Maternity Insurance|Maternity Care|Postpartum Care

One famous question asked by pregnant women carrying twins is if the twins are identical or fraternal. Ultrasound can only show the gender of the babies. If the gender is different then it is a fraternal twin but if the gender is similar it can either be fraternal or identical. Ultrasound might suggest that similar gender means identical twins.

A placenta is shared between two different amniotic sacs if the egg divided between the 3rd and 8th day after fertilization. This is known as diamniotic. It can also be seen as 2 embryos are formed with individual placentas and amniotic sacs when an egg splits into 2 after fertilization. When this happen, a fraternal twin can be seen through ultrasound but if the gender for two babies are the same, it could be fraternal or identical twins.

The chances of you carrying identical twins is when they share one placenta but remember that looking at the number of placenta is very difficult. Another way of seeing the types of twins also depends on the thickness of the membrane which separates the sacs. The membrane is thin if it is one placenta and if it is a separate sac then, the membrane is thicker.

Monoamniotic twins are those which share a single placenta and amniotic sacs. An identical twin can be seen through ultrasound by seeing this feature. The chances of this happening are rare as it only happen in 1 in every 60,000 pregnancies. Siamese or conjoined twin is formed when the egg is divided after thirteen days of being in the womb.

Although it is difficult to be sure about the types of twins a woman is carrying, a sonographer uses a precise signs in this process. The most common way to see if the twins are fraternal or identical is by looking at the placentas. This technique is easiest in the first trimester.

Figuring out the types of twins is important due to the fact that different twins have different risk and problems. Only by knowing the types of twins a woman is carrying enable tests to figure out what the problem is. Test done on amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling (CVS) or fetal blood sampling are known as zygosity studies.

I hope this article about fraternal or identical twins are useful to you. But on a personal level, I don't mind if ever I have twins - whether its fraternal or identical. The important thing is both are born healthy. How about you?

Excitement over a pregnancy can easily turn into worry and anxiety if a woman has no health insurance coverage. The Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 was created to keep pregnant women from being discriminated against regarding health insurance. Unfortunately, this act does not apply to companies with less than 15 employees or individual health policies. Even if a woman has health insurance, pregnancy may not be covered unless a rider to the policy is purchased. These riders are expensive, have limited coverage and usually have waiting periods from six months to more than a year. A report by the National Women's Law Center in 2009 showed that only 13% of 3,600 national policies covered pregnancy. Even with these difficulties there are options for pregnant women who are without health insurance.

The average cost for a normal pregnancy, which includes prenatal and post partum care, can be anywhere from $10,000 to $12,000 so it is essential to find some type of health insurance. For women considered low-income there are State programs such as Medicaid and WIC that can help with medical care and nutrition. There is also a federal program called CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program). These programs are run by the Department of Health (DHS) and even if you don't qualify for Medicaid, there may be other programs available. DHS will be able to give you helpful information.

Another option is a Health Care Discount Program. This isn't health insurance so there is no waiting period, deductible, coinsurance or pre-existing clause. Some discounts can be up to 50%. You can also talk to your doctor or clinic about possible discounts they may give you, such as a cash discount or they may be able to set up a payment plan. Also, there are some clinics that provide medical services on a sliding scale which goes according to your income. These options will cut your overall pregnancy costs.

Many hospitals have their own maternity plans for women who are uninsured. These plans include prenatal care, ultrasounds, labs, hospital and delivery costs and post partum care for a flat fee. The average cost is about $2,500. The cost may be a little higher if you have a c-section. If the hospital does not have their own maternity plan, they can set up a monthly payment plan for you.

Birthing centers are available for women who do not have high risk pregnancies. These centers are staffed by midwives who have years of experience delivering babies. The centers offer package rates which include prenatal and postpartum care, birthing classes and the delivery. There is a more personal and homey feel at a birthing center and they are usually located near a hospital, in case of an emergency.

There are many options out there to take advantage of. Compare all of the options and benefits available to you before making a decision. This will help you find the best plan that fits your specific needs.

In the early days, those single mothers are required to pay the same premium for private health insurance as couples with their kids. But since 2007, there has been a change to be fair for every individual who wants to avail the health funds, the arrangement to allow one less adult per single parent policy. This will only mean that the single mother can now save enough to give way to the insurance she chooses to enroll.

