DIY Family Planning

If you're planning for a family - now, soon, later.... start leading a womb and baby-friendly lifestyle now. Early planning and a healthy lifestyle will help you to keep your body up for conception. Take these steps to ensure your future :



1. Monitor your menstrual cycle.
Even if you aren't planning for a kid right now, be aware of your menstruation and its cycle. Not only is this important for family planning, but it also helps you be aware of your body and how to keep it tip-top, eg knowing how to avoid certain foods when you're bloating, keeping control of your emotions when you come into your PMS period...

2. Choose the right contraception.
Condoms, the birth control pills, IUDs, the withdrawal method - make sure that you read up about these methods of contraception and what fits you. If you're unsure even after your research, you can consult your local GP or go to a local family planning clinic for help. Some women report sensitivity to the latex in the condom, so this may not be the option for them (although there are other condoms in the market that cater to this). The Pill also has its downsides - weight gain, infertilitiy for a certain period after stopping the medication, and bloating are just some of the common side effects. IUDs (Intra-Uterine Devices) are NOT recommended for women who have not had children. So be informed and then make your decision based on that.

3. Your biological clock.
Not to alarm those who are in their 30's and older, but fertility do decrease with age. A woman in her early 20's has a 60% chance of getting pregnant as compared to another in her mid-30's who has about 25% chance. Quite a big drop in numbers! So if possible, try to plan ahead so that you can start your family before you hit the big 3-0.

4. Stop crash dieting.
Frequent dieting and weight yo-yos lead to proper ovulation and menstruation. Once your cycle has been interrupted in this way, it may remain off-cycle. And that means the possibility of getting pregnant is made more difficult.

5. Exercise!
Try to aim for around 15-30 minutes of activity - such as a brisk walk, swimming or yoga to enhance your body's fitness, flexibility and strength. Exercise is not only good for conception but also it is commonly believed that walking will help in the labour room to ease the baby's passage out.

Marriage Myths Debunked

Myth 1 : Marriage will end your loneliness.
You're in for a major disappointment if you actually jumped on the marriage bandwagon with this in mind. Many married people are lonely, because according to marriage guru Mike Constantine, it's a case of recognising that "a marriage won't make you happy, but you make a marriage happy."

Myth 2 : You won't be plagued with problems if you're truly in love.
Perfect relationships don't exist. According to renowned psychologist Dr Phil, "Arguing can actually help the quality and longevity of a relationship. The issue isn't whether you fight; it's how you do it."

Myth 3 : Having babies will boost your bond.
Remember post-partum depression? The arrival of a newborn can be hard on a woman's body and emotions. Numerous couples have been driven apart by their children because it adds stress to their marriage.

Myth 4 : Getting married means saying sayonara to your sex life.
Studies have shown that married people have more sex than their unmarried counterparts. Not only do they have sex more often, but they also enjoy it more, both physically and emotionally.

Myth 5 : A great marriage depends on a great meeting of minds.
As Dr Phil puts it, "Men and women are wired up differently. You're different genetically, physically, spiritually.. so why wouldn't you be mentally and emotionally different?" Now, celebrate those differences, and compromise!

Myth 6 : Romance will always be alive in a good marriage.
This isn't Hollywood! In the real world, every relationship has its peaks and valleys. Love will eventually shift from fiery passion to a warm amber glow.