HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY TO YOU!!!!!

Throughout my struggles to conceive, many Valentine’s Day had me hoping that this would be the time I finally conceived, and so I would make the Day special for us. If I am not mistaken, I think our daughter was conceived somewhere around Valentine’s Day in 2011.

With this said, trying to conceive can be so consuming and leaves not much room for romance. Here are 8 creative ways designed to make things sizzle this Valentine’s Day, courtesy of Fertility Centers of Illinois.

Who knows, this might be well worth it.......

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Valentine’s Day While Trying to Conceive: Keeping the Romance Sizzling

Fertility Centers of Illinois Shares 8 Ways to Spice Up Your Relationship When Trying to Get Pregnant

Trying to have a baby can be, well, trying.

For couples trying to conceive, staying up-to-date on monitoring ovulation, charting basal body temperatures, and timing intimacy can take a steamy bedroom setting into the cold.

For couples pursuing fertility treatment, it is very common for emotional and physical intimacy to decrease. Going through fertility treatment can be emotional, grueling, and exhausting for couples. Life’s everyday challenges can cause any couple to hit bumps in the road. When infertility is added to the mix, couples may feel overwhelmed with how to overcome this challenge as a strong, balanced unit.

“Treatment can take couples through a rollercoaster of emotion,” explains Dr. Jane Nani of Fertility Centers of Illinois. “Couples find great help in speaking with a counselor, and often find their relationships are stronger at the end of the journey.”

It is important for couples to understand they are not alone. Working together equally during the entire process – learning about infertility, supporting each other, and making treatment decisions – will strengthen your relationship.

With a little creativity, couples can make a swift u-turn back to the romance they once had.

1.    Recall Your Most Romantic Moments

What was it that made you fall in love?  What were the most “swoon-worthy” moments? Close your eyes and imagine those moments all over again, but don’t keep them to yourself. Write a love note to your partner recalling the reasons and events that made you fall for him or her, and seal it with a kiss.

2.    Get Your Heart Pumping

Working out decreases stress, improves health and increases happiness. Go for a walk or hike together, or try a new physical activity together. Partner Yoga at Pulling Down the Moon on February 15^th is a perfect opportunity – couples of any experience level will learn how to stretch and breathe away stress, while reconnecting the body and mind – together. Learn more or register on their website.

3.    Set A Fun Goal Together

Want to have a weekly date night for the next month? Have you always wanted to ballroom dance? Want to finish a half marathon in the summer? Want to start a couple’s food and entertainment blog? Studies show that the more couples invest time in doing fun things together, the happier they are in the long-term. In the name of science and happiness, pick a fun goal that you can work towards together, and focus on achieving it.

4.    Mum’s the Word on Trying to Conceive

Taking a break from infertility talk can give you the strength to revisit treatment with new resolve and optimism. What you are going through as a couple can be tough, and everyone deserves a break. Make a 48-hour rule to take a break from infertility, and focus on fun instead.

5.    Get Out of Town

Changing your environment can shift your mental outlook, allowing the head space you need to gain perspective, release stress, and have fun. Take the weekend to ski in the Rocky Mountains, drink wine in Napa Valley, sit on the beach in Mexico, or surf the waves in Florida. Kick back, relax, and focus only on enjoying each moment together.

6.    Love Me Tender

See where your partner is truly at and what they need, both in life and in the treatment process. Infertility can affect your partner’s self-esteem and depending on the diagnosis, can make a man or women feel “defective” or “incomplete.” Discuss where you're at, what you need, and how you can help each other. If treatment has caused challenges, being tender and attentive can help put a relationship back in balance.

7.    Recreate A Movie Moment

Kiss under a full moon, hold hands as the sun sets, embrace in the middle of a rain storm, watch the clouds while holding hands during a picnic lunch. Who says that romantic movie moments can only star John Cusack or Ryan Reynolds? Make your own!

8.    Double Date

Spend some time with another couple -- preferably one without children.  Go on a double date, and spend the evening having fun together, discussing current events, upcoming travel plans, and the latest in entertainment.

