The “Is There an Alternative to IVF?” plus 4 more |
- Is There an Alternative to IVF?
- Infertility? Yoga is in, Strenuous Exercise is Out
- Who Else Wants Infertility Insurance to Cover Their Pregnancy?
- The Stages of Pregnancy Calendar
- Care During Pregnancy
| Is There an Alternative to IVF? Posted: 31 Dec 2009 10:27 AM PST Question: I am 38 and would love to have a baby, but, although all the tests have proved OK for both myself and my husband, we're not having any luck. I started IVF this year and found the side effects of the drugs terrible. I have had two sessions of embryo transfer without success. Can you recommend anything? Answer: The most important thing for you is to regulate your natural menstrual cycle, eat well and relax. The more you worry about not conceiving the more stressed you will get. And stress is foremost in the general indirect causes of infertility. It brings about tightness in the neck muscles which affects the blood flow to the pituitary gland. When the pituitary gland is not working properly, the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) that stimulates ovulation is not produced in sufficient quantity. This can lead to delayed ovulation and a longer or erratic menstrual cycle. Stress can also cause the fallopian tubes and/or the muscles of the womb to contract so the egg may not be able to reach the sperm cells or, if it does get fertilised, implant in the womb. Physical stress is also a factor. Sitting in front of a computer, for example, can cause neck tension which, by affecting the blood flow as above can cause psychological stress and hormonal malfunction. Ask your husband to gently rub and stroke your neck and spine with Lifestyle Oil. Also massage your lower abdomen clockwise. This helps to reduce stress and reinstate blood flow to the brainstem and pituitary gland. Equally, a woman trying to conceive should not do strenuous work such as lifting and carrying, and should avoid high-impact exercises such as weight lifting or jogging. Do gentle yoga walking or swimming instead. Diet-wise, you need to make sure that the pH level of the vaginal area is not too acidic because it can then act like a spermicide. Equally, don't eat foods that may produce gas and thus disturb the circulation in the pelvic area. So avoid citrus fruits, a lot of garlic, spicy food, canned products, foods that contain yeast, coffee, alcohol, sugar, fried food and fizzy drinks. Eat lots of apples, carrots and other fruit and vegetables, and foods that contain protein such as fish, eggs and chicken (all organic) -the protein found in animal fat helps boost the level of oestrogen in the blood. Pomegranates are as, additional remedy for infertility in India. The seed actually look like the womb of a pregnant woman and perhaps this is nature indicating that this fruit is good for women who are or want, to get Pregnant. Pomegranates have a high level of cobalt, which is an essential raw material for synthesizing blood and thus important for pregnancy. Around ovulation time, the l2th to l5th day of your cycle, stay calm and relaxed. Do relaxation breathing for ten to l5 minutes twice a day. Drink plenty of still water and eat protein with fresh fruit and vegetables, and freshly made juices. Intercourse on the day of ovulation or the following day is very good. Go to bed early, then make love in the morning, after a good night's sleep. Lie in bed for at least an hour afterward. It's wise to refrain from intercourse a week before ovulation to allow the sperm to ripen. SPECIFIC TREATMENTS * Homeopathy and acupuncture to relieve stress.
HOW TO IMPROVE SPERM COUNT About a third of infertility cases originate with the man. The problem centres on the health and vigour of the sperm: low sperm count, poor motility (the actual movement capability of the sperm) and few living sperm. For healthy sperm, stress management is vital, as is stopping smoking and drinking alcohol, if necessary. He could also try: * Breakfast egg flip: stir a raw organic egg into a glass of hot creamy milk. Add salt and pepper to taste and.drink at breakfast.
