For some couples, they have tried to make all the lifestyle changes they possibly can, and realize that medical intervention is the only viable option for them.  In this case, what are some common fertility treatments for these couples?  What are the side effects, and are they typically successful?

 

Assisted Reproduction Fertility Treatments

 

Assisted Reproduction is the phrase used in the medical community to describe medical intervention for couples facing infertility.  Here are some common fertility treatments and how they work:

 

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI).  This procedure which is also known as artificial insemination is often combined with hormone treatments to boost egg production, and can help couples with low sperm count, unexplained infertility, or cervical mucus problems.  Semen is collected, and then delivered via a catheter inserted through the women’s vagina and cervix to her uterus.

 

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF).  IVF may help those with pelvic or tubal damage, or male infertility.  It is the most commonly used of all the fertility treatments available.  The woman takes drugs to stimulate egg production, which are surgically removed.  Then eggs and sperm (from her partner or a donor) are collected and combined outside the body, and inserted into her body to develop after fertilization takes place.  “In vitro” means “in glass” (that is, in a test tube or laboratory dish).

 

Sperm Donation.  Fertility treatments do also include those necessary when a male partner is not present or does not have viable sperm.  This procedure is performed using sperm from a typically anonymous donor; of course, a sperm donor can be a male friend or associate.

 

Donated Egg.  This can help those whose infertility problems are due to premature menopause or some other disruption of ovulation.

 

Surrogacy, Traditional and Gestational.  In traditional surrogacy, another woman carries and gives birth to a baby conceived with her egg and your partner’s sperm (through artificial insemination).  In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate carries and gives birth to a baby conceived with your egg and your partner’s sperm, then transferred as an embryo to her womb.

 

Fertility Treatments Available for You

 

The proper procedure that is best for you and your partner is one that only you or the two of you together can decide on, of course with your doctor?s help.  Many of these fertility treatments listed are very expensive, so of course your own personal budget will need to be considered.  Additionally, there are some who have religious beliefs or moral opinions about many of these fertility treatments, and of course this is a personal decision as well.  The bottom line is that while so many of these options are becoming more and more common, and safer as well, the final decision will need to be yours.  After all, you are the one who will need to live with the consequences and responsibility of this decision for the rest of your life.  So, speak openly and honestly with your doctor and be sure that you completely understand all of these many choices so as to make the most informed decision possible.

Anxious Pregnant Women Are More Likely To Have Asthmatic Children
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Key Role In Largest US Children’s Study To Be Played By UT Health Science Center At Houston
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston will play a key role in local recruitment for the largest child health study in the United States. The National Children’s Study will follow 100,000 children across the United States from before birth through age 21 to identify genetic and environmental factors that contribute to health disorders and conditions of childhood and adulthood. Across Harris County, 2,000 women will be recruited during pregnancy.

Prenatal and Pregnancy

Prenatal vitamins are one of the most important vitamins that you take through out your pregnancy. Ideally, you should start taking prenatal vitamins when you are trying to conceive a baby. By taking prenatal while you are trying to conceive, you are preparing your body for the challenging task that lies ahead. Some experts believe that taking prenatal before you are pregnant might actually reduce your risk of a miscarriage after you become pregnant.

Taking prenatal before pregnancy is not always possible for some people, but taking them during pregnancy is essential. Prenatal vitamins contain one of the most important nutrients that a new mother needs and that are folic acid or folate. By taking in extra folic acid, you lower your chances of your baby being born with an incomplete spinal column which is known as spina bifida. In order for your baby to be protected, it is imperative that folic acid is taken in the first four weeks of fetal development.

This can be a problem for women who do not take prenatals before they are pregnant. Most of the time, most women do not know they are pregnant until after they missed their period which is about two weeks after conception. This is why if you are of child bearing age, you should make it a habit of taking folic acid even if you are not planning to become pregnant and we all know that not all pregnancies are planned.

You can still get your folic acid in food. Folic acid is added to many breads and pastas and is found in dark green and orange fruits as well as vegetables. Keep in mind though that taking a daily supplement of folic acid offers more protection from spina bifida then eating the same amount of folic acid in food.