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Fertility Centers of Illinois, S.C., is one of the nation's leading fertility treatment practices, providing advanced reproductive endocrinology services in the Chicago area for more than 30 years.  FCI physicians, embryologists and support staff are stringently chosen based on educational background, medical skills and their ability to collaborate. With a team of 10 nationally and internationally recognized reproductive physicians who treat thousands of patients each year, the practice has earned a reputation for overcoming hard-to-solve fertility issues. FCI is dedicated to medical and clinical excellence and continues to invest in the latest technologies and research. FCI offers a comprehensive range of fertility treatment options including intrauterine insemination, in vitro fertilization, donor egg, gestational carrier, and preimplantation genetic diagnosis, as well as extensive resources to address financial and emotional needs. Fostering a culture for continuous innovation has made FCI home to the annual Midwest Reproductive Symposium which attracts experts in the field of reproductive endocrinology from around the world.  FCI has 10 offices conveniently located throughout the Chicagoland area (Buffalo Grove, Chicago/River North, Crystal Lake, Glenview, Highland Park, Hoffman Estates, Lindenhurst, Naperville, Oakbrook Terrace, and Orland Park). FCI is a member of the Attain Fertility Network which provides discounted fertility treatment programs. For more information visit www.fcionline.com

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‘GRATEFUL WEDNESDAYS’ – POST 6 – “Your mercies are new every morning........”

Today I stand in awe of, and is very grateful for God’s keeping care and his tender mercies.

My dad was hospitalised yesterday with a blood clot in his leg. He noticed it a little while back and was using home remedies in an effort to treat it. As we all know a blood clot is potentially fatal but thanks be to God he preserved my dad until he is now getting the treatment he needs. This happened before and he came through itl, but this time it could have been different, we could be in mourning.


“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”  Lamentations 3 verses 22 – 23.


THANKS BE TO GOD!!!!!!

ARE YOU AN EMPOWERED PATIENT???

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"

The empowered patient, in my opinion, is one who does not depend on their doctor alone to make the decisions and give all the information regarding their treatment. They do their own research (even though many doctors do not like this) and they take part as much as possible in the direction that they want their treatment to go.

I have been meeting a lot of empowered patients online, since I have been blogging. On the subject matter that I blog about (infertility), there are a lot of people sharing information about their infertility challenge and I find that this helps many who are dealing with the same condition, as it broadens the light that they currently view their condition in, and allows them to make more informed and practical decisions, as it relates to their treatment. This does not only help others medically, but it offers a bond, because, even though people may be complete strangers, there is some amount of familarity, as people know right away that they are not alone in their struggles.

I was not an empowered patient when I was struggling with infertility, or it would not have taken me over a decade, to triumph over this condition. This I believe is largely due to the fact that I was not internet savvy at the time and did not know that a whole new world of information and support was waiting for me, by way of the internet. I was just content with following my doctors lead and relied only on information he gave me. Later in my struggles, however, when I saw that my age was also becoming an infertility factor, I made some adjustments to how I was dealing with my treatment process, and that was when everything changed for me, as I then was forced to take on the role of the empowered patient.

Please find below a link for a presentation from a survey done by Chris Schroeder, CEO Health Central and James Burroughs, Associate Professor of Commerce, University of Virginia, April 8, 2010, DTC Conference, Washington D.C., on their findings about the empowered patient.

This presentation is geared at persons dealing chronic conditions like diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, but I do believe, by extension, it can be applied to every patient dealing with a condition over a prolonged period of time.

http://www.healthcentral.com/about/the-empowered-patient/

From the presentation:-

“Making treatment choices and selecting health care providers are high stakes decisions for people living with chronic conditions such as diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. Finding the right doctor who can in turn find the right therapeutic regimen often makes the difference between a high quality of life and a low one for these patients.


Some of these people who are faced with ongoing treatment decisions take a more active role in their health care plan, while others are more comfortable following a doctor’s lead.”

Here’s to you, the empowered patient.

DEALING WITH UNEXPLAINED 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 & 4

"HOPE MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE"

 

 

It is estimated that about 15 to 25% of persons struggling with infertility, will be told that their diagnosis is unexplained infertility and this is when all initial tests done, comes up with no reason for not being able to conceive.

This I believe, is the most difficult infertility diagnosis to receive, because you won’t know what kind of treatment to undertake for your condition, as you really don’t know what to treat, and this can prove to be very frustrating.

Here are some sites that talk about unexplained infertility and which tell you also, how to deal with this, if you have been so diagnosed.

http://pregnancy.families.com/blog/dealing-with-unexplained-infertility

http://www.conceive.com/unexplained-infertility-tests.php

From the site:

“It can be hard to deal with the fact that you are infertile but some couples have experienced what is known as unexplained infertility. It can be heartbreaking to want to get pregnant, and not know what is wrong with you. Usually women who have gone through intrauterine insemination and in vitro fertilization unsuccessfully are given an unexplained infertility diagnosis.”

The book, If at First You Don't Conceive: A Complete Guide to Infertility from One of the Nation's Leading Clinics by Dr. William Schoolcraft, MD HCLD, has very helpful information on this subject as well. Get your copy today.

