Can A "Womb" Be Donated? Should It?

Advances in reproductive technology continue to amaze me.  Women who have difficulty getting pregnant continue to have more and more options available to them if they decide to let science intervene.  One new area of development is the harvesting and transplanting of a woman's womb.  There are many uterine problems that contribute to infertility, and this option, while still a long way away, might be the answer for some women in the future to have the baby they dream of.


Womb transplants may one day be a reality (Reuters via Yahoo! News)

Current organ donor networks appear able to supply human wombs, or uteruses, for transplantation as a possible approach to treating infertility, researchers report in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology.

technorati tags:pregnant, infertility, fertility

Help For PCOS Sufferers

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is a hormonal imbalance that can have some very unpleasant side effects, oot the least of which is difficulty getting pregnant.  More than 1 in 6 women are effected.  An eating program has been developed which is helping women to lose the weight that PCOS suffererers often gain, and this in turn helps improve fertility.  More info....

US Woman Helps Pioneer to Develop Healthy-Eating Route to Improved ... PR Web (press release),?WA?- 3 hours ago The symptoms can be unpleasant, causing disruption of the menstrual cycle so that fertility is adversely affected. Severe weight gain, bodily and facial ...

technorati tags:PCOS, fertility, pregnant, infertility

Frozen Embryos For Sale

The idea of using a sperm bank if a woman doesn't have a partner and wants to get pregnant is generally an accepted practice.  However, there is some controversy over the the idea of an "embryo bank" where you can choose an embryo based on various attributes you might consider favorable.  The controversy stems from the idea that choosing an embryo is too much like "ordering" a child with specific traits.  For more info....

Firm Lets Clients Pick Among Fertilized Eggs Washington Post, DC - 2 hours ago But the embryo brokerage, which calls itself "the world's first human embryo bank," raises alarm among some fertility experts and bioethicists, ...

technorati tags:pregnant, infertility

An Alternative Approach To Conceive

There is an increasing interest in alternative therapy to help women who are having trouble getting pregnant to conceive.  Since many couples aren't interested or able to financially afford expensive infertility treatments, there has been a focus on "natural" fertility options, many of which include variou methods to promote relaxation.  More....

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/news_to_use/16320785.htm

technorati tags:pregnant, infertility, fertility

Stressed Out?

The idea that stress can cause problems getting pregnant is often a hotly debated topic.  When couples are having trouble conceiving, they are often told by well intentioned friends and family that they just need to relax.  However, much of the scientific evidence suggests that stress does not cause infertility.  In reality, stress can contribute to difficulties in getting pregnant, but the reason is because of how it can affect ovulation.  For details, read this informative article...

http://www.babycenter.com/expert/preconception/gettingpregnant/1336350.html

technorati tags:pregnant, infertility, stress

A Plan For Infertility Treatment

This article, written by a fertility specialist, addresses the idea of having a fertility plan in mind for couples seeking infertility treatment.  He addresses the issue that most couples consider fertility treatment to be "hit or miss" and he recommends that a positive approach and a determination to succeed are important components for success.  Read more....

Avoiding hit-or-miss fertility treatment Vanguard, Nigeria - 13 hours ago No doubt one question agitating the minds of almost every couple seeking treatment for one problem of infertility or the other So today I’ll be talking about ...

Having Babies Over 45

With recent advances in technology, women are getting pregnant and having babies later and later.  Many are using advanced reproductive technologies, while others are getting pregnant the natural way.  While many older women use donor eggs, many are still conceiving with their own eggs in their early and mid forties.  While this is great news for women who have put off having children to further their careers, it should not be assumed that it is easy to get pregnant once you have entered your forties.  The odds of miscarriage and birth defects increases tremendously.  For more on this topic....

The number of British women giving birth aged over 45 has doubled within a decade, official figures show. The rise is more than found in any other age group over the same period.

'Baby rates doubles in women over 45 in a decade' | the Daily Mail

technorati tags:fertility, pregnant, infertility

New IVF--Improved Pregnancy Rate?