This is a good time to invest on your health insurance for single moms so you can have peace of mind once you encounter an unexpected incident in the family. This will save you from all the worries you might feel if you are not prepared to secure the bills that will transpire. Here are some of the benefits:

1. With it, you can pick the hospital and doctor you prefer for treatment.
2. If you are covered with a good plan, then you are allowed to choose private hospitals and get your private room in the hospital.
3. Having a health insurance will permit you to wait shorter and have the freedom to choose the time of the surgery, in case you want to.

It is only natural that single mothers want to secure a medical care for her and her family. This is necessary for health issues can happen anytime in the family. To have health insurance for single moms can keep the family from experiencing to financial health bankruptcy.

The federal government with the cooperation of the States operates the insurance for health coverage of kids. Through the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and Medicaid, to focuses on the families who are unable to afford or those who don't fit the requirements of the private health insurance coverage. The CHIP is all about giving low cost to free health insurance for single moms and others who earning much to match the requirements of the Medicaid while not enough to afford any private insurance for health. The benefits of CHIP are up to 19 years old and below.

The coverage of CHIP may depend on the states in terms of benefit packages, eligibility guidelines; payment levels needed for the coverage and the way the administrative procedures. These are the benefit packages you can avail on CHIP, immunizations, routine check- ups, inpatient and outpatient hospital care, laboratory and x-ray services and no-cost preventive care.

Another health insurance for single moms is the Medicaid. This is the program that gives supply to single mothers which are available in every state. It covers the infants and children under the age of six. Those citizens and qualified immigrants are free to do an application. The free Medicaid benefits come with immunizations, preventive care, screening and treatment for any health condition. Vision and dental care and hospital and doctor visits.

The department of health and human services of the United States is a program funded by the federal government that can be found all over the country. These are just a few of their benefit, complete care for pregnant women, immunizations and checkups for kids, checkups for mothers and metal health and substance abuse care if needed.

Back pain is common during pregnancy with research showing between 50-80% of pregnant patients reporting low back pain. It is good for expectant women to be informed about some of the options available to alleviate pain as well as what they can do for themselves to ensure a healthy pregnancy. Some women may feel anxious or unsure about seeking chiropractic care during pregnancy especially if they have never experienced chiropractic before - but they need not be. Let's explore some of the frequently asked questions regarding chiropractic care and pain during pregnancy...

Why is there back pain during pregnancy?
There are many mechanical, postural and hormonal changes that take place in a woman's body during pregnancy. Below are just a few examples of typical changes.

Mechanical and postural changes:
- centre of gravity moves back therefore changing the mechanical stresses on joints, muscles and ligaments
- weight gain results in increased overall stress to joints and muscles
- muscles of low back must work more to counterbalance growing belly
- low back curve often becomes accentuated which pinches the joints of the low back and sacroiliac joints closer together resulting in joint irritation
- along with accentuation of the lumbar curve, the sacrum itself tilts forward at its base
- increased breast size can result in mid-back pain as the muscles and joints of the mid-back must compensate
- often there is a change in neck position with loss of the normal curvature of the neck
- women tend to adopt a wider based stance and gait which affects joint position of ankles, knees and hips resulting in joint/muscle/ligament irritation
- pressure may be exerted on nerves due to muscle tension and water retention resulting in tingling or numbing sensations

Hormonal changes:
- hormonal changes in pregnancy also affect biomechanics of the spine and peripheral joints
- a hormone called relaxin is released which softens and elongates ligaments and other connective tissues which leads to greater joint motion and possible joint irritation

As one can see, there are indeed myriad changes that occur. On top of this, minor pre-existing mechanical issues may be exacerbated during pregnancy due to the weight gain and hormonal effects.

How can chiropractic help?
Through a history and physical examination, chiropractic can identify specific problem areas in the spine and surrounding joints. Chiropractic adjustments help to restore proper motion and alignment of joints. In addition, specific corrective exercises are prescribed to help improve posture such that tight muscles are stretched and relatively weaker muscles are strengthened. Beyond this, chiropractic helps by balancing the nervous system which allows the body to heal optimally. Most pregnant women who experience chiropractic care report relief of symptoms and associated improved mood and sleep. Best of all, chiropractic is completely natural and non-invasive. Chiropractors do not prescribe medications which can be of concern especially during pregnancy.