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| Infertility? Yoga is in, Strenuous Exercise is Out Posted: 31 Dec 2009 10:01 AM PST If you want to get pregnant but are engaged in strenuous workouts, stop. That kind of heavy exercise may put your fertility at risk and cause more harm than good. Instead of doing heavy workouts, trying gentler forms of exercise such as infertility yoga. A Norwegian study published in the medical journal Human Reproduction found that strenuous workouts can affect a women's chances of becoming pregnant. The study led by Dr Sigridur Gudmundsdottir and colleagues from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and the Emory University in Atlanta was conducted on nearly 25,000 Norwegian women aged 27, on average. Some basic findings of the research include: 1. The more frequent and strenuous a woman's physical activity, the greater her chances of being infertile. 2. Active women raise by 3.2 times their chances of becoming pregnant compared to their inactive counterparts. 3. Women increase their chances of infertility by 2.3 times when they work out 'to exhaustion' in contrast to those who don't. Why yoga is a better alternative Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word yuj which means "to unite or integrate." Hindus believe that integration happens when the mind, body, and spirit are in harmony with one another. As an integrated person, you also enjoy better health, which can improve fertility. Yoga enables you to refocus on yourself, your body, and your breathing. This is true for both men and women. Overall, yoga techniques aim to put gentle pressure on the different organs of the body, to help realign and balance your body's systems. With proper breathing techniques you allow your mind to become quiet and relaxed, thereby relieving stress and promoting physical healing. Best yoga styles Because they are very relaxing, Hatha and Kripalu are two of the best options for overcoming infertility. Hatha yoga from the compound word Ha and Tha (meaning Sun and Moon) aims to balance the male and female energies in your body for better body and mind connection as well as increased vitality. This is the yoga style that most Western people are familiar with. It mostly consists of gentle physical exercises or asanas, purification, controlled breathing, relaxation, and meditative techniques Because this yoga style is physical, its main focus is on the limbs. Through asanas, you learn poise, balance and strength which lead to a clear mind and improved physical health-the two most important factors for longer periods of meditation. This type of yoga is ideal for women of any age who want to maintain good health. Kripalu yoga, on the other hand, is a more inward-focused form of hatha yoga that lets you focus on both your body and your spirit. This yoga style usually starts with breathing, stretching, and body postures. Kripalu yoga is recommended for beginners and women of all ages who are out of shape. Reaping the benefits If you are new to yoga, expect to reap health benefits as early as Day 1. The first time you do yoga, you will immediately begin to feel more relaxed with correct asanas and breathing techniques that can help quiet your mind and trigger chemical reactions necessary for healing. Physiologically, positive effects can be felt in just one month of consistent yoga exercises, 2-3 times weekly. Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction. |
| Who Else Wants Infertility Insurance to Cover Their Pregnancy? Posted: 31 Dec 2009 09:29 AM PST Did you know that if you are diagnosed with infertility and in vitro fertilization is determined to be the best approach for you, it will cost a mere $27,000? Could be less, but also more, depending on the number of cycles of treatment that may be required. Of course there are numerous other treatment options, depending on your particular situation, including drugs, egg donor, IUI, surgery and so on, all costing thousands. Then you have diagnostic testing, physician and clinic visitations, plus continuous monitoring and follow up. Again, very expensive. Unless you're wealthy, having at least some infertility insurance coverage may be the only way you can afford to become pregnant, if indeed you are diagnosed with infertility. If you have been unable to become pregnant for over one year, you may be infertile. If you suspect this, do some homework and learn as much as you can concerning infertility and what your options are. Before you visit any medical professionals or clinics for diagnosis or treatment options, you should first investigate all insurance and financing alternatives to be sure you will not be disqualified. Contact your current health provider first to determine what they offer, if anything, then look into other insurance companies that have diagnostic and/or treatment policies. We have found that most couples do not even know that infertility insurance exists. It does, but unfortunately it is not universally available; only 15 states in the US currently mandate that this type insurance be made available, either through employers or as independent insurance. In addition, the policies vary greatly by coverage for testing and type treatments. Although there are restrictive qualifications regarding age, preconditions, and current insurance coverage, it is well worth pursuing. Here are the 15 states that currently require coverage: Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas and West Virginia. Check with your state's department of insurance anyway, as many are currently considering offering such programs. Once you begin to investigate this, be careful to to evaluate all the options and be sure to consider your unique situation regarding your infertility. Once you are diagnosed and your specific problem is determined, you will want to have insurance that specifically covers your testing and potential treatment protocol. The 3 basic programs include true health insurance, refund programs and financing programs. Under the standard insurance policy, specific testing and therapies will be covered, such as IVF, drug therapy, acupuncture, IUI, egg donor, and ART, for a monthly premium, similar to other insurance. Typically refund and financing programs focus on specific procedures also, but you pay initially for the treatments, with say 75-100% refunded, if the procedures are unsuccessful. Again, do your research here, as many procedures are not covered, or partially covered, and many times only the least costly approach will be considered. Start to investigate your options early on to be sure you find something that fits your unique needs. Your medical and clinical team can assist you also, but in the end you must determine what works best for you. Sometimes you may be able to purchase infertility insurance directly through your employer's plan or possibly as an add on. If not, you will be able to obtain an independent policy structured specifically to your situation. If you are unable to obtain infertility insurance coverage in your state or you do not meet the insurance company qualifications for some reason, you should find out what options the fertility clinic offers. Many have standard financing programs and special refund options as discussed earlier. We hope that your inability to become pregnant is simply poor timing. However, if you find you are infertile, don't despair, get help and look into infertility insurance to cover your pregnancy. Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction. |
