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Now, I realize that in some things I am behind the times. But I didn't realize how far behind I was until I started researching the connection between fertility drugs and the black market, most of the articles were from a few years back. But the article that I learned the most from was from the above link back in 2005.

Now, I can really see where getting fertility drugs from the black market can be extremely dangerous. In fact, the doctor that is quoted in the article says that it is possible to even die from these drugs because there is no guarantee that they haven't been ... more

I have mentioned before that I am a fan of Beliefnet. This site offers all types of essays, prayers and information about all types of religions. Once I click on, I'm over there for a while just learning about everything.

Well, recently I signed up for some of their daily newletters. In fact, I think that I signed up for about six different daily emails, but it may be more or less. In the few days since arriving in my inbox, I have learned a few new quotes that I have saved for future use. But today, in my daily prayer newsletter, ... more

We have all heard about the book, The Infertility Survival Handbook by Elizabeth Swire Falker. Or, if you haven't heard of it, you have now! Over on Amazon her book is rated 4 stars, but honestly, from what I've heard about it, 5 stars are more like it. And yes, it is on my list of books to read, I'm just waiting for my turn with it at the library. It should be any day now.

Anyway, she has started a blog! Yeah! It is called, The Infertility Survival Handbook's Blog, of course. And her first post is about wanting another baby and starting all over again. This should be ... more

Obesity, Illness Speed Testosterone Decline

Testosterone levels in men decline with age. But are there other factors that influence this decline? That is what researchers from the New England Research Institutes wanted to find out. And they did identify other variables besides age involved with the ... more

Over at Stirrup Queens and Sperm Palace Jesters they have created a poll in which you can vote on how you would like your pregnancy loss to be remembered. Here are the options:

I wouldn't--it's a private thing
I would want a simple email letting me know that they're thinking about me
I would want a card letting me know that they remembered and they cared
I would want a phone call
I would want to get together with a few close friends and family to remember together

So take a moment and decide which choice you would choose and then head on over to add your results to the poll. Are you ... more

Science makes fallen soldier a father

I was trolling throught the archives of USA Today, trying to find and interesting story to pass along. And boy, did I find one. Very inspiring, and possibly controversial. My favorite type of reading. And it is all true. Even better.

Kathleen Carol-Smith and her husband had been trying to conceive their first child when he was sent to Iraq. Upon her urging, her husband used a sperm bank to deposit his sperm so she could continue to try to conceive while he was away. Little did they know that her husband, Brian wouldn't return.

Due to ... more

Men Who Want Children Should Skip the Hot Tub

Dr. Paul Turek was noticing that many of the infertile couples that he treated were unaware of the dangers of hot tub and hot bath use in regards to sperm quality and production. Upon doing some research, he found that not many statistics were published on this rumor to be passed along to his patients. ... more

OK, let's try this again. Here is the post that I was trying to write last week that was giving me grief. But, being the dedicated worker I am, (this is so not true), I am back at the keys trying to pass along this cool site.

The site is called Affirmagy. It is a woman owned business in Washington state that sells fleece blankets/wraps that are printed with affirmations on them. Their list of categories is extensive. I tried to copy their wording for this post, but you'll have to go to the actual site and click on the photos of the blankets to read ... more

Starting when I was a young teenager, I would always read Dear Abby in our daily newspaper. I was always surprized at her answers because I would most likely think one way, but she would come up with better ones. I think that I had the typical black and white, right or wrong, thinking of a typical teenager, so seeing that there were other options, better options was a great experience for me.

In our newspaper now they offer a couple of different advice columns that I don't enjoy much at all. I wish for the olden days of Dear Abby and her simpler questions that she had to tackle. I guess this means that I'm getting old.

I came across another advice option from an ... more

My wonderful local library ordered this book from a request put in by me! I found the original book while browsing one night at Borders and it looked like so much fun. The title is Mom Spa 75 Relaxing Ways to Pamper a Mother's MInd, Body, and Soul." Written by Jennifer "Gin" Sander and the Momspa Team.

Now, back in my struggling days, I would have taken offense to a book like this, because I would have really wanted to read it, but felt like it was for "mom's only". It only took me a while to figure out that being a mom in mind and spirit is just as good as far as ... more

While researching St. Patrick's Day, this popped up on my radar. This is the holiday that I thought we would all be interested in yesterday, so I hope that you are checking back in. Although it isn't very extensive, I thought that the sentiments behind it, would be something for this blog. The Godess of Fertility Day is always celebrated on March 18. There are also offerings given to Aphrodite in the forms of incense and flowers.