Be encouraged, and until next time, keep clinging to hope.

PRAYER AND 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 & 4

Throughout my struggles with infertility, I constantly prayed to God to take this hurdle out of my life and allow me to have the children I so desperately wanted. I know those of you currently struggling with infertility is praying this prayer as well and hoping that God , in his mercy, will answer you.

As the years passed and I realized that no answer to my prayers were forthcoming, II began feeling desperate, and wanted to at experience what it felt like to become pregnant, and so, I began saying to God, maybe your will for my husband and myself is not to become parents, this I have to work on accepting but in the meantime, could you just allow me to see what a positive pregnancy test looks like, to experience the symptoms of pregnancy, the nausea, the vomiting the bloating and lo and behold, he answered that prayer. I became pregnant with what was to later be a missed abortion and believe me, I felt all the symptoms and more. I remember asking him again that he allow me to wear maternity clothes that I so often pictured myself in and wanted to wear so badly, because I thought I would make a gorgeous pregnant woman (smile) and that I be allowed to experience the pampering and attention that pregnant women received and I so envied. Well, he answered that too and I became pregnant again and carried that pregnancy to seven months.

I remember telling this to a friend and her advice to me, was that I try praying for what I actually wanted, a child and probably God will grant me this at long last. Would he, I thought, I had been praying for so many years and none was forthcoming. Anyway I left that at that.
When I became pregnant with my son, I was not trying and was not praying for a child either, at least not as yet, because I was on treatment to resume trying again and also had just relocated. When I found out I was pregnant, I began praying in earnest for my unborn child, because I was not prepared to lose this child like the last one. I even told God that if he took this one, he should take me as well because I did not feel that I could go through another loss. Every morning, I would pray and rub my stomach with olive oil (a symbol used in Christianity along with prayers for healing and well-being) and I did this for the duration of my pregnancy. I was still, however, very anxious and frightened, not that I did not trust God, it was because of my previous losses.

I recently heard that some couples begin praying for their unborn child right before intercourse. I found that truly amazing as I had never thought of doing that, I prayed but it was usually after sexual intercourse, that God would not allow this opportunity to go to waste. I wonder if it would have made a difference if I had prayed before. My friend who brought this to my attention was so taken by this as well, she knows of people praying for their unborn child when they actually became pregnant, but not before.

One thing I believe is that these couples must have a special relationship with God and want him involved in all aspects of their plans to have a family, to actually think of doing this. Having done this also, their pregnancy should be anxiety and stress free as they already know that God has ordained it and will have them in his divine care and keeping until delivery. I don’t know about you, but this sounds pretty good to me.

This is truly commendable and I feel that every Christian should begin praying for their unborn child even before conception, as I believe the world would be a much better place with more children being born, who are shaped and molded in Christ even before conception.

Be blessed, therefore and until next time, keep clinging to hope.

Do you know your best ‘baby making’ sexual positions?

“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, there are sexual positions that are said to result in pregnancies more than others. I did not know this until later on in my struggles and I must say, I tried some of them, (yes, and I am still a good girl!!!!!), but as you all might know by now, my infertility issue, like many of yours, was far greater than what a mere sexual position could fix.

For those undergoing treatment for infertility, I would recommend trying these positions along with your treatment to maximize your chances. My philosophy has always been to try everything, as you never can tell.

The following site has outlined some of these recommended positions, please check it out:-
http://www.pregnancy.org/article/best-sexual-positions-getting-pregnant

This site also gives recommendations for trying to conceive a specific gender. I would imagine those of you struggling with infertility would be grateful for any gender you get, therefore you probably will not be too concerned with this part of things. At first, it did not matter what gender I got, I just wanted a baby so badly. When I became pregnant in 2006 though, things changed, I wanted a girl and was pregnant with a girl and when I became pregnant again in 2007, I wanted a boy, and a boy it was. I consider myself blessed in this regard, as some people wish for specific genders and get the opposite a lot of times.

Good luck in your efforts then, and until next time, keep clinging to hope.

Naturopathic medicine and 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 & 4

While reading other blogs, I found this article, by one Dr. James Prego, a naturopathic doctor.

From article:

“What many people do not realize is that 'infertility' is often like other symptoms such as insomnia, fatigue, constipation, etc. In other words, it is a sign that something is 'off' or not working as well as it should in the body. Many times, infertility is simply a result of a digestive issue, stress, improper diet, or some of many other lifestyle factors that can be easily corrected.”

