It looks like more research is showing that age can affect a man's fertility too...
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A new study found that the risk of miscarriage to expectant mothers was 60 per cent higher when the father was aged 40 or over compared to when he was 25 to 29 years old.
Older men linked to miscarriage risks | the Daily Mail
this article stresses the fact that many women nationwide, do not know that much about getting pregnant and having healthy babies. Most of the attention is on pre-natal care, when pre-conception care is urgently needed to help solve many potential problems...
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"Of women who do get pregnant, nearly 70 percent don't take folic acid, 31 percent are obese and 3 percent take prescription or over-the-counter drugs known to cause birth defects. Another 4 percent have a pre-existing medical condition like diabetes that can impact a pregnancy."
deseretnews.com | Pre-conception wellness urged
technorati tags:pregnant, conception
Some women who have previously had a child, experience what is known as secondary infertility. To women who are experiencing primary infertility, this may not seem quite as significant, but for those going through it, it is very frustrating to not be able to get pregnant after having done so at least once before. There are several reasons why a women might experience difficulty the second (or third) time around. Have a look at this article...
technorati tags:infertility, secondary, pregnant
Do you have any interest in being able to choose the gender of your child before getting pregnant? If you're like the majority of those surveyed, you wouldn't make the choice--even if it was as simple as taking a pill to choose the gender. (this is just hypothetical--there is no magic pill at this time). It seems most people (in the U.S.) just want to leave it up to chance...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/02/060216100344.htm
In the U.S., it seems more younger women (aged 22-29) are seeking infertility treatments in order to have a baby. This is not due to an increased number of younger women with fertility problems, but rather the perception among these women that they need to take control of their fertility before it's too late (probably due to so much media coverage about women waiting too long to have babies). Read more.....
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=47251&nfid=crss
Here's a bit of news from Scotland, where not surprisingly, newly released figures reveal that women are waiting a lot longer to have babies. Of course, Scotland is not unique, as this is part of a wider trend all over Europe, and certainly in the United States. Interestingly, in Scotland, the fertility clinics generally only treat women up until the age of 40, whereas in the U.S., many clinics treat women well into their early to mid forties. Presumably, as women delay childbearing in Scotland, the clinics will be seeing (and treating) older women as well.
More mothers give birth at 30-plus - The Herald
technorati tags:fertility, infertility, pregnant
For those who are considering infertility treatments, but are put off by the thought of taking fertility shots every day, a new product might be available soon that would allow women to take a shot of fertility drugs that would last a whole week. This would have major benefits as daily injections is one of the most difficult aspects of infertility treatment.
Dutch company, Organon, announced this week that it would begin the final phase of clinical trials to test a long-lasting form of a hormone that stimulates ovaries to release eggs.
STLtoday - News - Science & Medicine
technorati tags:infertility, pregnant, fertility
This article talks about a rather unusual bit of research that focuses on the hormone melatonin, which sends messages to our bodies about time of day. Apparently, this has significance for fertility, as people are more fertile when the melatonin flows longer, ie. more darkness. We can alter the flow of melatonin by wearing special glasses to block certain types of light....
Melatonin is a master control hormone that sends information to the whole body about the time of the day and also the time of year. In dim light or in darkness the melatonin flows for about nine hours during the night reaching a maximum concentration in the blood about 3 A.M. Exposing the eyes to light prevents the flow.
Special Eyeglasses Help Increase Fertility (press release)
I came across this very thought-provoking article about fertilty rates around the world.
Have a look....
All across Europe, birthrates (the number of births per 1,000 of population) and fertility rates (the number of births per woman of child-bearing age) have been in a long, steep decline.
KRT Wire | 07/26/2006 | Europe battles its baby bust
technorati tags:fertility
I'll bet you've heard of Chlamydia--the most common (bacterial) sexually transmitted disease (STD). The problem with it is you can develop a silent infection that goes untreated, and can result in damage to your fertility. Scientists are doing research in hopes of developing a vaccine.
More....
http://news.monstersandcritics.com/health/article_
1183926.php/Scientists_work_toward_a_Chlamydia_vaccine
technorati tags:fertility, infertility, pregnant
Technology truly is amazing...researchers have managed to impregnate mice with sperm that were grown in a lab. That's right, no male mouse necessary!! This could be the beginning of the end of male infertility. Have a look....
"Scientists have taken a major step forward in understanding and treating male infertility after successfully impregnating mice with sperm grown from embryonic stem cells."
Breakthrough in male infertility - 12 Jul 2006 - Technology & Science
technorati tags:infertility, sperm, pregnant
A new test has been developed to try and help women determine how much longer they will have viable eggs to become pregnant. This is especially useful to older moms that may have put off getting pregnant for career reasons...----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
...this test, which is available for purchase online from the British-based company, may offer women a way to gauge how long they have before they need to begin trying to start a family.