Is chiropractic treatment safe during pregnancy?
Chiropractic care is natural, non-invasive and very safe for both mom and the developing baby. Chiropractors are also trained to identify red flags associated with high risk pregnancy and to refer accordingly.

What else can I do for relief and to ensure a healthy pregnancy?
Maintaining physical fitness through exercise is a great way to promote better health and fewer complications. Regular cardiovascular exercise leads to improved sleep, less pain, less stress, fewer delivery complications and has better birth outcomes for both mother and child. It also reduces the risk for gestational diabetes and pregnancy related hypertension and the associated consequences for both mom and developing baby. A balanced and nutritious diet is also important, ensuring that the fetus has the necessary building blocks for healthy development and mom is healthy too. Other ideas for pain relief include massage and acupuncture.

Following delivery, back pain usually resolves however daily activities such as lifting one's child, bending down to their level, breast feeding and awkward postures associated with raising a child may result in mechanical issues. Thus, some women may choose to continue with chiropractic care during this phase as well to ensure optimal joint mechanics and overall wellness.

Stuber and Smith (2008). Chiropractic for back pain in pregnancy. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics; 31(6):447-454.
Jones, Housman & McAleese (2010). Exercise, nutrition and weight management during pregnancy. American Journal of Health Studies; 25(3):120-126.

Not all bacteria are bad. There are some which are actually beneficial to the body. Falling under the good bacteria category are those called probiotics. These are similar to the good bacteria found in the human gut which help aid proper digestion. They were discovered by Elie Metchnikoff who was a microbiologist from Russia and the winner of the Nobel Prize for Peace.

The most common kind of probiotic available in food is lactobacillus acidophilus which can be found in cultured foods like yogurt and those with other live cultures. Probiotics help restore the balance of good and bad bacteria in the gut and when intestinal bacteria start causing health concerns like diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome, probiotics balance their population and help reduce the discomfort and worsening of the situation.

How do probiotics help pregnant women?

Pregnancy comes with a host of ailments related to the digestive system and probiotics help pregnant women suffer less from these conditions. Some conditions which probiotics can help with during pregnancy include:

• Diarrhea


• Heartburn


• Intestinal cramping


• Constipation

When pregnant women integrate probiotic-rich food in their diets, they help make their gastrointestinal tract have a better environment. Probiotics help provide relief from constipation by regulating bowel movements. These good bacteria also help regulate the normal motion of the digestive system; thus, lessening heartburns and intestinal cramping.

The benefits of probiotics don't just stop at improving the state of pregnant women's digestive system. Probiotics also help boost the immune system of not just the mother but the baby's as well. These good bacteria help ward off colds and other diseases to lessen health complications that the baby may experience during the time of pregnancy.

Research is still ongoing about how probiotics can help pregnant women but one other good effect they have is helping to prevent eczemas to form during pregnancy.

What foods are rich in probiotics?

Good bacteria like probiotics can be found mostly in dairy products which have undergone fermentation. The top sources and most easily accessible food groups which contain probiotics which are beneficial for the digestive system and pregnancy include:

• Yogurt


• Cheese


• Sour cream


• Milk


• Miso


• Tempeh


• Soy products

Another great thing about probiotics is that they are available in foods which are easily accessible and found in the supermarket. However, there are also probiotic supplements which can be bought over the counter. They are available in either capsule or powder form.

Things to Remember Before Adding Probiotics to a Pregnant Woman's Diet

Because pregnancy is a sensitive stage in a woman's life, it is highly important to thoroughly evaluate the factors and benefits which one can get from probiotics. Just because it works for one doesn't mean it will have the same effects on another. Some considerations include:

• Lactose intolerance


• Remember to pick pasteurized products


• Are these food items approved by the physician?

While there are benefits to be had from adding probiotic-rich foods to a pregnant woman's diet, the above factors should be taken into consideration to lessen the risks of adding instead of lessening complications during pregnancy.

It is still best to talk with a physician before purchasing supplements or probiotic-rich food items intended to be added to a pregnant woman's diet. The benefits of probiotics during pregnancy reduces several discomforts, but it is better to be careful and think of the bigger picture before making changes to a pregnant woman's nutrition.

The very first thing new mothers need to decide upon is whether to breastfeed or not. Although experts still continue to stress and emphasize the importance of breast milk in newborn baby feeding, the battle between breast milk versus formula continue to prevail as the latter still provide a convenient alternative for busy moms.

