31/10/2008 by admin.

Just read this interesting article in the Daily Mail.

In my last pregnancy I gained well over 40 lbs and the baby weighed just under 10 pounds-he looked like a mini sumo wrestler. Fortunatley he is now slim and so am I, but it took years of dieting for me to shift the post pregnancy weight. He just slimmed down naturally as we eat a fairly healthy diet when I am not pregnant and I breast fed!

Talking to my mum her last 2 babies were both big. Both of  them then were chubby as a children, and one has gone on to have a weight probelm as an adult.

 It has really made me think, as I have always seen pregnancy as an excuse to indulge myself foodwise. The whole’eating for two’ thing I found very appealling !

It never occurred to me until reading this article, that I could be setting my kids up for problems in later life by gaining too much weight during pregnancy.

Here is an extract from the article below:

Women who gain more than 40 pounds (18kg) during pregnancy have nearly twice the risk of delivering a heavy baby as those who gain less, U.S. researchers have announced.

The study of more than 40,000 U.S. women and their babies found as many as one in five women gains too much weight during pregnancy, doubling the chances her baby will weigh 9 pounds (4kg) or more.

And they found women who gain more than 40 pounds during pregnancy are more likely to have a heavy baby even if they do not have gestational diabetes, a short-term form of diabetes linked with pregnancy that is known to increase the risk of having a big baby.

‘Because there are so many women who are gaining more than 40 pounds during pregnancy, it’s an important health message for most women to avoid excessive weight during pregnancy,’ said Dr. Teresa Hillier of Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research in Oregon, whose study appears in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Hillier said gaining extra weight during pregnancy increases the risk for having heavy babies, and studies suggest these babies are programmed to become overweight or obese later in life.

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, babies who weigh more than 9 pounds at birth are considered heavy.

A large baby can pose risks for a difficult delivery - increasing the chances of vaginal tearing, bleeding, and Caesarian-sections for the mother and the risk of stuck shoulders and broken collar bones for the baby.

Click here to read the full article

Posted in Womens Health, Pregnancy | Print | 1 Comment »

31/10/2008 by admin.

This surprising article below was from yesterdays Telegraph. Here is an extract from the article below. The Department of Health last year advised women trying to conceive or who are pregnant that they should avoid alcohol completely, so this new research finding is interesting in the light of this.

Drinking a small glass of wine a week during pregnancy does not harm children and may actually improve their behaviour and vocabulary, British scientists have found.

Conflicting guidance has been issued by different health agencies to women about whether it is safe to drink small quantities of alcohol during pregnancy.

There has been little evidence of harm to the unborn child of drinking small amounts, but many experts feel this cannot be proven conclusively so it is better to be ’safe than sorry’ and not drink at all.

Researchers at University College London studied data from 12,500 three-year-old children, looking at their mother’s drinking patterns during pregnancy and assessment of the behavioural and mental capacity for thinking and learning.

They found that children born to women who said they drank ‘a glass of wine’ very occasionally or up to two drinks once a week throughout pregnancy were less likely to have conduct problems, hyperactivity and emotional problems than children of abstainers.

Click here to read the full story online

The research is published in the International Journal of Epidemiology.

Posted in Pregnancy, Trying to Conceive | Print | 1 Comment »

31/10/2008 by admin.

Ovatel Ovulation Microscope

Ovatel is a simply designed plastic saliva ovulation detector microscope that requires no batteries, with 54x magnification .
Ovatel uses natural back light for viewing. The Ovatel ovulation microscope is 98% accurate.

Calista Ovulation Microscope

The Calista saliva ovulation microscope is 98% accurate. Each Calista is supplied with batteries.

Calista Ovulation Microscope has a  powerful 67X magnification lens.

Babystart Focus Ovulation Microscope

The Babystart Focus ovulation microscope is 98% accurate. Each babystart Focus Ovulation Microscope is supplied batteries.

Babystart Focus looks just like a quality metal case lipstick.

Babystart Focus Ovulation Microscope has a  50X magnification lens.

Donna Saliva Ovulation Microscope

The Donna Saliva Ovulation Microscope is 98% accurate.

The Donnna ovulation microscope has a 68X Power Magnification lens

ISIS Ovulation Microscope

The ISIS ovulation microscope is 99% accurate. Auto on/off light function via a photo electric cell in the barrel

Easy to change batteries. 60x lens magnification.  Quality metal/enamel case that looks just like lipstick.

Click here to see all these ovulation microscopes and for more info

Posted in Ovulation, Ovulation Microscopes, Ovulation Prediction, Ovulation Tests | Print | 1 Comment »

30/10/2008 by admin.

Ovulation miscroscopes are an easy and cost effective way to identify fertile times at home. Ovulation microscopes are small hand held mini miscroscopes. They do not require any technical training to use as they are low magnification (50 to 60 times magnification) lenses.

How do I use the Saliva Ovulation Microscope ?

A simple focus mechanism allows the user to focus on a small integral specimen slide area. On each use, a dab of saliva is applied to the lens area and allowed to air dry. This takes between 3 and 6 minutes depending on room temperature.

If the oestrogen levels are at significant levels a ferning pattern appears on the slide due to an increased salt concentration in the saliva. Oestrogen only peaks normally at the mid cycle, just before ovulation, so by detecting this peak, the user can determine the timing of ovulation.

Ovulation Microscopes offer great value for money & flexibility for frequent testers

Ovulation microscopes are cheap to buy, totally re-usable and can be used at any time of day. Look for ovulation microscopes offering at least 60* Magnification and replaceable batteries.

Best buy in our opinion is the ISIS scope for all round value and performanace. The batteries in the ISIS can be replaced thereby extending the life of the ovulation microscope. 

Did you know ? : Oestrogen also peaks in horses and dogs and other animals, so these devices are used extensively by breeders.

When is the best time to test with a saliva ovulation test ?

Good news you can test any time of day. Some people recommend testing first thing in the morning, as at this time the mouth is empty and you can make it part of your morning routine.

Avoid testing immediately after eating, drinking or brishing your teeth as this may interfere with the saliva fertility test results. It is best to wait at least 30 minutes before testing.

