Dee Britton

Exercise is one of those things that I know, that you know, that you should make time for.

You know that it makes you feel better when you make an effort to do it regularly – but if I know you well, then I am guessing that it often gets left out of your busy schedule.

Personally, I love how I feel after I exercise. The feeling of being strong, fit and slim. But more importantly the extra energy that I have after I have exerted myself.

Unless you enjoy what you do for exercise, you won’t stick to it, and for exercise to contribute to your overall well-being and health you have to be consistent. Squeezing a little something in here or there, when you can find time or eventually talk yourself around is not enough.  You need to make a personal commitment to keep a regular exercise program going as part of your weekly routine.

This week and next week and the week after – NO EXCUSES!

You need to put together a work out plan that works for you, remembering that consistency IS the key.

Finding A Passion For Exercise

Do you remember when you were a kid?

You would rush home from school (usually by foot or bike), throw your school bag down, grab something to eat and then go outside and run around like a lunatic with the other children in your neighborhood until your mum called you in for dinner.

What has changed?

I know that you are an adult now and more than likely the mum who is doing the calling in for dinner, but having fun and enjoying exercise does not have to change because you became the adult.

If you loved riding your bike as a kid, what is stopping you now?

If you loved dancing as a kid, then why are you not doing that in your spare time?

If you just enjoyed running around, then why are you still doing that?

Run on a treadmill, run around the block, run after your kids or your dog!

If you haven’t done it for a while, I would suggest walking for a start.

But just get moving.

Do what you love to do!

Have fun and laugh at yourself.

Your decision to exercise daily is as simple as a child’s decision to go out and play. Let the park or the gym become your playground. Find a friend to play with you.

Stop thinking that it is all too hard. Being unfit and over weight is hard – physically, emotionally and mentally.

Start thinking about how much fun you can have and let your inner child come out to play once again. Initially it may take some discipline, motivation and will power to get started, but once you do you will find it easy to make it a part of every day. Just like brushing your teeth or having a shower. Exercise is a habit.

You will feel so much better for it and you will wonder how you ever managed without it.

Don’t let life’s circumstances dictate YOUR health.

Create fun ways to make exercise work in YOUR world.

I would love you to share below what fun exercise you do every day or what excuses you have been using that are keeping you unhappy, overweight and unhealthy.

I believe in YOUR dreams.

To health, happiness & living the life of YOUR dreams.

Dee

Dee Britton is a Health & Happiness Coach for busy mumpreneurs at http://www.FeelingFabulousForever.com. Dee understands that busy mumpreneurs find it hard to juggle business and family and often run out of time to get everything done. If this sounds like you, then get your free copy of Dee’s new e-book ‘How To Get More Time To Do The Things You Really Love’ at http://www.feelingfabulousforever.com

1. Move Naturally  – they tend to have a lifestyle that includes lots of incidental exercise – like house work and tending the garden. Intentional exercise is pursuing things they love like walking in nature.

2. Outlook - they know how to down-shift or take time to go slow. Examples are taking time to meditate  or pray or even  switching off from the world every Saturday or Sunday. Even 15 minutes per day of down time can switch off the bodies inflammatory  response which is our bodies response to living a stressful western lifestyle.  They also have a vocabulary for purpose

3.  Eat Wisely – They tend to eat a plant based diet and drink alcohol in small quantities every day. They eat until they are 80% full and have strategies to stop.

4. Connection - families first looking after their children and elderly and have a faith based community. They experience a sense of belonging and they belong to the right ‘tribe’.  The example he gives is that if your five closest friends are obese you probably will be too, however if you hang out with people who enjoy physical activity as fun then you are more likely to be physically healthy and active.

So How long will you live? Will you live to 100?

Dan Buettner and his team continue to research, however what they do tell us  is that making some lifestyle changes in line with the populations of the worlds blue zones will add years to your current life expectancy and the quality of that life.

Who Is Dan Buettner?

What do Seventh-Day Adventists in California, the residents of Sardinia, Italy and the inhabitants of the islands of Okinawa, Japan have in common? They enjoy the longest, healthiest lives on the planet. Dan Buettner assembled a team of researchers to seek out these “hotspots of human health and vitality,” which he calls Blue Zones, and to figure out what they do that helps them live so long.

Buettner, a world-renowned explorer and a writer for National Geographic, travels the world seeking out new Blue Zones (he’s found five, to date) and speaking at seminars and on TV, sharing the habits that lead to long life. He is the founder of Quest Network, and has set three world records for endurance cycling.

