Probiotics and Fertility Part 1

getting pregnant Fertility Blog, Fertility Diet, Fertility Treatments
Probiotics and Fertility Part 1

In this post I’ll be covering probiotics and fertility- that is, the little beneficial critters that live in our gut!

Life is returning to normal, so I’m back to upgrading my fertility diet. I mentioned in my blog, Digestive Enzymes, Probiotics and Fertility, that I’ll be adding two critical – and missing – components to my fertility diet: probiotic bacteria and enzymes.

 

What are Probiotic Bacteria?

Probiotic bacteria are the friendly bacteria that live in our digestive systems. Doctors and nutritionists agree that these bacteria are one of the most important aspects to our overall health and well being.

Dr. McDougall refers to them in his book, Digestive Tune-up, as “so important to our health and survival that they should be thought of as a vital organ”. In her book, Allergies, by Carolee Bateson-Koch writes that the cultivation of these bacteria “can mean the difference between radiant health and chronic debilitating conditions”.

 

Benefits of Probiotic Bacteria

probiotics and fertilityIt’s not a surprise that these little inhibitors are so important to us given the slew of responsibilities they have. Just to name a few of these responsibilities of probiotic bacteria:

  • Break down our food
  • Manufacture vitamins like biotin, niacin, folic acid and B-6
  • Increase the absorption of minerals
  • Normalize bowel transit time
  • Produce antibiotics that prevent colonization of the harmful bacteria

A Micro-biome of Life in Our Digestive Tract

Interestingly, this micro flora isn’t just a few bacteria scattered throughout our digestive tract. Trillions of bacteria inhabit our digestive system. The bacteria weigh a total of about four pounds and account for half of the volume of the contents of our large intestine.

Where Does Our Gut Biome Come From?

These bacteria begin to colonize our bodies at birth; finding their way into our system through the air we breathe, the breast milk we drink and the things we put in our mouths.

We need to continuously replenish these bacteria, though, as many don’t set up camp permanently. They regularly exit our digestive systems – making up over half of the dry weight of feces – many of which are still living (if you who weren’t grossed out enough).

 

What Destroys Probiotics and Fertility?

Excretion isn’t the only factor affecting the bacteria balance in our gut. Bacterial infections, hormones, antibiotics (which kill the good and the bad bacteria), high stress levels, steroid drugs, excessive alcohol intake, poor diet, and a number of other factors can throw the beneficial bacteria out of balance.

 

Symptoms of Improper Balance of Probiotic Bacteria

This improper balance of flora can cause the following symptoms:

  • Acne
  • Arthritis
  • Asthma
  • Ear infection
  • Fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Hormonal disturbances
  • Intestinal symptoms
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Low back pain
  • Nervousness
  • Rashes

So, probiotic bacteria are important to our health but what do they have to do with fertility?

 

Probiotics and Fertility- Can it Help?

There don’t seem to be any studies yet that directly link probiotic bacteria to fertility, but there are two aspects that make it very likely that these bacteria play a role.

  1. Probiotic bacteria influence our hormones. They break down and rebuild, for example, hormones such as estrogen. Knowing that an imbalance of estrogen can make getting pregnant harder it seems quite likely that a healthy bacteria balance will create a more fertile body.
  2. Probiotic bacteria manufacture important vitamins like biotin, niacin, folic acid and B-6. And not that it’s a surprise, but a recent study shows that vitamins may play an important role in getting pregnant (not to mention that folic acid is important for a healthy baby – reducing the chances of having a baby with neural tube defects).

Belly Bandit Original Post-Pregnancy Tummy Wrap Review

getting pregnant Pregnancy , ,
Belly Bandit Original Post-Pregnancy Tummy Wrap Review

After the pregnancy and the arrival of a beautiful newborn, a woman’s greatest woe is regaining her abdominal tone. By utilizing the Belly Bandit Original Post-Pregnancy Tummy Wrap, women are able to regain the pretty shape of a flat belly and at the same time reduce stretch marks.

A tummy wrap goes a long distance in getting the post-pregnancy abdomen back in shape. The Belly Bandit Original post-pregnancy tummy wrap is one such marvelous belly support for a new mother.

