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Archive for September, 2009

Infertility Fact: Getting Angry is Okay

Saturday, September 26th, 2009

Infertility isn’t predictable, it isn’t fun and, let’s be honest, it isn’t fair. 

No wonder so many individuals and couples become angry, depressed and sullen when dealing with an inability to naturally conceive a child!

Unfortunately, too many people around them expect them to “deal with it” or be able to “roll with the punches”.  But that’s simply not a realistic expectation; in fact, it can be one that ends friendships and causes rifts in families.

If you’re dealing with the ups and downs of infertility, you deserve to hear the truth: It is perfectly reasonable for you to feel angry sometimes.  

Trying to have a baby when your body seems to not be cooperating can be a frustrating process, and with the uncertainty comes a certain amount of resentment, especially when results aren’t as you’d ultimately like.

Does it seem obvious that anger is to be expected?  Perhaps.  But it’s still critical to let every man or woman dealing with infertility hear that it IS all right to be moody, to be annoyed, to be downright angry.  Just make sure that you talk with someone (i.e., a therapist, clergy person, etc.) if the feelings begin to get in the way of your ability to make the most of your life.

And if you’re on the receiving end of the anger?  Well, you might just have to be a listening ear.  The best gift you can give someone dealing with infertility is your unwavering patience and understanding.

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How Far Should You Take Your Fertility Treatments?

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009

For many men and women dealing with infertility, the question becomes not whether to try fertility treatments but when to stop trying them.  After all, at what point should fertility treatments come to an end?  When you’ve had a child?  When you’ve tried for a year?  Two years?  Five years?  More?

Obviously, this is an incredibly important and personal decision.  As such, it goes hand-in-hand with a number of factors, including:

In the end, there’s really no one-size-fits-all answer to the issue of how far is far enough when it comes to trying to conceive.  For some couples, unlimited resources allow them to take every route possible; for others, the hormonal impact of fertility treatments may prove to be a deciding element in determining when to take a temporary or permanent break.

If you’re just embarking on a journey that’s going to include fertility treatments, it’s crucial that you talk with your partner as well as your reproductive health specialist about the future.  Make a plan upon which you can all agree.  This doesn’t mean that you can’t change your mind — it just allows you to have a less open-ended outlook.

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Could What You Eat Increase Your Fertility?

Friday, September 18th, 2009

healthy-dinner

A recent EmpowerHer post entitled “Fertility Friendly Foods” raised some interesting questions regarding the role that nutrition may play in increasing fertility in women.

As the story notes, The Nurses’ Health Study found that eating too much trans fat, animal-based protein (as opposed to vegetable-based protein) and dairy products could exacerbate fertility problems.

Of course, it’s important to remember that while food intake is critical for health at any age or stage, it isn’t necessarily a cure-all for certain types of infertility.  Therefore, though there’s certainly no reason NOT to pursue a well-balanced diet, it shouldn’t be seen as “the” answer to fertility issues in women… or men, for that matter.

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“Super Sperm” — Too Much of a Good Thing?

Tuesday, September 15th, 2009

According to Marie Claire, there’s a new problem facing couples trying to conceive — super sperm.  

Researchers are now investigating what they deem to be sperm which are so aggressive and eager that they essentially over-fertilize each ovum.  Consequently, the egg never fully develops and conception is thwarted.

Though this isn’t necessarily a mainstream theory on why so many men and women deal with infertility issues, it’s likely to be one that will carry weight if future evidence backs up these “super sperm” claims.

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Fertility Treatments and the Inflexible Work Situation

Saturday, September 12th, 2009

You’ve decided to try fertility treatments to combat your inability to conceive a child without medical intervention.  You’re at peace with your decision and are ready to go.  There’s only one thing stopping you — your inflexible employer and/or work schedule.

What do you do?

This is a very real concern for people around the globe, not just those living in America.  Fertility treatments can range from requiring only short appointments to necessitating days of bed rest.  And this can wreak havoc career-wise.

