Genetic Testing

IIn an effort to get pregnant some couples opt for using a screening technique on embryos called PGD, which can raise some heated discussion.  While this procedure has the benefit of screening an embryo for genetic abnormalities (during IVF), it can also be used to screen for gender, not considered a medically necessary reason.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3777907a11,00.html

"The parents of the first babies created in New Zealand using an embryo screening technique are angered by the term "designer baby". "

technorati tags:pregnant, infertility, ivf

Smoking Pot Linked to Infertility

It's been said before, but more research confirms that recreational drugs and pregnancy just don't mix.  This is a somewhat technical article, but it gets the point across.  Drugs hurt your chances of getting pregnant.

Marijuana use linked to infertility in women - DetNews.com

Marijuana use linked to infertility in women DetNews.com, MI - Aug 24, 2006 ... embryos to pass safely from the ovary to the uterus, according to a recent study involving mice that could have important implications for infertility in women ...

technorati tags:marijuana, pregnant, infertility

Refillable Pregnancy Tests

What a great idea!!  The price of pregnancy tests, along with ovulation predictor kits, can really add up month after month. This is definitely a step in the right direction.

Refillable Pregnancy Test Helps Save Money - Fashion Monitor Toronto

Refillable Pregnancy Test Helps Save Money Fashion Monitor Toronto, Canada - 22 hours ago ... It may take even longer for older couples and that means more doctors' appointments, fertility tests, ovulation kits and home pregnancy tests, all of which can ...

technorati tags:pregnant, pregnancy

Successful Miscarriage Treatment

Some promising news for women suffering recurrent miscarriage - the use of aspirin and a blood thinner increases the odds of a successful pregnancy.  Read more....

Aspirin may ward off recurrent miscarriage - Reuters.uk

Aspirin may ward off recurrent miscarriage Reuters.uk, UK - Aug 22, 2006 ... of blood clots, or thrombosis, is believed to be one possible cause of recurrent miscarriage, they explain in the medical journal Fertility and Sterility, but ...

technorati tags:fertility, miscarriage, pregnant

Fertility Testing

This article has a nice overview of what's involved with initial infertility testing, which is advised if no pregnancy is achieved after 12 months of trying.

Evaluate fertility at 12 months - SunHerald.com

Evaluate fertility at 12 months SunHerald.com, MS - 5 hours ago ... Dr. Subodh Chauhan,board-certified reproductive endocrinologist and board-certified ob-gyn physician from Houston, Texas, will discuss a fertility evaluation. ...

technorati tags:fertility, pregnant

Best City To Have A Baby

Fit Pregnancy set out to determine what makes a city great for pregnant women, new parents and babies, and to commend cities that provide a safe and healthy environment to have a baby. The magazine examined 47 criteria, including fertility services, maternal and infant health risk, access to hospitals and doctors, safety, affordability, stroller friendliness and birthing options. The complete list of the "Best Cities in America to Have a Baby" appeared in the February/March issue of Fit Pregnancy.

Here are the top 20:

1. Portland, Ore.
2. Boston, Mass.
3. Minneapolis, Minn.
4. San Francisco, Calif.
5. Denver, Colo.
6. Seattle, Wash.
7. Omaha, Neb.
8. Charlotte, N.C.
9. Colorado Springs, Colo.
10. Sacramento, Calif.
11. Baltimore, Md.
12. San Diego, Calif.
13. Oakland, Calif.
14. Cleveland, Ohio
15. San Jose, Calif.
16. Columbus, Ohio
17. Milwaukee, Wis.
18. Nashville, Tenn.
19. Atlanta, Ga.
20. Miami, Fla.

technorati tags:pregnant, fertility

Fertility Massage To Aid Conception?

Conceiving a baby is truly a complex and miraculous thing. There are new discoveries being made all the time as researchers explore new ways to improve women's chances of getting pregnant.  Ways that don't involve a lot of costly, medical treatments. Here's a very promising one...

