fertility

Folic acid, ovulation predictor tests and an extra helping of pasta? It may sound strange, but for underweight women who are trying to conceive, the addition of a few pounds may be all that is needed to increase their odds of becoming pregnant. While many women work to prepare the bodies for pregnancy with a healthier diet, less alcohol, and more exercise, some women are told to gain weight to make their bodies more hospitable for a baby. E! TV host Giuliana Rancic recently told the ladies on The View about her doctors' orders to add 5-10 pounds to her frame, and now the British media are speculating that Victoria Beckham is doing the same in hopes of conceiving her fourth child.

Did you add a few pounds to your body to get pregnant?

If height requirements, race preferences, and talent hopes (musical, athletic, coordinated) can be asked of egg donors, is it any wonder that intelligence is a consideration, too? But this week the Internet's aghast over how intelligence is being measured among potential egg donors: SAT scores. Never mind the fear of designer babies or the stem-cell debate, the real problem is what a horrible measure of intelligence standardized tests are. They are, however, an exceptionally easy thing to lie about!

Height and eye color are impossible to fake, and a special talent doesn't sound easy and/or worth it. But SAT scores? Who's to say. Only you can waiver their release, so if nobody's asking for transcripts or College Board results, then nobody knows. And considering the average payment increases $2,350 per 100 SAT points, there's a lot of incentive to fib.

So for those of you who have donated your eggs, or tried, tell us what the requirements were. Did you exaggerate any to seal the deal?

Express yourself. This post was submitted by Anonymous in the A Place to Vent group.

I need advice! Please? I want a baby and it won't happen. It's been two years that we have been trying and so far nothing. It hurts me so bad every time I find out we don't succeed. What could I do to either not want it any more or succeed? What vitamins could I take that would help? I need all the help I can get. It would be appreciated. Thank you for taking your time to read this.

Let it all out at the A Place to Vent group over in the LilSugar Community.

Serving up three of everything! Scientists in Norway have just concluded a study finding an increase in triplet births, even when artificial means of conception are not used. According to the research, the rate of triplet pregnancies is almost two-and-a-half times higher than it was three decades ago.

The use of hormone drugs that bring on ovulation, such as Clomid, and the increase in maternal age during pregnancy (which increased two-and-a-half years during the study's time frame) are seen as the reason for the dramatic rise in the multiple births. Last year, 80 percent of LilSugar readers expressed concern about the increase in multiples.

The study also found that while the incidence of perinatal death for triplets has decreased almost six percent, the post-birth mortality rate for triplets is 10 times higher than for singleton babies, despite a decrease in infant mortality rates over the past 40 years.

This post was submitted by Senorita in The Mommy Club group.

When I got married, on our wedding website I did have a fun counter until the wedding and my SIL in law had a similar one when she was prego with my niece but yesterday I was amazed to find a counter for when you are ovulating! I know people are probably excited about the prospect of getting pregnant and having a child but I was amazed that people will share their ovulation schedule with everyone! I feel this information is very private personally and something I would never share with the Internet but maybe others don't feel the same.

Talk about motherly things on your mind at The Mommy Club group over in the LilSugar Community.

Last week, a fertility study's findings startled many someday mamas. It reported that only 12 percent of a woman's eggs are left at the age of 30 and three percent at 40. Today on The View, Dr. Oz gave his opinion, which may allow concerned ladies to relax. He said:

"Let's be clear on numbers here. You are born with about a million eggs. If you have 12 percent left at 30, it's a 120,000 eggs. I mean how many eggs do you need? You know, If you're going to try to compete with the Duggars, you might need 'em, but you can do anything you want to do even with three percent of your eggs. Without question, but it does become more difficult as you know and the eggs aren't as vibrant as they are when they are younger so why put it off?"

Do his words lessen your worry?

It's hard not to get excited when the majority of your friends' bellies start to pop, but it's important to stay mindful of the ladies in your inner circle who aren't expecting. Whether the women aren't at that point in their lives or are opting out of childbearing all together, make sure they don't feel left out.
Dos

• Be honest. Don't down play your enthusiasm of entering motherhood on her behalf because it just makes things awkward.
• Just because your friend doesn't have children doesn't mean she doesn't love spending time with your youngster — include her in all the activities that you invite your mommy friends to. She's free to opt out.
• Take advantage of your time away from your lil ones to partake in adult activities with her —sports, spa treatments, girls' weekends, etc.
• If she's celebrating all your family's festivities, return the favor and make a lot of hoopla when she hits milestones — job promotions, birthdays or an engagement.

Don'ts

• Don't surprise her with a group announcement. A big "we're pregnant" alienates the odd one out.
• Unless she broaches the subject, don't bring up her biological clock.
• Vow to engage in more "kid-free" conversations.
• Don't become a kid-centric snob — someone who is so absorbed in her mom life that they don't think they have anything in common with their old friends anymore.
• Don't talk about how easy it was for you to get pregnant if you know she is still trying.

Feel free to add your own dos and don'ts!

• Is it ever smart to forget looking for a partner and just get pregnant? — LilSugar
• Behind-the-scenes PDA from the State of the Union — Huffington Post
• Should you get back together with your ex? — YourTango
• A history of political sex tapes — The Frisky
• Frightening self-help video for shy girls — Lemondrop
• Should moms use the Super Bowl as a time to discuss abortion with kids? — DoubleX
• A creative approach to virginity — Truu Confessions

Thirty may seem like the new 20, but not when it comes to a woman's fertility. According to new research, the odds are stacked against women who hold out to have children, particularly those who wait until they are in their 30s and 40s. One report said:

The study published by the University of St. Andrews and Edinburgh University in Scotland found that women have lost 90 percent of their eggs by the time they are 30 years old, and only have about 3 percent remaining by the time they are 40.

Females are born with all of the eggs they will ever have, so Dr. Marie Savard, GMA's medical contributor, advises women to take good care of them by not smoking and staying fit. Many women panic about missing the opportunity to be a mother, but raising children is not a whim decision or easy to do alone. If a woman's clock is ticking, do you think she should go ahead and get pregnant or hold out for a partner?