 

Features of the Belly Bandit Wrap

Belly Bandit Original Post-Pregnancy Tummy WrapFor a reasonably low-price, it has some wonderful features like:

  • Five different sizes to reduce the bloated abdomen and to help toning the muscular system
  • Brings back normal tone to the sagging abdomen after the pregnancy and reduces the post-partum stretch marks
  • The abdominal compression wrap also helps reduces the uterus swelling
  • Helps in reducing bloating of the abdomen due to water retention
  • Comfortable and lightweight belly wrap that helps the new mother regain her body tone quickly

Check Price of Belly Bandit

Benefits of the Belly Bandit Original Post-Pregnancy Tummy Wrap

As a new mother, use the Belly Bandit Original post-pregnancy tummy wrap to give extra strong support to your abdomen, back, and the hip region. While giving support to the muscular system, it also subdues the abdominal discomfort and distention. Not only is is beneficial right after child-birth, but many mothers continue to gain benefit from wearing it 6 months after child-birth.

The Belly Bandit Original post-pregnancy tummy wrap can be used after the first day or two after delivery. On consultation with the Obstetrician or medical expert, it can also be used after the C-section which helps in post-C-section recovery time.

 

How to Use the Belly Bandit Wrap

Belly Bandit - Original Postpartum Belly WrapTo get the best fitting tummy wrap, measure the girth of your abdomen starting at the belly button and get the right size.

The tummy wrap can be best worn by keeping the label side towards your body and by keeping the 5 inch Velcro facing towards the outside. The bands can be secured by having the 2 inch Velcro side over the 5 inch Velcro band.

You can choose between having a side closure or a center closure to give you better comfort.

Use it for about 2 months to help your abdomen get back almost to the shape it was before the pregnancy.

You can keep the Belly Bandit Original post-pregnancy tummy wrap on for whole day if you like. If there is any discomfort, then removing it for a few minutes to hours will help.

This tummy wrap should not cause discomfort to you so choose a snugly-fitting size. It is lightweight and can be worn under the jeans, trousers, or skirt without displaying its bulk.

The creases formed in the belly wrap are normal and helps in the mobility and comfort.

Check Price of Belly Bandit

Taking Care of Belly Bandit Original Post-Pregnancy Tummy Wrap

To avoid shrinkage and damage, do not wash the belly wrap in hot water or in tumble dryer. Do not wring it. It should be hand-washed in cold water and dried to air.

As the drying can take a much longer time, you can have a pair of Belly bandit wraps so you can alternate between them whilst one is being washed.

 

In Conclusion

Belly Bandit Original Postpartum Tummy WrapBelly Bandit Original post-pregnancy tummy wrap is available at Amazon website for a very affordable price.

This product is recommended for post-pregnancy abdominal support and to get better toning of the abdominal and back muscles after the pregnancy.

Always buy the right size Belly Bandit Original post-pregnancy tummy wrap for better fit and comfort.

Check Price of Belly Bandit

10 Tips: History of Mental Illness and Pregnancy

getting pregnant Pregnancy, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy
10 Tips: History of Mental Illness and Pregnancy

Thankfully we live in an age that, if a person has a psychiatric history, it’s okay. And if that person is pregnant, and has a psychiatric history that’s okay too. In this article we give 10 ‘History of Mental Illness and Pregnancy’ tips to guide women with taking appropriate steps to ensure their pregnancy goes smoothly.

 

10 Tips for Women With a History of Mental Illness and Pregnancy

  1. Be straight-forward and frank with your doctor.

    Doctors ask for a medical history for a reason, and that is to give you and your unborn child the best health care possible.

  2. Listen to your doctor.

    Mental Illness and PregnancyWith the information that you give your doctor about your psychiatric history, they can determine the best possible program for you to follow. Make sure that you follow it. Remember it is for your health and that of your baby.

  3. Do not be ashamed of your psychiatric history.

    For some reason people tend to think differently at a weakness of the mind, and a weakness of the body, but don’t. There a many things that can cause any of us to have a psychiatric history. Some of these might be illness, fever, infection or a severe trauma.

  4. Get Help if your are uncomfortable with your history.

    Pregnancy should be a time of joyful anticipation. If your psychiatric history is causing you concerns, talk to your doctor about getting counseling.

  5. Talk to close friends and family about your concerns.

    Ask for their help and support if necessary. Also, reassure them that everything is going well. Let them share in your joyful anticipation.

  6. Don’t dwell on your psychiatric history.

    Remember to think about what you think about. It will do you no good to dwell on the past, it has already happened. For the present, concentrate about the ‘now.’