Non-Surgical Infertility Treatment Comes To Arizona

A new infertility treatment,shown to be effective without drugs or surgery, is now available inArizona. The therapy, known as the Wurn Technique(R), is a hands-onphysical therapy treatment that feels similar to massage. The therapy has been used as an adjunct to traditional infertilitytreatments for several years on the east and west coasts. It is now beingoffered by Clear Passage Therapies(R) in Scottsdale, Arizona.

technorati tags:Wurn, pregnant, infertility

Support For Those Coping With Infertility

This is a very powerful article which addresses how people who are going through difficulties getting pregnant would appreciate being treated by those around them. If you are trying to get pregnant and finding it to be a struggle, you may appreciate the thoughtful advice given.  Maybe you can anonymously forward this on to the people in your life who really need to read it : )

Chances are, you know someone who is struggling with infertility. More than five million people of childbearing age in the United States experience infertility. Yet, as a society, we are woefully uninformed about how to best provide emotional support for our loved ones during this painful time.

RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association:
Family And Friends: Infertility Etiquette

technorati tags:infertility, pregnant

Spanish Web Site For Infertility

For the estimated 6.1 million Americans struggling to have a baby, the new Web site www.fertilityjourneyspanish.com is a comprehensive online educational resource in Spanish that provides guidance in managing fertility issues, support in locating medical providers and access to resources that will help them best meet their personal needs.

One of the most crucial steps when trying to get pregnant is understanding the process and knowing what to expect along the way. Wherever a woman is in her quest to becoming pregnant, the Web site provides helpful guidance on topics, such as testing and diagnosis; medical treatment coverage; financial planning; therapeutic options; how to find a clinic; and coping with the anxiety that comes when conceiving is difficult

technorati tags:spanish, pregnant, fertility

Women Over 35 Too Old To Have Babies??

Here's an interesting take on the gap between men and women's ideas/beliefs on the issue of age and the ability to get pregnant.  Very, very eye-opening...

You see I am sorry to report that even today, many single men who want to have children still hold the somewhat archaic belief that women over 35 are too old to get pregnant.

Exeter News-Letter Community News: Trying to close the 'Baby Gap'

technorati tags:pregnant, fertility, conception

New Ovulation Gadget

A new gadget is on the market to help women detect their ovulation - believe it or not it's a watch!!  Check it out....

http://cbs2chicago.com/specialreports/local_story_229190258.html

technorati tags:ovulation, pregnant, conceive

Grandma or Mommy??

This topic certainly raises a fair amount of controversy. Should older women be allowed to receive fertility treatments to help them get pregnant?  And if so, how do fertility clinics decide at what age to restrict this?

How old is too old to have babies? - News 14 Carolina

How old is too old to have babies? News 14 Carolina, NC - 18 hours ago A 66-year-old woman has given birth in Romania after undergoing fertility treatments. A 63-year-old woman in California lied about ...

technorati tags:infertility, pregnant

Fertility Factors

This article reviews some of the top reasons why women are unable to get pregnant. These are all medical causes, which can be determined by your doctor.

Factors affecting fertility - Biloxi Sun Herald

Factors affecting fertility Biloxi Sun Herald,  USA - 26 minutes ago It was not mentioned in your letter but I am assuming that you have tried all normal methods to get pregnant and that you have not had any stillbirths, etc. ...

technorati tags:infertility, pregnant

More PCOS News..

More news from around the world about PCOS, a serious condition that can make it difficult to get pregnant.  Unfortunately, this problem often goes untreated.  So pay attention to the symptoms and consult your doctor if you think you might have PCOS.  Read on...

PCOS: Major cause of infertility in women - Newindpress (subscription)

PCOS: Major cause of infertility in women Newindpress (subscription), India - 7 hours ago ... Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Out of which one-fifth are eventually diagnosed with infertility or a major cardiac ailment by 35. Yet the ...

technorati tags:PCOS, fertility, pregnant, infertility

Up For A Good Scream?