ScienceDaily -- Browse Topics: Health - Fertility -
Women's Infertility: Can a New Test Predict Your F
This article is a very descriptive portrayal of the thoughts and feelings of couples faced with infertility. I think many couples who haven't come to that conclusion yet, but are just having some difficulty or delay in getting pregnant, can relate to some of these feelings. Its a good read...
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/archive/2006/July/23/style/stories/07style.htm
technorati tags:infertility, conception, pregnant
Infertility is on the rise worldwide...there is no doubt about it. And while many couples experiencing difficulty conceiving will ultimately be successful without medical intervention, the truth remains that there are millions seeking infertility treatment, which often utilizes extremely costly procedures. Health insurance ususally does not cover this, which can be devastating for many.
Check out this press release for more information on this hot topic...
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060720/neth025.html?.v=55
technorati tags:insurance, pregnancy, infertility
Here's an informative read about how a woman is running a class to help improve the mind and body which in turn helps increase the likelihood of getting pregnant. It seems more evidence is mounting that psychological and physical improvements to the body can really be helpful in conceiving. Most women do not have any specific medical problems that prevent them from getting pregnant and armed with lots of information, they can take control of their own fertility and avoid infertility treatment. Read more...
Folic acid boosts male fertility Lots of women already know that getting plenty of folic acid, one of the B vitamins, can reduce the risk of certain birth defects that occur early in pregnancy. New evidence now suggests that folic acid deficiency reduces fertility in men and may damage the DNA carried by sperm.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/articles/2002/features/health/gh718072006.html
The sooner you start eating well, the more likely you are to get pregnant. Now don’t get alarmed! I don’t mean that everyone who eats well will get pregnant! HA HA! For both men and women, foods and fertility are linked; you need to stick to the right diet to boost your chances of conceiving and of having a healthy baby.
technorati tags:pregnant, fertility, conceive, diet, supplements, vitamins
When it comes to exercise, and its impact on fertility, it seems that moderation is the key. Excessive exercise can have an impact on ovulation, thereby making it more difficult to get pregnant. On the other hand, too little exercise is not good either, as some exercise is essential to maintain overall good health, a requirement for optimum fertility. So, the best advice is to start an exercise program well before trying to conceive, and do it in moderation.
technorati tags:conception, fertility, pregnant, conceive
Now this is an interesting article which showed how laughter improved the conception rates among women undergoing fertility treatment. Perhaps this technique would lend itself to others trying to conceive naturally, as we so often hear that it's necessary to reduce stress to improve likelihood of pregnancy. What better way than some "clowning around?"
http://news.scotsman.com/health.cfm?id=905772006
| A Chinese cure for infertility Daily News & Analysis,?India?- ... practitioner Angela Wong, “they were very low in spirits: not at all the right frame of mind for two people planning parenthood.” Infertility, she says, is ... |
technorati tags:fertility, pregnant, chinese, medicine, conception
Further to the previous post discussing the importance of a healthy weight when trying to conceive, it is equally important to STOP dieting once you are actively trying to get pregnant. You cannot wait until after you find out you are pregnant to stop the diet, because by then, the diet has had a negative impact on the developing embryo which is approximately 2 weeks old by the time you take a pregnancy test.
Dieting Women Who Get Pregnant Put Their Babies at Risk, Says Expert
If you’re hoping to get pregnant but are trying to lose some weight, make sure you finish your diet before you start trying to conceive, recommends a New Zealand fetal development expert. The reason, dieting can cause harm to a developing fetus. “How the baby is looked after from the moment of conception, when it’s just one egg, to birth [and] in the neonatal period can affect its destiny for the rest of its life,” says Professor Peter Gluckman, director of the Liggins Institute at Auckland University. Gluckman believes that dieting, even if it is stopped once a woman learns of her pregnancy, increases the likelihood a woman will have a smaller baby, which could lead to health problems, such as obesity, later on. In particular, dieting sends specific nutritional signals to your body. During early pregnancy, these signals lead to certain “genetic switches” being turned on or off, which will affect a child for the rest of his life. Gluckman suggested that women follow a balanced diet and maintain a healthy weight in order to have the best pregnancy outcomes.
Source: NZHerald.co.uk
It is generally believed that it is easier to get pregnant if you are at a healthy weight. Studies have shown that women who are overweight (body mass index-BMI-above 30) or underweight (body mass index -BMI-under 20) have more difficulty getting pregnant. So if you fall into one of these categories, it's a good idea to get yourself into a healthy range before you start trying. And if you're already having some difficulty getting pregnant, have your body mass index assessed and try to get to a healthier weight--it could make the difference in achieving a pregnancy.
technorati tags:pregnant, conception, fertility, weight
| Infertility advice 'is better cure' Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom - By Nic Fleming, Medical Correspondent. A commonly used, expensive fertility technique may be no more effective than simple advice ... |
There are several things you should never do if you are trying to get pregnant. I'm going to touch on one or two of them here. The first one to avoid is douching.
