Have a Safe and Fun Memorial Day!

New Fertility Bracelet at The Fertile Garden!

This is a perfect gift for someone you know who has been trying, or a gift for yourself. The Fertile Garden fertility jewelry line is designed with gemstones which have special metaphysical properties that are used to enhance fertility and sustain pregnancy.

Featured is the Hope - Fertility Enhancing Bracelet with green aventurine, labradorite and turtle charm.

Pomegranite Juice for Fertility?

I've read all over the place that Pom Juice is great for building up your lining, and I'm all for that. When  you are taking so many drugs, it's nice to hear about a "natural" cure, if you will. So I've been drinking roughly 8 oz. a day. I've also read that it is great for your general health... helps prevent cancer and heart disease!

I like POM Wonderful juice from Costco. The price at Costco is much much better then at other stores.  Here are just a few fun facts from antioxidants-guide.com.  I highlighted the most important one in red :)

In fact pomegranate antioxidant levels are three times the amount of green tea or red wine. 

Among the many many benefits of this wonder fruit are...

• Helps Lower Blood Pressure
• Has Anti-aging capabilities
• Promotes good cardiovascular health
• Helps with a healthy pregnancy
• Keeps cholestrol levels healthy
• Lowers blood sugars
• Fights Inflammation
• Reduces cell damage

It is believed through recent study that pomegranate juice may help keep fatty deposits from collecting on artery walls. In one study, mice who were given pomegranate juice were able to reduce this build up by over 30%. 

However these results do not directly translate to humans but it does show that pomegranate juice antioxidant may be a very valuable tool for preventing hardening of the arteries and such related diseases such as heart attacks and strokes. 

Pomegranate juice is high in fiber and has substantial amounts of potassium which is important in sending nerve impulses as well as releasing energy from protein, fat, and carbohydrates during metabolism.

It contains vitamin C and niacin too. 

If you have anemia then take notice as pomegranates are thought to contain very high levels of iron. 

Pregnant women take note too. The womb lining (endometrium) where the actual implant of fertilised eggs takes place almost entirely consists of blood and pomegranates contain high levels of cobalt which is an essential raw material for the synthesis of blood. Cobalt also contributes to the colour of the fruit too. 

Phytochemicals in Pomegranate juice help prevent heart disease and cancer. 

What happens in a 5dt:

-1dpt ..embryo is growing and developing
0dpt... Embryo is now a blastocyst
1dpt....Blastocyst hatches out of shell on this day
2dpt.. Blastocyst attaches to a site on the uterine lining
3dpt.. Implantation begins,as the blastocyst begins to bury in the lining
4dpt.. Implantation process continues and morula buries deeper in the lining
5dpt.. Morula is completely inmplanted in the lining and has placenta cells &
fetal cells
6dpt...Placenta cells begin to secret HCG in the blood
7dpt...More HCG is produced as fetus develops
8dpt...More HCG is produced as fetus develops
9dpt...HCG levels are now high enough to be immediately detected on
HPT

Tips to De-Stress for IVF Success

Research has proven that stress plays a critical role in the success of any fertility treatment, especially IVF.  But how can you relax when all you can think about is whether or not you’ll be able to conceive?

If you’re having difficulty calming your mind and your body, try these tips to de-stress before and during your IVF treatments:

1. Lay off (or significantly reduce) your intake of caffeine.  It might “wake you up”, but it can also make you agitated.
2. Get a good night’s sleep.  Rest is one of the most beneficial “gifts” you can give yourself.
3. Take up a relaxing hobby.  Some individuals like to scrapbook, others like to knit.  Some cook, some read, some write… the list goes on and on.  Do whatever calms you and allows you to focus your energies in a positive direction.
4. Learn to meditate.  You don’t have to be spiritually-inclined to embrace the powers of meditation. 
5. Try yoga pre-IVF.  Yoga, when performed correctly, can prep your body, heart and soul.
6. Eat healthfully.  If you’re investing in IVF, yo u must invest in your nutrition, too. 
7. Stay away from toxic people.  Though this can be easier said than done, whenever you have the choice, choose to avoid persons who want to bring you down.

