Do you have dry lips?

Vitamin A is an important part of your diet if you are ttc. However, too much vitamin A can actually be harmful as well. When a women consumes too much vitamin A, it can dry the body out. It is especially harmful to babies when this happens. This is because when you are dehydrated your cells are also robbed of their moisture. And over time, the baby may develop birth defects.

So…. If you have chronic dry lips, check with your doctor to test for your vitamin A levels. It very well may be the difference in getting pregnant and having a healthy baby!

Are Your Nails White?

Try pressing on your nails for a minute and watch what happens. If they turn white and stay white it may mean you are anemic. The anemia leaves you low in iron which may interfere with pregnancy.

If you suffer from PCOS, you probably have heavy periods. Because of the heavy periods, many women become anemic and don’t even know it!

If you think you may be anemic, make sure you eat plenty of iron rich foods. You will also want to have your blood tested for its ferritin levels. From there, you and your doctor can put together a plan as you try to conceive. Doctors remind women not to take an iron supplement without checking with them first though. Too much iron can harm the baby and cause problems with your hormone levels.

What causes infertility?

There is nothing more frustrating and disheartening as wanting to be a mom and not being able to get pregnant. It is such a primal gut wrenching desire sometimes that it can leave you asking, “Why”?

Although 10-15 percent of couples are diagnosed with “unexplained infertility”, there are other risk factors that doctors believe contribute to a difficulty in conceiving.
Wondering what those are?  Here is a quick overview for the possible causes for infertility in women…….

1. Age- Although many women are waiting to have children until they are better ready or financially stable, as you get older the
chances of becoming pregnant decline. This is because the number of healthy eggs decreases over time. Optimally, women are most fertile between the ages of 20-
25. And on the opposite side, women over 35 seem to struggle the most with fertility related issues.

2. Smoking- Cigarette smoke is believed to be hard on your ovaries and often leads to miscarriage.

3. Alcohol- Drinking more than 6 drinks a day has been linked to irregular menstrual cycles and also to and increased risk of miscarriage.

4. Drugs- Drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, heroin and ecstasy cause irregular menstrual cycles and ovulation patterns.

5. Prescription Drugs- Some medications such as steroids keep the pituitary glands working correctly. When this happens they are not
able to produce a balanced level of hormones. In addition, drugs such as some blood pressure medications and throw off a woman’s prolactin levels. This leads to
irregular ovulation patterns. Check with your doctor to see if any of the prescription medications that you are currently taking may be interfering with conception!

6. Birth Control Use- Although most women can expect to have regular menstrual cycles after 6 months of stopping birth control, there
are a percentage of women for whom it takes longer.

7. Diet- It is not only your weight (too heavy or too thin) that contributes to fertility issues, but also the foods you are eating. Make
sure you are on a fertility friendly diet!

8. Diseases- Diseases such as cancer, lupus, diabetes, thyroidism and arthritis can reduce fertility in women.

9. Environmental Conditions- Exposure to certain chemicals, anesthesia and radiation can harm a woman’s fertility.

10. Other Medical Conditions- Pituitary gland tumors, adrenal gland problems, polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, pelvic
inflammatory disease, diethylstilbestrol abnormalities and Asherman’s syndrome are all conditions that can affect a woman’s ability to become pregnant.

Wow, when you look at the list and then consider the very small window in a woman’s cycle where she is actually fertile, it is amazing that anyone ever becomes pregnant isn’t it!

If you live in the Northampton, Massachusetts area and are ttc, this program may be of interest to you!

Class Title- Wellness for Fertility: A Mind/Body Program

Presenter- Andrea Maitinsky Keins, Ph.D

Location- Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton Massachusetts

Main Program Topic- Looking at the lifestyle behavior of women and how it relates to their reproductive health

Sub topics- Learning how to reduce and manage stress with relaxation and meditation

Program Components- Individual assessment, 10 group sessions and cognitive behavioral exercises

Resources Provided- The book Healing Mind/Healthy Woman, a guided relaxation CD, a fertility yoga CD

If this program doesn’t meet your needs, check out the other classes they offer!
https://www.healthplansinc.com/Documents/HPHC%20Health%20Events%20Classes%20Support%20Groups.pdf

If you are struggling to get pregnant, the magic you need may be found in your kitchen!!

If you are working to get your body “fertility friendly” there are certain foods you will want to include in your daily diet. Here is a quick look at a baby making menu.

Mom-to-be should be eating:
1. High-fat dairy products- A study done by Harvard University found that women who include at least 1 serving of high fat dairy in their diet each day, reduced their chances of suffering from infertility related issues by 25%. The dairy is believed to increase the function and health of the ovaries.

2. Fatty Acids- Many women have diets lacking fatty acids, which are essential for healthy ovary health. Foods rich in fatty acids are nuts and fish, so enjoy a handful of nuts each and every day!

3. Fruits and Vegetables that are rich in beta-carotene- Foods such as peaches and carrots help make sure that you have enough vitamin A in your body in order for it to produce hormones needed to ovulate.

4. Protein- Make sure you get 45 g of protein each day. If possible though, stay away from red meat as your protein source. Eating plenty of low fat protein is important for egg production. And although protein is good, more than 45 g can keep the embryo from implanting.

