Infertility is a lot more common than most people think.  Believe it or not, about 1 in 10 couples experiences problems with conception at some point in their attempts.  This may be with their first child, or they may actually have problems conceiving after they?ve already had a child.  Usually the issues they are facing can be pinpointed by a medical doctor, but sometimes not.  This is called unexplained infertility, when their doctors are at a loss to find a reason for why they are having problems conceiving.

 

When does it become unexplained infertility?

 

It would be shortsighted to assume that with your first few months of trying to having a baby that you?re infertile, or that the first time your doctor scratched his or her head in confusion that this means you have unexplained infertility.  Medically speaking, a couple are not considered truly infertile until after a year of regular (twice a week on average) unprotected sex has not resulted in a pregnancy.  A year may seem like a long time to someone who wants a baby, but considering all the many details that need to work in harmony for conception, it?s really no wonder that doctors give them this long.

 

Additionally, there are many common causes for infertility that your doctor will want to check first, such as a woman?s inability to ovulate at all or to ovulate a healthy egg, and a man?s low sperm count.  These are probably the first two things that your doctor will check, but if these tests are negative or inconclusive, it doesn?t mean that you have unexplained infertility.

 

When you get the diagnosis of unexplained infertility.

 

For some couples, however, they have been through every test that is available and everything has come back in their favor, and yet, still no pregnancy.  The man may have healthy, active sperm, and the woman may be ovulating a healthy egg regularly, but again, conception is just not happening for them.  This is when the doctors begin to use the phrase unexplained infertility.

 

For these couples, there is still no reason to abandon hope.  Medical intervention may be necessary, but is usually successful.  If the woman has a healthy uterus that can support a fetus, the doctor may recommend in vitro fertilization, where an egg is extracted from her and fertilized with the man?s sperm in a lab, and then planted in her uterus to grow.  By manipulating the man?s sperm and the woman?s egg in such a way, there is nothing left to chance.  In most cases, this procedure is safe and successful, albeit expensive.

 

And of course there are other options available for any couple going through unexplained infertility, so again, there is no need to give up hope.  Talk openly and honestly to your doctor about your concerns, and listen carefully to your options.  The decision of course is yours to make, but in the end, you may be able to join other happy couples in welcoming home your new baby after all.

Breastfeeding And Socioeconomic Status
Australian women from lower income families are less likely to breastfeed - increasing the chance of their babies becoming ill and being hospitalised, according to a research paper in the latest issue of the Medical Journal of Australia. Dr Lisa Amir, from Mother and Child Research at La Trobe University, and her co-authors investigated whether the relationship between socioeconomic status and breastfeeding initiation and duration had changed between 1995 and 2004.

Reproductive Dysfunctions and Alcohol Dependence Linked Among Women
Alcohol use during the teen years can not only lead to subsequent alcohol problems, it can also lead to risky sexual behavior and a greater risk of early childbearing. An examination of the relationship between a lifetime history of alcohol dependence (AD) and timing of first childbirth across reproductive development has found that AD in women is associated with delayed reproduction.

Amerigroup Will Pay $225M To Settle Allegations That It Denied Coverage Of Pregnant, Sick Illinois Medicaid Beneficiaries
Amerigroup will pay $225 million to settle allegations by federal and Illinois state authorities that Amerigroup’s health plans denied coverage to pregnant women and people with health ailments in the Illinois Medicaid program, the insurer and the U.S. Department of Justice said on Thursday,

Infertility is a lot more common than most people think.  Believe it or not, about 1 in 10 couples experiences problems with conception at some point in their attempts.  This may be with their first child, or they may actually have problems conceiving after they?ve already had a child.  Usually the issues they are facing can be pinpointed by a medical doctor, but sometimes not.  This is called unexplained infertility, when their doctors are at a loss to find a reason for why they are having problems conceiving.

 

When does it become unexplained infertility?

 

It would be shortsighted to assume that with your first few months of trying to having a baby that you?re infertile, or that the first time your doctor scratched his or her head in confusion that this means you have unexplained infertility.  Medically speaking, a couple are not considered truly infertile until after a year of regular (twice a week on average) unprotected sex has not resulted in a pregnancy.  A year may seem like a long time to someone who wants a baby, but considering all the many details that need to work in harmony for conception, it?s really no wonder that doctors give them this long.

