There is more than one reason why stress comes to the fore, often with great intensity whilst trying to conceive and especially during Assisted Reproduction like IVF. The stress is multidimensional and extended.
It is important for us to examine the effects of stress before we move onto how we can effectively lower stress levels with strategies that are pro conception.

Trying to conceive or undergoing an IVF cycle is emotionally and physically stressful and can create intense anxiety at 7 levels, to name a few:
1. The loss of one’s fertility and possible loss of hope.
2. The process of IVF/IUI/AI including tests, injections, scans, partners having to produce sperm, egg retrieval and the possibility of failure at any one of these stages.
3. The “2 week wait” (2WW) whilst awaiting your pregnancy result.
4. Stress may cause eating patterns to negatively change with an increase in consumption of food and/or reduction in the quality and/or quantity of nutrients that are needed. Both which can be counter productive to conception.
5. For many couples the financial costs associated with IVF hangs over them before, during and after an IVF cycle, especially in the event of a failed cycle/s.
6. Once having conceived, the stress of spontaneous miscarriage is sometimes present.
7. Interpersonal relationship issues may surface as men and women deal with their own interpretation and emotions around infertility.

Trying to conceive takes its toll BUT you are a Mama Warrior! You just need to be reminded! You are … Read the rest

Frozen Egg Banks have become synonymous with egg donation offerings at leading fertility clinics globally. Frozen eggs are the result of an egg donor having already produced eggs that have been frozen for choice by recipients at a later stage. The eggs retrieved are quickly flash frozen in a process called vitrification.
There are considerations to be understood where the option of fresh or frozen egg selection is being considered. The first being the success rate that the number of frozen eggs selected may deliver. Frozen eggs are sometimes supplied as options in “batches” which are linked to success rates and financial outlay. Fewer eggs may produce lower success rates and the converse may apply. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association recently, the live birth rate from frozen eggs was 47.1% whilst the rate from fresh eggs was 56.1%. Success rates do vary from clinic to clinic and claims should be quantified and your specialist should guide you accordingly.

The advantages of frozen egg selection, “a frozen egg donation cycle,” are attractive. You know how many eggs you are receiving; the timing of your embryo transfer is expedited and flexible. Frozen donor cycles are also often more affordable. The lead-time from donor selection to embryo transfer varies but can be predicted at about 4 weeks.

Conversely when a fresh donation cycle is selected the number of eggs can be predicted but not guaranteed. A fresh cycle requires the assessment of the donor (who … Read the rest

When you suddenly find yourself in the elusive world called “infertility” it can be a daunting, shock inducing and helpless feeling. It is a space that no one ever intends or expects to find themselves. The reality is that millions of women and men are finding out on a daily basis that they are struggling with infertility, the inability to conceive a child.

Fertility Coaching is a relatively new branch of support service, which is growing in need and popularity. In broad summary, a Fertility Coach or Fertility Support Coach assists clients by providing all the non-medical assistance needed, as clients walk their own road to parenthood.

The need for these coaches has grown exponentially on a continuing upward growth trend, as there is an ever increasing, worldwide infertility diagnosis growth. The reasons for this include woman leaving childbearing years to later in life, a more stressful and even toxic environment and lifestyle is also cited as potential contributing factors.

Global infertility and the communication technology of our age allows for a Fertility Coach to walk next to a client as they face the step-by-step challenge that is fertility treatment. This may be one on one consulting but is also often coaching via technology over geographical distance.

A fertility coach specifically identifies each individual according to her/his needs and circumstances, as not only are treatments varied but patient’s reactions to whatever they are undergoing varies to an even greater extent. A fertility coach will look at helping their clients … Read the rest

You are about to embark on your In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) journey which is described as “a round of IVF treatment” or an “IVF cycle.” Let’s explore how to get pregnant when it comes to IVF.

If you are still having a monthly period your “cycle” will commence on that day, Day 1 of your cycle. IVF is however also common in women who may not have a regular cycle or are in menopause and have no monthly period. In such instances the IVF nurse/doctor will ensure that, with medication, a cycle is induced and can be predicted. Everyone’s body is different and as such exact treatment protocols will differ and you will be advised your the day 1 of your cycle.

You will commence taking medication which will stimulate your ovaries (where your eggs are contained) to produce more than 1 egg. In a normal cycle, without fertility intervention, your ovaries will usually produce 1 egg from 1 ovary and the following month, another egg from your other ovary. The stimulation medication however stimulates both ovaries to produce more than 1 egg in an effort to retrieve as many eggs as possible.

The medication is taken by injecting yourself with a very small needle (similar to a diabetic needle) in the fat of your abdomen. Every cycle differs slightly but you would usually inject yourself for about 7 to 12 days. It may initially sound like a daunting task but you will be shown how to inject yourself and after … Read the rest

Whilst an infertility book can point you in the right direction of how to get pregnant fast, this article provides you with a practical step by step program if you have decided to start a family and to support you with some basic (but often overlooked) assistance. The reality is that 85% of women will become pregnant within one year of trying. Here we are talking in general about women younger than 35. If you are older than 35 you may need to start by seeking some fertility assistance in the form of seeing a fertility specialist. A little more on that option below.

When you are ready to start trying to conceive it’s often something that couples want Now! Waiting is last on your mind and often after years of trying NOT to conceive it’s no wonder it is an exciting time to contemplate! If you have been trying for 3 months or so and you’re not yet pregnant, there are a few actions that you can take (and some you can avoid) which may assist you in your efforts to conceive.

If you are reading this article you may be in a situation where you are already concerned that getting pregnant is taking too long. Be sure to manage your expectations in combination with the advice given here.

An expectation is defines as a strong belief that something will happen. Your expectation is of course to fall pregnant. The normal steps you know, intercourse, missed period, pregnancy test … Read the rest