The “Infertility Cost Alternatives” plus 4 more

Infertility Cost Alternatives
Nausea During Pregnancy - Why Me?
Symptoms Not to Ignore With Pregnancy Nausea - When to Call a Doctor
East Coast Fertility Options
Trouble Getting Pregnant - 3 Tips to Get You on the Right Track

Posted: 25 Dec 2009 09:47 AM PST

The cost alternatives for infertility treatments can vary wildly. There are different procedural types, and some of them involve much higher costs than others. While the vast majority of fertility issues can be addressed with common medical therapies and surgeries, roughly three percent of infertility cases require in vitro treatments for fertility - and it is here that you see the highest infertility cost alternatives.

For fertilization in vitro, the costs can be as much as sixteen thousand dollars a cycle. Keeping in mind that there are patients who require up to three of these in vitro cycles, it is easy to see how the costs of these treatments can reach nearly fifty thousand dollars - even without a guarantee that the woman will conceive. This is the kind of money that can ruin a couple's financial standing, particularly in cases where the procedures are not covered by the woman's health insurance. In fact, most couples end up covering their infertility treatment costs out of their own bank account.

Unfortunately, the most expensive infertility cost doesn't end there. Beyond in vitro, there are a host of other forms of infertility treatments, including the direct insertion of the male sperm into the woman's egg - at a cost that makes those three in vitro cycles look cheap in comparison.

Prior to initiating in vitro treatment, every couple should consult with their doctor to ensure that they understand the estimated costs involved with having the procedure done. It is just a sad fact of life that medical needs and desires are often times eclipsed by economic necessities. There are many times that the infertility cost is so high that couples either never begin the process or find that they must quit midway through the infertility treatment course due to economic circumstances.

It is important that the costs are fully understood prior to even beginning the various procedures that are prerequisites to the in vitro process, especially for couples who have real concerns about whether or not they can afford the entire process.

Some of those prerequisite procedures involve blood tests in the case of the woman, and testing the man's sperm. Just these initial tests alone can cost from fifty dollars to several hundred dollars.

In cases where there is blockage of the Fallopian tubes, dye may need to be introduced into the tubes to enable x-rays to identify the problem. This is a test that costs around a thousand dollars. In addition, the doctor may decide that the patient requires a laparoscopy - a highly invasive procedure that can run as high as five thousand dollars. A hysteroscopy may also be needed, which will add another five thousand dollars to the overall costs.

These large sums of money are just for the initial infertility testing. They don't even begin to cover the costs of the in vitro procedure itself, which we have already identified as costing around sixteen thousand dollars a cycle. When you add up all of these costs, it is easy to see why so many couples forsake the entire in vitro process or are forced to suspend it midway through their treatments.

While some in vitro practices do provide substantial discounts to patients with limited economic means, the fact remains that the costs will still run very high for a procedure that still offers no assurances that the couple will even conceive.

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Nausea During Pregnancy - Why Me?

Posted: 25 Dec 2009 09:15 AM PST

Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (abbreviated to NPV) is the medical name given to the condition most people know as morning sickness. Although nausea during pregnancy can make you feel incredibly sick, it is actually not a serious problem for you or your baby over the longer term. The British Medical Journal states that "nausea and vomiting are the commonest symptoms experienced in the first trimester of pregnancy affecting 70-85% of women". Obviously these figures suggest nausea during pregnancy is relatively common although this doesn't make it any easier to suffer through when it happens to you.

Morning sickness is just one of the unfortunate side effects of expecting a baby. It can be an extremely difficult and emotional time with the feelings of nausea coming just when you don't want it. The problem can seem even worse if you are still keeping your pregnancy a secret. It can be very difficult to hide your nausea and vomiting from friends or work colleagues.

Nausea during pregnancy typically lasts until the end of the first three months but for some women it can last as long as the fifth month (and even later for a small percentage). The potential severity of the condition can vary significantly from person to person. One woman may feel a little queasy while another could be vomiting constantly for several weeks. There is no real explanation for why it affects people in different ways.

