BE CALM, BE HAPPY AND DO IT RIGHT!

Happy morning! The Ovulation days are here!

Wow these are the day to conceive and be in the act!
It feels like jitters and butterflies within!
It feels happy and cozy all around!

Well you guys know it all about the act. So I am not going to discuss how and what to do, instead I would like to touch upon few must haves …

Like I mentioned earlier – do not take this act as just a baby making act but indulge and make love! Indulge in a quick morning round or an extensive whole day steaming hot moments of togetherness! The more you are together the better are the chances of conception. :)

Even though everyone knows the rules of sex – the universally known pleasurable act, one needs to keep in mind the 4 KAMA MANTRAS OF CONCEPTION….

So let’s start with the first chant … Oooaaammm… ;) just kidding!

1. CHOOSE A POSITION THAT ENSURES A DEEP PENETRATION

The science of conception in Ayurveda suggests to choose a position that ensures a deep penetration. Also it is important to get in to the position where cervix is easily accessible. Though there are a lot of positions like Missionary, Doggy, Glowing Triangle and Anvil, that ensures these two mandates, yet all of them except missionary creates some or the other flaws/ doshas in the baby. Thus the sole position that Ayurveda suggests is the mundane yet effective - Missionary.

2. FOREPLAY IS A MUST

There is a witty yet funny quote:

“Go down a water slide without water and you’ll understand why foreplay is important.” ;)

Well it is important at the time of conception specifically as it creates a conducive environment for the survival of sperm.

Well it is said that, the more you enjoy and forget worries, the more happy sperms would be ejaculated, as oppose to shorter and stressed intimate time that leads to less number of sperm ejaculation.

Thus…

Think of it as fun time for both rather than focusing on the Finish Line! 

3. CONTENT FEELING IS IMPORTANT AND NOT THE ORGASM FOR WOMAN.

There is a myth across that, “great sex means having at least one Orgasm”. However, Dr. Sathe suggests to focus on contentment and satisfaction rather than focusing on the climax.

Well if you get one, there’s nothing like it, however, it’s not a mandate scientifically! 

4. SINGLE DROP OF SPERM DOES THE MAGIC.

Ta-da! Don’t all of us know this?

We do know this yet many of us tried the abdomen uplift trick post the act.

After reading this trick it made real sense to me. By lifting your abdomen and placing a pillow below the thigh after the act gives gravity to the sperm and makes sperm’s movement into the cervix easy. It has purely psychological connect says Dr. Shipra.

On the contrary, Dr. Sathe says this act doesn’t have any scientific roots. People follow all type of tips and tricks like no getting up after the act or sleeping in a single position and keeping the abdomen lifted whole night. Sometimes if the semen comes out of the woman’s body – it is perceived as a personal defect and affects emotionally!

Please don’t bother yourself with this small thing.

As per both Ayurveda as well as modern science a single drop of semen contains 10 million sperms. So even if one gets up after the act, doesn’t follow the abdomen uplift tip and move around after the act the chances of conceiving will be equally high!

This brings me to the end of this article, where I would like to stress upon the fact that….

“This can be your last sex session before any changes in yourself.”

Once conceived you will be a TO BE PARENT!!! So spend these moments wisely ;).

BE HAPPY AND POP A UNICORN!

रिchie

5 VISIBLE CUES FOR DEDUCING MAGICAL WINDOW OF OVULATION

Deducing ovulation is as magical as conceiving a Unicorn baby! The process of ovulation has its own mysteries and joys. Even though some facts remains same for deducing ovulation, however it happens on different day and different time in each month.

Let’s quickly see what Ovulation is?

Ovulation, as it is defined, is a small window of opportunity of 24 hours to conceive when one of your ovaries releases an egg to fertilize. Once the egg is released from your ovaries it has a lifespan of only 24 hours to get fertilized. If no fertilization happens then the thickened lining of the uterus sheds and the process of your cycle starts.

Isn’t this a really small window? Hacking the lucky 24 hours code was a big learning for me, as it was the biggest mistake I did in my process of trying. We tried our chances on nearby days before and after but never on the 24 hour radar ;), until I started to learn about the visible symptoms. :D

So here are the 5 visible cues that will help you to crack the mystery of this magical window ;).

Once I learnt to crack the code I was puzzled with the very question of:

How to time the act in the lucky window of 24 hours?

Well, you know how our office hours are, how your mood fluctuates and on top of it the pressure of conceiving on the very day…huh! It literally gave me goose bumps.

But here is the good news and my great learning!