Read on: http://www.wellsphere.com/complementary-alternative-medicine-article/fertility/756783

This would particularly be helpful to persons who have been just diagnosed with infertility even though it can be helpful regardless of where you are in your treatment process.

I wish my diagnosis was as easy as one of the above, since these issues can easily be treated and I know I would not have had to struggle for over a decade. Anyway, a popular saying goes, ‘what is for you cannot be ‘unforyou,’ and so I know that I was handpicked for my struggles.

Do you feel you have been handpicked for yours too?

It was immediately after a visit to an alternative medicine doctor, that I became pregnant with our son and so I highly recommend this path. I was getting weary of the infertility medications and their cruel side effects and wanted to try something more natural in nature and was happy when I was recommended to this doctor by a friend of mine, who was working for him at the time. I am so glad I went to see him. I would recommend this path to all who are struggling with infertility at this time, especially those who like me, is looking for something more natural and easy on their system.

Remain positive and until next time, keep clinging to hope.

Progesterone 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 & 4

In my research on the causes of infertility, Progesterone Infertility is never mentioned as one the more popular cases of infertility and as a result of this, it does not get the attention as the other more popular ones.

What is Progesterone infertility?

“Progesterone infertility can mean there's either an excess of estrogen, a condition called estrogen dominance, or there's a deficiency of progesterone.
Progesterone and estrogen are two vital hormones to the life and well-being of every woman. However, progesterone is the hormone of fertility and pregnancy.”

Please click on the following links to continue reading about Progesterone infertility and how it can be treated using supplementary progesterone cream. I am not sure how available this product is worldwide, but it does not hurt to ask your doctor about this treatment.

http://www.safemenopausesolutions.com/progesteronein%20http://www.yourlifesource.com/upfold/natural-progesterone-fertility.htmfertility.html

If you have been diagnosed with infertility of this kind, the above sites will be helpful to you.
Just a reminder of one important point I made in my infertility story. When you are diagnosed it is always beneficial to research as much as possible on your condition so that you will be able to contribute to your treatment process in a meaningful and informed manner. This can no doubt lead to a shorter and more productive treatment process so that your dreams of having the family you desire can become a reality much sooner.

Until next time, keep clinging to hope.

The joys of being a mom

Before I get to the joys of being a Mom, let me just say this quickly. I do not think the New Year is too far gone to say this. I am quite aware that some of you, my readers, who are presently dealing with infertility are probably having mixed emotions right about this time of the year. I would like to tell you that for years I desperately yearned to become a mother. I remember that sometimes my most yearning desire for this was as a New Year dawned. I wanted to have hope that the New Year will be the one in which I conquered infertility. This hope however can quickly become a distress as I also started thinking that at the end of this New Year I could still be childless and still fighting infertility. The only comfort here is that you just do not know, your triumph could be just about any month as the year progresses. I encourage you therefore to focus on the positive. Like many treatment processes, overcoming infertility, I found out, is a series of small steps and possibly small gains that leads to an eventual result.
Now that I am a mother, I face each New Year much happier and more complete, ready to take on the challenges of being a mother and eager see what the year has in store for me and my family, and the changes in my son as he grows up.
Motherhood has been to me everything I had ever hoped for and more. It is a real privilege and one not at all to be taken for granted.
Every time I hold my baby in my arms or watch him sleep, something inside me just wants to hold on to that moment forever. Is it possible for me to feel more blessed?
My son is beginning to babble now and says ‘mama’ on occasions. It feels like music to my ears and I cannot wait until he begins to actually have a conversation with me.
Being a mom comes with so many privileges. You are looked on by society so differently and is treated differently as well. I feel as if I am being recognized as a woman for the sole reason of being able to share in such miracle, bringing a child into this world. We no longer have to wait in long lines, instead we are called out and given priority service. You are called to be seated first on flights whenever you travel, and you are singled out in a crowd only because someone thinks your baby is adorable.
This is such a satisfying experience and my heart goes out to women who are being robbed of this due to infertility.
After all we are made to naturally procreate, and when this is frustrated or hindered, we are left feeling empty, betrayed and less of a woman. It is important though that you do not throw in the towel. I was about to do that and turn to adoption, and just on the brink of doing so I triumphed so your triumph could be just around the corner. I know it gets frustrating at times, especially if you are undergoing treatment after treatment with no success. I found myself at that place over and over again. Oftentimes I asked myself, why I am abusing my body like this, as some treatments do in fact have terrible side effects. Now I know why, and every time that I look at my healthy baby boy I know it was all worth it. I say to you, do not give up!!!!