For some couples, Mother's Day is a time of sadness and stress. This is especially true for couples who are struggling with infertility. If your wife is dealing with infertility, here are a few ways that you can help her feel special on Mother's Day.
First, try to be understanding and sensitive to her feelings. Make space for the two of you to have some uninterrupted conversation time. Don't make assumptions about how she's feeling about the day. Listen and be willing to share how you feel too.
Second, giver her space if she needs it. Don't obligate her to attend a Mother’s Day brunch or any other activities if she's not feeling up to it. If you need to, choose to celebrate with your own mother on another day or from afar. Which leads me too number three…
Third, take care of any tasks or errands or housework that she may need help with. This should include any meals or childcare (if you are experiencing secondary infertility) that she would normally be involved in. Make sure that you are taking care of her too (meals, water etc. if she is having a hard time coping)
If your able and she's up to it, plan a special day for the two of you to experience something new that’s on your bucket list or take that day trip you've been talking about.
If you’ve experienced a miscarriage, together consider gifting her a piece of birthstone jewelry or other keepsake as a remembrance of the child you lost. You can also check out my infertility gift guide HERE.
Finally, express your love and support for her in whatever way you feel comfortable doing. By being supportive and understanding, you can help make Mother's Day a little bit easier for your wife and help her through this challenging time.
I hope that at least one of these tips resonates with you and that you’ll be able to use it in your own life. If not, please share in the comments what has worked for you when trying to support your wife through infertility.
Thank you for being there for her—she will appreciate it more than you know.
Deciding when to seek a second or third opinion in your healthcare journey, especially in the realm of fertility, is a crucial step many individuals face yet often hesitate to take. This hesitation might stem from fear of offending the current healthcare provider, but the truth is, your health and understanding of the treatment process are paramount. A good relationship with your doctor involves open dialogue and a willingness to collaborate and explain procedures and options, empowering you as the primary authority over your body.
When undergoing fertility treatments such as IUI or IVF, it's a red flag if a doctor only recommends further testing after a failed attempt, rather than conducting comprehensive assessments upfront to avoid the financial and emotional toll of unsuccessful treatments. Equally concerning is a refusal to adjust treatment protocols after a procedure does not yield the desired outcome. These practices underscore the importance of seeking a second opinion to explore all available avenues for a successful fertility journey.
Choosing a fertility specialist based on convenience or a friend's recommendation without further investigation may not meet your unique medical needs. It's vital to conduct your own research to find a doctor who's not only knowledgeable but also aligns with your values and is committed to providing personalized care. Reflecting on the collective experiences of women who have navigated the complexities of infertility, it becomes clear that proactively seeking second opinions can significantly impact the duration and success of your fertility journey.
Read more...
The journey to conceive can be fraught with unexpected challenges, as highlighted by the painful experiences of individuals who suffered due to unperformed medical tests. These stories reveal how a lack of specific diagnostic tests before starting treatment can lead to repeated failed procedures, unnecessary heartache, and significant financial burden. Advocacy for oneself in the healthcare system is crucial to ensure access to the best possible care and to avoid missed opportunities for prevention and treatment.
For example, a simple test for a condition that often presents infertility as its only symptom could have prevented years of unsuccessful fertility treatments and heartbreaking miscarriages for one couple. Another scenario details the frustration and deepened anger of learning about a fundamental genetic test only after numerous failed interventions. Such oversights underscore the importance of comprehensive initial testing to avoid preventable losses and emotional trauma.
The blog post emphasizes the need for patients to be proactive in their healthcare journey, especially when it comes to fertility issues. Recommending tests for conditions like balanced translocation disorder, extended thyroid panels, and natural killer cells, the post urges individuals to seek these out as part of their pre-treatment assessments to safeguard their investments in IVF and enhance their chances of a successful pregnancy. Through these narratives, the post advocates for informed self-advocacy in navigating the often complex process of fertility treatment.
