Infertility Concerns

First, know that you are in my prayers as you deal with the ups and downs of this difficult time. Know also that as long as your thoughts and concerns are of God's will, your decisions that you make along the path to having another baby will reflect this. God doesn't punish us or look down upon us for getting help along the way, if that's what our body needs. I'm Catholic, as well, and I truly believe this. One very wonderful priest once told me that our choices are between ourselves and God. Only He knows what we are going through and will help us make our choices accordingly. It sounds like you're doing great and I hope you have success soon.

I don't have advice for you as much as support in the form of a great, true, "keep the faith" story (sorry, it's a little long!). My best friend just turned 36 this February and had been trying to get pregnant for a year. Frustrated, she went to a fertility doctor and found out that she had less than a 1% chance to getting pregnant. She was devastated, and being Catholic, was concerned how far she should go medically in order to persue her dream. She eventually decided to go on Clomid and tried IUI- she was told her chances were excellent at this point since everything was textbook perfect. The doctor was shocked when it didn't work. My friend was really down at this point and decided to really go forth aggressively and try in-vitro, just once, before giving up. Again, there was bad news. She had a cyst and was going to have to wait a month to try IVF; meanwhile, they'd have to monitor her cyst. Well, a month later they did some routine bloodwork and much to everyone's surprise, she was pregnant. It had happened naturally, even in the midst of all the testing! She's almost 6 months along at this point (she took progesterone and baby aspirin the firt trimester to be safe), doing great, and her due date is actually on her own birthday. We say that it's God reminding us that even though His gifts don't always arrive according to our schedule or to our specifications, He has a plan for us nontheless and is truly amazing and miraculous!

Hang in there and know that others are thinking of you and supporting you as you make these difficult choices. Good luck and prayers for a happy and healthy baby soon!

hi, we have also battled with infertility. There is a great website with a wealth of information and support. http://fertilethoughts.com/ There are many women in your same situation. Also, try acupuncture with herbs. Good luck to you !!

Most fertility issues are caused by imbalances in the systems. I have researched some herbal formulas that include herbs traditionally used for sexual/reproductive health and could recommend them if you like. One herb in particular, Muira Puama - known as "potency wood" - has been studied for its activity in promoting healthy sexual function in both men and women. Healthy sexual function includes fertility and the ability to carry a child to term. The formulas I recommend are very specially prepared and are assured pure and vital as they are never irradiated. They are only grown in the virgin soil of the Amazon rainforest so there are no pesticides or chemical fertilizers or any other pollutants contaminating them that commonly impair other herbs. Plus the proceeds of purchases go directly to supporting the indigenous people of the upper Amazon basin in sustaining an eco-enterprise of harvesting these herbs instead of cutting or burning down the rainforest. And to make them completely risk-free, all the products come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee for one year. Let me know if you are interested in more information or a web link where you can check them out for yourself.

I had both of my children thanks to fertility treatments (Repronex injections and IUI)so I know the road you are considering.
As far as something natural to try, there was an article published in Newsweek, Dec. 10, 2007 issue about infertility and diet. The article is called "Fats, Carbs and the Science of Conception". You might want to try to look the article up online or at the library. This article came out after I had my children so I never tried the diet suggested, but it might be worth it for you, especially if you want to avoid using drugs to conceive.

First I would like to say I am sorry for your loss.I too had a miscarriage at 13 weeks this past July. I am also up there in at age 40. I do not know anything about the Creighton method but I would like to tell you about the website dailystrength It has helped me soooo much there is a miscarriage, fertility and pregnancy after loss group. All these women are kind and helpeful. They might be able to answer some of your questions. We are activly trying to get pregnant again. I hope that everything works out for you soon. On dailystrength my screen name is Melanie40. If you happen to log on...look for me. I have nothing to do with the site other than be a memember ( its free) its helped me so very much to get over what I also think is the worst thing I ahave ever had to deal with in my life.
best wishes

