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Ask A Nurse
Before Getting Pregnant

Birth Control

How long do I need to wait after going off the pill?

Conception

How old is too old to have a baby?
I'm late but the test was negative, could I still be pregnant?
Could a tugging sensation indcate I'm pregnant?
We just had a miscarriage, my system is out of whack, we need help!
I'm afraid we won't get pregnant, what can I do?
Can you get pregnant just a few days after your period?

35 & Over

How old is too old to have a baby?

Period Problems

Can working out delay your period?

Sperm

Does oral sex effect the temperature of sperm?

Shirley Wingate, RNC, CD, is an OB/GYN nurse with 12 years experience as an obstetrical nurse and childbirth educator. She is certified as a specialist in women's health and is an experienced labor and postpartum doula in private practice. She is the founder and director of "Birth Matters Inc." a prenatal and parenting resource and support center. Throughout her career she has been involved in developing, teaching and expanding services in the community to educate families and support them as they face the changes, challenges and choices that childbearing brings.

She feels that childbirth is a normal, natural and wondrous occasion and has confidence in a woman's ability to listen to her body and trust her instincts during childbirth. She believes that a laboring mothers thoughts, ideas and concerns should be given the utmost respect and feels that all women are entitled to a positive birth experience with rich rewards and feelings of accomplishment. She has been published in "The International Journal of Childbirth Education" and was a contributor to Polly Perez and Deaun Thelan's book on doula programs. She is also on the advisory council for the guidebook "Having Children, The Best Resources to Help You Prepare." She lives in the Midwest with her husband of 21 years and has a daughter and two sons.