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What to Look for in Orthopedics Services

Anyone can do a name and address search to find local orthopedic services. It takes a truly wise consumer to start the search before the services are required. It is never a good idea to put the health of your bones, muscles and joints in the hands of a doctor you know nothing about, so consider carefully which doctor or clinic to choose, and how they can help you.

 Reputable Doctors and Surgeons

A moment of crisis is no time to try out an inexperienced or struggling doctor. Look for orthopedic doctors and surgeons who have a proven track record. You are sure to get better care and more successful outcomes.  Beyond that, you will feel more positive going into treatment or surgery.

Convenient Location

Of course, there are reputable orthopedics doctors around the country. However, finding one where you live will make life much easier for you. Search out orthopedics services that are close enough to you that travel for ongoing treatment will not be a burden.

 Subspecialties

In the event of an accident or illness, you may find that you need special care that a general orthopedic doctor cannot adequately provide. Look for orthopedic networks that feature the subspecialties that pertain to you. 

• Pediatrics
• Sports Medicine
• Joint Replacement
• Spine and Neck
• Foot and Ankle
• Hand and Wrist
• Trauma

People Skills

An orthopedist who cannot communicate with patients may be lacking in diagnostic skills. After all, doctors can find out a great deal by listening to their patients. At the same time, you will want to understand the diagnosis and treatments you will be receiving. Find a doctor who is compassionate, caring and above all, communicative.

Follow-Up Treatment

Many muscle, joint, and skeletal problems require care beyond an initial treatment or surgery. Consider the types of aftercare available with orthopedic clinics or network you are investigating. Do they offer physical therapy, pain management, or follow-up visits?  If so, you can rest assured that you will not be left to fend for yourself during your convalescence.

Seeking out help before it is required is simply a matter of good planning. To find the best orthopedics for you and your family, start assessing doctors right away. Making this wise decision can improve your health and lower your stress level if the need for an orthopedic doctor arises. The best time to start is now.

Start your research today.  Discover why Savannah Orthopedics have the best doctors for you and your family.

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Many people complain about the cost of health care. “It never used to cost that much! This is ridiculous.” Really? What did it cost back in the good old days?

Let’s take a look at the rising cost of health care. Several years ago, an acute myocardial infarction, a severe heart attack, cost practically nothing. When you arrived at the hospital, the attending physician diagnosed you with a heart attack – and then you died. It was much cheaper than today where doctors give you a clot busting shot that keeps you alive long enough for them to perform an angioplasty or other surgery to save your life. And then, a week or so later, they send you home to recuperate, though you may be dealing with a big bill.

Cancer is another condition that is just outrageously expensive. In his last movie, “The Shootist,” John Wayne’s character was diagnosed with cancer by Jimmy Stewart, and he was treated for a mere one dollar. Doctor Stewart gave John Wayne a bottle of laudanum and told him that the drug would help with the pain, but a bullet to the head would be quicker. Now cancer treatment can take months, even years–and it costs much more than a dollar.

The cost of surgery after severe accidents is another area where prices, compared to a few years ago, are much higher. In the old days, ambulances, which were then station wagons with sirens, would pull you out of your crashed car, throw you in the back of the station wagon, give you a good dose of morphine, try and stop any bleeding, and then race to a hospital that’s about 45 minutes away. Now, they fly an entire trauma unit to the site of your accident and whisk you to a hospital in just a few minutes. Paramedics perform many live-saving procedures in the helicopter before you even arrive at the hospital. But even though the chopper ride saves 16% more people than otherwise possible, they are expensive! And then, the cost of the procedures they perform in the ER just to keep you alive and healthy for another 50 years is outrageous. Bleeding to death was much cheaper.

Diabetes treatment is another lifelong tough condition to deal with. Diabetes used to be a disease you lived with for a few years. You could lose a foot or a leg, or go blind, before finally dying peacefully after a brief coma. Now, with the advent of modern medicine, physicians can drag out diabetes for decades. Instead of simple amputations, diabetes care these days includes taking maintenance drugs and in-home blood sugar monitoring, which helps you to maintain normal blood glucose levels. Today, you will most likely keep your limbs and eyesight, especially if your condition remains uncomplicated. But over the years, diabetes can become expensive.

