Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Book Review...a must read! and some news!

This is my personal opinion from reading this book.  I was not compensated or given a copy of the book.

A few weeks ago while doing a library catalog search, I stumbled upon a book titled "Making Babies."  I remembered briefly seeing something about this book before but was completely turned off by the subtitle..."a proven three month program for maximum fertility."  But since my county library system had a copy, I thought well maybe I will just check it out and skim it for a few pointers. 

I was so wrong.  This is literally the best book I have ever read about the medical side of infertility.  hands down.  And y'all know I've read some books!!  Before I continue about why I love this book so much, I want to recommend that if you have fertility problems or recurrent loss that you need to read this book.  I've pretty much forced (sorry girls!) my in real life friends struggling with infertility to read this book because it is just that good.  I'm convinced that some of my readers could actually find the cause of their infertility or a treatment for the cause by reading this book. 

As some of you may remember from this post, the one topic that will get me fired up every time is the tendency for REs or especially GYNs to not find the root cause for the infertility.  Some couples do get a diagnosis like PCOS, low sperm count, but the treatment seems to be the same for everyone no matter what the diagnosis.  Here's clomid...3 iuis....okay now 1 or 2 injectable cycles (some jump straight to IVF at this point)...and then IVF (10,000 each attempt...and an incredible amount of emotional, physical, and financial stress/pressure that goes along with that).  I'm obviously not anti-treatment as God worked through an injectable cycle to bring us Henry.  I'm incredibly grateful for knowledgeable doctors, tests, treatment options and drugs but before all of that begins...the cause of the infertility should be found and there should be an attempt to fix the cause not work around the problem.  For instance, do you know that many PCOS patients will start to ovulate regularly when their vitamin D levels are brought back to normal?  This is what Sami S. David (RE)and Jill Blakeway (Eastern medicine) are all about...finding the cause and fixing the actual problem...with over 4,000 pregnancies to prove it!

The book first explains what is wrong with the current treatment of infertility, which got me hooked from the first paragraph.  Then, they explain the reproductive system/fertility and charting...even after years of charting, I learned lots of important information.  After the basics are covered, the authors start explaning the making babies program and the health/diet/lifestyle changes that will lead to maximum fertility.  Through their years of experience, they have been able to group their patients into five different types.  I found that I am "dry," and I now understand so much more about my infertility and health problems.  I never was a good candidate for clomid because with my low estrogen and high FSH, the medicine actually made me less likely to get pregnant.  I now believe that Shaun and I have a better chance conceiving on our own than taking oral meds (this doesn't include injectables which act differently).  Each type has a comprehensive plan to follow to improve fertility.  I've just started making the changes, and I've already noticed a difference in my energy level and I got a dark, dark positive opk on day 18 (wow that is the earliest I think I've ever had one in a natural cycle). 

I know that some of you are reading this and thinking...blah, blah, blah.  You are probably thinking that this is some get pregnant quick book or that you are tired of everyone blaming your daily lifestyle/diet on your infertility.  I always tried to seperate my cycle and infertility with the rest of my health/body but after reading this book, I have a new understanding of how they are connected. Anyways...enough of me blabbing about it...check it out for yourself and let me know what you think!  You can take a quiz online to find your type with a few suggestions (many more and a plan in the book) just to get started at their website here. If you take the quiz, leave a comment with your type!

Here is a pic of most of my supplements!  wow.  and don't worry...I'm not overloading...this is what was recommended in the book for me (my prenatal is great but doesn't cover it!). Specific dosage info in book
 Check out that dark opk!
    
Now for an update on the praying for a little one girls...
Becky has wonderful news....praise God!!!!
Continue your prayers for Lisa during this difficult time.
Loren finally has a diagnosis...yay for a new doctor!
Continue your prayers for K as they are in the two week wait with their ivf cycle

These girls are so special to me as well as the girls that I pray for through email.  If you need prayer or just want to talk, you can email me at prayingforalittleone@gmail.com

  

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

ANA Results?

Anyone out there know anything about a positive ANA result in the 30s (normal around 7)?  Looking for info for my good friend who just got this result with her first infertility panel so please comment below or leave a link to a post if you know anything about it/have experience with it.  Her doctor is referring her so she wasn't given very much information and google can be scary at times.  Thanks!!