Posted in Ovulation Microscopes, Ovulation Prediction, Fertility | Print | 1 Comment »

29/10/2008 by admin.

What is Sanatogen Pronatal Plus ?

Sanatogen Pronatal Plus is manufactured by Bayer healthcare and is a welcome addition to the Sanatogen Pronatal range of fertility & pregnancy supplements.

Sanatogen Pronatal Plus is Sanatogen Pronatal plus Omega 3

Sanatogen ProNatal Plus Omega-3 combines a scientifically proven multivitamin and mineral supplement with folic acid and Omega-3 fish oil capsules to help support your baby’s brain and eye development.

Taken daily, Sanatogen ProNatal Plus Omega-3 provides folic acid, Omega-3 and other essential vitamins and minerals to meet the special nutritional needs of women before, during and after pregnancy.

Each pack contains 60 tabs, 30 pronatal tabs plus 30 omega 3 tabs

Click here for more information or to buy Sanatogen Pronatal Plus

Posted in Sanatogen Pro-Natal, Fertility Supplements, Vitamin & Mineral Supplements | Print | 2 Comments »

29/10/2008 by admin.

How accurate is  the Clearblue fertility Monitor ?

The Clearblue Fertility Monitor was launched a couple of years ago under the Clearblue range of fertility products. The Clearblue fertility Monitor is 99% accurate at detecting the fertile period in each monthly cycle. It identifies peak and high fertility days to maximise the chance of conception and builds up a detailed picture of your unique hormone cycles.
The Clearblue fertility Monitor is unique in that it gives unmistakable results- the monitor interprets the results for you and displays these in words

Clearblue Fertility Monitor can maximise your chances of becoming pregnant by reliably indicating the days of your cycle when you are most likely to conceive.

Most home ovulation tests identify the 2 peak fertility days during a woman’s cycle by detecting the surge in luteinising hormone (LH) that triggers ovulation. The Clearblue Fertility Monitor not only shows these 2 peak fertility days, but ALSO identifies additional ‘high fertility days’ when you can conceive.

Is the Clearblue fertility Monitor suitable for me ?

The Clearblue Fertility Monitor is suitable for women whose natural cycle normally lasts between 21 and 42 days. The earliest you can begin to use the Monitor is the first day of your next cycle (but not before).

Certain medical conditions and medications can adversely affect the performance of the Clearblue Fertility Monitor. Women who have menopausal symptoms, polycystic ovarian syndrome, impaired liver or kidney function, are pregnant or have recently been pregnant (even if not carried to full term), may get misleading results.

Similarly misleading results may be obtained by women using antibiotics containing tetracyclines, hormonal treatments (e.g. hormonal contraception, hormone replacement therapy), fertility treatments containing human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG) or Luteinising Hormone (LH), or any treatment that might affect their cycle. Clomiphene citrate may elevate estrogen levels and this may result in High Fertility being declared early in the cycle and more High Days being displayed, and in some cases the Monitor may not show Peak Fertility even when ovulation occurs.

The manufacturer recommend that women taking clomiphene citrate consult their doctor for advice before using the Clearblue Fertility Monitor. Always read the manufacturers instructions for any medication that you are taking before conducting a test.

Women who have recently been breastfeeding, using hormonal treatments (e.g. hormonal contraception, including emergency contraception, fertility treatments, hormone replacement therapy), or any other treatment that might affect their cycle, may wish to wait until they have at least two natural menstrual cycles in a row (each lasting 21-42 days), before using the Clearblue Fertility Monitor.

Women who have recently been pregnant (even if not carried to full term) may still have hCG in their bodies. HCG can adversely affect the performance of the Clearblue Fertility Monitor. Therefore they are advised to wait until they have had at least two natural menstrual cycles in a row (each lasting 21-42 days), before using the Clearblue Fertility Monitor.

How do I use the Clearblue Fertility  Monitor ?

The Clearblue fertility Monitor uses test sticks whci are available in packs of 20 tests.

On the first cycle 20 sticks will be used, and in subsequent cycles an average of 10 test sticks are used.

The majority of women will need 10 Test Sticks in each subsequent cycle. However, women with irregular or long cycles may have to use 20 Test Sticks each cycle in order to detect their most fertile time.

How does the Clearblue Fertility Monitor Predict my fertile time ?

The Clearblue Fertility Monitor detects the days in each cycle when you are most fertile, and are therefore more likely to get pregnant.

It monitors the hormones: estrogen and lutenising hormone (LH).

High estrogen is associated with the appearance of ‘fertile mucus’, which is thin and slippery. Sperm can swim more easily through this mucus and can survive in it for several days. If you make love during this time, there may still be sperm present several days later, when you release an egg. When the Clearblue Fertility Monitor detects a rise in estrogen, it displays High Fertility status.

A high estrogen level triggers the surge of LH. Ovulation normally occurs 24 to 36 hours after the LH surge when the follicle ruptures, releasing an egg. Detection of the LH surge indicates that you are about to release an egg, and you are at Peak Fertility.

Where can I buy the Clearblue Fertility Monitor ?

When buying the Clearblue Fertility Monitor make sure you also purchase test sticks and batteries as they are not included with the digital monitor pack.

Click here to Buy the Clearblue Fertility Monitor online from www.buyclearblue.co.uk  

The Clearblue fertility Monitor is also widely available in chemists & pharmacies.

Posted in LH Tests, Fertility Monitor, LH Surge, Ovulation Tests, Clearblue, Fertility Tests | Print | 3 Comments »

28/10/2008 by admin.

The pill could affect your choice of mate, causing relationship incompatibility and infertility issues. How? It’s all down to smell

Smell is the most reminiscent of the senses — all those associated memories that come flooding in as soon as a whiff of a certain something wafts under your nose. Studies have even suggested that our noses are important when it comes to choosing a mate. Yet a worrying anomaly has been unearthed in recent scent tests, highlighting a possible side effect to one of the most important pharmaceutical discoveries of the past 50 years: the contraceptive pill. Yes, that little pill, which was introduced to Britain in 1961 and has allowed women sexual freedom, may also be disrupting their instinctive ability to choose a man.

Click here to read the full article

Posted in Uncategorized | Print | 1 Comment »

27/10/2008 by admin.