 

Additionally, there are many common causes for infertility that your doctor will want to check first, such as a woman?s inability to ovulate at all or to ovulate a healthy egg, and a man?s low sperm count.  These are probably the first two things that your doctor will check, but if these tests are negative or inconclusive, it doesn?t mean that you have unexplained infertility.

 

When you get the diagnosis of unexplained infertility.

 

For some couples, however, they have been through every test that is available and everything has come back in their favor, and yet, still no pregnancy.  The man may have healthy, active sperm, and the woman may be ovulating a healthy egg regularly, but again, conception is just not happening for them.  This is when the doctors begin to use the phrase unexplained infertility.

 

For these couples, there is still no reason to abandon hope.  Medical intervention may be necessary, but is usually successful.  If the woman has a healthy uterus that can support a fetus, the doctor may recommend in vitro fertilization, where an egg is extracted from her and fertilized with the man?s sperm in a lab, and then planted in her uterus to grow.  By manipulating the man?s sperm and the woman?s egg in such a way, there is nothing left to chance.  In most cases, this procedure is safe and successful, albeit expensive.

 

And of course there are other options available for any couple going through unexplained infertility, so again, there is no need to give up hope.  Talk openly and honestly to your doctor about your concerns, and listen carefully to your options.  The decision of course is yours to make, but in the end, you may be able to join other happy couples in welcoming home your new baby after all.

Caesarean Babies More Likely To Develop Diabetes
Babies delivered by Caesarean section have a 20 per cent higher risk than normal deliveries of developing the most common type of diabetes in childhood, according to a study led by Queen’s University Belfast. The team, led by Dr Chris Cardwell and Dr Chris Patterson, examined 20 published studies from 16 countries including around 10,000 children with Type 1 diabetes and over a million control children.

Preeclampsia Can Increase Women’s Risk Of Kidney Failure Later In Life, Study Finds
Preeclampsia, a condition that causes high blood pressure and other problems in about 5% of pregnancies, can significantly increase risk of developing kidney failure later in life, according to a study published on Thursday in the New England Journal of Medicine,

Amerigroup Will Pay $225M To Settle Allegations That It Denied Coverage Of Pregnant, Sick Illinois Medicaid Beneficiaries
Amerigroup will pay $225 million to settle allegations by federal and Illinois state authorities that Amerigroup’s health plans denied coverage to pregnant women and people with health ailments in the Illinois Medicaid program, the insurer and the U.S. Department of Justice said on Thursday,

If you?re someone facing the difficult diagnosis of infertility, you may be ready to start undergoing all the painful and expensive treatments and invasive surgeries that your doctor has recommended.  But is this your only option?  What about trying some natural herbs for infertility; do these work?  If so, what are they?  And are there any other natural supplements that one can at least try first, before undergoing all those unpleasant procedures?

 

Vitamins and Minerals for Treatment

 

When thinking about what herbs for infertility actually work, you may want to consider what some experts are saying about natural treatments, including vitamins and other such substances.  In a new study cited in OBGYN News, a group of Harvard researchers found that 79% of infertile couples had a lower-than-average intake of foods high in antioxidants - like fruits and vegetables.

 

In one study published in the Annals of the New York Academy of Medicine, doctors found that after one week of daily doses of 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C, sperm counts rose by some 140%.  If you?re thinking of trying some herbs for infertility, consider something with a vitamin C supplement.

 

More recently, a study published in the Archives of Andrology showed the antioxidants vitamin E and selenium improved the ability of sperm to swim — a skill necessary to reach the egg.

 

Homeopathic Herbs for Infertility

 

There are some great homeopathic remedies that include herbs for infertility, and some are actually catching the attention of traditional doctors.  In research published in the journal Reproductive Biomedicine Online, a group of German doctors show that some natural remedies may work for men.  The authors show that sperm quality and function improved with the intake of complementary food supplementation using either a combination of zinc and folic acid, the antioxidant Astacarox, or an energy-providing combination containing (actyl)-carnitine (Proxeed).  The latter two also boosted the success of intrauterine insemination and spontaneous pregnancy rates.?  These substances are common in homeopathic herbs for infertility.

 

Moreover, in the journal Fertility and Sterility doctors reported that men with fertility problems who took a daily dose of 66 milligrams of zinc and 5 milligrams of folic acid for nearly six months saw a 74% increase in their sperm counts.

