Marcia and Keith Gill will never forget the treat they received on Halloween 2006 — the news that they were expecting Rachael, who recently celebrated her first birthday.

When Marcia's monthly cycles had not returned to normal five months after discontinuing birth control, she and her husband turned to RHS. Testing confirmed that Marcia was not ovulating, and she received hormone injections followed by artificial insemination. The second try resulted in Rachael.

Delighted with the support she received from the RHS staff, Marcia said, "They're my heaven — just a Godsend. Anyone who's having trouble should call RHS. What I got from them was truly amazing."

Marcia has exciting evidence that her system is restored to health. She's pregnant with twins, conceived the old-fashioned way.

Free Nutrition Seminars: RHS is offering a series of lectures on nutrition and wellness. The seminars feature Lauri Lang of WQED, a licensed nutritionist and health educator who specializes in holistic nutrition. Upcoming dates are August 28 and September 4. For details, visit our news page.

Dr. Albert quoted on E! Online: Dr. Judith Albert shared her expertise with E! Online in an article about the high number of celebrities giving birth to twins. Read the full article here.

Question: What can I expect during my first visit to a fertility specialist?

Answer: Fertility specialists know that undergoing treatment can be overwhelming, and at RHS we do everything we can to make the initial experience a positive one. The physician will first review any previous test results, your medical history and your reproductive history. A physical exam will also be performed. All of this helps the doctor determine any factors that may be affecting your fertility. The physician will then explain any further tests that may be necessary. Next, a fertility coach will work with you to schedule tests and arrange a follow-up exam to go over the results. Once the results are analyzed by the RHS team, an individualized treatment plan will be developed for you and your partner.

Having a Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) will unblock any obstruction in my fallopian tubes and increase my chances of getting pregnant.

An HSG is an x-ray taken after dye has been injected into the uterus and fallopian tubes. It is useful as a diagnostic test that can evaluate the reproductive organs, showing areas of scarring in the fallopian tubes or changes in the uterine cavity. However, there is no significant evidence that the procedure increases fertility by unblocking scar tissue in the fallopian tubes. Pregnancies do occur after this test is completed, but not at a higher rate than in women who did not have an HSG. At RHS we use the test as an evaluation tool, not as a therapeutic treatment for infertility.

Waiting for baby to make three can have a profound effect on a couple's relationship. Infertility can result in feelings of loss, anxiety and isolation, and these negative emotions can drain the life from a marriage. Anger and guilt can easily turn into irritability and blame, adding marital stress to an already stressful situation.

However, there are many ways to avoid relationship stress during infertility and keep mutual support, passion and hope alive in your marriage throughout this crucial period.

• Have Fun - A key to weathering infertility as a couple is to find ways to relax and enjoy one another. Make time for fun, and set aside serious issues while you indulge in activities that bring you closer together.
• Allow Each Other to Cope - Even the most compatible couple can find that differences in coping styles can disrupt the relationship. While one partner may feel a need for an outpouring of emotion, another's comfort in the routine of work can add to a feeling of distance. Recognizing and acknowledging these discrepancies is important.
• Keep the Passion Alive - During infertility, sex can become mechanical and clinical, a source of disappointment and failure instead of passion and intimacy. It's important to remember that physical closeness is more than just sex and to find ways to express love and maintain the bond between you. Don't lose sight of the simple importance of holding hands, kissing and cuddling.
• Be Supportive - Women may feel that they are bearing much of the burden of infertility — medical visits and procedures can be very stressful. Partners should provide extra support by accompanying them to appointments or providing some extra TLC during stressful times.
• Work Together - Partners can feel at odds during times of infertility. It's important to celebrate the common ground that built your relationship and remember the goal you are both working towards.

For some couples, counseling can provide a safe haven for working through feelings and developing needed coping skills, both individually and together. Megan Norris, founder and clinical director of Relationship Resolutions in Pittsburgh, said, "The best advice I can give to couples experiencing infertility is to keep talking. If a couple is not having productive conversations, a skilled therapist can help the couple set aside their defenses in order to explore underlying values and beliefs, and ultimately help them communicate truthfully and in a meaningful way."

Infertility brings with it a new awareness of the complexity of the human body. Hormones, chemical reactions and reproductive cycles are not simply automatic functions, humming along in the background. It's time to give additional thought to enhancing the body's ability to function at its peak.

Research has shown that a balanced diet enhances the body's response to fertility treatments, increasing the chances of pregnancy. In fact, about 12% of all infertility cases result from a person simply weighing too much or too little.

Maintaining a healthy diet starts with a hearty helping of common sense. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables can help you consume fewer calories and increase important nutrients. Colorful red, yellow and green vegetables will bring variety to your plate and a healthy mix of vitamins and minerals to your body. Whole grain pasta, bread and cereal are more nutritious than their refined counterparts and keep blood sugar levels stable, which can boost fertility.

Proteins are an important building block for the system as well. Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish and the iron fund in meat, fish and beans are key to reproductive health. It is important, however, to avoid certain types of fish such as tuna steaks, marlin and swordfish that have high levels of mercury, which can remain in your system for up to a year.

Even moderate alcohol intake can interfere with conception in women and can suppress testosterone levels and sperm production in men. Couples trying to conceive should also be aware that caffeine causes blood vessels to constrict, which can reduce blood flow to the uterus.

At RHS, our ongoing Balance Within program focuses on a healthy lifestyle as a vital part of a holistic approach to fertility. While good nutrition can enhance the odds of fertility, it can also build habits that can last a lifetime.