Hurrah! God is fair on that front ;)

So if you indulge in the act 5 to 3 days leading up to the O-Day the chances to conceive are as high as 33% per day as sperms waits in the fallopian tube for good 4 – 5 days to date the freshly released egg!

Once the egg meets the sperm on its way to uterus lining the magic begins!!!

Enjoy deducing the magic window!

Enjoy making unicorns!

रिchie

DECODINGING AAHAR– DIET TO BOOST THE CHANCES!

I think all of us must have heard a colloquial phrase at least once in our life

“kya kha k paida kiya hain?” (Translation: what did your mother eat, when she was pregnant with you?)

This sounds funny but it does has its roots in science. What every individual eats makes every cell in the body, including Sperm and Ovum.

Image credits: Popping Unicorns

Well this means our husbands also need to take real care of what they are eating for at least 3 months prior to conception. Haha! You got a chance to cut down those junk calories for your husband as well!!!

Jokes apart ;) When I spoke to my friends about Pre-conception diet – most of them had not witnessed any changes in their pre-conception diet, which made me wonder, why?

Well, in India, most of the doctors suggests to be on a balanced diet when trying to conceive.

What is this balanced diet?
A balanced diet, as mentioned by Dr. Sathe, is a complete meal that includes vitamins, minerals, protein, good fats and carbohydrates in an adequate level. As designed by our traditional system, our Indian daily meal i.e. Roti, Sabzi, Dal, Rice, Salad and Curd, does include all the essential nutrients required to maintain good health.

While balanced diet twice a day does its job, what one needs to focus on is sufficient supply of Folic acid, Vitamin E, Iron, Vitamin C, Vitamin B12 and hydration, so that the multiplication of cells required to generate Sperm and Ovum happen seamlessly.

So here comes the list of super foods and fruits that contain the baby making nutrients:

• Folic Acid: The wonder cell development nutrient is found in Leafy greens like Spinach, Sarso and Methi; Beans, Peas and Lentils; Curry leaves, Citrus fruits like Orange and Strawberries; Other fruits like Papaya and Banana as well as Nuts like Almonds and Peanuts. They can also be found in Avocado, Lady Finger, Flax seeds, Cauliflower, Beets and Corn. To maintain quality and quantity of Sperm , a man should consume at least 2 bowls of Urad dal every day, as mentioned in Ayurveda.
• Vitamin E: The fertility vitamin is found in Almonds, Pistachios, Black currents, Apricots, Spinach, Sweet Potato, Avocado, Mango, Kiwi Fruit and Rice Bran oil.
• Iron: This important multifunction mineral is found in Soybean derived products like Tofu, Lentils, Beans, Peas, Flax Seeds, Green Leafy Veggies, Tomato, unpeeled Potato, Prunes, Dates and Mulberries.
• Vitamin C: This wonder vitamin is available mainly in citrus foods like Lemon, Orange, Kiwi, Black Current, Guava, Melon, Amla, Strawberries and Tomato. Surprisingly Papaya and Cauliflower are couple of other foods that are high in Vitamin C.
• Vitamin B12: The DNA synthesising and nerve vitamin is found in Dairy products, Eggs and Fortified Cereals. For non veg lovers sea food is filled with this wonder vitamin.
• Hydration: It is important to be well hydrated with at least 3 -5 litres of fluid per day. In addition to water you can choose to hydrate with coconut water once every day, which not only hydrates your body but, it also flushes out the toxins in the body. Trust me it worked really well for me!

Like I said earlier, diet structure in India is designed to support intake of healthy nutrition, and that is the reason not many women and men change their diets pre-conception in India. However, what one should say NO to is, the addiction bucket. (link to lifestyle changes) This addiction bucket should be stopped at least 4 months prior to conception so as to support healthy cell development.

While, what I mentioned above is more of a pragmatic approach towards conception, however, there is an alternate theory that suggests pre-conception diet, as per the stages of egg development, for women. This alternate theory, though very logical, its application is not very ideal.

So how does this alternate approach work?

It works on three main factors i.e. Food constitution | Climate | Time of Cycle

• Food constitution: Many times we have heard from our elders that a particular food has a hot constitution (गरम तासीर) or a cold constitution (ठंडक तासीर). But what each constituent has in the house is left to one’s assumption ;). So here is a complied list of day to day food items that fall in each of the food constitutions.

Image Courtesy: Popping Unicorns

Time of the cycle: Starting from the day 1 of your cycle, whatever you consume has an impression on your health, as well as, on inception of the unicorn as mentioned in Ayurveda, says Dr. Shipra. So, what should be consumed in each stage of egg developmental cycle?