  7. Make sure to keep yourself busy.

    My granny used to always say, “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.” It’s a statement we’ve all heard in our lifetime. Take up a hobby, start walking. If we keep ourselves busy, we don’t have much time to dwell on the past.

  8. Group Therapy.

    If you have concerns about your pregnancy and the baby once it gets here, talk to your health-care provider or local hospital about a group therapy session. Group therapy is not a group of friends discussing things; it is a group of people who doesn’t even know each other on a personal level, except that they have common concerns.

  9. Eat well-balanced meals.

    Don’t just eat a lot of food, but do eat good, well-balanced meals. By keeping your nutrition up, you will be keeping your baby’s nutrition up.

  10. Feel good about yourself.

    Your psychiatric history is just that; your psychiatric history. Keep in mind that you are a unique human being, and worthy of loving yourself. How you feel about yourself determines how you feel about others.

 

Having a history of mental illness and pregnancy need not spoil your pregnancy experience.  Enjoy your pregnancy and enjoy life. Your baby will benefit from it.

Check out our related article with additional tips for Women With Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy.

A Day of Visitors After Surgery

getting pregnant Fertility Blog
A Day of Visitors After Surgery

The rain hit my window outside and the dark sky showed no signs of getting lighter. It was by all means a dreary day. Before long my husband and mother-in-law came with fresh croissants from the bakery. Getting visitors after surgery is nice, but tiring.

My Mother-In-Law

We talk and, when my husband leaves the room briefly, my mother-in-law insists that I partake in her religious healing procedure. She has offered this to me on numerous other occasions, but I have always thanked her and said, “no.”

I’ve asked her to stop offering them to me but that has never held her back – today was no exception. The only difference is that today I am too tired to argue with her, and I let her do it. I swallow my frustration during the entire thing only to learn later that she promised Richard she wouldn’t mention or try any of her procedures on me.

Visitors After SurgerySo much for that. All I can do is concentrate on the fact that she means well and as soon as I’m better I’ll be able to say no again – which is guaranteed to be a much sharper no.

Friends

Not long after my mother-in-law leaves, several of my friends come by.

We laugh and talk about random topics. The time flies by and I relax in their company. As evening comes, they leave, and I realize the entire Sunday has gone by.

I feel so much better than I did this morning staring out at the rain. Do people know how wonderful it is to get visitors?

Pain

With the drainage tube removed in the afternoon, the pain in my abdomen is minimal. My shoulder, however, is harboring pain that’s becoming unbearable. “It comes from the gas they use in your abdomen during the ectopic pregnancy surgery to expand the abdominal wall away from the organs so the surgeons can see what they are doing,” explains the nurse matter-of-factly.

Fortunately, she has a pain medication for this. She also said walking around helps. So, up I was. Richard helps me out of bed and takes my hand as we venture out into the hall to walk off my pain. With a slow pace we walk down the hall.

We reach the end of the hall and as I look up at the doors. I can’t believe the sign that is staring me in the face. “Only authorized personnel and pregnant woman past this point.” I feel like someone just punched me in the stomach.

“I guess we can’t go through those doors,” I say sarcastically.

Richard looks at the sign and sighs. We turn around to go back to my room without saying a word.

Worn Out

It’s only 7:00 p.m. when we get back to my room, but my body is showing signs it’s tired. Richard sees my exhaustion and suggests I try to sleep. I realize I’m already dozing off.

If you enjoyed reading my blog, please write a comment here or bookmark it to a social bookmarking site by using the link below. Thanks!

Signs of a Ruptured Ectopic Pregnancy, or Hope?

getting pregnant Ectopic Pregnancy, Fertility Blog, Pregnancy ,
Signs of a Ruptured Ectopic Pregnancy, or Hope?

Before sharing with you my experience revisiting the doctor for more tests- the place where I had previously lost my pregnancy- let’s look at the main signs of a ruptured ectopic pregnancy… my greatest fear!

Signs of a Ruptured Ectopic Pregnancy

  • Sudden, severe abdominal or pelvic pain
  • Pain in lower back
  • Pain in the shoulder due to leakage of blood into the abdomen affecting the diaphragm
  • Dizziness or fainting

Our Appointment With the Doctor

Ectopic pregnancy hcg testA long weekend of crying and healing. We went into the doctor this morning. The tears tried to escape my swollen eyes.

My regular doctor wasn’t in so we saw another doctor. Although he was a little lost as to what my pregnancy situation was, he was attentive, asked questions and listened to what we had to say.

They drew my blood and took another ultrasound – that showed nothing.