It's often been said that limiting stress can improve your chances of getting pregnant, and this article takes a look at another means to do just that - public screaming!!!  Sounds like a good idea, but I'm not sure how practical it is : )

Scream to relieve stress - The Herald

Scream to relieve stress The Herald, UK - 20 hours ago ... Stress, which is linked to an increase in depression, heart disease, stroke and infertility, is estimated to cost the economy £3.8bn a year, according to ...

technorati tags:pregnant, fertility, infertility

Is Clomid For You?

Often, if a woman is not ovulating as indicated by irregular or missed periods, the first course of treatment to get pregnant would be a fertility drug called Clomid. It's relatively inexpensive, does not require injections, and is very successful at getting ovulation back on track. On the other hand, there are some side effects.....learn more.....

http://www.babyhopes.com/articles/clomid.html

Fertility Temple

Joganji, a budhist temple in Japan, is a site where many couples come --some in person, and others by mail or even through their website.  They come here to pray that they will get pregnant. It is a sacred place that is known to answer couples prayers for fertility.  Read more....

Fertility temple rises to the task to help couples sow the seed - Mainichi Daily News

Mainichi Daily News

Fertility temple rises to the task to help couples sow the seed Mainichi Daily News, Japan - 22 hours ago ... 31). Joganji has been around for over 1,000 years, and its reputation for fertilizing fertility extends back almost as long. "When ...

technorati tags:pregnant, fertility

Celebrity Struggles To Conceive

As you can see from this article, difficulty in getting pregnant can strike anyone--even the most popular celebrities.  Read more for the latest on J.Lo's struggles to get pregnant...

J.Lo's Joy Turns To Tragedy - iVillage

J.Lo's Joy Turns To Tragedy iVillage, NY - 5 hours ago ... Now she's back at square one.". "And this failure to conceive hit J.Lo particularly hard because she has been through so much to get pregnant.". ...

technorati tags:fertility, conception

Eat Right For Improved Fertility

Another look at some interesting research for those trying to get pregnant.  Again, diet is being evaluated as to how it affects both libido, and ultimately, fertility...

Poor diet affecting Aussie sex lives - The Age

Poor diet affecting Aussie sex lives The Age,?Australia?- Aug 11, 2006 ... "This is consistent with research that shows being excessively overweight can lead to a depressed sex drive and reduced fertility.". ...

technorati tags:diet, pregnant, fertility

Nutrition Is Key

Some important research for women trying to get pregnan--it discusses the importance of nutrition in very early pregnancy.  This is why pre-conception care is so important--those first few very important weeks of development for the embryo happen before you would know you're pregnant. 

Unmasking Nutrition's Role In Genes And Birth Defects

Expectant mothers may someday get a personalized menu of foods to eat during pregnancy to complement their genetic makeup as a result of new research at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

technorati tags:pregnant, nutrition, fertility

Drug To Prevent Infertility From Chemotherapy

For men undergoing chemotherapy for cancer treatment, there may be a shot they can take which would strengthen the immune system and prevent the damage that is normally done to the testes, which results in infertility. 

"These results hold out much promise for fertility preservation in men undergoing cancer treatments"

Injection May Prevent Infertility In Men Receiving Cancer Chemotherapy

technorati tags:infertility, sterility, pregnant, chemotherapy

The Price of Sugar

According to Deborah Metzger, MD, PhD, coauthor of Stay Fertile Longer,
sugar can have a very negative effect on fertility.  She says....

"Sugar per se doesn't have nutrients in it, so any time you take calories that have sugar, refined flour, or something like that you're being robbed of nutrients. But more important, when you take in something that is broken down quickly, such as white foods, your insulin raises quickly. High insulin levels disrupt the delicate hormonal values in the ovaries so more testosterone is produced, so the quality of egg may not be what is needed. In some women, high insulin levels may cause irregular ovulation, irregular periods, or something commonly known as polycystic ovarian syndrome or PCOS."

technorati tags:sugar, fertility

Controversy At U.K. Treatment Center

Here's a news story out of the U.K. that's bound to stir up a lot of emotional responses...

