INFERTILITY FACTS NEWS AND VIEWS - “Meal Timing Can Significantly Improve Fertility in Women with Polycystic Ovaries

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) was the cause of my infertility and so I am happy to post any information which could help others who are also suffering from this condition.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), a common disorder that affects fertility by interfering with menstruation, ovulation, hormones, and more, is closely related to insulin levels. Women with this condition are typically "insulin resistant" -- their bodies produce an excess amount of insulin used in the delivery of glucose from the blood into the muscles. This excess makes its way to the ovaries, where it results in the production of testosterone, which impairs fertility.

According to a recent research, there has been found a way that women of normal size, (many women who suffer from PCOS are obese with a small percentage who is of normal size - I am one such) can manage their glucose and insulin levels and this is all in the timing of their meals. Women with PCOS, who have high calorie breakfasts, (which includes high protein and carbohydrate), and lower their calorie intake for subsequent meals throughout the day, saw a reduction in their insulin levels, leading to lower levels of testosterone and increased ovulation frequency, thus greatly enhancing their chance of conceiving.

Follow the link below for more information:-

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/08/130813121626.htm

Post image by : http://www.fertilitynation.com/5-pcos-diet-plan-tips-to-boost-your-fertility-and-help-you-get-pregnant/

IS OVULATION PAIN NORMAL?

image by: http://photos3.fotosearch.com/bthumb/FSD/FSD455/x19305525.jpg

So, it is just about two weeks after your last period (around the time that ovulation usually takes place) and you realise that you are experiencing lower abdominal pains. You know that your next period is not yet due, you could not possibly be pregnant and so you are wondering, could something serious be happening to you, could you be dying?

This is exactly what happened to me when I first started experiencing what I now found out, is ovulation pain. I was prompted to conduct some research and has since found out that painful ovulation is very normal and affects up to 20% of women, some more severe than others and it is especially prevalent in women like myself, who have been diagnosed with PCOS.

After  doing my research, I now understand more about this issue and now sees it as a good thing for some of us women,  who are trying to get pregnant, because there will be no guessing as to when we are ovulating exactly and as a result our chances of conceiving is greatly increased.

For further reading on painful ovulation, what causes it and how is it diagnosed, etc., please check out the following link  http://www.babyhopes.com/articles/painful-ovulation.html

From the site

“All women are familiar with cramping, headaches, bloating, and constipation or diarrhea that accompany periods every month. But some women also experience mid-cycle ovulation pain. This is absolutely normal and surprisingly common. Painful ovulation or mid-cycle pain affects about twenty percent of women. Although the pain may feel like something serious is wrong, painful ovulation or is rarely serious.

Painful ovulation, when severe, is referred to as mittelschmerz, a German word that means “middle pain.” Most women who experience painful ovulation usually report a nagging pain that begins as a sharp twinge and diminishes into a dull ache for the next day or so. But for some women, the pain can be severe enough to be disabling and can even be confused with appendicitis. Occasionally, in addition to mid cycle pain and cramping, some women may experience nausea, and/or light menstrual spotting. Mittelschmerz lasts for 6 to 8 hours in most women; however, occasionally it can last as long as twenty-four to forty-eight hours.”

FOR BETTER OR WORSE - Suporting your spouse during infertility

Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.

Children born to a young man are like sharp arrows in a warrior’s hand

Psalm 127: 3 and 4

“HOPE MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE"

Guest Post by Brittany 

Infertility primarily refers to the biological inability of a person to contribute to conception. Worldwide it is estimated that one in seven couples have problems conceiving, and in America about 5.3 million people suffer from infertility, which tends to affect men and women equally. 

Infertility can be a huge obstacle for a couple to cope with, and it is absolutely critical for two partners to support and rely on each other during this trying time.

This post was written to offer suggestions for supporting your partner during infertility. Whilst every couple is different and your partner may respond to different approaches with varying emotions, these tips will help you be more responsive and sensitive to your partner's needs during an all-too-often disheartening time.  