Hi K.,
My name is K. and I have 2 wonderful boys, one 4 and who just turned one. I had 2 miscarriages before I was blessed with my sons, both at 11 weeks. I went through extensive testing with a reproductive endocrinologist and was never given a reason why I had miscarried. When we did conceive again, however, we went through blood tests every week at first, then every few weeks until I was released back to my regular ObGyn at 4 months. But I did take the low dose aspirin every day and also used a progesterone suppository twice a day for the first few months. I don't know if these things are what made the difference because we don't know why we had problems before. When we got pregnant again here in Tucson, (my older son was born while we lived in Florida) I told my doctor what all I had done to carry the baby. He said that these things are controversial, no one knows if they really work or not, and he called it "voo doo medicine." I told him that I was convinced that it worked before and wanted the same treatment this time. So maybe it worked, or maybe it was unnecessary. But I have 2 healthy boys and if I found myself pregnant again I would do the same thing. good luck to you.

Hi K.,

I personally know what it is like to have a emotionally, spiritually, and physically painful miscarraige. My prayers to you for strength, peace, and good health to move through these losses and move toward a new beginning.
My sister in law (in Kansas) went through almost 2 years of infertility issues - ended up going through in-vitro, which was successful. However, she did start seeing an accupunturist who specialized in infertility. Though he couldn't do or prescribe certain things because of what she was already doing medically, she is convinced that he could have helped her concieve without in-vitro. She continues to see him with other issues during this pregnancy and feels so much better than she did with previous pregnancies. I'm just telling you this because many times we don't think of Eastern Medicine as being a way to help us with pregnancies/fertility issues. I know a Naturopath in Scottsdale who is also an Acupuncturist and specialized in Women's health and Fertility. Perhaps she knows more about th Creighton Method as well. Here is her info.

Dr. Christina Kovalik NMD, LAc.
###-###-####
____@____.com

God has already blessed you in many ways as you know. Even through your losses you have been blessed. Sometimes it is hard to understand how we are blessed through loss and grief when we are going through it. It really isn't the loss that is a blessing - the loss is HARD. But it's how we move through it, how we grow as a human being, and what we've learned about ourselves by going deeper that is the blessing. It sounds like you have done alot of soul searching, that you know yourself better. So how can you move through this next journey of desiring another child with your new knowing? How can you move through doing the best you can, without being attached to the outcome? Because when we are attached to the outcome we can't truly be present in our every moment. How are you moving through your journey with less stress and the faith in knowing that you already have what you need. Knowing that the child that comes to you will be the child you chooses you - at just the right time.

In peace and Light,
A.
mom of 4, Birth and Parenting Mentor
www.birthingfromwithin.com

I am so sorry for your loss. I know that infertility is a very difficult thing to go through and caused me to ask God lots of "why" questions. If you are in New Mexico, I strongly recommend the Center for Reproductive Medicine, located in the Presbyterian Medical Building. Their phone number is ###-###-#### and website is http://infertility-ivf.com/. They helped me conceive after 3 years of trying naturally, ultimately determining that PCOS and anovulation was the problem. Like another poster, I took Chlomid, along with Metformin before pregnancy, and Progesterone to help the baby implant in the uterus and grow during the first 12 weeks. We ultimately did take additional medicines and performed an IUI to conceive, but they work with each couple to find the best fit for them. Regardless of whether you choose medicine or not, they can perform the ultrasounds needed to see what's happending inside your body during your monthly cycle so you can better determine how to proceed. I would also recommend using ovulation kits and a basal body temperature chart to determine the best time of the month to conceive. I now have a healthy 3.5 month old baby boy, who was a miracle and the joy of my life! I do not know anything about the Creighton method except what I've just read online, but the first thing Dr. Caperton recommended to me was modifying my diet, increasing my exercise, and reducing my stress level so my body could prepare itself for pregnancy. He said that often, those things alone help the body get realigned to allow for a natural conception. I couldn't find anything online about the cost of the Creighton method and I wonder about insurance coverage. I will be praying that God blesses you with another little miracle.

I confess I don't know a lot about PCOS. My ob/gyn thought I had it but the only symptoms I have is I am overweight and can't get pg easily.

I have read the sometimes acupuncture can help and some herbs as well. I take an herbal supplement to help me regulate my hormones. It has dong quai, chaste berry and wild yam.

You might need to change your diet. I've heard that eating a lot of dark green leafy vegetables is good.

I hope you find what you are looking for.