While there is no guarantee that these fun tricks will produce truthful results, it is a fun way to guess your little bundle of joys identity before the big reveal! Keep in mind, these tricks are strictly for fun – there is no medical evidence that these tricks produce actual results!

One great trick is all about position; if the baby is carried in the womb high, then it’s a girl! If the baby sits lower, then you might be having a little boy.

Next time you visit your OB/GYN, listen to baby’s heartbeat and ask her to tell you what the heart rate is. According to legend, 140+ beats per minute indicates a girl, and below 140 a boy.

Your cravings might just tell you what you are having. Ice cream and sweets might just say that a little girl is on her way, while salty foods could indicate it’s a boy.

The Chinese Birth Chart uses the age you conceived and the month of conception as an indicator of the gender of your baby. The internet offers several free or paid versions to try!

The Drano Method has become very popular in recent years. Using a urine sample and a tablespoon of Drano, a green after color means a girl while a blue color means boy.

Similar to the Chinese Birth Chart, legend has it that the Mayans determined a baby’s sex by looking at the mother’s age at conception and the year of conception. If both are even or odd, it’s a girl. If one’s even and one’s odd, it’s a boy.

Great method to use on a friend! Place a key in front of your expecting friend. If she grabs it by the narrow part, she’s in for sugar and spice. If she picks it up by the round part, it’s snips and snails.

If you’re breaking out like crazy, blame it on your little girl. The belief is that little girls steal their mother’s beauty, causing mom to break out!

Use your wedding ring as a tell tale sign. Tie your ring to a string and see which way it swings. If it swings in a circular motion, you are in for a little boy. If it swings back and forth, expect a little girl.

Cases of morning sickness have indicated that you are having a little girl, while little to no morning sickness could mean that you are having a boy.

One of the most dreaded pregnancy symptoms is nausea, also known as morning sickness. On the plus side, nausea is usually a sign that the mother’s body is producing an adequate amount of hormones. On the negative side, there’s the seemingly never-ending, inconvenient and sometimes dangerous nausea and vomiting that can make it difficult to keep anything down.

Nausea during pregnancy is most prevalent during the first trimester when hormone levels are rising.  The drop in nausea is directly related to a slowing production of certain pregnancy hormones.  When hormone levels stop climbing, the nausea stops for most women. Other women, however, experience nausea and vomiting throughout their entire pregnancy.

It is most important during this time to consume frequent small meals and try to avoid any foods that may trigger an attack.  It has been reported that for some women eating potato chips and drinking lemonade has helped to ease nausea symptoms. 

Besides being inconvenient, nausea and vomiting during pregnancy can sometimes be dangerous. Serious nausea and vomiting during pregnancy can result in a condition known as hyperemesis, the condition Kate Middleton was diagnosed with, which is typically diagnosed when a woman has lost at least 10% of her body weight because of nausea and vomiting. If you experience significant nausea and vomiting, you can become dehydrated and your electrolytes balance may become imbalanced – which can be dangerous for everyone. The usual treatment for this is a combination of anti-nausea medications and intravenous fluids to replace the fluids you have lost. You may need to be placed in the hospital temporarily for treatment or some women who have long-term hyperemesis may receive home health and complete IV therapies at home.

In addition, there are a number of ways to handle nausea during pregnancy. No one method works for every mother to be – some methods work better than others and some methods work for a while then stop. Keep trying to find something that works for you, and talk to your doctor if nausea and vomiting are becoming particularly problematic.

The old standard advice of saltine crackers and ginger ale is still valid, as the saltiness of the crackers helps to settle the stomach for some women, while some women find that potato chips work better. In addition, although ginger ale contains only minimal amounts of ginger, ginger has long been utilized to help ease a troublesome tummy. Some studies suggest that ingesting large amounts of ginger during pregnancy can cause problems, so you may want to be cautious. For some women, just the scent of ginger can be calming, as can the scent of fresh lemons.

If you are experiencing morning sickness, call your Healthy Woman physician and consult about at-home remedies and other options during your pregnancy.

If you feel like your stomach’s sailing the high seas on a wet and wild adventure you didn’t sign up for, you’re probably ready to jump ship and try just about anything to quell the swell of your morning sickness.

The times you’re feeling most washed ashore often coincide with baby’s most important developmental milestones, so the only remedies you want to go overboard with are natural ones that won’t harm you or your bubbling bundle of joy.

Try the following to curb the crashing waves of your stomach:

In the Morning

• Keep crackers on your nightstand to take a few bites of when you get up in the morning, or if you wake up feeling nauseated in the middle of the night.

• Rest for a while after you wake up but before you get out of bed. When you do get out, move slowly.

• Have a glass of water first thing in the morning. Adding a couple of teaspoons of apple cider vinegar can help.

Throughout the Day

• Keep sipping fluids throughout the day. Water is great, especially with a slice of lemon (just getting a whiff of lemon helps reduce nausea for some). If you’re vomiting, replace those lost electrolytes with a sports drink or a frozen fruit bar, which can be easier on the stomach.