Breastfeeding is highly beneficial not only for your baby, but also for you. Aside from getting the assurance that you'll be able to protect your child from illnesses and infections that can be fatal for such young kids, you can also keep yourself healthy. By nursing, you can avoid breast engorgement, getting pregnant again, and also help you shed some pounds off.

However, although enjoyable, newborn baby feeding is still quite a task. As a young child requires extra care, you would really have to need to do some additional measures to make sure that your child is getting the best care he needs. With breastfeeding, there are still a couple of other things you need to keep in mind to assure your baby's health and wellbeing.

One of the very important things you would have to pay close attention to is your little angel's "baby talk". As kids in their postpartum period are not exactly capable of talking just yet and telling you what he needs, you must be more sharp and observant with how he acts to catch what is happening to him, especially during feeding.

If you know how your baby reacts while nursing, you can easily get a hint if there is a problem. Luckily, there are now studies that can help you understand your child's language. With the following cues, you can easily determine the developments during newborn baby feeding.

Cue set #1: Long pauses instead of gulps, worried look, falling asleep while still latched on, aggressiveness, pulling away and then re-latching, and wanting suck again after nursing. These signs usually indicate slow milk flow. Since newborns need to feed up to a dozen times daily, you will need to really be aware if your child is getting the milk he needs. You may be able to produce enough breast milk, but for some reason, your veins may clog and cause slow milk flow.

Cue set #2: Continuous gulping without any pauses, appearing startled and pulls off often, or resisting the second breast even if he still appears to be hungry are signs that your milk flow is too fast. Usually caused by the letdown reflex, having a fast milk flow may overwhelm your infant. This, although will cause weight gain, will also be bad for your child's feeding pattern because it can cause undersupply and apathetic feeding.

Cue set #3: Twisting or wriggling of the baby's upper body. This means that your child needs to burp. Sometimes, some children just burp even while they're still feeding, so there's really not too much problem with this. However, some babies feel uncomfortable, so if this happens, interrupt the feeding for a while and give your child some relief by helping him burp.

Cue set #4: Shorter suck intervals, quieter swallows, and more relaxed body. These signs will tell you that your newborn baby feeding was successful and that your child is now content with the nursing.

Once you've learned these cues, you'll surely have an easier time in feeding your child.

An article posted on fairinvestment.co.uk showed the current confusion over travel insurance. It highlighted that over the last year three and a half million British holidaymakers have travelled to Europe without travel cover, under the assumption that the European Health Insurance Card alone provides adequate cover. So what exactly is the European Health Insurance Card and how does it compare to travel insurance?

The European Health Insurance Card was introduced in 2006 to replace the E111. The card allows you to have access to state healthcare in European Economic Area countries, such as Iceland, France and Spain, for a reduced fee and sometimes even for free. It costs nothing and needs to be renewed after five years, but it cannot be used by those who go abroad with the sole intention of receiving medical treatment.

The EHIC covers you if you need medical treatment while you are on holiday, this can include maternity care, dialysis, and conditions that may arise from illness or an accident whilst you are abroad. Also, if you do pay for treatment, an EHIC means you might be able to claim back the cost when you return to the UK.

Despite the obvious benefits of an EHIC, it cannot replace travel insurance. The EHIC does not cover you if you need private healthcare, or attention that is not provided by the state healthcare system. It will also not cover any travel costs, including rescue from a mountaintop via helicopter, or if you need to be brought back to the UK after an accident. It is also important to note that not all regions in the EEA necessarily have state healthcare, subsequently the EHIC will not be of much use in these areas.

Consequently, it is recommended that the European Health Insurance Card is used in conjunction with travel insurance, in fact some insurance companies only give travel insurance to customers who already have an EHIC. This is particularly important with the upcoming ski season, and many travellers hoping to hit the pistes at Christmas, whilst hoping to save as much money as possible.

The truth is that in the great scheme of going on holiday, travel cover shouldn't be too expensive. Many companies, including Post Office, offer a 10 per cent discount online, and there are deals to suit every kind of traveller, whether you need single trip or annual cover - with the optional extras of customizing your package if you're planning on skiing or snowboarding.

You've found out that you are expecting, and along with the joy and anticipation that comes along with this news you are also wondering how you are going to break it to your boss. While you may be tickled pink at the arrival of a baby, your boss may be less enthusiastic about the news. Unfortunately, some bosses regard pregnancy as a liability and they do not want expecting mothers and new mothers to be on their staff. In fact, some women are shocked to find that they were suddenly let go from a position they had for years because they became pregnant.

