Friday, December 21, 2007

‘The Fertility Diet’: Help or Hype? - New York Times

A new book has come out which talks about a diet which can improve your fertility if you are suffering from ovulation related infertiity.  There seems to be quite a bit of controversy surrounding the findings as seen by the comments.  I personally believe that you can't go wrong in making changes that will definitely improve your health and perhaps your fertility as well. Read more...
‘The Fertility Diet’: Help or Hype?
New York Times, United States - Dec 17, 2007
A new book from Harvard researchers called “The Fertility Diet” is certain to offer hope to the six million couples in the US alone who are struggling with ...

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Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Ovulation Disorders Helped By Dietary Changes

Some new research from the Harvard School of Public Health cites dietary and lifestyle changes as having a significant impact on fertility for women who have ovulation problems.  They claim that making simple changes to your diet and improving your health through exercise can help to improve ovulatory
function which is one of the common causes of fertility problems.  Read more...

Women who followed a combination of five or more lifestyle factors, including changing specific aspects of their diets, experienced more than 80 percent less relative risk of infertility due to ovulatory disorders compared to women who engaged in none of the factors, according to a paper published in the November 1, 2007, issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology. [click link for full article]

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Diet and Lifestyle Can Have a Large Impact ...

This article is a wonderful resource for information about how diet and lifestyle can have such a huge impact on fertility.


KCBY.com 11

Trying to Get Pregnant? Diet and Lifestyle Can Have a Large Impact ...
KCBY.com 11, OR - 3 hours ago
What would you consider the success rate of using diet to help you get pregnant? According to Philip E. Chenette, MD, a reproductive endocrinologist and ...

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Friday, November 02, 2007

Try The Fertility Diet To Get Pregnant

More research suggesting that diet and lifestyle play a major role in fertility.  In this article the idea of changing your diet to improve fertility problems related to ovulation disorders is addressed.  Read more...

Trying to get pregnant? Try the fertility diet - Reuters


Ottawa Citizen

Trying to get pregnant? Try the fertility diet
Reuters - Oct 31, 2007
Women trying to get pregnant could boost their chances by adopting a "fertility diet" high in nuts and avocados while cutting down on coffee and alcohol, ...
Caution: This Diet May Get You Pregnant Palm Beach Post
Diet and Exercise May Help Prevent Ovulation-Linked Infertility MedPage Today
all 29 news articles

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Sunday, September 30, 2007

Hormonal imbalance In Women Affects Fertility

There has been a lot of media attention given lately to a condition that affects many women which can seriously impair their fertility.  It is called polycystic ovarian disease and it is a hormonal imbalance that is thought to occur due to insulin resistance.   Dr. Ricardo Azziz, a reproductive endrocrinologist with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, said "Polycystic ovary syndrome is actually the single most common hormonal disorder of women. It affects one in at least 14 women."  More...


Infertility, Obesity: Condition Affects 1 In 14
CBS2 Chicago, IL - Sep 28, 2007
(CBS) A condition millions of women may have without knowing it can lead to infertility and more. It's called polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS. ...

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Monday, August 27, 2007

Link Found Between Obesity and Infertiity

Doctors have long known that women who are overweight have a more difficult time in getting pregnant, but haven't really know why.  New research has found that there is a protein in cells that surround and nourish the egg that is the link between obesity and impaired fertility.  While there may be drugs available to activate the protein and help them develop into healthy eggs, experts agree the best remedy for the problem is losing weight.


SpiritIndia

Link between infertility, obesity found
Independent Online, South Africa - Aug 25, 2007
She said losing weight was the most effective way to restore fertility. Even shedding 5-10 kilograms was enough to trigger ovulation in obese women. ...

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Friday, August 10, 2007

More Bad News For The Overweight Trying To Conceive

There has already been research indicating that it is more difficult to conceive if a woman is overweight.  Now there is new evidence which suggests that women who do become pregnant have an increased risk of having a baby with certain birth defects.  The risk is still small, but it is higher for overweight women than woman of a normal weight.  More...

Study: Obesity May Lead To Birth Defects
CBS 13,?CA?- 5 hours ago
(CBS) Overweight women, in general, are at higher risk for chronic diseases and infertility and when they do get pregnant, tend to have more ...

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Monday, July 30, 2007

Tomato Soup Boosts Male Fertility?

