Every Mom Has A Journey towards becoming a Mom, at Last
Life is very unexpected and when the unexpected happens…you are caught off guard and confused.
Connect with Mom at Last and receive support and advice from someone who has traveled through the same unexpected twist in the journey towards becoming a Mom at Last
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Sharon, the founder of Mom at Last will respond!
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What I Wish I Knew Before Our Miscarriage
Waiting to become a Mom a Last, if through Surrogacy, IVF, or Adoption,
can be a long, scary and bumpy journey.
Mom at Last is here to answer questions and connect with other Moms who are waiting to
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Additional Information for Moms in Waiting
Infertility can be very emotionally draining. You may feel that your relationship is suffering from it, or that your self-esteem has taken a blow due to it.
With all of the stress and anxiety that goes along with being infertile; you need all the support you can get. Joining an infertility peer support group is just one way to give your support group a boost.
Peer support groups are places where you meet with others that are experiencing the same thing you are dealing with: infertility. The purpose of a support group is for each member to provide and receive support from the rest of the members. It's a place of no judgment, as well as a place where you, hopefully, will feel comfortable opening up about your particular situation and circumstances.
Keep in mind that, in the majority of cases, you're not dealing with licensed professionals. They are simply people dealing with being infertile—just like you. Support groups, unlike therapy groups, are typically not run by a licensed mental health professional. Instead, they are often run and organized by the members themselves or may be backed by a non-profit organization, church, hospital, or clinic.
Peer support groups can be particularly helpful during the first few months after finding out that you or your partner is infertile. Those first several months can be the most difficult, as reality sets in and you begin thinking about your future. Those in infertility peer support groups know how it feels to have to come to terms with infertility—they can provide you with the sounding board you may need to "get it all off your chest."
Different people get different things out of utilizing an infertility peer support groups. Members get limitless support and build emotional connections and relationships with other members of the group. They also get the peace of mind of knowing that they're not alone—there are others that have shared this same experience. Support groups can also help improve coping skills, provide invaluable information, and serve as an emotional release.
If you're struggling with infertility and feel like you need some extra support, consider utilizing an infertility peer support group. You'll gain insight, support, knowledge, and the skills you need to get through this difficult time.
Katrina Robinson is a freelance writer and editor based in Charleston, South Carolina. She writes for PhoenixKiosk.com, a kiosk manufacturer, about a wide variety of kiosk topics including health, education and outdoor technological solutions such as our outdoor kiosks.
(Two Hands Holding Picture Credit: Squidoo)
Lynn Seigenberg, 30, has successfully delivered her triplets through the process of IVF. After the first cycle of IVF doctors told her that she had triplets and asked her to abort two of her kids to give the third the best chance of life.
Lynn Seigenberg and her husband Leon were shocked and upset after listening to the shocking news. Seigenberg said “how can you expect a mother to choose which of her children lives or dies”?
She has tried for nine long years to conceive and at this moment she was unable to take any decision. Every time she failed to get pregnant because she was diagnosed with polycistic ovary syndrome, one of the leading causes of fertility problems. She was on medication for many years to increase her chances of conceiving. After a few years of the treatment, there was one pregnancy but it was miscarried after a few weeks.
Finally, Seigenberg received two cycles of IVF . She had two eggs implanted and immediately became pregnant with identical twin boys and a girl. Even after the warning of doctor she decided to give birth to all three of her kids.
After nine months she successfully delivered, Lexy, Logan and Ethanl.
Niki Wetherall, "A Girl Like Me" is a memoir I have penned over a two year period. During times of great distress, I have found solace in the written word. This memoir depicts two interweaving stories, both expressions of love and a longing for things to be different, painted on a landscape of tangible and intangible relationships. Love is presented, slowly dissected and then carefully scrutinized for more clarity and understanding.
The Dutch and US research, published in the British Medical Journal, found for every 10 IVF cycles with acupuncture, there would be one extra pregnancy.
IVF involves fertilising the egg with sperm outside the woman's body then putting the resulting embryo back into the womb.
Some couples face repeated expensive attempts to achieve a pregnancy.
Acupuncture has been used for centuries in China to regulate female fertility, and in recent years, scientists have been looking at whether it could boost IVF chances.
Studies have been mixed, with some showing benefits, and some even showing a reduced chance of conceiving.
The latest research, from the VU University in Amsterdam and the University of Maryland School of Medicine, combined the results of seven trials involving 1,366 women in an attempt to provide a clearer picture of the benefits.
They found that, looking at all the research together, women who underwent acupuncture were 65% more likely to have a successful embryo transfer compared with those who underwent a "sham" version of the treatment, or no extra treatment at all.
In real terms, this would mean that for every 10 women receiving acupuncture, there would be one extra successful embryo transfer.
However, many of the studies were conducted in Chinese clinics which had a lower pregnancy rate than the average European clinic.
When only the three studies reaching this average – success in 28% of IVF cycles – were included, a different picture emerged.
Here, there was no evidence of any extra benefit from acupuncture, suggesting that offering the treatment in Europe might not offer as great, or any, increases in success rates.
"IVF may not seem to be "placebo-prone" but it probably is: if women expect it to be helpful they are more relaxed which, in turn, would affect pregnancy rates."
www.myhopefuljourney.com
Lisa Drouillard would like to share her infertility story with you to hopefully inspire you and also provide you with a tool to make your life a little easier on your infertility journey.. through www.myhopefuljourney.com
Infertility has been a big part of my life with a five-year journey of trying to conceive, diagnosis with infertility, infertility treatments and ultimately having a baby girl. During this journey, I was silent. I let a few people know the details but for the most part, I kept the journey to myself. Each day I count my blessings and value the lessons that I learned along this journey. It has helped me to put life into perspective and to appreciate it even more! Infertility consumed and drained me for years and now it has given me the energy and the passion to help other women. I don't want to forget what I had to go through to get here. I want to let go of the silence and stigma associated with infertility and use my experience to help other women and to give them hope, not only through my experience but also through My Hopeful Journey.
When I was diagnosed with infertility, I found it very difficult and complicated to manage the day-to-day, week-to-week and ultimately year-to-year data relating to trying to conceive. With all of the diagnostic tests, medications, appointments and procedures required, I also had to stay connected to everything else in my life. It was during this time that I realized there were no easy methods to accomplish this. Our needs are unique, a standard ovulation calendar or basal tracking calendar did not meet ALL of my needs in one place.
My Hopeful Journey is about to become a reality. The My Hopeful Journey website and blog are already live and the Infertility Treatment web application is almost ready for beta testing. The blog will feature infertility initiatives such as National Infertility Awareness week, Resolve's Walk of Hope and Educating College Students about infertility. Please subscribe to the blog for email updates! The web app will allow women a secure place to track all of their information including appointments, medications, procedures, tests, results and much more!
My hope for My Hopeful Journey is to help many women in their infertility journey and to make their lives a bit easier! I respect the hard work and dedication of the RE's, nurses and staff each day to support women like us on this journey. I want to do something to help make this process easier for everyone involved. I believe My Hopeful Journey not only helps the patients with managing their infertility treatment data but it will also help these professionals by providing their patients a better way to manage their treatment plans.
Over 100 women provided feedback and we listened to develop the features and functionality of the My Hopeful Journey IF Treatment App. I believe this will make My Hopeful Journey the most useful product for our customers. If you have any suggestions on how to make My Hopeful Journey better, please email admin@myhopefuljourney.com!
by Cynthia Wilson James…
Even with popular lists such as Hot Celebrity Moms and Famous Moms over 35 and 40, which usually include former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin, singer Sheryl Crow, actresses Vanessa Williams, Halle Berry and Sarah Jessica Parker, there are lingering myths, especially about first-time moms over 35 and 40. If you are a first time mom over 35 or are considering motherhood over 35, take comfort. The myths may linger but they are far from being truths. Here are three of the most common misconceptions.
MYTH: It is unfair to a child to have older parents. Children will become orphans or have to take care of older parents, etc.
FACT: What is unfair is for a child to be raised in an unloving environment. I’ve talked with many adults who were raised by parents who neglected them. Fortunately, a grandparent filled the void with lots of love and care. I’ve never heard any of these adults complain or refer to their grandparents’ age.
I do believe that all parents, young and old, should have a plan in case they become disabled or suffer a long-term sickness. This will alleviate some of the burden for their children.
Interestingly, studies show current older mothers are better-educated, more stable, eat healthier, and get more exercise. Combined with love, a child soars in this environment.
Perhaps, the best response to this myth can be found in an article written that was featured nearly ten years ago in the May/June 2002 issue of AARP Modern Maturity magazine.
In this article Richard Paulson, M.D. chief of reproductive endocrinology and infertility at the University of Southern California School of Medicine said the orphan issue was overblown and pointed to a former patient who in 1996, at age 63 became the oldest woman in the world to give birth.
At the time of the article was written, the former patient was 69 and her daughter was five. Both were healthy, though the former patient was receiving help with childcare. Guess who was helping her? Her 90 year old mother !
MYTH: Mothers over 40 do not have the energy to attend to the needs of a baby or young children.
FACT: This misconception must have been created by someone who never was a caretaker of young children!
The average newborn or toddler will zap the energy of any mother whether she is 22 or 42. I’ve had healthy strong parents in their twenties complain about being exhausted after spending a day with their toddlers!
Let’s talk about newborns. The average newborn cries more than any new mom ever anticipates. The average newborn sleeps from 15 minutes to 2 hours before waking up for feeding.
Translation: The best scenario with the best baby. Mom gets to bed at 11:00 p.m. She is awakening at midnight by the sweet whimper of her newborn. She is awakened at 2 a.m. by the sweet whimper of her newborn. She is awakening at 4 a.m. by the crying of her newborn. Baby does not want to go back to sleep until 5a.m. You tell me what woman whether she is 25, 35, or 45 wouldn’t feel zapped after getting out of bed several times at night to feed or just to hold and comfort her crying baby?
The truth is taking care of a baby is hard work and does require lots of energy. It’s important to eat healthy and, every now and then, to allow people you trust to watch your little one for an hour or two while you take a break.
MYTH: Teenage children of older parents will be resentful or ashamed that their parents are not the same age as their peers.
FACT: The only thing you need to ease your fear about this misconception is a dose of reality. For the past three years, I worked at a diverse high school of 2000+ students. The students were from all racial groups and from advantaged to disadvantaged economic backgrounds. (I really enjoyed working with these kids.) Believe me, when I tell you that all teenagers think that their parents are old. In fact, most students think that young people who graduated from high school in the last five years are old!
As you age and your children become older, remember that most children go through rocky stages during their teens. This has nothing to do with the age of their parents. Hopefully, as an older parent, you will be able to use wisdom, love and patience to guide your child through the teen years.
Cynthia Wilson James, a former childbirth educator, is founder of InSeason Mom (www.inseasonmom.org). She gave birth at age 42 to a healthy daughter and again at age 44 to another healthy daughter. She provides affordable telephone consultations to expectant first time moms and women considering motherhood after 35 and 40.
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