Sanatagen have launched a new fertility supplement for men and women. The new supplement offers excellent value for money for couples trying to conceive.

The new fertility supplement is called Sanatogen Pro-Natal His and Hers

Sanatogen ProNatal® His & Hers helps to ensure you are both getting the essential nutrients you may need whilst trying for a baby.

For Her: A scientifically proven multivitamin with folic acid 30 tablets

For Him: A specifically designed supplement with key nutrients such as Zinc, to help maintain a healthy reproductive system 30 tablets

It’s not always easy to get all the right vitamins and minerals through diet alone whilst trying to conceive, so why not try a ProNatal supplement. Knowing which supplement and multivitamin to take before, during and after pregnancy can be confusing. Try taking an all in one combined supplement tailor made for men and women such as Sanatogen ProNatal His & Hers.

Click here for more information or to buy Sanatogen Pro-Natal His and Hers

Posted in Sanatogen Pro-Natal, Fertility Supplements, Vitamin & Mineral Supplements | Print | 1 Comment »

26/10/2008 by admin.

Great News

Zita West the London based fertility guru has launched a new range of nutritional fertility supplements comprising Pregnancy Plan and Vital DHA. The new range of fertility supplements are far more affordable than previous ranges, while still providing the important minerals and vitamins associated with reproductive health.

Watch this space for more info on the new ranges of fertility supplements from Zita West

Posted in Fertility Supplements, Vitamin & Mineral Supplements, Zita West | Print | 1 Comment »

26/10/2008 by admin.

Urine Ovulation Tests work by measuring the hormone LH  (leutenising hormone) in a urine sample.

What is LH I here you ask.

LH is a hormone that is produced by the pituitary gland in women of childbearing age. Each fertile month, LH surges or peaks and it it this sudden increase in the level of LH which is the trigger for the ovary to release the egg. After release the egg is able to be fertilised, so by detecting the sudden surge, women can estimate quite accurately when they are fertile in every cycle. This timing is used to maximise the chances of conception by millions of couples trying to concieve each year.

An LH test works by detecting the levels of LH in daily urine samples collected by the woman. Some LH is produced throughout the cycle, so the test cut off has to be set at a level which will only give a positive indicator or positive result, when the peak or surge has occured.

 The WHO (world health organisation) recommend 40 miu/ml urine LH for professional LH urine testing. For some women this level is too high and they never get a positive result. As a consequence most commercial home ovulation tests work to 25 or 30 miu/ml for a positive result.

Performing a home ovulation test is simple and easy. The best time to collect a urine sample for LH testing is probably early evening, as first morning samples can miss the surge in LH which occurs generally later in the day.

Sexual intercourse should be timed for the evening of the first positive result and for the following few days. This ensures the best chance of fertilisation and conception during that cycle.

Does an LH surge occur every cycle  ?  No, especially with increasing age LH can be erratic with one in four cycles missing a detectable surge.

LH surges in some women never result in a urinary peak of 25miu/ml These women may be ovulating normally, but urinary LH detection may not work for them. There is no way around this, and alternative fertility monitoring methods should be sought.

 The fact that a surge occurs is the important factor, not the length of the surge. Stop testing as soon as the surge is detected and save any unused tests for the next month.

Some LH tests cost serveral pounds each, but cheaper test strips are now widely available and branded reliable LH test offer highly accurate, low cost testing with professional levels of reliability.

 Click here to see a range of Home Urine Ovulation Tests (LH Tests)

Posted in LH Tests, LH Surge, Ovulation Prediction, Ovulation Tests | Print | 1 Comment »

23/10/2008 by admin.

Was chatting to a couple of female friends last week who have been married for many years, and the subject of how often we go out with our partners came up.

To my surprise one of my friends confessed that she had not been out with her partner on a date alone for over 12 months-in fact she could not remember the last time they went out together just for fun. They both have reasonably active social lives and go out with their friends seperately.

If it is a while since you last dated your man-make this the week you change  things-invite him out-go on you know you want to

 Have to go now as my man has come home early from work and wants to take me out to lunch-talk about Karma !

Posted in Uncategorized | Print | No Comments »

23/10/2008 by admin.

Just read this really fascinating article online in the Times about speculation as to why Guy Ritchie and Madonna have split up. 

It seems for many of us, our modern lifestyles may be burning us out, and leading to a lack of action in the bedroom for many couples. It can even affect celebrities!

There is also a book recomendation for spicing up your love life and keeping sex going. I recommend reading the whole article (link below). When we are trying to conceive the sex is obviously crucial.

I believe an active & fulfilling sex life is very important to keep a couple close, especially when trying to conceive. In my opinion sex should be fun and it is important to keep it such.  As I often say to my female friends ‘If you don’t use it you lose it’

Here is an extract from the article

In my 20-year experience as a psychologist, life coach and sex expert, I have found that people within a relationship invariably use sexual activity - and their sexual desire for their partner - as a way of measuring how much they care for each other. The bedroom becomes a litmus test, be it a battleground or an unspoken arena of seething resentment.

And with our increasingly frenetic modern lifestyles - our obsessions such as exercise, long working hours, material success and lots of unhealthy socialising - opportunities for resentments to fester abound. At some level our sexual feelings are intact (which is why we get so hung-up, hurt, and bitter over a lack of sex) and yet we have no sexual energy left for our partners.

For my new book, Sizzling Sex, I spent three years gathering information from more than 400 people and what I found was astounding: 90 per cent won’t have tried anything new sexually - not even the tiniest little thing - since about their first anniversary. Plus, once they are past the two-year mark, they are unlikely to ever try anything new.

 Click here to read the full article

Posted in Sex, Stress, Keeping the romance alive, Trying to Conceive | Print | 1 Comment »

23/10/2008 by admin.

HOME OVULATION PREDICTION-When is the best time to get Pregnant ?

Around 15-20% of couples are infertile or sub fertile, and many more experience delays & resulting anxiety in conceiving which may often be caused by bad timing. Knowing the best time to get pregnant can help

An average couple takes 6 months to conceive and many GP’s will not refer for investigations until a couple has been trying for at least 12 months. As many couples are starting to try for a baby later in life these days, this delay can become quite worrying & cause a lot of anxiety.