Richard and I walked out exhausted. We weren’t expecting any good news, however, going through the motions and living the bad news was painful.

Was I Pregnant or Showing Signs of a Ruptured Ectopic Pregnancy?

Coming home I felt closure. I sat down at my laptop and started to begin putting my life back on track. I called about a job interview, replied to some emails and made a phone call.

Later my cell rang, as it rang I remembered that the doctor offered to call personally to tell me what my new Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) values were.

I picked up the phone hoping that he would say that my values were going down as expected, which would mean we could get back to trying soon. He said nothing of the kind.

He took a long pause before telling me that my hCG values had doubled – exactly what they do for a healthy pregnancy! “What does this mean?” cried my brain.

What Does it Mean?

Since the values already went down it couldn’t possibly be a viable pregnancy. Could it?

After firing a few questions at him it became clear that he could not explain what was going on. It was strange: simply strange.

“I don’t want to make you hopeful, but we should not give up yet,” the words he uttered rang in my ear. Not listening, I missed the first part of what he began to say to me. I was in another world. Is this reality?

As I tuned back in and heard him go on to explain that it could be an ectopic pregnancy, it could be an unusual miscarriage, but it has the potential (tiny, but existent) of a viable pregnancy.

As soon as I got off the phone I jumped on the Internet. What does this mean? I typed in rising and falling HCG values. Hit after hit: ectopic pregnancy.

Just sit and wait to see if something happens. This was the advice I had received. What if my tube explodes before anything is done? It was clear I wanted a second opinion… now!

Hanging Onto a Tiny Bit of Hope

Richard called me on his way home and I told him the news that it could be an ectopic pregnancy.

We analyzed while he drove home and when he walked in the door we decided to call his sister, who is a surgeon. Shortly thereafter she gave us the phone number of a very good OB-GYN (a doctor who specializes in pregnancy and female reproductive health).

He reassured us that there was no immediate danger if I was not in pain. “Your values are strange, however, there is a tiny possibility that it could be a viable pregnancy. I have seen so many strange values that have gone on to be health pregnancies”.

“No!”, a voice inside my head screamed you can’t go through this again. I can’t cling to a needle in a haystack probability. Too late. My heart is known for not listening to reason. I lost it. I went to the other side. The side of hope.

Richard’s sister then made an appointment for us at a very well equipped prenatal center that would do an advanced ultrasound to see if they could find the pregnancy. This would be tomorrow.

An Ultrasound to See if I Had an Ectopic Pregnancy

Signs of a Ruptured Ectopic PregnancyI woke up in a light mood. Richard sang all morning. Against our will, hope had crept back in. We worked out, had a late breakfast and went to the prenatal center. Neither of us was directly stressed.

We went into the room and immediately noticed the projector and high quality ultrasound. I lay comfortably down on the bed and watched the ultrasound projected on the wall in front of me. The doctor seemed nervous.

Uterus

She checked the uterus moving the wand inside my vagina to the left and right, up and down. Nothing. No visible pregnancy.

She then measured with Doppler my pulse in the area. We heard my pulse loud and clear. I couldn’t help but imagine that that was my baby’s heartbeat. Richard confessed afterward to having the same thought.

Ovaries

The search continued to the left and right ovaries. In case there was developing sac in my tubes. The tubes are too small to pick up on the ultrasound but if they are harboring a pregnancy then they could become visible.

We watched the black and white picture in front us. I couldn’t decipher anything.

Then doctor called in another doctor. My stomach sank. Is this good? Why does she need another doctor?

When he came in Richard and I were out of the loop. They whispered back and forth. We eavesdropped. Then I heard that they found a cyst on my left ovary. This seemed to be of concern. But it was not a pregnancy, or could not be determined to be one as of yet.

Still a Glimmer of Hope

Time to go home. Fancy equipment. Qualified people. No new information. It was time again to wait. The only factor that can shed light on the situation is my HCG value. The test is tomorrow. This is when we will know more.

If you enjoyed reading my blog, please write a comment here or bookmark it to a social bookmarking site by using the link below. Thanks!

Probiotics and Fertility Diet Part 2

getting pregnant Fertility Blog, Fertility Diet, Fertility Problems
Probiotics and Fertility Diet Part 2

If you haven’t read part 1 of this blog yet, you might want to start there (it covers the basics and the potential connection to fertility): Probiotics and Fertility Diet Part 1.