There's always a new study coming out that suggests "this or that" can help to improve fertility.  I'm a big believer in, "if it can't hurt, why not?."  Some new research in a very limited study suggested that eating a can of tomato soup daily may help to boost fertility in men.  The reason is a substance called lycopene which is found in tomatoes and has been touted as being very healthy in general.  It works in the body better when it is cooked, which is why the tomato soup is recommended instead of eating fresh tomoatoes.  In this case, since lycopene is known to be a healthy addition to any diet, I'd certainly recommend adding it to the diet for any male's who are trying to increase their fertility.


Telegraph.co.uk
Daily dose of tomato soup can boost male fertility
New Zealand Herald, New Zealand - 20 hours ago
Photo / Listener Eating a can of tomato soup every day can help men increase their fertility, scientists have claimed. A research team from the University ...

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Friday, July 20, 2007

Yoga To Boost Fertility?

Very cool news story about using yoga as an aid to conception.  The article points out that there are several controllable factors such as diet, exercise and stress which can affect a woman's ability to conceive.  Yoga has always been known to help reduce stress so it may be something to try as it certainly can't hurt.   If you don't want to read the news story, there is a video of the newsclip you can watch instead.

Using Yoga To Boost Fertility
NewsChannel 9 WSYR, NY - 16 hours ago
Lisa Kiefer, owner of the CNY Yoga Center in Liverpool says, “You hear stories about people trying to get pregnant, go through all the treatments, ...

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Wednesday, July 04, 2007

Are Alternative Therapies Hurting Your Chances of Pregnancy?

Some new research has come out claiming that women using alternative therapies along with IVF have a reduced chance of getting pregnant.  This research is likely to cause some confusion as many women turn to alternative therapies to help increase their chances of pregnancy.  The truth is, the study doesn't differentiate between women using herbal treatments and those using relaxation techniques such as acupuncture and/or reflexology.  It makes sense that mixing herbs with infertility drugs could cause potential problems, but it seems ridiculous that stress relieving treatments could do anything other than help. 

Alternative therapies 'cut IVF fertility rates'
Telegraph.co.uk,?United Kingdom?- 10 hours ago
Researchers found women who used complementary and alternative therapies (CATs) while undergoing fertility treatment were 30 per cent less likely to become ...

Friday, June 15, 2007

Improving Male Fertility - Fact or Myth?

For future fathers to be, this article is a good resource about what factors can influence male fertility.  It seems there is a lot of misinformation circulating around the internet, and this article attempts to separate the fact from fiction.



Fertility Specialists Caution Would-Be Fathers of Internet Fallacies
Earthtimes.org?- Jun 13, 2007
INDIANAPOLIS, June 13 -- As Father's Day approaches, fertility specialists are cautioning Indiana men striving to become first-time fathers to wade ...

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Tuesday, June 05, 2007

Natural Methods To Increase Fertility

I am all for using natural methods to try to help women in their quest to become pregnant.  Especially when the diagnosis is "unexplained infertility", meaning no medical cause has been found, natural methods can be extremely successful.  Personally, I found acupuncture to be a determining factor in helping me to conceive, but there are many other methods to try as well.

Using massage to fight infertility
Kane County Chronicle,?IL?- 3 hours ago
Americans are spending more and more each year to get pregnant. The fertility industry generates an estimated $3 billion annually in the US, and the average ...

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Saturday, May 26, 2007

An Infertility Tale

Once in a while I come across an article written by someone going through the personal struggle of trying to conceive and it brings me back to the time when I was going through a similar journey.  These experiences are shared in the hopes of allowing others to realize they are not alone, and I think they truly succeed.

Can't Get Pregnant? You Are Not Alone
Blogcritics.org, OH - May 25, 2007
They get pregnant the first time they try. They get pregnant every time they try. Imagine my surprise when after a year of trying I still wasn’t pregnant. ...

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Friday, May 25, 2007

Here's An Easy Tip To Get Pregnant

Looking for something to help boost your odds of getting pregnant?  Try eating a bowl of vitamin fortified cereal every day which contains vitamin B6, thought to be helpful in improving conception odds.  More..

Trying to get pregnant? Eat cereal
Bounty, UK - May 21, 2007
Its reproductive benefits are already well known in medical circles, as women who take B6 supplements while pregnant are believed to be less likely to ...

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Monday, May 21, 2007

New Underwear To Protect Fertility

It's understandable that couples who are trying to have a baby would go to great lengths to adjust their lifestyle to improve their chances of conception.  Many adopt such practices such as avoiding smoking, alcohol and hot tubs.  But it seems like new products aimed at couples trying to conceive are starting to border on the ridiculous.  Here's an article featuring a new type of underwear that protects against the threat of impaired fertility due to cell phones.  Read more...