While you are pregnant you should aim to take at least 600mcg of folic acid a day. If you have had a baby with a neural tube defect, you will have to take 4000 mcg or 4 milligrams of folic acid every day, starting at least a month before you get pregnant.

Some women report that they can not take their prenatals especially in their first trimester. Women who suffer from morning sickness and food aversions find that they can not eat much food. Taking a prenatal on an empty stomach can leave you feeling sick and queasy which is why so many women in the first trimester do not take them. Another reason some women report upset stomachs is due to the high iron level that some prenatals have. Not only could this cause an upset stomach, this can also lead to constipation which can already be a problem for some pregnant women.

If you find that you can not take your prenatal, talk to your doctor to see if he can give you a prenatal with less iron or give you a folic acid supplement also. The worst thing you could do is not take anything, especially during those first few weeks.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Risk Decreased With Use Of Fan
Using a fan while an infant is sleeping in a room with inadequate ventilation can decrease the risk of that infant dying of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), according to a report released on October 6, 2008 in Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. Sudden infant death syndrome, sometimes called cot death or crib death, describes the unexpected, unexplained death of an apparently health infant.

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Pregnancy and Nutrition

You are besides yourself with joy as you see that your pregnancy test is postive. You find yourself already caressing your stomach in hopes that your little one can feel you. The next nine months are going to be an exciting time for you and your baby. You are going to have a human life grow inside of you and feel them move as they get bigger. Your baby is going to go from a single sperm and egg into pounds of adorable flesh that you can’t help but kiss over and over again. It truly is a miracle.

In order to help this miracle along, it is essential for you to eat as good as you can through out most of your pregnancy. The first three months might be a little difficult to eat balanced meals when you are dealing with food aversions and morning sickness. If you are one of the rare lucky ones whose stomach doesn’t so much as move during your first trimester, then you can take full advantage of eating healthy right out of the gate.

Making sure you eat balanced nutritious meals is laying down the foundation for your baby. A diet of junk food is not going to help your baby with bone development and organ formation. Potato chips will not help with brain development. Your baby and your body need calcium and vitamins to achieve all of this.

Eating well during pregnancy is going to help your baby eat well after it is born and on solid foods. As your pregnancy progresses, some of what you eat will cross the placenta and the taste will be in your baby’s amniotic fluid. Babies swallow this fluid and their taste buds are so develop that even in the womb they are able to taste the flavors. Doctors believe that babies who are exposed to a wide variety of fruit and vegetables while in utero have less of a chance of being a fussy eater later in life. They believe that these are the babies who will eat their fruit and vegetables without putting up any fight.

Doctors also believe that moms who drink their milk through out their pregnancy have an easier time weaning their babies from formula or breast milk to regular milk. This however is only one benefit, the other benefit of drinking milk throughout your pregnancy is all the calcium you will be giving your baby’s bones. Many doctors recommend that you drink at least one eight oz glass of milk, usually fat free a day. Calcium is a must have your baby’s bones and his teeth, even though you won’t see his teeth for at least a few months.

This isn’t to say that you have to stay away from all sweets all the time. You can indulge every now and then and thanks to cravings you may find yourself wanting sweets more often than not. You do have to keep it in moderation. Being pregnant should not be looked at as an excuse to eat whatever you want for nine months. Both you and your baby could pay a dear price.

New Prenatal Down Syndrome Test Less Risky Than Amniocentesis, Say Stanford/Packard Scientists
Pregnant women worried about their babies’ genetic health face a tough decision: get prenatal gene testing and risk miscarriage, or skip the tests and miss the chance to learn of genetic defects before birth. But a new prenatal test could make this dilemma obsolete.

Interracial Asian-White Couples Have Distinct Risks For Gestational Diabetes, Caesareans, Study Finds
Couples in which one of the partners is Asian and the other is white have distinct pregnancy-related outcomes when compared with white couples, according to a study published in the October issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reuters Health reports. The study, by researchers from Stanford University’s

Normal Mouse Embryonic Heart Development Disrupted By Loss Of The Protein Target Of Lithium
Individuals with bipolar disorder are usually treated with ‘mood stabilizing’ drugs, one of which is lithium - an inhibitor of GSK-3 proteins. As new drugs that are more powerful inhibitors of GSK-3 are under development despite controversial studies suggesting a link between lithium therapy and congenital heart defects, Thomas Force and colleagues, at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, set out to determine whether GSK-3 proteins are important for heart development in mice.

