Egg Donation & Surrogacy Consulting : Conceptual Options : Theresa Erickson : Embryo Donation, In-Vitro Fertilization

We all know the basics about what not to do while pregnant;  don't smoke, don't drink alcohol,  don't take drugs, don't clean the cat's litter box, etc.  Did you know that there are foods you should avoid while pregnant?

There are some foods that need to be avoided due to the risk they pose on the growing baby.

Pregnant women should make sure that all meat they eat is fully cooked.  That means no more rare steaks or burgers.  Raw meat can contain salmonella which will make both the mother and baby sick. 

Listeria is a bacteria that can cross the placenta and cause infection or blood poisoning to the baby.  Some soft cheeses like brie, feta and Gorgonzola can contain listeria.  These cheeses don't always use pasteurized milk leaving it susceptible to bacteria.  If you are wanting to eat  these cheeses, check the label to make sure it is made from pasteurized milk, then you and the baby will be safe.  Cold cuts can also contain listeria.  If you heat up the meat before eating it, that will reduce the risk.

Fish has become a concern to pregnant women.  Shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and fish used in sushi are all known for having a higher mercury levels than other fish.  High levels of mercury have been directly linked to developmental delays and in some cases brain damage.  It is also recommended to avoid raw shellfish during pregnancy.

Pregnant women should avoid raw eggs.  Raw eggs can also contain salmonella.  This means no snacking on raw cooking dough or brownie mix!  You may want to use caution with sauces that are made with raw eggs, such as hollandaise sauce.

While I don't want to cause alarm if you have already eaten any of these foods;  I'm sure both you and the baby are fine.  Do take extra precautions throughout your pregnancy.  There are still plenty of delicious healthy choices out there.

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So many people have an idea of whether they would prefer to have a boy or girl when talking about having a baby.  Searchers have found that you can increase your chances for having a boy by simply changing your breakfast habits.

Women who eat a breakfast made of high-energy foods dramatically increase their odds of getting pregnant with a boy. Fiona Mathews, of the University of Exeter, said eating high-calorie breakfasts seemed to be the best guarantee of influencing the gender of a baby in favor of boys before conception. 

The discovery of a link between calories and gender may explain why it is that in the past 40 years there has been a small but steady decline in the proportion of boys born in the developed world.

Up to 59% of women who get pregnant after eating high-energy breakfasts end up giving birth to a son.  Researchers have found only 43% of women who always skipped breakfast before conceiving managed to produce boys.

So if you are interested in trying to conceive a boy, let me suggest you stick to your "Wheaties".

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It took so much time and energy to get pregnant.  All the doctor's appointments, ultrasounds, shots and countless tears.  At last, the news you have been waiting for "You're Pregnant!".

Many couples who use IVF to achieve pregnancy have embryo's remaining even after they are pregnant.  Some couples choose to pay the storage fees considering the idea of siblings.  While other couples just aren't sure what to do with the remaining embryos. 

Embryo donation is an option that you may want to consider.  This can provide another couple the opportunity to experience the same joys you have...pregnancy and parenthood.  The Donor Parents can review profiles of Recipient Parents to decide who will receive their embryos or it can be done completely anonymously.  In either case, there is no cost to the Donor Parents. 

Giving the gift of life has rewards unlike anything else.  I urge couples who have unused frozen embryos to consider, for just a moment,  providing another family the opportunity to experience parenthood. 

www.ConceptualOptions.com

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On March 12, 2008 Jamie-Rose Roberts was born.  The unsuspecting newborn had no idea how special she really is.

Lisa and James Roberts had dreams of a large family.  They had already had a son, Cameron, when James found out that he had cancer.  In an attempt to create their large family, James and Lisa decided to freeze James' sperm before he would undergo chemotherapy. 

Despite the treatment, the cancer spread and James died in October 2004. 

Over the next few years, Lisa thought about the frozen sperm, but couldn't bare having a child without James.  Then in February 2007, Lisa was ready for their second child.

Lisa had an egg retrieval which only produced two (2) eggs.  James' sperm where injected into the eggs and the wait started.  By the next day, there was only one (1) embryo and it was not of good quality.  Lisa was given a 20% chance of getting pregnant with the embryo. 

The embryo transfer was successful and Lisa had an uncomplicated, normal pregnancy. 

When Jamie was born, Lisa says "She was the image of her father."  Cameron suggested that his sister be named after their late father.  Thus Jamie-Rose is cared for and loved by her mother, brother and watched over by her father.

This is such a warm, feel-good story.  I wanted to share it with you.

www.conceptualoptions.com

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Today is Easter Sunday which typically is a day spent with family.  We usually have a quiet morning and then family starts to arrive for brunch and an afternoon together.  While everyone is at our house, the house is loud and the kids are running from one end of the house to the other.  By the evening everyone is ready to relax and sit quietly.

As a surrogate the holidays have an extra special benefit.  All four (4) families I have helped to have children call me on holidays.  All our lives get busy and the surrogate children, just like my own, grow bigger and have busier schedules.  Through out our day to day lives we don't always make the time to call each other.  So when we do get an opportunity to talk for 10 or 15 minutes it is always appreciated. 

Today when I was on the phone it was amazing to me that all but one of the children could wish me a Happy Easter on their own.  This was extra special.  I was able to talk with five (5) of the six (6) kids I had a hand in bringing into the world.  The sixth is too young, but I did get some baby talk out of her as well.  This makes my heart grow. 

It is moments like today that truly make me appreciate all I have. 

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