Info graphic Courtesy: PresentationGo

• Climate: Climatic conditions matter a lot! If one is staying in cold climatic conditions and have hot constitution foods in moderation, it will cause no harm, while if the same is done in moderate or hot weather conditions it will back fire during the early stages of pregnancy. So please, keep a tab on what you eat in a particular climatic condition!

So what’s the bottom line?
No Binge but only balanced diet for 3 – 4 months prior to conception in order to get the healthy Sperm and Ovum.

A balanced diet should include all round nutrients. Include Grains, healthy Vegetables with Leafy Greens, Lentils – especially Urad dal for Men, 2 portions of Milk, one portion of Curd, Salads and one Fruit every day!
I truly believe that, a balanced diet together with good thoughts and a good lifestyle makes the journey of conception much easier and fun!

Enjoy food! Enjoy making unicorns!

रिchie

VIHAR – LIFESTYLE – BEYOND BIRTH CONTROL!

Once in the mind-set of being a parent, span of the flamboyant lifestyle is really short!

Work hard and party harder becomes a distant dream!

You must be wondering – What?!

I am not kidding!

Inception of a unicorn demands much more than just stopping the birth control ;)!

Ayurveda suggests to have balanced body constituents, of both to-be father and mother, to beget and this balance has its roots in the way one chooses to live!

Our Social, hep and demanding lifestyle sometimes becomes hurdle in conception thus creating a catch-22 situation for the couple. Adapting your lifestyle slightly will have a better chance of conception.

Yes it is just adaptions and not a complete change! Believe me! :)

Here are 8 magical adaptations to conception! Cheers with an icy mock-tail ;)

NOTE: THESE ADAPTATIONS ARE SUGGESTED FOR BOTH MEN AND WOMEN BY DOCTORS TO BEGET A HEALTHY BABY!

1. GET CONTROL OVER STRESS

Well! I really don’t have to tell you how stressed today life is with all the gadgets, 24x7 availability and our expectations from self and the world around us!

We get up in the morning with 1000s of TO-Dos top of the mind and sleep with lakhs of thoughts! It becomes imperative to get a control on this part of life. What one needs to do is start the quest of Inner Peace and be a Kung-Fu warrior! Haha!

Work life is one of the major source of stress levels, reportedly.

Image courtesy: Popping Unicorns

Thus, tackling it first should be the utmost priority. The trick to do so is to prioritize and complete the errands within the stipulated time. Like the famous saying goes “WORK NEVER ENDS” – one needs to focus the energy on the most urgent and important tasks of the day and complete your day within office hours! This will not happen with a whim of the wand – it will happen overtime, but you need to start as soon as you think you are ready for Parenthood!

 Another way of achieving better stress handling is through good sleep! Good 8 – 10 hours’ sleep takes care of stress levels in certainly the magical way. Frankly speaking, I struggle to find my sweet spot sleep after being a parent. I would suggest you to relish this time to sleep well and sleep stress free!

2. CURB YOUR ADDICTIONS

MOST FAMOUS | KNOWN | FEARED FACT is NO ADDICTIONS!!! Especially when everyone has one!

Image courtesy: Popping Unicorns

The effect of addictions on inception of your Unicorn is what matters at this stage of a TO-Be Parent.

Drinking and smoking are known to have worst effects on quality of Sperm and Ovum, while Caffeine, Sugar, Junk food and over exercise reduces the chances of conception in the very cycle.

While smoking as an addiction needs a serious help other addictions can be curbed by choosing a substitute and a healthier option – for example: Mock-tail over cocktail or hard drinks in a social setting, small cup of coffee with very low content of caffeine – there are many ways to deal with the addictions if one really wants to!

Make sure you curb your addictions at least 4- 6 month prior to conception. 

3. INDULGE IN HEALTHY EATING

Healthy and mindful eating are talk of the town now a days! One can Google and just get a complete chart of healthy eating. However what one needs to keep in mind while trying for conception is – Schedule | Nutrition | Pre-Natals says Dr. Shipra Katiyar

Image courtesy: Popping Unicorns

Schedule: With our hectic work and personal life, scheduling food intake takes a back seat. The work demands often leads to intake of food at irregular hours. Which results in discomforts and lifestyle diseases. Thus, right time is imperative to gain benefits of food!

Set a routine for your breakfast, lunch, evening snacks and dinner - and stick to it!

