During your twenties:

From a strictly biological perspective, your twenties are the best ten years for conceiving and carrying a baby. The chances of having a miscarriage or your child having birth defects like Down’s syndrome are low. Twenty-somethings also have a lower risk of health complications, high blood pressure and diabetes. RHS Medical Director Dr. Judith Albert has found that the difference between early and late twenties is negligible.  

During your thirties:

The happy medium for motherhood: parents are apt to be more financially secure and have plenty of stamina and resilience - qualities that come in handy for parenting young children. In your early thirties, the chances of getting pregnant are only slightly lower than in your twenties.  After 35, miscarriage rates and pregnancy complications rise slowly. At 35, a woman needs to think critically about whether or not she wants to have children, especially more than one.

Forty or older:

Now you are presumably more financially secure and able to provide a solid foundation for raising a family.  However, it is harder to get pregnant because your number of eggs has declined and pregnancy complications are twice as high. But on the positive side, there’s no better time in history to try to get pregnant as an older women, given the range of new assisted reproductive technologies and the recent success of using donor eggs. 

No matter what your age, here are a few things a woman should do before trying to get pregnant:

• Stop smoking
• Limit your caffeine and alcohol consumption
• Eat healthy and exercise (your Body Mass Index, or BMI, should be in the 20-30% range)
• Make efforts to reduce stress in your life

 This Seedlings blog post is written by Reproductive Health Specialists’ newest employee, Jane Plasman. Look for more from Jane in future blog posts!

 As a new employee at RHS, I am excited about making New Year’s resolutions - and actually keeping them this year. What better time than now to reflect back on the positive achievements of 2009 and to set new goals for 2010 at a new job! I’m excited to achieve a sense of accomplishment by setting, reaching and maintaining my goals - hopefully I can get you excited too.  

After working at RHS for just a short amount of time, realizing the importance of a healthy lifestyle has really energized me to get healthy myself. That includes not only being physically fit, but also having a positive outlook on life. So, I have made three resolutions for this year: to eat healthy, exercise and reduce stress - things that every woman wants to accomplish. For proper nutrition, I plan to keep a food journal to be aware of what I am putting into my body. For exercise, I plan to exercise in the morning instead of making a hundred excuses at night about why I’m too tired. (My ironing has been removed from my treadmill!) And for stress reduction, I plan to give myself “me time” each day (even if it is only five minutes) to do something I enjoy.

As I set my own goals, I see patients struggle with the daily stress of infertility and hear the physicians at RHS speak of nutrition, weight loss and the negative impact of stress. The women at RHS understand the daily stresses of a woman and are always reaching out to patients with information on ways to get healthy: mentally, physically and emotionally.

Learning the ropes at RHS, I’ve noticed that our website is also an excellent resource for any woman’s New Year’s resolutions. Here are a few helpful links:

• Nutrition Basics
• Nutrition/Exercise Resources
• Healthy Lifestyle Tips
• Relaxation Tips
• RHS’ “Balance Within” Philosophy

In years past, two weeks into January my resolutions have been buried deep in the snow, but I vow to make a conscious effort this year. So come on - list your resolutions in the Comments box and let’s set, reach and maintain our goals together…WE can do it.

Dr. Albert

Women having difficulty conceiving welcome any suggestions to improve their fertility, especially if these suggestions involve readily available (and tasty) solutions. I’ve been asked about eating pineapple to improve fertility enough times to think that maybe there is something to this fruit suggestion. I always thought pineapple was a symbol of hospitality, rather than fertility, but sure enough, a Google search for “pineapple and infertility” turned up many endorsements on fertility blogs that claim eating a lot of pineapple at the time of the embryo transfer will enhance implantation of the embryo. 

I dutifully searched more credible medical literature for any sign of a scientific study on pineapple and infertility, and I was not surprised that there was not a single citation existing on Medline or in the professional journal Fertility and Sterility. Dietary supplement suggestions, like eating an exorbitant amount of pineapple, are notoriously difficult to study in a way that proves a definite cause and effect. 

After a bit more digging, I found references to an enzyme that is found in pineapple, bromelain, which may explain the pineapple mystery. Bromelain is a protein-digesting enzyme that was isolated from pineapple first in 1891 by a Venezuelan chemist. Bromelain has been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect and has been used to treat athletic injuries, arthritis and auto-immune disorders. Although an abnormal immune response has often been implicated as the root cause of infertility, this association has not been proven. Also, bromelain is found in highest concentration in the stem of the fruit, not in the edible portion.   

Therefore, eating pineapple cannot be viewed as a fertility enhancer. However, pineapple is a good choice for maintaining overall health, which is extremely important for fertility. So, eat up!