There will be some women that have no nausea at all during their first pregnancy but could then get quite sick in any later pregnancies. While there are a few different theories that provide possible explanations, none provide any definite answers. There is a theory that it could relate to the increase in the progesterone hormone that prevents early labor by relaxing the muscles of the uterus. This can possibly lead to muscles in your stomach and intestines also becoming relaxed which then leads to production of excess acid and the accompanying nausea.

Another theory relates to the issue of extra sensitivity to various types of smells and odors. For some women, even the slightest whiff can bring on a bout of nausea. This won't be the same experience for everyone though. Many pregnant women will still be able to smell and eat very odorous foods throughout the whole of their nine months.

There is also a medical theory that revolves around the natural increase in human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This is a hormone that gets produced by the embryo immediately after conception. It works to maintain the production of progesterone and also helps to increase immune tolerance.

Would you believe that vegetables could lead to morning sickness? The basis for this theory comes from the natural toxins contained in vegetables. These are produced when they are grown as protection against insects. While they are normally harmless to humans, they have potential to be dangerous for developing embryos. In effect, the nausea during pregnancy is probably nature's way of protecting your child in the development phase. This is not to suggest that you should avoid eating vegetables - they still provide large volumes of nutrients to you and your baby. Women with diets high in vegetables have actually been shown to have babies with higher birth weights and generally better health.

While there is no concrete explanation for why you might develop nausea during pregnancy, just think of it as nature's way of helping your body adapt with the significant changes that it is facing.

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Symptoms Not to Ignore With Pregnancy Nausea - When to Call a Doctor

Posted: 25 Dec 2009 08:57 AM PST

Nausea and even vomiting are such common experiences for pregnant women that most people regard these symptoms as simply normal during pregnancy. Fortunately, this is the case for probably 95 to 99 out of a hundred women. Some women will have mild difficulties for a couple of months; others may be extremely uncomfortable and need to make some significant changes in their diet and schedules to adjust. But though the severity and the duration of "morning sickness" varies considerably, most expectant mothers get through it without danger to themselves or their babies.

For the small minority of exceptions, however, the consequences are serious enough that it is important to be aware of when pregnancy nausea merits a call to the doctor for further medical assessment and possibly treatment.

First of all, many illnesses will cause nausea and vomiting, and just because a woman happens to be pregnant does not mean that she could not also have developed a totally unrelated condition that does require medical attention. Flu, food poisoning, blocked intestine, appendicitis, migraines, heart attacks, kidney or liver disorders, meningitis, brain tumors, and some forms of cancer all can sometimes induce nausea and vomiting.

There are also several possible serious illnesses associated with pregnancy itself, however, that need to be considered in women for whom nausea and vomiting are particularly severe or develop in the later stages of the pregnancy-specifically, hyperemesis gravidarum, acute fatty liver of pregnancy, and HELLP.

Hyperemesis gravidarum

Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), or "extreme nausea and vomiting of pregnancy," is the most common of these illnesses, and is estimated to affect no more than 2 to 3 percent of pregnant women. HG is different from morning sickness primarily in degree. A woman who begins her pregnancy with only mild or moderate nausea can find the condition worsening to the point where it is diagnosable as HG.

Some markers or signs for a woman and her doctor to look out for include:

· Severe and persistent nausea and vomiting before the 20th week of pregnancy (gestation);

· Loss of more than five percent of original body weight;

· Dehydration and vitamin and mineral deficits;

· Rising pulse rate;

· Excessive salivation (ptyalism);

· Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia);

· A distinct breath odor caused by ketosis;

· Impaired quality of life as women suffering from HG may be unable to work, perform routine household tasks, care for their other children, or participate in a normal social life;

· Depression, moodiness, irritability, personality changes and even hallucinations.

Certain factors make a woman more susceptible to HG, including being very young, being overweight, carrying twins or multiples, a first-time pregnancy, and a previous personal or family history of HG in previous pregnancies.

Women with extreme symptoms of HG may require hospitalization to restore lost fluids and nutrients through intravenous and parenteral feeding.

