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Success Story
April and Sam Neiderhiser had a few things to deal with before beginning a family: her two-year deployment overseas and his irreversible vasectomy. After Sam's urologist recommended RHS, the couple tried intrauterine insemination (IUI) without success. When two subsequent in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments resulted in short-lived pregnancies, April and Sam were disappointed but had hope. A third cycle, following the removal of a uterine fibroid, gave life to baby Ava Isabella. April is delighted to share her story; friends and family followed the Neiderhisers every step of the way via Facebook. As for Ava: "She will always know how she came about and how special she is because we just wanted her so badly and never gave up hope," says April. What's next for the Neiderhisers? "We'll be trying for baby number two this summer at RHS," answers April.
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Ask the Doctors
Will maintaining my health in my twenties and thirties help me prolong my ideal time for fertility when I'm ready for children later in life? While a healthy lifestyle will not preserve ovarian function indefinitely, an unhealthy lifestyle (i.e. smoking, poor diet and lack of exercise) can actually accelerate the decline of healthy eggs. Women are born with about one million eggs, and over the course of her life, several eggs start to develop daily. By the age of 52, a majority of women will not have any remaining eggs. This is not to say that there is absolutely no chance of pregnancy around that age, but the chances of a successful pregnancy are certainly not the same as a woman in her twenties.
Myth of the SeasonAfter ten years of trying to conceive, you can be certain you are not be able to have a baby. Regardless of how long a couple has been trying, it's actually dozens of other factors that determine whether or not you can conceive. For example, semen quality, ovulatory status, metabolism and anatomy are all critical in determining the underlying cause of infertility. Success also depends on the age of a woman, despite the length of time she has been trying. For example, a woman who is 35 who has been trying to conceive for ten years has a higher chance of pregnancy than a 45-year-old woman. No matter how long you've been trying, evaluating all of the different components of fertility is key before giving up hope. |
Baby TechFertility monitoring has recently gone the way of many retail and service companies — helpful assistance rolled into an iPhone app and served up on a handheld screen.
What will they think of next? Here are some other current innovations that may be worth checking out: Smartphone Apps MeFertil relies on basal body temperature to forecast fertility and is also available from the iTunes App Store. For All Mobile Phones Online Planners The Ovulation Calendar is another interactive tool for pregnancy planning. Mymonthlycycles.com tracks not only fertility and ovulation, but also PMS, breast exams, doctor visits and peri-menopausal changes. Smart Devices Pregnancy and Beyond Hmmm, perhaps there is an app for everything!
Chiropractic Care: An Option for AdjustmentSometimes, infertility can be elusive, with no clearly-identified medical cause. The lack of a specific diagnosis may lead to frustration and confusion, with no quick fix in sight. That’s when a holistic approach may be beneficial, working toward optimal overall health and boosting the functioning of body systems. According to Brianne Kemp, D.C., of Choice Chiropractic and Wellness Center in Pittsburgh’s North Hills, her role in helping infertile women is clear: “Chiropractic care works to ensure the nerves are working 100%.” Often, she explains, the nervous system’s ability to communicate with the reproductive organs is impaired, blocking the signals that ensure normal functioning. These anomalies fail to show up on traditional medical tests and may easily go undetected and untreated. In these cases, chiropractic care may be a helpful technique for some patients facing infertility. The Process Dr. Kemp first evaluates new patients, taking a thorough health history and collecting data to assess the health of the spine and determine whether structural damage is interfering with the body’s nerves. The body’s range of motion, reflexes and nervous system functioning are also tested. Hands-on spinal manipulation, exercises and stretching may follow, removing blockages and allowing reproductive organs to receive needed support. This drugless, non-surgical treatment may enhance overall bodily functioning, including fertility. Citing the success she has achieved with some of her patients, Dr. Kemp has seen chiropractic treatment help in regulating menstrual cycles and improving the condition of the uterus so that eggs are better fertilized and nurtured. “It’s exciting to help women work towards a successful pregnancy,” she says. “Some women respond really well to non-surgical treatment.” Dr. Kemp emphasizes that physical conditions such as fallopian tube malformations or uterine abnormalities cannot be remedied by chiropractic care, requiring medical intervention instead. An evaluation by a physician, ideally an infertility specialist, should always be the first stop before chiropractic treatment. Holistic Approach, Happy Outcomes Dr. Kemp has developed a working relationship with the staff and physicians at Reproductive Health Specialists, providing insights into chiropractic treatment for infertility patients. While there aren’t specific studies linking it with infertility, chiropractic care may be a useful part of a holistic approach to fertility.
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Sound silly? Think again. In January, a British woman gave birth to the first "iPhone baby." Lena Bryce was unable to conceive until she received an iPhone for her 30th birthday. She typed in "get pregnant" and downloaded several applications. Lena selected 