Great IVF tips!

What a great website!!! So many wonderful tips, hope this helps someone!

http://www.fertilityplus.org/faq/ivfhints.html

Things know one ever tells you about fertility treatments...

• How Mother's Day could make you so sad.
  
• That at a certain point, you are going in for ultrasound and bloodwork everyday. You might run out of veins. First one arm goes, then the next....next thing you know, you are getting blood drawn out of a vein in your hand. ouch.
  
• Bring a book to every appointment, you never know how long you might have to wait.
  
• How tired the meds make you...but the shots themselves, were not as bad as I had anticipated. That first shot is the worst, once you get past that one, you just knock them out, like a women on a mission. Menopur burns though. And use ice before Ganirelix.
  
• How hard it is to be positive and have hope.
  
• How gross progesterone suppositories are....ew. They also might make you gassy.
  
• How awesome, but expensive acupuncture is.
  
• Some of your friends or family might never even ask you how its going. Maybe they dont care, maybe they dont want to bring it up becuase you might be upset...but it still hurts.
  
• How much you can dread your birthday. (signifies getting older)
  
• That you will be so bloated when you are stimming, you will want to wear stretchy pants everyday.
  
• The Follistim pen is a wonderful invention. Make sure you keep track in the Follistim book of your dates/doses. You might forget how much is left in there.
  
• Make sure you get at least 2 days bedrest after transfer. You deserve the relaxation! Get some good movies and your favorite chocolate candy and chill out. Let someone else scoop the litter box.
  
• After the retrieval, you might get constipated. Have some prunes or a Fiber One.
• Keep your eye on the prize everyone!
  

Happy Mothers Day!

All mothers, mothers-to-be, and those wanting to be a mother.... Have a great day today!

New Fertility Jewelry coming soon!

The Fertile Garden fertility jewelry line is designed with gemstones which have special metaphysical properties that are used to enhance fertility and sustain pregnancy. I love making this jewelry, I truly think that every little thing you do and positive thought you have, can make a difference! :)

Mothers Day and Infertility

Mother's Day During Your Infertility Journey
by Phyllis Martin, LPC

Mother's Day and the days leading up to the holiday tend to be quite a difficult time for women and couples during their infertility journey.  Many holidays are hard when coping with infertility, but Mother’s Day can be especially trying when you are working so hard to become a parent.  Complex emotions may surface as you see the celebration of motherhood unfold before you.  It feels as if the celebration excludes you because you are not yet a mom, yet it feels unfair because you are working so hard to become one.  I have always thought that even if you haven’t met your family building goals, your survival thus far, your effort, your hard work, and the challenges that you have overcome should be rewarded as well.  The status of motherhood should not be the only measure, the pursuit of motherhood should be acknowledged as well. 

Women often say that for years they thought of Mother’s Day as a day to celebrate their own mother's contribution.  Once the pursuit of motherhood begins; however, women may gain a new perspective on the holiday and begin to think of themselves and their future as a mother.  For a woman trying to become a mother, the Mother's Day holiday may morph into a very tangible reminder of what they feel they are missing and exacerbate their fears surrounding infertility.   

For many coping with infertility, Mother’s Day is like pouring salt into a wound.  Infertility often causes feelings of isolation, and the approach of Mother’s Day may emphasize feelings of envy of other women who are mothers.  It can seem like everyone else reaches motherhood so naturally and easily.  They already have the prized position of motherhood, and they still get to celebrate it out loud (with lots of Hallmark ads for weeks before and 1/2 off sales afterwards)!  Yet women facing infertility receive no recognition for all the hard work just to become pregnant and stay pregnant.  No pat on the back of congratulations for all that work, stress, and anxiety.  Unfortunately, the day can be a bitter reminder for those who have worked so very hard but have not yet seen their hard work manifest itself into motherhood. 

