Women Infertility Treatment & Pregnancy Guide

Smoking during pregnancy is one of the worst things you can do. When you smoke, your baby smokes too. There about 600 ingredients in cigarettes, and when a cigarette is burned, it releases over 4,000 chemicals. Many of these are poisons, and at least 50 of these chemicals cause cancer. So when you take a puff, your growing baby gets exposed to these harmful pollutants too. Because your baby is developing inside you, exposure to these pollutants can be very detrimental to his overall health and the safety of your pregnancy.

The nicotine and tar in your cigarette decreases the level of oxygen and nutrients that your baby receives. This can slow down your baby’s growth and development, and it puts you at risk for miscarriage and stillbirths (a baby with no heartbeat).

Luckily, if you quit smoking immediately, your baby’s growth will return to normal shortly.

Smoking during pregnancy has been associated with 5 percent of infant deaths, 10 percent of preterm births, and 30 percent in low birth weight babies. Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke can also increase:

Infertility—When compared to women who don’t smoke, smokers have a 30 percent increased risk of being infertile. They also experience a delay in conception—i.e. it’s harder to get pregnant when you smoke. Placental Abruption—A serious and dangerous complication that can occur during the third trimester of pregnancy. It occurs when your placenta separates from your uterine lining. Placental abruption can cause vaginal bleeding, resulting in fetal distress, uterine tenderness, and increased frequency of contractions. Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes (PRROM)—Your water breaks early, before the onset of real labor. Placenta Previa—Your placenta grows in the lowest part of the uterus, which can cause problems for the baby. You may bleed and require prompt care. Some women are even hospitalized.

It is estimated that over 20 percent of American women in their childbearing years smoke cigarettes, despite knowing its harmful effects. In 2005, the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) survey reported that 14 percent of women smoke during pregnancy.

Babies who are born to women who smoked during pregnancy are also at an increased risk of having a cleft lip or cleft palate. A cleft palate occurs when there is a split in the baby’s lip and the roof of his/her mouth, creating a hole between the nose and mouth. Surgery is often used to reconstruct that part of the baby’s face.

The danger of smoke doesn’t end when your baby is born. Being around smoke can also put your newborn baby at risk.

When exposed to secondhand smoke, babies have an increased risk of dying from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). As they grow, your child is at an increased risk of developing asthma, respiratory problems, ear infections, pneumonia, and bronchitis.

Because the babies of smokers tend to be premature and have low birth weights, they are also at an increased risk of serious lifelong health problems, such as mental retardation, learning problems, and cerebral palsy.  These babies are also more likely to have birth defects, including congenital heart defects.

The more you smoke during pregnancy, the more harm it will do to your baby. It is very important to try to quit smoking. Even if you can’t kick the habit completely, try to limit your daily cigarette intake.

Make an appointment to talk to your doctor or healthcare provider about your desire to quit smoking. They can refer you to a smoking cessation program and offer other ways to help you quit.

Remember to surround yourself in a positive environment. You are more likely to succeed if you have the support of friends and family who understand the harmful effects of smoking.

In general the diet for a healthy father-to-be should be every bit as balanced, varied, and nutritious as the diet for mother-to-be.

A balanced diet is extremely important. Research shows that poor eating habits and drinking alcohol regularly, for instance, can lower the quality and quantity of *****. Infertility is as much a man’s problem as it is a woman’s. It is reported that approximately 30 – 40% of infertility can be attributed to men. Nutrition could have a direct impact on the potency of *****. Following a healthy diet could boost your chances of conceiving a child.

Specifically, future dads should eat plenty of foods rich in vitamin C, get more zinc and increase intake of calcium, vitamin D, vitamin E and L-arginine.

There are many contributors towards the improvement of male fertility (some work more effectively in combination with others):

Promoters of fertility (in alphabetical order)

Calcium – is a key regulator of ***** function. It improves the vitality and longevity of *****.

Sources: low fat milk, yoghurt, cheese, hummus, broccoli, spinach, salmon, sunflower seeds, almonds, sesame seeds.

Chromium – is an essential trace mineral involved with blood-sugar regulation and the hormone insulin. Severe chromium deficiency may interfere with normal growth and decreased fertility.

Sources: raw onions, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, honey, brewers yeast, oysters, liver.

Coenzyme Q10 – is a nutrient mainly used by the body in the production of energy but it has been linked to increases in ***** count and motility.

Sources: beef, soy, mackerel, sardines, spinach, peanuts, vegetable oil.