Anyone who's considered or undergone IVF to conceive a baby, knows it is a tremendous undertaking, both mentally, physically and financially.  One big part of the expense and potential for nasty side effects is the drugs needed to stimulate the ovaries to produce many mature eggs.  There is now a new procedure called IVM (InVitro Maturation), which is having tremendous success without the need for expensive stimulation drugs.  More...

It involves removing immature eggs from a woman's ovaries and maturing them in laboratories before fertilising them with a man's sperm, rather than using hormone drugs to stimulate the release of mature eggs.

Telegraph | News | New IVF 'is a stunning success'

technorati tags:IVF, pregnant, infertility

Seven Fertility Myths

Here's a neat article that lists seven myths about getting pregnant.  See how many you have heard, and if any of them are keeping you from getting pregnant.  Listed here is the first one.  Go to the article if you want to read the rest...

Myth Number One: You should have sex on day 14 of your cycle if you want to get pregnant. You have probably heard that most women ovulate on day 14 of their cycle. This is simply not true. It is based on the calendar method of predicting ovulation. If you have a perfect 28 day cycle, where your luteal phase (the second half of your cycle) is exactly 14 days long, you would likely ovulate around day 14. Most women, however, do not have perfect cycles and even the women who do have regular cycles, usually do not ovulate at exactly the same time each month.

Seven Fertility Myths That Could be Keeping you From Getting Pregnant

technorati tags:fertility, pregnant

Can The Moon Help You Get Pregnant?

You may have heard of something called "lunar fertility."  It has to do with your menstrual cycle being effected by the different phases of the moon.  The theory, is that with accurate charting, and knowing what phase the moon was in when you were born, you can predict a time of the month when you are fertile and can conceive a child.  This is not the same time as when you are ovulating, which is called biological fertility.  This is very interesting reading although I don't know if it is reality or myth.....Read on for more details.

The lunar fertility cycle works on the premise that you can be fertile during your menstrual cycle when the moon is in the same phase it was when you were born. For example, if the moon was in the waning phase when you were born, then, once menstruation begins during puberty, you will be fertile whenever the moon is waning. It is thought that the reason for this fertile phase happens at birth when the moon arouses certain biochemical and hormonal states in your body, which then continue to influence your body for life.

Menstruation: Your Menstrual Cyle and the Lunar Phase Fertility

technorati tags:pregnant, lunar, fertility

Infertile Couple Gets A Dream Come True...Times Two!

I remember when I was struggling so hard to get pregnant, it meant alot to me to hear other people's success stories.  If you have been trying to conceive and it hasn't happened for you yet, you might find it encouraging to read about the difficulties other couples faced, especially when there is a happy ending.  Here is a story about a couple struggling with infertility, but after many years of not giving up, they finally had their dream come true.  Read here...

Recent Christmasses have been miserable. Some years I didn't even bother to put a tree up - and presents meant nothing. All I wanted was a baby.

Mirror.co.uk - Your Life - Kids & Family - IT'S TAKEN 19 YEARS OF HEARTACHE AND £45,000

technorati tags:pregnant, infertility, ivf

For Women Trying To Get Pregnant...

Just want to say to all the women out there who are having some difficulty getting pregnant...warmest wishes for the holiday season...may you find peace and happiness in the New Year and may your dreams of adding a baby to your family come true...sending lots of baby dust your way for 2007..........

-Beth

     

technorati tags:pregnant, fertility, infertility

A Global Guide To Making A Baby

This is a really interesting article about babymaking. The components needed to make a baby..sperm, egg and womb are often sought after by couples who, for various reasons, can't use their own. Because there are different legal issues from country to country, women may have to travel to different countries to get what they need. For more info....

http://www.hamiltonspectator.com/NASApp/cs/
ContentServer?pagename=hamilton/
Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=
1166827812516&call_pageid=1020420665036&col=1112188062620

technorati tags:pregnant, fertility, infertility

The Pain Of Wanting A Baby

The holidays can definitely be a very difficult time for you if you've been trying to have a baby for a while.  So much about the holidays "speaks to" children.  It is not unusual for women who have been trying to get pregnant to feel more depressed at this time of year.  This article is about one woman's story of dealing with her struggle to have a baby.