 

Even more recently, studies published in the journal Fertility and Sterility revealed that both L-carnitine and L-acetyl carnitine improved sperm in a number of areas key to fertilization.

 

The following remedies are considered potent herbs for infertility in women:

 

sepia 6c: used to treat irregular or absent ovulation

sabina 6c: recommended for women who have suffered recurrent miscarriage

aurum:used when lack of sex drive and depression are thought to be the cause of infertility

silica: this remedy is used to boost a woman?s weakened immune system

phosphorus:used to treat stress as well as emotional anxiety that can accompany infertility

 

The following remedies are considered potent herbs for infertility in men:

 

sepia 6c: used to treat low sex drive

medorrhinum: this homeopathy treatment is believed to help treat impotence

 

Preeclampsia Can Increase Women’s Risk Of Kidney Failure Later In Life, Study Finds
Preeclampsia, a condition that causes high blood pressure and other problems in about 5% of pregnancies, can significantly increase risk of developing kidney failure later in life, according to a study published on Thursday in the New England Journal of Medicine,

Development Of Schizophrenia And Acute Maternal Stress During Pregnancy Linked
Pregnant women who endure the psychological stress of being in a war zone are more likely to give birth to a child who develops schizophrenia. Research published in the open access journal BMC Psychiatry supports a growing body of literature that attributes maternal exposure to severe stress during the early months of pregnancy to an increased susceptibility to schizophrenia in the offspring. According to lead author Dolores Malaspina M.D., M.Sc.P.H.

Reproductive Dysfunctions and Alcohol Dependence Linked Among Women
Alcohol use during the teen years can not only lead to subsequent alcohol problems, it can also lead to risky sexual behavior and a greater risk of early childbearing. An examination of the relationship between a lifetime history of alcohol dependence (AD) and timing of first childbirth across reproductive development has found that AD in women is associated with delayed reproduction.

If you are someone that is dealing with the issue of infertility and difficulty conceiving, take heart.  You are not alone.  As a matter of fact, it?s estimate that one in every ten couples struggles with this same problem ? that?s over 5 million couples in the U.S. alone!

 

But if you?re ready to speak to your doctor about a possible infertility treatment, you may want to consider if there are some natural ways that you can attempt to fix this problem on your own before getting medical intervention.

 

A Lifestyle Change is the Easiest Infertility Treatment

 

First of all, it may seem unrelated, but when you stop smoking you are really giving yourself the best infertility treatment there is imaginable.  Smoking damages your body in so many ways, and not just in the area of your lungs.  The poisons and toxins from cigarette smoke get absorbed in your bloodstream, and from there travel to every cell of your body, including your reproductive system.  These poisons can choke out the vital processes necessary not only for a woman to ovulate, but for a man to produce healthy sperm as well.

 

Additionally, your diet and your level of physical activity can also play a great role in your abilities to conceive.  It may not seem like much of an infertility treatment, but exercise gets your blood moving properly, and this blood brings antioxidants and necessary nutrients to all areas of your body, including your reproductive systems.  Also, loading up your body with heavy, high-fat foods is going to do damage to this system as well.  You?re probably familiar with what saturated fat does to your arteries; however, did you know that it can do the same type of eroding damage to parts of your reproductive system as well?  So cutting out those high-fat, deep-fried foods and replacing them with fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is always recommended.

 

Reducing Stress

 

Infertility is not simply all in your head.?  There are medical reasons why a couple may have problems conceiving.  However, reducing stress is another great lifestyle change that is also an effective infertility treatment.  This is because stress chokes out necessary oxygen from your body?s cells, and reduces blood flow to some areas well.  Your reproductive systems need this good blood and oxygen to function properly.  Additionally, stress can interfere with a woman?s healthy ovulation, and cause a man?s sperm to be malformed, both of which are of course barriers to conception.

 

And Also Try ?

 

Another natural infertility treatment you can try is a home ovulation predictor.  Although it is physically possible for a woman to get pregnant even when she is not ovulating, it?s much easier for her to do so when she is.  A home ovulation predictor can tell when this is the case, and of course sexual activity should occur at this time. 

 

It would be shortsighted to dismiss any of these natural infertility treatments, as even your own doctor will probably recommend that you try these avenues first before undergoing any type of invasive surgeries.