Some of the delays in conceiving may simply be a matter of bad timing i.e. having intercourse at the wrong time in the woman’s cycle. Recent research has suggested that the fertility window (ie the best time to get pregnant) each month may in fact only be 3-4 days, and so timing intercourse to coincide with this time of maximum fertility is obviously very important.

Ovulation predictors can be helpful in two ways:

1)To help time intercourse to maximize the chance of conception

2) To help identify if ovulation problems exist and so accelerate referral for specialist advice.

If you cycle is very regular and the same length each month timing ovulation is fairly easy. You ovulate 14 days before your next period is due, and so you should make sure you have intercourse just before ovulation and around the time of ovulation to maximise your chances of conceiving.

If your cycle is a little erratic or irregular like many of us find particular as we are getting older, then there are ways you can predict when you are going to ovulate or have ovulated.

What types of ovulation prediction methods are there?

1) Urine tests-test urine for the presence of luteinising hormone (LH tests).Available in midstream, cassette and dip strip test. They give you advance notification of ovulation and are therefore called ovulation predictors. To see full range of urine home ovulation tests click here

2) Saliva Ovulation Microscopes-many resemble a lipstick. At ovulation, the hormone estrogen is increased, which increases the salt levels in your body. This salt increase is evident in saliva. Saliva ovulation mini microscope allows you to see the salt crystals that dry on the microscope glass slide. For more information on the Saliva Ovulation microscopes click here. Click here for more information & to see a range of ovulation microscopes

3) Basal Temperature- A simple inexpensive way of telling if you have ovulated. You should take your temperature orally each morning before getting up, eating or drinking. Digital thermometers are used for their accuracy and ease of use. Ovulation usually occurs one day before the temperature rises. BBT evaluations only confirm, but do not predict, ovulation. For more information on the Basal Thermometers click here. Click here to see Basal Thermometers suitable for ovulation

4) Cervical Mucus or Billings method-the consistency of the cervical mucus changes during your cycle due to hormonal fluctuations. You are considered at your most fertile when the mucus becomes clear, slippery, and stretchy. Many women describe the mucus at this stage as resembling raw egg whites. One word of caution however - sperm can be confused with the mucus secretions and you could make the wrong assumption.

5) Fertility Monitor-the Clearblue Fertility Monitor also works by detecting the LH surge as well as measuring Oestrogen levels. The monitor then builds up a detailed picture of your unique hormone cycle. Clearblue Fertility Monitor is the most advanced home method to maximise your chances of conceiving. In recent research use of the Clearblue Fertility Monitor was shown to increase the chances of conceiving by 89% over the first two cycles of use. Click here for more information on the Clearblue Fertility Monitor or to buy

Posted in Ovulation Prediction, Ovulation Microscopes, Ovulation Tests, Getting Pregnant, Clearblue, Trying to Conceive | Print | 2 Comments »

22/10/2008 by admin.

Just read this article online and thought it was very interesting. Seemed surprising to me that Australian men do not get enough vitamin d with that lovely sunny climate.

May be something for couples having difficulty conceiving to consider. And look on the bright side (no pun intended) getting out in the sunshine for 10 minutes a day is good for us in lots of ways, improved mood, exercise, reducing risk of SAD (seasonal affective disorder), stronger bones-the list could go on and on. At this time of year it is lovely to go for a walk in the sunshine or get out in the garden-the autumn colours are fantastic.

Here is an extract from the article

Couples struggling to conceive should consider getting out more, research suggests.

A study found almost a third of men experiencing fertility problems have low levels of vitamin D, the ’sunshine vitamin’.

Just spending ten minutes outside in their shirt sleeves would be enough of a boost, according to Anne Clark, the medical director of an Australian fertility centre.

Previous studies have shown vitamin D, produced from natural light and found in oily fish and eggs, is important for a healthy pregnancy.

But the latest findings show a deficiency may also affect sperm.

‘The results show lifestyle changes can be beneficial,’ Dr Clark told the Fertility Society of Australia, in Brisbane.

The vitamin D deficiency could have been caused by worries about skin cancer and by men trying to avoid too much exposure to sunshine, Dr Clark

Other basic lifestyle changes such as giving up smoking, losing weight, and reducing caffeine and alcohol intake, would also help. 

In her group, 105 men agreed to the changes, and to take multivitamins and antioxidants for two to three months.

Afterwards, tests revealed ‘an improvement in the shape of the sperm, which can enhance conception,’ said Dr Clark.

Click here to read the full article

Click here for male vitamin and mineral supplements for trying to conceive

Posted in Male Fertility Test, Vitamin & Mineral Supplements, Male Fertility Issues | Print | 1 Comment »

22/10/2008 by admin.

When can I do a Clearblue Pregnancy Test ?

Clearblue Pregnancy Tests can now be used up to 4 days before your period is due.

If you test before your period is due and get a ‘Not Pregnant’ result, there is still a chance that you may be ‘Pregnant’ but that your hormone level is still not high enough for the pregnancy test to detect. If testing from the day your period is due, you can test any time of the day. If testing early, use the first urine of the day

How accurate is a Clearblue Pregnancy Test?

Clearblue Pregnancy Test with colour change tip is over 99% accurate in laboratory tests when used from the day the period is due. 

For more information on early pregnancy testing results with Clearblue Pregnancy Test click here

Posted in Clearblue, Pregnancy Tests | Print | 1 Comment »

21/10/2008 by admin.

Pre-Seed is a unique sperm friendly personal lubricant developed in the USA for use while trying to conceive. Pre-Seed lubricant was invented by Dr Joanna Ellington who is an internationally recognized scientist with over 75 publications.

Pre-Seed is the first ‘fertility friendly’ intimate moisturiser that mimcs your bodies natural secretions to relieve vaginal dryness while providing anoptimal sperm enviroment

Pre-Seed is the right solution for vaginal dryness when trying to conceive:

• PreSeed is ph balanced to match fertile cervical mucus
• the patented formula does not harm sperm
• contains arabinogalactan for antioxidant support
• an internal application of Pre-Seed coats the vagina and cervix
• Pre-Seed has been clinically tested

Pre-Seed has been mentioned in two fertility books-see below for quotes:

“The bad news is that virtually all lubricants…can kill sperm. Until recently, there really wasn’t a viable option…Luckily, though, a revolutionary new vaginal moisturizer has been developed… It is called Pre~Seed…”
- Toni Weschler in International Bestseller “Taking Charge of Your Fertility”.