Limited research shows that douching might make it harder for a woman to get pregnant. In women trying to get pregnant, those who douched more than once a week took the most time to get pregnant. Studies also show that douching can increase a woman's chance of ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy is when the fertilized egg attaches to the inside of the fallopian tube instead of the uterus. An ectopic pregnancy can be life-threatening if not treated properly, and it can also make it harder for a woman to get pregnant in the future.
Another thing you should never do is use lubricant before sex. Research has shown that vaginal lubricants are toxic to sperm and interfere with the role of cervical mucus, which transports the sperm into the uterus. Foreplay is a much better choice than any commercially bought product.
Are you aware that sleep and sunlight can affect your ability to conceive? It turns out that proper amounts of sleep and adequate time spent in daylight are necessary for optimum fertility.
http://womenshealth.about.com/od/pregnancyrelatedissues/a/sleepsunlight_2.htm
technorati tags:sunlight, sleep, fertility, pregnant, pregnancy
This is an interesting article, indicating many people have the wrong idea about when fertility starts to decline. It's a lot younger than you would think....
| Poll: Most People Unaware of the Age When Fertility Begins to ... Yahoo! News (press release) - ... Endocrinology Associates of Charlotte by IntegraMed America finds that most poll respondents mistakenly believe that a decline in fertility starts later in ... |
 The Voice | MIRACLE BABY? The Voice, UK - ... She told us: “My husband and I are so excited. I was desperate to get pregnant, but it felt as though nothing would work. The ... |
However normal fetal development requires sufficient vitamin A intake. What to do? Make sure you're taking vitamin A in its beta carotene form. There are no limits to the amount of beta carotene you can take and it won't do any harm to the pregnancy. That includes eating carrots, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes.
I guess this should really have been my very first post, but I got a little carried away introducing some interesting articles, etc. that I came across and thought you might find useful. So, here's my story....I have always wanted to have children but didn't get married until the age of 35, so already my chances of having a healthy baby were compromised due to age as soon as we decided to start trying (I was 36 by that time). Now of course, like everyone else, I knew HOW to get pregnant--I mean, we all know the basics, right ; ) But I'm the kind of person that is a bit of a research fanatic (my friends would definitely agree), so I decided that since I was a bit on the older side, it would be important to learn if there were any ways to try to speed up the process. There had to be things to do (and not do) to increase the likelihood and speed of getting pregnant. I didn't want to just "wing it" and find myself a year later still not pregnant and feeling like I could have used that time more wisely by learning the very best ways to do it. And I was right! I learned so many ways to increase the chance of getting pregnant both by doing certain things and not doing others. I plan on sharing much of that on this blog, and pointing you to any interesting current news which might help you to achieve your goal. I'll share more next time....I'd love to hear your stories, feel free to comment below.
-Beth
| Q&A: How Did It Get Trendy to Be Pregnant? Newsweek?- ... Excerpts: NEWSWEEK: It seems like pregnancy is almost hip right now. Julia Beck: It is definitely hip to be pregnant right now. ... |
technorati tags:pregnant, conceive, fertility, celebrities, belly
| Get healthy, then get pregnant Los Angeles Times,?CA?- ... Many problems can be avoided by simply ensuring that women and couples are in better health before they get pregnant and have established healthier lifestyles ... |
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| She wants to get pregnant ASAP SunHerald.com, MS - ... I am aware of the risk of late age pregnancy and I would like to get pregnant as soon as possible. ... Women who want to get pregnant also can use the SDM. ... |
technorati tags:pregnant, conceive, older, mom
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Well, this is something that I'm sure everyone here is glad to hear. I know I've often wondered is using the pill could in some way effect the chances of getting pregnant later. Thankfully, it seems to have no ill effects. Phew....
| Oral Contraceptives Do Not Impair Future Fertility Medscape (subscription) - NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Jul 04 - The use of oral contraceptives does not impair future fertility, according to a report in the June Fertility and Sterility. .. |
technorati tags:pregnant, birth, control, pill, contraceptives
Have you ever thought of using Feng Shui to improve the changes to get pregnant naturally? If you have endured so many tests and spent thousands of dollars then do explore the possibility with Feng Shui.
Now, there are many, many things you can do to improve your chance of pregnancy, and scientists discover new things every day, but this one is definitely offbeat. I am always open to learning new things, and what seems unusual today, may become mainstream down the road. I say, whatever works!
Just found this really interesting article which points to research claiming you're more likely to have a boy if it takes you more than a year to get pregnant. So, if you're hoping for a boy, no need to rush things quite so much...
 The gender of your baby may be affected by conditions in the cervix |
Dutch researchers analysed data for 5,283 women who gave birth to single babies between 2001 and 2003.
Among the 498 women who took longer than a year to get pregnant, the chance of having a boy was almost 58%, the British Medical Journal study found.
| US project to help couples conceive to be piloted in city Glasgow Evening Times, UK - ... We are not saying if women come to the sessions they'll get pregnant, but by reducing stress levels, fertility rates do increase.". ... |
Welcome--I hope this site will bring you all the valuable information you need to achieve your much desired pregnancy. --Beth
