LilSugar

Talking to Tots About Egg Donors

Natasha Dantzig — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 03:15:13 PST

What's an egg between friends? Conception is no simple matter of wham, bam, thank you ma'am. With the numerous ways to conceive a child these days (in vitro fertilization (IVF), artificial insemination, and fertility drugs to name a few), there are new issues accompanying these medical and scientific advances. Just as the story of the sperm donor with 150 biological offspring prompted discussion of how to talk to kids who were conceived with donor sperm, a new study published in Reproductive BioMedicine Online, takes on the sometimes tricky topic of talking to kids about their egg donor - especially when that person is someone they may know very well.

The study followed women who received eggs from friends or relatives, nothing anonymous about the process, and no money was exchanged in these so-called altruistic arrangements. At first, everyone is fixated on getting pregnant, but issues tend to arise later, when the child is older and there isn't clear consensus on what to tell the child. Typically, the donor wants to tell the child about the arrangement at some point, but often the recipient does not, making for some very awkward soccer games and birthday parties.

Would you ever take part in an arrangement like this? Or do you think it's just too complicated?

Want to Have a Smart Baby? Start Trying Today!

LilSugar — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 10:03:44 PST

Every mama wants to give her baby the chance at life, and one way of doing so is to conceive in the month of December! According to a recent study by the British Institute of Fiscal Studies, babies born in September (thus conceived in December) are smarter than those born in August (or any other month). They're happier in school, do better on exams, ultimately perform better in life.

Want to give your baby those advantages? Here are a few things a hopeful mama-to-be can do to increase her chances of adding a baby to the family soon.

7 Myths About Preventing Conception

LilSugar — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 08:32:58 PDT

Whoops! Apparently, sex isn't just about making a baby. For couples interested in having sex for recreation not procreation, preventing conception is a top priority. Even with the many forms of birth control options available, plenty of folks still rely on antiquated, wholly disproved theories about how to stop that stubborn sperm in his tracks.

Do you know fact from fiction when it comes to preventing pregnancy? Or did you believe any of the following myths?

Mis-Conception: Test Your Baby Makin' Knowledge

LilSugar — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 11:35:59 PDT

Most people learn the basics of making a baby - what goes where - at a pretty young age, but there's a lot more to it. The simple act of conceiving isn't actually that simple; there are numerous factors that can either increase or decrease a couple's chances. Whether you're trying to get pregnant - or trying not to get pregnant - knowing fact from fiction when it comes to conception is important. Take our quiz to find out how much you really know about getting knocked up.

Take the Quiz

Fair For Fertile Couples to Do It Anywhere When Trying to Conceive?

Heather Maddan — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 10:28:01 PST

Julia and Joel get busy in Adam and Kristina's bathroom on last night's episode of Parenthood! When the youngest Braverman sister realizes she's ovulating during Max's chaotic birthday party, she and her husband sneak upstairs to take advantage of the fertile time frame. Since the couple has been trying to conceive a second child for months, Kristina is amused rather than offended when she accidentally walks in on them (and offers them the bed). What's your opinion of this behavior?

What Do You Know About Twins?

Leta Shy — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 03:05:00 PST

It's twin time in Hollywood! Mariah Carey just announced the gender of her impending babes, and Neil Patrick Harris is the latest in a string of celebrities to parent a dynamic duo. Do you know fact from fiction when it comes to conceiving and carrying multiples? Take this quiz and see!

Take the Quiz

Babymaking 101: 5 Fertility Apps to Aid Couples in Conception

Rebecca M Gruber — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 06:00:00 PST

Conception doesn't just involve a night in the sack. For some couples, getting pregnant can take significant planning. Women who are in the process of tracking their temperatures, cervical mucus flow, cervical positioning, and more can become bogged down with scraps of paper. These five apps will keep all of those numbers and notes in one location, as well as predict the dates you are most likely to conceive. Check them out!

Waiting For Baby: Do Men Worry About Fertility Too?

Heather Maddan — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 05:00:00 PST

Ticktock - it's always the woman's biological clock! Females as young as twenty worry about fertility these days, but it isn't often that you hear men voicing concerns about their sperm count, advanced age, or inability to get their partner pregnant. Is this because males don't have those worries or are they just less vocal about them?

We're Trying!: Should You Tell Your Family About Baby Plans?

LilSugar — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 11:22:21 PDT

Trying for a baby doesn't guarantee it will happen. While some couples like to announce their efforts toward starting a family, others choose to keep their actions between the sheets until they result in a positive pregnancy test. Grandparents-to-be can get excited and awfully eager about the prospect of having a grandchild. Last night on How I Met Your Mother, Marshall told his dad he and Lily were trying and she felt pressured. What's your opinion?

Photo courtesy of CBS

Methods of Conception: Catherine Bell Used Clomid

babysugar — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 10:00:43 PDT

A positive pregnancy test is enough for a lot of mamas-to-be to spread the news, but do they also feel obligated to share their means of conception? Without ever asking, 37 percent of LilSugar readers admitted to assuming a woman used artificial means when they learn she is expecting multiples. In the July/August cover story of Pregnancy magazine, Catherine Bell said:

We were totally trying. I conceived pretty much naturally. We wanted this to happen quickly. We used Clomid, which helps you with a little boost and the second month we tried, we got pregnant.

Do you feel inclined to disclose how you got pregnant?