“Many women have avoided popular lubricants because they’ve been shown to interfere with normal sperm function. There is at least one product called Pre~Seed, that won’t reduce fertility.”
- Dr. Robert Greene in “Perfect Hormone Balance for Fertility”, 2008

Click here for more information on Pre-Seed

Posted in Sperm Motility, Sperm, Cervical Mucus, Pre-Seed Lubricant, Trying to Conceive | Print | 1 Comment »

21/10/2008 by admin.

Home male fertility test kits have been available to buy for nearly 5 years. Male fertility test kits start from under £20 and offer the user all the convenience of a complete home test with results in under half and hour.

We think the best of the bunch is FertilityScore as this tests both the sperm count and screens the motility of the sperm present. Without a test for motility, the sample count may be good, but the fertility poor, with many dead or inactive sperm which will never result in a pregnancy.

All tests work to the WHO recommended count of 20 million sperm per ml . Above this level is considered high enough to result in pregnancy normally. A sperm count of less than 20million/ml is considered low, and male fertility may be reduced and conception take longer, even if the motility is 100%.

FertilityScore is also the only test which works on the complete ejaculate. This is important as sperm clumping and other inconsistencies can affect the result, if only a sample of the male ejaculate is collected for testing.

FertilityScore also includes 2 complete tests. The tests are performed at 7 to 10 day intervals. Again the importance of this is that the count and quality of sperm in ejaculates varies. It is therfore vital to test at least 2 samples over a period of time, to determine that a healthy fertile count is being achieved and maintained. Two positive results are a good indicator of healthy male fertility with high confidence ratios that the donor should be able to father kids normally.

The home male fertility test offers these advantages

• Cheap and easily available without waiting
• Privacy
• Accurate results in under 1/2 hr
• Determine if there is a male problem and fast track professional help

The last advantage is critical. Most fertility centres and Drs will not consider investigating male fertility issues until the couple have tried for at least 12 months (if female < 35 years) By home testing, a low or imotile sperm problem can be brought for early investigation and treatment.

FertilityScore Male Fertility Test is available from online retailers and good pharmacies

Posted in Male Fertility Test, Fertility Tests, Male Fertility Issues | Print | 1 Comment »

20/10/2008 by admin.

An article asking this very question was published today in The Times. It is based on the results and recommendations of an online survey produced by mumsnet (an online resource for parents)

Here are some extrcts from the article:

Insensitive health workers compound the suffering caused by miscarriage, but a Mumsnet campaign aims to change matters

In recent weeks and months Benson, and hundreds of others like her, have been logging on to the parents’ website Mumsnet to chart their experiences of what can seem like the uncaring, insensitive face of the NHS - doctors, nurses, midwives and protocols that appear to take no account of the pain, physical or emotional, involved in miscarriage.

Ten steps to a caring NHS

The Mumsnet recommendations

1 GPs, early pregnancy units (EPU) and A&E staff should be trained in communication techniques (including things not to say to women who are miscarrying).

2 Access to ultrasound scanning facilities in cases of suspected miscarriage should be easier.

3 Women undergoing miscarriage or suspected miscarriage should be separated from women having routine antenatal and postnatal care, and women terminating an unwanted pregnancy.

4 Waiting times, especially for women who need surgery, should be kept to a minimum and women should not have to wait in antenatal or labour wards.

5 The surgical procedure “evacuation of retained products of conception” (ERPC) should be renamed to be less confusing and upsetting.

6 Women having a miscarriage should have the different options explained to them: “natural” miscarriage; medication to speed up the natural process; and surgery.

7 Where miscarriage occurs in hospital, doctors should discuss with the parents what they wish to happen to the foetus (ie, it should not simply be disposed of routinely).

8 Follow-up appointments and/or counselling should be routinely offered after miscarriage.

9 Information about pregnancy and miscarriage should be held centrally so that all pregnancy-related appointments can be automatically cancelled.

10 Consideration should be given to routine blood tests for any conditions that could cause miscarriage.

Click here to read the full article

Posted in Miscarriage, Recurrent Miscarriage | Print | 1 Comment »

20/10/2008 by admin.

I was browsing through the Times online Fertility File and found this interesting article about Chlamydia and male fertility.

It is well known that Chlamydia can affect female fertility adversely by causing infection in the female urogential tract and blocking the fallopian tubes. Chlmaydia can also be a cause of recurrent miscarriage if untreated.

Here is an extract from the article

Chlamydia, the sexually transmitted infection (STI) carried by one in ten sexually-active young British adults can make men infertile by damaging the quality of their sperm, new research has shown.

While the condition, which usually passes undetected, has long been known to threaten female fertility, scientists from Spain and Mexico have now established that it presents similar risks for men.

Men with chlamydia have three times the normal number of sperm with genetic damage that can impair their ability to father children, the study found.

Antibiotic treatment can reverse the effect, and preliminary results indicate that it may dramatically enhance pregnancy rates when couples are trying for a baby. But the discovery suggests that the prevalence of the disease may be contributing to infertility across an entire generation of young adults.

Click here to read the full article

Click here for information or to buy Home Chlamydia Tests

Posted in Chlamydia, Male Fertility Issues | Print | 1 Comment »

20/10/2008 by admin.

Just read this really baffling article online in the Times Fertility File. It is by Lewis Smith, Science Reporter and was published April 2008.  I have previously scanned it, but not really thought about it until today

However it was brought home to me recently how many of my friends have 3 boys. My friends are all of healthy weight and eat breakfast every day- a high energy breakfast cereal. Could their dietry choices have produced all these boys I wondered as suggested by the article ?

The article  discusses the findings of a recent study by the universities of Oxford &  Exeter invloving 740 pregnant women ,which found that eating a high energy breakfast cereal increased the chances of the baby being a boy. 