The list of modern procedures and their exorbitant costs have transformed health care, from a simple family expense paid infrequently to your family doctor to a significant financial commitment involving insurance and serious out-of-pocket expenses. These costs can continue for years and years and years . . . But can you really put a price on your life?

Claire Hunt is a freelance writer and a nurse who regularly writes for medical websites. She also blogs for http://www.ciamedical.com where you’ll get information about reliable medical suppliers.

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Orthopedic care in Savannah

Orthopedics deal with musculoskeletal health issues and the general functioning of connecting tissues used in normal body functions. Situations which lead to deteriorating musculoskeletal health are too many to list, but generally, injuries and unhealthy daily routines can compromise the normal workings of body tissue.  Many medical facility offer professional orthopedic diagnosis for all conditions relating to the spine and musculoskeletal system as a whole.

Treatment for orthopedic conditions is mostly meant to alleviate discomfort, and in many cases, reduce the chances of recurring injury in the future. For preventative measures, people should get their joints checked out regularly, especially if their occupation requires significant physical exertion.

Back pain

Back pain and knee problems may be a normal part of aging but they should not be ignored. Sometimes, the body undergoes stressful periods when we constantly work without getting enough sleep or alter regular eating patterns and such, as lifestyle can lead to joint problems irrespective of age.

Pain in the heels/ankles

Women are known for ignoring pain, especially in the heels, where certain shoes cause discomfort and pain. If you experience sharp jolts of pain when you wear high heeled shoes, then it would be advisable to consult a doctor.

Swelling

Swelling in the feet is not uncommon for people who stand for hours each day, and it is never a good sign. The joints can only take so much; after some time, the condition will worsen and the necessary treatment will be much more invasive and disruptive.

Injuries

Athletic injuries have the potential to worsen if not properly treated. An injury may seem minor initially, but if not properly looked at, it can cause a gradual and severe weakening of sensitive tissue in the muscles and joints, and it can interfere with normal functioning. If you are part of an athletic team, then an orthopedic should be part of your entourage, and any case of misaligned joints or sharp pains should be carefully examined.

Limited mobility

If you are not able to move with the same mobility you once had, then obviously something is not right. A feeling of stiffness in the joints also warrants an X ray. Contact an orthopedic for a full examination and diagnosis so you can start feeling healthy again.

Orthopedic conditions are very specific and need a qualified orthopedist to diagnose and treat. If you suspect your joints are not working as well as they used to or are experiencing any kind of pain in your back or neck, then contact an orthopedist  for immediate medical assistance.

Don’t suffer with swelling, stiffness, or sharp pains.  Contact Savannah Healthcare and let them help you feel better.

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The benefits of organic food can at times be difficult to judge. Though many consumers like to believe that organic produce is better tasting, there is literally zero evidence to back this up. And the idea that organic produce contains more vitamins is on equally unsure footing scientifically.

One aspect of organic produce that isn’t up for debate however is that it contains less chemicals. Toxic fertilizers and pesticides are completely avoided on organic farms. And for some types of foods, this is a seriously good thing. Here are five types of organic produce that genuinely are better for your health.

Meat and Dairy

The benefits of going organic when purchasing meat are undeniable. The animals reared in organic farms are not given growth hormones to speed up their short lives and they are not fed grains that have been sprayed with pesticides or chemical fertilizers. The resulting meat is therefore free of chemicals that we still know very little about.

A word of warning however, don’t go organic just because you love animals. Organic farms are not quite as luxurious as the marketing would have you believe. Taking chickens as an example, the phrase “grown outdoors” usually means little other than outdoor cages.

Most Fruits

Fruits are notorious for absorbing the pesticides that they are sprayed with. Though peeling and washing can certainly help, non organic fruit is never going to be completely pesticide free.

And considering the somewhat lax laws regarding the use of pesticides in many parts of the world, this is definitely somewhat unnerving. If you care about what goes into your body, a case can therefore certainly be made for sticking to organic fruit.

Potatoes

Organic potatoes are almost twice the cost of the regular variety but many would argue that the increased cost is justified. Non organic potatoes are not only sprayed with pesticides, the ground that they are grown in is infected with fungicide to prevent disease.

