A Break From The Conventional Approach

I love the ideas in this article....trying creative approaches to increase the odds of conception, rather than just using the same old expensive, often invasive techniques to treat infertility.

Fertility specialists in New Jersey and worldwide are looking at other lower-cost, less-invasive ways to improve IVF success rates. Scientists are trying cognitive behavioral therapy, rather than drugs, to stimulate ovulation. They're determining if the chance of pregnancy after embryo transfer is greater if patients immediately are given acupuncture or entertained by clowns to make them laugh.

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technorati tags:ivf, acupuncture, pregnant, infertility

The Secrets Of The Egg

The latest research has science unfolding the unique characteristics of the human egg and it's apparent magic...

Washington, Sept 07: Scientists at Michigan State University claim to have unravelled the mystery behind the human egg's ability to transform into a new life.

Zee News - Scientists identify genetic secrets of human egg

technorati tags:infertility, pregnant

More Embryo Screening

This article takes another look at PGD (preimplantation genetic diagnosis), and how it is being used to screen embryos for an inherited cancer risk gene.  Once again it raises the issue of how more and more things can be screened for at this early stage, and where should fertility clinics draw the line in embryo testing.  Especially when couples who are able to get pregnant on their own, may soon be turning to PGD to create the designer baby of their dreams.

Screening embryos to avoid deadly genes San Francisco Chronicle,  USA - 16 hours ago ... Kingsbury's that the expense and physical demands of in vitro fertilization were not worth it, given that the couple could probably get pregnant without it. ...

technorati tags:pregnant, fertility, conception, ivf

What To Eat?

Here are some helpful hints on some foods to eat when you are trying to get pregnant. While there are a lot of other fertility boosting foods, this is a good start...

6 FOODS TO EAT IF YOU'RE TRYING TO GET PREGNANT EAT RIGHT ic Scotland.co.uk,?UK?- Sep 4, 2006 ... All women hoping to get pregnant are advised to take a folic acid supplement as it reduces the risk of birth defects in the baby. ...

technorati tags:fertility, pregnant

More Technological Advances

Technology will continue to offer advances in the area of reproduction.  Women who can't get pregnant because of issues with their uterus, may have the chance to get a womb transplant in the not too distant future.  What could be next?

First womb transplant 'within two years' - China Daily

First womb transplant 'within two years' China Daily,?China?- Sep 5, 2006 ... Having Infertility Problems Solved, said: "There are so many people who have come to the end of the line with IVF and have been told there's no hope. ...

technorati tags:pregnant, infertility, transplant

Forget the Boxers

We've probably all heard that when trying to conceive, men need to keep their private regions cool.  Boxer shorts are typically recommended to replace the briefs. Now along comes some research pointing to heated car seats as a more significant influence.

Men in the hot seat may soon lack fertility - Independent Online

Men in the hot seat may soon lack fertility Independent Online,?South Africa?- Sep 5, 2006 Heated seats in cars may be more to blame for declining male fertility than tight trousers, a urologist warned Tuesday, two days before a German conference on ...

technorati tags:pregnant, fertility, sperm

Frozen Eggs Please

With new advances in egg-freezing technology, women will have the option of freezing their eggs as opposed to having to freeze their embryos (which requires a male participant).  Is this a good thing???

Gillian Lockwood, of the British Fertility Society, this week recommended that women put their fresh young eggs on ice at 30 to improve their chances of conceiving at 40-plus. A frozen egg is a golden egg.

Would madam like her eggs frozen? - Comment - Times Online

technorati tags:pregnant, fertility

Baby Doctor Turned Novelist

In this unusual twist, an obstetrician (doctor who delivers babies) finds herself unable to have a baby herself.  So after going through infertility treatments and getting a taste of what some of her patients have gone through, she wrote a fictional novel based on her experiences.  Should be a good read...

Doctor's infertility gives her insight - News & Observer

News & Observer

Doctor's infertility gives her insight News & Observer, NC - Sep 4, 2006 ... uterus. It took corrective surgery and five cycles of infertility treatments, at a cost of about $12,000, to solve her problem. ...

technorati tags:pregnant, fertility

Should Age Be A Factor?

A look at what it means to have children at what is considered an advanced age.  It's not just about whether it's possible to do it, but whether it's a good lifestyle choice. 

Older Moms: Issues Beyond Pregnancy - CBS News

Older Moms: Issues Beyond Pregnancy CBS News, New York - 21 hours ago (CBS) Today's technology enables women in their 40s and even 50s to get pregnant and give birth. ... First: How old is too old to attempt to get pregnant? ...

technorati tags:fertility, pregnant

The Wonderful World Of Reproductive Technology

What a great story with a happy ending.  A woman who had very little hope of getting pregnant due to endometriosis, becomes a happy mother to twin girsl after undergoing an unexpected treatment.

I HAD TO GO THROUGH THE MENOPAUSE AT 35 TO GET PREGNANT Now Lesley ... Glasgow Daily Record, UK - 17 hours ago ... "When I was told my best hope of getting pregnant was to go through the menopause, I thought it was a joke. ... "I was to get a keyhole surgery operation to remove ...

technorati tags:endometriosis, pregnant, fertility, infertility, ivf

Any Harm In Drinking?

Is conflicting information making it difficult for women to know what they should and shouldn't do when pregnant or trying to get pregnant?

Why Welsh mums-to-be are shunning medical advice on drinking while ... ic Wales,?United Kingdom?- 2 hours ago ... Current Department of Health advice is that women who are pregnant or who are trying to get pregnant should not drink more than one to two units, twice a week. ...

technorati tags:fertility, pregnant, pregnancy

Help For Diabetic Women Attempting Pregnancy

Good news for women suffering with diabetes--it is possible to have a successful pregnancy!

Sweet child of mine - Malaysia Star

Sweet child of mine Malaysia Star, Malaysia - 13 hours ago ... type 1 and 2) have to understand: “It is very important to plan your pregnancy so that the diabetes can be controlled optimally before you get pregnant. ...

technorati tags:pregnant, diabetes, conception

Obesity Not Just A Woman's Issue

This article points to some research which is by no means definitive.  But there is a suggestion that overweight men may be at risk for fertility problems, just as it has been suggested for overweight women...

Male Infertility May Have Obesity Link - FOX News

World Fitness

Male Infertility May Have Obesity Link FOX News - Sep 1, 2006 ... edition. It’s often hard to pin down the source of infertility. Men and women may each have risk factors for infertility. For ...

technorati tags:pregnant, fertility, infertility

Got "E"?

We already know how important it is to have good nutrition and take vitamins including folic acid when trying to get pregnant.  A new study is showing that it is also very important to get enough vitamin E, as it can help prevent asthma from developing in the child in the future.

Study: Vitamin E Important For Pregnant Women - KDKA

Study: Vitamin E Important For Pregnant Women KDKA, PA - 20 hours ago ... supplements. "It's recommended that women trying to get pregnant or in early pregnancy start prenatal vitamins," said Dr. Wu. And ...

technorati tags:pregnant, asthma, vitamins

Should You Be Banned From Fertility Treatment?

This is sure to stir up some controversy...a group in the U.K. has proposed that significantly overweight women should not be eligible to receive fertility treatment in order to get pregnant.  To find out why, read on...

SEVERELY obese women should not have IVF on the NHS.” This headline was prompted by the British Fertility Society, which said that obese women are less likely to become pregnant and, if they do, are more likely to experience health problems.

A fertile argument - Health - Times Online

technorati tags:fertility, ivf, pregnant, infertility

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