RCOG Release: Imaging Mother And Child Worldwide
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) will host an evening lecture by award-winning photographer and filmmaker Nancy Durrell McKenna on 4 September. The event is organised by the Royal Photographic Society and is part of their International Awards. Ms McKenna was awarded the Combined Royal Colleges Medal in 2007.

Preterm Birth Risk Linked To Diversity Of Microbes In Amniotic Fluid
US researchers have discovered a significant link between the number and range of bacteria or fungi in a mother’s amniotic fluid and the degree to which her baby is born premature and sick. Scientists at Stanford University Medical School in California, and colleagues from other establishments, published their findings in the 26th August issue of the open access online journal PLoS One.

An Unusual Form Of Inheritance May Have A Role In The Rising Rate Of Diabetes
A new study in the September issue of the Journal of Lipid Research suggests an unusual form of inheritance may have a role in the rising rate of diabetes, especially in children and young adults, in the United States. DNA is the primary mechanism of inheritance; kids get half their genes from mom and half from dad.

If you are someone that is dealing with the issue of infertility and difficulty conceiving, take heart.  You are not alone.  As a matter of fact, it?s estimate that one in every ten couples struggles with this same problem ? that?s over 5 million couples in the U.S. alone!

 

But if you?re ready to speak to your doctor about a possible infertility treatment, you may want to consider if there are some natural ways that you can attempt to fix this problem on your own before getting medical intervention.

 

A Lifestyle Change is the Easiest Infertility Treatment

 

First of all, it may seem unrelated, but when you stop smoking you are really giving yourself the best infertility treatment there is imaginable.  Smoking damages your body in so many ways, and not just in the area of your lungs.  The poisons and toxins from cigarette smoke get absorbed in your bloodstream, and from there travel to every cell of your body, including your reproductive system.  These poisons can choke out the vital processes necessary not only for a woman to ovulate, but for a man to produce healthy sperm as well.

 

Additionally, your diet and your level of physical activity can also play a great role in your abilities to conceive.  It may not seem like much of an infertility treatment, but exercise gets your blood moving properly, and this blood brings antioxidants and necessary nutrients to all areas of your body, including your reproductive systems.  Also, loading up your body with heavy, high-fat foods is going to do damage to this system as well.  You?re probably familiar with what saturated fat does to your arteries; however, did you know that it can do the same type of eroding damage to parts of your reproductive system as well?  So cutting out those high-fat, deep-fried foods and replacing them with fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is always recommended.

 

Reducing Stress

 

Infertility is not simply all in your head.?  There are medical reasons why a couple may have problems conceiving.  However, reducing stress is another great lifestyle change that is also an effective infertility treatment.  This is because stress chokes out necessary oxygen from your body?s cells, and reduces blood flow to some areas well.  Your reproductive systems need this good blood and oxygen to function properly.  Additionally, stress can interfere with a woman?s healthy ovulation, and cause a man?s sperm to be malformed, both of which are of course barriers to conception.

 

And Also Try ?

 

Another natural infertility treatment you can try is a home ovulation predictor.  Although it is physically possible for a woman to get pregnant even when she is not ovulating, it?s much easier for her to do so when she is.  A home ovulation predictor can tell when this is the case, and of course sexual activity should occur at this time. 

 

It would be shortsighted to dismiss any of these natural infertility treatments, as even your own doctor will probably recommend that you try these avenues first before undergoing any type of invasive surgeries.

Prader-Willi Syndrome Gives Genetic Insight On Imprinting
Important findings related to the birth defects Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) and Angelman Syndromes, discussed in an article released on August 25, 2008 in PLoS Biology, may help explain imprinted genes in humans. In humans, two copies of each gene are contributed to a child: one from the mother and one from the father.

Highlights From Biology Of Reproduction, September 2008
Proteomes to unravel gonadotrophs Although the basic developmental lineage of pituitary gonadotrophs is known, it has been harder to associate specific changes in gene expression with maturation due to the limited cell population. In an article on p. 546 of the September 2008 issue of Biology of Reproduction, Feng et al. take the approach of comparing the nuclear proteome of two gonadotropic cell lines that were immortalized at different stages of development.