Here is an exert from the article:

Breakfasting on Shredded Wheat or cornflakes has been found to increase dramatically a woman’s chances of having sons instead of daughters. Up to 59 per cent of women who get pregnant after eating high-energy breakfasts end up giving birth to a son.

By contrast, researchers have found, only 43 per cent of women who always skipped breakfast before conceiving managed to produce boys.

When food consumption is considered across the whole day the pattern is repeated, with 56 per cent of women eating high-energy food having sons. Of the women on low-energy diets, only 45 per cent had boys.

The findings, the first direct evidence that what is on the menu can influence gender.

Fiona Mathews, of the University of Exeter, said eating high-calorie breakfasts seemed to be the best guarantee of influencing the gender of a baby in favour of boys before conception. Getting into the routine of eating breakfast cereals seemed to be more influential than which brand was consumed, she said.

“Those women who eat the most are the ones who are most likely to have male babies,” she said. “Cereals seem to be one of the key food groups.”

 Click here to read the full article

Posted in How to Increase your chances of having a boy | Print | 1 Comment »

19/10/2008 by admin.

Decided to research how fertility is affected by different kinds of exercise.

Found a really interesting article which has some advice on how mens sperm count can be affected by over exercising amonst other things.

It seems, for example, that marathon running or long-distance cycling, can affect mens sperm counts & motility. Cyclists should wear padded cycling shorts (to avoid scrotal damage) and avoid prolonged times in the saddle and excessive jolting.

Click here to read the full article-recomendations from Zita West

Posted in Zita West, Male Fertility Issues | Print | 1 Comment »

19/10/2008 by admin.

I have decided it is time I started looking after my bones. I have been exercising for years but not with any great emphasis on bone strength. I have concentrated on general fitness and cardiovascular fitness. I do a little exercise with weights-more to tone my arms than anything. I have always resisted jogging.

Recently I have been getting a lot of general aches and pains so thought it was a good time to review my exercise regime, and maybe start thinking about my bones and joints.

 While researching I read a really interesting article about which exercises are most benficial for our bones. I have always known that weight training is good for bone strength, but have often thought I could neglect it in favour of fat burning exercise. I had not realised how important high impact exercise such as jogging was for the bones until I read this article-I may have to rethink on the jogging-just got to get a really good sports bra first !

I have just started taking a vitamin and mineral supplement, as  I have been trying to lose some weight.

Click here to see a range of vitamin and mineral supplements suitable for when trying to conceive or pregnancy

I think I may give jogging a go and start using that gym membership I am paying for-twice weekly seems to be the recomended level for my age.

 Click here to read the article ‘How to Combat Osteoporosis’

Just found this really good related article by same author on exerciseing do’s and dont’s for pregnant women Click here to read the article

Posted in Vitamin & Mineral Supplements, Womens Health, Osteoporosis | Print | 1 Comment »

19/10/2008 by admin.

Just repeated my home FSH urine test as could not wait until Thursday, and this time it is negative. Am unsure what this means-does it just mean I have ovulated very late this month ? I will repeat it again on Thursday-luckily I have a pack of ten tests.

I’ve been doing lots of research on FSH levels and their significance.

 I will post some useful links later

Posted in FSH, Fertility Tests | Print | 1 Comment »

15/10/2008 by admin.

I have just checked my FSH level using a home urine FSH test, and it is elevated.

I did it about a year ago and it was negative. Howver I am 45 years old and have been having some flushes, which I had put down to stress. Now I am wondering if it is my hormones changing.

The test instructions say to repeat the test in 7 days, and if this is elevated this is significant. I will let you know how I get on. I have put it in my diary for next week. The test was very easy to perform and the result appeared within minutes.

 After getting this positive result I decided to research FSH levels and their significance

 First thing I found out is it could just mean I’m ovulating-phew. FSH rises sharply to stimulate the ovaries to release an egg-hence Follicle Stimulating Hormone.

As I did not write down my LMP (last period) I do not know if this is the case , although it does seem ages ago and I thought I was pre-menstrual, as have been quite snappy !

Other possible causes I found are that my FSH levels may be elevated due to declining ovarian reserve (not many eggs left in my ovaries). In this scenario the FSH is elevated in an attempt to kick start the ovaries-in my case it could be flogging a dead horse. MY cycle has been fairly erratic recently which is why I stopped writing them down.

Click here for more information on home FSH tests or to buy

Posted in Menopause, FSH, Fertility, Trying to Conceive, Fertility Tests | Print | 1 Comment »

14/10/2008 by admin.

Read this article online from this summers Telegraph newspaper that thought was interesting-the headline certainly grabbed my attention as I love a good cup of coffee or three.

 A study published recently, has shown that drinking more than 4 cups of coffee a day, may significantly reduce a womans chances of getting pregnant. Good news when your not trying to conceive but not so great when you are.

It seems a heavy caffeine intake may be as bad for womens fertility as being obese or heavy drinking.

Paradoxically a  previous study into male fertility suggested that coffee could increase sperm mobility, raising a man’s chances of getting a woman pregnant, but that is a subject for another blog

 Here is an extract from the article

The findings, published at the European Society for Human Reproduction & Embryology (ESHRE) conference in Barcelona, suggest that drinking large amounts of coffee can reduce a woman’s chances of getting pregnant by a quarter.

Researchers looked at more than 8,000 women who had IVF treatment between 1983 and 1995 in the Netherlands.

More than 16 per cent of the women went on to conceive naturally in the following years.

When the scientists analysed the women’s lifestyle they found marked patterns in the birth rates.

Women who drank four cups of coffee a day were 26 per cent less likely than average to have conceived naturally, the findings show.

 Click here to read the full article

Posted in Getting Pregnant, Fertility File, Trying to Conceive | Print | 1 Comment »

14/10/2008 by admin.