Cell Phone Radiation Protection with Isabodywear Underwear
RealTechNews, CA - 11 hours ago
Last year I wrote about a possible link between cell phone radiation and infertility … well, all your worries could be gone, if you try out this new ...

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Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Stress of Fertility Problems

This is a wonderful article for anyone going through a struggle trying to get pregnant.  So many of the key topics are covered here...Have a read...

Fertility stress (Minnesota Women's Press)

Christina was 34 when she and her husband liberated themselves from birth control with the intent of building their family. After two years of disappointing monthly periods, they reluctantly went to see a fertility specialist for diagnostic tests of sperm and hormone levels.

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Friday, May 11, 2007

More Alternative Therapies

Although science can't prove it (yet!), more and more couples are turning to alternative medicine to help them to get pregnant.  Acupuncture and herbal remedies are being sought after as an alternative to expensive and invasive fertility treatments or sometimes to accompany them.  More.....

Couples turn to alternative medicine to treat infertility
KING5.com (subscription), WA - May 8, 2007
When it comes to seeking out expensive infertility treatments, some couples try to boost their odds by turning to alternative medicine. ...

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Tuesday, May 08, 2007

Frozen Eggs On The Rise

This is a really interesting article about how single women in their late thirties and early forties are dealing with their ticking biological clocks.  These women do not have a current partner to have a baby with, and they know that they are running out of time as far as the quality of their eggs are concerned.  Egg freezing is now a viable option, however it unfortunately has much better results if the eggs are frozen when a woman is in her twenties, not her late thirties or early forties.  The irony is, most women at age 25 are not thinking about the possiblility of being 40 without a partner and wanting a baby at that time.  Read more...

A new fertility gamble for women
International Herald Tribune,?France?- 20 hours ago
Older women face higher risks of miscarriage, infertility , and chromosomal defects, apparently because egg quality declines. Using eggs from younger donors ...

   

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Sunday, April 29, 2007

Why Dad's Habits Matter, Also

More and more research points to men as being at least half responsible for the fertiity problems that are becoming increasingly common among couples.  This is a big shift in what used to be perceived as a "womans problem."  Men need to step up and take action to make some changes to improve their fertility, especially if they are over 35. Have a look at this article which has a nice overview of the "male factor."

Why Dad's Habits Matter, Too
U.S. News & World Report, DC - Apr 27, 2007
Two thirds of the time, the man is a contributing-if not the sole-explanation for a couple's infertility, according to the American Society of Reproductive ...

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Wednesday, April 25, 2007

10 Ways To Improve Fertility

For those just starting out on the journey to become pregnant, this article has a nice overview of all the factors to take into consideration which can impact your fertility.  There are many
lifestyle choices you can make which can increase your chances of getting pregnant, and several of them apply to men as well as women.  Check it out here...


10 ways a woman can boost her fertility
Vanguard,?Nigeria?- Apr 23, 2007
Whether or not she’s trying to conceive, these simple health moves can help maximize and protect her fertility. Excess body fat can lead to an ...

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Sunday, April 22, 2007

Immune Disorder Causes Infertility

This article talks about a subject that is close to my heart.  I suffered from the immunologic disorder that they discuss, which caused me to have multiple miscarriages.  The idea that your own body is attacking the growing embryo inside you is very difficult to comprehend and cope with.  In addition to causing miscarriages, this type of immune response can also cause implantation failure, which is interpreted as "unexplained infertility."  Read more...

Immune system disorder may be the cause of unexplained infertility
News-Medical.net, Australia - Apr 19, 2007
"For years we've aggressively treated miscarriages or problems of infertility caused by the mother's immune system with unbelievable success." ...

   

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Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Can High Heels Reduce Your Fertility?

I'm always amazed when a new study comes out linking some lifestyle issue with fertility problems.  In this article, it is suggested that women who constantly wear very high heals can end up with a condition that can make it more difficult to get pregnant.  It has to do with the way your body adapts to the high heals by shifting your posture which can have an impact on your internal organs.  Read more....

Stick to flatties as high heels may risk your fertility
Hindustan Times,?India?- Apr 17, 2007
"Most important are the potential problems that high heels can cause in relation to fertility, menstrual cycles and abdominal function. ...

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Monday, April 16, 2007

Increasing Your Pregnancy Odds

I really liked this article, which offers a very informative overview of the many factors that can affect your fertility and what you can do to increase your chances of getting pregnant.  It talks about health factors as well as the lifestyle factors that have an impact on your fertility, such as weight and nutrition.  Have a read...

Upping your pregnancy odds
MSNBC?- 20 hours ago
But while some causes of infertility are hereditary or due to health problems beyond your control, reproductive experts say there are a few steps you can ...