| The Stages of Pregnancy Calendar Posted: 31 Dec 2009 08:13 AM PST A pregnancy calendar is a great way to keep track of your growing bundle of joy week by week. It offers photos of what your new baby probably looks like at any given point during the pregnancy. Visually experience the changes from an embryo to a fetus right on your own computer. I love, love, love this idea! When I was expecting my son I didn't have access to any of these great sites that would enable me to view my son changing inside me. Sure there were books, but nothing like the live action photos and movements that you get with the online calendar. Being a woman and experiencing the miracle inside you is a wonderful gift, but all of those same women are waiting impatiently for the day they will see their baby. Calendars are a bit of cheat in that direction so that you can both FEEL and WATCH your new baby grow. Being pregnant is living a miracle. Everyday that a woman spends pregnant, she spends growing and feeding and caring for that embryo, it is literally a part of her. Everyday that woman will sacrifice her body to give life to that embryo, her body wills that embryo into a fetus and then births that fetus into the world. This is a miracle. Today we can actually see what our babies are going to look like before they are born, we can take pictures of them while they are still inside the womb. Watching your baby grow day by day and week by week is an inside look into that miracle. Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction. |
| Posted: 31 Dec 2009 07:47 AM PST If there is one time in the life of a woman when it is absolutely essential to take the utmost care of overall health, it is during pregnancy. This is because it is not only the pregnant woman's health in question but also the health and development of the fetus, or the unborn baby in the womb. With all the hormonal changes going on in a woman's body during the time of pregnancy, it is absolutely important to take care, especially in case of diet and nutrition, weight gain, development and management of health conditions if any, and so on. Here are some of the aspects of pregnancy care one must not overlook. Safe weight gain during pregnancy: Gaining weight during pregnancy is important but many pregnant women gain additional weight because of the belief that they must eat for two. To understand how much weight you can safely gain during pregnancy, you need to be aware of your BMI (Body Mass Index) before pregnancy The higher your BMI - or ratio of weight in kilograms to height in square meters - the lower the amount of weight you can add while pregnant. While in the first trimester you need no additional calories; only in the second and third trimesters will you need 100 - 200 calories more than your regular intake. Ensure this with healthier options such as fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, nuts and complex carbohydrates like whole grains. Right diet during pregnancy: A balanced diet is essential to fitness and good health, and assumes vital importance during pregnancy. Three hundred calories a day, over and above a daily requirement of 1500-2000 calories, is what pregnant women additionally require from the beginning of the second trimester up to delivery. Your diet must include proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Protein is essential for the buildup of tissues; folic acid, found in leafy green vegetables, dried beans and peas, and citrus fruits, for example, can prevent preterm delivery, low birth weight and poor fetal growth. Adequate amounts of calcium in your body will meet your unborn baby's needs for stronger bones and teeth. Right amount of iron is required for hemoglobin production whereas zinc contributes to healthy growth and development of the baby. Foods to avoid during pregnancy: While you are expected to eat more during pregnancy, you must also leave out certain foods to avoid causing risk to your pregnancy. Fish and sea food, raw meat, raw or uncooked eggs and vegetables, Chinese food, especially because of its MSG content (monosodium glutamate) and caffeinated beverages are some of the foods to be avoided. While raw meat is known to contain toxic elements harmful for both the mother and the unborn baby, high levels of mercury found in sea fish can also pose risks to the fetus. High levels of caffeine may cause miscarriage or low-birth weight. Drinking and smoking by pregnant women are absolute no-s for the serious abnormalities they can cause in the unborn child. Dealing with pregnancy discomforts: Morning sickness, troubled sleep, frequent urges to urinate are some of the discomforts associated with pregnancy. You can overcome these discomforts through: exercise after taking due advice from your doctor, using pillows to support your lower back, knees and tummy, right nutrition that promotes sleep, trying muscle relaxation techniques and so on. Gestational diabetes during pregnancy: An increasing number of pregnant women develop gestational diabetes, largely due to a sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy eating habits and obesity. It is vital to screen for gestational diabetes in the first trimester and again at around 30 weeks of pregnancy. This is especially important if you've had gestational diabetes during a previous pregnancy - around 50 percent of women who have had gestational diabetes earlier develop this condition in a subsequent pregnancy. Regular monitoring, dietary control and insulin, if advised, form the cornerstone of diabetic management during pregnancy. Dental care during pregnancy: During pregnancy, your risk of developing gum disease (pregnant women may suffer from pregnancy gingivitis - a condition which leads to bleeding of tender gums) goes up, and this can be detrimental to your developing baby's health. Things to do: Brush and floss regularly. If you are suffering from morning sickness, switch to a bland toothpaste after consulting your doctor. If you have frequent bouts of vomiting, rinse your mouth frequently with water, or mouthwash advised by your dentist. Eat healthy to invest in your child's oral health. Regular visits to your dentist can flag any signs of gum disease. Yoga during pregnancy: Practicing yoga during pregnancy can help you cope with taxing symptoms such as morning sickness and fatigue. Asanas (especially those that strengthen the pelvic muscles) and pranayam can also prepare you - mentally and physically - for labor. Monitoring baby movements during pregnancy: A pregnant woman is advised to monitor fetal movements from the 28th week by keeping track of the daily fetal movements count (DFMC). She must watch out for any variations in the pattern and average count of movements as these could indicate the need for tests to check fetal health. At the same time, pregnant mothers must keep calm while doing the count as anxiety itself could lead to the production of hormones and in turn cause fetal distress. Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction. |
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