Nutrition: This is most important element of healthy eating. Choose to eat nutritious food! Getting over the junk hogging and indulging in food full of vitamins, minerals like calcium and iron takes a good year as per my personal experience. Ultimately, the world of Junks is so tempting and mouth-watering ;) I will discuss the Aahar – Pre-conception Food guide in next article.

 Pre-Natals: Doctors suggest to have Folic acid as the core-natal supplement for mother at least three months prior to conception. Folic acid consumption aids in having a good and fertile ground for the baby to grow, eliminating the chances of having any birth defects. Mother can consume other pre-natal supplements – but make sure you have at least 5mg supply of folic acid consumed per day.

Fathers-to-be are suggested to intake Ashwagandha under Ayurveda to sustain high energy, strong immune and healthy semen production while giving the 4 month sperm development cycle a conducive environment. An average intake of 5 -10 gms of Ashwagandha daily for 90 days is suitable for healthy lifestyle and sperm generation. 

4. WEIGH RIGHT WEIGH HEALTHY!

Right body weight plays a vital role in generation of baby producing elements.
Weighing down during pregnancy is a trend worldwide! But is it a trend that one should follow blindly?

Image courtesy: Popping Unicorns

Well! Doctors says that a BMI between 20 and 24 is optimum for conception. The height to weight ratio describes the need to achieve a balance. The BMI Categories are:

• Underweight = <18.5
• Normal weight = 18.5–24.9
• Overweight = 25–29.9
• Obesity = BMI of 30 or greater

If you want to weigh down before pregnancy, you should look to achieve a healthy weight within the healthy BMI range defiantly not anything less than that!

5. SAY NO TO BIRTH CONTROL AND OVER THE COUNTER DRUGS

Birth control pills modify the egg formation cycle and thus it is important to stop it way in advance. Dr. Shipra Katiyar suggests to stop it 3 months prior to your plan of conception, as it takes at least 3 months to get your cycle to normal. Other birth control methods have no significant effect on Ovum or Sperm generation and thus could be used till the D Date arrives ;)

Image courtesy: Popping Unicorns

When trying to conceive it is important to avoid any types of self-medications as it may lead to miscarriage without you being aware of it. It is difficult to deduce pregnancy until you are 4 -6 weeks into it and thus taking this small preventive step proves to be helpful for many to-be parents.-says Dr. Sathe.

6. TRACK THE CYCLE

Well, tracking your cycle is no rocket science, every girl is born with a mental log of their cycle. However, it is important to track the dates of the cycle as it helps to deduce the ovulation period correctly. For average 28 –30 days cycle, Ovulation is observed to happen in between 10^th and 15^th day. Wow- that’s lots calculation ;). You can get the complete deducing cues here.

Image courtesy: Popping Unicorns

Technology is a boon! With so many mobile applications and at home tests available one can easily keep a track of the cycle without fail. The only thing you need to do is make an entry without forgetting the dates ;)! That is a task, isn’t it!

7. TIME YOUR ACT

Doctors suggests to indulge in the act in between 10^th and 15^th day for optimum results. Couples come under pressure if they have to plan this impromptu, impulsive and spontaneous act.

Image courtesy: Popping Unicorns

The trick is to spend a quality time next to each other - watch romantic movies, cuddle for hours or just enjoy time alone with each other before the act, so as to completely indulge and enjoy the act.

All things set and done, the same feel and pleasure of just being you with your better half won’t be available in plenty, post conception ;).

8. BEWARE OF THE HEALTH ALARMS!

Doctors suggest to get the initial health check-ups done for both mother and father to-be, so that they can decide the line of treatment and consultation at the time of conception. The health tests initially feels overwhelming due to its overall connect with illness, however consider these tests as a sign of better future health and family as these are done with a motive of birth defect prevention.

Depending on the results, Ayurveda suggests detoxification procedures that balances the doshas and toxins of the body so as to avoid any passage of defects to the baby.

Image courtesy: Popping Unicorns

So these tests includes the set of tests for:

• Lifestyle diseases – BP and Diabetes,
• Hormonal Balance – hypo and hyper Thyroid,
• Disorders – Sickle test, thalassemia, HIV, HBSAG
• Basic information like blood group and Haemoglobin test

These adaptations work very well towards a new you! A mother / father you!

Adapt well! Cheers to Unicorn (definitely with a mocktail ;))

रिchie

PS: Thank you S NAGALAKSHMI a guest unicorn with artistic inclination on board. Nagalakshmi believes "art doesn't have any limitations", which is why, she expresses herself in strong yet contemporary and joyful illustrations.