LilSugar

Test Your Knowledge of Common Infertility Mistakes

LilSugar — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 06:00:00 -0700

The desire to conceive a child can be all-consuming. When it doesn't happen fast enough, many couples' thoughts quickly – and often erroneously – turn to the possibility of infertility. Advice from family, friends and the Internet can send a couple into information overload, often leading to fixable mistakes that will put them back on the path to pregnancy. Take this quiz and see just how much you know about common mistakes couples make when trying to conceive.

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How Would You Handle the Implant of Wrong Embryos?

LilSugar — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:30:41 -0700

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After years of trying to successfully become pregnant, a viable pregnancy is the best news a reproductively challenged couple can receive. The rush of emotion is overwhelming, but not quite as strong as what they will feel in a few weeks when they learn that they were implanted with the wrong embryos.

Such is the case for Carolyn and Sean Savage of Sylvania, OH, who were faced with the decision to either terminate the pregnancy or carry it to term and hand over the newborn to its biological parents. Due to their religious beliefs, the Savages will serve as surrogates and hand the baby over to the genetic parents upon its birth. Given Carolyn Savage's medical history, this is the last pregnancy she can physically handle. Though doctors and fertility clinics are quick to explain the rarity of the situation, it is truly every fertility patient's worst nightmare. How would you handle such a situation if it happened to you?

Don't Let Daddy's Laptop Lead to Infertility

babysugar — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 09:00:48 -0700

I bet the Duggars don't use laptops. 'Cause if they did, they might not be at 18 and Counting. I crave the heat my laptop emits on a chilly night at home, but there is reason to believe it may not be worth the warmth it provides...especially in men. Studies have shown that a man's scrotal temperature can rise about five degrees when balancing a computer on his lap. That may not sound like a reason to get up in arms but other studies found, "Sperm concentration dropped by 40% when median daytime scrotal temperature rose by one to two degrees Fahrenheit (or one degree Celsius)."

Ladies who want more babies better tell daddy to take it easy on the laptop or use one of these nifty lap desks to protect their family jewels.

Target Lapdesk ($40)	Pyramat Notebook Computer Cooler ($30)
IKEA Brada ($18)	Belkin Cushtop II Laptop Cushion
Bevel Laptop Stand ($25)	IKEA Dave ($18)

Would You Marry Someone Who Is Infertile?

babysugar — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:00:00 -0700

Things get more intense as couples get closer to slipping rings on each other's fingers. When we posed the question, "Would You Tell Your Significant Other About Infertility?" a whopping 97 percent of lilsugar readers said they'd be honest about fertility issues should things get serious. While many people practice full disclosure prior to matrimony, others might withhold facts for fear of losing their beloved. For better or worse, would you stay with someone if he told you he couldn't bear children of his own?

Would You Tell Your Significant Other About Infertility?

babysugar — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:00:50 -0700

Though many ladies don't face infertility until they are actively trying to conceive, some are aware of their unfortunate fate before meeting the father of their children. Naturally lots of couples planning a life together envision one full of children and family gatherings. Though this can be achieved through many avenues including adoption and surrogacy, it could influence how someone chooses their life partner. Do you think women in that situation should disclose such information once things get serious with their significant other?

Mommy Dearest: Babyless Friends

babysugar — Mon, 18 May 2009 08:00:00 -0700

Mommy Dearest,

I am a mother to a three-month-old little girl whom I adore. I was blessed with a successful pregnancy on the first attempt with my husband, but sad, a few friends of my friends have not been so lucky. Having tried clomid and several rounds of in vitro fertilization, it is becoming increasingly difficult for my childless friends to see me with my baby. One friend has already cut me out of her life because it is too painful for her to be around any infants and I fear I am losing another one to the clutches of non-motherhood. I desperately want to keep my friends, but don't know how to do it without causing them pain every time they see us.

- Fertile Myrtle

To see the response from Mommy Dearest, read more.

Fertile Myrtle,

No doubt you are in a tough spot. Your fertility challenged girlfriends may be envious of your life and seeing you and your sweet babe might be too much for them to handle. It has been my experience that women desperate to get pregnant often reach a point where the only people they feel comfortable discussing the issue with are their spouses and doctors. Keep up your efforts of reaching out to them and leave the topic of pregnancy and babies out of the conversation. They will talk about it if and when they are ready to do so.