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Saturday, April 14, 2007

Ten Things To Know Before Conceiving

There is a lot to think about and prepare for when you decide it's the right time to have a baby.  Especially important is the understanding that an embryo's organs begin to form only 17 days after conception, when many women won't even know they are pregnant yet.  This is the most critical part of fetal development so it is of the utmost importance that women are being very careful with their health at this time--eating properly, avoiding anything toxic, etc.  This article focuses on ten things that you should consider before you actually try to get pregnant.  Click the link to have a read...

http://www.drspock.com/article/0,1510,15753,00.html#anchor7



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Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Smoking Increases Chances of Conceiving A Girl

A new study suggests that couples who smoke have a much higher chance of having a girl than a boy.  It seems that something in the smoke reduces the chance of the "male" sperm from fertilizing an egg.  What's alarming about this article is there is an actual concern that couples wanting a girl might take up smoking in order to increase their chances of having one.  I know that it's easy to resort to desperate measures when you want a child very badly, but taking up smoking to favor having a particular gender??  That is really pathetic.  And just in case anyone is seriously thinking along those lines...smoking increases the chances of miscarriage and can have negative effect on fertility overall, so definitely not a good idea.

Smokers more likely to have girls: study
Sydney Morning Herald, Australia - 1 hour ago
An Australian fertility expert has voiced concern that the startling results could encourage wannabe parents to take up the habit to control their baby's ...

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Sunday, April 08, 2007

Getting Pregnant: One Woman's Story

Anyone who has been trying for a while to get pregnant has their own personal feelings about how long they are willing to wait before seeking help, be it information they can find on their own (often online), or consulting with their doctor or a fertility specialist.  Infertility is defined as being unable to conceive after one year of trying (six months if you're over 35), but after passing that time frame, it doesn't necessarily mean you have anything medically wrong with you.  In fact, many couples can and do get pregnant naturally after they were considered infertile due to the passing of a year.  Read one woman's story of how she is dealing with this....

LifeFiles: Help Me Get Pregnant - ColumnistsNews Story - WRTV Indianapolis

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Friday, April 06, 2007

Help For Endometriosis

If you're someone who suffers from endometriosis, a condition which can lead to painful periods and infertility, there is encouraging news.  A drug used to treat diabetes may be a possible treatment for endometriosis without affecting fertility in any negative way.  If you have endometriosis or suspect that you do, this article has some really helpful information.

Hope For Ending Pain, Infertility Of Endometriosis
eMaxHealth.com, NC - Apr 5, 2007
University of Michiganre searchers explore possible use of diabetes medication to treat endometriosis in women. Jan Ruma's pain was getting worse, ...

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Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Acupuncture For Infertility

As always, any new article on acupuncture catches my attention as I firmly believe that it had a major impact on my ability to conceive my two children. In this article the holistic approach of Eastern medicine is discussed, as it contrasts with the way infertility is treated with Western medicine which often uses drugs and/or surgery. Read more...

For women dealing with infertility, the process helps to balance their hormones, increase blood flow to the uterus, boost the immune system and relieve stress, all helping their body to conceive, Jurkovic said.

CITIZEN-TIMES.com: Treating infertility with acupuncture


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Monday, April 02, 2007

Baby Lust - One Woman's Tale Of The Infertility Rollercoaster

I just came across this article by a fantastic writer named Peggy Orenstein who details her life experience in her quest to have a baby in her new book.  It is called "Waiting for Daisy: A Tale of Two Continents, Three Religions, Five Infertility Doctors, an Oscar, an Atomic Bomb, a Romantic Night and One Woman’s Quest to Become a Mother.”  Judging from the title and after reading this article by the author, I am off to my local library tomorrow to check out this book.  I did some quick research and the book reviews for it are amazing.  Read the article first, and if her writing captures your attention like it did mine, go get the book.  I'm certainly going to.

Men’s drive to procreate is certainly as strong as women’s — for both sexes, it is, on a biological level, the primary purpose of our existence — but whether because of denial or something else, they tend, as the sociologist Arthur Greil has written, to experience infertility as “disappointing but not devastating.” Women find it “intolerable, identity threatening.”

Babies - Pregnancy - Feminism - Baby Lust - Peggy Orenstein - New York Times





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Thursday, March 29, 2007

The Clock Might Be Ticking

Good article worth a read...talks about how many women who aren't planning to have a baby in the immediate future, may not pay attention to their reproductive health.  Yearly gynecological checkups are a must.  Awareness that a poor quality lifestyle can hamper the ability to produce healthy eggs and sperm.  Luckily, doctors say that simple lifestyle adjustments can have a major effect on the body and reproductive system.  Read...