Goddess of Fertility Day

Goddess of ... more

As usual, I was trying to find some sort of connection between today's holiday and fertility. And of course, there are some. Especially with today's custom of wearing green. The green in your clothes is supposed to help with the connection of the fertile ground, representative of lush, ferile lands. Not too much to do with human fertility directly, but there is a connection.

The only thing that I really remembered was that I needed to wear green, and to dress the kids in green today to avoid getting a pinch. In my readings, I didn't come across the reason for the ... more

As you have probably guessed, I read a lot of blogs. And to continue that further, I read a lot of infertility blogs. I'm a huge believer in "Misery Loves Company", and boy, was I miserable while trying to have my kids. There was no choice about it, I was miserable. But I'm finding that there are many women out there that aren't miserable. They are keeping on keeping on. And this really gives me hope. It also makes me feel a little bit guilty in all of my wallowings, but, hey, I'm the only me!

The blog that I've been recently diving into is titled "Finding the Next" which I would readily nominate for best title ... more

Today I've been working all over. First at one job, then the next, then the next. All the while fitting in some housework and some exercise. I have been trying to finish up some posts and to hopefully get a little ahead in my writing.

I keep a file of writing ideas on my favorite places list online. If I'm having trouble with some inspiration for a post, I can always click over and see what I have set aside for myself in times like these. There is a website that I'm really excited to share with you all. I have been saving it so that I can really focus on the information and hopefully do the company and the product justice.

All day I've been waiting to settle in to ... more

So, we all seem to know that if you want to be a Mommy, the best odds are when your weight is at the normal range. And then our ages plays a factor. For quite a while it seemed like Daddy's to be didn't have much to worry about. But now that doesn't seem to be the case. HA! HA! Sorry, just had to let that out. It is fun to not take all of the blame.

Obese Couples Have Tougher Time Having Babies

If both the man and woman were ... more

I don't know if the rest of you are fans of the Berman sisters, but I know that I am. The Bermans are doctors that specialize in women's sexual health. The study that their center conducted, which was funded by K-Y, by the way, found out that vacations are very helpful to intimacy in couples.

Now, this might not sound too surprising to anyone, but having any type of reminder to take a vacation is a good thing in our society. Especially if conceiving kids or having kids are involved. Wanting to be moms and already moms really can use a break. Bringing along the spouse can ... more

Alright, articles like this really don't help the cause, but sometimes, knowlege is power, right?

Miscarriage Risk Higher For Stressed Moms

According to a study done by the National Institute of Health, moms who experience more stress in the first three weeks of pregnancy have higher chances of losing the pregnancy.

In my own case, this news is troubling. When I am actively trying to become pregnant, pregnancy is the only thing that I can focus on. As a result of this blinders on thinking I would begin to stress about taking a pregnancy test ... more

Last night I began reading Inside My Heart written by Robin McGraw. Within the second chapter she wrote a statement that got me thinking.

I have always felt that motherhood was my calling, and I have always known I am going to do everything I can for my children because I want to be able to say that I'm doing a good job, with no regrets. p.21

I wonder how many women can make a statement like this. I know that I am not one of them. I believe that after I decided to have my kids then I felt like being their mom was a "calling" for me. ... more

Are you interested in blogging on fertility/infertility topics? Then please visit this post, give it a thorough read and get your application materials to me by March 20, 2007 at midnight EDT!

We're looking forward to hearing from you!

While researching new miscarriage articles throughUsaToday, I came across this link for a miscarriage and loss site called A Quiet Refuge.

This site offers items that memorialize your pregnancy, infant or young child loss. They offer an album, which I am considering ordering, and a certificate that I posted the image of above. This I am ordering for sure.

It has been quite a while since the loss of our first pregnancy, ... more

Another great thing that I learned from this article from iVillage was first off, how the level of information shared must be age appropriate to your own child. If you do decide to disclose your child's beginnings to them, then needing to be prepared for each stage and also the level of questions that it may bring will be beneficial to all involved. The ranges of questions that they put up for example included the questions below which begin at the preschool level and conclude in adolescence. Which I suppose could also continue into adulthood.

"Where did I come from?"
"How ... more

Talking with Children about Ovum Donation

I am in the process of reading the above article in order to learn more about ovum donation and to also learn if there are any good ideas about sharing adoption with children as well. You never know where a great idea will pop up for your own use. And from the initial reading of this article by Gloria Demby, C.S.W. and Patricia Mendell, C.S.W. there are a lot of things that have brought to mind that I hadn't considered.

From the beginning, I am already learning new things. First of all there are people that believe that secrecy is the best ... more

My second book that I am going to jump ship on is titled, Love Is a Mix Tape: Life and Loss, One Song at a Time written by Rob Sheffield.

