Male Factor Fertility & Creating A Healthy Baby

In this blog I am turning the spotlight on the guys & taking a look at male fertility & sperm health. For the women reading this you may need to approach your man on this subject sensitively; as culturally & emotionally being a "super stud" & having the ability to father a child goes to the core of a man's sense of masculinity & therefore his self-worth. This stems back to before the mid-fifties & prior to research on semen sample investigation; when if a couple were having difficulty conceiving the focus & medical investigation was directed at he women. The 'problem' was thought to be with her & if a man was able to have an erection & ejaculate it was assumed that he was fertile.

In my own personal experience when my husband's sperm analysis showed that he did not have any sperm in his semen, he was totally convinced that the laboratory had made an error which caused his sperm to vanish from the sample. He did not budge from this stance until six months later when he finally agreed to undergo another sperm analysis, which came back with the same result.Often the information needs to come from someone else other than you, so if your partner is willing to read the following article it could be a good starting point.

To the guys about to read this article I would like to thank you for taking the time to do so & for your willingness & openness.

Modern research has revealed that when couples are having difficulty conceiving at least 40% of the reason relates to male factors [egg & womb being the other reason] & some studies have indicated that as much as 75% of infertility may be due to the male.

The good news is that in the majority of cases natural therapies can significantly improve the quality of sperm parameters. For instance in a study of 51 infertile men  who were treated with the herb Tribulus for 3 months, their ejaculate volume, sperm count & motility [movement] improved significantly. Their sperm shape & appearance normalized. In addition 31 pregnancies were recorded amongst their partners within 12 months of commencing Tribulus. It is important to realize that at least a 100 days of specific targeted treatment is required for improvement to occur because it takes this amount of time for new sperm to generate and mature

Secondary Infertility & The Struggle For Another Child

Secondary infertility is defined as when a couple who have one or more biological children are unable to conceive another child after trying for 12 months or more. Also, that their current child or children were conceived naturally without the intervention of reproductive technology or fertility drugs.

It is estimated that approximately 10-17% of all couples experience either primary or secondary infertility or sub-fertility at some stage during their fertile years. Around 40% of primary or secondary infertility is related to male factors, 30% to ovulation dysfunction & 20% to female reproductive conditions such as blocked fallopian tubes, fibroids & endometriosis. Frequently both male & female factors are involved. Approximately 10% of cases are diagnosed as unexplained infertility.

Often the assumption is that if you have easily concieved a child you will have no problem with subsequent conception attempts. However, this is not always the case as the body can change and new health issues can arise & sperm & egg quality can decline

The Emotional Aspect Of Secondary Infertility
Firstly, if you are experiencing difficulties in having more children, I just want to acknowledge that any feelings you may have of anger, loss, grief, jealousy, resentment, isolation or despair are just as valid as they are for a women who has not been able to conceive at all. However, you may receive less support & understanding as often the message is 'be grateful for the child or children you already have."

Frequently, the women I see with secondary infertility issues say something like "don't get me wrong I am very grateful for the child I have & I know I am lucky but........" This is because they have somehow been made to feel guilty about their desire to have another child when others struggle to have one at all. It's okay to long for another child, you are not being selfish & it is natural to feel the loss & pain of being unable to conceive another child. Very often too there is a strong desire to provide a sibling for your child, especially if you experienced close relationships with your sibling[s] when growing up.

Causes Of Secondary Infertility
The causes of secondary infertility are exactly the same as those of primary infertility. Therefore, what I will focus on in this article are the factors that I commonly see change after the birth of a child that can create a state of sub-fertility:

Is your Monthly Cycle Controlling Your Life? Does Your family Move Out The Week Before You Get Your Period?

 

Many women accept premenstrual syndrome [PMS] as a normal part of life that they just have to deal with. This monthly mayhem does not have to be a part of life though! These monthly extreme changes in mood, appetite, energy  & sleep patterns are not 'normal' & are a sign that your body is out of balance. Although, it is natural for you to experience some changes in your mood & energy along with the cyclic hormonal shifts it certainly doesn't need to be to the extent that it totally disrupts your life. 

Simple & Highly Effective Ways To Use Food To Help You Get Pregnant

Dear Participant, of the 'Conscious Conception & Parenting Summit' telecast/webcast series, please post below any questions or comments you may have pertaining to my presentation 'Simple & Effective Ways To Use Food To Help You Get Pregnant' held on Wednesday 29th August 2012.

I will endeavour to answer your question within the week, so please check back in a week for your answer.

7 Ways to Boost Your Fertility & Get Pregnant

Dear participant, of the 'Conscious Conception & Parenting Summit' if you have any questions  pertaining to the presentation I gave on Wednesday 22nd August 2012 on '7 ways To Boost Your Fertility & Get Pregnant.' Please post your question[s] or comment here & I will endeavor to answer them over the next week.

I know that fertility can be a sensitive area, so you can remain anonymous if you wish to, but if you are happy to do so, please leave your name too.

Conscious Conception & Parenting Summit

ARE YOU TRYING TO CONCEIVE, PREGNANT OR A NEW MUM?

If so, we would love to have you join us for this FREE telecast/webcast series, commencing Wednesday 22nd August 2012. You will learn how to prepare your body, mind and spirit for conscious conception, pregnancy, birthing & parenting.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER CLICK HERE

Listen to speakers with a wealth of experience in areas ranging from conception & pregnancy through to birth, breastfeeding & beyond.

This series of seminars will arm you with the knowledge to make the journey to parenthood: conceive the baby of your dreams, nourish your baby in the womb- both spiritually and nutritionally, have a calm birth and breastfeed successfully.

Seminar Presentations include:

• 7 Ways To Boost Your Fertility And Get Pregnant

• 6 Tips For Conscious Conception

• Simple And Highly Effective Ways To Use Food To Help You Get Pregnant

• Preparing For Birth

• Maiden To Mother

• Why Modern Homes And Lifestyle Suppress The Immune System And Fertility

• Breastfeeding Basics

• Paediatric Chiropractic & Breastfeeding - Change A Child's Future

  
  
  FOR MORE INFORMATION & TO REGISTER CLICK HERE
  
  

Cultivating A State Of Gratitude To Create The Baby Of Your Dreams

Probably, the most powerfully healing emotions are love and gratitude. Certainly, the water experiments of Japanese scientist, Dr Masaru, strongly suggest this. He froze water and took photographs of the ice crystals and studied the effects of words [written and spoken] on the crystal formations. Dr Masaru found that the words love and gratitude resulted in the most beautiful crystal formations. A profound discovery with significant implications for us, considering our body's are approximately 70% water.

Therefore, if you can begin to develop a feeling of gratitude, you can start to create a positive emotional shift. Thus, leading to a more balanced mind and body, that is conducive to getting pregnant and carrying a baby to term.

Calming The Emotional Turmoil Of Infertility And Pregnancy Loss

Today we have mountains of scientific research that demonstrates the mind-body connection. In other words our thoughts, beliefs and emotions affect our body chemistry and this includes our hormone system. For instance, so called negative emotions such as, fear, anxiety, anger, resentment and sadness are 'translated' by the brain into biochemical and electrical messages. These will trigger responses in the hypothalamus [an area in the brain], which then relays this information to the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is located just beneath the base of the brain, behind the bridge of the nose, and acts like the master controller for the whole hormonal system. Hence, stress and negative emotions can upset your hormone balance and may even inhibit ovulation.

Is This Menopause?

If you are asking this question, then you are most likely between 45-50 years of age and you have noticed some changes in your menstrual cycle pattern and emotions.

The medical definition of menopause is the cessation of menstrual periods and therefore, can only be diagnosed in retrospect. A general rule of thumb is that if you are over 45 years of age and have not had a period for 12 months, they are probably finished. Most Australian women reach menopause between the age of 45-55 years, with the average age being 51 years.

However, there is considerable variation and some women may reach menopause in their early 40's, whilst others will continue to menstruate until their late 50's. A long term study of Australian women called "The Melbourne Women's Midlife Health Study," tracked over 400 women through this phase. They found that if you have had at least 3 months without menstruating, then your last period will probably come within the following year.

How Electromagnetic Pollution Maybe Detrimental To Your Fertility

Electromagnetic fields and radiation are created both naturally and as the result of man made electricity. They are a combination of electricity created by voltage and a magnetic field created by flow or current. The human body has evolved to resonate and harmonize with the electromagnetic fields of the earth and the sun.

However, since the advent of man made electricity and the rapid growth of technology we are experiencing today, we are living in a sea of electronic pollution. Hence, we are now resonating less with the earth and sun and more with our appliances!

Numerous research demonstrates that chronic exposure to man made electromagnetic fields and radiation can lead to changes in the normal growth pattern of cells and damage the cells DNA. When you consider that the egg and sperm are in actual fact one type of cell in the body and an embryo is a bundle of rapidly dividing cells; we can not ignore the potential detrimental effect that pollution may have on our fertility and health.

Healing Menstrual Imbalances By Honouring The Menstrual Cycle

Throughout history and different cultures, attitudes towards menstruation and menstrual blood have varied. Ranging from menstrual blood being viewed as sacred, healing and powerful to feared as dangerous and unclean. For instance, in the bible it is written "And if a women has an issue, and her issue is her flesh be blood, she shall be put apart seven days: and whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean until even..." [Levitious 15:19-30]. This is the basis upon which the Jewish tradition deems women ritually unclean and impure whilst she is menstruating. Greek-Roman cultural taboos, feared that menstrual blood soured wine, made crops wither, caused the fruit to fall off tree's and dulled the edge of steel and so forth: that's some power! 

How To Work With The Phases Of The Moon To Balance Your Hormones

1.  Begin by making a habit of going outside and looking at the moon each night. This will help to reinforce your connection with the moon.
2. Develop an awareness of what phase the moon is in , when you ovulate and when you bleed. This can help to regulate your cycle to a 29 day cycle. Most women will find they either bleed around the full moon or the new moon. Moon diaries and moon charts for the Southern hemisphere are available from www.moondiary.com.au. These are a great tool to help you observe the pattern of your cycle in relation to that of the moon.
3. When you look at the moon and it's shape, bring that awareness into your body. Observe and acknowledge how you feel at that particular phase of the moon and your cycle.
4. If you are currently going through the menopause transition and your cycles are irregular and unpredictable. You may find, that by using the moon charts to record your periods; you are able to see a pattern amongst the apparent chaos.
5. The menopausal women, only knows in retrospect when her last ever period occurs. For this reason it is good to make a note of which phase the moon is in, at each of your periods. The reason being , that once you are post -menopausal, you will still have cyclic changes in your energy and emotions, they will just be more subtle [thank goodness for that I hear you cry!]. The pattern that these follow, will tend to be in relation to the phase the moon was in at your last period. For example, if it was a full moon, then you will tend to feel more introverted and sensitive each month when the moon is full.
6. If your cycles are very erratic, then you could try" lunaception"as advised by Susan Weed in " New Menopausal Years: The Wise Women Way."Sleep in total darkness, except for the three nights the moon is full. On these nights allow the full moon to shine in on your face. If this is not possible, keep a small light on all night. Then return to sleeping in darkness until the next full moon. This will generally need to be repeated for 3-6 moons to achieve regularity.
7. If you want to increase your fertility, then you may like to synchronize your mid-cycle ovulation with your lunar peak. You will need to have an astrologer work out your lunar peak phase for each month and then use the power of intent and visualization to bring them into alignment. The conception kits I have available at the clinic [developed by Francesca Naish] include a guided visualization CD and your lunar peak chart calculated for the next 6 years, to assist you with this.
8. You may like to attend my monthly red tent women's circle. to further assist you in connecting with the cycles of the moon and your ow natural rhythms. These are held on the Saturday afternoon, closest to the new moon and are recommencing in March.

Is There a Connection Between The Moon And Your Hormones

Our myths and legends, attribute many magical powers to the moon. And I think that you would have to agree that, the sight of the beautiful luminous moon in our sky at night is indeed "magical." Also, for thousands of years and throughout many cultures and nations, the moon has been linked to fertility, reproduction and growth. Consequently, the planting of seeds and harvesting of crops were carried out at the phase of the moon considered most favorable for these activities.

Today, it is well known and accepted that the moon influences the ebb and flow of the ocean. Whilst, modern research has proved that various phases of the moon, do in fact affect the germination and growth process of seeds and plants,. Yet, in our modern world we have become increasingly disconnected from the natural cycles of the sun, moon and seasons. As well as with our body's own natural rhythms and interrelationship with these greater planetary cycles.