Acute fatty liver of pregnancy

Only about 1 in 10,000 to 15,000 pregnant women suffer from this disorder, which leads to a build-up of fat in liver cells. Symptoms are most likely to start late, in the third trimester of pregnancy. It is more common in first-time pregnancies. Warning signs include:

· Persistent nausea and vomiting;

· Pain in the upper abdomen;

· General malaise and fatigue;

· Jaundice;

· Headache;

· Frequent thirst (polydipsia);

· Increased urination (polyuria);

· Confusion and altered mental state.

Untreated acute fatty liver can lead to liver and kidney failure, hemorrhaging and severe infection that are life-threatening for both mother and fetus. Diagnosis requires a blood test and treatment can involve blood transfusions and delivering the child as soon as possible.

HELLP syndrome

HELLP stands for hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count and occurs in about 10 percent of women with severe preeclampsia. Like acute fatty liver of pregnancy, HELLP is most common late in the term. The symptoms are similar, including:

· Nausea or vomiting

· Pain in the stomach or upper-right abdomen

· General malaise

· Headache

HELLP can cause liver damage, kidney failure, bleeding, stroke and even death in the mother, and also endangers the survival of the fetus.

All of these illnesses are extremely uncommon, but they do make it clear that it is always worthwhile for any pregnant woman to inform and consult her physician if she is experiencing severe and persistent nausea at any time during her pregnancy.

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East Coast Fertility Options

Posted: 25 Dec 2009 07:07 AM PST

Patients on the East coast interested in their fertility treatment options may have many to choose from. With strides made in the fertility field, patients and couples experiencing infertility often have several options when seeking fertility treatment.

From in vitro fertilization to sperm donation services, many fertility clinics offer some of the latest and most proven treatment options in the field. Patients should speak with a fertility specialist at a reputable fertility clinic in their area to determine their own candidacy for these treatments.

Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) have helped many couples suffering from infertility to find success. There are a variety of different ART treatments available and patients should explore all of their options before making any final decisions as to which procedure is best for them. ART involves the manipulation of the sperm and egg with the ultimate goal of forming an embryo that will develop into a child. How this is done varies from treatment to treatment.

For instance, in vitro fertilization (IVF) is the most commonly known of all ART procedures. It involves the combination of the sperm and egg in a dish in a lab, followed by implantation of the embryo into the woman's uterus. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) involves the direct injection of a mature egg with a single sperm. This may be used in conjunction with IVF in cases of severe male infertility.

In Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer (ZIFT) and Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT), the fertilization occurs in the fallopian tubes instead of in the uterus. In ZIFT, an egg is fertilized in a lab before it is transferred to the fallopian tubes. In GIFT, unfertilized eggs and sperm are transferred to the fallopian tubes for fertilization.

Many other services are also available at East coast fertility clinics that have proven successful for couples. Those interested should speak with a fertility specialist for more information

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Trouble Getting Pregnant - 3 Tips to Get You on the Right Track

Posted: 25 Dec 2009 06:49 AM PST

Premature Menopause can devastate any couple, especially if you've never had a child before. Fortunately with today's enhanced natural fertility techniques, infertility can be beat. Just to get started, here are some important tips to make sure your on the right track.

-Less Plastics
A shocking study was made about plastic cups and containers and how they can affect fertility. Research showed that Bisphenol-A(BPA) is a chemical used to make plastics and canned food.

BPA can affect the division of Uterine Cells and even prevent the embryo from reaching the Uterus. As a result it is strongly recommended to avoid microwaving polycarbonate plastics.

-Watch Your Produce
Regular consumption of produce foods and meats can make it more difficult to get pregnant. It has been studied that the pesticides, hormones and chemicals used to make animal and produce products can negatively impact our organs and endocrine system. Sticking with organic foods at all times is the best way to go.

-Stress Reliever
After being diagnosed as infertile, it can get really tough emotionally and our stress levels can quickly elevate. During this time, it's important to understand that it's not the end of the road. Allowing stress to build up in these circumstances by holding everything in will only make it worse. Try giving a close friend a call to share your thoughts. One short phone call can change our entire mood for the better.

-Medication Road Block

There are a variety of different medications that have been proven to block different hormones and also inhibit ovulation making it a lot harder to conceive. It is important to try to avoid using unnecessary medication such as sleeping pills, cold meds etc.

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