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

Older Men

It looks like more research is showing that age can affect a man's fertility too...

                               ------------------------------------------------

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

Pre-Conception Care--It's Urgent Care!

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...

        ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"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

Another Baby?

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

If The Choice Were Yours--Boy or Girl?

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

technorati tags:gender, pregnant

Younger Women Seek Treatment

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

Older Mommies In The U.K.

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