family planning

Whether a mama wants to start a family or finish one, the tick, tick, ticking of a biological clock after the age of 35 can seem deafening. Grey's Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo, 39, recently talked about having a baby to Allure. She said:

“It’s a huge lifestyle change, and I take that very seriously. We enjoy our life so much. We go to Europe and sleep in. So when I have the baby, I won’t feel like we’ve missed any fun, reckless times together, like staying up all night drinking champagne and having sex until five in the morning and not having to get up until two in the afternoon. But I’ve got to get on it, because the clock is ticking.”

Did (or do) you feel the pressure of time when deciding to have wee ones?
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While dating, my husband and I agreed on the number of children we hoped to have.

But, what happens when a couple can't come to a consensus? Or, if spouses initially have the same plan and then one person has a change of heart?

Actress Brooke Shields made a recent comment that confronted this issue.

At the Prada Trembled Blossoms event, the mother of two, Rowan, 4, and Grier, almost 2, expressed her desire for a son. To see what she said, read more

I'm sure you've all known someone using "Natural" birth control. It goes by many names - "Family Planning," "Fertility Awareness Method" (FAM), and the "Rhythm Method."

Basically, you chart your menstrual cycle, so you know when you're ovulating. You avoid having sex around ovulation since having sex a few days before or after the day your egg is released, is a great way to become a mom.

Recently, I discovered CycleBeads. Don't they look a little like Rosary Beads? They're an easy visual way to chart your cycle.

The red bead symbolizes the first day of your period, so when Aunt Flo pops in for her monthly visit, just slip the little black ring on the red bead. Slide the ring down one bead each day. The darker beads represent days in your cycle where the risk of pregnancy is very LOW. The lighter beads are days when your risk is HIGH.

The CycleBeads Method ONLY works if you are completely aware and consistent about using it. Your cycle must be between 26 and 32 days. They're available for $13.95 online.