Let's Talk About the Men

Posted on May 20, 2008 by Theresa Erickson

It's interesting that while I do my research to create my blog, I run across 100 articles that deal with infertility and women, while there may be 1 article about men.  I would like to take a moment to do my part to change this!

One in 33 California children are born with a birth defect.  While scientists still don't know what causes most effects, it is known that sperm DNA errors are as much a factor as egg DNA errors.

University of California, Berkeley has performed a study that shows a man's diet has a direct link to sperm DNA errors.  In the study utilizing new technology to label sperm DNA, men who ate little folate, a B-vitamin abundant in orange juice and green veggies, had more sperm with the wrong number of chromosomes.  That could lead to miscarriages and birth defects like Down Syndrome.

Sperm develop over 10 weeks, giving men a defined window before conception to make healthier sperm.  Women, on the other hand, are born with a finite number of eggs.  This means men's genes, constantly dividing into new sperm, may be even more vulnerable than women's.

If you are thinking about conceiving a child or you are trying to conceive a child, it is recommended that both partners drink plenty of orange juice, eat green veggies and take vitamins.  This can only help you achieve a healthier lifestyle and aid you in conception.    

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Motherhood Isn't Easy

Posted on March 21, 2008 by Theresa Erickson

There was a report done by University of Melbourne (Australia) that showed that moms who have their babies using IVF (with or without a donor or surrogate) have a lower level of confidence when it comes to caring for their newborn baby. 

I was quite surprised to read this.  After everything a woman goes through to have a child using IVF I would think the opposite would be true.  These women have already overcome so many obstacles I would expect them to have a huge sense of empowerment.  A feeling of anything is possible and the confidence of "there isn't anything I can't do".

All new parents have felt anxious and overwhelmed by bringing their first child home from the hospital.  There are no books that can clearly prepare you for the change in priorities and patterns in your life.  For so many this can be extremely exhausting.  This is not something that is tied to IVF, this is universal. 

This makes me remember a time with my son (who is my second child);  It was about 2:00a.m., he was a week old and  was just crying and crying.  I was walking with him in my arms downstairs.  I tried everything, but there was no pleasing him. The house was quiet, everyone else was upstairs sleeping, so his cry just echoed in my ears.   I had tried everything till finally I completely broke down crying.  At that moment I was thinking "I can't do this, I'm not a good enough mother to have two kids".  The more upset I became the harder it was to calm him down.  Finally I sat down, took a deep breath and then just like magic, he fell asleep.  When we both woke up a few hours later, I had my confidence back and was ready for the new day.

Regardless of how your baby came to be, celebrate the moments and know you are the best mom you can be.  There will be times when you need help and there will be times you can run the entire world while making dinner and vacuuming the house with the baby in a carrier on your chest!!

Being a mother is the hardest thing a woman can be.  Put forward your best efforts and your child will know your love is true. 

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