Fertility patients to be treated in abortion wards - Femail

Femail

Fertility patients to be treated in abortion wards Femail, UK - 5 hours ago Women undergoing fertility treatment will be forced to share a hospital ward with patients who have been admitted for an abortion. ...

technorati tags:fertility, miscarriage, abortion

Very Early Miscarriage?

This article raises some interesting ideas about the possibility that women who don't even know they are pregnant yet are having early miscarriages, possibly due to high stress.
For women having difficulty conceiving this highlights a real catch22---the failure to conceive certainly causes a lot of stress, which may in turn cause very early miscarriages when you're not even aware you're actually pregnant. Read on for more info...

http://www.aphroditewomenshealth.com/
news/20060120230255_health_news.shtml

technorati tags:pregnant, miscarriage, stress

Get Pregnant - No Sex

Well, maybe sometimes technology does go a bit too far.  The comments on this article at gizmodo on the conception cap poke a little fun at this new gadget.  The price does seem to be a bit steep!

Why go through the messy act of "intercourse" when you can get your wife/girlfriend/lover pregnant the easy way: with a conception cap.

The Conception Cap - Get Pregnant With or Without The Sex - Gizmodo

technorati tags:conception, fertility, pregnant

Vitamin C

It seems some research points to Vitamin C as being quite helpful in improving sperm and helping conception.

Per Dr. Marilyn Glenville, of www.marilynglenville.com,

"Vitamin C is also an antioxidant, and studies show that vitamin C enhances sperm quality, protecting sperm and the DNA within it from damage. Some research has indicated that certain types of DNA damage in the sperm can make it difficult to conceive in the first place, or it can cause an increased risk of miscarriage if conception does take place. If DNA is damaged, there may be a chromosomal problem in the baby, should the pregnancy proceed. Whether or not DNA damage does have these effects has not been conclusively proven, but it's worth taking vitamin C and the other antioxidants as a precautionary measure.

Vitamin C also appears to keep the sperm from clumping together, making them more motile."

technorati tags:sperm, fertility, vitamins

Increase In Twinning

Some new research is showing that there has been a steady increase over the last 80 years in identical twins, whereby the egg naturally splits in two after fertilization.  The increase is occuring in natural conceptions as well as IVF conceptions.  Why is this happening?  Read more....

"Over the last 100 years there has been an increase in identical twinning through the division of the embryo into two, even without IVF"

Better Diet A Factor In Rise Of Twin Pregnancies

technorati tags:twins, fertility, conception, pregnant, infertility

Endometriosis From Too Many Burgers?

Here's a look at some research linking the consumption of red meat to endometriosis, a condition which can cause infertility in women.  In this article, the author is suggesting that women stay away from all red meat if they're trying to get pregnant. 

The message to women is clear: if you want to be able to reproduce, if you want to experience less pain, and if you want to remain disease-free for life, it's time to seriously think about taking red meat out of your diet. No beef, no ham, no pepperoni pizza.

Endometriosis caused by eating red meat and avoiding fresh vegetables, says research; infertility may result

technorati tags:endometriosis, infertility, pregnant

Eastern Medicine

Alternative therapies are becoming much more mainstream in fertility treatment, as more women realize the benefits...

McClatchy/Jackson Clarion-Ledger on Tuesday examined the increasing number of U.S. women "who are turning to alternative, Eastern medicinal arts for problems with infertility, menopause, weight loss and even dry skin."

McClatchy/Jackson Clarion-Ledger Examines U.S. Women's Increasing Use Of Alternative Therapies For Infertility, Health

 

technorati tags:fertility, acupuncture, pregnant

Can Laptops Impair Fertility?

It's fairly common knowledge that men should avoid too much heat around the scrotum, as it may cause damage to the sperm.  This usually translates into a switch from briefs to boxers and avoidance of hot tubs.  Now, with modern technology, there appears to be a new possible threat....the laptop computer!