Overcoming despair and becoming a mom - The Courier News

Overcoming despair and becoming a mom The Courier News, IL - 23 hours ago ... last. After eight months of trying and failing to get pregnant, I started imagining ways to end my life. Those thoughts scared me. ...

technorati tags:pregnant, infertility, fertility

Can Prayer Help You Get Pregnant?

I came across this really interesting article about the power of prayer to increase the chances of pregnancy.  This particular study involved women participating in IVF, but could apply to other women struggling with fertility issues.  I thought the results were fascinating, albeit a little hard to  believe.  Have a look....

http://www.ncpa.org/iss/soc/pd100901d.html

technorati tags:pregnant, infertility, fertility, prayer

Infertility Issues in Canada

There is already a sperm shortage in the U.K., and now Canada is experiencing a shortage as well.  It is now illegal to pay donors, so Canadian men are not interested in donating to heterosexual couples, single women looking to get pregnant or lesbian couples seeking sperm.

Currently it is legal to import sperm from the U.S. but that is not expected to last.  More...

Sperm donor shortage hits Canadian infertility clinics CBC Ottawa,  Canada - 20 minutes ago Sperm stocks in Canada are significantly down since the federal government made it illegal to pay men for the donations, and the supply of sperm imported from ..

technorati tags:pregnant, sperm, donor, fertility, infertility

Trend of Older Moms Increasing In Australia

In Australia, there is increased concern over the trend of women having babies later and later.  It seems there is a lack of awareness that delaying pregnancy can contribute to fertility problems or even problems with the baby.  Read more...

Experts voice fears over older mothers (The Australian)

An infertility expert has today called for a government-funded education campaign targeting both men and women to tackle the trend. Statistics released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare today show the average age of first-time mums has increased again to 28.

technorati tags:fertility, pregnant

Avoid Certain Painkillers When Trying To Conceive

When you are trying to get pregnant, it is very important to be aware of what pain medication you may be taking, as some can increase the risk of miscarriage.  Basically, you should avoid all painkillers other than acetaminophen or Paracetamol (otherwise known as Tylenol), which have no harmful effects.  But do avoid ibuprofin, aspirin, and others, which could effect the ability of the embryo to implant into the womb.  It's especially important to avoid these medications around the time of conception, so stay away if you are near ovulation.  Read more....

Some Painkillers Raise Risk of Miscarriage PakTribune.com, Pakistan - 12 hours ago ... They found that use of aspirin and other non-steroid based anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) increased the risk of miscarriage by 80 percent.

technorati tags:pregnant, infertility, fertility, miscarriage

Coping With The Holidays

When you are struggling to get pregnant, sometimes the holidays can be a difficult time.  Alot of this will depend on your particular circumstances...how long have you been trying to get pregnant, do you already have other children..etc.  For those who have been trying to conceive for a long time to have their first child, it can be particularly stressful.  The holidays are a time for family gatherings, usually involving lots of children.  Here is an article with some tips on how to get through the holidays if you are feeling a little down about not being pregnant yet....

http://www.resolve.org/site/PageServer?pagename=cop_mis_cwh_gh

technorati tags:pregnant, infertility, fertility

Who Else Wants To Get Pregnant?

It seems the media is obsessed with JLo's struggle to get pregnant.  Everything that this woman does is now scrutinized to see if it's being done in an attempt to get pregnant.  It is hard enough to deal with fertility problems--it can be an extremely painful roller coaster of emotions.  I wish the media would just back off and stop watching her every move.  The latest article is about her attempts to incorporate Scientology into her efforts to conceive.  If you're interested, here's the link...

JLo is guzzling cooking oil to help her get pregnant! DailyIndia.com,?FL?- Dec 8, 2006 ... only could drinking cooking oil cause damage to the liver, but that it was highly unlikely that it would help the 'Waiting For Tonight' singer get pregnant. ...

technorati tags:pregnant, fertility, jlo, scientology