• Eat small, frequent meals. You never want to be overly full or have an empty stomach, so by eating a little bit throughout the day, you’ll keep the optimal amount of food in your system.

• Stay away from spicy, acidic, fatty and fried foods. Bland foods without a pungent odor are likely your best bet.

• As much as you can, stay in well-ventilated rooms and avoid being around strong odors. Many women develop a superpower-like enhanced sense of smell at the beginning of pregnancy, so opening windows and keeping a fan blowing can help stave off nausea.

Other Tips

• Ginger ale is a popular way to settle stomachs, but ginger tea is even better. Other herbal teas, like chamomile, lemon and peppermint, can also help.

• Acupressure wrist bands commonly sold to cruise ship passengers and others worried about motion sickness might come in handy for morning sickness as well.

• Always take your vitamins with food. B6 is one that helps some pregnant women with nausea—talk to your doctor about what dosage is appropriate for you.

A journey of 40 weeks of pregnancy begins with one doctor’s visit—one that will be indelibly etched in your memory and part of the fabric of your family’s folklore forever.

Here, Healthy Woman Dr. Borislava Burt gives us the inside scoop on the many medical milestones of pregnancy from verifying that you are indeed pregnant to the ultrasound that can show you the sex of the baby to the not-so-beloved glucose test (gulp!) and beyond.

Pregnancy is an amazing event that culminates in the most wondrous gift of all: the birth of your child. Being pregnant is indeed amazing, but it can also be confusing especially for a first time mom-to-be. Besides the myriad of questions that continually pop up into your head (What type of food should I eat; What are the best vitamins to take?; Can I drink coffee or color my hair?), many women wonder about how soon they should see their doctor and what to expect from visit to visit.

Here’s what to really expect when you are expecting:

The Dating Scene

Accurate dating is of the essence in managing pregnancy. There’s a lot more to it than just knowing your due date. For a doctor, a patient’s estimated due date is very important for monitoring fetal development and knowing when to interfere if something is worrisome. Most patients may not realize that the earlier the due date is established, the more accurate it is. The best time to see your doctor is at approximately six to seven  weeks after the first day of your last menstrual period. Dating is done based on your cycle as well as an ultrasound.

First Things First

Once your pregnancy and due date are confirmed, your first visit will involve you and your doctor discussing your medical history along with a full physical examination. Your doctor will try to identify any factors in your health that may pose certain risks during your pregnancy, such as a history of preexisting elevated blood pressures or diabetes. The first visit will also incude baseline pregnancy blood testing as well as referrals for ultrasounds. Blood work will assess your level of immunity and/or exposure to certain infections, such as hepatitis and rubella, as well as establish your blood type and check whether you have anemia.

Testing! Testing!

Thanks to modern science, you will also be offered testing for some of the more common chromosomal anomalies, such as Down syndrome. This can be done via blood tests and/or ultrasound or more invasive testing, such as amniocentesis or CVS (chorionic villous sampling). Predictability of these tests ranges anywhere between 76 to 100 percent, depending on the method chosen.

Ultra Cool

At roughly 20 weeks into your pregnancy, you will be scheduled for a very detailed ultrasound, which, besides giving you a glimpse of your little miracle, will check to make sure that all fingers and toes are there as well as assess the rest of his or her anatomy. This is also the most common time to find out whether the stork will be dropping off a little boy or a little girl on your doorstep.

Oh, Sugar!

Several weeks later, more blood work will be done, including the dreaded glucose testing. But have no fear ladies, it’s really not that bad – drink it cold and fast and it will be over before you know it.

The Heart of the Matter

Then soon to follow are more frequent physical examinations in order to assess whether your body is getting ready for delivery. And as for the rest—all those questions and concerns—your doctor will be sure to address them all and give you the guidance you seek. From the first visit to the last, your doctor will be there with you every step of the way—through the nausea, through the weight gain, through the heartburn, through the uncomfortable and sometimes incessant nudging underneath your ribcage. But despite all that, you will forever remain in wonder of this beautiful, indeed amazing process of pregnancy—and you will never tire of hearing the galloping, thumping sound of another human being’s heart inside your beautifully growing belly.

About Borislava Burt-Libo, D.O.

Dr. Borislava Burt-Libo grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y. She graduated magna cum laude from New York University with a major in psychology and a minor in biology. She then received her medical degree from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, where her medical education emphasized administering to each patient as a whole individual and caring for one’s health and well-being comprehensively and thoroughly, rather than treating just one symptom at a time. Dr. Burt then completed her residency training in obstetrics and gynecology at Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn and went on to practice in a private setting in Brooklyn and Manhattan for two years. Dr. Burt now lives in New Jersey with her husband and two children. She is fluent in Russian.

In fact, that is the question you’ve probably wondered at least a few times in your life.

The symptoms of pregnancy are not always so easy to decipher and can often be confused with the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and a host of other conditions.

But, before you panic and worry that you’ll wind up on “I Didn’t Know I Was Pregnant,” take comfort in knowing that there are a few tell-tale ways (and one very certain way) to know if you are indeed expecting.