Around October, getting ready for the holidays sounds like a fun and doable project. Then, the reality hits you during the first week in December - where has the time gone? We all have the best intentions of getting ahead this year, with thoughts like: “I’m going to get all of my shopping done early,” “I’m going to bake loads of cookies and freeze them,” “All of my wrapping will be completed way ahead of time,” and “I will make time to visit everyone and enjoy the company of friends and family.”

It all sounds good, but here we are, the second week in December and many of our good intentions are slowly fading. We are beginning to feel that all-too-familiar feeling of holiday overload.

People rarely take the time to do anything for themselves over the holidays, but finding ways to relax and re-charge can go along way towards making the holiday season less stressful. One way couples and families can find some calm is to surprise each other with gifts of relaxation. Here is a list of suggestions for relaxation-inducing gifts that we think are great:

• Pampering with massages, facials and wraps, either at a resort like Nemacolin, a local spa, or by creating the experience at home  
• Baskets of edible goodies to soothe the body and soul - opt for a healthy option like Edible Arrangements
• Foot care products, like natural pampering lotions from Burt’s Bees
• Chamomile tea, especially in a delicious holiday flavor
• Yoga DVD (for beginners), like this stress relief video  
• Scented lotions or candles, such as aromatherapy fragrances from Yankee Candle

At RHS, we hope that each of you can find the time to enjoy each other (and a little relaxation) during this holiday season.

November is quickly moving by, and soon it will be Thanksgiving, with all of the festivities that go along with it. Thanksgiving is meant to be a time when we reflect on all of the things we are thankful for. Although, at times, it may seem difficult to be thankful when so many things in our society and even in our personal lives are causes for deep concern, clouding our ability to see things in a positive light. For anyone dealing with infertility at a time when we should be giving thanks, it becomes even more difficult to remember to be thankful. 

Most of us celebrate Thanksgiving by spending time with family or close friends. This is traditionally a time to get caught up with those we may not have seen in a while. This can be an especially anxious time for those dealing with infertility. Some may feel the pressure of the possibility of being asked about their plans to start a family.  Having a plan for dealing with these types of questions can go a long way in making you feel more in control of the situation. Below are a few tips that may help you prepare for the uncomfortable side of catching up with friends and family during the holidays:

• Be prepared to share your infertility status, if you are comfortable doing so
• Plan ahead by preparing a general statement about your future plans
• Ask your family and friends to share their stories and give advice
• If you feel you may be in a situation where friends and family may not understand your infertility situation or may not be supportive, don’t be afraid to make alternative plans for Thanksgiving

It’s important to remember what you do have to be thankful for during the holiday season. To prepare yourself mentally, try taking an inventory of the positive aspects of your life that you’re thankful for, such as:

• Your personal strength
• The love of a special person
• Giving love in return
• A special hobby or interest
• Your job
• Your pet(s)
• Dedicated doctors and nurses who are on your side
• Good food
• Thoughtful relatives and friends who ask about support your fertility treatment progress
• Holiday traditions, including coming together with family to celebrate

Tell us what you are thankful for by commenting below.  We’d love to hear your stories during this holiday season.

Good morning!  Have you noticed that the sun is coming up earlier?  Yes, it’s that time of the year when we all scramble around trying to remember if we are supposed to fall back or fall forward.  Hopefully you remembered to set your clock back one hour before you went to bed on Halloween.

Did you know that people in the United States have been moving their clocks forward in the spring and back again in the fall since 1918?  Daylight saving-time was established because most people work between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., and setting the clocks forward one hour in the spring allows us to get more daylight at the end of the day, during the warm summer months.  As the days get shorter in the fall and during the winter, the clocks are moved back to standard time.

So why do some of us feel so crummy for a few or more days after we move the clocks forward or back?  Well, it’s sort of like having mini jet lag.

The body has an internal clock that controls the release of certain hormones at specific times of the day.  The internal clock has no idea about daylight saving-time, and it gets its cues from the sun and the amount of daylight that a person is exposed to.  It can often take up to a week to adjust the body’s internal clock to a change in sleep pattern (i.e. feeling sleepy enough to get to sleep one hour earlier in the fall after the time change and getting up one hour earlier ).

Recent studies suggest that the internal clock is more affected by dark mornings than the decrease in the total amount of sunlight.  This may have a greater effect on some people more than others, especially those who suffer from a condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), sometimes known as winter depression or winter blues.

Some symptoms of SAD include difficulty concentrating, decreased energy, fatigue and sleepiness, moodiness or irritability. No wonder people dream of a Caribbean vacation in the middle of winter!