So as we approach Mother's Day (and the days that follow), prepare for it by educating yourself and taking proactive steps to protect your peace of mind:

• Realize that grief may flair at various times.
• Understand that grief can feel or look like:  feeling “out of sorts,” irritability, difficulty focusing, crying, loss of motivation, sleep disturbances, appetite changes, or the inability to enjoy things.
• Remember that you are not alone and you are not going crazy if you feel sorry for yourself, envious of others, or even angry.  
• If you plan to attend a religious service, speak to your minister or rabbi ahead of time to ask that he/she acknowledge all those who are TRYING to become mothers, not just those who are mothers.
• Plan extreme self care for yourself that day, or after any event you may be obligated to attend, so that you have something to look forward to for yourself.
• If you are spending the day with family and they know of your infertility challenges, enlist their support.
• Know that you can feel happy for family and friends, grateful for your own mother, and still sad for you.  It does not make you selfish or a bad person.
• Be proud of yourself for your effort and fortitude.
• Make a concrete plan to do something that recognizes all of your hard work and effort such as a weekend getaway, massage, spa treatment, a funny movie, a picnic, or outdoor activity.  The sky is the limit and living in the Washington, DC area, there are dozens of free and fun things to do.

Lastly, for spouses concerned about how to handle this day, plan something for your wife that recognizes both the sadness of not being a mother yet, but more importantly the strength, effort, and survival skills she has utilized to get this far in your journey.  You may not be where you want to be yet, but your effort is commendable. 

Happy Mother’s Day to all Mothers and Mothers-To-Be!

IVF and Herbs

Are herbs safe to take during your IVF cycle? I've heard of people getting recommendations from their acupuncturist, friends, message boards, and the like. If your RE is like mine, they dont place much faith in herbal supplements. But what is really safe to take? Are you doing more harm, then good?
Here is a great website that is very informative on the safety of herbs and infertility:
http://www.personalhealthzone.com/herbsafety.html

A great quote....

When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means the most us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving much advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a gentle and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.

-Henri Nouwen

Can Acupuncture Help You Conceive?

(CBS)  It's estimated that after a year of trying to conceive, 10 percent of American couples are unable to get pregnant on their own. 

The vast majority of them turn to traditional fertility treatments for help, but a growing number are also trying alternative therapies, including acupuncture, says Saturday Early Show's Dr. Mallika Marshall.

More and more women are delaying childbirth into their late 30s and early 40s than ever before. In fact, according to the U.S. Census Report on Fertility in America, about 20 percent of women ages 35-39 are childless in 2002. In 1976, only 10 percent of women in that age category had never given birth.

Because a woman's fertility declines as she ages, more and more women are having trouble getting pregnant.

What are the traditional options to battle infertility? 

Marshall says it depends on the underlying cause of the infertility, whether it's a male factor (such as a low sperm count), or it's a matter of egg quality in the woman, or whether the woman has blocked Fallopian tubes or trouble ovulating. 

But depending on the case, your fertility doctor may recommend taking drugs to stimulate ovulation, or intrauterine insemination (where the sperm is placed directly in the woman's uterus) or in vitro fertilization (where a sperm and egg are united outside the uterus and later placed in the womb after fertilization). 

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese treatment that involves placing tiny hair-like needles in the skin as a way of stimulating energy points that are thought to be central to your spiritual, mental, emotional and physical balance. Acupuncture is used to treat a variety of maladies such as headaches and back pain. For fertility, the needles are placed in energy points linked to the reproductive organs to improve energy flow to those areas.

Why should you try it?

Most women who choose acupuncture are doing it together with traditional infertility treatments. But some couples have undergone multiple cycles of IVF or other fertility treatments and nothing seems to be working. And they hope that acupuncture might improve their chances. 