Plus Size and Pregnant

A majority of plus sized women who are pregnant will experience a healthy pregnancy, but they are at a risk of having a more bumpy ride than someone who is not overweight.

Women who are overweight, or have a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or more are at a greater risk of certain pregnancy complications like gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. No knows for sure why weight matters so much, as far as most doctors are concerned it is just one piece of the puzzle. The truth is most plus size women go on to have completely uneventful pregnancies and deliver perfect healthy babies as long as they eat well, exercise and watch their weight throughout pregnancy. The biggest problem with being plus sized and pregnant is that you are at a greater for some of the following.

Studies have shown that overweight women have a higher rate of neural tube defects which are problems with how your baby’s brain and spinal cord develop. These studies are unable to pin point exactly why overweight women are at a higher risk and have a higher rate. Some studies have shown that overweight women have lower blood folate levels than a woman who is of normal weight. Folate is needed especially in the early stages of pregnancy to help avoid neaural tube defects. Because of this, if you are overweight your doctor may prescribe you a prenatal vitamin with 1000 micrograms of folic acid. In fact, if you are overweight and planning on becoming pregnant, you may want to start taking folic acid before you even conceive.

Gestational diabetes is another complication that overweight women are at a greater risk of developing. Gestational diabetes is elevated blood-sugar level during pregnancy. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development estimate that women with normal BMI which is between 19 and 24 have a 2% chance of developing gestational diabetes. Overweight women have a 6% chance of developing this condition and obese women or women who have a BMI of 30 or more have a 9% chance of being diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Remember though that if you are diagnosed with this, you can still go on and have a healthy pregnancy with a modified eating plan.

Almost 10% of obese and overweight women develop a condition called gestational hypertension. This is when your blood pressure becomes high with a reading of 140 over 90 or higher after your 20th week of pregnancy but you do not have any protein in your urine.

Gestational hypertension is usually a small concern but can put you at a higher risk for preeclampsia (which is indicated by high blood pressure AND protein in your urine), intrauterine growth restriction, preterm birth, placental abruption and still birth. If you do go on to develop preeclampsia, your weight is probably not that big of a factor. In fact if you are under 35 and overweight you have LESS of a chance of developing preeclampsia that a woman over 35 and a healthy weight.

Perhaps the most common complication for overweight women is longer labors and the possible risk of a cesarean section. Nearly 26-35% of deliveries are cesarean delivery. You are at a bigger risk if you have been diagnosed with preeclampsia or gestational hypertension or have a large baby.
Eating healthy throughout your pregnancy and working with your doctor to manage your weight will help reduce these risks and increase your already high chances of having a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.

Interracial Asian-White Couples Have Distinct Risks For Gestational Diabetes, Caesareans, Study Finds
Couples in which one of the partners is Asian and the other is white have distinct pregnancy-related outcomes when compared with white couples, according to a study published in the October issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reuters Health reports. The study, by researchers from Stanford University’s

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Pregnant women who are part of an Asian-white couple face an increased risk of gestational diabetes as compared with couples in which both partners are white, according to a new study from Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital and the Stanford University School of Medicine.

Keeping Pregnant Women Away From Acid Reflux Dilemma

Many women tend to experience heartburn symptoms when they are still carrying their babies, and this happens for several reasons.

One of these is the increase of hormones in a woman’s body while they are pregnant. This increases the ability of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to be closed, because it softens the ligaments function. As LES relaxes, the tendency is for the gastric acids and ingested foods to reflux back up into the esophagus area and throat.

Another reason they experience heartburn during pregnancy is from the changes occurring within her body as the baby begins to develop and grow, increasing pressure on her stomach. Therefore, the stomach contents are forced right into the LES, and then to the esophagus.

However, there are several methods that a pregnant woman can observe to lessen the discomfort brought from heartburn. You can use some of the following tips, however, keep in mind they may not completely remove all heartburn.

1. Avoid the food that triggers heartburn. Examples of this are chocolates, spicy foods, citrus fruits and juices, mustard, tomatoes and tomato based products, fatty foods, fried foods, and highly seasoned dishes. You may also want to consult your physician on what food and beverage items you should or should not be ingesting.

2. Avoid beverages with caffeine in them, such as; coffee, tea and soda. By drinking too many of them your LES will relax and that will cause acid to go up into the esophagus.

3. Always avoid alcoholic beverages. This, like caffeine tends to relax the LES thus, creating the same effect of triggering heartburn.

4. Do not eat large meals. It is suggested that taking numerous small meals throughout the day will be better.

5. Avoid rush when eating your meals. Chewing food thoroughly will really help in avoidance of heartburn, so it is better take your time while eating.

6. Make sure to rest after eating and avoid doing too much activity on a full stomach.

7. Drink plenty of water through out the day and in fact, women that are pregnant need to not only drink at least eight to ten glasses a day, they should drink them throughout the day. Through this, the stomach will expand, and then the LES will be given more pressure, obliging it to open inappropriately. Hence, it is really recommended to drink more water and other fluids in between meals.

8. How you sleep is important too, you should arrange your pillows so you sleep around 6 - 10 inches high. You should try to elevate both your head and shoulder areas when sleeping. Through this, the gravity will work to keep the acids in your stomach in their place; in the stomach, not in the esophagus. Try to consult physicians to gain additional knowledge on how to relieve night time heartburn.

9. Make sure the clothes you wear are not too tight. Tightness around the waist and stomach will trigger heartburn as it causes uneasiness.

10. When bending, do it at the knees, not at the waist. You do not want to put too much pressure on your stomach.

11. Keep a good posture when your walking and when sitting.

12. Maintain a sensible amount of weight, too much weight and fatness will give more stress in your stomach. When that happens, it will force the contents within the stomach to go up toward the esophagus much easier. It is always best to stay with your doctors guidelines.

13. Avoid smoking. Doctors stated that smoking could cause several effects to a pregnant woman, and one is that it can add to the possibility of experiencing heartburn. By following all these tips, you will have a much healthier and happier pregnancy.

Planning Ahead While Pregnant

Planning ahead when it comes to food could mean the difference between making wise choices and making irrational choices. It helps us learn how to undo our bad habits and being pregnant is a great time to try and change any bad habits you may have. The best way to break bad habits and to form new ones is to constantly plan ahead.

You want to plan for snack attacks especially if you are not going to be home. You want to make sure you take some healthy food with you, so that you can resist the temptation of going to the vending machine and taking out that candy bar. Throw some nuts into your pocketbook or some cheese sticks in case of any hunger that might hit you through out the day.

Plan your food shopping list. Some people find that when they go to the supermarket with just a rough idea of what they need they usually wind up forgetting something important or they wind up buying half of the food store. Take a few minutes to plan your meals for the week and buy what you need to go with it.

Speaking of planning meals, that is a excellent idea. Plan for meals you can realistically prepare. Do not plan for meals that you do not have the time to prepare. You are only going to stress yourself out. Look for recipes that are easy and quick to make. Do not try to make something where you can’t pronounce half of the ingredients and need to shop at a gourmet cooking store. Chances are you are still working and the last thing you want to do is come home after a long day and then slave over a complicated recipe.

Also, planning your meals out for the week tends to help you be a little more organized for the week. It is no secret that pregnant women tend to forget things and this is due to their changing hormone level. By taking out the time to sit and plan your meals for the week will help you stay a little organized and save you a lot of time. If you already know what you are making for dinner, you do not have to worry about coming home after a long day and standing in front of the fridge trying to decide what to make.

You also want to make sure that get yourself in the habit of using vegetables are your main dish. Instead of doing chicken breast with a side salad, make your salad your main dish and the chicken breast a side one. You also want to buy your vegetables as fresh as possible, even if that means making two trips to the grocery store through out the week. The fresher the vegetable, the better they are for you and your baby. The same holds true for fruit also. Keep plenty of fruit on hand, especially if you tend to crave sweet stuff through out your pregnancy. Instead of reaching for a candy bar, you can reach for a piece of fruit dipped in cool whip

By planning ahead for the week or even month to come will help you stay on track with your eating and decrease the risk of you making the wrong choice if a craving should hit you.

New Survey Shows Pregnant Women Unaware, Misinformed About Flu Shot Benefits During Pregnancy
Despite national health experts’ long-standing recommendation that women receive a flu shot while pregnant, three-quarters of women responding to a new national survey are unaware or unsure of these recommendations, and only 20 percent of those who are currently pregnant plan to get a flu shot this influenza season.

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South Carolina Agency Forced To Cut Teenage Pregnancy Program Because Of Budget
Despite recent increases in South Carolina’s teen pregnancy rate, the state Department of Health and Human Resources on Friday announced that budget cuts have forced it to eliminate funding to the Medicaid Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Services program, or MAPPS, the Charleston Post and Courier reports (Coley, Charleston Post and Courier, 9/26).

Planning Ahead While Pregnant

Planning ahead when it comes to food could mean the difference between making wise choices and making irrational choices. It helps us learn how to undo our bad habits and being pregnant is a great time to try and change any bad habits you may have. The best way to break bad habits and to form new ones is to constantly plan ahead.

You want to plan for snack attacks especially if you are not going to be home. You want to make sure you take some healthy food with you, so that you can resist the temptation of going to the vending machine and taking out that candy bar. Throw some nuts into your pocketbook or some cheese sticks in case of any hunger that might hit you through out the day.

Plan your food shopping list. Some people find that when they go to the supermarket with just a rough idea of what they need they usually wind up forgetting something important or they wind up buying half of the food store. Take a few minutes to plan your meals for the week and buy what you need to go with it.

Speaking of planning meals, that is a excellent idea. Plan for meals you can realistically prepare. Do not plan for meals that you do not have the time to prepare. You are only going to stress yourself out. Look for recipes that are easy and quick to make. Do not try to make something where you can’t pronounce half of the ingredients and need to shop at a gourmet cooking store. Chances are you are still working and the last thing you want to do is come home after a long day and then slave over a complicated recipe.

Also, planning your meals out for the week tends to help you be a little more organized for the week. It is no secret that pregnant women tend to forget things and this is due to their changing hormone level. By taking out the time to sit and plan your meals for the week will help you stay a little organized and save you a lot of time. If you already know what you are making for dinner, you do not have to worry about coming home after a long day and standing in front of the fridge trying to decide what to make.

You also want to make sure that get yourself in the habit of using vegetables are your main dish. Instead of doing chicken breast with a side salad, make your salad your main dish and the chicken breast a side one. You also want to buy your vegetables as fresh as possible, even if that means making two trips to the grocery store through out the week. The fresher the vegetable, the better they are for you and your baby. The same holds true for fruit also. Keep plenty of fruit on hand, especially if you tend to crave sweet stuff through out your pregnancy. Instead of reaching for a candy bar, you can reach for a piece of fruit dipped in cool whip

By planning ahead for the week or even month to come will help you stay on track with your eating and decrease the risk of you making the wrong choice if a craving should hit you.

Canadian Program Provides Care To HIV-Positive Pregnant Women, Aims To Reduce Mother-to-Child Transmission
The CP/Yahoo! News on Tuesday examined the Positive Pregnancy Programme, a Canadian initiative created to provide HIV-positive pregnant women with care, resources and support. Jay MacGillivray, a midwife with

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Individuals with bipolar disorder are usually treated with ‘mood stabilizing’ drugs, one of which is lithium - an inhibitor of GSK-3 proteins. As new drugs that are more powerful inhibitors of GSK-3 are under development despite controversial studies suggesting a link between lithium therapy and congenital heart defects, Thomas Force and colleagues, at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, set out to determine whether GSK-3 proteins are important for heart development in mice.

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Peanuts and Pregnancy

Ask any parent who has a child who is allegeric to peanuts how difficult their live has become. Food shopping can take hours because every food label must be read it and studied to make sure it contains no traces of peanuts. Arrangements for peanut free foods must be made with the child’s school ahead of time and other children’s birthdays parties can be a parent’s worse nightmare. Peanut allergies although common can be one of the most fatal allergies a child could suffer from. Some children are so sensitive to their peanut allergy that if they come into contact with peanuts just from someone else’s skin, their life can be at risk. Peanut allergies can lead to anaphylactic shock which is a sever allergic reaction that can be fatal.