Careful, the clock may be ticking
7DAYS, United Arab Emirates - 1 hour ago
Fertility is also highly related to lifestyle. A poor quality lifestyle can hamper our ability to produce healthy eggs and sperm, but doctors say that ...

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Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Too Much Beef Can Have A Damaging Effect

This is an interesting article on how the diet you eat during pregnancy can affect your child in ways you may never have anticipated.  Some new research has found that women who ate beef, particularly red meat every day while pregnant ended up having sons with lower sperm counts than normal.  More...

E Canada NowWomen Who Eat Beef Give Sons Fertility Issues
E Canada Now, Canada - 6 hours ago
Those who eat beef end up with sons who have a 25 percent lower sperm count as well as a higher risk of fertility problems by a margin of three times more ...


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Monday, March 26, 2007

The Male Biological Clock

It seems the evidence continues to mount that men can no longer assume they can father a child regardless of their age.  Studies are pointing to some serious medical complications affecting babies born to older fathers.  It looks like men are going to have to face the ticking biological clock that has historically been solely a woman's burden.



National Review of Medicine
It seems the fertility clock ticks
National Review of Medicine,?Canada?- Mar 23, 2007
When it comes to fertility and the prospect of having normal babies, it has always been assumed that men have no biological clock — that unlike women, ...

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Thursday, March 22, 2007

At Home Kit To Help You Get Pregnant

Check this out...there is a new kit on the market that contains several components that can help a couple improve their chances of getting pregnant, without resorting to expensive fertility treatments.  Read...

First Home Fertility Kit Wins Approval From U.S. Regulators (Bloomberg.com)

March 22 (Bloomberg) -- An in-home kit designed to help couples conceive won U.S. approval. The $300 package is the first to be cleared by the Food and Drug Administration, the product's maker, closely held Conceivex Inc. of Saranac, Michigan, said today in a statement.

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Wednesday, March 21, 2007

The Alternative Way Of Getting Pregnant

Nice overview of the alternative options available to those having difficulty getting pregnant, but not wanting to try the more invasive fertility treatments, such as IVF.  Read on...

Alternative paths to pregnancy (The Argus Leader)

The Freesemanns wanted to have a second child. But after Miranda Freesemann experienced trouble with two pregnancies and had a Cesarean section, the prospect of another healthy pregnancy was daunting.

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Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Miscarriage Risks

If you've ever experienced a miscarriage, or have worried about the possibility of miscarriage in early pregnancy, take a look at this article which focuses on some new research.  There have always been some known risk factors for miscarriage, such as increased maternal age, but some of the other widely accepted factors, such as smoking and drinking were actually challenged.  It should be noted however, even if there is no link to miscarriage from smoking and drinking, these practices can still cause harm to the growing baby and should definitely be avoided.  Read more..

Age and stress associated with pregnancy loss (Reuters via Yahoo! News)

A UK population-based study of risk factors for first-trimester miscarriage confirms the importance of established risk factors, such as maternal age, and finds no support for popular beliefs about the effects of caffeine and working during pregnancy.

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Saturday, March 17, 2007

The Male Side Of Fertility Problems

This article gives a good overview of the current perception that most people think of fertility problems as being a "woman's issue."  Women give much more thought to their fertility and the ticking of their biological clock.  Men, on the other hand, tend to think that their fertility is somehow tied to their masculinity, and therefore assume that everything must be working right.  The truth may be a bit startling for many men....when a couple comes for treatment after trying unsuccessfully to get pregnant for over a year, the problem is just as likely to be a male one as a female one.  More...

Boy story
Daily Telegraph, Australia - 3 hours ago
YOU may be surprised to know that when it comes to infertility, men and women are pretty equal. So why is talk about male infertility so rare? ...

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Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Getting Healthy Before Getting Pregnant

This article talks about the importance of prenatal care to help improve the health of babies at birth. In the past 20 years, the focus has been on prenatal care, rather than preconception care, but that is starting to change. This is so important because a lot of early development (the first few weeks after conception) happens before a woman even knows she is pregnant. So being healthy before even attempting to get pregnant, will ensure that the baby is getting the best start right from the beginning. More...

Preconception training is just as vital as prenatal care
NorthJersey.com, NJ - Mar 13, 2007
All women, regardless of whether or not they are trying to get pregnant, should exercise, eat healthy, quit smoking and manage chronic diseases, ...