Otherwise more on those critters in our gut…

Probiotics and Fertility- An Unbalanced Vaginal Microbiome

Research has found a connection between the microbiome and fertility and how probiotics improve fertility. The abnormal vaginal microbiota has been found to negatively impact the birth rate.

Studies

Probiotics and Fertility DietA Danish study of 130 women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF), researchers found that those who had abnormal vaginal microbiota had a harder time getting pregnant.

Of the 84 patients who completed IVF treatment, 29 were able to get pregnant. Only 9% of those who had abnormal vaginal microbiota obtained a clinical pregnancy, whilst 44% of the women with normal microbiota bacteria were able to get pregnant.

A Philadelphian study of 1,950 women found that a diagnosis of a common infection (bacterial vaginosis) in the first trimester more than doubled the risk of spontaneous pregnancy loss in the next trimester. It also found that the low levels of the Lactobacillus bacteria in the first trimester also significantly increased the risk of pregnancy loss.

A BJOG Publication Study with over 700 pregnant women, found that those with abnormal vaginal flora – specifically those lacking lactobacilli bacteria – were 75% more likely to have a preterm birth. Also, the risk of miscarriage was significantly increased.

Create a Healthy Digestive System with Probiotic Bacteria

The importance of probiotic bacteria in our bodies is uncontested, but how, and to what extent, we can influence this delicate balance is still being researched.

The research results are very encouraging though. Many experts recommend we ‘cultivate the garden within’ for a healthy body by adopting the right diet, reducing stress, avoiding antibiotics whenever possible, and in some cases supplementing with probiotics and prebiotics.

Foods that Contain Probiotic Bacteria and Prebiotics

We may be able to influence the balance of bacteria in our bodies with food in two ways: by eating foods that contain the good bacteria and by eating the types of food that good bacteria feed off of (prebiotics).

Choose Carefully: not all traditionally fermented foods contain these helpful bacteria. Industrialization of fermentation has lead to efficiency in production and more consistent tasting products, however, it ruins some of the healthful benefits by killing the probiotic bacteria. Pasteurizing, for example, effectively kills all the healthful bacteria.

Foods that naturally contain probiotic bacteria are cultured/fermented foods.

Foods with Probiotic Bacteria

  • Raw Sauerkraut
  • Kimchi
  • Cottage cheese
  • Kefir
  • Yogurt
  • Tofu
  • Miso
  • Tamari sauce
  • Soy sauce
  • Tempeh
  • Pickles (made with brine not vinegar)
  • Pickled ginger
  • Beer
  • Wine
  • Vinegar

Interestingly, cultured foods have long been recognized as an integral part of a healthy diet like Miso in Japan, Lassi drinks in India, Kimchi in Asia and sauerkraut in Europe – just to name a few.

The second way to boost probiotic bacteria is to eat foods that provide prebiotics. Two well documented prebiotics are FOS and inulin, which are naturally occurring carbohydrates found in the following foods.

Fertility Boosting FoodsFoods that Contain Prebiotics

  • Asparagus
  • Chicory
  • Chinese chive
  • Burdock root
  • Eggplant
  • Fruit (especially bananas)
  • Garlic
  • Jerusalem artichokes
  • Leeks
  • Legumes
  • Onions
  • Peas
  • Soybeans
  • Sugar maple
  • Tomatoes

Probiotic Supplements

Probiotic supplements are high doses of specific strains of beneficial bacteria in an easy to take form (liquid, power, or capsule). Initial studies are encouraging and suggest that probiotic supplements can be used to treat various health issues.

Numerous doctors, naturopaths and nutritionists recommend probiotics for this reason, however, the extent of the claims being made has not yet been rigorously proven through research.

Elizabeth Lipski, author of Digestive Wellness, recommends that already healthy people can maintain their healthy bacteria by eating cultured foods, but says supplements are necessary when disease producing microbes have colonized.

Dr. Haas makes a similar recommendation in his book, Staying Healthy with Nutrition, by recommending probiotics for use after a course of antibiotics or to treat yeast overgrowth, otherwise, he says, “I recommend them for one to two weeks once or twice a year…”.

It’s important to note that probiotics do not all have the same quality.