Be Respectful of Your Partner's Feelings

Be respectful of your partner's feelings about infertility, even if they are different from your own. Both of you must recognize that you''ll have different feelings and different reactions at different times. If you expect your partner to behave in a certain way, you may create additional stress. Do not become angry, disappointed, or turned off to your partner's response to the situation. Rather, talk through your emotions and reactions together in a calm and supportive manner. Together, you should become informed about infertility and its treatment.

Worry About What's In and NOT What's Out of Your Control

Learn to focus on those factors which are within your control (for example, stop smoking) rather than those over which you have no control (for example, your age). Certain infertility causes are related to age, genetic inheritance, or anatomical abnormality--all conditions that you nor your partner can contain. If you spend your time and energy focusing on these things, you may devote less time and effort to constructive planning and coping. Furthermore, do not pressure or make your spouse feel guilty about a condition that they cannot control. 

Learn to Share Your Feelings

Sharing your feelings is essential when dealing with the emotional aspect of infertility. Don't assume that your partner knows exactly what you're going through unless you tell them. If your partner makes discouraging comments, try not to close them out. You may want to attempt to let them know how you feel and how they can help you. Your partner can't always predict your needs or what you are thinking at any particular moment. Try to identify your feelings before sharing them. Putting your thoughts down on paper is often a helpful exercise.

Be a Sensitive Listener

When your partner is ready to share their feelings with you, be a sensitive and compassionate listener. Be mindful of what you say to them, and do not make insulting or discouraging remarks. Your partner is already in a world of pain, and the two of you must channel support and sympathy for one another. Be aware of the fact that your partner may say mean, hurtful, or unusual things as a result of their shock and pain. Do not greet their animosity with more animosity--try to be gentle, compassionate, patient, and understanding.  

Become aware of your own anger directed towards your body and your partner. It is important to recognize its effect on you and your ability to communicate. Do not assume that you have to be a doctor or therapist to exchange effective dialogue with your grieving partner. Your gentle presence is often times what your lonely and afraid spouse needs most. 

Don't Be Afraid to Look to Others For Help

Many times infertile couples feel as if no one else in the world understands their pain. Infertility can feel very lonely and isolating, but it doesn’t have to. Support is available in many forms, online through message boards and chat rooms, through individual counseling, or group support such as peer-led or professionally-led support groups.

If you are experiencing signs of depression such as problems sleeping, eating, or concentrating, see a mental health professional. If the experience feels like a spiritual crisis see your rabbi, priest, or minister for emotional support.

Brittany Johnson is a guest blogger for An Apple a Day and a writer on medical transcriptionist training for Guide to Healthcare Schools.

 

INFERTILITY IS BY NO MEANS PARTIAL

Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.

Children born to a young man are like sharp arrows in a warrior’s hand

Psalm 127: 3 & 4

"HOPE MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE"

Infertility is by no means partial, it transcends all borders. It touches far and wide, it touches the poor, it touches the rich, it touches the small and it touches the great.

I just learnt recently that former first Lady, Laura Bush had fertility issues. In an interview on the Today Show on NBC recently, former first Lady Laura Bush said that she wanted children so badly, before giving birth to twin girls. I must admit when I found out that she and former President of the United States, George W. Bush had twins, I immediately thought, ‘I wonder if they had problems conceiving and these girls are the result of fertility treatment. Not that one has to be on fertility treatment to give birth to twins, but it is highly common in this regard. It has not been confirmed though, that these girls are actually the product of fertility treatment.

When her recently married daughter, Jenna, who was also present at the same interview on the today show asked her, where she sees herself in ten years, she quickly responded, ‘surrounded by grandchildren, I would hope,’ and was looking at her daughter, as she says this, with a bright smile on her face.

As I sat there and listened, my heart revisited the sadness I experienced all those years of struggling with infertility, when I wanted so much to give my mother-in-law grandchildren (my mother had), because parents, especially mothers, look forward so much, after the wedding of their children, to the day when they would welcome their grandchildren into the world. This was definitely a difficult part of my struggle, because I knew that my mother-in-law was yearning just as my husband and I were.