I Just read this very interesting article online about work related stress, and how it affects women. The article is from The Sunday Times September 21, 2008

Here is an extract of the article, explaining how stress can affect fertility

Risking infertility

One in seven couples in the UK now struggles to conceive and, for many women, prolonged stress and anxiety could be the root cause. Professor Sarah Berga of Emory University in America is a leading proponent of the link between chronic stress and compromised fertility. She has shown that stress often triggers a cascade of events that result in reduced levels of two hormones that are crucial for ovulation, and that women with hectic jobs on top of busy lives are most at risk. One of her studies, published two years ago, showed that women who didn’t ovulate had excessive levels of the stress hormone cortisol present in their brain fluid.

“Your brain is hard to fool,” says Berga. “If you are undereating, overworking and overexercising, then the hypothalamus — the part of the brain that controls the release of hormones — keeps a running tally of what you are doing.”

For many women, stress-related infertility can be reversed. Berga found that ovulation was restored in seven out of 10 women who underwent “talking therapies” such as cognitive behavioural therapy.

Click here to read the full article on work related stress in women

Posted in Stress, Fertility, Fertility File | Print | 1 Comment »

13/10/2008 by admin.

This is a very honest and open account of the authors experience in freezing her eggs, including her fertility MOT, and all the tests, injections egg extraction and then the final freezing of the eggs

Pending Mr Right’s arrival, I had my eggs frozen. But will putting a baby on hold be worth it?

Fleur Britten

At age 34, I’m having a panic attack. I might be biologically ready for procreation — past ready, even — but, emotionally, I’m committed to my career, not to The One. I’m still asking, which One? I exist in that “30 is the new 20” generation: perfection-seeking, commitment-phobic and no way near ready. But I need to insure against finding myself in a Tracey Emin moment, choked by my childlessness at 40. Twenty-three per cent of women born in 1973 won’t have had children by the time they hit 45. By which time it might be too late. I need to put my fertility on ice, before it runs out on me. So I’m having my eggs frozen.

Click here to read the full story

Posted in IVF, Egg Freezing, Fertility, Fertility Advice, Trying to Conceive, Fertility File, Fertility Tests | Print | 1 Comment »

13/10/2008 by admin.

What is Bacterial Vaginosis I hear you ask

Vaginosis is the medical term used to describe an imbalance in vaginal flora, an overgrowth of unwanted bacteria leads to the imbalance of the normal healthy bacteria. Symptoms can include abnormal discharge, embarrassing odour and discomfort. This condition is known as Bacterial Vaginosis or BV, it is not vaginitis as it does not cause inflammation.

BV is the most common type of vaginal infection in women of childbearing age. Experts estimate that at least 1 in 3 women, and perhaps most women, will develop BV at some point in their life.

balance activ is a vaginal gel that immediately neutralises embarrassing odour and effectively relieves abnormal discharge and discomfort.  These symptoms can occur when the natural balance of the vagina is upset.

It can also be used to maintain the natural balance of the vagina and prevent recurrence of symptoms.

Balance Activ has been launched by Inverness Medical the makers of Clearblue pregnancy and ovulation tests as well as the Clearblue Fertility Monitor

balance activ vaginal gel is a unique product containing both lactic acid, to effectively restore the natural pH of the vagina, and glycogen, to promote the healthy growth of the normal bacteria. With normal pH and nutrients, the protective lactobacilli grow and the natural vaginal balance is restored.

balance activ vaginal gel is easy to use. The gel is contained within a disposable tube; the woman twists off the top, inserts the tube into her vagina, and squeezes out the contents. Then the tube is simply removed and discarded.

It has been tried and clinically tested to be safe and effective. The product has been used to redress vaginal imbalance in Sweden for more than 10 years.

Many women experience recurrent symptoms, for example around the time of menstruation, or when taking antibiotics. balance activ vaginal gel can also be used to maintain the natural pH of the vagina and prevent recurrence of BV.

balance activ vaginal gel for the rapid relief of embarrassing odour, abnormal discharge and discomfort.

Click here to buy Balance Activ Vaginal Gel

 Information taken from http://uk.balanceactiv.com/index.aspx

Posted in Bacterial Vaginosis, Clearblue | Print | 1 Comment »

07/10/2008 by admin.

Oh if only life was that simple-lol

Posted in Male Fertility Issues | Print | 3 Comments »

07/10/2008 by admin.

Men who smoke marijuana (cannabis) frequently have significantly less seminal fluid, a lower total sperm count and their sperm behave abnormally, all of which may affect fertility adversely.

The Study was first conducted at the department of reproductive physiology at the University at Buffalo 2003.

Marijuana contains the cannabinoid drug THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is its primary psychoactive chemical, as well as other cannabinoids.

 ”The bottom line is, the active ingredients in marijuana are doing something to sperm, and the numbers are in the direction toward infertility,” said Lani J. Burkman, Ph.D., lead author on the study. Burkman is assistant professor of gynecology/obstetrics and urology and head of the Section on Andrology in the UB School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. UB’s andrology laboratory also carries out sophisticated diagnosis for infertile couples.

Men involved in actively trying to concieve a child should avoid THC, probably for at least a month prior to TTC.

read full article http://www.cannabis.net/sperm/

Posted in Fertility, Male Fertility Issues | Print | 2 Comments »

07/10/2008 by admin.

I was doing some research on this subject this morning, and came across this online news article which I wanted to share with you

Diabetes and obesity are linked to male infertiltiy From Times Online July 9, 2008
Mark Henderson, Science Editor, in Barcelona

The obesity epidemic could be contributing to falling sperm counts and increasing male fertility problems, according to research that shows that both excess weight and diabetes can reduce the quality of a man’s sperm.

Men who are obese or overweight are significantly more likely to produce abnormal sperm and low volumes of semen than those of healthy weight, and those with diabetes — which is commonly triggered by obesity — are more likely to have sperm with genetic damage, two British studies have found.

Read the full story here

Posted in Fertility, Fertility File, Male Fertility Issues | Print | 1 Comment »

06/10/2008 by admin.

A friend of mine who has recently been undergoing IVF has been having accupuncture to aid conception. When she told me I was initially surprised and maybe a tiny little sceptical, but I have since been researching it and found quite a lot of support for this alternative therapy. 

 A recent study at University of Southampton has discovered that one in three women given accupuncture alongside their IVF treatment successfully conceived. The success rate for those who did not combine fertility treatment with acupuncture was one in five.

When i read this the first question I asked was :

How many women were in the study ?