Choosing to purchase organic potatoes can therefore protect you from not one, but two potentially harmful chemicals. It’s also worth noting that just like fruit, you cannot remove chemicals from potatoes simply by washing and peeling them.

Salad

Ask most people to imagine a healthy snack and the first image to pop into their mind is likely to be that of a nice green salad. Unfortunately however, salads tend to get sprayed with some of the most potent pesticides on the market. The reason for this is simple, leafy greens tend to attract a hell of a lot of insects.

Organic farmers don’t use such pesticides. They instead rely on meshes, nets and non toxic repellents. The result is a salad that genuinely is perfectly healthy.

Anything That You Eat a Lot Of

Finally, there is the small matter of your personal favourites. If there’s a particular type of food or side dish that you eat on a daily basis, going organic is always going to make sense.

The reason for this is simple. Different pesticides are used for different produce and in small amounts each one is pretty harmless. But if you’re eating something on a daily basis, you could find yourself consuming far more than a small amount of that particular pesticide.

If it’s a daily dish, the organic version is therefore something that’s well worth paying more for.

 

 

 

Andrew Times has contributed a number of articles on health and fitness. He also conducts informative classes on these topics.

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With so many things to watch out for today: stress levels, exercise and keeping our brain in shape, it’s easy to forget just how important a balanced diet is. We often hear on TV and in newspapers that getting your five-a-day of fruit and veg can make a difference, but the truth is getting a balanced diet is so much more than that, and it can really pay off! The best part is, a balanced diet can be tasty too. Healthy food and a healthy diet do not have to mean eating rabbit food or a strict weight loss regime. Nutrition is important, and one key aspect of it is using healthy products. This article should have you fit and ready to bounce around on the new trampoline in your garden, or play football in no time!

Eat your greens!

Most people associate the term ‘balanced diet’ with being a child and being told to eat their fruit and vegetables by parents in order to grow up big and strong. Really, this doesn’t ever stop being the case, people just stop realising the benefits. Did you know that a balanced diet won’t just help keep you fit, but can help you concentrate harder and for longer? The benefits of getting a balanced diet are almost limitless, but let’s take a look at what makes a healthy diet first.

Most people are aware of the basic food groups:

Carbohydrates

Fruit and Vegetables

Proteins

Milk and Dairy

Fatty foods

It’s important to balance these foods out, and not have too much of one and too little of the other, to maintain physical and mental wellbeing. Some scientists believe that when you crave a specific food, it can sometimes be your body’s way of telling you you’re lacking a specific protein, vitamin or mineral. Unfortunately, this might not be the case with a jam donut, but a little bit of a treat in moderation won’t hurt! Common tips for a balanced diet including regularly eating fish (sorry vegetarians), drinking lots of water and trying to avoid anything higher than 6g of salt a day.

Moderation is the key

It’s easy to get carried away and focus on the positive aspect of one food group and eat it more than the others. Carbohydrates, such as in bread and rice, are important for our body’s energy levels – however it’s easy to just eat those because they stop us feeling hungry, and let ourselves forget how important proteins or vegetables are. Fruit and vegetables should make up about a third of your daily diet. Obviously, this doesn’t always have to be exactly the case every day, but it’s a great guideline to stick to. Bread, potatoes, rice and pasta should amount to about a third of your daily diet as well, with about a sixth of your diet being protein and another sixth of your ideal daily diet being dairy products. Got that?

Why is a balanced diet so important?

I mentioned earlier that getting a balanced diet will have a big effect on how you feel, and even if you don’t intend on using your new found fitness to jump around on a trampoline you’ll still be able to take advantage of the positives. The risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease is significant reduced, even at an early age, certain types of cancer are less likely to develop and diabetes is also less likely to form. Diets rich in potassium can keep your blood pressure down, diets rich in Vitamin C can quicken the recovery of cuts and bruises and a diet balanced across the food groups will ensure a steady energy release, ensuring that you actually have the energy to go out on the trampoline if you want to!