Amerigroup Will Pay $225M To Settle Allegations That It Denied Coverage Of Pregnant, Sick Illinois Medicaid Beneficiaries
Amerigroup will pay $225 million to settle allegations by federal and Illinois state authorities that Amerigroup’s health plans denied coverage to pregnant women and people with health ailments in the Illinois Medicaid program, the insurer and the U.S. Department of Justice said on Thursday,

If you are a woman who is experiencing what you think are reproductive challenges, or you?ve already been given the diagnosis of infertility from your OB/GYN, then it?s important for you to separate the facts from the fiction when it comes to the causes of infertility in women.  After all, if you find yourself believing something that is not true or not applicable in your case, you may wind up wasting precious time ignoring the real problems.

 

So what are those common myths when it comes to the causes of infertility in women?  And better yet, what is the truth about those beliefs?  Let?s examine a few here.

 

Myth:  It?s all in your head.

 

This myth may have developed over the years as some couples have dealt with infertility for some time, and then eventually were able to conceive on their own.  Others may view this as a reason to believe that reproductive problems are simply stress related or that a couple is being overly sensitive to their situation.  Yes, stress and such things can be pinpointed as one of the causes of infertility in women, but it certainly is not the only cause, and not even the most common!

 

Advances in modern science that can plainly pinpoint different problems with a man?s or a woman?s reproductive system should have squelched this myth years ago, but unfortunately it seems to continue to thrive.  Despite the abilities we have to look deep into the body?s reproductive system and find even the smallest of defects which can be one of the causes of infertility in women, some still think it?s simply a mental challenge.

 

Myth:  Miscarriage is a common cause of infertility in women.

 

First of all, it?s important to remember that in most cases of miscarriage, there was nothing the woman could have done to prevent it.  Rarely is it ever caused by stress, overworking, and the like.

 

It?s also important to remember that miscarriage itself is really not a cause of infertility of women; most doctors regard it as simply a possible symptom of a larger problem.  Many miscarriages that are caused by such things as exposure to environmental and workplace hazards, such as high levels of radiation, hormonal problems, uterine abnormalities, incompetent cervix, and severe medical conditions can be considered a symptom, as these are some of the common causes of infertility in women as well.

 

Myth:  If you?ve already had a baby, you?re not infertile.

 

Secondary infertility is the term used by doctors to describe the condition of a couple having problems conceiving even after they?ve already had a child, so this is something that is rather common.  Some causes of infertility in women don?t manifest itself until after a pregnancy or even more than one, so again, this is simply an untrue statement.

 

Any woman who is truly concerned about her own reproductive issues should address this with her doctor, and her doctor alone.  Being led along by these myths regarding the causes of infertility in women is dangerous and certainly wastes valuable time, money, and emotional energy.

Risk Of SIDS Is Twice-Linked To Smoking During Pregnancy
In a first ever experimental study to compare breathing reflexes of preemies born to smokers with those born to non-smokers, researchers in Canada found that premature babies whose mothers smoked during pregnancy are likely to be at a higher risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) than premature infants whose mothers did not.

NICE Issues Updated Guidance For Rhesus Negative Women During Pregnancy
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has published guidance on the use of routine antenatal anti-D prophylaxis for rhesus D negative women in the NHS in England and Wales. The guidance states that: - Routine antenatal anti-D prophylaxis is recommended as a treatment option for all pregnant women who are rhesus D negative and who are not known to be ’sensitised’ to the rhesus D antigen.

Reproductive Dysfunctions and Alcohol Dependence Linked Among Women
Alcohol use during the teen years can not only lead to subsequent alcohol problems, it can also lead to risky sexual behavior and a greater risk of early childbearing. An examination of the relationship between a lifetime history of alcohol dependence (AD) and timing of first childbirth across reproductive development has found that AD in women is associated with delayed reproduction.

Don?t believe the myth that infertility is all in your head.  Most causes for infertility have medical roots in the reproductive systems of the man or the woman, or can be a combination of problems form both.  To get a better understanding of how this can happen, let?s look at some of those common causes for infertility.

 

For Men

 

In men, the most common causes for infertility are sperm disorders.  These problems include:

 

Low sperm count.

 

This is probably the most common of the causes for infertility in men.  Sperm are very fragile and most don?t make their trip through the woman?s system.  This is why most men produce millions of them at a time, however, the less a man produces, the less chances he?ll have to be able to impregnate a woman.

 

The only way to get an accurate sperm count for a man is to be tested at a doctor?s office.  The amount of ejaculate or size of a man?s genital organs have nothing to do with actual sperm count.

