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Easy Steps to Conquering Infertility Anyone Can Do!

admin — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 15:18:52 +0000

By Denice Moffat

Did you know?

One of every five couples experience fertility problems

The average cost of one in-vitro fertilization cycle runs about $15,000

The number of infertile women in the United States aged 20-25 tripled in the last 30 years

Throughout the world, sperm counts have reduced by 50% in the last 50 years

One woman in five experiences a miscarriage

One couple in six cannot conceive naturally

Women can produce antibodies against the male sperm?

One birth in five is taken through cesarean section (this rate has quadrupled in the last 30 years)

Diseases linked to the father’s genes include leukemia, asthma and mental developmentPreconception healthcare involves making sure that there is an adequate supply of everything that is essential to the health of your egg and sperm and the baby’s development. This is accomplished by eliminating everything which has been shown to be harmful to that process. It’s as simple as that.

Your goals, prior to conception are to:
Use Condoms: The presence of immune-mediated antibodies in the female block the passage of the sperm. They are also responsible for miscarriages. So, when you are in the detox and pre-conception phases, it is important to use condoms as a barrier contraceptive to isolate the sperm. This way, the body won’t be exposed to them to cause an allergic reaction and the body can heal and regroup.

Minimize or Manage Stress: Where does stress reside in your body? It is different for everyone, but wherever it resides, it is affecting those body parts and the hormones they produce. For instance, if you hold stress in your gut, then the gut responds accordingly. Did you know that the gut produces more neurotransmitters than the brain? Stress affects fertility by increasing a hormone called cortisol.

Learn two natural methods that can greatly increase your chances of conception. These are the Mucous Method and the Temperature Method. The Mucous Method teaches you how to identify fertile and infertile mucous in the reproductive tract. Only fertile mucous accepts, nourishes and transports sperm. Taking the temperature of the body the same time each day will identify hormonal cycles and diseases that may affect fertility. Both are necessary for maximum conception success rates.

Minimize coffee consumption: We are a society of caffeine addicts. Coffee and caffeine are extremely toxic alkaloids. Coffee is a powerful contraceptive agent. Caffeine damages the DNA. Decaffeinated coffee is worse, as dry-cleaning chemicals are used to remove the caffeine from the beans.

Protect, educate and detoxify your body from all common toxins. Unexplained infertility largely results from environmental and dietary toxicity. Common causes of infertility include: heavy metal toxicity, chemicals from various sources, over-the-counter pain killers, “social” drugs such as alcohol, caffeine and nicotine, household chemicals, occupational exposure to chemicals, radiation damage, agricultural exposure to herbicides/ pesticides/ fungicides and fertilizers, hormones and estrogens in milk, dairy and meat products, sugar-induced hypothyroidism and insulin resistance, the use of raw soy products (soy milk and soy ice cream), petrochemical exposure, chlorine or fluorine exposure (showers, hot tubs, drinking water), certain sports (swimming, golf, cycling), plastics exposure (especially with heated plastic), microwave ovens, allergies, stress, emotions, gut flora imbalances, autoimmune diseases, hormone imbalances, food-borne organisms (Listeria and Toxoplasma), and more.

Normalize your weight if necessary. Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is greatly influenced by excess weight. Obesity increases the risk of miscarriage, birth defects, gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia and premature birth. In men, obesity increases heat in the testicles which need to be two degrees cooler than the core body temperature for the sperm to survive. Also, increased estrogen (from the extra fat stores) decreases testosterone production.

Stop using lubricants and products that are toxic to sperm: Pre-seed is the best lubricant to use for intercourse when trying to conceive, as it is sperm-friendly. KY Jelly kills sperm.

Test negative for all genitourinary infections. Genitourinary infections have been shown to be responsible for infertility, miscarriage and fetal growth problems. These include: Streptococcus B, Enterococcus, Herpes Type I and II, Anaerobic bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenza, Streptococcus millerii, E. coli, Klebsiella, Garnerella, Ureaplasma, Mycoplasma and Candida. Chlamydia infections tend to scar the fallopian tubes and are one of the most common organisms leading to female infertility.

Commit to and accomplish an adequate exercise program. Exercise increases circulation and brings essential nutrients and blood to the ovaries, testes and uterus.

