Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
Monday, June 13th, 2011
If you’ve had difficulty becoming pregnant, you may be considering fertility treatments. However, the options available – not to mention the confusing information distributed by some unreliable sources – may be enough to make your head spin.
That’s why we strongly suggest that you write down questions/concerns/ideas before visiting your chosen fertility clinic. Below are 12 topics you’ll probably want to address for peace of mind and education.
1. How can we discover why I’m unable to get pregnant?
2. What are the causes of infertility in women my age?
3. Am I a good candidate for fertility treatments?
4. What will the evaluation process be like?
5. What fertility treatments do you have available?
6. Which fertility treatments have historically worked best for women my age?
7. What is the treatment process like? Is there much downtime?
8. What are the risk associated with IVF, IUI and other forms of fertility treatments?
9. Does my insurance carrier typically cover any aspect of fertility treatments?
10. What payment options exist if I go forward with fertility treatments which are not covered by insurance?
11. How long has your clinic’s medical staff been doing this type of work?
12. What type(s) of psychological preparation should I consider if I go forward with fertility treatments?
Of course, you’re likely to have additional considerations based on your unique fertility situation. As we noted above, write down everything you’ll want to know to make an informed decision for yourself and your family. Then, bring it (and a notebook) with you when you first meet with your fertility specialist.
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Tags: Causes Of Infertility, Causes Of Infertility In Women, Downtime, Facebook, fertility clinic, fertility specialist, Fertility Treatments, Head Spin, Infertility, Infertility In Women, Insurance Carrier, Medical Staff, Notebook, Payment Options, Peace Of Mind, Pregnant, Psychological Preparation, Risk, Twitter, Unreliable Sources
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Thursday, February 17th, 2011
You may have heard that babies conceived by way of in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) very often have birth weights that are lower than average. Dr. Gwendolyn H. Woldringh and a team of her colleagues at the Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center in the Netherlands set out to research whether this fact has a long-lasting impact on IVF and ICSI children.
The birth weight of IVF-ISCI babies shows to be, on average, 3% lower in boys and 2% lower in girls than normally conceived babies. The findings of the study, however, determined that, in general, no noticeable differences were apparent in weight or other characteristics by the age of four, regardless of the method in which a child was conceived.
So if you have been considering IVF or ICSI as a means to treat your struggles with infertility, don’t be discouraged or dissuaded by anything you hear regarding low birth weight or late development of children conceived in these ways!
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Tags: Array, Babies, Birth Weights, Colleagues, Fertilization Ivf, Girls, Gwendolyn, Icsi, Infertility, Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection, IVF, Ivf Icsi, Low Birth Weight, Medical Center, Netherlands, Noticeable Differences, Radboud University, Sperm Injection, Vitro Fertilization
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Thursday, January 27th, 2011
Male infertility is a topic that’s becoming more mainstream in the media as well as widespread in terms of how it’s being studied. Consequently, there’s a growing amount of evidence (both anecdotal and some scientific) that antioxidants may indeed help men dealing with fertility issues.
New Zealand scientists have been conducting studies on the topic of how to assist men with their fertility problems. As a result, they have developed a theory that taking antioxidants (e.g., vitamin E, zinc) can help guys dealing with male infertility.
To be sure, the men that were studied were not entirely infertile. They had sperm healthy enough to fertilize an egg, but their sperm counts were lower than normal. However, when they began to take doses of antioxidants, their sperm counts increased. The New Zealand researchers have suggested this is proof that their theory is sound; other scientists aren’t convinced.
So… does this mean it’s time for men to OD on antioxidants?
Not really.
But even if the hypothesis is hogwash, men with male infertility can and will still benefit from taking better care of themselves… and that may just include adding appropriate amounts of antioxidants into their daily diets.
FYI… 10 FOODS HIGH IN ANTIOXIDANTS
Apples
Plums
Blueberries
Red kidney beans
Pinto beans
Cherries
Pecans
Artichokes (cooked)
Cranberries
Russet potatoes
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Tags: Apples, Blueberries, Cherries, Cranberries, Diets, Fertility Issues, Fertility Problems, Hypothesis, Infertility, Mainstream, Male Infertility, Pecans, Pinto Beans, Red Kidney Beans, Reproductive Science Institute, Rsi, Russet Potatoes, Sperm Counts, Vitamin E, Zealand Researchers, Zealand Scientists, Zinc
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Tuesday, January 25th, 2011
There are a lot of excuses that people who smoke use to justify continuing their habits:
It de-stresses me.
It’s a social thing.
I only smoke when I drink…
I’m addicted to nicotine and can’t quit.
I just like the feeling of it.
But no one ever says, “I smoke so I can get pregnant more easily.” That wouldn’t make sense… even to the most prolific smoker.
Smoking has long been known as a no-no during pregnancy, but it’s also been proven to negatively affect those going through fertility treatments. In males, smoking has been shown to lower testosterone and sperm count levels, two essential elements of fertilization. In females, smoking affects ova (eggs) and cervical mucus. Mix a smoking male and a smoking female together, and the implications for fertility issues are clear.
