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If you’re a TTCer, you might already have your sperm basics down. It remains viable for days after sex, it doesn’t love hot water, it’s loaded with protein. But it doesn’t always do it’s job. Now, researchers are combating male infertility with a synthetic version of that protein , known as PAWP. Sometimes, a guy’s sperm is unable to activate an egg to start forming an embryo. But with an extra boost of PAWP — a protein required for the fertilization process — the success rates of infertility treatments could increase....

You’ve probably heard stories about someone giving birth on their closet floor or in their car on the way to the hospital. It goes something like this: Contractions came on fast and furious, and before they knew it, baby made a sudden and dramatic debut. It sounds like a scene out of a movie, but what are the odds of actually experiencing precipitous labor (aka a really speedy one)? While it’s not the most routine turn of events, it’s actually more common than you may think....

Motherhood is ah-mazing, right? Riiight! And it’s messy and bewildering. And sometimes you want to hide in the linen closet from your kids. But it’s totally beautiful! And if you’re Shayna Ferm, you turn your life as as a Denver mom into song — hilarious “parentally incorrect” songs that you perform onstage to audiences across the country alongside MC Doula (Tracey Tee). Meet the hosts of the Pump and Dump Show, the duo who remind moms they’re doing a great job, and so what if your kid won’t eat the yummy-for-his-tummy sweet potato mash… that’s now mostly in your hair?...

The sex of a baby is determined by two sex chromosomes inherited from both the genetic parents. A baby will normally inherit one sex chromosome from the mother and one from the father. A woman has two X chromosomes and thus gives either of her X chromosomes. The father has one X chromosome and one Y chromosome, can give either his X or Y chromosome. The egg (from the mother) already contains an X chromosome....

Bleeding in your first trimester can be scary and your first thought might be that you’re having a miscarriage, but that’s not necessarily the case. While it’s important to call your doctor, it’s just as important to first sit down, relax and breathe for a minute. About 20 to 30 percent of women experience bleeding in the first trimester, but only about half of this number actually miscarry. So what else could it be?...

From awkward first interviews to relying on friends for personal recommendations, finding the right OB is kind of like dating. You want the doctor-patient relationship to be perfect. And most important, you want it to last. And while your OB knows you inside and out (literally), it’s also important to realize that you always have permission to call it quits. “Don’t feel guilty,” says Faith Tanney, PhD, a psychologist in private practice in Washington, DC....

When it comes to prenatal fitness, a lot of moms-to-be aren’t sure about what’s safe and what to avoid—and as a result, wind up not exercising very much during their pregnancy. Those who didn’t exercise regularly before becoming pregnant are usually afraid to start something new, and those who were active before are often nervous to continue. Don’t sweat it. Here are some tips to get you started on a pregnancy-safe fitness routine that works for you....

Types of Baby Swings Swing. A baby swing is a padded seat suspended from a sturdy frame. It can move side to side, back to front or in a circular pattern, and mimics the feeling of being rocked in a caregiver’s arms. Baby swings tend to be larger than other options and are often powered by a battery or electricity. Rocker. An automated baby rocker is essentially a miniature version of an adult rocking chair....

Simultaneous dining is highly recommended if you plan on getting any sleep for the next few months, or finding time to do much more than be a feeding and burping machine. It can be challenging at first but will greatly simplify your life once you get the hang of it. There are several methods for coordinating feedings, but with any of them, just remember to take frequent burping breaks. Use a twin baby pillow....

Converting a small space into a nursery is hardly a unique challenge. But when you’re dealing with New York City apartments, that challenge can feel like mission impossible—even when you work in interior design. Meet Elizabeth Brown, CEO of an interior design marketplace called Viyet. With the help of Margaret Ash Design, she transformed her narrow home office into a bright, classic nursery for her baby boy, Theo. Here, she shares her tips about what to prioritize in a small space....

Where to start Personal recommendations Arguably, the best place to start is with a personal recommendation, says Leah Clarkson, cofounder of NannyTrack. Ask friends, family members, coworkers and your postnatal yoga pals which sitters they’ve used and liked, and you’re already on the right track for weeding out those who wouldn’t work. Of course, just because someone recommended a sitter to you doesn’t mean they’re the right one for your family....

For all the information out there about how to support and congratulate someone who’s newly pregnant, there isn’t much guidance on what to do or say when someone close to you experiences a miscarriage. How do you handle it? What should you say? Even more complicated are the cases where you didn’t even know the couple was expecting. Just remember that a miscarriage is still a loss, no matter how early it happens....

Bringing baby home from the hospital calls for more than a decked-out nursery or piles of diapers and onesies. Let’s just say, the first few weeks of parenthood are going to be amazing and exhausting—and your physical and mental fortitude will be put to the test. But with such a strong emphasis put on labor and delivery prep, you may have overlooked the concept of creating a postpartum plan. It’s not required, but your “new normal” will feel much more manageable with a strategy in place and support lined up....

Creating a family is not an easy task when you’re gay. My wife and I faced a series of challenges when it came to making babies, one of which was choosing a sperm donor. At first it seemed like it’d be an easy task, but in reality, it wasn’t. But despite the difficult and pivotal process, the donor we wound up selecting is just that—a donor, not our children’s dad. I won’t go into detail about our fertility journey, because that’s a whole other story....

I recently read an article about Mattel’s attempts to boost the sagging sales of their Hot Wheels line by targeting moms and “teaching” them how to play cars with their sons, thinking that this will make them more likely to buy them for their kids. Really? We need formal lessons? Admittedly, I am a total girly-girl who grew up with a sister and was obsessed with Barbies, so I never played with a Tonka truck or Matchbox car until my son was born....

When I was getting ready to have my first baby, I had all the typical first-time mom feelings. I couldn’t stop daydreaming about what her face would look like and how she would feel in my arms. As a new mom, you wonder what it will be like to bring home a baby. You’re nervous about how labor will feel. You read a ton of information, put a bassinet next to your bed and pack your hospital bags....

Meet Dina DiMaggio, MD, and Anthony F. Porto MD, MPH, official spokespeople for the American Academy of Pediatrics and the co-authors of The Pediatrician’s Guide to Feeding Babies and Toddlers. Each month, they’ll write about the latest AAP guidelines, studies and seasonal issues affecting babies and toddlers. Follow them on Instagram @pediatriciansguide. Summer is nearly over and kids are returning to school. Though it may seem too early to start thinking about colder weather and the flu season, it is important that every child 6 months and older receive the flu vaccine as soon as it is available, even in early September, and ideally by the end of October....

As a new mom breastfeeding twins, the first few months were rough for me. I definitely felt like a prisoner in my own body (and home) at times. Getting out of the house was hard enough, and I also felt pressure to get back home before the next feeding to avoid a scene. I have to say, my life change dramatically when I became comfortable nursing in public. Here are some tips to help you nurse with ease on the go:...

You’ve seen babies oh-so-intuitively swiping iPads and toddlers who have the DVR down to a science, all while you stand there wondering why the remote decided not to work today. A new study out of the University of California, Berkeley may have determined why: kids are better at learning than adults. More accurately, kids are able to think more fluidly than adults. That’s the verdict from Alison Gopnik, PhD, who led the study....

Whether you’re about to pop or you just found out you’re expecting, there’s no better way to show the world (and the ‘gram!) how you’re feeling than with a letter board. From your first bouts of morning sickness to the first time you feel the flutter of baby moving, the letter board is the ultimate way to relay your ever-evolving symptoms and emotions. Plus, there’s nothing that’ll make you feel better about your swollen toes and many, many trips to the bathroom than a whole community of moms-to-be who are in the exact same boat....