Usually, after our internal clocks reset, the symptoms go away, but if you find that the symptoms continue, there are some ways to counteract them.  For some, it may be a matter of recognizing what’s going on and adjusting patterns of sleep, exercise and diet.  Others may require a visit to the doctor, who may be able to suggest alternative solutions, such as light therapy.  Light therapy is more than just sitting in a bright office.  Certain light bulbs emit specific light frequencies that have been shown to have a positive impact on many people who are suffering from prolonged or intense symptoms of SAD.

At RHS we’re committed to helping couples overcome their infertility through advanced medical treatments and our holistic mind and body approach to well-being.  Visit our website, to learn more about our Balance Within philosophy.

We focused on stress reduction in our last blog post and wanted to continue with some suggestions for additional stress reducing activities. Many people have found that journaling is a very effective method for dealing with stress. Writing down your thoughts and feelings is a personal expression that you don’t have to share with anyone other than yourself. Think of it as having a conversation with yourself that may help you organize your thoughts, both mentally and emotionally.

Here is some insight from a RHS employee who routinely journals to deal with her daily stressors:

“A few years ago a friend of mine gave me some advice on how to relieve stress. She said, ‘Why don’t you try keeping a journal?’

I thought the idea sounded great, but I had never kept a journal before, and I had no idea how to start one or where to even begin writing one.

Well, eight years later, I am still journaling.

Sometimes I journal once or twice a week; sometimes I write in my journal once a month. It all depends on what is going on in my life.  It depends on if I feel the need to just write down my thoughts.

Journaling has helped me to express myself without any type of judgments.  I am able to write down my frustrations, my emotions, and my thoughts on whatever is going on at that time of my life, good or bad.

I usually write as if I am writing a letter to someone.  Some days I ask questions about why things happen, knowing all too well that I will not get any answers.  But for some odd reason, it helps.

Journaling doesn’t give me answers or solutions to my problems; it helps me to relax.  And when I feel relaxed, I sleep better, I feel better and I am better.”

- Michelle

Many IVF patients have tried journaling and have found it to help relieve some of the anxiety associated with the process. There are many ways to write in a journal:

• Use it to record your goals
• Praise yourself
• Give yourself advice
• Reflect
• Keep a record of activities or doctor’s visits

At some point, being able to go back and read your journal entries could provide insight to just how far you have come in your journey.

Journaling has helped other people who are experiencing tough medical situations.  One example is a study that discusses how journaling has helped cancer patients to get well and overcome their stress.  For more information about this study, visit http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/26/the-power-of-words-for-cancer-patients/.

Coping with infertility can be extremely stressful for couples. Patients who undergo infertility treatments, such as IVF, can easily become overwhelmed by the process of overcoming infertility.  Researching best treatment methods for their individual circumstances, discussing issues with their physicians, making and keeping appointments, and dealing with any of the side effects of taking certain treatment medications, are all part of the arduous process of trying to conceive.

Couples who are dealing with the stress of infertility may exhibit a multitude of feelings that can include low self-esteem, depression, anger, anxiety or even denial. Each person is unique and so is his or her reaction to stress.

Having a plan in place for dealing with this natural anxiousness is fundamental to maintaining mental health well-being, but there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to reducing and coping with infertility stress. We suggest trying several methods to find a stress-reduction plan that fits your individual needs:

• Behavior modification is one approach that aims to shift your natural stress response to a relaxation response. When feeling anxious, angry or depressed, try incorporating simple yoga stretches into your daily routine, or make time to partake in something you’ve always enjoyed, such as reading, painting or writing.

• Support groups that offer an outlet to voice your frustrations and learn from others’ first-hand experiences are another approach to reducing stress. One example of a support group is Resolve, an initiative by the National Infertility Association that builds relationships between infertility patients based on their location.

• Acknowledging your feelings of stress as a normal part of the infertility process is also important. Learning to recognize your stressors and having a plan in place to help deal with and reduce your stress levels will allow you to feel more in control of yourself and the situation.

For additional information and links related to stress reduction, please visit our Web site

Dr. Albert

We are so fortunate to have the opportunity to get together with our patients and their babies and children on an annual basis at our RHS zoo party. Every year we anxiously await the response to our invitation to meet at the zoo for some fun and of course pictures. Since we opened this practice in July of 2000, we have reported 700 births from IVF. It‘s a thrill to see so many of the babies all at one time at our event. This year, we lucked out again with the weather. Our puppeteer, also a former patient, does a wonderful job entertaining the kids (infants up to 8 years old). It’s overwhelming, in a good way, to step back and look around at the scene and just be amazed.