Essential Fatty Acid’s – EFA’s have a critical effect on every part of the body, both of the important families omega-3 and omega-6 are components of nerve cells and cellular membrane throughout the body. They act as hormone regulators. ***** tails contain high concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids particularly DHA. ***** is rich in prostaglandin’s, which are produced from fatty acids. Diet alone sometimes cannot offer sufficient intake of essential fatty acids; supplementation of fish oils can help to restore depleted levels of omega-3 levels.

Sources: linseed oil, flaxseed oil, hemp oil, starflower oil, evening primrose oil, herring, salmon, mackerel, sardines.

Folic Acid (also known as folate) – is a form of water-soluble B vitamins. Studies have shown those most deficient in folic acid could have lower quality and lower density of *****. Folic acid is said to work more effectively in combination with zinc.

Sources: grains, wheat germ, spinach, liver, eggs, romaine lettuce, lentils, fortified cereals.

L-arginine – is an amino acid found in the head of sperm, it is essential in ***** formation; it increases ***** count and quality, and also, improves sexual desire and ejaculation.

Sources: in the food chain arginine is found in chicken, turkey and other meats.

L-carnitine – is an amino acid that is essential for normal functioning of ***** cells. Higher levels of L-carnitine equals higher levels of ***** count and motility.

Sources: mutton, lamb, beef, pork, rabbit, chicken, cow’s milk.

Niacin (also known as vitamin B3) – is critical to energy production. It causes a large release of histamine all over the body it aids proper circulation for long lasting *********.

Sources: liver, peanuts, chicken, tuna, salmon, peanut butter.

Selenium – is an anti-oxidant that protects against ***** damage, maximises ***** formation and can reduce mobility. Low levels of selenium have been found in men with low ***** count. It works synergistically with vitamin E.

Sources: brazil nuts, tuna, beef, cod, turkey, noodles, egg, rice.

Vitamin B12 – is needed to maintain fertility, it improves low ***** count and ***** motility.

Sources: meat, dairy products, eggs, yeast.

Vitamin C – reduces the risk of ***** damage protecting them from oxidant damage. It stops ***** from clumping together making them more motile (clumping reduces fertility).

Sources: cereals, apple juice, grapefruit, orange, strawberries, asparagus, red cabbage, peppers, new potatoes, peas.

Vitamin D – may help to improve fertility because it assists in the absorption of calcium from the food that you eat.

Sources: low fat milk, salmon, mackerel, cod liver oil, tuna, sardines, eggs, cereals.

Vitamin E – increases fertility. The anti-oxidant properties are said to make ***** more fertile – by protecting from damage and increasing quality. It corrects the functioning of the endocrine glands that produce hormones, which influence growth, development and metabolic activity. Vitamin E is more effective when taken with another key anti-oxidant – Vitamin C.

Sources: wheat germ, almonds, sunflower seeds / oil, safflower oil, hazelnuts.

Zinc – is involved in the health of reproductive organs and prostate glands and virtually every aspect of male reproduction. It is found in high concentration in the ***** and is needed to make the outer layer and the tail of the *****. Even short-term deficiencies can reduce ***** volume and testosterone levels. Zinc is said to work more effectively in combination with folic acid.

Sources: pumpkin seeds, baked beans, ***** peas, muesli, oysters, extra lean mince beef, dark chicken meat.

It is not always possible to obtain satisfactory levels of these substances from diet alone, taking supplements can sometimes be a good way of ensuring adequate levels are maintained but do not over-do this.

Inhibitors of fertility (in alphabetical order)

Alcohol – can cause a decrease in ***** count and testosterone levels and contributes towards the production of abnormal *****. It can also lead to lower proportions of motile *****. Alcohol also inhibits zinc one of the more important minerals for male fertility.

Cut out or cut back on alcohol. While an occasional drink is generally considered safe, studies show that daily consumption of wine, beer or spirits can be detrimental.

Caffeine – like alcohol it can prevent your body from receiving and absorbing nutrients leading to problems with ***** count, abnormalities and motility.

Drugs – recreational drugs such as marijuana and cocaine should be avoided. These can affect the brain chemistry responsible for releasing reproductive hormones. A father’s drug use can also cause birth defects.

It is also wise to check with your doctor about medicines as some of these can suppress ***** production and quality.

Radiation and chemicals – exposure to hazardous substances at work can also damage sperm, reduce ***** count and possibly cause genetic defects.

Smoking – decreases ***** count, makes ***** more sluggish and increases the number of abnormal *****. Smoking is also known to decrease vitamin C levels in our bodies.

Stress – even minimal stress can cause a man’s testosterone levels and ***** count to drop.

Recommendations for improving male fertility

Sperm is produced 24 hours a day, 7 days a week but it takes approximately 72-90 days (up to 3 months) to produce mature *****. It is should be recognised that any changes in lifestyle, diet etc. need time to have an effect.

The basic message is that you need to commit yourself to a few months of clean living and healthy eating which means plenty of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, lean meats – and a safer lifestyle, you will then be in good shape to father a child. It may be necessary to take some supplements to ensure that optimum levels of minerals, vitamins and fatty acids (link) are obtained. In some cases studies have shown that RDA levels need to be exceeded to restore imbalances.

Terms used:

Motile sperms – swim forward in an essentially straight line b
ut non-progressively motile sperms swim in a more abnormal path, such as tight circles. They are less likely to find the target!

Aggulation of sperms – relates to the ‘clumping’ of ***** (when ***** sticks together) it reduces fertility.

For more information on nutrition and pregnancy, visit: http://www.from-little-acorns.com/nutrition.html

 

Are you finding it difficult to become pregnant? If so you can do many simple things to improve your chances of conception, the way we live can have a big effect on the reproductive system of both men and women and most people prefer natural ways to increase fertility. You may both have to change your life-style to incorporate healthy influences, and eliminate things you enjoy that reduce your fertility.

Increasing or improving your fertility is something you can both do. You can make sure your weight is within the range that is helpful for conceiving. You can make sure you incorporate a regular gentle exercise programme into your daily life such as walking; cycling or swimming, being fit and active is beneficial for fertility. You can make sure you and your partner are eating healthily, and eliminate habits that may lower your chances of conceiving. 

Alcohol Reduction

Alcohol can put  pregnancy at risk. According to some studies, the risk of miscarriage appears to increase with moderate drinking during the first three months of pregnancy, particularly in the first weeks.

Reducing Stress

Stress can have a big effect on fertility. In women under stress, the reproductive hormone prolactin is over-produced and this can interfere with ovulation. The hypothalamus stops secreting gonadotrophin hormone, which in turn will affect the release of both the luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone. As these hormones stimulate ovulation – fertility is affected.

Self help for stress is regular exercise, deep breathing techniques, hypnotherapy and visualization – a combined approach can include the following:

 - Acupuncture

 - Nutrition

 - Hypnotherapy

Fertility is a whole-body event, not something that happens just in our reproductive organs – that is why a holistic approach often works well. There may be a need for more fertility awareness and lifestyle changes to improve the chances of starting the pregnancy, or there may be a need for nutritional supplements, relaxation and de-stressing techniques, acupuncture, and massage.

Nutritional Improvement

You should not overlook nutrition in fertility treatment – it is important to have a good level of nourishment that will allow your body to function well, and it is of course a very natural way to increase fertility! Bad eating habits can lower the reserves of nutrients that are necessary for reproductive hormone systems to work properly.

Your hormonal balance and fertility are affected by what you eat, your nutrient levels and how well your digestion works. If you are short of essential fatty acids, vitamin A, vitamin B6, zinc, magnesium, and antioxidants, then your hormone production may be blocked – resulting in an imbalance that makes conception less likely.

Acupuncture

Have you ever wondered about the treatment of infertility with traditional medicine and acupuncture? Good candidates for trying medical acupuncture are people who have unexplained infertility – acupuncture is effective for balancing the body’s energies and raising the receptiveness of the body for conception. Men and women with a physical problem, such as damaged fallopian tubes, or a low ***** count, would be encouraged to try acupuncture in addition to their medical treatment.

When skilfully applied, acupuncture is effective in correcting many of the imbalances that underlie the complex physical and hormonal disorders that lead to a reduction in fertility.

Smoking Cessation

Women who smoke are more likely to take longer to conceive, they have an increased risk of miscarriage, and lower oestrogen and progesterone levels. Men who smoke are likely to have decreased ***** density, less motile sperm, reduced testosterone, and an increase in abnormal *****. These risks for both men and women increase with the number of cigarettes smoked.

Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy is exceptionally beneficial and natural way to increase fertility. Hypnotherapists are already using Hypnotherapy to help women give birth peacefully, and teaching them that a normal birth should be a calm and natural process. Learning simple but specialised relaxation, and breathing, and other techniques, make  the whole birth easier and more comfortable.

With unexplained infertility, hypnotherapists teach you to let go of the stress you have been holding on to, using specialised relaxation, and breathing techniques. It teaches you to let go of any emotional blocks or worries you may have that can create infertility issues – Hypnotherapy can help you identify and process emotional issues that might be interfering with conception.

In addition to dealing with deep-seated fears, hypnotherapy is effective in stress reduction, and this in turn allows for hormonal rebalancing. This has been seen in cases where there is too much prolactin being produced which can inhibit ovulation. In a relaxed environment at a clinic, you can work together to bring about positive attitudes and beliefs.

You can give your unconscious mind free rein here and allow yourself to be creative, free, and prepared to follow your heart’s wishes.

So there you have it – a range of natural ways to increase fertility. Choose as many as befits your lifestyle and make things easier for yourself and your baby.

 

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Pregnancy is a period that most women wish to experience and cherish but there are certain pregnancy risks that could create complications. If you are planning on getting pregnant it will help if you observed certain precautions that can avert some of the pregnancy complications.

Pregnancy Risks : An Overview

All women would love to have a healthy pregnancy and it can help if they take necessary precautions from the pre pregnancy days itself.

There are several types of pregnancy risks such as the age and physical structure of a woman. Obese, short women have more chances of suffering from complications during pregnancy and childbirth. It is recommended that women consult their physician and consider taking up mild to moderate exercises to keep them healthy and fit.

It is also a risk if the women suffer from diseases and disorders such as heart, lung or kidney diseases, diabetes, hypertension, sexually transmitted diseases and epilepsy. Women who have disorders of the reproductive organs are also at risk. Some women may have problems during pregnancy such as placental pervia, multiple babies with complications (such as Siamese twins), ectopic pregnancy, Rh factor etc.

The chances of pregnancy risks are increased if the women have had previous pregnancies with complications. Couples who have had children with birth defects, genetic disorders etc. have to consult their physician and opt for genetic counseling before they consider having a baby.

Women who are under the age of 15 and above 35 are more at risk too. Younger mothers are more prone to be associated with pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, under weight babies and pre term babies. Older mothers (above 40 years) have the risk of suffering from health complications such as hypertension, gestational diabetes and they also have a higher risk of giving birth to babies that suffer from genetic disorders and birth defects.

Women need to take proper care and nourishment before, during and after their pregnancy. Proper, well balanced diet that includes generous helpings of fresh fruits and vegetables is necessary. It is also vital to include supplements of vitamins, calcium and folic acid in order to ensure a healthy and risk free pregnancy.

Other factors that could pose as pregnancy risks include exposure to toxins, radiations, heavy metals and chemicals. It is recommended that smoking, drinking alcohol and drugs be avoided from the pre pregnancy days itself.

The mental health of a woman is also a very important factor. It will be much better if the woman is happy, healthy and has a positive frame of mind. Stress, tension and worrying may not only be pregnancy risk factors, but may also be the causative factors of unnecessary complications. It is recommended that women who are planning to have a baby read as much as they can about pregnancy and childbirth. This will help them identify any potential pregnancy risks and help them to learn how they can be avoided if possible.

Several couples find themselves seeking infertility treatments because they have not been able to conceive within a reasonable amount of time on their own, generally considered to be a year or more of unprotected ***. Infertility treatments have become more progressive over past years, and have resulted in successful outcomes for couples whose desire is to have children. At times it may take more than one attempt in several cases, which in turn can run into tens of thousands of dollars for some couples, if insurance coverage is not available. Few states across the country require health insurance carriers to cover infertility treatments, thus leaving couples who wish to have a baby having to bear the entire expense. For such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) or gamete intra-fallopian transfer (GIFT), this could be as much as $8-10,000 each attempt. Several couples even take out second mortgages on their homes to afford the funds to pay for infertility treatments.

As soon as couples first decide to consult a professional for infertility treatment, there are many questions that they want answers to right away; as in the first answer they want to know is who has the problem. These concerns generally can be dealt with quite easily with a few simple tests. For instance women may just have a hormone imbalance that affects her chances of getting pregnant, which can easily be checked and treated. As for the male partner the first thing that can be checked is the ***** assay, to make sure that enough are being produced. In case the ***** count is low the chances of the ***** penetrating the egg is decreased. Both partners may require further evaluation if nothing is found with the initial testing, at which time the couple will probably be referred to an infertility specialist. Treatment for infertility does not have to involve complex technical procedures, and in a lot of cases can be resolved with hormone treatments and/or surgery.

If couples do ensue with more extensive infertility treatment, they should take the time to research the infertility clinic, the reproductive endocrinologists on staff, that clinic’s success rates for various procedures and how much they cost, what insurance plans they accept, and what services are included and not included for the quoted cost. Generally infertility treatments are based on the couple completion of one cycle from beginning to end, but obviously can vary depending on each individual case. A lot of couples find success with infertility treatments, and though results are not always guaranteed, it is an alternative that is available. N o matter what it takes and at any cost, infertility treatments are the answer to many couples’ dreams, to have a child of their own.

Most couples are very surprised when they discover that they may be infertile. This can be an emotional blow to a family. The couple dealing with infertility can really be in for a roller coaster ride of draining emotional experiences. Seeing someone you love go through something so complicated can be hard for family and friends as well. You may feel very sad and helpless when talking with the couple. You may feel like you should offer advice.

Keep in mind that you are not an infertility specialist and you have no way of knowing what infertility treatment may be best for the ones you love. Be careful about finding a lot of information online and offering it up as a solution to all of their problems. Many couples experiencing infertility are very deeply affected by their problem and may react irrationally to suggestions from family and friends. Dealing with infertility is a very personal journey that couples must go through together.

Remember that the couple is probably having trouble dealing with their infertility. Men and women react differently to infertility and some may consider their partner’s reaction to be the wrong one. This can really cause the couple to be in an uphill battle with each other. You offering up solutions is not going to solve all of their problems. You may only be giving them more to deal with. This can severely impact relationships, so you should proceed carefully when offering support and advice.

Do not get discouraged, there are ways that you can offer support without causing more harm than good. You can still be a pillar for the couple to lean on. You can be supportive without intruding on personal matters. Let the couple come to you with information rather than constantly prying for the scoop. Let them know that you are here if they need you, but you understand that this can be a very personal matter. Be there when they want to talk. Don’t discount their fears because they can be very real. Being afraid and talking about it to a third party can be very therapeutic for a couple. Offer perspective whenever possible, but don’t pretend to completely understand, as every situation is different.

One thing to remember is that the couple you care about is feeling very much out of control in a lot of ways. You can offer constructive support by giving them control whenever possible. Asking how you can help and putting them in control of dictating your role can help them feel supported without giving them the impression that they need to be saved. If they would like for you to stay out of it, then stay out of it. Let them know that you respect that decision and that you will be there for them if they need you. Support the decisions that they make as far as treatments are concerned. Wish them well, but try not to speculate on whether certain treatments will work. Offer as much support as needed without going overboard and you will be a great asset to the struggling couple.

Patients of Dr. Eric Daiter have often offered kind words about the way that he handles their very personal infertility situations. If you are searching for a specialist to deal with the infertility treatment of the ones you love, you may want to take personal testimonials like the one below into consideration.

Let me share some examples of the kind of attention Dr. Eric Daiter’s patients receive. While his main office is in Edison NJ, he maintains a satellite office in Ocean Township NJ. The Ocean Township office is closer to my home. However, given the nature of his practice, timing is everything. Ovulation did not always occur when he had office hours in Ocean Township. Dr. Eric Daiter, therefore, arranged to see me in his Ocean Township office, outside his normal hours, to accommodate my schedule or that of my husband. He did this on several occasions.

I have had the occasion to call Dr. Eric Daiter’s office with questions and concerns. His office staff has always been kind and courteous. Surely, this is a positive reflection on their employer. Further, if he was not available to take my call immediately, he never failed to promptly return calls, even on Saturdays. Additionally, he always spent as much time as necessary explaining things and answering questions. Neither my husband nor I ever had the impression that he was in a hurry or a rush to move on to the next patient.

Millions of women suffer from infertility for a variety of  reasons. Some infertility causes can be fairly simple to identify and dealt without any major life changes. Other infertility causes may be more difficult to treat and a person may need surgical intervention or prescription drugs.

Click Here to discover the “Secrets” to Getting Pregnant and making it Easier to Conceive!

The severity of infertility may differ in each person, and not every treatment will work for every person. A very common infertility cause is too much stress. This can affect a male or female. Excessive stress can throw off a woman’s menstrual cycle, making it more difficult to get pregnant. A man under an extreme amount of stress may have lower ***** counts than usual.

Another cause of infertility could be an undiagnosed STD. If you are having problems getting pregnant, you should undergo a full physical to try and figure out what may be happening. An untreated STD can cause a woman to become sterile.

Being overweight or underweight can affect your ability to become pregnant. A healthy weight will allow your menstrual cycle to become regular, and increase your chances of pregnancy. Severe dieting is not healthy, and will decrease your fertility as well. Excessive exercising can lead to infertility. These are things that can be fixed with some lifestyle changes.

Any thyroid problems can cause infertility in a woman. A number of diseases also interfere with fertility, including diabetes, endometriosis, or pelvic inflammatory disease. Your doctor will be able to identify any of these problems after a physical.

Excessive smoking or drinking can be another cause of your infertility. When attempting to become pregnant, it is best to quit drinking and smoking. Talk with your doctor if you need help in stopping either of these habits.

Click Here to discover the “Secrets” to Getting Pregnant and making it Easier to Conceive!