Where can you go to find out for sure if you’re pregnant? My friend recommended Women’s Center-Kettering (Ohio) and I’m so glad she did. I didn’t know there was such a place that would listen to me and my issues and not judge me. I couldn’t believe they did not push me into a decision or try to tell me what to do. As a matter of fact, the nurse that talked to me did more listening than talking. I felt so respected and understood. I think it’s great that people like to help other people who may be facing the same problems they faced when they were younger. It’s a really cool way to give back. If anyone needs pregnancy help near Dayton, Ohio, I would suggest Women’s Center-Kettering.

When my pregnancy test came back positive, it took a little while for the news to sink in and the nurse was so patient. How could I be pregnant? I told her that I had my whole life ahead of me and that I was not that serious with the man involved. Right away I knew that abortion was what I would choose. But then I wasn’t so sure. The nurse offered to check via ultrasound if my pregnancy was “viable” meaning if it would continue or not, if left alone. She found the little “sack” where the baby should have been, but there was no heartbeat. All of the sudden, I felt so sad to know that on the same day I found out for sure that I was pregnant, the baby would not survive.

I really can’t express the emotions that I felt. First I was upset that I was pregnant, and then I was sad that I was not. Through my emotional roller-coaster, the Nurse-Consultant at the Women’s Center-Kettering was so kind. She explained that one out of four pregnancies end in miscarriage. She told me that many women schedule an abortion before they find out if the pregnancy will even continue on it’s own or not. She told me about the different methods of abortion. She explained how my cycle works and how a pregnancy occurs. I am embarrassed to admit it, but I didn’t know you could only get pregnant a few fertile days of the month. The way she talked about what a precious gift fertility is and how many women would give anything to be fertile and achieve pregnancy, it really made me think about things in a way I have never even considered.

She let me talk about my feelings and hopes and dreams and I got a new appreciation about being a woman. I’ve always dreaded pregnancy like it’s a disease or something. Now I think I’d like to save sex for a man who I’d like to raise a child with. I don’t know where the relationship with the man I’m dating now will lead, but one thing’s for sure; I’m not going to be having sex with him again unless we’re ready to have a child together (like after we’re married). At the Women’s Center-Kettering, they treated me with such respect as a woman, that I want to treat myself more respectfully from now on. My fertility is an awesome gift—I can’t wait to share it with my husband someday down the road.

For more information or to find out if you’re really pregnant, go to the Women’s Center-Kettering’s website at: www.womenscenterohio.com or call 937-643-4673. Tell them Jennell sent you.

When a couple is struggling with conception issues, both partners need to do a thorough examination of their lifestyles. Things like smoking, diet and alcohol consumption can affect the fertility of both men and women and improving these issues can make a big difference when it comes to starting a family. But what if you’re already an exceptionally fit woman and are still having problems conceiving? You may want to consider the possibility that you are too healthy.

The hormone balance in a woman’s body is a delicate thing. Her ovulation and monthly cycles are sometimes so precarious that a more than usually stressful month can throw them off. When trying to conceive, it serves a woman well to try to reduce her stress level by incorporating some physical activity into her daily routine. Unfortunately, this is a situation where there most definitely can be too much of a good thing. Over exercise can affect a woman’s ovulation cycle resulting in irregular, skipped and sometimes even non existent periods. Medically known as amenorrhea, this condition makes conception extremely difficult and in the long run can even contribute to severe osteoporosis.

In essence, the more you exercise, the more your cycle is affected. When you engage in high intensity activity, your body releases opioids, otherwise known as endorphins. This ‘feel good’ chemical creates the runner’s high that so many fitness enthusiasts are addicted to. However, this same chemical also suppresses the pituitary gland and thereby alters the production of hormones necessary for ovulation. Although high intensity exercise can give you an emotional boost and help you slide into your size five jeans, having too little body fat is another of the factors in infertility. Thirty percent of a woman’s estrogen production happens in her fat cells and if there simply isn’t enough, she’s going to have a struggle to become pregnant. Her body just won’t support a baby.

If you are an avid exerciser and are noticing your periods are affected, make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. He or she may recommend cutting your routine back to three or less hours a week and after calculating your body mass index, may even suggest gaining some weight.

Allow your body to rest and create the ideal environment for your growing baby. It may take some time to get your body back into a regular cycle. Try to relax. There is no reason why you can’t continue your hunt for endorphins after you have delivered a healthy baby and given yourself time to heal. Becoming a parent generally means giving up a lot of control and pregnancy is just the first step.