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Monday, March 12, 2007

Losing a Pregnancy

Having gone through several miscarriages myself, I am always drawn to other women's stories that I can deeply relate to.  I came across this personal story written by someone "who's been there" and thought I would mention it here.  If you have ever suffered through a miscarriage or know someone who has, you might find it a worthwhile read.  I did....

Mourning a Miscarriage
New West, MT - 35 minutes ago
I didn’t know I was pregnant before I realized there was a problem. I had been training for a marathon and trying to get pregnant at the same time; ...

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Friday, March 09, 2007

Obese Couples Reduce Their Chance Of Conceiving

The research has already shown that being overweight can contribute to fertility problems for both men and women.  This new study is the first to look at overweight and obese couples to see the effect it has on their fertility.  The news is not good.  More...

Too Much Weight Spells Double Trouble For Couples Trying To Conceive (Science Daily)

If both partners in a couple are overweight or obese, they are more likely to have to wait longer before successfully conceiving a child, according to new research published online in Europe's leading reproductive medicine journal, Human Reproduction. The author warned this could have major implications for population levels, particularly in parts of the world where obesity and low fertility ...

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Wednesday, March 07, 2007

Help For Endometriosis From Tree Bark

Some very promising new research suggests a natural treatment made from pine bark for women suffering from endometriosis, a leading cause of infertility.  This new treatment can significantly reduce the symptoms but it is not a cure.  Most of the other endometriosis treatments use hormones which have unwanted side effects that can restrict women from becoming pregnant during the treatment.  Read more...

New Study: Pine Bark Significantly Reduces Endometriosis (Market Wire via Yahoo! Finance)

There's promising hope for women who suffer from endometriosis, one of the most common causes of infertility and pelvic pain. A new study to be published in an upcoming edition of the Journal of Reproductive Medicine reveals that Pycnogenol®, an antioxidant plant extract from the bark of the French maritime pine tree, significantly reduces symptoms of endometriosis by 33 percent.

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Tuesday, March 06, 2007

Is It Easier To Get Pregnant If You're A Celebrity?

The media often gives a lot of attention to the latest celebrity who is pregnant--often she is older and sometimes even pregnant with multiples. This may be giving the average woman a false impression that getting pregnant is easy--even at an advanced age. But the reality is that many of these celebs have access to very expensive fertility treatments and often use donor eggs (which is not generally publicized). More...

Women may be misled by older celebrity moms
Waterloo Record,?Canada?- 55 minutes ago
"Women have been misled by the portrayal of movie stars over 40 having children,'' said Beverly Hanck, executive director of the Infertility Awareness ...

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Monday, March 05, 2007

Fertility Factors

This article has a nice overview of some of the main factors that affect a couple's chance of conceiving a baby.  Have a read...

As one of the human body's most basic and most powerful processes, pregnancy – and the ability to conceive a child – is often thought of as a “natural” occurrence. Yet there are numerous factors involved in achieving and maintaining a healthy pregnancy, and even a minor flaw in just one area can wreak havoc on couples attempting to conceive.

Top Five Fertility Factors



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Sunday, March 04, 2007

Hot Baths Can Hurt Fertility

Many men have probably heard the advice to avoid any heat in a certain 'lower body region' if they are trying to conceive a child.  Truth be told, there has never been any scientific evidence to back up the claim that too much heat can damage sperm.  So is this an old wive's tale or is there any truth to it?  Well, some new research does seem to support the notion that men who soak in hot baths or hot tubs do compromise there sperm quality.  More...


Metro
Hot baths 'do cut a man’s fertility'
Metro, UK - 2 hours ago
It may not endear him to his partner in terms of cleanliness but not taking a bath may improve a man's fertility. Lounging around in hot baths or Jacuzzis ...

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Friday, March 02, 2007

Nutrition For Conception

I have been coming across more and more articles lately suggesting that fertility problems can often be overcome by making adjustments in both diet and lifestyle. This especially holds true for couples who have been diagnosed with "unexplained infertility", which basically means the doctors can't find any medical reason why a woman can not get pregnant. Apparently, some studies have shown a staggering 80% success rate in couples with "unexplained infertility" when they make certain changes to their nutrition and lifestyle. With these potential results, doesn't it make sense to try this before turning to expensive, invasive and often stressful infertility treatments?

Certain foods, even nutritious ones, can have such a negative impact on your delicate reproductive system that if you are serious about conceiving, you might consider leaving them off your plate for the time being, if not for good.






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Thursday, March 01, 2007

Eating Ice Cream To Improve Fertility?