There’s no easy way of getting a balanced diet

Just like anything worth doing, getting a balanced diet takes a little bit of effort. Most of us will be able to find one aspect of our diet that we could change and make healthier, and for the majority of us getting the balance right will be the best way of doing that. Great tips for keeping a healthy diet is cooking at least one meal a week which definitely has the correct amounts of different food groups in, or ensuring that at least four days a month every meal is a healthy one. Doing a workout and regular exercise as well as eating a healthy diet are the most effective ways of boosting your wellbeing, which can have a knock-on effect in relationships, family life and even your job. Go on, try and make a difference in your diet – I dare you. You might just fall in love with the results.

This article was written by Sarah Hickens on behalf of Trampoline Warehouse. Trampoline Warehouse specialize in professional trampolines Australia for all ages. Sarah is an active parent with a young son who she keeps entertained through a variety of activities and also a seasoned blogger who like to share her ideas and experiences.

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Work, kids, traffic, stress – everyday gets so hectic, it can be hard to maintain a healthy way of life. Here are a few tips which will help you develop better lifestyle habits. Introduce one each week to make things easier. There’s no need to immediately change your entire routine to incorporate 5 mile runs straight away or throw out everything in your fridge to make room for soya milk and mung beans.

Sleep

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Many of us are guilty of getting too little sleep or even too much sleep. There’s no hard and fast rule on how much sleep you ‘must have’, but generally speaking it is between 7 – 9 hours a night, decreasing as you get older. Sleep quality is very important too. Try to avoid falling asleep in front of the TV, you’ll be disturbed by the noise and light. Reading is both relaxing and almost hypnotic, and is far better before bed. Heavy eating or drinking just before turning in isn’t ideal, but a nice warm mug of warm milk or cocoa can help you relax.

Food

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By now, we know we about the recommended five fruit and vegetables a day. Did you know that most experts agree that you need more? Or that those fruit and vegetables should consist of different colours? We’re talking to those people who’ve had 5 portions of orange juice instead!

The different colours denote the different vitamins and minerals in each vegetable – you need lots of different ones. So instead of rattling around full of vitamin supplements, get your nutrients from nature herself! Make as many meals as possible from scratch, so you know exactly what is going in your body.

Water

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Life’s essence itself, our bodies are made up of 60% water, while our brains have 70%. Two litres of water a day is what the professionals advise, but if you live or work in an air-conditioned or humid environment, you’ll need more. Think of it as topping up your brain power – you’d water your garden in a drought and your brain is no different!

Exercise

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According to the government, only 37% of men and 24% of women get enough exercise. You need to be aiming to do a minimum of 30 minutes moderate exercise, five days a week. If this seems like too much right now, start off smaller and work towards this. Soon enough you’ll find that the feeling you get from exercise (naturally released endorphins) make you want to do more anyway. If you are pregnant or older you might want to take advice from your GP or physician.
You don’t necessarily need to join a gym. Moderate exercise is anything that makes you warm and slightly out of breath. So, a lot of exercise comes from day-to-day activities. Gardening, for example, is a productive form of work out.

Happy Mind

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A healthy mind begets a healthy body. If you are feeling down, you are less likely to exercise or eat healthily and vice versa. It’s a bit of a chicken-and-egg situation, but start one and the other will come effortlessly. Banish apathy by doing some feel-good brain training. Write down all the negative things in your life and work out how to fix them. If it’s negative people, try and distance yourself as best you can, until you’re strong enough to deal with them. If it’s your job, look into how you might start a new career.

Ultimately, you probably already know which aspects in your life need improving. Start to take a few baby steps, and you’ll be jogging in no time!

If you are thinking of adopting a more healthy lifestyle? Visit PrezzyBox who sell Electronic Cigarettes.

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Medical treatment has come a long way with the use of technology. Doctors and other medical practitioners are able to save more lives today by using medical devices that were not available a few decades ago. Today, people can live longer and healthier lives – all thanks to medical technology. It has been shown in many instances that people whom a few years ago would have been declared disabled or chronically ill are now able to live productive lives to the fullest with medical advancement.

(Photo credits: Alex E. Proimos)

As medical devices become better and more efficient, many people are benefiting in different ways.  Some common health conditions that have led to a large number of fatalities are becoming more manageable and people are living longer, even with these health conditions.