In typical Karianne form, I picked this up because of the title and of the cover. I was intrigued. Then when I saw that it was a memoir, it was another plus to pick it up. Mix tapes are from my recent past and I was wanting a stroll down some old tunes and to compare my early 90s experiences with his. I wanted to see which songs were picked for the tapes, if I agreed and I really wanted to see what their break up tapes ... more

I am a reader. I read a lot, especially memoir and nonfiction. And most of the time, I'm comfortable in this vein of works. But there are some times, like this week that I run into a book, or a series of books that I cannot force myself to deal with. Looking back on the choosing of these two memoirs, they didn't seem all too bleak. But once getting into the meat of the reading, I knew that I couldn't finish either one. I will give a partial review of them, just in case they might appeal to you. But for me, I realize that I'm too fragile right now to continue with them.

... more

On my personal blog, I participate in a meme called Thursday Thirteen. Today as I was constructing my post, I was surprized at some of the things that came up in my semi stream of consciousness writings. I would like to share it with you.

Here is a list of things that "call my name". Not things that I worry about, but things that are kind of in the background always vying for a spare moment. My sister calls it, "listening to the angel and the devil on my shoulders". For me, they just call my name over and over.
1. Cancer. ... more

This is the exciting announcement that I just told you about!

The Fertility Blog is seeking an additional blogger to join the team. If you have a desire to share information about fertility and infertility issues, an ability to write interesting and coherent posts about the topic and are easy to work with, we would love to hear from you!

Why Blog for the Fertility Blog?

1. You are given a widely read platform to educate others about the ins and outs of fertility/infertility which can include your personal experience as well as tips, advice and current news and information on the topic.

2. You have no ... more

Good afternoon, Fertility Blog readers! This announcement brings me great joy (and will be followed by another announcement of excitement)! My name is Jenna and I am the new Community Manager for the fertility blog (and forums!).

I won't be posting everyday like Karianne has been; and doesn't she do a great job? I'm mostly here for maintenance, upkeep, recruitment, training and promotion. I will attempt to keep our readers up to date with ... more

This is a post from Bindweed Heights. Had me laughing out loud. With the oh so familiar frustration and anger at the powers that be that regulate fertility, Wavery puts a great creative spin on her energies. Even the title of this post is so true. "Overreacting? Me? Never."

A quick warning though, if you aren't into some bad words here and there, this post probably isn't for you. If you can stomach the honesty, get ready to laugh while reading about her baking experience with Violent Oatmeal Cookies.

As I am in the self important, self loathing, insomniac phase of getting ... more

Eating ice cream, avoiding skim milk could be beneficial to conceiving a baby? This sounds like a study that many women could jump on board with. With a small amount of cost and trauma. If I told my husband that ice cream consumption would help with his part in conception, I'd be scared to think how far he would go to help out!

The researchers found that women who ate two or more servings of low-fat dairy foods per day, particularly skim milk and yogurt, increased their risk of ovulation-related infertility by more 85 percent compared with women who ate less than one serving of low-fat dairy food per week.

"The opposite was true for full-fat dairy foods, ... more

After hearing our baby's heartbeat, and then miscarrying, my fears about losing our living pregnancy and not knowing it were real. I was terrified that the tiny heart tones would disappear and I wouldn't know for weeks that the pregnancy had ended while I felt that things were going fine. By the time I had gotten pregnant with Ivy, I found something to keep my sanity in those months. A rented doppler from Stork Radio.

The process includes contacting the company with your information and payment arrangements. They then send out a high quality doppler and gel to you along with instructions to help hear your baby's heart.

I had tried the over the counter machines with ... more

The hours spent sitting in doctors' waiting rooms, in line for the CT scan, watching chemotherapy drip into veins: Battling cancer steals a lot of time at least $2.3 billion worth for patients in the first year of treatment alone.

The above quote is from the article Cancer's Unrecognized Toll: Time Lost from ABC News.

I'm very sensitive to cancer news. Since my dad was diagnosed a couple years ago, and then passed away from cancer, my radar is up about anything I can learn about the disease. Kind of like I was while I was dealing with infertility. And it ... more

I have been trying to expose myself to fertility problems that I myself did not experience. One of those avenues involved drug therapy. Well, maybe I shouldn't say "drug therapy" as I know that antidepressants really were helpful to me during recovery times. But as far as the drugs classified as fertility drugs, I don't have much experience with them or with the resulting lifestyle from taking them. Of course, I could turn to the random article or study to learn more. And at times, I do. But I would first like to turn to a blog. Imagine that!

The first blog to come up on my google search was ... more