I couldn't have put it any better than this article. Check it out.
http://www.momlogic.com/2008/04/how_to_be_a_good_friend_to_an.php
Friday, August 22, 2008
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Help for a slow metabolism from...HCG?
According to this article, HCG is a secret weight loss cure that helps women speed up their metabolism. http://letdiet.blogspot.com/2007/12/correct-your-bodys-sluggish-metabolism.html
For those of you who haven't endured a round of IVF treatment, you may not know that HCG is a hormone found in the urine of pregnant women. In fact, it's the HCG in your urine that makes your pregnancy test turn positive. And they're saying that HCG is linked to speeding up your metabolism? Ummm...what in the world does it do to your fertility if you're taking this stuff every day? I know that during the IVF cycle I had to take an HCG shot to mature my eggs and trigger their release from my ovaries. Taking this stuff on a constant basis just can't be good for you, in my opinion. While my metabolism could use a little kick in the rear, this is not the way I'd ever choose to do it!
For those of you who haven't endured a round of IVF treatment, you may not know that HCG is a hormone found in the urine of pregnant women. In fact, it's the HCG in your urine that makes your pregnancy test turn positive. And they're saying that HCG is linked to speeding up your metabolism? Ummm...what in the world does it do to your fertility if you're taking this stuff every day? I know that during the IVF cycle I had to take an HCG shot to mature my eggs and trigger their release from my ovaries. Taking this stuff on a constant basis just can't be good for you, in my opinion. While my metabolism could use a little kick in the rear, this is not the way I'd ever choose to do it!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Two tests your doctor should run BEFORE Clomid
So shouldn't your OB know this stuff? Yes, but OB's don't specialize in fertility and one of the things that I've noticed is that they are very quick to prescribe Clomid before checking for other possibilities of infertility. The result can leave you spinning your wheels for months as you try and try with no possible way to get pregnant thanks to these underlying conditions.
1. An HSG--Even if you know that you don't ovulate normally, you should check the basics before starting Clomid. If a tube is clogged an egg isn't going to make it through. An HSG will ensure that you don't have any issues with your tubes and then that big fat Clomid egg can make it down to meet the sperm.
2. Hubby should have a sperm analysis--It'd be a shame to waste those big, fat, lovely eggs when there are no swimmers around to fertilize them!
One thing I have learned from my infertility journey, is that you often need to be proactive with your OB because they deal with a variety of issues. Fertility is not their specialty, but you can make it yours.
1. An HSG--Even if you know that you don't ovulate normally, you should check the basics before starting Clomid. If a tube is clogged an egg isn't going to make it through. An HSG will ensure that you don't have any issues with your tubes and then that big fat Clomid egg can make it down to meet the sperm.
2. Hubby should have a sperm analysis--It'd be a shame to waste those big, fat, lovely eggs when there are no swimmers around to fertilize them!
One thing I have learned from my infertility journey, is that you often need to be proactive with your OB because they deal with a variety of issues. Fertility is not their specialty, but you can make it yours.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Running 101
For those who would like to start running for the health benefits, but have no idea where to start, here are some ideas:
1. Sign up for a 5k and begin training. www.runnersworld.com has a great training section, complete with workouts and inspirational stories.
2. If a 5k (3.1 miles) has you thinking, "yeah right, I can't even jog from the couch to the refrigerator" then start off small. Go for a walk and take a watch. Jog for one minute and then walk for two minutes. If you do this daily, you'll find that your running intervals will lengthen and your walking intervals will become fewer and farther between.
3. Hip Swivel. At the beginning of cross country each year we would go on a "jog" around the campus. They called it a hip swivel and it was literally supposed to be as slow as, or slower than, a walk pace. It's a good thing to learn, because it is a move you can always come back to (instead of walking) as you attempt harder runs. It's a great way to recover your breath without breaking down to a walk.
4. If you're using a treadmill or an outdoor/indoor track, jog one lap and walk one lap. Aim for 1 mile to start with, and work up to 3. When you can accomplish 3 miles start dropping the amount of laps you walk. Before you know it you'll be sailing through 3 miles.