Mrs. Laura Bush just published her autobiography entitled, ‘Spoken from the Heart.’





 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Get your copy today.

MY FIRST BABY

Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.
Children born to a young man are like sharp arrows in a warrior’s hand
Psalm 127: 3 & 4

Yes, I had a baby before I had my son, he was a ‘fur-baby,’ an adorable German Shepherd pup called Diego, named after the football hero, Diego Maradona. He was my baby, but technically not mine. He belonged to my brother-in- law and I was chosen to be his pup-sitter for the first few weeks of his life, because he had to be taken from his mother.

That bond is one that I can never forget as I was in the most difficult period of my struggle with infertility and he showed up at a time when I needed a distraction from what I was going through. I needed to release some of the love that was building up inside of me for my own baby, a love that was becoming frustrated, as it was waiting too long to be released on a deserving baby.

Diego gave me a reason to wake up every morning for those few weeks as I was so anxious to see him, to care for him as any mother would care for their own baby. You could not help but fall in love with him because he was so cute and after my neighbor met him, she too fell in love and came by each morning just to see him before she went off to work.

Diego soon grew into a little dog who thought he was big enough to do big dog things. I remember one day I was in the kitchen preparing his lunch and there he was trying to sit up like a big dog with his ears all up in the air and he kept falling over because he could not maneuver himself properly just yet. It reminded me of a baby who is trying to walk and keep falling over. I laughed so hard because it was so hysterical to watch. In the days we would watch television together and he would have his head on my lap. I was in love, I almost begged my brother-in-law for him.

I remember one day when he was still pretty small, I took him outside for a walk. My yard is very secure so I let him roam freely about, which he was enjoying very much, Suddenly, I was urged to look towards the sky and there was a vulture which appeared to be swooping down to pick him up. I grabbed him so fast and went inside, very shaken up. What would I have done if this vulture had taken away my ‘fur-baby’ which is really not mine. I remember some feelings of inadequacy began to creep in and I suddenly began remembering an incident that happened to me. If I am not mistaken, I must have shared it before in one of my earlier posts. I was holding someone’s baby once, and the baby’s head came down with a thud on the table I was sitting around. This baby was big for his age and so I honestly thought he had control of his limbs. I was so frightened, I felt I could cry and it did not help when someone around the table said, ‘it had to be Marie to do that.’ No one could convince me otherwise that the reason I was having problems conceiving children of my own was because I would suck at taking care of them. I would hurt them, and so here I was feeling that if this vulture had taken this pup, it would be a confirmation that I was probably not going to be a mother because I would suck at it.

From many of the Infertility blogs I have read, I see where these people have pets whom they refer to as their ‘fur-babies’ and I know these precious creatures are helping these people in their struggles a lot. After all, what like a human baby, could be so loved and loves back unconditionally , does not judge you and is always very happy to see you, than a cute cuddly pet that makes it worth it to carry on from day to day despite the challenges you face.

For those of you who are struggling with infertility and does not have a pet, I would recommend you get one. You will be surprised to see what it does for you and how much lighter your struggles appear. I only had one for a few weeks and look how it helped me, so much so, that I thought of getting a puppy for myself. I remember after telling a friend of my new found job of pup-sitting, she said, intending for it to be a joke, that I was being prepared for mine which is to come. I really believed that somehow and so I threw myself into it even more.

Thanks Diego, you were not human, but you made an impact in my life more than most human did and you made my struggles that much lighter because you came.

image by: http://images.google.tt/imgres?imgurl=http://www.geocities.com/mrsjacksonsclass/petsall.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.geocities.com/mrsjacksonsclass/pets.htm&usg=__Gv2rBEMAIGuU-SBNII1d-y7_zz8=&h=346&w=432&sz=71&hl=en&start=2&tbnid=DDWAHlLI1m4JjM:&tbnh=101&tbnw=126&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dimages%2Bof%2Bpets%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG