The Best Time To Try For A Baby? Large-Scale Study Finds December Conceptions Result In High Birth Rates
Apparently This Is The Best Time Of Year To Try For A Baby
Amy Packham— The Huffington Post UK
This Christmas could be about more than just presents and booze, as a new, large-scale study has revealed December is the best time to try for a baby.
Researchers studied 270,000 pregnancies between 2004 and 2009 and found babies conceived in December resulted in the highest birth rates.
There were three extra babies surviving per every 200 pregnancies compared with those conceived in the summer months, according to the researchers at Indiana University.
Offering a explanation, Dr Paul Winchester, who led the research team, said mothers who conceive in December or January receive high levels of sunshine at a late stage of their pregnancy.
This raises the level of vitamin D they get, which promotes a healthy birth.
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Dr Winchester, who was speaking at the annual American Society for Reproductive Medicine meeting, said high levels of pesticides sprayed on crops during the summer may play a part in the “toxic June effect”.
He said mothers who conceive in June at at their "most vulnerable stage" and they were more likely to have shorter pregnancies and premature babies.
They also said this could be because summer pregnant mothers absorb more Vitamin D from sunshine in the latter parts of their pregnancy, which is important for maintaining healthy bones and is thought to protect against cancer, type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis.
To have a summer pregnancy, women will have to conceive around December/January.
It's Probably Different Than What You're Thinking(01 of12)
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Gone are the days when sex stores sat at the edge of town and had big XXX signs out front. “There are lots of amazing stores that try to make the process of buying sex toys less intimidating and more fun,” says sex therapist Vanessa Marin. "Places like Good Vibrations, Toys in Babeland, and Smitten Kitten are all clean, well-lit, and staffed by incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and sex-positive employees.” (credit:Hemera Technologies via Getty Images)
Canada Has A Great Selection of Sex Shops(03 of12)
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In Toronto, check out Good For Her . In Montreal, pop by Boutiques Erotika. Eastern Canadians can hit Our Pleasure in St. John’s or Venus Envy in Halifax. Out west you’ve got great options like The Traveling Tickle Trunk in Edmonton and Love Nest [http://lovenestonline.com] in Winnipeg. Calgary has A Little More Interesting, and in Vancouver, check out Honey Gifts. Other national highlights are Wicked Wanda’s in Ottawa, Northbound Leather in Toronto, and Priape in Montreal. (credit:Love Nest/Facebook)
Do Your Research (04 of12)
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Not sure what you’d like to pick up when you get to the store? That’s what Google is for! "Review sites can be wonderful for getting multiple perspectives on a toy before making an investment,” Marin says. "I think it's great to read a couple of different reviews, since everyone likes different things when it comes to their toys.” She personally likes the funny and straightforward (and NSFW) reviews from Oh Joy Sex Toy and A Roll in the Hay. (credit:Portra via Getty Images)
Research isn’t just important in order to get your money’s worth — it’s also a matter of consumer safety. "Most people don't know that there's not a lot of regulation in the sex toy industry, so many of the toys out on the market are not actually safe to use in and on your body,” Marin says. For example, many jelly toys have phthalates, which are suspected hormone disruptors. (credit:shutterstock)
Avoid Novelty Toys(07 of12)
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Unsure how to suss out if something’s safe? "A very easy rule of thumb is to avoid toys that say 'for novelty use only,’” Marin says. "That’s a sign that the toy is not safe to put in your body.” It’s one thing if it’s a gag gift, or a product like sexy dice, but another entirely if it’s something you’ll be putting near your genitals. Look for materials like glass, stainless steel, and medical-grade silicone to indicate a higher-quality product, she says. (credit:Anastasiya Maksymenko via Getty Images)
Know That You Can Just Browse(08 of12)
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Ease any nerves by deciding that you won’t buy anything on your first visit. "If you're feeling nervous about the experience, decide beforehand that you'll just browse” Marin suggests. "Take the pressure off of yourselves to describe what you're looking for or to make a purchase.” After all, she points out, you can always head back later that day if you change your mind. (credit:Jupiterimages via Getty Images)
Use Testers(09 of12)
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That is, pick them up, press buttons, smell them, etc. Test models are out on the floor for a reason, and it’s okay to investigate more closely. See if a product feels comfortable in your hand, appears well made, appeals to you visually, or just seems fun. (credit:Lou Jones via Getty Images)
Online Is Also An Option (10 of12)
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If you don’t have a good adult-toy shop nearby, or just can’t get up the nerve to walk in the door, there’s always the option of purchasing online. Many of the stores already mentioned have e-commerce options. Marin herself recommends Filthy Dirty. "It's a woman-owned retailer that only stocks high-quality, body-safe toys, and places an emphasis on educating their customers,” she says. Marin is the store’s current guest curator; you can see her picks on the site. (credit:Stuart Jenner via Getty Images)
If It Seems Too Good To Be True... (11 of12)
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It probably is, at least when it comes to price. Marin warns that some online mass retailers sell counterfeit sexual products that aren’t necessarily good quality or safe. "If the price is significantly cheaper than it is on other websites, it's probably too good to be true,” she says. (credit:Anthony Lee via Getty Images)
If All Else Fails, Buy Lube(12 of12)
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Marin says she loves recommending lubricants to couples. And the right lubricant can truly be a sexual game-changer. Best of all, you can pick one up for less than $20. It’s hard to go wrong there! (credit:shutterstock)