5. A great 30 minute treadmill workout is as follows:
2mins-5.0 mph
2mins-5.5 mph
2mins-5.0 mph
2mins-6.0 mph
2mins-5.0 mph
2mins-6.5 mph
2mins-5.0 mph
2mins-7.0 mph
2mins-5.0 mph
2mins-6.5 mph
2mins-5.0 mph
2mins-6.0 mph
2mins-5.0 mph
2mins-5.5 mph
And you've done 3o minutes and about 3 miles by the time you're done. You won't be able to get through it the first time you try, but keep at it and you'll find that each time you attempt the intervals you will be able to make it a little farther.
The key with running, is to start off SLOW. If you expect too much of yourself at first, or you think you need to be able to run a full mile before you can be a "runner", you'll give up. If your legs work, you can be a runner, and the benefits are tremendous (see yesterday's post).
Next up: Endorphins: Nature's High
1. Sign up for a 5k and begin training. www.runnersworld.com has a great training section, complete with workouts and inspirational stories.
2. If a 5k (3.1 miles) has you thinking, "yeah right, I can't even jog from the couch to the refrigerator" then start off small. Go for a walk and take a watch. Jog for one minute and then walk for two minutes. If you do this daily, you'll find that your running intervals will lengthen and your walking intervals will become fewer and farther between.
3. Hip Swivel. At the beginning of cross country each year we would go on a "jog" around the campus. They called it a hip swivel and it was literally supposed to be as slow as, or slower than, a walk pace. It's a good thing to learn, because it is a move you can always come back to (instead of walking) as you attempt harder runs. It's a great way to recover your breath without breaking down to a walk.
4. If you're using a treadmill or an outdoor/indoor track, jog one lap and walk one lap. Aim for 1 mile to start with, and work up to 3. When you can accomplish 3 miles start dropping the amount of laps you walk. Before you know it you'll be sailing through 3 miles.
5. A great 30 minute treadmill workout is as follows:
2mins-5.0 mph
2mins-5.5 mph
2mins-5.0 mph
2mins-6.0 mph
2mins-5.0 mph
2mins-6.5 mph
2mins-5.0 mph
2mins-7.0 mph
2mins-5.0 mph
2mins-6.5 mph
2mins-5.0 mph
2mins-6.0 mph
2mins-5.0 mph
2mins-5.5 mph
And you've done 3o minutes and about 3 miles by the time you're done. You won't be able to get through it the first time you try, but keep at it and you'll find that each time you attempt the intervals you will be able to make it a little farther.
The key with running, is to start off SLOW. If you expect too much of yourself at first, or you think you need to be able to run a full mile before you can be a "runner", you'll give up. If your legs work, you can be a runner, and the benefits are tremendous (see yesterday's post).
Next up: Endorphins: Nature's High
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Things that make you go hmmm...
http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2008/08/13/pill-may-lead-to-fertility-problems-scientist-s-study-reveals-64375-21522062/
Evidently, the Pill has been misleading women in their choice of a mate. I wonder if "I was on the Pill when I met him" will be a good enough reason for divorce or dissolution. Don't laugh. I can actually see that happening sometime down the road.
Isn't it interesting how delicate the balance of our bodies is? I still don't see how scientists believe that a random act led to such intricately made human beings. Just one more thing that makes me go hmmm...
Evidently, the Pill has been misleading women in their choice of a mate. I wonder if "I was on the Pill when I met him" will be a good enough reason for divorce or dissolution. Don't laugh. I can actually see that happening sometime down the road.
Isn't it interesting how delicate the balance of our bodies is? I still don't see how scientists believe that a random act led to such intricately made human beings. Just one more thing that makes me go hmmm...
Just Another Reason to Run
A 20 year study shows the benefits of running. 20 years is a long time to conduct one study, but it lends credence to the findings. If you need some inspiration to get moving, check out this article:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7554293.stm
Now it's time to find a 5K to train for!
More to come on how to move from inactivity to running consistently.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7554293.stm
Now it's time to find a 5K to train for!
More to come on how to move from inactivity to running consistently.
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