 

Certain lifestyles, like increased alcohol intake and smoking, can also have a negative effect on sperm count and are some of the most common causes for infertility.  Men who are 40 or older often have decreased fertility.

 

Low sperm motility

 

This is a problem commonly referred to as slow? or sluggish? sperm.  The sperm do not move as well as they should and so do not make the entire journey through a woman?s system in order to fertilize the egg.  This is also one of the most common causes for infertility in men.

 

For Women

 

There are many causes for infertility and reproductive issues for women, from simple reasons to those that are more complicated.  Here are the most common:

 

Anovulation.

 

This refers to a lack of ovulation, or release of eggs from the ovary.  The major cause of anovulation is a condition called polycystic ovary disease, or PCOS.  This is the most common of the causes for infertility in women.

 

The fallopian tubes and endometriosis.

 

Another of the causes for infertility is the inability of the fallopian tubes to carry eggs from the ovary to the uterus, usually due to scar tissue or a condition called endometriosis.  Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (the endometrial stroma and glands, which should only be located inside the uterus) is found elsewhere in the body.  Endometriosis lesions can be found anywhere in the pelvic cavity: on the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, and on the pelvic sidewall.

 

For Both Men and Women

 

Age is one of the major causes for infertility in both men and women.  In women, fertility declines with age, and even more so after the age of 35.  Conception after age 45 is possible but rare. 

 

Obesity is also one of the causes for infertility for both men and woman.  Many studies have also begun to link a man?s excessive body weight with his inability to produce healthy sperm.  Cholesterol is damaging to his sperm count and breaks down the health of the sperm that is present.

Trends In Prescription Medication Sharing Among Reproductive-Aged Women
Borrowing and sharing of prescription medications is a serious medical and public health concern. A survey of nearly 7,500 women of reproductive age found that this is common practice among more than one-third of this population, according to a report published online ahead of print in Journal of Women’s Health, a peer-reviewed journal published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. The paper is available free online at

Pregnancy Situations Have Impact On Brain Development In Preterm Infants
Brain development in infants who are born very prematurely is still incomplete. Factors that cause premature birth may have an impact on the development of the premature infant’s brain both during pregnancy and later on after birth. A project conducted as part of the Academy of Finland Research Programme on Neuroscience (NEURO) is concerned to study brain growth and development invery premature or low-weight infants.

Preeclampsia Can Increase Women’s Risk Of Kidney Failure Later In Life, Study Finds
Preeclampsia, a condition that causes high blood pressure and other problems in about 5% of pregnancies, can significantly increase risk of developing kidney failure later in life, according to a study published on Thursday in the New England Journal of Medicine,

When a couple are experiencing problems with conception, there is usually a good chance that their doctor can pinpoint their exact reasons for infertility ? and we say reasons, plural, because sometimes there are actually more than one simple reason.  For example, many people assume that conception problems are simply a woman?s issue, perhaps because she is the one who is completely responsible for pregnancy.  However, common reasons for infertility are typically about 50/50 between the man and woman, meaning that it may very well be the man?s problem just as commonly as it is the woman?s.

 

However, there are some other rather common reasons for infertility that no one seems to want to talk about.  This is probably due in part to the fact that these reasons are somewhat embarrassing to many people, or they deal with issues that people don?t want to change; it can be easier for them to simply say that it?s a medical issue rather than a lifestyle issue.

 

For example, one of the more common reasons for infertility that people don?t care to discuss has to do with smoking.  Many people don?t want to talk about their smoking and their problems with conception, usually because they simply don?t want to give up those cigarettes!  It?s easier for them to convince themselves that it must be something else, and that way they don?t need to address this habit.  Also, if they were to be told that their smoking is interfering with their plans for conception, then they may feel guilty or feel as if they are letting their partner down.

 

One of the other embarrassing reasons for infertility has to do with body weight.  Doctors are now finding out that there is a very strong link between obesity and issues with conception.  While there is much yet to be discovered, it?s thought that when men and women are obese, the practices that keep them such ? poor diet, lack of regular physical exercise ? also harms their bodies in ways that medical science had not previously known was possible.  Some of the reasons for infertility being interfered with by body weight include the fact that harmful cholesterol adheres not only to the heart?s arteries, but to the many small vessels that are involved in the reproductive system.  Excessive body weight puts undue pressure on the uterus and fallopian tubes, interfering with ovulation (the dropping of an egg from the fallopian tubes to be fertilized) and with a fertilized egg then implanting itself to the lining of the uterus as well.  If this does not happen, a fertilized egg can be miscarried before a woman even knows she is technically pregnant.