“Dan Buettner takes us on a journey to explore the secrets of longevity and in so doing introduces us to a world of joy in aging … at 91, this is very good news!” Walter Cronkite

You can check out Dan’s TedxTC presentation here

When you mention the word wealth most people assume you are talking about money.

Wealth maybe about money but holistic wealth is about so much more than just finances, bottom lines or material belongings.

Holistic wealth is MUCH wealthier than that!

An abundance of positive energy in every part of your life is the prime characteristic of holistic wealth creation. In its entirety, holistic wealth is about your quality of life, your experiences and living on purpose. It is about you living a life of abundance, freedom and fulfilment, internally and externally. Holistic wealth is made up of so many things that money can’t buy – love, vitality, health, relationships, peace of mind, compassion, meaning, spirituality and so much more.

What does holistic wealth really mean to you?

Wealth as a whole has four key dimensions: being – doing – having – giving.

What type of a person are you being?

What are you spending your time doing?

What do you have?

What are you giving to others?

What are the reasons that you truly want to create additional wealth?

Holistic wealth is a personal choice and is usually closely related to your values. A man with millions of dollars in assets could be overweight, lonely, grumpy and unhappy, but he may think he is wealthy because of what he has and his bank balance. His values could be money, success, recognition and accomplishment. Whilst a poorer man may be completely fulfilled living in a 3rd world country improving the lives of thousands of people daily and he too sees himself as wealthy. His values could be community, cooperation, spirituality and freedom.

So to create a holistically wealthy life, take a good look at all areas of your daily experiences that may be draining your life force energy or that fail to bring you joy, and think about how they relate to your top 10 values in life.

Do you love yourself? I mean truly love yourself – the person that you see in the mirror?

Are you in a fulfilling relationship?

Are you living life on purpose?

Are you financially stable?

How healthy are you (physically, mentally, emotionally)?

Health Plays A Major Role in True Holistic Wealth

When you are low on energy and not enjoying your daily life you are living well below your true potential. When you are living below your true potential, you become more susceptible to negative thoughts, your immune system gets sluggish and you may not be able to cope with even small challenges as they inevitably show up in your life.
Your whole body is a beautiful, complex interactive system working in synergy. Every organ in your body relates to every other organ. Every cell in your body relates to every other cell. This reflects the holographic nature of your body, mind and spirit. What affects one part affects all parts; physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually and psychologically.

It is time to start making some small changes TODAY!

Start by making small but significant changes in your emotional attitude, in your self talk, in how you treat your body – with balanced diet and exercise, and you will be taking the next step to creating the holistic wealth you desire and deserve. Learning to maintain balance, through the good times and the challenging times, is a skill not only worth striving for, but is essential for our evolutionary growth. Only you can decide to become the highest expression of who you know you can be.

To help you on your journey to true holistic wealth creation I urge you to follow the guidance of a mentor; someone who has already created the life that you truly desire. This may be the very best move you could make in your evolutionary journey to becoming so much more than you are right now.

Take some time TODAY, why not even do it NOW, to think about what you are being, doing, having and giving everyday to make your day as holistically wealthy as possible.

I look forward to hearing about your journey and the positive changes that you are making along the way.

I believe in YOUR dreams.

To Health, happiness & living the life of YOUR dreams.

Dee

Feeling Fabulous Forever

Dee Britton is a Health & Happiness Expert. Dee works closely with busy mums who have home based businesses helping them create a work/life harmony by helping them create MORE TIME, enabling them to be happy & successful in all areas of their lives.

By Kim McMillen

Some time ago I purchased a lovely book When I loved myself Enough by Kim McMillen (with Alison Mc Millen), each page holds a beautiful thought which all start with the line ‘When I loved myself enough…………..

Many of the thoughts touched me and when I read the conclusion at the end of the book I cried.

The book was written by Kim McMillen and published after her death by her daughter Alison. Kim had no idea she was going to die at 52 yet she had created this amazing legacy that now touches the lives of many.

I have been sharing Kim’s thoughts on Facebook both on my personal page on the Outrageously Healthy Page .

I am going to share a couple of the entries in the book here and hope you will add your own here on this blog post to inspire others to find ways to show themselves love and compassion – just has Kim had learnt to do!

I look forward to reading your entry.