Also, fertility treatments can be incredibly expensive. For example, intrauterine insemination can cost hundreds of dollars and a single cycle of IVF can cost $10,000-$20,000. So couples are looking for other options that could possibly give them a greater chance at success. 

Does it hurt?

No, not really, says Marshall, who has had acupuncture before. The needles sting a bit the first time you have it done, because you don't know what to expect. But then you get used to it and it's nothing. So if you have a needle phobia, don't automatically dismiss acupuncture. It's very relaxing.

How acupuncture works

It's still not entirely clear how the technique works, but there is some evidence that it increases the production of endorphins, or brain chemicals that make you feel good and help reduce stress. It may also improve blood supply to the ovaries, which improves their function, and the uterus, which can make it easier to nourish a fetus and reduce the risk of miscarriage.

The research

Marshall cites a 2002 German study suggesting that acupuncture may, in fact, work. The study looked at 160 women undergoing IVF, half of whom received acupuncture along with IVF, and the other half who received IVF alone. They found pregnancy rates among the women undergoing acupuncture were significantly higher.

The cost

Acupuncture can cost a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars depending on where you go and how long you need treatment. And it's often not covered by insurance.

What should you do if you're interested on pursuing acupuncture for infertility?

First, you want to see a traditional fertility specialist to see what your underlying fertility issues are. 

You can then get a referral from your fertility doctor to a reputable acupuncturist that may be affiliated with a major medical center. 

You want to find someone who is trained and licensed in acupuncture and has a lot of experience.

Other alternative therapies used by women trying to conceive are yoga, meditation, relaxation techniques, and massage therapy. Some people are also trying herbal remedies, but as with any of these alternative therapies, you should talk to your fertility doctor before trying any of them. 

©MMIV, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Blog Feature!

A Mothers Love, my art to inspire positivity and fertility has been featured on Ardent Photographys blog :) 

Thank you Sarah!

Check out the link below :) 

Ardent Photography Blog

TTC? Try The Fertility Diet!

NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) - Women trying to get pregnant could boost their chances by adopting a "fertility diet" high in nuts and avocados while cutting down on coffee and alcohol, according to U.S researchers.

Lifestyle

Boston-based researchers found the majority of cases of infertility due to ovulation disorders in otherwise healthy women could be prevented through diet and lifestyle changes.

"The dietary and lifestyle choices women make as they try to get pregnant can impact profoundly their fertility," Dr. Jorge E. Chavarro of Harvard School of Public Health, who worked on the study, told Reuters Health.

The fertility diet is characterized by higher consumption of monounsaturated fat rather than trans fats which is found in natural foods like nuts and avocados, and olive oil.

Women should also opt for vegetable protein rather than animal protein, low-glycemic carbohydrates like whole grains, moderate consumption of high-fat dairy, multivitamins, and iron from plants and supplements, Chavarro's team reports.

Other changes women can make to their lifestyle promote fertility include cutting back on coffee and alcohol, increased physically activity, and staying away from cigarettes.

The research was based on 8 years of Chavarro and colleagues tracking the diet and lifestyle patterns of 17,544 women as they tried to get pregnant or became pregnant. None of them had a history of infertility.

According to the team, greater adherence to the fertility diet pattern was associated with a lower risk of infertility due to ovulation disturbances and, to a lesser extent, of infertility due to other causes.

Women with the highest fertility diet score, compared with those with the lowest, had a 66-percent lower risk of infertility due to ovulation problems and a 27-percent lower risk of infertility due to other causes, Chavarro and colleagues report in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology.

The combination of five or more low-risk lifestyle factors, including weight control, physical activity and diet, was associated with a 69-percent lower risk of ovulation-related infertility.

The researchers also found, consistent with earlier reports, that increased body weight raises the risk of infertility due to ovulation disorders.

"Women trying to become pregnant could consider following these lifestyle practices because they are consistent with an overall healthy lifestyle and may also help them become pregnant," the researchers said.