Increase your alkaline reserves by eating lots of fresh, raw fruits/vegetables. Eat lots of raw fruits and raw vegetables. I would recommend 2-3 cups of each daily for the first month for the detoxification period, then 75% of that amount after that.

Add Wheat Germ Oil, wheat germ, or Wheat Germ Pearles to the diets of both the prospective mother and father. Wheat germ has lots of zinc and selenium in it and works on the body to dilate both the fallopian tubes and the seminiferous tubules. This makes the transport of both egg and sperm easier. It also helps to increase sperm counts, motility, healthy morphology and the number of effective, fertile sperm. Three capsules, ½ teaspoon oil, or two tablespoons wheat germ is the usual dose.

Eat two tablespoons of raw, hulled Pumpkin Seeds each day. Pumpkin seeds bind up harmful byproducts of testosterone breakdown in the male and act as a building block for a balanced hormone system in the female. If a little is good, a LOT is NOT better, so stick to only two tablespoons max. Most other disease processes need only one tablespoon per day.

The goal to conquering infertility is to identify those factors that are causing infertility in both the male and the female. By doing so, we can work on individual issues and minimize environmental factors that influence infertility.

There are over 100 herbs, supplements, and homeopathics used in the support of infertility issues. These should be evaluated and protocols tailor-made for each couple. I hope this article gets you moving in a healthy direction so that you can accomplish your baby goals.

These topics along with avoidance tips and the mucous and basal body temperature methods are discussed in more depth at: www.naturalhealthtechniques.com.

About The Author
Dr. Denice Moffat is a practicing naturopath, medical intuitive, and veterinarian working on the family unit (which includes humans and animals) through her phone consultation practice established in 1995. She has a content-rich website at http://www.NaturalHealthTechniques.com and a free monthly newsletter.

Great Moments You will want to Capture

admin — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 20:00:07 +0000

While it would be great if we could catalog every precious moment of the lives of our precious little ones that is not exactly a perfect solution for keepsaking those special memories. The truth of the matter is that capturing too many of this special time will often cheapen the spectacular moments that should be recorded as fond memories and for future potential blackmail. There are special events and tender moments that are important to capture and those that just seem special to you as a mother.

While there are no hard and fast rules to which events must absolutely be covered and since it is very impractical to have a camera within reach at all times there are a few moments that you will want to take great care in trying to catalog. Some of these special events for which you will want to be sure to snap plenty of baby pictures include some of the following.

First steps. While the probability of you actually getting the very first steps your baby takes on film your baby will have a few days of wobbly steps and a great sense of pride and accomplishment for you to capture this moment on film (or data cards as the case may be). This is an important moment for your baby and will be a bittersweet time for you as your child takes the first of many steps towards independence.
That first tooth. While we love our baby’s smiles there is something special about that one smile where one tooth is proudly displayed for the world to see. Your baby has labored hard and spent many nights in misery for this small trophy. You should record this moment and take comfort in the knowledge that your little one may have a day or two of peace and relative painlessness before the next tooth begins to work its way to the surface.
Raising her head. This is one of the first major accomplishments your baby will experience. When she begins to raise her head on her own she will begin for the first time to really see and desire to explore the world around her. A world beyond her mommy and daddy.
Siblings holding baby. There are few photos that are more precious than those of older siblings holding their baby brother or sister for the very first time. These are the photos you will want to grace the cover of your baby photo album and send out in your birth announcements for many reasons. First, it eases big brother/sister anxiety and lets them know that they are still important. Second, it gives the baby a reference to those times that he or she will not remember in the future. Finally, this is a huge bonding experience and a tender moment for siblings, who wouldn’t want to record this special moment?

You will find plenty more opportunities to take excellent baby pictures throughout the life of your precious little one. Don’t sweat the details so much that you forget to record a photo of baby with daddy (or several) and mommy in the process. The memories behind the photos will prove far more precious in time than the photos themselves so be sure to capture some special moments to recollect later.

Signing Steps to Success with Baby Sign Language

admin — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 17:16:22 +0000

By Jackie Durnin

1. Stay simple and start slowly.
When you introduce signing to your baby, gradually introduce the signs one at a time. It is recommended to begin with approximately five words and once your baby has begun to respond to those words, you can introduce more. Sign language can be a slow process depending on the age of your baby when you begin. A six-month-old who is introduced to signing may begin signing back to you anywhere from one month to six months later; it simply depends on each individual child.