5. Water- Make sure you get plenty of water so that you have enough cervical fluids to carry the sperm to the egg. In addition, water is crucial for keeping your egg follicles and womb healthy and fertility friendly!

How about him? What should your partner be eating?
1. Green leafy vegetables- You can increase sperm health by eating a diet high in folate. Folate is found in green leafy veggies such as spinach.

2. Zinc- Did you know that it is zinc that is responsible for making the outside layer and talk of the sperm? That is why zinc is so important in making sure sperm is healthy. Eat plenty of beans, seeds, nuts, eggs and oysters

3. Fatty Acids- These acids are important for sperm development, quality and mobility. For men, doctors recommend 1-4 servings of fatty acids a week.

4. Avocados- Avocados help sperm quality since they are rich in vitamin E. They also help balance fertility friendly hormones.

5. Garlic- Yep, garlic! Garlic is rich in antioxidants and helps keep sperm healthy.

Doctors believe that diet is one of the main contributors and causes for infertility. So cook up a fertility friendly diet and increase your chances of conceiving!

Have you recently made an appointment with a fertility doctor? Are you wondering what questions you should ask while you are there?

Here is a list of questions to get you started. Using this list in addition to your own will help put you on the path to pregnancy!!!!!

1. What fertility procedures do you specialize in? What is your training and how many patients have you treated?
These questions will help confirm that you are working with a doctor that is part of a well established facility with highly educated and highly trained specialists.

2. Are you certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology?
If so, you can find out if your specialist is considered an “expert” in selected fertility procedures such as IVF or GIFT.

3. Can I get a written record of the procedures we talked about today?
It is hard to remember everything discussed at appointments, so make sure you get all the information in written form so that you can look at it when you get
home.

4. What are the costs of the procedures we have discussed? Are you a preferred provider for my insurance?
Fertility treatments can be pricey, so make sure you know what can be covered by your insurance. Also, you are better able to weigh your treatment options
when you know the costs for each.

5. What is your success rate with other folks who have used similar fertility treatment plans?
You will want to work with specialists who have plenty of experience AND success with the procedures you may elect to use.

6. Can we talk to some of your other patients that have opted for our treatment plan?
If the doctor stands behind their work, they should be willing to let you talk with other patients they have worked with. This is also a good way to learn more
about any procedures that you may be considering.

7. Can I get a list of support groups with other couples who have opted for fertility treatments?
It is easy to feel like you are all alone as you begin your fertility treatments. Talking with people who have “been there done that” is invaluable!

You will want to talk with a few different fertility treatment providers so that you find a good fit for you and your partner. It will more than likely be an emotional journey, so you will need to feel at ease with your provider and confident that they have your best interest at heart!

In The Know: What No One Tells You About Male Infertility

Fertility Lifelines has published its most recent booklet which focuses on male infertility. Using the data from study done by Fertility Lifelines and Men’s Health Network, they have compiled a resource that addresses beliefs, recommendations, options and symptoms related to male infertility.

If you are interested you can receive a free copy by registering with Fertility Lifelines or by calling 1-866-538-7879.

Is it taking longer than expected to get pregnant? Would you like a little “boost” for your next cycle? You may want to try some maca as part of your ttc plan

It is a root vegetable that is part of the cruciferous group. Other veggies in this group are radishes, cauliflower, broccoli, kale and cabbage. Its origin is the Peruvian Andes Mountains of South America and has been harvested for the last 2,600 years!

This root has been shown to heighten energy, fertility, stamina and overall sexual health. It works because it is an adaptogen, which allows the body to adapt to its surroundings and balance itself. It also contains many of the vitamins and minerals needed to become pregnant…. fatty acids, amino acids, calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, B1, B2 and vitamin C.

You can buy it as a powder, extract or pill. You can also choose from red, black or yellow varieties. Some women add it to their smoothies, whereas others add it to chocolate.

As with most things, talk first to your doctor before adding maca to your diet!!!!!!

Are you trying to conceive? Would you love a vacation where you can relax and be pampered? A fertility retreat may be exactly what you are looking for!!!

If you live in the US, Fertile Soul is the retreat that may be calling your name. If you live in Spain, the Fertility Awaking Retreat is awaiting you!! Both retreats help to get your body and mind fertility friendly. They do this by putting together a 5 star vacation that includes massage, acupuncture, meditation, relaxation, yoga, dietary advice, qi gong and dance. Their belief is that using many different approaches, that it increases the chances of pregnancy. It is in a sense diving head first into Eastern fertility techniques and moving away from Western medicine.

Doctors from the retreats say that women up to the age of 48 have become pregnant after attending one of the retreats. In addition, the retreat director, Dr. Lewis, from Fertile Soul states that he has had between a 30-100 percent overall success rate with his seminars.

At a bare minimum, you are promised a relaxing vacation that offers you many different fertility related opportunities!

Check out this fun fertility indicator module. You enter your basic fertility related info and then it gives you evaluative feedback with a plan of action………… Not to mention it has a really cute graphic at the beginning of the test! Have fun!!!

http://www.fertilityindicators.com/