We already looked at threatened and incomplete miscarriages. There are also other types of miscarriage including the complete miscarriage which is also a spontaneous abortion, but no tissue is left behind and the sonar taken can confirm that no part of the fetus is left. Another type of miscarriage is the missed miscarriage. This occurs when the baby dies in the womb and the parents for instance only finds out about it through a routine ultrasound. The doctor in this case may need to perform a dilation and curettage to ensure that the womb is completely clean afterwards. The blighted ovum miscarriage or pregnancy occurs when the egg is fertilised and implanting in the uterus took place, but the embryo did not grow.

It is a well published fact that smoking affects fertility negatively, but researchers have now also discovered that smoking before conception and after pregnancy can lead to infertile children. Not only does smoking increase the risk of stillbirth and premature birth, but it can also increase the chances of crib death. The scientists have done studies with results indicating that smoking mothers place their unborn child or children at risk of infertility. Apparently some toxins to be found in cigarettes are the culprits. The toxins known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in short PAHs were injected into mice before pregnancy and during the lactating phase. A second group of mice were not exposed to the toxins at all whilst a third group were exposed to the toxins during the lactating phase only. The first group of mice with the most exposure had apparent healthy offspring, but their female offspring did not have enough follicles needed for the production of the required number of eggs. The two other groups had normal offspring. Smoking can thus bring about infertile female offspring.

It is not to say that since you had no problem in conceiving the first time around that the second time will be without complications. In fact thousands of couples struggle to conceive and carry a successful pregnancy the second time around. Various fertility factors play a role. Some of the fertility factors contributing to secondary infertility are:

• Development of endometriosis.
• Problems with fallopian tubes.
• Injuries sustained during childbirth the first time around.
• Long term usage of contraceptives such as the pill.
• High blood pressure, diabetes and other chronic illnesses.
• Biological age.
• Early menopause.
• Low sperm count and quality because of male age and health.
• Poor nutrition and also toxin build up in the body.

If any of the above fertility factors are present speak to your physician and start supplementing your daily healthy diet with PregAssist to ensure adequate nutrition for hormonal balance, healthy body, and improved reproductive health.

Should you, or shouldn’t you use douching as a means of ensuring a clean vagina? With ads stating that you need regular douching you may feel tempted to do so. Beware though – douching can introduce harmful bacteria, reduces the vaginal fluids, and thus makes penetration and successful conception more difficult. Douching has been linked to several medical conditions and should thus be avoided unless you have an infection requiring douching. Under such circumstances the doctor will prescribe the correct douching and monitor the situation. If you are douching regularly – it is time to stop if you want to become pregnant. Your vagina is self cleaning and as such needs no additional help except for cases where infection has occurred.

Molar pregnancy occurs because of genetic abnormalities which may occur when fertilization of the egg takes place. There may then be a growing abnormal embryo in the womb. In the molar pregnancy it may also be that a growth takes place in the womb without an embryo. Molar pregnancy is very rare with only about one to one thousand chance of occurring. To ensure that the sperm is healthy, the successful fertilization takes place and that the chances for miscarriages including molar pregnancy are reduced, you need to adapt your lifestyle, eating plans, and also ensure that you get the correct combination of vitamins, herbs, and minerals to help restore reproductive health. Read more about the PregAssist for Women and Men under our products page.

Just as in the case of men, women need to stop the intake of alcohol completely if they have female fertility problems. The effects of alcohol on female fertility also fluctuates according to age, overall health of the person, tolerance levels, weight, physical build, and amount of intake as well as regularity of consumption. Overall the effects of alcohol on female fertility include a reduction in fertility, the possibility of miscarriages, possible defects of the baby including heart problems, hindering of ovulation, irregular menstrual cycles may follow, potential of mental disability problems of the baby, difficulty regulating oestrogen levels and more. The best way to counter the effects of alcohol on female fertility is to abstain from the use of any alcohol if you plan a pregnancy.