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Hi Sarah, I am pregnant!

Written by on May 13, 2012 · Leave a Comment

Hi Sarah, I am pregnant! Five emails in a row saying exactly or very close to these words. Two were Online Consultation clients, 2 I had seen in my clinic & 1 was a lady who has been making changes since coming across www.TheBabyMakingClub.com & following my eBook. They had all been trying to get pregnant for 1 -2 years in 4 cases, the other started trying for a family nearly 5 years ago & had been tempted to just give up. One couple had 3 failed IVF cycles and another couple was due to start ICSI next month.

Even though this isn’t uncommon I am still continually amazed how making changes can change someone’s outcome. I would love to tell you that there was magic ingredient that made all the difference but there isn’t. But what I do believe works is making lots of small changes in all areas of your life. Making your diet healthier, taking some supplements, doing some exercise, reducing stress, using natural therapies like homeopathy, nurturing relationships etc can make all. the difference in the world to couples diagnosed as ‘infertile’.

What do you need to do right now to start to make changes? Once you have made all the changes that you both need to make then you need to just keep going. Get help and support where necessary from both medical & non-medical sources and keep moving forward with your plan to get pregnant. Believe it can happen, not necessarily when you want it to happen but at some stage in the future.

 

Categories: General

How to Boost Your Nutrition & Boost Your Fertility

Written by on April 22, 2012 · Leave a Comment

The best way to boost your nutritional intake is to decrease processed sugary foods and increase you intake of fruit and vegetables. This means eating fruit as snacks and making sure you have lots of vegetables with lunch and dinner in the form of salad and cooked vegetables.

You can also improve on this by having a ‘Green Drink’ or 2 every day. This can be either a juice or smoothie, or a combination of both. A green juice requires a juicer and a smoothie requires a blender. Either of these will give you a huge boost every day & decrease inflammation by alkalising your system. Vegetables are the most alkaline forming foods you can eat and has huge health benefits.

You can make a green juice using a combination of the following-: celery, cucumber, spinach, kale, cucumber, courgette, golden delicious apples, beet greens & broccoli stems. You can also add in a piece of ginger, a carrot, raw beetroot, a chunk of unpeeled lemon or some peeled lime. This morning I had a delicious juice made from cucumber, celery, broccoli stem, a golden delicious apple, ginger & lemon.

A green smoothie can be made with a combination of-: banana, avocado, a handful of baby spinach leaves, frozen berries (makes it purple!), some form of milk such as almond, rice, coconut etc and a spoonful of green powder (such as wheat-grass, chlorela, barley-grass or spiralina). You can also add in- a teaspoon of chia seeds, some linseeds or anything else that takes your fancy.

A few important points-:

  • always wash your fruits & vegetables well
  • use organic where possible or source from local farmers markets
  • you can juice your greens first & then put them into the blender with half an avocado & superfoods such as a green powder. Yes there is lots of washing up but well worth it

So if you want to give your system a raw superfood power-charge then add in a delicious green drink every day. You can make extra for a healthy afternoon snack.

Categories: General, How To Get Pregnant - Tags:

Baby Making Success

Written by on February 27, 2012 · Leave a Comment

Last Monday morning within 1 hour I had 3 messages-

Hi Sarah, just want to let you know that your magic remedies worked! I just had my first ever positive test! After 2 years of ‘trying’ and all the failed fertility treatment last year we are over the moon! Thanks so much! ( N & P, Cork. Both 34)

Hi Sarah I know it is early days but just want to let you know that I did a test yesterday & another one today & it looks like I am pregnant again. We are very happy but of course scared after losing the last one. But we are so much healthier because of all of your help so that gives us some comfort and a bit more confidence. I have just booked a scan for 3 weeks time so please keep everything crossed for us. Thank you so much for your help so far I will let you know how I get on. (Sally, Dublin 37)

