 and 14 weeks of pregnancy may lead to improper development of the male sex organs. Some of the potential problems include undescended testicles, risk of testicular cancer and low sperm count. It seems that some women who use perfume when pregnant risk absorbing chemicals that affect the development of testosterone in the male fetus.
So far though, the research remains largely inconclusive, partly because the most obvious results have only taken place in rodent test subjects, not human ones. Still, if you wish to err on the side of caution, it would be best to avoid wearing perfumes or scented creams of any kind.
Generally though, most experts would say it is quite safe to use perfume when pregnant. Many pregnant women find however, that scents they used to enjoy now trigger nausea, light-headedness or headaches. If this is the case, it’s usually best to remove all fragrance from your environment to begin with, and then gradually add one fragrance at a time, starting with the mildest. You may wish to experiment with body sprays and lotions, because they are often less intense than perfume, and tend to contain less alcohol.
If you wish to use perfume when pregnant, you might try some natural scents that are known for being pleasant and soothing. Scents like peppermint, ginger and cardamom have been known to help fight nausea, and citrus scents like lemon, neroli and mandarin seem to help soothe feelings of nausea as well as leaving a feeling of refreshment and relaxation. Other soft scents to consider are rose, chamomile and lavender. These scents make lovely massage oils as well.
While most perfumes are relatively safe, this is not always the case with essential oils. Because they are so concentrated, and are derived from plants, some can be toxic on the surface of the skin. Be sure to consult your doctor before using.
So, is perfume harmful? The answer is not completely cut and dry, but it most likely is safe for pregnant women to use. If you have any doubts over whether you should use perfume when pregnant, consult your doctor. As long as you feel comfortable, you can continue to enjoy scents that will make you feel relaxed and happy.
You can find helpful information about is perfume harmful and everything you need to know about use perfume when pregnant at Aha! Baby.
Article Source: Is it Safe to Use Perfume when Pregnant?
