Archive for the ‘Fertility & Pregnancy’ Category

 I came across this great information in

The Irish Parent Magazine and thought I’d share the links suggested.

 

If you are over 40 and looking to conceive there are some great websites and forums out there that can support, advise and help you. 

 

 

Mothers over 40

An inspirational, encouraging and positive resource, offering possibility, hope, reassurance and comfort to midlife parents. www.mothersover40.com

Online support community for those looking to conceive who are 40 and over along with parenting advice.

Flower power mom – the truth about motherhood after 40. A great support site for all women on the journey of motherhood, from fertility, conception, pregnancy, birth and parenting. www.flowerpowermom.com

In season Mom – Great tips for first time mothers over 35 and considering motherhood.  www.inseasonmom.org

Stories of pregnancy and birth over 44 – a source of stories and experiences from women    http://www.pregnancyover44.com/

Mothers 35 Plus – forum and information feed www.mothers35plus.co.uk

A special thanks to Irish Parent Magazine for gathering this information from the Achieve Fertility team in Dublin. www.achievefertility.ie

Meet the The Achieve Fertility Team

Aisling Killoran 

Our Hypnotherapist and Psychotherapist specailising in all aspects of emotional turmoil for conception and pregnancy.

Dr. Ros Drake 

Our chiropractor, Ros corrects distortions in the parts of the body where the reproductive organs are located which may lead to improved homeostasis and physiological adaptation thus allowing the body to express a greater level of health as an outcome and in doing so can sometimes lead to fertility.

Dave Shipsey 

Our acupuncturist, with a large part of his practice centred on women’s health, specifically menstrual problems, menopausal conditions and fertility difficulties.  Depending on their needs and preferences, the therapies used include various forms of acupuncture, massage and patent Chinese herbs.

Anna Savino 

Is Our registered General and Paediatric nurse with international experience accumulated over the past 33 years.  She is a family planning nurse with particular interests in the area of sub-fertility and women’s health care.  Anna will support you in investigating the reasons for your infertility and give you information on all options of fertility treatments available.

Niamh O’ Brien  

Has a background in Naturopathic Medicine and specialise in Acupuncture and added Dielectric Resonance therapy to her field of therapies in order to provide maximum healing benefits to clients with success in fertility.

Louise Smyth

Our Nutritionist  specialises in the area of weight loss and Metabolic Balance. and provides a full IGg food intolerance test with nutrition advice. for conception along with Foresight pre-conceptual care.

 

 

Fertility coping skills tool kit!

 

There are many ways to relax in preparation for before, during and after medical interventions and assistance. 

 

Mini – 5 minute relaxations

The following will help you to induce a feeling of relaxation in your body and mind.

 

Breathe in slowly and gently through your nose for the count of seven.

Pause for a moment………

Exhaling out through your mouth for the count of 11.

Continue to focus on the counting as you breathe.

Repeat this until you feel calm and relaxed.

 

Longer Relaxation – 10 minutes   After you read what’s below!

 

Close your eyes and follow your breath as you count slowly down from 10 to 1

 

Then scan your body, from the top of your head, down to the tips of your toes noticing any parts of your body where you are holding on to any tension giving that tension a colour.

 

Then give a color to the fresh air around your body and breathe in this relaxing color deep into your body and use your in breath to breath out the color of tension away from your body.

 

Breath by breath, your whole body is being filled with that beautiful colour of relaxation

 

To come back to full awareness count yourself up from 1 to 10 feeling refreshed and alert.

 

*If you practice at night while in bed it will turn into natural sleep Within a short amount of time and you will find that you do become more proficient in going deeper in relaxation each time.

 

Self Nurturing

Take yourself out to lunch after appointments

Treat yourself to something nice after a blood test

Take a walk in nature after an ultra sound

If rushing back to work after an appointment – listen to your favorite music on the way.

 

Positive Thinking

If you are like most women, we tend to hear the negative feedback from the medical profession and forget the positive things we are told.

It is good to tell your self daily:

I choose to be optimistic.

I am ready to conceive easily.

My eggs are strong

My egg movement is normal.

My body fluids are normal.

My body joins in creating a healthy, normal pregnancy.

 

Hypnosis

A hypnosis session before or after your medical appointment can do wonders to help you relax and give you a feeling of control and connection with your mind and body.

 

It is important to take some time each day to empty your mind, slow down your body and your thoughts and elicit the relaxation response, you’ll improve your emotional clarity and eliminate some of the mental clutter that can interfere when you on a day to day basis.

 

We use mind / body techniques to release stress before, during and after medical procedures. Please call us to arrange a personalised Session.

 

Audio recordings will support you in relaxing during IVF,IUI,ICSI, procedures.