Some guidelines for choosing probiotics are:

  • Probiotics requiring refrigeration at the store and at home tend to be the best
  • Accompanying probiotics with prebiotics may be more effective since this provides food for the bacteria once they they enter your digestive system
  • Probiotics that include several strains are helpful

Elizabeth Lipski also emphasizes in her book, Digestive Wellness the following tips:

  • Different combinations will work for different people and to a greater or lesser effect.
  • You’ll have to experiment with different brands and see which are most helpful.
  • Remember to begin with a small dosage and increase slowly. You are changing your gut ecology and you want to do it gradually.

Another important aspect to taking probiotics that Elizabeth Lipski points out is that it’s not necessarily a bad sign if the supplements cause a sudden bloating, diarrhea, gas, or worsening of symptoms. She explains that, as the bad bacteria and fungus die, they release chemicals that aggravate symptoms. If this happens, she recommends beginning again and building up slowly.

Naturopath Linda Page suggests that probiotic supplements are not for everyone because each person’s digestive system is highly individual. She recommends getting probiotic bacteria from food and by supplementing with prebiotics.

The good side to this new dietary supplement is that probiotics have no toxic effects and the American Cancer Society addresses the safety of one of the more popular probiotics strains, Lactobacillus acidophilus, by stating that; except in rare cases acidophilus is safe.

Probiotics and Fertility Conclusion

Although, I haven’t covered them in detail here prebiotics are also available in supplemental form.

For my next blog I’ll be writing about how I’m getting probiotics and prebiotics, how my body likes/dislikes them along with a list of some helpful resources. Until then, happy bacteria consumption.

My Fertility Plan Revisited

getting pregnant Fertility Blog ,
My Fertility Plan Revisited

This is not how either my husband or I really wanted to spend our Monday night – settling into an oversized movie chair for Ron Howard’s new movie, Frost/Nixon, sounded way better. But we both know the benefits of making and then reviewing a my fertility plan.

“We need to talk tonight.”

“About what?”

“Reviewing our fertility plan.”

Silence. A sigh. “Yes, let’s do that.”

My First Fertility Plan

Last September my husband and I created our initial fertility plan whilst on the top of a mountain.

So we settled into our usual planning area, a couple of cushions on the living room floor, and looked at the plan we drew up last year sometime after my miscarriage.

my fertility planThe old fertility planning looked like this:

    1. Repeat liver cleanse and gallbladder flush
    2. Research and implement the best fertility diet
    3. Begin daily weight lifting
    4. Go back for fertility mud baths
    5. Go to Sharkey’s Healing Center for herbal treatment
    6. Head to the infertility clinic

I did steps one through four. So why not move on to step five? Because three things happened:

  • I learned that it usually takes between three to eight months for natural fertility treatments to heal the reproductive system
  • My body has been transformed beyond my expectations by my fertility diet: my acne disappeared, my digestive system became regular and my energy returned.
  • My cycles went from 44 to 39, then to 36 days.

It seems like I am on to something – something that is making me healthier and more fertile!

When Should We Revive My Fertility Plan?

Revising my fertility plan to give the fertility diet the time it needs to heal my body seems like the smartest thing we can do. But how long should we allow it to run before doing a revision? Should we wait the full eight months?

Surprisingly, this was relatively easy to decide.

We talked about it for all of about ten minutes and decided that I’ll do the fertility diet for three more months by itself. Following that I will add three complementary treatments that I did before I had my positive pregnancy test last year:

We’ll give the fertility diet and these complementary treatments the full eight months to heal my body – before moving on to herbs and then conventional medicine.

Eight months. Yes, this sounds very long to me!

Fertility Declines After 32

I’m almost 32 years old – just three years away from the age many studies suggest fertility begins declining for most women, so it’s hard to give these treatments eight full months. However, nothing I’ve tried has had such a positive effect on addressing the source of my problems and healing my body, than the fertility diet.

I’ve been following the ideal fertility diet for a couple months now, but we’re going to start counting the eight month period from the beginning of January. The reason for this is that I fell off the fertility diet wagon over the New Years period. I suffered the consequences and had to start over in bringing my body back into balance.

It was my husband’s idea to follow the fertility diet for three months before adding the complementary treatments. His idea has merit for these reasons:

  • Three months is generally the time it takes for the body to recover: It’s the time, for example, that conventional medicine often stipulates is needed to fully recover from surgery and it’s the time natural fertility experts often recommend as a minimum for treatment to take effect. So, since the fertility diet is healing my body, we’re giving it three full three months to do so, solo, in the hopes that it fixes a few of my other lingering problems: breakthrough bleeding, my short luteal phase and my still too long cycles.
  • Also, we’re moving and three months is about the time we need to settle into our new place. Seemingly unrelated to fertility, moving and implementing other fertility treatments would be counterproductive since squeezing them into our schedule is likely to add a good deal of stress.

