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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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, ...

technorati tags:fertility, infertility, pregnant, acupuncture

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Can Biological Clock Be Slowed?

A reader writes a question about how to slow down her biological clock...is this possible?  Some good insights in this article.  Read more...

How to slow down clock after 40 Chicago Sun-Times, IL - 13 hours ago While there are many other things that contribute to infertility, age is without question the single most important factor that predicts one's ability to ...

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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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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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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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PCOS Treatment Options Tested

If you have PCOS or know someone who does, this is important news.  It seems the preferred treatment for PCOS turns out not to be the best choice, according to some new research.  The pregnancy rate for women using Metformin, the current drug of choice, was lower than for those women using clomiphene.  Read more...

Study: Clomiphene Best On PCOS Infertility (CBS News)

Clomiphene, one of the oldest treatments for a common cause of infertility, is still the best one, according to findings from a study that experts say will have a major impact on clinical practice.

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The Waiting Womb - A New Novel

I always have a particular interest in novels that have a "fertility" theme.  I guess I find it appealing in that I can relate to what the characters are going through in their struggle to have a baby. That being said, there is a new fictional account of a couples difficulties in trying to start a family, which looks like it has some humor to it, which should make it a good read.  Check it out...I certainly plan to.

An inspiration for anyone who is trying to conceive or who is considering adoption, The Waiting Womb is the perfect read for any woman who feels she is going through infertility alone. Ms. Sayre delivers strong female characters and lots of laughs. There is no control over life or fertility, suggests Sayre, but there are always unexpected miracles.

Blazingly Honest Novel Presents a Realistic Portrait of Coping with Infertility

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New Fertility Patch To Predict Ovulation

There's a new product in the works, and frankly it sounds too good to be true.  It's been said many times that the most critical factor in getting pregnant is knowing when you are ovulating.  Since conception can only occur during those few days leading up to ovulation, knowing your "fertile window" is key to the timing of intercourse.  Unfortunately, many women are not able to determine when they are ovulating, even though there are various methods available, ie. BBT charting, ovulation predictor kits, etc.  This new product claims it will be able to pinpoint ovulation easily.  Read more...

New patch a 'failsafe' fertility barometer (Business Weekly)

A revolutionary stick-on patch that pinpoints when a woman is most fertile could boost the chances of conception for would-be mums and eliminate the risk of unwanted pregnancy for others.

technorati tags:pregnant, infertility, fertility, ovulation

Could Your Shampoo Hurt Your Chance Of Conceiving?

There's been a lot of media attention of late about the relationship between the environment and infertility.  There is no doubt that some  environmental toxins can have a damaging effect of the reproductive system, both make and female.  Now there seems to be some research pointing to certain chemicals, such as those found in fragrance which might be harmful if trying to get pregnant.  Read more...

Synthetic chemicals may disrupt reproduction (Contra Costa Times)

SAN FRANCISCO - Synthetic chemicals in food, lotions, shampoos, baby bottles, appliances and many other consumer goods disrupt the exquisitely timed chemical reactions that lead to pregnancy and birth, scientists say.

technorati tags:pregnant, infertility, fertility, conception

I'm here without you baby

I ran across this video and I found it very moving. It reminded me of some of my feelings when I was going through my own personal struggle to have a baby. I think it will touch your heart, whether you are currently having problems getting pregnant or know someone else who is.

Fertility Gems

With Valentine's Day coming up, what better gift than a bracelet or necklage made of gems that are supposed to promote fertility.  I came across this site that sells assorted handcrafted jewelry that symbolize fertility.  Also sold are charms for those who have experienced a pregnancy loss.  Have a look...

http://www.labelledame.com/fertility-jewelry.html

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An Alternative Way To Have A Baby

With technological advances, new options for having babies continues to increase.  Due to the rising number of IVF attempts, there continue to be more and more embryos frozen with these cycles.  Many of these embryos never get used and are held in storage.  Now, for couples who can't give birth on their own, these frozen embryos are becoming available for adoption.  More....

Snowflake babies are new option for infertile couples WTHR, IN - 7 hours ago Johnson County - Dealing with infertility can be devastating, and for many couples adoption is the only option. But what about the women who hope to ...