Implantation Bleeding

Implantation bleeding (spotting) can be one of the first signs of pregnancy, occurring anywhere from six to 12 days after conception when the embryo implants itself into the uterine wall. Often confused with actual menstruation, especially when it’s accompanied by cramping, implantation bleeding usually only lasts a day or two.

Missed or Delayed Period

There are many potential causes of a missed or delayed menstruation, including excessive weight gain or loss, hormonal imbalances, stress, cessation of the birth control pill and even travel; however, a missed period is the most common pregnancy symptom, especially if you are usually regular.

Abdominal Bloating

Another symptom associated with PMS, abdominal bloating is a very common symptom of early pregnancy. Caused by rapid hormonal changes, bloating rarely signals pregnancy to unwitting women who automatically chalk it up to their regular menstrual cycle woes.

Swollen and/or Tender Breasts

Also caused by rising levels of hormones and associated with PMS, a hormonal imbalance and side effects of the birth control pill, swollen, sensitive or sore breasts may be experienced as early as one to two weeks after conception. Breast discomfort usually fades after the first trimester when your body has adjusted to the hormonal changes.

Fatigue

Feeling tired (or exhausted, as many women report) can happen almost immediately after conception. The good news is that the fatigue (usually) subsides by the start of the second trimester when many women report a very welcomed surge in energy.

Frequent Urination

Often occurring six to eight weeks after conception, frequent urination can continue (or intensify) over the course of your pregnancy. Hormonal changes lead to a raise in the rate of blood flow through the kidneys which causes the bladder to fill up faster.

Nausea or Morning Sickness

This oft-mentioned and very common sign of pregnancy usually begins between two to eight weeks after conception. While most women (about half) shake this dreaded symptom by the beginning of their second trimester, it continues a good month or two longer for others and during their entire pregnancy for an unfortunate few. Let it be noted that morning sickness is not just confined to the AM hours; it can last all throughout the day in many cases.

Heightened Sense of Smell

Many newly pregnant women experience an increased sensitivity to odors—and subsequent repulsion to them. Thought to be caused by the rapid increase of estrogen, this sensitivity can create an all-out aversion to certain foods, including former favorites.

A Sustained Spike in Your Basal Body Temperature

If your body temperature stays elevated for 18 days in a row (as compared to previously charted readings), you can almost be positive that you are pregnant.

Aches and Pains

Headaches, backaches and other dull but nagging pains are a common experience during early pregnancy and throughout the full forty weeks.

Want proof positive—or pretty darn positive? A home pregnancy test (the good ones report being 99% accurate) are a near-definitive way to detect pregnancy. Many, however, are not sensitive enough to identify pregnancy until a week (or more) after a missed period, so if you suspect you are pregnant but the results show otherwise, be sure to test again a few days later.

Once that positive result is in hand, be sure to call your OB to schedule an appointment so you can know for certain if baby is going to make three.

And guess what? There’s also a lot to know before you get pregnant.

So, if you’re thinking about getting pregnant or newly pregnant, please join the Healthy Woman doctors on Tuesday, June 21 from 7 to 8 pm at CentraState Medical Center (Star and Barry Tobias Ambulatory Campus Conference Center, Room C, 901 West Main Street, Freehold) for the inside scoop on what you need to know to prepare for pregnancy.

The evening’s hot topics include:

• What to expect at your preconception visit with your OB
• Exercise, immunizations, and lifestyle changes before pregnancy
• Nutrition, prenatal vitamins and supplements
• Understanding fertility, ovulation and conception
• Identifying and managing risk factors
• CentraState’s childbirth and parenting classes, including CPR

Baby-on-the-brain bonus: It’s free!

Register here.

What’s the Boy Scouts’ motto? Be prepared? Yeah, that sounds about right. Be prepared—we think they’re on to something.

We are looking forward to seeing you on the 21st!

It can be hard to stomach breakfast when you are pregnant if you are suffering from morning sickness. The last thing you feel like doing is eating. Ironically, eating  is the best thing for your morning sickness, provided you eat the right types of food. It used to be that experts always suggested saltine crackers  or something similar, and some still do, but recently it has been found that foods high in protein tend to have a bigger impact on morning sickness than foods high in carbohydrates. Many women have good luck with eating fruit as well, so an easy way to get protein into your breakfast without making you sick to your stomach is to create a high protein  breakfast smoothie. Use your favorite fruits, yogurt for calcium and protein powder, mixing it all up in a blender with ice for a delicious smoothie that will help fight queasiness throughout your morning routine.

Here is a sample recipe for you to try:

1 to 2 scoops vanilla whey powder 1 cup strawberries 1 Banana 1 cup ice 1 cup vanilla or strawberry yogurt, depending on how fruity you want your smoothie to taste.

Blend all the ingredients in a blender until smooth.

If you can handle the taste and texture of eggs, that is another way to get protein into your breakfast. Peanut butter is another great source of protein, but you should probably avoid it if there is a family history of a peanut allergy. Other sources of protein include: meat, fish, poultry, dairy and beans, as well as seeds and other nuts.