2. Be patient.
Every parent has the ability to teach his or her baby sign language. A major downfall for some parents is their lack of patience. Signing is not something that will happen overnight, it is a relatively slow process depending on each individual baby. Do not be discouraged. Your baby is learning from you and will, when the time is right, let you know that they understand through signing. This learning process introduces invaluable interaction with your baby. Do not give up whatever you do. Be patient and reap the rewards of sign language.

3. Be consistent.
Once you have decided on your initial five words, be consistent in using them with your baby. For example, if you are using the sign ‘milk’ with your baby and introduce this sign when you are feeding your baby, be sure to continue to use it every time you feed your baby. If you only use this sign now and again, your baby is less likely to understand that this sign represents ‘milk’. They may think it is simply a game you are playing with them. The key here is to incorporate sign into your everyday life. Each time you use the word ‘milk’, develop an automatic reaction to sign and say the word out loud. Repetition is the key to success.

4. Sign on your baby’s level.
When you interact with your baby, it is important that you are on their level. Keep your facial expressions and signs within their field of vision. This ensures that your baby is seeing the correct way to sign the word. By signing at an angle to your baby, your baby’s view of your sign may be totally different to the one that you are attempting to create.

5. Use baby sign language in context.
When teaching baby sign language, it is important to relate the word to the current situation or feeling of the moment. There is no point in attempting to introduce your baby to a sign when that particular sign represents something that has happened in the past. For example, if you go for a walk with your baby and see a dog on your walk, there is no point on the following day, in signing the word ‘dog’ and saying “Remember the dog we saw yesterday in the park.” Australian Baby Hands recommends finding as many situations as possible, in the present time, to use the sign that you are attempting to teach. For instance, use the sign for ‘dog’ as you read a story about a dog, watch a dog on television or point at your family pet.

6. Always use the sign and the spoken word together.
Ensure that each time you sign a word; you accompany it with the spoken word. This enables your child to make the connection between the two more quickly.

7. Use motivating signs.
It is important when choosing your initial words that you use a combination of ‘practical’ words and ‘motivating’ words.

‘Practical’ words highlight words that will make you and your baby’s life easier once sign language is in use in your home. These words are more general words and include words such as eat, drink, change, pain, sleep etc.

It is important to balance these words with words that are motivating or interesting to your baby. ‘Motivating’ words may include words such as teddy bear, ball, play etc. These are specific things that your baby may have shown an interest in.

8. Teach family members and caregivers.
It is important to introduce the signs you are using with your baby to people who are in contact with your baby on a regular basis. This will ensure consistency. The more your baby sees the signs, the sooner your baby will begin to sign back. Childcare facilities are slowly beginning to introduce signing to their day care so be sure to continually update them on what signs you are using with your baby.

9. Use an appropriate facial expression with a sign.
This is especially important when teaching feelings or sensations to your child. Sign language is a very visual language and members of the deaf community use their face as part of the signing process. When expressing a feeling, allow your face to vividly illustrate the feeling. A feeling of happiness can be illustrated with a big smiling face while signing and saying the word. A feeling of fear can be illustrated with frowning eyebrows or a startled look. Some words do not require or do not have an obvious facial expression. To animate your face is initially a little strange for beginners to sign language. To practice, stand in front of a mirror and see if you would know from your facial expression what word you are trying to sign. Remember you are better to over-express than under-express your signs with your face.

10. Encourage your baby’s attempts.
When your baby begins to sign, they probably will not initially get the sign 100% correct. It is important though to praise them for their efforts and repeat the sign correctly back to them. When the child is showing you that they need something, give it to them, even if the sign is only approximately correct. They will begin to realise that it works!

11. Have fun!
Sign language is a beautiful visual language and not one to get stressed about. If you are stressed when signing, your baby will pick up on this. Signing should be fun for you and your baby. It should not feel like a chore but be a part of your everyday life. Relax, have fun and enjoy the benefits that this wonderful language can bring to you and your baby.

About the Author:
Jackie Durnin is the Author of “Australian Baby Hands”, the first book to use Auslan, Australian Sign Language to communicate with your baby. Australian Baby Hands is currently being implemented by parents and Childcare centres around NAustralia. For more details go to http://www.australianbabyhands.com where you can register for your “FREE” alphabet chart. For further information info@australianbabyhands.