 

Maximise your fertility by visiting our e-shop and downloading recordings preparing you for Pregnancy that are especially designed to work in harmony with your cycle.

1 in 5 men have poor quality or low sperm count and the following tips, guide you on how to get pregnant, by protecting sperm from deterioting!

Tips provided by the Irish Independent

AGE

It was once thought that men remained equally fertile throughout their lives. But scientists now believe that the quality and quantity of sperm falls slowly as men get older, with male fertility declining steadily after the age of 50. Whether the age of the father is linked to problems such as learning difficulties in the child is uncertain.

Bottom line: Don’t leave it too late

ALCOHOL

Alcohol affects the body’s ability to absorb zinc, a nutrient vital for healthy sperm. But research suggests that moderate drinking (two to four units a day, a unit being equivalent to about half a pint of standard-strength lager) has no harmful effects on sperm quantity or quality. “As many studies say there is a problem with alcohol as say there is not,” says Dr Allan Pacey, senior lecturer in andrology at Sheffield University. That said, heavy drinking can certainly reduce sperm counts.

Bottom line: Moderation is the key

ANTIOXIDANTS

Fertility problems in men may be caused by “oxidative stress” – the effects of highly reactive molecules in the body that can cause cell damage. Oxidative stress is linked to lifestyle factors such as obesity, alcohol, diet, pollutants and smoking. Studies have shown that men with fertility problems who take antioxidant supplements (vitamin E, vitamin C, folic acid) as well as zinc and fish oils increase the chance of conceiving.

Bottom line: If you have been trying unsuccessfully to conceive for more than a year, consider dietary supplements

CONTRACEPTIVE PILL

In 2009, the Vatican published a report claiming that male infertility had increased because of synthetic female hormones from the Pill. It argued that female hormones released into the sewage system find their way into the water supply. The report was viewed with scepticism by many scientists, who pointed out that the body’s digestive system breaks down oestrogen, so it is unlikely to be released into the environment.

Bottom line: Case unproven

DIET

A healthy diet will help maintain healthy sperm, but there is little evidence that veganism, vegetarianism or protein-rich diets have any dramatic effect. There is certainly no truth in the claim that meat eaters are more virile. “India has more than a billion people, 70 per cent of whom are vegetarian,” says Dr Siladitya Bhattacharya, Professor of Reproductive Medicine at Aberdeen University. Chemicals called phytoestrogens, which are found in foods including soy, coffee and beer, have been linked to lower sperm counts, but the link is not proven. In south-east Asia, where soy is a staple, there is no evidence of declining fertility.

Bottom line: Eat sensibly and ignore the fads

EXERCISE

Physically fit men tend to have healthier sperm, but excessive exercise (especially in combination with the use of illicit bodybuilding steroids and other drugs) can decrease testosterone production and lower sperm counts. Exercise can help control weight and flood the body with stress-busting hormones.

Bottom line: Exercise regularly but don’t overdo it, and stay off the steroids

FREQUENT SEX

More sex means the number of sperm in any given ejaculation declines. Intercourse every two or three days is thought to be the optimum for couples wishing to conceive. Having sex every day will probably decrease the chances of conception.

Bottom line: Go for quality over quantity

‘GENDER-BENDERS’

Chemicals present in plastic packaging, detergents and shampoos, paints, glues, coatings and construction materials are known to mimic the effects of female hormones such as oestrogen. Many environmentalists believe that when these substances find their way into the water supply, they may subsequently affect sperm. There is probably some truth in this, but the link is not clear. While some shellfish have changed sex as a result of “gender-benders” in seawater, adult human males are more robust. But it is possible that oestrogen-mimics may have an effect on the developing foetus, in turn affecting fertility later in life.

Bottom line: A potential concern, but not a lot you can do about it

HEAT

There is good evidence that keeping the testicles warm will reduce sperm counts. “Don’t wear tight underpants,” says Dr Pacey. Resting a laptop on the lap really can impair a man’s ability to conceive – not due to the transmission of Wi-Fi signals, but because of the heat generated by portable computers. The negative effects of cycling on male fertility that are found in some studies are probably related to the warmth generated in the crotch area. A decent saddle and padded cycle shorts will help.

Bottom line: Keep it cool

INFECTION

Untreated sexually transmitted infections are one of the main causes of male infertility. Men who are exposed to the infection chlamydia, which is symptomless in males, can have problems in the testicular vesicles, where sperm is stored. Gonorrhoea, too, can affect male fertility. Mumps can sometimes lead to permanent damage to the testicles or even lead to male sterility.