The answer : more than 2000 women

 To me that seems a fairly significant number

The study discovered that the chance of the embryo implanting successfully & triggering pregnancy, increased if the patient was treated with acupuncture at about the same time as the embryo transfer. However if the acupuncture took place days after the fertility treatment the benefit was lost.

How does the accupuncture help ?

No-one really knows how the accupuncture helps conception. One idea that has been put forward is that it may help to reduce the stress that the women is going through, and help her to cope with the treatment. Acupuncture appears to reduce stress by releasing endorphins in the brain. Endorphins are chemicals that the body releases that suppress pain naturally, as well as affect hormones that influence the menstrual cycle.  

One thing is for sure in my opinion, anything that improves the outcomes from fertility treatments has to be a good thing.

And the really good news is, my friend conceived in her first cycle of IVF coupled with accupuncture.

This subject has been covered quite a lot in the national press-here are some links below

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/health/3042006/Acupuncture-helps-women-have-babies.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2008/sep/21/medicalresearch.health/print

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1059549/Acupuncture-helps-IVF-women-babies.html

Here is some older research finding on the same subject

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/1933901.stm

http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/archives2002/jul/07ivf.html

Posted in Accupuncture and IVF, Alternative Therapies & Fertility, IVF | Print | 11 Comments »

06/10/2008 by admin.

Just read this very interesting article online and wanted to share it with you.

 It is by Ian Sample from The Guardian Thursday September 25 2008.

 Antidepressant drugs taken by tens of thousands of British men may damage sperm quality and harm fertility, researchers at the Cornell Medical Centre in New York have found.

The doctors examined the effects of paroxetine (Seroxat) on men taking the drug over five weeks. Four weeks into the trial, tests revealed the men had sperm showing more than twice as much genetic damage as at the start of the study.

The findings remain tentative but pose a problem for GPs, who fear patients benefiting from anti-depressants may stop taking the drugs. NHS figures show that during 2006 GPs in Britain wrote nearly 2m prescriptions for paroxetine and the brand Seroxat.

The research team, led by Professor Peter Schlegel, showed that the amount of genetic fragmentation in sperm rose from an average of 13.8% before the trial to 30.3% after a month of the drug. The trial results will be presented in November at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine in San Francisco.

Steve Field, chairman of the Royal College of General Practitioners, said the results should not cause alarm: “Patients shouldn’t stop their antidepressants, but those who are depressed and experiencing fertility difficulties may wish to discuss this with their GP.”

Click here to read the rest of the article online

Posted in Uncategorized | Print | 1 Comment »

06/10/2008 by admin.

Whenever I am trying to conceive I try and make sure we have lots of sex just before , during and after ovulation. Generally this has meant we have unprotected sex 2-3 times over a 3 day period in order to maximise our chances of conceiving.  I read that it is best to have some sperm waiting for the egg as it is released, which is why we do it just before ovulation, as well as during and after.

 I am lucky in that for most of my life I have had a fairly regular cycle of about 27-28 days and find it easy to predict when I will ovulate. This is not as easy if your cycle is erratic.

On a very regular cycle you usually ovulate about 14 days before your period is due 

ie

 if your cycle is 28 days long you ovulate around day 14

if your cycle is a very regular 34 days you ovulate around day 20

if your cycle is a very regular 24 days long you ovulate around day 10

You get the general point

 Unfortunately many of us have erratic cycles & lifestyles ! My cycle has been different at different stages of my life.

In my twenties when I was young and carefree, it was a very regular 27-28 days every month. In my early thirties (before kids) it went down to a very short but thankfully regular 24 days. It was as if my body was trying to increase the chances of me conceiving. Three pregnancies later and in my forties, my cycle is now erratic & anything between 24 days and 34 days. I don’t even bother to write it down any more. It is so unpredicable now.

Posted in Fertility Advice, Sex Education, Trying to Conceive | Print | No Comments »

06/10/2008 by admin.

At what point do I ask for help, is a common question amongst women trying to conceive. I have been researching this, and the common consensus seems to be, that if a couple have been trying to conceive for 12 months without success, they should seek the advice of their doctor.

 However I have also found that there are some exceptions to this-the age of the women is very significant-how long should we leave it if the mother is over a certain age and what is the age ?

From my research, the consensus seems to be, that if the women is over 35 years, and the couple have been trying for 6 months without success, it is advisable to see the GP.

If possible go to see your GP as a couple, and book an appointment for each of you. GP’s are usually quite happy to discuss fertility concerns.

Posted in Fertility Advice, Fertility File | Print | No Comments »

03/10/2008 by admin.

Episode 4

First shown on 30th Sep 2008, Channel 4.

Anna has a fertility test

37 year-old presenter Anna Richardson came off the contraceptive pill 2 years ago. Despite her relatively clean-living lifestyle, she and her partner haven’t yet conceived a baby. Anna visits fertility and pregnancy guru Zita West for advice and a fertility test.

 Click here to watch the feature on fertility if you missed it

Posted in Fertility File, Trying to Conceive, Fertility Tests | Print | No Comments »

03/10/2008 by admin.

This is an old article I read online last year, but a very good one well worth reading, and also a very worthy cause whose fund raising efforts have now saved the baby unit.

 Meet the Baby-Maker-The Times 3rd November 2007

‘Professor Lesley Regan who is a consultant obstetrician and the head of the Recurrent Miscarriage Clinic (RMC) at St Mary’s Hospital, in Paddington, West London.

Who is she?

Professor Lesley Regan is a consultant obstetrician and the head of the Recurrent Miscarriage Clinic (RMC) at St Mary’s Hospital, in Paddington, West London.

She is also the first woman to hold a chair in obstetrics and gynaecology in the UK.

She has written several books on pregnancy and miscarriage including Your Pregnancy Week by Week, and Miscarriage: What Every Woman Needs to Know.

The RMC is the largest clinic of its kind in the world and it deals with more than 1,000 new cases each year, with a success rate of 80 per cent.

Click here to read the full story

 Click here to read more about the Recurrent Miscarriage Units future plans

Posted in Recurrent Miscarriage, Trying to Conceive | Print | 1 Comment »