Even with the most up-to-date fertility treatments available, men and women who are smokers make it more difficult for them to have successful outcomes. Thus, it becomes important for them to stop smoking before fertility treatments begin.
How soon to begin a cessation program before fertility treatments start depends upon a number of factors. Consequently, you and your partner should converse with your fertility specialist to figure out when and how to quit. In the long run, it will not only help you increase your chances of becoming pregnant, but it will also give you a statistically better likelihood of living a longer, healthier life.
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Tags: Cervical Mucus, Cessation Program, Cigarette Habit, Eggs, Essential Elements, Female Fertility, Females, Fertility Issues, fertility rates, fertility specialist, Fertility Treatments, Fertilization, Likelihood, Men And Women, Nicotine, Pregnancy, RSI Infertility, Smoker, Smokers, Smoking Female, Sperm Count, Testosterone
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Friday, January 21st, 2011
Maybe you’ve re-married and you and/or your spouse have children from a prior relationship. Or perhaps you’re experiencing “secondary infertility” after having one or more kids naturally. Whatever the case may be, if you decide to choose a surrogate to help you have another child (or children), you’ll likely be asked plenty of questions from the kids already in the picture.
To help you have the conversation with them, we’ve designed a few ground rules to follow. These will enable you to avoid too much confusion or awkwardness as you move forward with your decision to use a surrogate.
Rules to Help You Explain Surrogacy to Your Current Children:
- Don’t lie. If you’ve decided to go with a surrogate, be honest about it.
- Be age-appropriate. If your children are young enough, they don’t really need to know the details. If they are older, they’ll require more information.
- Understand that they might not like your decision. Your children may be hesitant to embrace new siblings, regardless of whether you use a surrogate or not. Afford them the opportunity to express themselves without rebuke.
- Allow your children to process this information. Unless they’ve heard of surrogacy before, it might be an unknown and/or confusing idea. Give them time.
- If it seems to be appropriate given your circumstances, invite the child (or children) to come to a fertility appointment. (Be aware that it may not be a good idea for them to meet the surrogate; you will want to discuss that kind of approach with a counselor initially.)
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Tags: Appointment, Awkwardness, Circumstances, Confusion, Counselor, Current, Express, Fertility, Infertility, Opportunity, Relationship, Secondary Infertility, Siblings, Surrogate
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Thursday, January 20th, 2011
Looking for some fertility statistics as you begin or continue your journey through the maze of information out there about the topic of reproduction? You’re in luck!
We’ve gathered together a number of them to help you as you research fertility treatments and look for answers.
In the United States:
- 7.3 million women (ages 15-44) have fertility issues; this represents 11.8% percent of the female population.
- Consistent miscarriages may be a sign of infertility in women.
- 2.1 million married women (ages 15-44) have been able to become pregnant for 12 consecutive months of trying; this represents 7.4% of married women.
- The majority of women and men’s fertility issues are treatable.
- Two-thirds of couples who are treated for infertility are able to conceive.
- Prescription medicines and surgical procedures are the two most common ways that American couples use to combat their infertility situation.
- One-third of all fertility cases stem from issues with the female; one-third from issues with the male; and one-third from unknown causes.
- Embryos can be frozen for over a decade while still remaining viable.
- Ovulation rates lower significantly each year after a woman turns 35.
(Information sources: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. National Library of Health)
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Tags: American Couples, Centers For Disease Control, Centers For Disease Control And Prevention, Disease Control And Prevention, Dr. Munabi, Female Population, Fertility Issues, Fertility Treatments, Infertility, Infertility In Women, Information Sources, Married Women, Maze, Miscarriages, National Library Of Health, Ovulation, Prescription Medicines, Reproductive Science Institute, Rsi, Surgical Procedures, Two Thirds, Women Ages, Women And Men
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Tuesday, January 18th, 2011
Star Guiliana Rancic isn’t mincing words when she tells the media that her thin frame has nothing to do with her inability to conceive a child. And she does make some excellent points, the main being that there are plenty of women her size (both on TV, in print, in movies, etc.) and smaller who wind up having a baby after successful rounds of IVF. However, the truth of the matter is that weight MAY affect infertility; it just depends upon the situation.
It would be great if weight could be “blamed” for infertility, but it simply isn’t the only aspect affecting fertility issues. Infertility is a complex, personal matter, which is why it’s important to get help from a fertility specialist as early as possible. Each person’s body – male or female – reacts uniquely, so each infertility treatment has to be customized as much as possible. For some individuals, weight will be a large factor; for others, it will have less impact.
Not being Rancic’s physicians, we cannot say for sure why her IVF treatment hasn’t helped her achieve a pregnancy that ended in a child. (Early last year, she had a miscarriage.) And, truth be told, she was asked to gain some pounds to prepare her body, which does somewhat weaken her message. Still, she’s entitled to her own opinion and we’re certain she’s discussed the matter with her fertility specialist.