If you feel that you were unjustly fired from a job due to your pregnancy, or your boss told you they just couldn't handle the liability or maternity leave, you need to know about your legal rights as an expecting mom. Even though you may have the nicest boss in the world, it is still important to be prepared incase you are suddenly faced with a case of pregnancy discrimination. In the year 2006 alone, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission received 4,901 pregnancy discrimination charges.

Talk With Your Boss Immediately As soon as you have confirmed your pregnancy it is important to have a frank discussion with your boss at once. It is understandable if you do not want the rest of your office to know about the pregnancy right away, but you should still talk with your boss. Let your boss know when your due date is, determine how many weeks of maternity leave you can expect, and how many sick days you are allowed.

At this first meeting with your boss, be honest with your boss if you are concerned about keeping your job. Your boss may either reassure your position, or confirm your fears; either way you will honestly know how your boss feels so that you can take the steps you need to in order to ensure that you have employment and security for you and your baby.

Know Your Rights Pregnancy discrimination is defined as discrimination that occurs when expecting mothers are fired from a job, or face discrimination because of their pregnancy or decision to become pregnant. Example of pregnancy discrimination include: being dismissed from a position once the employer is aware of the pregnancy, being dismissed upon returning after maternity leave, having one's pay deducted because of the pregnancy, or not being hired for a position because of a pregnancy.

The Pregnancy Discrimination Act was passed by the U.S. Congress in 1978. According to this piece of legislature, employers must provide insurance, paid leave, and support to expecting mothers that they are able to give to other employees who are on medical leave or disability. This means that pregnant employees are to be given the same treatment as any other employer who is dealing with a temporary disability. For example, if an employer is able to offer an injured employee light work, than the employer should also be able to offer light work to expectant mothers in their latter trimesters.

According to this act, expectant mothers must be able to work as long as they can perform their job duties, and an employer cannot stop an employee from returning to work after taking maternity leave. Single parents need to be aware that pregnancy benefits cannot only be offered to married employees; the same benefits need to be provided to single parents as well.

Some states and programs have expanded on the original Pregnancy Discrimination Act, and it is vital that you are aware of your legal rights in your State before you speak with your boss about your pregnancy.

What To Do If You Are Facing Pregnancy Discrimination in the US If you think that your employer is discriminating against you because of your pregnancy, you will need to contact the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, (EEOC). They can be contacted either through their website, mail, fax, or their toll free number at 1-800-669-400. Gather all the information that you can, and try to remember specific dates of incidences, or things that your employer said, before you talk with the EEOC. You should also let your boss know in a polite but firm tone that you are aware of your rights.

Palmers stretch mark cream is a very popular beauty product. It is also common among expectant and postnatal mothers. Being an anti-stretch mark cream, Palmer has won the hearts of ladies all over the world. It is possibly the most loved product in regard to the removal of skin dermal scarring. Have you ever bought this cream? It's essentially ingredient is cocoa butter and that is why most of you know it. Palmer has a soft balmy feel, enticing scent and offers easy application.

While some creams are too expensive, this one is cheap and effective. As some of you may know, anti-stretch mark balms should do a little more than keep the skin moisturized. Fortunately, you will not be disappointed in Palmer's stretch mark cream. It has what it takes to reduce all types of skin silvery stripes that often form on the belly skin during and after pregnancy. Reducing means fading the marks so that they can become less visible to the eye.

For that to happen, the creams one uses must penetrate the skin so that it can reach the dermis layer. This is usually the central layer that become scarred when a woman loses weight quickly or when her belly stretches during pregnancy. Now you may be wondering how Palmers stretch mark cream works. It has an ingredient called shea butter, known to facilitate penetration of the balm itself. Shea butter added to the cocoa butter enhances the soft texture of the skin.

These two types of butters are not the only ingredients to expect. Palmers has essential additives such as hydrolyzed elastin and collagen, which are both essential elements of your skin. The combination of the two really does something to improve the appearance of your skin. The fact the two are dermatologically tested means that you can actually use the products without fear. There are other countless users of the product worldwide who are happy about it.