 

What is truly sad about these common reasons for infertility is that they are preventable with some simple lifestyle changes.  Yes, it?s difficult to stop smoking and to lose weight, but if it means finally being able to conceive and achieve your dream of bringing a child into the world, you would think that potential parents would do whatever they could to correct and address these potential reasons for infertility as soon as they possibly could.

Pre-Term Infants’ Risk For Cerebral Palsy Decreased By Common Treatment To Delay Labor
Preterm infants born to mothers receiving intravenous magnesium sulfate - a common treatment to delay labor - are less likely to develop cerebral palsy than are preterm infants whose mothers do not receive it, report researchers in a large National Institutes of Health research network. The study results appear in the August 28, 2008 New England Journal of Medicine.

Caesarean Babies More Likely To Develop Diabetes
Babies delivered by Caesarean section have a 20 per cent higher risk than normal deliveries of developing the most common type of diabetes in childhood, according to a study led by Queen’s University Belfast. The team, led by Dr Chris Cardwell and Dr Chris Patterson, examined 20 published studies from 16 countries including around 10,000 children with Type 1 diabetes and over a million control children.

Census Bureau Report Finds Women Having Fewer Children, Giving Birth Later In Life
More U.S. women in their early 40s do not have children, and women who are having children are having fewer than ever before, according to a Census Bureau report released Monday, the AP/Long Island Newsday reports.

When a couple are facing problems with reproduction and conception, it?s very shortsighted and medically inaccurate to assume that it must always be the woman?s problem.  Infertility in men is the cause of reproductive issues in about half of the cases reported, so if you and your partner are having problems conceiving, you do well to investigate the common causes for infertility in men so as to handle these issues promptly and completely.  Here are the most common causes:

 

Low sperm count ? the most common reason for infertility in men.

 

Yes, men typically have millions of sperm that they produce during each sexual encounter, however, these sperm are very fragile and very few actually survive the journey through a woman?s system to reach an egg to fertilize.  This is why it?s necessary to produce those millions!  But in reality, any one sperm reaching an egg to fertilize it is like winning the lottery ? there are millions of tickets sold, but it?s unlikely that any one is the winner.  So, having a lower than normal sperm count makes it that much more difficult for conception to take place.  Since this is the most common reason for infertility in men, chances are that a doctor would want to take a sample of a man?s semen to test the sperm count before doing any other tests.

 

Low sperm motility.

 

To a human, the journey through a woman?s system to reach the egg dropped by the fallopian tubes is miniscule.  But to the tiny microscopic sperm, it may as well be miles long!  Any sperm that are not able to push themselves to get through that journey are going to die off before they make it, and again, sperm are very fragile to begin with.  Low sperm motility may not be the most common reason for infertility in men, but it is common enough that again, doctors will want to check the abilities of your little swimmers? to make sure they can make it through their long journey.  If not, alternative means of conception may need to be explored.

 

Malformed sperm.

 

If the sperm are not formed properly, they will not be able to propel themselves along to make that arduous journey.  Malformed sperm is a common reason for infertility in men, and may also be one of the more common reasons for low sperm motility.  However, it?s important to remember that malformed sperm doesn?t mean that a child conceived with it is going to somehow be malformed or that this is a cause for birth defects; it simply means that again, there may need to be an alternative form of conception that is explored rather than relying on the natural course of action.

 

Blocked sperm ducts.

 

Many people mistakenly assume that every time a man ejaculates during sexual activity, that this contains sperm.  This is not necessarily true; only about 1-2% of a man?s semen is actually sperm.  Blocked sperm ducts are another common reason for infertility in men; he has no sperm at all in the ejaculate in these cases.

Caesarean Babies More Likely To Develop Diabetes
Babies delivered by Caesarean section have a 20 per cent higher risk than normal deliveries of developing the most common type of diabetes in childhood, according to a study led by Queen’s University Belfast. The team, led by Dr Chris Cardwell and Dr Chris Patterson, examined 20 published studies from 16 countries including around 10,000 children with Type 1 diabetes and over a million control children.