1. Heart conditions

Heart diseases have become very common around the world and they are responsible for many deaths. To reduce the number of deaths caused by heart attacks, doctors are coming up with new ways to manage cardiovascular conditions. Coronary stents or artificial tubes are used to keep arteries open, which helps people with coronary heart disease from suffering heart attacks. A defibrillator can also be implanted in patients who are at risk of getting heart attacks. This device gives them a very high chance of surviving cardiac arrest.

2. Diabetes

Diabetes is another condition that has become increasingly common. Many people suffer from this disease, which in many cases is because of lifestyle changes. Treating diabetes places a huge burden on individuals, families and the entire health system. The availability of technology has made the process of monitoring blood glucose more convenient.

(Photo credits: rachellynnae©)

Many devices in the market allow those living with the disease to monitor their condition regularly, which helps in effective management. This reduces the risk of people getting common complications like blindness, and prevents death in many situations.

3. Surgical procedures

Advances in medical technology have benefited people undergoing surgical procedures. Surgeons are able to perform procedures that were previously considered to be impossible. Today, surgeons are able to perform surgery without operating or opening up the patient. The technology allows the surgeons to see exactly what they are doing. The use of lasers and other minimally invasive techniques allow the patients to recover much faster, and the results are much more successful.

4. Tissue engineering

Today, transplants have become safer and much more successful due to the use or advanced technology. Doctors are able to implant artificial body parts that can help to save lives. From skin, to internal organs, doctors are able to replace damaged parts or tissue with new ones. People can go on to have normal lives after going through tragic accidents or incidents.

5. Enhanced diagnosis

Technology has allowed medical experts to be able to come up with fast and accurate diagnosis. The ability to carry out tests that are more complex has allowed the practitioners to know exactly what they are dealing with. A few years ago, many people suffered or even died due to misdiagnosis. Today, the cases are much more rare because technology is available to carry out intensive tests. This has also led to improved detection and doctors are able to catch or detect issues before they become full-blown problems.

6. Radiation

Treatment of cancer and other diseases has been made possible through the use of technology. By using radiation, doctors are able to kill harmful cells in the human body. People who have had cancer have gone on to live long healthy lives after going through radiation treatment. The equipment used in the radiation has become much safer than it was a few years ago, which leads to less side effects.

(Photo credits: justOneMoreBook)

7. Patient care

Taking care of patients within health institutions has been enhanced through the use of medical technology. Healthcare professionals are able to provide the appropriate treatment that promotes overall wellness of the patients. Effective and appropriate care is applied in the management of different diseases, which allows people to get better faster. Hospital stays have become shorter and more comfortable for patients.

As technology continues to bring about innovations, it is clear that the medical field is one of the largest beneficiaries. People are now living for longer after diseases that were previously difficult to treat or manage have been controlled. Manufacturers are using advanced technology to create devices or equipment that can be used to effectively manage many different medical conditions. All I can say is that the future will certainly continue to look brighter for those involved in this industry!

Chad is a writer who enjoys blogging about different topics ranging from medical manufacturing to product engineering.

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For expecting mothers, the time from the beginning of their first-trimester to the end of the pregnancy can seem simultaneously thrilling and terrifying. With so many changes happening so quickly, it can become difficult for a woman enjoying her first pregnancy to understand what’s going on.

A woman’s first trimester alone will bring a number of expected and unexpected changes. While most soon-to-be mothers will expect their waistline to expand, it can comes as a surprise to many when their breasts begin to feel fuller and more tender. Frequent nausea, food aversions, fatigue, and occasional shortness of breath are all symptoms a woman may experience during her first-trimester and on throughout the pregnancy.

With so many constant changes going on in a woman’s body during pregnancy, it can be difficult for some woman to feel confident in their appearance. Keeping that in mind, here are a few helpful tips that will keep you looking and feeling your best during pregnancy.

Aglow

It’s not uncommon to hear that a pregnant woman carries a glow about her, and with good reason. Pregnant woman’s skin produces more oil and the body enjoys greater blood flow. Combined, this can give pregnant woman an almost radiant appearance. However, the physical changes that provide a woman her healthy glow can also cause a number of other less desirable skin conditions, including frequent breakouts, itchy skin, stretch marks, and melasma, which causes the facial skin to become discolored. To help deal with these symptoms, try using moisturizing lotion to soothe itchy skin and stretch marks. Make sure you check with your doctor prior to using any acne medications.

Stay Active

The further along a woman gets in her pregnancy, the less active she probably feels like being. However, staying active during pregnancy helps to provide you with more energy and keeps the body prepared for childbirth. As long as your doctor doesn’t recommend against it, pregnant women should strive for at least 20 to 30 minutes of exercise a day.  Low impact exercises such as swimming or walking are ideal for maintaining health and mobility while pregnant. Check with you doctor if you want to get a little more physical during your pregnancy prior to running, performing aerobics, or lifting weights. Always drink plenty of water while exercising and stop immediately if you begin to feel light-headed or dizzy.

Stay Loose

A little pampering can go a long way during a pregnancy. An afternoon at the spa can be the perfect remedy to relieve tension and help to soothe muscle aches and pains. To ensure you receive the right kind of treatment, find a therapist that has their prenatal massage certification, and always clear any type of spa treatments with your doctor. Between massages, try practicing yoga to help keep your body, and mind, relaxed. Yoga will also help to improve your balance as your center of gravity continues to shift. Look for DVDs that teach pregnancy yoga or attend classes specifically designed for pregnant woman to avoid an injury.

Managing Makeup

As covered earlier, the increase of hormones your body produces can dramatically alter your skin’s appearance. This could make it necessary for you to change you makeup routine. If you’re suffering from dry skin, try using a cream or liquid foundation, or use blush or a powder foundation if you’re dealing with oily skin. You can also use concealer to even up skin tone or to cover up any dark circles that begin to form under your eyelids. However, just make sure you avoid using any cosmetic product that contains mercury.

Healthy Eating Habits

During your pregnancy, you’ll probably need to consumer between 100 to 300 extra calories a day. Where you get those extra calories can make a big difference in how you look and feel. Try making health decisions on what you eat by increasing your consumption of whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and plenty of protein, either from lean meat or beans and dairy products. Make sure you don’t skip breakfast and feel free to snack healthily throughout the day. Try to avoid foods that contain raw or undercooked meats or eggs, and fish high in mercury. Eating a little protein at night before bed can also help to reduce feelings of nausea in the morning. 

Timothy Lemke blogs about health and fitness for Dr. Pari Samani, a dentist in Tigard OR at Tualatin Dental Care. 

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How ironical…isn’t it? Earlier you used to be so afraid that you would get pregnant, but now when you want to get pregnant and are trying so hard for it, you’re left with just one question in your mind – “why can’t I get pregnant?”

To find an answer to this question, it is important for you to understand that pregnancy depends not just on your body but also on a number of factors. One such factor is the way you are having sex. The sexual position should be such that the sperm is released close to the cervix – as close as it is possible.

Not many people believe that sexual position has anything to do with getting pregnant. But the position in which you are having sex determines how quickly the sperm meets the egg or flows out. Having said this, 4 sexual positions are given below that will help you best when you are trying to get pregnant.

1. The Missionary – This is the most common position in which the man is on the top. It allows for deep penetration and the sperm is released very close to the cervical opening.

2. Elevated Hips – Placing a pillow beneath the woman’s hips raises her hips and therefore, when the man releases his sperm inside her, the flow of the sperm to the cervix is easy and it does not flow out of the vagina.

3. Side-by-Side – Lie down side-by side with the man when you are having sex and the man is penetrating. This position exposes the cervix to the sperm, thereby increasing the chances of pregnancy.

4. Doggy Style – In this position, the man penetrates the woman’s vagina from the rear. When the semen is released, it is deposited very close to the cervix. Also, the chance of the semen flowing out is very less. This enhances your chances of conceiving.

Apart from these positions, the man must also take care that the woman achieves orgasm. While one reason is that the woman is satisfied and happy, the other more logical reason is that female orgasms contract the vaginal muscles, pushing the sperm inside the cervix.

It is fun to experiment when you are having sex. You would surely like to try out different positions but when you are trying to get pregnant, it is best to stick to positions that expose the cervix to the sperm. Positions like sitting down or standing up result in the sperm flowing out and there are no chances of conception.

Also, have sex when the woman is ovulating. The period of ovulation is two weeks prior to the next period, that is, 14 days.

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