Bottom line: Use a condom and consider getting tested for chlamydia. Ensure you have been vaccinated against mumps, and that your children have their MMR vaccinations

MOBILE PHONES, WASHING MACHINES, WI-FI SIGNALS

Numerous electronic devices, including TVs, washing machines and Wi-Fi devices, emit low-energy, non-ionising radiation, and hundreds of studies have looked at possible links between them and male fertility problems. To date, the evidence for any effect is lacking. “If you take sperm and irradiate them in a dish [as was done in the recent Argentinian study of Wi-Fi], you see changes, but that is so far from what happens in the real world, and I see no evidence that it affects fertility,” says Dr Pacey. Mobile phones have been linked to lower sperm counts in some studies, but many scientists remain sceptical.

Bottom line: Probably no cause for concern

PESTICIDES AND OTHER POLLUTANTS

A host of chemicals, from solvents to pesticides, have been linked to male fertility problems, but hard evidence is limited. Some studies have shown that regular exposure to pesticides can affect sperm quality and quantity, with agricultural workers having more fertility problems. Dr Pacey says men who work in construction may be at risk from glycol ether, a solvent found in some paints, adhesives and coatings, which has been found to double the risk of fertility problems. There is no evidence that routine DIY is a risk.

Bottom line: Men working with chemicals need to be aware of the risks involved and wear appropriate protective clothing

RADIATION

Low-level ionising radiation is found in the natural environment and is harmless. But higher levels produced by materials such as uranium and plutonium, cosmic rays from space, X-rays, and medical techniques such as radiotherapy may damage the genetic material in cells and theoretically pose a risk to male fertility. There is little evidence that frequent air travel or proximity to a nuclear power station has any effect on sperm.

Bottom line: Probably not a worry. If your job means you are at risk from radiation, training and protection should be provided

RECREATIONAL DRUGS

Some studies suggest that the regular consumption of drugs such as cannabis and cocaine can impair male fertility. Cannabis seems to have a dramatic effect on sperm, making them swim too fast and “burn out” before they reach the egg. Prescribed drugs can also adversely affect fertility, so anyone who is taking medication and wishing to conceive should talk to their doctor.

Bottom line: Stay clean

SMOKING

Men who smoke heavily – between one or two packs per day – are more likely to have abnormal sperm, but the effect on fertility is unclear. “The effects of smoking are controversial, but there are irrefutable effects on sperm quality,” says Dr Pacey. There is some evidence, he adds, that children whose fathers were heavy smokers may be more susceptible to leukaemia.

Bottom line: Don’t smoke

STRESS

Stress can cause hormone changes that may affect fertility, but it is far from proven. “I don’t know of any studies showing that stress is directly linked to sperm production,” says Dr Bhattacharya. Stress may affect how regularly you have sex.

Bottom line: Try not to worry

WEIGHT PROBLEMS

Being overweight or obese has been linked in some studies to poor sperm quality – but so has being underweight. Scientists think this happens because oestrogen, usually present at low levels in men, may be released from fat cells and affect male fertility. Low bodyweight may result from chronic disease or poor diet, which could both affect fertility.

Bottom line: Watch your weight

I watched TV3 where they had an expert on in Fertility related to IVF and beyond.

Its fantastic to hear all the new developments that are coming to Ireland through “The Beacon Care Fertility” www.carefertility.com

They are one of the world’s leading providers of fertility treatment, genetic diagnosis and screening techniques and associated fertility preservation procedures. At the forefront of IVF science, CARE’s Embryologists and Clinicians are able to offer you today’s most advanced and effective procedures, some of which were developed through their own research. to read more on this visit

You will find lots of informative information on Fertility treatments, Genetics Programme, Donation programme, Fertility preservation and more….

At Accomplish Change Clinic – Aisling Killoran deals with the emotional aspects of fertility, from Natural conception through to IVF along with preparing couples for Donor IVF and also helps same sex couples and couples to prepare emotionally for conception, pregnancy and birth. contact Aisling on 087 1352122 for more information.

Iron deficiency is very common during pregnancy, a time where iron requirements almost triple for the female body. It’s estimated that every year 35 per cent of pregnant women become iron deficient in their first trimester and 85 per cent will have become iron deficient by their third trimester.

The healthy development of the baby is dependent on iron, hence many women are advised by their midwife to supplement their diet with iron during pregnancy. However, not all iron supplements are the same. Unpleasant side effects such as constipation and nausea often cause women to stop taking their tablets.

Personally, I recommend Spatone, a 100 per cent natural iron-rich mineral water from the mountains of Snowdonia, which has been scientifically shown to help prevent iron deficiency during pregnancy whilst causing fewer of the side effects often experienced with iron supplementation.

This is due to the fact that Spatone provides a low dose of iron with a high absorption rate, thus providing you
and your developing baby with all the iron you need whilst being extra gentle on the stomach.

Source: Naturally good health winter 2011

Maggie Evans of naturally good health advises: