Male Infertility Research on Verge of Breakthrough

The experiment marks the first time that stem cells have been used to produce mature sperm in the laboratory setting. Infertility problems plague an estimated one-sixth of couples worldwide, with nearly half of those cases related to male infertility. Researchers believe that the experiment could lead to treatments in which healthy sperm cells are produced out of stem cells... more

Repeat Miscarriage

Using the drugs prednisone, progesterone, aspirin and folate clinicians in Austria have reported success with reducing miscarriages in cases where the reason for repeat miscarriage was unexplained.

Women treated with prednisone, progesterone, aspirin and folate had a considerably higher birth rate than untreated subjects, the investigators report. The overall birth rates were 77 and 35 percent, respectively.

The rates of first-... more

I am remembering today the first time that I came in contact with an actual female that had been pregnant and close to my age. I was in 8th grade and although I want to say that it was in Health class, I really think that it was in Home Ec class. These moms were invited to talk to us students about teen pregnancy. I don't remember any of the lessons leading up to the discussion. I do remember what one of them told us.

The girl was petite and very pretty. She came into class with a group of others and a teacher from the alternative school where they were offered child care for their baby. Towards the end of the class time we were all laughing and talking about life after having... more

I keep a cd version of Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes in the car for when I can't tolerate music. It is almost as soothing as someone reading to you at night time. Calming during traffic, and it has the added benefit of making me feel like I'm multitasking while driving.

One of the lines that struck me tonight as I was driving home from an errand, was this, "They all agree, Italy is not what it used to be." Then she goes on to ask, "What is?" and I have to agree with her. What is as it used to be? Hardly anything that I can put my finger on.

Bringing this around to fertility, I am reminded of an afternoon with my Nana when we were talking about her children.... more

"Womankind: Is Seasonale® Reasonable?"

Elaine Stillerman, LMT, wrote the above article for Massage Today, a publication that I receive. She is upset with the marketing of Seasonale®, and wonders if other women feel the same way.

Is there anyone else feeling disgusted and outraged at the latest assault on women by the pharmaceutical industry? Are women so gullible that we believe these mega-billion dollar giants have our best interests in mind when they claim that... more

My beautiful cousin in law, Jenn sent this to me this weekend. It was so touching and so beautifully told, I thought that you guys might like to check out the story and the site Storypeople.

After reading the story, there are places for people to comment so be sure to read those as well. You can spend quite a bit of time browsing the site and getting... more

Shiatsu and Labor Induction

I just finished reading the above article in Massage Magazine. They are reporting about a study done in England in 2000.

The subjects attended a hospital consultant clinic appointment at 40 weeks gestation and were taught the massage techniques by a midwife who had completed a six-day shiatsu course. The control group consisted of 76 women who attended similar clinics but were not taught the shiatsu techniques.

Three... more

I frequently read an alternative blog that I really enjoy. I never thought that I would be able to share something that I found on that site that would be appropriate for this one, but I came across this activity this week and had a lot of fun doing it. I have already shared this with some of my other online friends, and thought that maybe you all would appreciate it as well. It also kind of ties into the post that I did recently about body image.

The above pic is one that I created in anime style through abi-station.... more

Fridays are always busy work days for me. Not that you can call actually being at the office for 3 hours busy, but it is the most time that I spend there at once. Anyway, as I was working today I was thinking about another benefit for me that comes with working outside of the house, bragging!

I never thought that I would be one of those women who goes on and on about her kids, but as I look back on my life, I can't think of a reason why I thought that. When my nephews were small, I talked about them nonstop. Before them, it was my much younger brother... more

Here is a woman that I would love to meet! I first heard about her through an article put out by ScienceDaily.com. The title of the article is "Easing The Anxiety Of Pregnancy After Miscarriage". Although Cote-Arsenault's research is a little too late for my first experiences (and possibly, only experiences)with fertility, I am still so impressed by her work. It is validating my experience in retrospect.

For some pregnant women, however, feeling joy is a psychological luxury they can't afford. These are women who after one, sometimes many, miscarriages, stillbirths or newborn deaths, are pregnant again. To protect themselves from another potential crushing... more