My Fertility Plan Now Updated

So, the new fertility planning looks like this:

    1. Continue following fertility diet
    2. In about three months go for 3 weeks of Mayan abdominal massages
    3. After the massages begin 2 weeks of fertility mud baths
    4. After the baths begin castor oil packs for two cycles
    5. In August 2009 go to Sharkey’s Healing Center for herbal treatment
    6. After three months of herbal treatment head to the infertility clinic

This looks like a plan. A done deal. But not so fast. Our fertility planning didn’t go quite that smoothly. At step six we hit a kink – a very big kink.

We agree on the plan and all its details up until “head to the infertility clinic”. Right now we have no solution for, or have the faintest clue how we can solve our very big difference of opinion: we are both open to the infertility clinic up until the point the doctor recommends IVF.

I would consider trying IVF if the natural fertility treatments do not work on their own. My husband is not open to trying IVF – under any circumstances.

Right now we’ve agreed to disagree. We see no solution.

We’ve decided to see how the new plan goes before discussing IVF options. With our initial fertility plan we saw how quickly things can change. I think it’s important that we both know how the other feels and respect each other’s feelings and opinions. We can’t do any more than that right now.

I’m hopeful that we will never have to go down the IVF option.

So, for now, I’m going continue following my fertility diet – one day at a time.

Fertility Liver Detox: You Did What?

getting pregnant Fertility Blog, Fertility Diet, Fertility Treatments ,
Fertility Liver Detox: You Did What?

I’m tired and weak. But then I knew this is how I would feel today after doing a fertility liver detox.

Last night, immediately before bed, I voluntarily drank 1/2 cup olive oil mixed with 3/4 cup grapefruit juice. Disgusting? Not really. Nausea inducing? Absolutely!

So the hundred dollar question: Why? Why would I subject my body to this – twice? (In December of last year and again now.)

All in the name of flushing my gallbladder and cleansing my liver, of course.

Yes, I too think this is a totally crazy and questionable thing to do. But what if it helps me have a baby?

I have yet to come across any direct scientific evidence that this is going to boost my fertility, but – and here is the big but – it might!

Why the Liver is Important to Reproductive Health

Fertility Liver DetoxZita West (a midwife, nutritionist, and acupuncturist specializing in fertility) in her book, Fertility & Conception, spells out just why the liver is so important for reproductive health:

“The hormonal balance needed for fertility depends on good liver function. Your liver detoxifies many substances…It chemically alters excess or used hormones for recirculation.”

Zita recommends cleansing the liver – not like I did last night – but with a 10-day liver detox diet that includes foods that are good for the liver, or those that do not make the liver work hard to digest.

My Fertility Liver Detox

This is something I’ve already tried though. Unfortunately, it did not clear my skin of acne, balance my hormones or make my cycle regular (symptoms potentially related to poor liver function). No, I needed something more.

So, for the past several weeks I’ve been drinking herb tinctures (from sensiblehealth.com) and following a restricted diet.

Then in the week, before the flush, I drank a liter of apple juice spaced between meals throughout the day (as recommended by Andreas Moritz in his book, The Liver and Gallbladder Miracle Cleanse).

Last night came the ‘grand finale’, as Richard called it, when I drank the tasty concoction of olive oil and grapefruit juice.

If you never drank this before, I can tell you that it’s followed by the most overwhelming urge to, well, vomit. And the first time I did this cleanse, I gave in around 2:00 a.m. to this urge – my wood floor still reminds me of this!

This time, though, I was awake half the night with nausea, but was able keep the contents of my stomach from reappearing.

Gall Bladder Flush

In the morning, I got up and drank Epsom salts – and here is where the results are supposed to be apparent! You succeeded in flushing your gallbladder when you actually pass gallbladder stones.

Now this is a totally controversial topic because there seems to be no scientific evidence to say that the pebbles that come out, are really gallbladder stones, nor have I found evidence that this really cleanses the liver.

However, what I did find is that there is no indication that this is harmful to your health. Even those sources that feel the cleanse is not effective believe the worst case scenario is nausea.

So, I was hoping that I would pass stones like the ones pictured in Andreas Moritz’s book, or be able to write an infertility testimonial like the ones on sensiblehealth.com.