OK, this headline caught my attention for obvious reasons.  I think most women would love to learn of some research proving that eating ice cream can help them get pregnant.  In this study, women who ate low fat dairy products vs. those who ate high fat dairy products (such as ice cream) were compared to see if there was any effect on their ovulation.  While the risk for a certain type of infertility (lack of ovulation) was lower among the ice cream eaters, many experts caution that this is not necessarily due to the eating of ice cream. Read more...

Study Suggests Ice Cream May Aid Fertility (Black Voices)

(Feb. 27) - Ben & Jerry might help you get pregnant, but not in the usual way. A diet rich in ice cream and other high-fat dairy foods may lower the risk of one type of infertility, a study suggests. It sounds too good to be true and probably is, some doctors say.

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Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Procreation Vacation

While there is no scientific evidence to prove it, many agree that stress can play a role in a couple's ability to get pregnant.  It is no wonder then, that the idea of a relaxing vacation to help couples de-stress, and increase their chances of conceiving a baby is getting very popular.  Especially since the struggle to conceive can sometimes take a toll on the marriage.  Taking a break in a relaxing environment certainly couldn't hurt...and may just be what the doctor ordered to increase your chances of conception.


WTMJ-TV
Procreation Vacation
WTMJ-TV, WI - 1 hour ago
Fertility expert Dr. Jacob Glock says the anxiety and stress of trying to get pregnant, actually affect fertility. "Although there's no scientific evidence ...

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Monday, February 26, 2007

Emotional Support During The Fertility Struggle

If you've been trying to have a baby and it's been a difficult struggle, you probably know how important it is to get emotional support from those around you.  Unfortunately, many times fertility is a very private issue, not often discussed with friends and family.  There are alot of ways to get this type of support online, through forums and blogs.  Once such blog, by a woman named Tertia who's incredible journey ultimately resulted in the birth of her two beautiful children, is a very worthy read.  Check it out...

So Close - Tertia Albertyn
Tonight,?South Africa?- 23 hours ago
So Close - Tertia Albertyn's compelling and yet humorous account of her battle with infertility - has it genesis in her blog (www.tertia.org) which she ..

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Saturday, February 24, 2007

High Risk Pregnancies On The Rise

Age is one factor which can contribute to a high risk pregnancy.  Many more women over 40 are having babies, so that contributes to the increase in high risk pregnancies.  But also, more and more women with life threatening conditions such as organ transplant recipients, breast cancer survivors, and even women with HIV are getting pregnant and having healthy babies.  More..

Bad News, Good News On Pregnancy (CBS News)

The number of high-risk pregnancies is on the rise in the U.S. ? in some cases due to older moms, and in others, women deciding to try childbirth despite health challenges that would have made pregnancy unthinkable only a few years ago.

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Thursday, February 22, 2007

Support During The Infertility Struggle

For women experiencing the struggle of trying to conceive a child, it can be a very isolating experience. The subject of infertility is often kept secret, leaving women without an outlet to express their pain, and get much needed support. Enter the on-line world, where anonymity allows for mutual sharing of common experiences, which can make the journey on the way to parenthood an easier road. There are many blogs that have cropped up...journals women write to share their experience, which often includes infertility treatments. More....

Blogs help infertile couples feel less alone (Kansas City Star)

On June 9, 2005, Larisa Bourgeois of Austin, Texas, wrote in her new blog, “If Katie Holmes gets pregnant before me … well, it won’t be pretty.”

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Dealing With Pregnancy Loss

Having dealt with several miscarriages myself, I know firsthand that most people do not know what to say or how to act around someone who has experienced a pregnancy loss. This article gives a great overview of dealing with miscarriage, including what to say and what ot to say. If you've suffered a loss, or know someone else who has, read on....

When someone you know loses a baby
Pregnancy and Baby,?AZ?- 4 hours ago
Don't remind the couple they can get pregnant again. Again, this may be true, but it doesn't diminish a couple's hurt over the lost child. ...

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Stress And Fertility Link

Time and again there is the suggestion that stress can reduce the chances of becoming pregnant. There is absolutely no scientific proof of this, yet there are countless women who believe it and therefore try out stress reducing methods such as acupuncture, yoga, etc. to help reduce the stress and help them to conceive. This article gives an overview of the link that stress may have to a woman's ability to get pregnant...

On fertile ground: Stress and conception
SheKnows.com, AZ - 13 hours ago
... most of which end with the cliched assertion that if you want to get pregnant all you have to do is stop trying so hard and relax. ...

Monday, February 19, 2007

Yoga For Fertility?

There are quite a few alternative approaches to improve fertility that many couples are now using, such as acupuncture, reflexology, hypnosis, and now yoga.  All of these methods offer the benefit of increased relaxation, and perhaps something else.  Unfortunately, there is not alot of scientific proof that any of these methods can help women get pregnant, but there are increasing numbers of anecdotal stories told by couples convinced that it made the difference in helping them to have a baby.  More...