Speaking on behalf of the British Fertility Society, Dr Allan Pacey, senior lecturer in Andrology at the University of Sheffield, said: "We already know that increasing the temperature of the testicles can affect sperm production.

BBC NEWS | Health | Laptops may damage male fertility

technorati tags:fertility, pregnant, laptop

Over 35?

Some new testing is being performed to help women over 35 determine if their fertility is compromised by age. This is important information since more and more women are delaying childbearing until they are well into their thirties.

Because the biological clocks of women move at various rates, the chances of becoming pregnant also differ. Dr. Peter Ahlering of the Sher Institute for Reproductive Medicine (SIRM), said a few simple blood tests and an ultrasound can be used to find out a woman's ovarian reserve, or fertility potential. He notes these tests allow doctors to "identify those patients where their ovaries are acting older than their chronological age."

News 8 Austin | 24 Hour Local News | HEADLINES | New fertility tests for women over 35

technorati tags:fertility, infertility, pregnant, conception

Prevent Preeclampsia

The importance of pre-conception care continues to be stressed in the media.  It has already been determined that folic acid taken for several months prior to conception can significantly decrease the incidence of certain spinal chord defects.  Some new research points to the importance of taking multi-vitamins pre-conception to help prevent pre-eclampsia.  Please read....

Preeclampsia affects about 7 percent of first pregnancies and is a leading cause of premature delivery and maternal and fetal death. Signs of preeclampsia include high blood pressure, protein in the urine and swelling of the hands and feet. Untreated, the condition may progress to the far more serious eclampsia, which can be fatal. Infants born to mothers with preeclampsia have a risk of mortality five times greater than those born to women with normal pregnancies. In the U.S. alone, nearly 15 percent of preterm deliveries are a result of preeclampsia.

Vitamin Use Reduces Preeclampsia Risk

technorati tags:preeclampsia, preconception, pregnant

Fertility Tourism

It has become increasingly common for patients especially from the U.S. and Europe, to travel to other parts of the world to get medical treatments at a reduced cost, often with the added benefit of a beach locale.  In Thailand, there is a new emphasis on providing fertility treatments at a very reduced cost, plus the option of certain treatments not likely to be found elsewhere.  More....

"Among the latest treatments offered is a procedure creating fierce ethical debate and available in just a handful of countries -- a treatment that allows couples to decide whether to give birth to a boy or a girl."

Taipei Times - archives

technorati tags:fertility, tourism, infertiltiy, PGD, pregnant

Easting Disorders Can Prevent Pregnancy

One of the things that can have a huge impact on fertility is your weight--therefore, it is not surprising that women with eating disorders--both anorexia and bulimia--may have substantial difficulty getting pregnant.  Here's a further look...

"A large number of women who are unable to bear children and are thinking of going for latest and expensive fertility techniques can conceive simply by correcting their eating habits, ..."

The Hindu News Update Service

technorati tags:pregnant, fertility, infertility, anorexia, bulimia

Thyroid Problems=Problems Getting Pregnant?

There are two types of thyroid conditions -- hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, and both can contribute to fertility issues. It is still possible to get pregnant with an over or underactive thyroid, but you will need to get medical attention to help you manage the condition. This article gives alot of information about thyroid dysfunction and it's relationship to fertility.

http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/fertilitythy.htm

technorati tags:thyroid, fertility, pregnant

Fertility: Fact Or Myth?

Here's an interesting read on the top 8 myths about conception.  Check out how much you may know...

http://health.discovery.com/centers/pregnancy/americanbaby/eightmyths.html

technorati tags:pregnant, fertility, conception

Fertility Needs Attention!!

Read this press release - an effort to raise awareness about fertility issues and to promote the organization RESOLVE....


Baby Girl Onesie Created to Help Women Become Mothers - PR Web (press release)

Baby Girl Onesie Created to Help Women Become Mothers PR Web (press release), WA - 20 hours ago DJ Baby Clothing has created a black onesie t-shirt to raise funds and awareness for RESOLVE, The National Infertility Association. ...

technorati tags:fertility, pregnant