Pregnancy Situations Have Impact On Brain Development In Preterm Infants
Brain development in infants who are born very prematurely is still incomplete. Factors that cause premature birth may have an impact on the development of the premature infant’s brain both during pregnancy and later on after birth. A project conducted as part of the Academy of Finland Research Programme on Neuroscience (NEURO) is concerned to study brain growth and development invery premature or low-weight infants.

Development Of Schizophrenia And Acute Maternal Stress During Pregnancy Linked
Pregnant women who endure the psychological stress of being in a war zone are more likely to give birth to a child who develops schizophrenia. Research published in the open access journal BMC Psychiatry supports a growing body of literature that attributes maternal exposure to severe stress during the early months of pregnancy to an increased susceptibility to schizophrenia in the offspring. According to lead author Dolores Malaspina M.D., M.Sc.P.H.

The Basics of Eating Well When Pregnant

It is hard to believe that women do have a hard time eating healthy when they are expecting a visit from the stork. The sad truth is some women find it very hard. There is a trick though to remember how to eat throughout your pregnancy and it is as easy as ABC.

Assortment is the first key. It’s been said that variety is the spice of life. Keeping your diet filled with assortment of fruits, vegetables and protein will help make sure that you and your baby don’t get too much of one nutrient and not enough of another. Eating a daily variety of healthy foods will give your growing baby and daily assortment of necessary nutrients.

Balance is the next thing to keep in mind. We all know that balance and moderation is the key to any diet. There is no reason to deny yourself a bowl of ice cream but the whole container is over doing it. You want to keep all your meals as balanced as possible and make sure you are getting enough vitamins, whole grains and lean protein. Eating one and not the other is not going to help you or your baby in any way shape or form. Indulging in cravings is fine every now and then as long as you keep it in moderation, if you want a cookie, have one. If potato chips are your craving, have a few. It is when you eat the whole box of cookies and the whole bag of chips in one sitting that you might have a problem.

The third key is color. You want to make your plate look as colorful as possible. Look at fresh fruit and veggies to paint your plate. The more colorful your plate is, the more appeasing it is going to look to your eyes. Have you ever noticed in magazines and cooking shows the dishes always look so tasty? This is because of the variety of color that are used in these dishes. You can get red strawberries and tomatoes to yellow peppers and squash. Pick your favorite colors and create your dishes based on that.

Forget about dieting while you are pregnant. You and your baby need a steady supply of calories and nutrients through out the nine months of pregnancy and beyond. Pregnancy is one of the only times where a woman is expected to gain weight. Trying to prevent that weight gain can not only put you at risk, but also your baby at risk. You will have all the time in the world after your baby comes to lose the weight, but for nine months don’t even think about the word diet.

If you find you that you are getting sick of the food you have been eating, then it’s time to start experimenting with different foods. Pregnancy is a time to expand your eating horizons as well as your waistbands. Plus with food aversions, you might find yourself turning green at some of your favorite foods and craving foods you never dreamed you would eat. You may find that the thought of pizza can send you running for the toilet, but place a dish of brussel sprouts in front of you and you are in heaven.

Lastly, have fun with your food. Eating should be fun. Nothing will ruin your good habits faster than boredom. Add little touches like a dip for your veggies. Enjoy your food and try not to gulp it down. This will help avoid heartburn too! When you decide to treat yourself, leave the guilt at the door. After all, you are growing a person inside of you and decide a treat now and then for all your hard work.

Pregnancy Situations Have Impact On Brain Development In Preterm Infants
Brain development in infants who are born very prematurely is still incomplete. Factors that cause premature birth may have an impact on the development of the premature infant’s brain both during pregnancy and later on after birth. A project conducted as part of the Academy of Finland Research Programme on Neuroscience (NEURO) is concerned to study brain growth and development invery premature or low-weight infants.

Prader-Willi Syndrome Gives Genetic Insight On Imprinting
Important findings related to the birth defects Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) and Angelman Syndromes, discussed in an article released on August 25, 2008 in PLoS Biology, may help explain imprinted genes in humans. In humans, two copies of each gene are contributed to a child: one from the mother and one from the father.

Reproductive Dysfunctions and Alcohol Dependence Linked Among Women
Alcohol use during the teen years can not only lead to subsequent alcohol problems, it can also lead to risky sexual behavior and a greater risk of early childbearing. An examination of the relationship between a lifetime history of alcohol dependence (AD) and timing of first childbirth across reproductive development has found that AD in women is associated with delayed reproduction.