Hey Sarah just have to tell you the great news. I am 9 weeks pregnant, was too scared to say anything before now as I have never got this far before. Had a scan this morning & it is twins! They saw 2 really strong heartbeats. Am feeling very sick but very pleased as I never had any symptoms before.  Will come & see you soon but wanted you to be the first to know the news. Thanks very much. (P & D, West Cork, 31 & 33- have been trying to conceive for 4 years, 3 miscarriages at 5 weeks)

And then I got this email-

‘Sarah you don’t know me at all but I want to tell you my story. I bought your fertility eBook & have been following all of your articles on www.TheBabyMakingClub.com & am now 3 months pregnant. My husband & I have been trying to start a family for over 3 years and had 2 failed cycles of IVF last year. We thought we were healthy but from the way we felt on the Liver Detox in the book I think we must have been pretty toxic! I lost 12 pounds & Paul lost 20. We both felt so good & healthy & then magic happened. We were preparing to go back for another cycle & my period didn’t come. We were pregnant! We know this wouldn’t have happened if we hadn’t found your site. We can never say thanks enough. We will send you a photo when the baby is born. ( Jill & Peter, Scotland)

Categories: Fertiity & Homeopathy, How To Get Pregnant - Tags: , ,

I Want to be Pregnant Yesterday

Written by on November 30, 2011 · Leave a Comment

I Want to be Pregnant Yesterday. This is what Sharon said to me 10 months ago when she came to see me for her first appointment. She had been trying to get pregnant for ’2 long lonely years’. Both her and her husband came from big families and never thought they would have any ‘problems’. They had been to their doctor and had all of the relevant tests, been to the fertility clinic and got the diagnosis of ‘Unexplained Infertility’. Sharon was very upset, how could it be possible that they couldn’t have a baby?

They were both very healthy, ate well and exercised often. They were under some stress as their house had cost them a lot of money, like many couples in their mid 30′s they panicked to get on the property ladder just when house prices were at there highest. They were at risk of losing their home but didn’t seem to care too much, if only they could have a family then the other stresses would become insignificant. The biggest problem they were facing financially was the hard truth that they would not be able to afford fertility treatment if it was necessary. The fertility clinic had recommended commencing IUI for 3 cycles and then IVF. Sharon said that they couldn’t even afford 1 cycle of IUI (at nearly €1000 each) and that the success rates were quite poor. ‘You are our only hope’ – is what she said to me. No pressure at all! It is not the first time that this has been said to me this year & it probably wont be the last time. Even though fertility clinics are busier than ever, many couples can’t afford the treatments.

I gave Sharon homeopathic remedies to balance her cycle as it was very light ever since she stopped the Pill over 2 years ago. I also gave her remedies to help with the stress and anxiety she was going through. I prescribed nutritional supplements for them both and gave them my fertility diet eBook. I went through their questions about timing for conception. I asked to see them again in 2 months.

When they came back for their follow up appointment Sharon was feeling much brighter and positive. She had had 2 heavier periods and reported that they felt more ‘normal’. They were both feeling more energetic and felt they were more able for their financial worries. Sharon was on Day 27 of her cycle and her next period never came. She rang me a few days later to say she was crying, with happiness. She had her first ever positive pregnancy test and was overwhelmed with happiness and relief. I saw her in my clinic last week to talk about remedies for childbirth. She asked me to share her story.

Categories: General - Tags: , ,

You Are Not Alone With Infertilty

Written by on October 5, 2011 · Leave a Comment

I want to let you know of some recent emails I have received-

‘I felt so alone with infertility until I came across The Baby Making Club. I joined your Silver Membership, followed the fertility diet eBook and after just 2 months I am pregnant. We have been trying to get pregnant for 3 long lonely years and had 3 failed IVF cycles last year. We can never thank you enough.’ Paula from London.

‘Hi Sarah, you may not remember me I had an Online Consult with you 6 months ago and never got back for my follow up as my Mum was sick. Just want to let you know I had my 12 week scan this morning and everything looks healthy. We are so happy. Thank you for everything.’ Jane, 39 ( she had a history of 3 miscarriages all at 6 weeks over the last 4 1/2 years) 

‘Sarah we just want to let you know that the IVF finally worked and we attribute much of that success to the help you gave us with the diet and homeopathy pills. I am 8 weeks pregnant with twins! We are over the moon & want to say thank you for all of your help.’ Sally & Micheal from Derry.

Categories: Fertiity & Homeopathy, Fertility Treatment- IUI & IVF, Miscarriage - Tags: , , , , ,

Sleep and Boosting Your Fertility

Written by on September 22, 2011 · Leave a Comment

Are you getting a fabulous nights sleep every night? Do you wake up feeling rested and refreshed every morning?

Many of the women I speak to who are struggling with their fertility also have problems sleeping. Getting on top of stress can certainly help, as can a healthy diet and plenty of exercise. I ask them to have a look at their bedrooms to see if there is anything that can be done to help. If there is any light at all at night it can disturb sleep. If you can see your hand in front of your face then your room is too bright. Maybe you need blackout curtains or blinds if the light is coming through a window. If there are any electrical appliances causing brightness then they need to be unplugged from the wall. I have written previously about electro-magnetic radiation causing problem so it is best not to have anything plugged in to the wall overnight. Televisions even on standby will have a little light. Clock radios also emit light. Night lights or lights left on in a nearby room or hallway can disturb your sleep.

Make sure you do not have anything in your room that relates to your work. One of my clients recently confessed (with some prompting from her frustrated husband) that she was checking her emails on her phone under her pillow at night, thinking her husband was blissfully asleep and unaware of her habit!

When your circadian rhythm is interrupted at night then your adrenal glands may be affected, when can upset the delicate hormonal balance needed for a healthy conception and pregnancy.

So have a good look and see what can be done to ensure you are getting a good nights sleep, every night.

Sweet dreams.

Categories: General

Men and Fertility/Infertility

Written by on August 24, 2011 · Leave a Comment

It has been pointed out to me that when it comes to men and fertility/infertility, that I only include men when talking about their sperm or bad eating/drinking habits. Thank you to the (man!) person who pointed this out. I will try to address the balance a bit here.

This made me think about men and the contact I have had with them in the course of my work. I have recently had 2 ’thank yous’ written by men, 1 on a card & the other by email. In nearly 20 years these are the first and I hope a sign of things to come!  They are both happy to share their stories-

‘Hi Sarah. Just wanted to fill you in on our progress. The IVF went very well this time, thanks to the help we had from you. My sperm test was improved on every level & they didn’t need to do ICSI this time which you said would be a bonus. Sharon said she felt much better and more relaxed through the process. They got lots more follicles than usual and we ended up with 4 top quality embryos-much better than only 1 last time and none the first time. They transferred 2 of them and we have 2 frozen.

Sharon coped with the 2ww very well & followed you advice & rested lots. She did the test a day early which was a bit naughty but we were both feeling like things were different this time. The test was positive, we repeated it 4 times as we couldn’t believe it. We went for our first scan this morning and they confirmed a healthy 6.5 week foetus with a nice strong heartbeat.

I know it is very early days but we couldn’t be happier. We can’t thank you enough for your help and support. Sharon is mostly very well and will be in touch if her symptoms get unmanageable. We will keep in touch. Thanks again, Stephen & Sharon.’ 

And from Peter-

‘Dear Sarah, How are you? We are doing very well, Mary is now 8 weeks pregnant. When we came to you we were desperate after 4 long years of infertility and I admit I was very doubtful that you could help us with you little pills and food advice. I am pleased that I was wrong. It was hard work making all of the changes but we both feel very healthy once we did. You said we needed to put everything in place and ‘then keep at it for as long as it takes’ and you were right. It took 7 months in total. Thank you for everything you have done to help us achieve our dream. Yours sincerely, Peter & Mary.’