Peanut allergies are usually not diagnosed until a child reaches the age of 2 or even three years old. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that parents who have a peanut allergy in the family should wait until their child is at least three years old before giving them peanuts or anything containing peanuts. There are even some conservative obgyns who advise their pregnant patients not to eat peanuts especially if when they are in their third trimester regardless of if there is a history of peanut allergy in the family or not.

The reason for this is because in order for a peanut allergy to develop, the child has to come into contact with small traces of a peanut. This contact sensitizes the child so that they later have a severe allergic reaction. Some experts believe that this first sensitization can occur during pregnancy. It is believed that a tiny amount of peanut protein can cross the placenta. In fact a recent study showed that if a women ate peanuts or peanut butter while pregnant their baby could be four times more likely to develop a peanut allergy than a child whose mother didn’t eat any peanuts during her pregnancy.

This isn’t to say though that if you have a no history of nut allergies you should avoid peanuts at all costs. In fact, peanuts and peanut butter are very beneficial to you and your baby. Peanuts are a useful source of folic acid and protein, both which are very important to your and your growing baby. Peanuts and peanut butter has been said to help some women get through the first trimester morning sickness. Keep in mind however that there have been some instances when women who had no history of peanut allegeries in their family and ate a over whelming amount of peanuts or even peanut butter through out their pregnancies wound up with children who had a peanut allergy.

Before you decide to throw out all your peanuts and say good bye to peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, talk to your doctor. Give your doctor a detailed family history and let him know if there are any peanut allergies in your family. With your doctors help you will be able to create a healthy peanut eating plan for your pregnancy. If you do not feel comfortable at all eating peanuts due to the risk do not let anyone change your mind. It is your body and your child and you have the right to make that decision.

Asian-White Couples Face Distinct Pregnancy Risks, Stanford/Packard Study Finds
Pregnant women who are part of an Asian-white couple face an increased risk of gestational diabetes as compared with couples in which both partners are white, according to a new study from Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital and the Stanford University School of Medicine.

Conference: Perinatal Days And International Stillbirth Nov.5-7
The 21st Norsk Perinataldager (Norwegian Perinatal Days) will be arranged as a joint conference with the 2008 International Stillbirth Conference from the 5th - 7th November. This is in collaboration with the International Stillbirth Allliance (ISA) and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Joint Statement On Maternal And Newborn Health
As world leaders gather for the High-Level Event on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), we jointly pledge to intensify our support to countries to achieve Millennium Development Goal 5 To Improve Maternal Health - the MDG showing the least progress. During the next five years, we will enhance support to the countries with the highest maternal mortality.

When dealing with the issues of reproductive challenges, most couples are appreciative of the fact that medical science offers them a wealth of options when it comes to fertility treatments, including drugs that help a woman ovulate, Assisted Reproduction Techniques (ART) such as in vitro fertilization, artificial insemination, sperm donation and the like.  However, some couples are still looking for natural methods that work as fertility treatments for themselves and their partners.  How can you go about assisting your own reproduction with such methods?  Are there any that actually work?  Let?s examine some of these issues here.

 

Be Careful of Your Medications

 

Sometimes an actual fertility treatment is not necessary, as you realize that conception is being hindered by the medications you?re taking, either for the man or the woman.  Some drugs, such as those to treat high cholesterol or diabetes, interfere with a woman?s ovulation abilities and a man?s sperm production.  Before investigating medical alternatives as a fertility treatment, speak with your doctor about your prescription medications.  There are some that of course you cannot stop taking as it will cause you serious health problems, but there may be adjustments that can be made, or other medications to take that will help to offset these issues with reproduction.

 

It?s also noteworthy that over the counter and homeopathic medicines can have the same effect, so don?t forget to mention these to your doctor as well.

 

Good Sex as a Fertility Treatment

 

Because a man?s sperm needs to travel a long distance (or at least to the microscopic sperm, it seems like a long distance!) in order to reach an egg to fertilize, it?s best to be mindful of your sex practices and whether they?re helping or hindering this journey.  The missionary? position, or man on top, is always recommended when a couple is trying to get pregnant.  Other positions such as the woman on top, sitting, standing, and anything else that interrupts the natural flow of sperm and causes it to work against gravity is only going to make the sperm need to work that much harder.