This cocoa butter balm is clinically secure and its job is to prevent further development of stretch marks. Even so, your patience is necessary, especially if you are looking to eliminate already established blemishes. You have to allow the item work gradually rather than expect it to give you accurate results right away. Women that have used this product before show mixed emotions.

For instance, some are so happy and satisfied with it while others are partly positive about it. See, everyone's skin is different plus the fact that a few ladies' scarring is genetic. Such ladies always have a bigger share whether they are expecting babies or not. There are some ladies who claim that this product simply fades the color of the blemishes and ends the itchy feeling.

Whatever their claims about Palmers may be, the fact is it contains cocoa butter, a unanimously acceptable anti stretch mark ingredient. Besides, even the owners of the product do not give any guarantee that it would work for all ladies. However, it cautions that irregular use of Palmers stretch mark cream is not okay. It shows your skin is not getting consistent attention.

Boosting your fertility doesn't have to involve complicated procedures and expensive hormonal treatments when you are trying to get pregnant. Tips you can use such as avoiding certain habits or products that can aggravate your fertility problems can go a long way towards increasing your fertility potential. It's important to understand which factors can help bring you closer to your dreams of parenthood. Here are some simple pregnancy tips you can try tonight.

Stay away from cigarette smoke.

Sure, smoking might make you look more glamorous and desirable (or so says the tobacco ads), but it's not going to bring you one step closer to pregnancy. According to the British Medical Association, female smokers are 40% less likely to conceive than women who do not smoke. It's difficult to say exactly how this happens because here are literally hundreds of chemical compounds in cigarette smoke. However, researchers believe that some of these chemicals can trigger hormonal imbalances, which cause irregular menstrual cycles or anovulation. Not only that, but these harmful chemicals can also cause genetic abnormalities in mature eggs. In the likelihood that a female smoker does get pregnant, she's still at risk of an early miscarriage if the chemicals from the smoke stay in her body.

The bad news is that female non-smokers are not necessarily in the clear. It turns out that passive smoking, or inhaling secondhand smoke, also increases the likelihood of infertility or miscarriages. It doesn't matter who's lighting up the cigarette; as long as you're inhaling the harmful chemicals in tobacco smoke, your fertility is in danger. So if your partner is a smoker, ask him to step away from you whenever he needs his nicotine fix. Better yet, get him to start quitting altogether. Studies show that smoking can also contribute to male impotence by impairing sperm function and lowering sperm count.

Use foreplay to heat things up

A common problem experienced by couples trying to conceive is a lack of excitement in their sex lives. It's completely understandable - what with the stress of work, the pressure of a ticking biological clock, and the lack of spontaneity, sex just isn't as exciting as it used to be back when you were still dating. Instead of getting straight to the point of intercourse, spend a little more time doing foreplay. Believe it or not, foreplay can increase your fertility in two ways. The most obvious way is that t will help you feel more relaxed. By now you probably know how much stress can lower your chances of conceiving because stress hormones upset the balance of sex hormones.

Extended foreplay also encourages natural vaginal lubrication. Stress and fertility drugs tend to cause vaginal dryness, and most couples trying to conceive make the mistake of using commercial lubricants to solve this problem. Leading lubricant brands act as spermicide, even if they are water-based and contain no spermicidal chemicals, because their pH levels are too acidic. Sperm need an alkaline environment in order to survive. Although semen provides this sperm-friendly environment, the pH balance gets disrupted when a commercial lubricant is introduced. Lubricants also contain certain ingredients that affect sperm motility, or their ability to swim. Although a lubricant called Pre-Seed can provide the right environment for sperm to survive, it's probably best to lubricate the vagina naturally with a little foreplay.

Sex positions

When trying to get pregnant, it makes sense to use a position that makes the journey as short as possible for the sperm. The missionary position, or the man on top, is one of the best positions for conception because it provides deep penetration and deposits the sperm right outside the opening of the uterus. Another excellent position is doggie style, or rear entry, with the woman on all fours or lying down on her belly. This also brings the sperm right in front of the cervix and is especially useful for women with an inverted uterus. And yes, MRIs actually confirm that these two positions do place the sperm closest to the egg! Positions to avoid include woman on top, or any position where gravity can prevent sperm from reaching its destination in time.

Some experts also suggest lying on your back and "bicycling" for several minutes after intercourse to help the sperm swim along. There are no fancy imaging technologies to prove that this works but if anything, it should induce a couple of giggles. And what better way is there to make babies than to be silly and have fun?