We hope that Rancic’s 2011 includes an addition to her family, whether through IVF or other fertility treatment options.
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Tags: Early Miscarriage, Fertility Issues, fertility specialist, Fertility Treatment, Having A Baby, Infertility, Infertility Treatment, IVF treatment, Personal Matter, Physicians, Pregnancy, Thin Frame, Treatment Options, Truth Of The Matter, Weight Doesn
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Friday, January 14th, 2011
Even if you’re having difficulty getting pregnant, you still have to prepare your body for the possibility of carrying a baby, especially if you’re planning on IVF or IUI treatments.
Therefore, we’ve put together a few suggestions on how to make your physical health and wellness a part of your new year’s resolutions:
Exercise
Now, exercise doesn’t have to mean running a marathon, nor does it have to involve a gym. Just adding long walks or bike rides to your day can increase your heart rate and improve your cardiovascular performance levels.
Nutrition
Don’t call it a “diet” because you’re unlikely to stick with it. Consider it a lifestyle change and plan on eating more fruits, veggies and whole grains. Your body will adjust to the tastes and you’ll find yourself craving less sugar, fats, etc.
Mental/Emotional “Exercise”
Stimulate yourself mentally every day. Read a little poetry. (Or, if you’re inclined, write a little poetry!) Do crossword puzzles. Listen to classical music. Stimulate yourself on an intellectual level and you’ll tap into areas of your brain that perhaps aren’t being used regularly.
Spiritual
Spirituality doesn’t have to mean religion. It can simply be the feeling that you get when you take a walk in the woods and “commune” with nature. Find peace in your body, mind and spirit and you’ll be better prepared for fertility treatments.
It’s your turn! How have you prepared (OR are you preparing) for IVF, IUI or other fertility treatments?
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Tags: Bike Rides, Body Mind And Spirit, Crossword Puzzles, Fats, Fertility Treatments, Few Suggestions, Health And Wellness, Heart Rate, Intellectual Level, IUI, IVF, Lifestyle Change, Long Walks, Marathon, Mind And Spirit, Performance Levels, Physical Health, Reproductive Science Institute, Resolutions, Rsi, Running Marathon, Walk In The Woods, Whole Grains
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Wednesday, January 12th, 2011
One of the first questions asked by many couples consulting with fertility specialists is: “How much will IVF treatment cost?”
It’s not surprising in the least; after all, IVF treatments are investments and are not an inexpensive proposition. However, there are definitely ways to prepare in terms of having money to pay for IVF treatments:
ü Saving – This is one of the tactics many couples use. They put aside a certain amount of money each month for a year or more and essentially “save up” for IVF treatments.
ü Second Jobs – One or more individuals may take on a second job. The money is then entirely set aside for fertility treatments.
ü Donations/Personal Loans – Some couples choose to ask friends and relatives for donations or loans to pay for IVF treatments. Often, those friends and relatives are happy to help.
ü Insurance – Occasionally, we hear of insurance companies being willing to pay for a portion (even if it’s a small portion) of fertility treatments. Call your carrier and find out if there’s a possibility of yours being open to such an arrangement.
ü Loans – Taking out a loan with a financial institution to pay for IVF treatment can be done. Just make sure you’re getting a good rate.
In the end, if you have a desire to undergo IVF treatments, there’s really little reason to allow the money aspect to completely hold you back. Is it a factor? Definitely. But it’s not one that needs to be seen as insurmountable.
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Tags: Amount Of Money, Couples, Desire, Donations, Fertility Specialists, Fertility Treatments, Financial Institution, Friends, Inexpensive Proposition, Insurance, Insurance Companies, Investments, IVF treatment, IVF treatments, Jobs, Money Aspect, Personal Loans, Relatives, Reproductive Science Institute, Rsi, Second Job, Small Portion
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Monday, January 10th, 2011
Want to know what your chances of fertility success IVF are going to be? Though it might seem counterintuitive, your computer could hold the answers… or so say programmers who’ve created what they consider to be an accurate way to measure whether or not your body is in a position to conceive sooner rather than later.
It’s a significant claim to make – the notion that answering a few questions could possibly make a prediction that even fertility specialists with decades of experience under their belts cannot promise. Yet it’s also unlikely to hurt any couple as long as they use the computer program with a healthy dose of the reality of the situation.
While a woman’s response to IVF can definitely be monitored and tracked, there’s no “magic bullet” that can pinpoint the time when she’s absolutely, positively going to become pregnant. However, this software boasts a 99% accuracy rating.
The online IVF predictor calculator was developed in the United Kingdom. As we learn more about it, we’ll provide you with information regarding the software and how it works. Until that time, we suggest you consider it as yet another tool to use in your reproductive journey.
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Tags: Accuracy, Belts, Computer Program, Decades, Fertility Software, Fertility Specialists, Fertility Success, IVF, Journey, Magic Bullet, Notion, Online Calculator, Online Software, Pregnant, Programmers, Reproductive Science Institute, Rsi, United Kingdom
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