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Reproductive Specialist Names Outrageous Fertility Myths

I agree there are a lot of myths surrounding the topic of conception/fertility.  This article by a reproductive specialist discusses several myths that have been around for some time about getting pregnant.  Being a medical doctor, it stands to reason he would declare something to be a myth if there is no scientific studies or evidence proving that it works.  But in the world of fertility there are so many anecdotal stories relating to some of these myths, I have to wonder if we should ignore them just because there isn't enough scientific evidence.  A good example is the claim that stress can cause difficulty with conception.  This is a very controversial topic and while science hasn't proven it, I'm not sure I agree with the good doctor that stress doesn't have any impact on getting pregnant.  I have heard too much anecdotal evidence stating otherwise.  Read the list for yourself and draw your own conclusions....

Stress Causes Infertility (Fiction) The fact is, that while it is possible, although rare, for stress to cause infertility, it is far more common for infertility to cause stress. The role stress plays in a person's fertility is complicated. Evidence indicating stress as a cause of infertility is minimal. There are rare occasions when extreme stress can interfere with normal ovulation in women and may reduce sperm production in men. Stress can also affect a relationship by keeping a couple from the intimacy of intercourse.

Fertility Fact or Fiction? Chicago Reproductive Endocrinologist Sheds Some Light on Outrageous Fertility Myths and Facts You Need to Know

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

Early Pregnancy Loss Is Fairly Common But Still Devastating

Early miscarriages are quite common.  About 15-20% of women will have a miscarriage in early pregnancy.  There are many causes for the loss, and many times it is the body's way of protecting against the birth of a baby with serious defects.  This article has a good overview of miscarriage--the causes and experience.

When a woman loses her baby Jamaica Gleaner, Jamaica - Jan 30, 2007 A miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks. About 15-20 per cent of women will have a miscarriage or spontaneous abortion. ...

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Acupuncture Helps Male Fertility Problems

There has been a lot of media attention addressing the use of acupuncture to help women improve their chances of getting pregnant.  However, over one third of the fertility problems of couples is due to problems from the male.  New research points to acupuncture to help improve sperm production and quality.

Evidence suggests that acupuncture can have an effect on sperm production and quality, without causing any changes in behavior or sexual desire. A recent trial published in Fertility and Sterility has shown just how effective acupuncture can be in the treatment of this condition, leading to significant increases in the number of normal sperm and equally significant reductions in structural defects.

Pugliese Public Relations - Study Shows Acupuncture Improves Fertility in Men

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A Few Cigarettes A Day Keeps A Baby Away

I've already posted about the dangers of smoking when trying to get pregnant.  But I think many people don't take it that seriously--perhaps because they don't really understand how it can get in the way of conception.  This article goes into great detail about the effects of smoking on both women and men who are trying to have a baby.  It is a great overview and very convincing, so if you still haven't quit smoking and are trying to get pregnant, definitely read this...

Trying to conceive? Quit smoking MSNBC - 2 hours ago (Put into more statistical terms, studies have shown that the relative risk of infertility in women smokers is 1.60, compared to the baseline of 1.0 for ...

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Fertility Help For Dads To Be

Here's an article that addresses the male role in the quest for a baby.  It seems that men can be just as concerned as women about their role in being able to get her pregnant.  And there are some things he can do which can improve his fertility as well.  Read more...

Dads sweat out getting pregnant, too Inside Bay Area,?CA?- 3 hours ago As far as vitamins and nutritional supplements to increase a man's fertility, there are plenty of scams out there, so be careful. ...

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Having Babies After 40?

This is a really interesting article about the trend of women postponing pregnancy until later life.  Because of the advances in reproductive technology and the media attention of women in their 40's and 50's having babies, may women are postponing pregnancy until they are older.  But the fact remains that fertility dramatically declines as early as age 30, and many women may find it very difficult to conceive when they finally decide they are ready.

Women's focus on career development -- combined with advances in fertility medicine -- has produced higher-than-ever increases in the birth rates for older mothers. The birth rate for American women aged 40-44 years has more than doubled in the last 25 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control, a greater increase than in any other age group.

RedOrbit - Health - Fertility & IVF Experts: Don't Bet All on Late Motherhood

technorati tags:pregnant, infertility, fertility

Empty Arms

If you, yourself are suffering from infertility, or know someone else that is, please view this very moving video.  It expresses the pain of infertility, while acknowledging the hope that still lives.

http://www.vocalicious.com/empty_arms/empty_arms_mod.html

technorati tags:pregnant, infertility, fertility