When I loved myself enough………. I quit rehashing the past and worrying about the future which keeps me in the present where aliveness lives

When I loved myself enough………….I began to accept the unacceptable

When I loved myself enough………I learnt to meet my own needs and not call it selfish

When I lived myself enough……I quit exhausting myself by trying so hard

When I loved myself enough………….I began leaving whatever wasn’t healthy.

This meant people, jobs, my own beliefs and habits – anything that kept me small.

My judgement caled it disloyal. Now I see it as self loving.

When I loved myself enough……………………

As a flower essence practitioner, I often scan the internet to see what people are interested in and what they are saying about flower essences; it’s a good way to learn what people want and need.  But it sometimes makes me cringe, too, when I read all the erroneous information that others are saying about flower essences.  This article will set the record straight about the most common myths floating around about flower essences.

Myth #1: Flower essences are fragrant.
Fact: Flower essences have no smell at all.  They contain water, a small amount of preservative (between 15-20%), and a few drops of flower essences.  Writers who say they have any fragrance are most likely confusing flower essences with their remote cousins, essential oils (or aromatherapy) – which is a completely different substance.  In fact, the method of delivery is also different for each; flower essences are generally taken orally, while essential oils are often applied topically or used in lotions, creams, or bath products.  Essential oils are seldom taken orally, as many of them are toxic, while flower essences are not.

Myth #2: Flower essences contain plant parts.
Fact: There are NO actual plant parts in any flower essence.  The petals or blossoms from which the vibrational pattern is diffused (through sunlight into the water holding the pattern) are removed after the electrical transfer has taken place, leaving nothing but water.

Myth #3: Flower essences can cause allergic reactions.
Fact: Unless you are allergic to water, or to the preservative that is used, there is nothing in a flower essence to which one COULD be allergic.   This myth stems from the fact that many people are allergic to flowers and plants; however, since there are no plant parts in flower essences, the potentially offending substance is not there any longer.  The only thing carried in the water after the flower has been removed is its vibration – not its chemical properties or any other physical substance.

Myth #4: Flower essences are the same thing as homeopathy, which has not been medically proven to work.
Fact: While the modern use of flower essences was discovered by a homeopath in the 1920′s (Dr. Edward Bach) they are not actually homeopathic products at all.  They are in a separate category called vibrational remedies.  The principles governing homeopathy are not the principles by which flower essences work.   Oh and by the way, traditional allopathic medicine has its own reasons for not “approving” integrative or alternative medicine, the foremost being a conflict of interest financially.

Myth #5: Flower essences are not safe for babies or pets.
Fact: On the contrary, flower essences have long been used for babies and pets, without any harm whatsoever.  In fact, in cases of trauma, one of the most popular flower essence formulas (Rescue Remedy®) has saved lives and prevented infants and pets from going into shock.  Parents and families may want to select flower essences made with preservatives other than alcohol (such as glycerine or red shiso) for use with their children and animals, however, as the preservatives may not be appropriate choices for them.  In most cases, such flower essences are not available in retail stores and must be purchased through the internet or through mail order from special suppliers.

In summary, there is a lot of untrue information on the internet concerning flower essences, some of which can keep you from wanting to use them when perhaps you otherwise would.  Learn the facts from people who know what they are talking about, and take the rest with “a grain of salt.”  Flower essences can be a powerful source of healing, especially for behavior and self development; they work for adults, children, infants and pets and they are safe, inexpensive, and effective – often when other modalities are not.

Nancy Boyd started writing at the age of 3 and really never stopped.  An award-winning writer and award-winning coach, she blogs about animals, time management, motivation, self growth and personal development.  Her empowerment company, Bright Wings, Inc. ( http://www.BrightWings.com ) offers cool things for people who are up to something good.

Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos

Intimacy is an Important Part Getting Pregnant

You may be trying to conceive, and although some couples report experiencing a lull in their sex lives as a result of what can become the ‘trying to conceive’ rollercoaster and/or long standing infertility—it is important to reframe your thoughts around being intimate with your partner.

Perhaps view it as a way to reconnect with your partner as opposed to another stressful (possibly “failed attempt”) trying to get pregnant event. It is important to aim to still make sex fun! It certainly is a delightful way of strengthening the intimacy and bond with your significant other.  It also relaxes mind and body while helping to ease stress.  Even the pleasurable conclusion of the experience plays a role in the reproductive aspect of it all.  While the sexual response of a man is physically gratifying for him, its role in conception (ejaculation of sperm) is quite obvious.  However, the reproductive value of female orgasm has been the subject of much debate, in both biological and psychological studies for decades.

While female orgasm is not necessarily required for conception, it does greatly increase the chances of becoming pregnant.  Proper arousal causes an increase in female secretions, and reaching climax increases them further; these fluids make it easier for sperm to reach their destination.  Scientific studies now show that the muscle contractions which occur during orgasm create a type of suction, pulling fluids (and sperm) closer to the womb.  The enjoyable bodily sensations along with the positive emotional effect on the relationship are incentives to keep doing the deed; which is imperative for those wishing to conceive.

Getting there is half the fun…

For women in particular, arousal prior to intercourse can be a determining factor in their level of enjoyment.  The arousal stage increases blood circulation to the pelvic region (which increases sensitivity), increases secretions and makes intercourse physically comfortable and pleasurable.  Embracing, caressing and kissing are comforting and intimate displays of affection which affect emotions and initiate feelings of arousal.  Many couples like to employ more explicit foreplay techniques to heighten arousal further.

When it’s not fun…

Sadly, there is a significant number of women world wide who experience “sexually difficulties”; meaning that they have difficulty becoming aroused and/or cannot reach orgasm.  This has a profound, negative psychological impact on a woman and often leads to relationship problems as well.  Causes of dysfunction can be physical, psychological or both.

Possible causes of difficulties:

Pressure around trying to conceive or long standing infertility

Psychological and physical traumas such as sexual assault/abuse

Injury to genitalia

Illness

Hormone imbalances

Stress

Relationship problems (especially where distrust is evident)

Substance abuse

Prescription medications (consult with your doctor before making any changes)

Menopause

Treatments for difficulties:

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)

Meditation

Counseling/Therapy for psychological traumas

Stress management

Relationship counseling (if this is an issue)

Discontinuation of recreational drugs/alcohol/tobacco

Topical applications and/or lubricants designed to increase sensitivity and comfort

Herbal remedies:

Bach Flower Remedies, FES Quintessentials (For emotional healing)

Maca

Dong Quai

Damiana

Ginseng

Wild Yam

Sarsaparilla

Ginkgo Biloba

Gotu Kola

A word of caution…

Self-prescription is not recommended; consult with a competent and qualified naturopath or herbalist before starting on any form of herbal treatment. Many herbs can not be used during pregnancy or with other medicines. If you have a health condition, are on medication, are pregnant or trying to get pregnant it is imperative to consult a professional when considering herbal remedies.  DO NOT use herbs, topical applications or change medication dosages without consulting your health care professional first. Too much of a remedy may harm you, too little will not give you the desired effect and you may miss out on the great benefits of natural treatment.

Gabriela Rosa - Natural Fertility Expert

Leading Natural fertility specialist and naturopath, Gabriela Rosa (MScM RHHG (Cand.), BHSc, ND, Post Grad NFM, DBM, Dip Nut, MATMS, MNHAA) has gained international recognition as an expert in her field. Gabriela is devoted to empowering couples to overcome fertility problems, reduce miscarriage risk, reclaim their natural fertility, get pregnant fast and bring healthy babies into the world—through the use of natural methods or assisted reproductive technologies such as IVF/ICSI (if necessary). For more information on her latest Natural Fertility Breakthrough Program visit her website.

© 2008 Gabriela Rosa and Natural Fertility & Health Solutions P/L. All Rights Reserved.

How to Get Pregnant Naturally

It astounds me when I see how many women are completely out of touch with their bodies.  I suppose this could be a result of conditioning (from what girls were taught about puberty, sexuality and womanhood at a young age), or from the pure distraction of a very hectic or disorderly lifestyle.  Regardless of the reasons, women could gain a significant amount of control over their health, fertility and reproductive planning simply by getting in touch with their cycles and thus their most fertile time of the month when they are mostly likely to get pregnant naturally.

By keeping a calendar handy (or even better a sympto-thermal or fertility/ovulation chart), and marking days of menstruation each month, a woman can easily keep track of her periods, which in turn will help her keep track of ovulation and her most fertile time of the month.  This can be very helpful for determining fertile days, thus making conception easier to achieve; or contraception easier to manage. Bear in mind that regardless of whether you’re looking to get pregnant or prevent pregnancy, your fertility journey (and treatment) and/or birth control (once you’ve had your babies) will be much more successful if they are customized to your individual needs.

Let me emphasize that every woman is an individual. Textbooks generally state that every 28 days menstruation occurs, and that ovulation occurs on or around the 14^th day of a woman’s monthly cycle.  This does not apply to every person.  While there may be people who are on the textbook 28 day schedule like clockwork, there are still many whose monthly rhythms are tuned to a different drum!  Some women menstruate every 30 or 35 days like clockwork, because this is what is normal for them. What tends to vary is the number of days that lapse between menstruation and the next expected ovulation; however, it is generally accepted that, for most women, menstruation does generally occur approximately 14 days after ovulation has finally taken place (unless in cases of luteal phase defects which can dramatically impair fertility in women—see the advice of a competent and qualified naturopath to address this, if it’s a problem for you).

While this counting and record keeping is important and helpful, used alone it is not foolproof.  The most important aspect of determining your fertile days and keeping up with your cycle is paying attention to your bodily functions, particularly in signs changes  especially those in vaginal secretions. That said, let us take a look at different physical and psychological aspects of the monthly cycle (note that whilst changes are expected and most women can experience unpleasant symptoms before and during menstruation—symptoms are a sign of imbalance, which should be addressed and not simply thought of as normal just because most women experience them!):

First Week: Menstruation

Bleeding ceases, generally followed by a surge in energy levels.

If unpleasant symptoms are experiences, generally they subside when menstruation starts eg moods, sleep habits and eating habits become normal once more (if this is happening for you, seek the assistance of a competent and qualified naturopath).

Vaginal dryness may be present, or mucous will be scant.

Second Week: As the time of ovulation nears, vaginal mucous may increase, will often become thinner, may appear white or clear.  When ovulation occurs, which may be approximately around the 14^th day, the vagina may frequently be “wet,” as the mucus becomes thinner.  Sexual arousal and romantic feelings may be heightened, and one may experience breast tenderness, bloating, cramps or moodiness.

Third Week: Moodiness may or may not subside.  Vaginal wetness decreases, as this is the post-ovulation phase.  Mucus may thicken or decrease.

Fourth Week: Some women experience pre-menstrual symptoms, which may include moodiness, bloating, headaches, cramps, fatigue or lethargy, appetite increase or decrease, sex drive may decrease or increase, sleep disturbances or others. If this is happening for your be sure to seek professional advice because it may be a sign of hormonal imbalances, which can decrease your chances of a healthy conception.

Be mindful when examining vaginal secretions, that the mucus becomes thinner during ovulation so the sperm can swim to the egg easily.  This is why paying attention to your fluids is crucial in determining your most fertile days as it is your fertile mucus (egg-white like aka spin or spinnbarkeit), which precedes and heralds the approach of ovulation. If you’re serious about charting your fertility, it may be useful to mark the days on which you show symptoms of ovulation as well as the days of your period to help you with conception timing. This will allow you to see more accurately how many days typically lapse between menstruation and ovulation. FertilityFriend.com is a great charting tool, which will teach you lots about your own cycle.

Understanding a woman’s own unmistakable signs of fertility (the most fertile time of the month) during my Natural Fertility Solution Program is one of the tools I teach each and every single one of my patients because this is the one skill that give you most control over your fertility and conception attempts, but it also enables me to clearly understand (when things do not go to plan) where I need to focus my efforts as a practitioner to ensure my patients get preganant naturally, the very results they are after—their very own happy and healthy baby.

Gabriela Rosa - Natural Fertility Expert

Leading Natural fertility specialist and naturopath, Gabriela Rosa (MScM RHHG (Cand.), BHSc, ND, Post Grad NFM, DBM, Dip Nut, MATMS, MNHAA) has gained international recognition as an expert in her field. Gabriela is devoted to empowering couples to overcome fertility problems, reduce miscarriage risk, reclaim their natural fertility, get pregnant fast and bring healthy babies into the world—through the use of natural methods or assisted reproductive technologies such as IVF/ICSI (if necessary). For more information on her latest Natural Fertility Breakthrough Program visit her website.

© 2008 Gabriela Rosa and Natural Fertility & Health Solutions P/L. All Rights Reserved.

By Gabriela Rosa

When you want a little Angel Baby of Your own

Step 2: Try to conceive naturally

Depending on you and your partner’s age and previous medical history, after you complete 120 days of preconception health care preparation and are both in optimum health you are ready to begin your conception attempts. For various reasons some choose not to use technologies such as IVF. Others prefer to attempt natural conception for a period of time before moving to assisted reproduction. Here are some general helpful guides to assist you in deciding how and your partner may like to proceed.

• If both you and your partner have completed at least 120 days of targeted preconception preparation (including having had all recommended medical tests without any abnormalities being found) and if you are both under 38 years, you could allow yourselves between 6-12 conception attempts (over a 12 month period) if you wish to give natural conception adequate opportunity.
• If you are under 40 years (and in the same circumstances described above), you can do the same, but you need to weigh up your future plans carefully.
• If you are over 40 years, you may still like to try and conceive naturally after you and your partner optimise your health for at least 120 days  however, if you still want to try any form of ART later do keep this in mind when making your decision.
• If you are both under 35 years, you can definitely give yourselves at least 6-12 conception attempts prior to a change in conception strategies if you and you partner are in general good health and your have both completed at least 120 days preconception preparation (unless you or your partner have a serious medical problem which preludes you from a natural conception).

The above guidelines can vary considerably according with a couple’s specific medical history and circumstances, it is advised you and your partner make a decision that is appropriate for your particular situation in conjunction with the fertility specialist in charge of your case.

However, appropriate conception timing is paramount for best results and many couples do not conceive not because there is something wrong per se, but simply because their timing is inaccurate or simply not coinciding with when ovulation is actually taking place in the woman’s particular cycle. For others intercourse frequency is simply too low or sporadic to affect a conception. It may be useful to chart a woman’s cycle to assist in the conception process. This will give you and your partner a great deal of information about how to best prepare for your conception attempts, but it will also alert you if there are any cycle or ovulation problems which may need to be addressed.

In addition, during this phase further investigations may be useful. When couples start trying to conceive after a period of difficulty, a post-coital test may be recommended to see if the sperm cells are able to swim through the woman’s mucus secretions or whether there are any mechanical problems at this important initial stage of conception. If there are impediments to conception at this level, in some cases assisted reproductive options may be the only way a couple can conceive.

Step 3: Looking at the assisted reproduction options

There are several options to assisted reproductive technologies ranging from simple ovulatory enhancing drugs such as clomiphene (oral tablet, commonly taken for 5 days from day 3-5 of the cycle) to very high tech methods such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and IVF.

Depending on a couple’s medical history and the status of the male’s fertility, a couple having difficulty conceiving may be recommended clomiphene as a first resort to stimulate the ovaries to produce more eggs and increase the chances of conception. If this does not work after a few cycles, intra-uterine insemination (i.e. IUI) with clomiphene or another (more potent) fertility drug may be recommended. If this too is unsuccessful, after a few cycles using this approach the next resort is in vitro fertilisation (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

The basic premise of IVF or ICSI is that the fertilization process (union of the sperm and egg) and embryo transfer process (placement of the embryo into the uterus) is aided by a fertility clinic laboratory. The IVF technique was initially designed for treatment of women with tubal infertility since the fallopian tubes are bypassed entirely with IVF. Eggs are retrieved from the body and inseminated in a lab with semen from a partner or a donor. In cases where egg and/or sperm donors are necessary, your fertility specialist will be able to guide you through and further explain the process prior to the beginning of a treatment cycle.

The exact process used depends on the type of infertility problem and clinic preferences. However, once the appropriate sperm and egg have been collected, they are placed in growth media containing special nutrients that allow them to live outside the body. In standard IVF, the sperm is placed into the dish containing the egg. Some fertility clinics perform ICSI routinely for reasons other than male infertility. Using this technique one sperm is drawn up in a needle and then injected into the egg. Irrespective of which procedure is used, within 18 hours, doctors can determine if fertilization has occurred and in 24 to 72 hours, it is possible to know if the embryo is growing. If so, the embryo is allowed to continue grow and divide in the laboratory in the special culture media. The resulting embryos are transferred to the uterus in a separate procedure.

Today’s embryo culture systems allow the embryos to develop to the blastocyst stage (days 5-7). This allows embryos to further divide for an extra 2-3 days thus enabling a process of natural selection to determine the best embryo(s) to use for the transfer. This is particularly useful because on average only 40-50% of embryos will reach the blastocyst stage.

The number of embryos to be transferred after fertilization depends on the number and quality of the embryos and the clinic policy. The current trend is to transfer one good embryo to reduce the risk of multiple pregnancy. Any surplus embryos can be preserved for later cycles. Two weeks after transfer a pregnancy test will be done to confirm the success of the procedure.

There a few options and variations through the process of using assisted reproductive technologies and the best for you and your partner’s circumstances will be dependent on your current situation and previous medical history. Your fertility specialist will be able to guide you through these important decisions.

Fertility problems can leave some couples feeling hopeless and powerless regarding their situation and many dislike the “out of control” feeling they describe as being an overwhelming companion in their journey. Hopefully you will not reach this point, or if you have, it is important to know you can take control by educating yourself on the options you have available. In addition, remember that by taking a comprehensive, step-by-step approach towards optimising you and your partner’s general health prior to a conception attempt will help boost your natural fertility and dramatically increase your odds of creating a healthy conception, pregnancy and baby naturally or via assisted methods.

Gabriela Rosa - Natural Fertility Expert

Leading Natural fertility specialist and naturopath, Gabriela Rosa (MScM RHHG (Cand.), BHSc, ND, Post Grad NFM, DBM, Dip Nut, MATMS, MNHAA) has gained international recognition as an expert in her field. Gabriela is devoted to empowering couples to overcome fertility problems, reduce miscarriage risk, reclaim their natural fertility, get pregnant fast and bring healthy babies into the world—through the use of natural methods or assisted reproductive technologies such as IVF/ICSI (if necessary). For more information on her latest Natural Fertility Breakthrough Program visit her website.

© 2008 Gabriela Rosa and Natural Fertility & Health Solutions P/L. All Rights Reserved. Printed with permission.

By Gabriela Rosa

So you are trying to get pregnant? Does each month you’re not pregnant seems like an eternity. You start to think “Am I doing something wrong?” or “Is there a problem?” but you don’t really know where to go or who to ask… Well, read on because this article will answer many questions for you will clarify the options available to you.

Currently in Australia 1 in 6 couples is infertile and according to the World Health Organisation, worldwide over eighty million people are affected. There are many reasons for this, as infertility statistics increase for several reasons including late marriage, postponed child bearing, sexually transmitted and other infections, hormonal imbalances, physical/mechanical reproductive problems, autoimmune disorders, sperm and egg production defects, as well as lifestyle and environmental factors.

Infertility is described as 12 months of unprotected intercourse without conception. Generally 40 percent of contributing factors are attributed to male causes, 40 percent female and 20 percent is unexplained. Many reproductive concerns which can impact fertility including poor sperm parameters, lack of ovulation, long cycles, short cycles, polycystic ovarian syndrome and more can be treated with natural fertility medicines and strategies with excellent results. Sure if you have been trying for 12 months and you still trying to get pregnant some fine tuning is required and some medical investigations are recommended however this does not replace the need to ensure you and your partner are in peak health for optimum fertility.

You want to give yourself the best possible chance of creating the healthy baby of your dreams. At the same time you want to give your child the best possible start in life, but you are having trouble conceiving and are not really sure what to do? (you may even be thinking ‘there must but someone who can tell me how to get pregnant?’)

Simple. Start from the beginning.

A healthy body is a fertile body and the health of your baby is in great part decided before a pregnancy is even in sight. You see, by 8 weeks gestation a baby’s health blueprint is already created, as are his or her tiny organs and little fingerprints! At this stage his or her health vulnerabilities and strengths are set by the ‘map’ guiding this miracle of creation. It is fair to say that once a pregnancy is established your child’s health potential becomes the lowest common denominator of you and your partner’s health at the point of conception.

So, how do you overcome fertility problems and give your child, the best possible start in life? Ensure you and your partner are in optimum health by beginning the preparation for your most important event yet, at least 120 days prior to a conception attempt—whether you are trying to conceive naturally or using any form of assisted reproductive technologies.

Here are some suggested options if you’re  trying to get pregnant plus conception options you can choose from on your conception journey.

Step 1: Optimise your health for at least 120 days and rule out any physical problems.

Why 120 days? The quality of the egg and sperm today is the reflection of everything that was happening in your life and immediate environment over the previous 4

Quality of the Egg and Sperm

months. Your complete health picture during that time including nutrition, stress levels, blood oxygenation, hormone levels, emotions and other factors affect the quality of your fertility in the current month.

Studies show that when both prospective parents take a comprehensive, step-by-step approach to optimise their health thereby actively preparing for a healthy pregnancy, this will not only improve chances of having a healthy baby, but it also reduces the likelihood of miscarriage, congenital abnormalities, pregnancy complications, prematurity and still births. In addition, British research reveals a 78.4 percent success rate in conception for previously infertile couples, and for those who require IVF the same approach has been shown to increase the chances of conception through IVF by 47.1 percent.

As far as ruling out any physical problems this is essential to fast track your results. Ideally for men, this includes having a semen analysis at a specialist fertility clinic (be sure to talk to your rabbi for religious guidelines). The semen can be collected post intercourse using a special condom if for religious reasons providing a sample is problematic. Ruling out male fertility issues upfront is the most effective way of saving time and potential heartache down the track—if there are any issues, they can often very easily be addressed naturally during the preconception period with excellent results—and in cases of more serious issues there are many excellent assisted reproductive options which will be discussed later.

For women, having hormonal levels checked, and sometimes also a pelvic ultrasound that can show fallopian tube clearance, will help to rule out any potential problems that may prevent you from falling pregnant quickly after your preparation. For a head start, you and your partner’s combined preparation should include visiting your GP for a general health check-up as well as a way of ruling out any possible infections (particularly of the genito-urinary tract), which if left untreated can cause infertility and pregnancy complications including miscarriage.

Step 2: Try to conceive naturally

Many couples want to take the natural fertility path and depending on you and your partner’s age and previous medical history, after you complete 120 days of preconception health care preparation and are both in optimum health you are ready to begin your conception attempts. For various reasons some choose not to use technologies such as IVF. Others prefer to attempt natural conception for a period of time before moving to assisted reproduction. Here are some general helpful guides to assist you in deciding how and your partner may like to proceed.

• If both you and your partner have completed at least 120 days of targeted preconception preparation (including having had all recommended medical tests without any abnormalities being found) and if you are both under 38 years, you could allow yourselves between 6-12 conception attempts (over a 12 month period) if you wish to give natural conception adequate opportunity.
• If you are under 40 years (and in the same circumstances described above), you can do the same, but you need to weigh up your future plans carefully.
• If you are over 40 years, you may still like to try and conceive naturally after you and your partner optimise your health for at least 120 days  however, if you still want to try any form of ART later do keep this in mind when making your decision.
• If you are both under 35 years, you can definitely give yourselves at least 6-12 conception attempts prior to a change in conception strategies if you and you partner are in general good health and you have both completed at least 120 days preconception preparation (unless you or your partner have a serious medical problem which preludes you from a natural conception).

The above guidelines can vary considerably according with a couple’s specific medical history and circumstances, it is advised you and your partner make a decision that is appropriate for your particular situation in conjunction with the fertility specialist in charge of your case.

To be continued…

Gabriela Rosa - Natural Fertility Expert

Leading fertility specialist and naturopath, Gabriela Rosa (MScM RHHG (Cand.), BHSc, ND, Post Grad NFM, DBM, Dip Nut, MATMS, MNHAA) has gained international recognition as an expert in her field. Gabriela is devoted to empowering couples to overcome fertility problems, reduce miscarriage risk, reclaim their natural fertility, get pregnant fast and bring healthy babies into the world—through the use of natural methods or assisted reproductive technologies such as IVF/ICSI (if necessary). For more information on her latest Natural Fertility Breakthrough Program visit her website.

© 2008 Gabriela Rosa and Natural Fertility & Health Solutions P/L. All Rights Reserved. Printed with permission.

However their are many things I am noticing changing so here is what I have noticed-

• I don’t have a desire to eat unless I am hungry
• I hardly think about food (this is very different)
• I am not eating in between meals, doesn’t even occur to me (now that is a new one)
• I have more energy
• I feel way more focused mentally
• I am more aware of my body’s need for food, and tend to be checking in to see if I am hungry before I eat
• I am able to wait to eat while I prepare food, I am not eating something else while I make lunch or having a stop gap meal

However when my lovely friend Sandy commented today ‘this is usually a time when I would have chocolate but I just cant’imagine eating it’ I thought, I’m not quite there yet!

So whilst I am not totally desire free when it comes to sweet stuff, I am closer than I was 12 days ago and what’s 12 days or even 30 days compared to the rest of my life right! Not to mention the health benefits I’ll gain by kicking the sugar habit.

I am however impatient  - I can’t wait to announce I am free of sweet temptation, the next test will be this Wednesday Evening, as I head off to a function and I already know what desert is on the menu – I know I will say ‘No Thank-Ýou’ but will I feel deprived, disappointed or indifferent? Will let you know on Thursday.

Yours in sugar abstinance

Lenore

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