Categories: Fertility Diet, Fertility Treatment- IUI & IVF, General, How To Get Pregnant - Tags: ,

Success From Infertility

Written by on July 24, 2011 · Leave a Comment

This is just a quick post as I wanted to share the following with you. I have had the most amazing week ever since I have been working with women and couples who are having challenges conceiving. I have had 9 women contact me to say they are pregnant, all in one week. Here is what some of them have said or written to me-:

Hello Sarah, Brigit T here, just wanted to email you to let you know my good news that I am one month pregnant. We are over the moon. Many thanks. (33 year old lady who had been diagnosed with PCOS last year and told she would need IVF to conceive. She change her diet & took homeopathic remedies, then started ovulating regularly.)

Hi Sarah, just writing to let you know that our IVF cycle was successful. We are very happy. I had my 7 week scan today and it is twins! Thank you for everything. Mary B, 38. (She came to me after 3 failed IVF cycles for help with her 4th & final cycle.)

Hi Sarah, Paula C here. I will need an appointment soon please because I am pregnant! I would love you support and guidance through the pregnancy to keep everything healthy. We can’t stop smiling, my husband wants to kiss you! ( 36 year old who had been trying to conceive for nearly 4 years and couldn’t afford fertility treatment.)

Hey Sarah my husband wants to know what is in those little magic pills you sent us because they have worked! I have just done 5 pregnancy tests and been to my doctor as well who told me that yes, I am pregnant! I can hardly say the word. I will have to hold off telling Suzie but we can’t believe we are finally there. I hope you know what a difference you make to people’s lives. (Stephanie L, 40. She has a 10 year old daughter and has been trying for a second child for 6 years. She was on the Pill for 3 years after Suzie was born as her mother was very ill. They were heartbroken when they couldn’t conceive again. Once Stephanie’s hormones were balanced she got healthy periods again and conceived within a couple of months. Stephanie did an Online Consultation, which is available to residents of Ireland and the UK. Residents of other countries please go to Gold Membership.)

Hi Sarah. I know it is very early but I want you to know that I had a positive test yesterday. We are excited and scared because of our history but can’t help feeling that things will be different this time. I will keep you posted. Thanks so much. We have hope again. Sue & Peter. (Both 38, who have had 5 miscarriages in the past. They both made many changes to their diet and lifestyle. Sue’s menstrual cycle improved significantly and Peter’s sperm count nearly doubled from 11 million/ ml to 21 million. They also got rid of lots of toxins in their environment and started getting fresh air and exercise. Between them they lost 50 pounds over 4 months.)

They were just the ones who I contacted about sharing their stories. I know it is extremely difficult for people who are struggling to conceive to read about other peoples success, although many people tell me that they find success stories keep them going. All of these people were also struggling and have managed to be successful by keeping focused and just sticking at it, no matter what life has thrown at them along the way. Please just keep going so that you can write you own success story very soon.

Categories: Fertiity & Homeopathy, Fertility Diet, General, How To Get Pregnant, Miscarriage, Secondary Infertility

Endometriosis & Fertilty Help With Nutrition & Homeopathy

Written by on July 10, 2011 · Leave a Comment

Jane was 34 when she came to me for help with endometriosis as she wanted to get pregnant. She had always had painful periods and had heard that homeopathy and natural fertility could help. They had been trying to conceive for 11 months and their doctor had referred them to a fertility clinic in case they needed to have IVF.

(Endometriosis is a condition where the endometrial lining (the normal lining of the uterus during menstruation) grow outside the uterus, such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes or inside the abdomen affecting the bowel. Endometriosis can be asymptomatic, whereby the women has no symptoms at all and is unaware that she has any problems at all until investigations reveal the problem. Other women may have painful periods, ranging from mild to severe. Some may have pain in other areas such as around the bowel, depending on where the endometrial tissue is growing. Surgery may be offered as a treatment option to remove the abnormal tissue or to unblock the fallopian tubes. Fertility drugs and IVF may also be offered. In natural medicine endometriosis is seen as a problem with the liver battling to deal with the reproductive hormones. Therefore a diet that is gentle on the liver is recommended, low in toxins and processed foods. A dairy and gluten free diet may be beneficial. Gentle liver herbs such as Milk Thistle are normally recommended.)

Jane and her husband Paul where both healthy apart from Jane’s menstrual problems. I gave them access to my Silver Membership so they could work through the 21 Day Get Pregnant Plan to make sure their diet and lifestyle was as healthy as possible (Gold Membership includes 1:1 Consultations). They started with the Liver Cleanse from The Ultimate Fertility Diet Program (included with the membership) and felt quite tired while going through the detoxification process. I gave them homeopathic remedies to support the detoxification process and also recommended that Jane take Milk Thistle, a gentle liver herb.

Then I worked on Jane’s cycle. She had extreme abdominal pain for 5 days before her period and for 7 -10 days when it arrived. She was taking lots of anti-inflammatory medication to help to deal with the pain but this often made her symptoms of nausea and diarrhoea much worse. She also felt extremely tired for this time and said her flow was dark and clotty, she felt it was an unhealthy flow. So I gave her homeopathic remedies to help with the pain and to balance her hormones. I had also advised Jane to reduce inflammatory and acidic components of her diet, such as red meat and sugar. She increased her vegetarian and fish sources of protein as well as eating more leafy green vegetables. Essential fats are very important to calm the inflammatory process of endometriosis. Therefore it is very important to include healthy sources of fat such as nuts, seeds, avocados, olive and coconut oils. I also recommended some good quality fish oils to take in a supplement form.

Food sensitivities are often an issue with endometriosis, especially to certain grains such as wheat. Dairy products can often be problematic as well. Goats milk and cheese are usually fine, as well as almond and rice milks.

When Jane came back for her 2 month review she reported feeling very well. She had experienced much less pain during both cycles since her first visit. It only lasted for 3 -4 days premenstrually and for 5-6 days once it arrived. She only felt half as tired as she had previously. Her upset digestive system was also a little improved. Most importantly she said the flow was a little brighter and less clotty. I prescribed some new remedies for the next 2 cycles and asked her to continue with all of the other recommendations. I also advised her on observing ovulation as well as timing for conception. Although Jane was pleased with all of the improvements, she was upset that she still wasn’t pregnant. All of her friends were getting pregnant easily and she felt like she was being left behind. Her younger sister had just announced her second pregnany and Jane was feeling guilty that she couldn’t share her excitement. These emotions are absolutely understandable and I had a chat to her about ways to cope when she was feeling low.

Jane continued to improve overall, with a few ups & down along the way. She struggled with keeping the alcohol out of her diet as she felt it would help her to cope emotionally. However once it was explained to her that her liver couldn’t deal with her hormones as well as the alcohol and that alcohol can have a depressant effect. She agreed to have a break from it for a month. It was during this time that she rang me with the fantastic news that she was pregnant. I was the first person she has told, she hadn’t even told Paul as he was on a flight to Boston on business. It is times like that when I have the best job in the world.

Sarah Leather, N.D., Is.Hom, Post Grad Natural Fertility Management.

 

Categories: Endometriosis, Fertility Diet, General, How To Get Pregnant - Tags: , ,

Male Factor Infertility-Latest Research

Written by on June 13, 2011 · Leave a Comment

There has been a lot of research published lately about male factor infertilty-

Medical News Today reports about a new test for damaged sperm -

A groundbreaking new test for male infertility which will save time, money and heartache for couples around the world, has been developed at Queen’s University Belfast.

The medical breakthrough, known as the SpermComet, has resulted from more than a decade’s research by Professor Sheena Lewis, who leads the Reproductive Medicine research group at Queen’s.

The SpermComet provides unique information that no other test offers. By measuring damaged DNA in individual sperm, it can predict the success of infertility treatments and fast-track couples to the treatment most likely to succeed, leading to significantly reduced waiting times and improved chances of conception.

Professor Lewis said: “One in six couples has difficulty in having a family. In 40 per cent of cases, the problems are related to the man.

“Until now, there have been few accurate ways of measuring a man’s fertility. Traditionally, the diagnosis of male infertility has relied on semen analysis. This provides the basic information on which fertility specialists base their initial diagnosis. However, its clinical value in predicting male fertility or success with infertility treatment is limited, particularly if the semen analysis results are normal.

“The SpermComet test is so called because it looks just like a comet in the sky. The head of the ‘Comet’ is undamaged DNA and the tail is damaged DNA. From the tail of the ‘Comet’ we can measure exactly the amount of damaged DNA in each individual sperm. Good quality sperm DNA is closely associated with getting pregnant and having a healthy baby, and the SpermComet Test is the most sensitive test available for sperm DNA testing.”

Also reported by Medical News Today about the important fertility nutrient Vitamin D -

Vitamin D  is important for optimal reproductive function in both animals and humans. It has long been known that serum vitamin D level is important for reproductive function in various animals, but now researchers from the University of Copenhagen and Copenhagen University Hospital have shown that this relationship can also be demonstrated in humans.

A new study conducted in 300 normal men showed a positive correlation between the percentage of motile sperm and serum vitamin D levels. The study was recently published in the scientific journal Human Reproduction, and showed additionally that stimulation of human spermatooza in the laboratory with activated vitamin D can increase their forward movement.

More studies needed

“Our study is not sufficient and should not be used to change existing treatment practices. However, it uncovers some of the functions of vitamin D and generates new hypotheses. This is an intriguing finding, because it suggests that vitamin D has an effect on sperm movement and function,” explains Martin Blomberg Jensen from Copenhagen University Hospital.

“However, this finding is not sufficient in determining whether vitamin D supplements may improve sperm quality in normal or infertile males. This study is one in a line of studies indicating that vitamin D is necessary for male reproduction,” says Martin Blomberg Jensen.

And Science Daily reports-

Cell Phone Use May Reduce Male Fertility, Austrian-Canadian Study Suggests

ScienceDaily (May 19, 2011) — Men who have been diagnosed with poor sperm quality and who are trying to have children should limit their cell phone use, a new study suggests. Researchers in Austria and Canada have found that while cell phone use appears to increase the level of testosterone circulating in the body, it may also lead to low sperm quality and a decrease in fertility.

Finally, the report that many men don’t want to read- it looks like the laptops need to get off the laps- as reported in BBC News/Health- 

 

 

 

Men who use laptop computers could be unwittingly damaging their fertility, experts believe. Balancing it on the lap increases the temperature of the scrotum which is known to have a negative effect on sperm production, researchers found.Coupled with the rising popularity of these computers – about 150m people use them worldwide – much more research is needed say the US authors.The State University of New York findings appear in Human Reproduction.

   

Lead researcher Dr Yefim Sheynkin, from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, said: “Laptops can reach internal operating temperatures of over 70°C.”They are frequently positioned close to the scrotum, and as well as being capable of producing direct local heat, they require the user to sit with his thighs close together to balance the machine, which traps the scrotum between the thighs.”The researchers asked 29 healthy male volunteers aged between 21 and 35 to take part in an experiment.They then recorded the temperature changes to the scrotum caused by laptop use and different seating positions over one hour time periods.Just sitting with the thighs together, a posture needed to balance a laptop, caused scrotal temperatures to rise by 2.1C.  Read the full article here-

    

 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/4078895.stm

 

 


Categories: General, Man's Role in Fertility

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