Thus, it is critical for you to go to your supervisor and/or personnel manager to discuss your options before you start any fertility treatments that could make it difficult (if not impossible) for you to work.  However, you need to be aware that while many employers will try to accommodate you, some will not.

Whether or not you can fight any ensuing inflexibility depends upon a multitude of factors, including the industry you’re in and type of work you do.  You’ll need to come to the table with ideas and solutions of your own, such as working from home if possible or taking on extra work during the days or weeks you aren’t taking time off for your fertility treatments.

Is this a tricky subject?  Yes — for both the employer and employee.  But addressing it head on will mean less anxiety in the long run.

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Grandparents and Infertility

Wednesday, September 9th, 2009

If you were or are the parent of a couple having trouble conceiving, would you pay for their fertility treatments?

In some parts of the UK, this seems to be an increasingly-popular practice as grandparents-to-be provide the financial means for their sons and daughters to reproduce via fertility measures.

According to this article, a whopping one in eight couples undergoing IVF treatment in the United Kingdom have their bills subsidized by would-be grandmothers and grandfathers.

What do you think?  If you’re dealing with infertility now, would you allow your parents or your spouse’s parents to pay for your fertility procedures?  Or would you prefer that they had no financial hand in the process?

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Making the Right Fertility Choices for You

Friday, September 4th, 2009

worriedFor individuals and couples dealing with the world of infertility, the experience can be daunting, if not downright confusing.  Unfortunately, many well-meaning friends, family members, colleagues and, yes, even strangers are quick to give advice, even if it’s not desired.

In the end, it’s important that every person involved in the fertility process make the right decision for their particular situation.  And the best way to do that is to carefully choose a fertility clinic with professionals who can help answer questions and consistently offer focused, individualized guidance.

If you’ve been having trouble knowing which are the right fertility choices for you, be certain to keep the following facts in mind:

  • Although others may claim to have the “answers”, only you know what is right.  Again, this is where the team members at your fertility clinic will be able to assist.  For instance, if IVF isn’t an option you want to pursue, don’t allow a co-worker to talk you into it.
  • One size does not fit all.  Sure, your sister-in-law had an amazing experience with surrogacy.  But if you aren’t interested in pursuing this measure of becoming a parent, you don’t have to be pushed into even talking about it.
  • You are the one who has to live with your decisions.  No one else can live your life; therefore, you have to take this into consideration when you’re making fertility choices. 

By keeping a narrow focus on what is right for you and your partner (if applicable), you’ll be able to get through the fertility/infertility process with decreased amounts of stress.   Good luck! 

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Surrogacy Facts

Tuesday, September 1st, 2009

baby-with-bottleSurrogacy.  It’s in the news more now than ever; however, you may be wondering about the ins and outs of this non-traditional method of conceiving a child. 

To help you get a better understanding of what surrogacy is… and isn’t… we’ve compiled a few facts about the process.  As always, to receive more information, contact a reputable fertility clinic for a consultation.

  • Surrogacy is legal in the U.S., but couples are not legally allowed to pay the surrogate above and beyond medical expenses.  (In other words, a woman cannot become a “professional” surrogate in the sense that it’s an occupation.) 
  • In India, surrogacy has recently been accepted as a method of “income” for poorer women.  Unfortunately, regulations are limited; thus, U.S. couples who hire an Indian surrogate may not be assured of the safety of the child or the responsibility of the surrogate.
  • Surrogacy can take shape in one of two ways:  1) the surrogate can be artificially inseminated with the father’s sperm or a donor’s sperm; or 2) the surrogate can have a fertilized embryo (from the biological parents or from donors) transferred into her womb.
  • The safest way of finding a responsible, healthy surrogate is through a fertility clinic.
  • Costs for surrogacy can range widely and should be taken into consideration by potential parents.  Traditional insurance does not cover surrogacy.
  • Most women who are accepted as surrogates by fertility clinics have had at least one child of their own.

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