Try to plan a girls' night with other women where you can reminisce about the old days and have fun without kids on the brain. And until your friend reaches out to you, sit tight and pray that their prayers are answered with a beautiful baby.

- Mommy Dearest

Submit a question for this feature at the Mommy Dearest Group on TeamSugar.

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Are You Amazed or Alarmed by Number of Multiples Born?

LilSugar — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 14:00:34 -0800

Within six weeks, four sets of quadruplets were born at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center in Phoenix. The Arizona hospital has delivered more quads than any other in the country. These days it's not unusual to see more than one set of multiples on a daily basis. Does this amaze or alarm you?

Lifestyle Changes That Could Improve Your Fertility

babysugar — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 09:00:44 -0700

It's not always easy to talk about, but 10 percent of couples that wish to have a baby are still unable to after a year of unprotected sex. About half of these couples can achieve pregnancy within two years after appropriate treatment of the woman, the man, or both, but it can require a lot more effort than charting out your ovulation days. There are no dietary or nutritional cures for infertility, but specialists stress that a healthy lifestyle is important. For a list of lifestyle changes that can help, read more.

Ovulatory problems are reversible by changing behavioral patterns. Such conditions include:

Maintain a healthy weight. Women who are either over- or underweight are at risk for fertility failure, including a lower chance for achieving success with fertility procedures. Everyone should have a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains and low in saturated fats.
Stop smoking. Smoking increases the risk for infertility in both men and women, and poses a future health risk for the mother and infant. Everyone should quit.
Avoid caffeine and alcohol.
Avoid excessive exercise if it causes menstrual irregularity. However, moderate and regular exercise is essential for good health. Few women exercise to the extent that their periods are affected. For those who do, one study found that simply adding calories can restore menstruation in many cases.
Don't use electric blankets. In one study, a 74% higher incidence of spontaneous abortion was associated with using an electric blanket during the month of conception. There was no association with heated waterbeds or electromagnetic waves.
Avoid any unnecessary medications.

If you are having trouble conceiving, research the causes, risk factors and other treatment of infertility and talk to your doctor.

How to Identify Your Fertile Days

babysugar — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 09:00:39 -0700

Most mothers or future mothers know all their fertility terms and jargon, but knowing your body and understanding your cycle can be a bit more complicated. Doctors recommend that couples that are trying to have a baby have intercourse between day 10 and day 20 of a woman's menstrual cycle. However, it is still difficult for most of us to magically know exactly when ovulation is going to occur.

If you aren't certain if and when you are ovulating, you might start with an ovulation predictor kit, which can be bought at most drug stores and check for LH (luteinizing hormone) in your urine. You can also use a simple calendar to map out your cycle. For some other simple suggestions of how to identify your fertile days, read more.

First Steps for Identifying Fertile Days

Evaluating Your Cervical Fluid - Cervical fluid plays protects the sperm and helps it move through the cervix toward the uterus and fallopian tubes. Cervical fluid changes in preparation for ovulation. You will notice clear differences in how it looks and feels over the course of the cycle
Taking Your Basal Temperature - After you ovulate, your body temperature will rise and stay at an elevated level for the rest of your ovulation cycle. At the end of your cycle, it falls again. You can use a special thermometer to take your temperature in the morning before you get out of bed. Use a glass basal thermometer or a digital thermometer so that you can get accuracy to the tenth of a degree.
Chart it! - Create a chart and write down your temperature everyday. If you look at a complete cycle, you will probably notice a point at which the temperatures become higher than they were in the first part of your cycle.

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Would You Be a Surrogate for Your Child?

babysugar — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 05:00:34 -0700

There are few loves stronger, if any, than that of a mother's for her child. For 52–year–old Crystal Sirignano, a mother's love meant carrying surrogate twins for her fertility challenged daughter and son–in–law. After watching them struggle to conceive, the grandmother carried her own grandson and granddaughter to term, fulfilling her own child's greatest dreams.

The proud grandma told The Flint Journal:

I just feel so blessed and fortunate. It's the best experience of my life. . . I don't regret one second, even the times when I didn't feel good. None of that was as bad as watching what my daughter went through.

Would you offer your womb for your child's offspring?
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