But there were no stones to be seen. And, yes, I checked thoroughly (except for when I went to the bathroom once in the middle of the night: I was too nauseas to look very long so I just gave it a quick once over).

I also can’t say that I feel any different or notice any observable health improvement.

Will I Do Another Fertility Liver Detox Again?

So well, that’s it. Can’t imagine doing a fertility liver detox again – but, then again, I said that last time didn’t I? Really though, I’m done. I suppose the effects could still surface, like if my cycle were regular this month or my acne cleared up. But since I’ll be moving on to other treatments it would be tough to truly attribute anything to this treatment.

For me, the liver cleanse is what I consider a wildcard. It’s a treatment that has not been scientifically proven or disproven. And since I didn’t feel it endangered my health, I was willing to try it.

Maybe it works for other people. Maybe one day it will come under scientific scrutiny, but until then, I’m done with it. For me, it seems to have been a dead end. I’m heading back into the realm of more founded methods. I’m turning my attention back now to a nutrition plan, a fertility diet.

If you enjoyed reading my fertility blog, please write a comment here or bookmark it to a social bookmarking site by using the link below. Thanks!

Men Asking Labor and Delivery Questions of the OB-GYN

getting pregnant Pregnancy
Men Asking Labor and Delivery Questions of the OB-GYN

There are a multitude of different places where people can get bogged down, or concerned, during the pregnancy process with possible unexpected events. A woman going through pregnancy needs the full support of her partner in the process. A man asking labor and delivery questions of the OB-GYN, not only keeps him in tune with what is to be expected, but his interest in the pregnancy, labor and delivery process provides comforting support for his partner

Asking Labor and Delivery Questions

It is usual to have as many as ten appointments with the OB-GYN during pregnancy. During these appointments, the doctor will do the usual checks and explain what to expect.

It is important for the man to attend as many appointments as he can. By doing so he will also know the process and she will be appreciative that he shares the responsibility of understanding the details of birthing.

Asking Labor and Delivery QuestionsAt some point the doctor will ask, “Any questions?”

Use this as an opportunity to find out more, preparing both man and partner for labor and delivery. For the man, it is the perfect time to get involved. By doing the asking, he takes on a shared responsibility, which will prove to be helpful when the time comes for the baby to arrive.

The doctor will give lots of information. It is important for the man to commit what he learns to memory and reassure his partner that he understands the process and knows what will be done when the baby is ready to be delivered regardless of whether the doctor is present or not.

Labor and Delivery Questions to Ask

Time to go to the hospital

  • How will we know that our baby is coming?
  • How will we know that labor pains have begun?
  • What should we do if her water breaks or there is a bloody discharge from vagina?
  • What if she doesn’t get labor pains?
  • What should we watch for in the case of an emergency?

Labor

  • What pain can she expect?
  • What can we do to help minimize pain?
  • What are the options for pain relief?
  • What is an epidural? What are the risks?
  • Can she eat or drink?
  • How much time will it take to deliver once labor pains have begun?
  • What happens if you are not available for the delivery?
  • What are our chances of a normal delivery?
  • Who can come in the labor room?

Stay in Hospital

  • How many days will my partner need to stay in hospital?
  • Can someone from our family stay with her in the hospital?
  • What kind of clothes will she need?
  • What do we need to bring for the baby?
  • Is cord blood storage an option?
  • How long will our baby need to stay in the hospital?
  • When should breast feeding begin?
  • What if she doesn’t produce enough milk?
  • Do I need to bring a car seat?

Complications

  • If there are complications, will we be transferred to another hospital?
  • Are there any factors surrounding her pregnancy and general health that could impact the birth?

What if Your Usual Doctor is Not There For The Delivery?

One of the scariest moments for a woman during pregnancy is when she realizes that her doctor is not on call and will not be delivering her baby.

This can be emotionally shattering for the woman, but men must remain composed and remind their partners of the process that is in place.

The truth for most deliveries is that the doctor is frequently not even in the room for a good majority of the labor (and sometimes even the delivery).

Nurses will be attending to the birth. Likely you will not know them. Understanding the process explained by the doctor and the needs of the mom, will ensure everyone stays calm.

The man can explain to his partner that this is important to him as well and that he has prepared for this situation.  He can take charge and talk to the nurses about what his partner needs, make the process as easy as possible.

 

Pregnancy, and bringing into this world a baby, is a very special time for all. A man fully immersed in the process and supporting his partner, will build a strong bond for the whole family.

 

Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy