There weren't many times during our trying to conceive our kids that I didn't want to be pregnant. But those times did come about, oftentimes unexpectedly. Our current conditions are definately not conducive to being pregnant, or largely pregnant for that matter. Why? It is now about 7 pm and it is still 100 degrees! The low for tonight will be 69. Miserable.

I gave birth to my daughter in mid-September. So I was largely pregnant during that summer. We did not experience weather like this during those months, but I was sooo hot that I couldn't believe it. I would lay on our cool leather couch, or in our darkened bedroom in our central air equipped home. I was worried... more

Yesterday an announcement was made by S. Edmond El Dabe that a client of his is suing Pacific Reproductive Services in San Francisco, claiming that the center videotaped him while he was masturbating. The man discovered a camera in the ceiling of the center and then complained. Employees then refused to call the police when the man demanded that they do so. http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/portlet/article/html/fragments/print_article.jsp?article=4072673

Add this to the... more

I was reading today trying to catch up on the stack of old Sunday New York Times. There were only a couple of issues in the stack, but since the paper is so large the task looked more daunting than it really was. Last night I picked through the articles separating out the ones that I would read as I got around to them today. The stack had become a recent playground for the recently very mobile Bec and I knew that after I had picked it up out of his drooly hands for about the 20th time, it was time to jump in.

An article that I had set aside was titled, "Confession of Choice" by Kathryn Rhett. Rhett writes about her pregnancies the wanted and the unplanned and her reactions to both.... more

Today I met with a group of friends to have an art day. I do this on a regular basis with different women to enjoy the inspiration, support and conversation. Creating on your own can be a quiet affair, creating with others has an energy all of its own.

My friend J.N. and I are hosting a collaborative art journal swap beginning in August. The women that I met with today are part of that group as well. We discussed our fears about being intimidated and not good enough as artists to contribute anything of worth to the group. As we were discussing different art techniques, different ideas and how we create our art, I kind of checked out a bit, just smiling to myself to be a part of... more

During the time of my first miscarriage, I was shocked by how little information I knew about the process of miscarrying and how little information was given to me by the medical community. I really wish that I would have access to this site at that time. I can see myself being able to feel informed and somewhat capable to read my symptoms on my own.

The page from Miscarriage Support Aukland Inc is titled Miscarriage at Home. It lists many helpful facts about what to possibly expect and how to respond to your miscarriage. The support group is written for New Zealand and the phrasing is a little bit different, but I really found this to be reassuring, even after the fact. If any... more

In the mail today I received my seasonal copy of ewChAT, News and Continuing Education Workshops for the Alternative Health Industry. The cover article for the information involves headaches. It was written by Erik Dalton.

The headings for the article are as follows.

Identifying Systems and Triggers Food Reactions Environmental Reactions Body Reactions Classifying Migraines Classic Common Transformed Chronic Do's, Don'ts and Treatment Options Bodywork and Alternative Treatment Structurally-Induced Migraines Conclusion

Of particular interest to this... more

http://knocked.typepad.com/knocked_upknocked_down/2006

I just came across this amazing blog tonight. I have always wished that I had been coherent enough to write in the moments of all of my losses and successes in becoming a mom, but I was too scared most of the time to accept that what was happening to me was real. I know that I have mentioned this somewhere here before.

Well, reading Jill's blog just brings me straight back. Her story feels like it could be mine although it is entirely her own. Her descriptive writing, her raw emotions, and her ability to keep current with her posts are just breathtaking.... more

I just read on www.adopting.org about an option called social surrogacy. This is where a couple decides that they want a biological child, but do not want to go through the rigors of pregnancy. There is are normally no medical issues causing the decision, only social ones. Like "too busy, the pressures of commitments, a career based on looks, etc."

As I'm thinking about this, my main question going through my mind was, would this have been an option for us? Of course, now that I know what pregnancy entails and my body has already been branded by motherhood, what would the point be? Of course, being an adoptive mom as well, it was... more

Are your hands cold all the time? Do you have a low body temperature (just take it right now, is it is lower than 98?) Hair falling out? Dry skin?

I used to show up for my yearly physical, and the nurse would always look at the thermometer and go, "Hm....96...did you just drink something cold?" When I'd say no, they'd shrug and say, "Well, maybe because it's cold outside."

Of course, when I started having my miscarriages, I started doing some research which suggested that it was possible, given my below-normal body temps--that my thyroid was involved. What a surprise (not!) to badger them into testing me and for the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)) results to come... more

Since I have chronic fatigue immune deficiency syndrome (which was formerly known as CFS, can be also known as Epstein-Barr), one of the symptoms, oddly enough, is trouble sleeping. Lots of people I know who have CFIDS take melatonin (or, something way stronger), and that's usually worked quite well for me.

But one of the sites I use for my CFIDS that suggests melatonin, also has a warning about melatonin for people trying to conceive. I'd vaguely "heard"... more