 

When considering a fertility treatment for yourself, you should definitely give some attention to your sexual practices first, as a simple change in your habits can go a long way (no pun intended) toward helping that sperm reach its goal.

 

Other Natural Fertility Treatments

 

Reducing stress, smoking cessation, and a good diet along with regular physical exercise are always recommended before trying a medical fertility treatment, as these things can help the body address and even repair any issues it may have with the reproductive system.  Soaking in hot water can kill sperm, so the man should avoid hot tubs and the like.  An ovulation predictor can also help a woman to know when she is ovulating.

 

So, there are no guarantees that any of these tips and reminders will work for you, but again, it?s always best to try the most natural fertility treatments first before opting for invasive surgeries or expensive drugs.

UT Southwestern Selected As Study Center For National Children’s Study
UT Southwestern Medical Center has been chosen as a study center participant in the National Children’s Study, which will examine the effects of environmental and genetic factors on child and adult health. The National Institutes of Health-led study is the largest of its kind to be conducted in the U.S.

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Conference: Perinatal Days And International Stillbirth Nov.5-7
The 21st Norsk Perinataldager (Norwegian Perinatal Days) will be arranged as a joint conference with the 2008 International Stillbirth Conference from the 5th - 7th November. This is in collaboration with the International Stillbirth Allliance (ISA) and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

When talking about reproductive issues, a couple does well to consider some male infertility treatments that they can easily try at home.  This is because in most cases of reproductive issues, infertility can equally be caused by the man?s reproductive system as it can be the woman?s.  It is a common misconception (no pun intended) that all reproductive issues are strictly the woman?s problem.  In reality, most couples being treated for this by medical doctors are finding this it?s a 50/50 chance that the man may need treatment, or it?s a combination of problems with both the man and the woman.  In any case, someone may immediately wonder about male infertility treatments that you can try at home, first, before looking into medical intervention, expensive drugs, invasive surgeries, and the like.  The good news is that there are some such treatments that men can try that may very well increase his abilities to impregnate.

 

Diet May be the Best Male Infertility Treatment

 

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%.  So, a multivitamin or a vitamin C supplement may be the first male infertility treatment that you would want to try.

 

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.

 

Exercise also improves muscle tone and good muscle tone helps every aspect of your system as well.  Excessive body weight also puts undue pressure on the reproductive organs and doesn?t allow them to function optimally; obese persons often suffer from reproductive issues.  Any male infertility treatment that you try at home should include regular physical activity and exercise.

 

Drugs and Smoking ? A Barrier to Any Effective Male Infertility Treatment

 

Some medications can interfere with a woman?s and a man?s reproductive systems.  If you are taking any prescription drugs, be mindful of the side effects.  Ask your doctor if you?re not sure.  And this includes illegal drugs as well.  Many narcotics interfere with the body?s fertility, as does tobacco.  Excessive drinking (more than three alcoholic beverages per day) can too.

 

If you or your partner smoke, it?s time to quit.  Smokers have been shown to have 17% less sperm count on average, not to mention that it disrupts the health of remaining sperm.  If you?re taking illicit drugs, it?s time to quit those as well.  And if necessary, make note of your drinking levels and cut back if needed.

 

So there you have it ? some natural, healthy male infertility treatments that any man or couple can try at home, before undergoing invasive surgery or doling out thousands on tests and medicines.

Key Role In Largest US Children’s Study To Be Played By UT Health Science Center At Houston
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston will play a key role in local recruitment for the largest child health study in the United States. The National Children’s Study will follow 100,000 children across the United States from before birth through age 21 to identify genetic and environmental factors that contribute to health disorders and conditions of childhood and adulthood. Across Harris County, 2,000 women will be recruited during pregnancy.

Fact Sheets About Thyroid Disorders Published By NIDDK
Thyroid problems affect as many as 27 million Americans. Among the most common problems are hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. To help people learn more about thyroid disorders, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has produced four new fact sheets for consumers and health care providers.

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Doesn’t Work In Prenatal Care
While obstetrical care providers are doing a good job working with their patients on smoking cessation, they are not doing as well on abuse of other substances that can harm a woman’s unborn baby. A new study appearing in the September 2008 issue of the journal Patient Education and Counseling reports that patients don’t volunteer information about substance abuse unless specifically queried.