Read more...
Imagine that you're 18 years old and 100lbs and your belly is so bloated people ask you if you're pregnant on a regular basis.
Imagine every month bracing for pain that is so intense that it causes you to vomit or leaves you bed ridden.
Women often describe endometriosis as feeling like barbed wire is being wrapped around their reproductive parts and pulled tight. Yes. It’s THAT painful. That was me for 15 years. Except I couldn’t and didn’t stay home. I TOOK a ton of NSAIDS and Tylenol by the handful to cope.
I just didn’t know what else to do, AND I thought it was “normal” to have period pain. It took me -15 years to understand what I was dealing with and get diagnosed. By then it was stage 4 endometriosis. This is what I wish I knew...
1) Stop covering up symptoms with over the counter medicine. Pain relievers and NSAIDs affects your liver and kidney function which affects your hormones
2) Don’t wait for your doctor to diagnose you. Ask your doctor for the new blood test (not always accurate but indicative). Doctors are Literally NOT allowed to diagnose without surgery. This tripped me up for years because I didn’t want to further hurt my fertility chances with scar tissue when “I wasn’t sure” I had endometriosis.
3) Schedule your surgery. Don’t wait to get a laparoscopy to diagnose endometriosis. If you are having period pain so intense that it's keeping you from performing daily functions it’s likely endometriosis or uterine fibroids.
4) Be real with yourself about how your diet is contributing to your potential endo. Endometriosis IS affected by what you eat. Focus on reducing your exposure to proteins that contain hormones (go organic if possible) and eat a diet low in inflammatory foods. Limit the amount of unprocessed foods you eat. There are tons of great resources for endo diets. Find one and try it. Today.
5) In addition to changes to your diet add anti-inflammatory supplements to your routine. Turmeric, dark fruit juices such as tart cherry, pomegranate or wolfberry/goji berry juices help with inflammation as do bio-flavonoids from citrus fruits.
I learned about this whole process is no one knows your body better than you do and the infertility journey is full of what if’s and risks. Overall health is the goal and pregnancy is the outcome. If you are determined to get to the bottom of your infertility diagnosis here's another checklist that I put together to help you on your path of infertility.
We all know that the average age of a first time mom is increasing but what if that’s you? What can you do to prepare your body for pregnancy if your TTC after 35? Despite what friends and even your doctor may tell you, don't take a wait and see approach to your fertility after 35. While it’s true that more women than ever are getting pregnant after 35, it’s also true that more women (and men) than ever are experiencing infertility. While you don’t have to rush to see a fertility doctor you should start to actively establish what your fertility health is NOW and work on things in your control to improve it.
Establish if you’re reproductive system is healthy by getting basic physical and blood panel done, a hormone panel and an extended thyroid panel which includes
Preparing your body for pregnancy after the age of 35 requires a proactive approach, rather than a passive 'wait and see' attitude towards fertility. Key steps include undergoing comprehensive health checks to establish a baseline of your reproductive system's status, including a variety of physical exams, hormone panels, and thyroid tests. Such foundational health assessments are often covered by insurance and can be crucial in navigating any potential fertility issues that may arise later.
It's also critical to assess and adjust lifestyle habits and dietary choices, as these significantly impact fertility. Maintaining a healthy weight, prioritizing whole foods over processed ones, and ensuring adequate hydration can dramatically influence hormonal balance and overall reproductive health. Simple yet impactful lifestyle modifications, embraced by both partners, can enhance fertility prospects substantially.
Incorporating high-quality, whole food supplements into your regimen is crucial for supporting fertility. Opt for supplements that contain bioavailable forms of essential nutrients, such as refrigerated probiotics with diverse strains, whole food prenatal vitamins with natural folate, and a comprehensive magnesium complex. Choosing the right supplements can bolster your reproductive health, ease digestion, improve sleep, and address common deficiencies, thereby setting a strong foundation for a successful pregnancy.
Read more...
