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The good news is that IVF is generally successful, especially for women under age 35 or those who use donor eggs. Here are some considerations to keep in mind when deciding if IVF is right for you. IVF Success Rates by Age You can find IVF success rates on the websites of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART). National rates, along with statistics for individual clinics, are available on these sites....

However, certain factors can be evaluated to determine your risk of another miscarriage. While there are no definite guarantees, you may be pleasantly surprised to find out that the odds of a viable pregnancy are still in your favor. In fact, only about 1% of women will experience recurrent miscarriages. First Trimester Miscarriage Doctors believe that about half of all first-trimester miscarriages are due to chromosomal issues in the developing fetus....

It can be an inexpensive way to entertain a group of teens for hours. Of course, you’ll need to take safety issues into consideration when swimming is involved, but a pool party might be the best way to celebrate your teen’s next birthday. Finding a Pool Of course, if you have a pool in your backyard, the venue is already taken care of. But, even if you don’t have a pool, you can still host a pool party....

Areas of Toddler Development Your child will change substantially during his or her toddler years. You can expect to see development in these areas. Cognitive Development Cognitive development refers to intellectual capabilities, such as thinking and reasoning, as well as the acquisition of knowledge and the ability to process information. During the toddler years, parents will see tremendous leaps in this area. Physical Development Physical development includes a toddler’s growth as well as their gross and fine motor skills....

Many times you will be able to get a pump with no cost to you. You can use this guide to look at some of the different features. While you may not get a choice of breast pump, you will know what some of the options look like. Though some mothers choose to purchase a pump in addition to the pump paid for with insurance because it allows them to more easily maintain a pump at home and a pump at work....

1. No Pain Medication Risks to the Baby Many mothers who have chosen to have an unmedicated birth do so because they do not want to assume the risks of medications in labor. They worry about the potential problems that can occur when there is medication involved. So they opt to skip pain medication for their childbirth experience. Some pain medications can increase the risk of fetal distress or other interventions....

If you are having unusual cravings, you are far from alone. Between 50-90% of people experience cravings during pregnancy. We reached out to experts to help us understand why these cravings happen, and what they may tell you about your body and your pregnancy. Why Do Pregnancy Cravings Happen? The truth is, no one knows for sure why pregnant people have particular hankerings. “While pregnancy cravings are very common, we don’t exactly know why they happen,” says Janine Higbie, MS, CNS, CDN, certified dietitian nutritionist of JH Wellness....

Meanwhile, your expanding uterus also presses on your bladder—even when your baby is tiny. This should not surprise you though. After all, your uterus begins as the size of a fist but grows to accommodate a 7 to 10-pound baby. Then as your baby grows, the baby’s weight also may press on your bladder making you have to go to the bathroom much more often. But what happens when you cannot pee?...

Children Giving Valentine’s Day Cards to Everyone in the Class It may seem as though it’s going overboard to give cards to the entire class and your child may even complain about giving cards to kids he doesn’t like, but the reasoning is simple enough. Giving cards to everyone is the best way to avoid hurt feelings. If your child expresses concern about giving cards to everyone, don’t dismiss his concerns, but do make sure he understands that it’s not negotiable....

According to a study published in Contraceptive and Reproductive Medicine, 15% of White women between ages 25 and 44 seek infertility treatment, whereas only 8% of Black women in the same age range seek treatment. While there are many reasons for these discrepancies, a report from the American Medical Association Journal of Ethics suggests that higher rates of health issues, such as obesity and fibroids, may contribute to infertility in Black women....

If your child is overwhelmed by homework, you can help them by examining their habits to find the source of homework trouble. Once you have identified the root of the problem, you can guide your child to a solution. 1) Find Out How Much Time Your Child Should Be Spending on Homework While there are no set rules on exactly how much homework a child should have, there are some guidelines to help you decide if the amount of homework is too much or just right....

But some experts are concerned that body positivity still keeps people—especially tweens and teens—focused on appearance. People are urged to love their bodies, but the reality of personal acceptance is much more nuanced. Much of body positivity involves recognizing (and working to replace) the fatphobic, anti-Black, and ableist structures that support our society. And that work takes time and dedication. As a parent, you may be confused about what all of this means for you and your kids, and how to begin to introduce them to these concepts....

It can be tough to know, especially with younger school-age children, whether or not you really are dealing with a sick child. Is he angling for time with mom and the requisite perks of being sick, such as extra cuddles and maybe even a DVD? Is he worried about something at school? Or is he coming down with an infection? It’s a major issue, especially for working moms and dads....

In the Centers for Disease Control’s National Survey of Family Growth, 11 percent of women and 9 percent of men reported struggling to conceive. This same survey found that just 38 percent of currently childless women with suspected fertility problems sought out or received any fertility care. Within this group of women, most only received fertility testing and advice­­—but not treatment. When it comes to IVF treatment in the United States, it is estimated that only one in four couples in need of this assisted reproductive technology receive it....

Although this type of outburst isn’t a common occurrence in children, when it does happen, it can be scary. However, that doesn’t mean it’s something to be overly concerned about. Instead, pay close attention to when it occurs and how the situation plays out to determine if you need to mention it to your pediatrician. Most of the time though, as children grow up, they will stop this self-harming behavior....

Here’s the thing: Infant hair loss is completely common. Things like natural hormonal shifts and even common sleeping positions can contribute to baby hair loss. Learn more about why this may be happening, when their hair will grow back, and how you can keep your baby’s hair as healthy as possible as they grow. Hair Loss in Babies Infant hair loss is not only common, it’s a normal phase of early physical development....

However your household decides to do winter, the most important thing is that you spend time together. “In the colder months, it’s common for family members to disperse to different rooms with their devices,” says Rachel Duvall, LICSW a Massachusetts-based therapist. “Taking time together can improve children and parents’ well-being on many fronts, including their physical and mental health.” If your household tends to grow antsy in the winter, try getting outside and going on a scavenger hunt in the snow....

For you, life has suddenly gotten a whole lot busier. Not only are you likely on high alert with your baby’s new mobility and ability to bring things to their mouth, but you also are probably deeply entrenched in the process of introducing solid foods—a process that can be both fun and messy! “When it comes to development at this age, every baby is different,” says Marie Trace, MD, a specialist in developmental-behavioral pediatrics at Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital for Rehabilitation....

If you and your pediatrician decide that it’s important to increase or maximize your child’s food intake, you will likely begin a healthy, high-calorie diet with foods including avocado, butter, cheese, cream cheese, heavy cream, vegetable oils, nuts and seeds, dried fruit, and whole-milk yogurt. Here are some helpful tips that can help make this possible while helping to reduce stress around eating and preserve a healthy relationship with food and eating for your child....