Fertility Yoga Helps Wichita Women
KAKE, KS - 21 hours ago
2-18-07 - More than 9.3 million women in the US are using some sort of infertility treatment, but some local families are turning to an alternative to ...

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Sunday, February 18, 2007

Trying To Conceive? Don't Drink!

Most women are aware that they shouldn't drink alcohol when pregnant as it can cause damage to the developing baby.   But there is some controversy over the degree of drinking that is safe.  Some doctors say it's ok to have a drink from time to time when you are pregnant.  Some new research suggests that no amount of drinking is safe.  That's right, none!  Read more...

Want to ave a drink while pregnant? Just say no
St. Louis Post-Dispatch, MO - 29 minutes ago
... to post signs that drinking while pregnant can cause birth defects. But that's about it so far. There's no state-supported campaign to get the word out. ...

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Saturday, February 17, 2007

Breeding Brighter Babies?

Twenty years ago, there was an idea to match up high IQ women with similarly genius sperm donors, in an effort to create smarter babies.  These children are all grown up now so the question remains, did it work?  And if these kids did turn out to be "superior", do we in fact know if it was their genes that had a profound influence or perhaps it was the environment they were raised in.  Read on...

"Genius" Sperm Breed Brighter Babies? (KGO-TV Bay Area)

Can science breed brighter babies? That was the idea behind the Nobel Sperm Bank. The babies are all grown up now -- so how did they turn out?

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Friday, February 16, 2007

Eating Fish When Pregnant Raises IQ Of Child

If you're trying to get pregnant, chances are you've heard some of the warnings about eating fish.  Some fish have high mercury levels that can cause developmental problems in the developing baby.  On the flip side, fish has some fantastic health benefits, omega-3 fatty acids that new research says may improve the child's future IQ.  More...


Playfuls.com
Pregnant mothers should eat fish to get brainy children, says new ...
Earthtimes.org - 12 hours ago
The researchers said if pregnant women are not given their weekly intake to 340 grams of fish and seafood, they will not get protection for their children ...

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Thursday, February 15, 2007

Another Look At Acupuncture To Help Conception

I'm already a big believer in acupuncture as an alternative approach to help women get pregnant.  Some research has already shown that it can improve the chances of success with IVF, but more women are using it as a natural alternative to IVF.  And it seems to be helping many women get pregnant who were having difficulty before.  I think acupuncture is eventually going to be a standard treatment for women who are trying to conceive, but for now, it certainly is worth looking into if nothing else is working.  It certainly can't hurt!


Canada.com
Acupuncture gives couples fertility hope
Canada.com, Canada - 5 hours ago
"My fertility doctor couldn't find anything wrong. One day I woke up and decided to check out acupuncture. I did some research on the Internet, ...

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Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Is It Safe To Have A Baby After 40?

Women over 40 having babies is hardly a unique event anymore.  The age of women giving birth has been steadily rising for a while now, yet the question still sparks some heated debate.  There are many different issues to consider for women pursuing a pregnancy later in life, but as far as health issues, many of the risks stated can be overcome with good preconception care and attention to good health on the part of the woman.  Read more...

Is it Safe to Have a Baby After Age 40?
WILX-TV, MI - 8 hours ago
"As a parent I know it's really a bad thing to get pregnant when you're too old and set in your ways. But as far as a health point of view, ...

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Monday, February 12, 2007

Can Hypnosis Affect Fertility?

I'm all for exploring alternative means to try and help women get pregnant, and a new method seems to warrant some attention.  Hypnosis, which is probably most popular for helping people quit smoking, is now being explored as a means to help women conceive.  Perhaps it helps with stress, or maybe addresses some other issues, but the bottom line is that it seems to be helping some women to get pregnant, which is the ultimate goal.  More research is needed to check the validity of hypnosis as a fertility treatment, but since it certainly can't do any harm, it seems worth a try.  Read more..
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Sunday, February 11, 2007

Celebrities With Fertility Problems

If you are going through your own struggles to get pregnant and have a baby, you may find some comfort in reading about many famous couples who have been through the same thing.  This site gives details on the many couples who have struggled with infertility and also discusses the successes they had.  Read on...


Celebrities that have Struggled with Fertility - Celebrity Baby Blog

Celebrities that have Struggled with Fertility
Celebrity Baby Blog, NY - 13 hours ago
Like any other normal couple, celebrities struggle with infertility at times. A variety of couples have struggled for years to concieve. ...

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