A study in a recent issue of Bioscience Hypotheses suggests that hormones and chemicals resulting from happiness, depression and other mental states can affect our eggs and sperm, resulting in lasting changes in our children at the time of their conception. This includes the way we feel when our naturally occurring endorphins and the not-so-naturally occurring drugs like marijuana and heroin affect our mood. Researchers say these chemicals are known to have significant effects on sperm and eggs, like altering the patters of genes that are active in them. One researcher suggests that since a child gets his genes from his parents, perhaps a parent’s psychology efore conception can actually affect the child’s genes, making him more prone to being happy or depressed during his lifetime.

“This is an intriguing idea” says Dr. William Bains, Editor of Bioscience Hypotheses. “We wanted to publish it to see what other scientists thought, and whether others had data that could support or disprove it. That is what our journal is for, to stimulate debate about new ideas, the more groundbreaking, the better.”

Photo, Flickr, Yogi

Post from: Blisstree

Mood at Conception Affect Baby’s Happiness?

Sigh.

I think I can squeeze in one more trip or two to the beach. I have to. I still have summer reading to do. I still haven’t finished the The Mind-Body Fertility Connection: The True Pathway to Conception by James Schwartz. Did I mention that I have some extra copies to share? Want one?

Let me tell you what I know: James Schwartz is a Board certified Hypnotherapist and founder and director of the Rocky Mountain Hypnotherapy Center in Lakewood, Colorado. He’s got a fertility program called, “Hypnosis to Promote Fertility” which focuses on “healing the mental and emotional barriers that can often prevent conception.” That practice is the basis of the book that I have for you.

If that sounds like something you’d like to know more about, email me at polchic@hotmail.com and ‘ll tell you more….

Post from: Blisstree

Freebie Friday – Win a Copy of the Mind-Body Fertility Connection by James Schwartz

Image details: Fertilization served by picapp.com

A scientist in Australia claims that he has created an inexpensive pill that will double the chances of conception in couples struggling with infertility. Double!?!

The Sydney Morning Herald Reports,

Menevit, a supplement containing seven anti-oxidants and minerals, claims to improve the chances of pregnancy for the one in 20 men affected by male infertility.

The pill, available over the counter for $1 a day, was developed by Kelton Tremellen from the University of Adelaide. It is sold through pharmaceutical company Bayer. It contains vitamins C and E, zinc, folic acid, lycopene, garlic oil and selenium.

Is it just me, or does the name make you giggle?

A friend once told me that Rogain, you know, the hair growth stuff, was originally proposed as /Regain, but that didn’t sound scientific-y enough. Hence the new name. (I forget how he had the insider knowledge, but can completely believe it. ) I am wondering what earlier incarnations of this pill’s name have been. Benefit, Men-fit, sperm-be-fit….

Sorry. I am digressing.

Dr Tremellen said the pill worked by neutralising the free radicals that help break down sperm DNA, resulting in a greater risk of infertility, miscarriage and birth defects.

But some folks, including fertility experts, ain’t buying it. They say there’s no evidence of improved embryo quality as a result of the pill and are demanding that additional studies and research be done to support its current claims.

But I mean, it is only a $1….

Post from: Blisstree

Could Menevit Help Your Guy’s Sperm Get Fit?

But now I am ready to crack them open again. Start where I left off. And, most important, share what I’ve found with you.

You might recall my little teaser about Fully Fertile: A 12-Week Plan for Optimal Fertility a month ago. This book, created by the founders of Pulling Down the Moon, a Chicago-based holistic fertility center, really does intrigue me. The book is divided into three sections: the first dealing with the body, the second the mind (dealing with stressors, disappointment, etc) and lastly, the spirit and by that, they mean exploring the value of breath, meditation, visualization and, if you’re into it, prayer. I am not going to let this book collect any more dust. Look for a review soon.

I also have a similarly titled tome called The Mind-Body Fertility Connection: The True Pathway to Conception (oh, and I have more than one…future freebie friday item, hmm?) Once again, be on the look out for a future review.

In the meantime, let me share with you a great new site called All Thumbs Reviews, brought to you by some fantastic bloggers Lori and Chicklet. Their latest review is of The Fertility Journal: A Day-to-Day Guide to Getting Pregnant, which based on Chicklet’s assessment, some of you may find quite useful, others not so much. Chicklet gives it one thumb up, one down and has issues with the design, size and overall lack of bibliographical info for the numerous facts and figures it shares. But, I encourage you to go to the full review to read, you know, the full review.

Hey, you have entered the latest Freebie Friday giveaway, right?

Post from: Blisstree

Summer Reading – Some Fertile Words

Damn straight. And here is why Choice should matter to you.

Those same individuals who act under the banner of Pro-Life are not too cool about you creating new life using in vitro or other assisted reproductive techniques. Pro-Life proponents see the termination of embryos (no matter how early a stage) not used in a fertilization attempt as a “refined abortion.” Threats to Roe v. Wade and attempts to undermine a woman’s right to make informed decisions about her own reproductive health are a threat to you, fellow TTC’ers. Don’t see them as anything but.

Anytime there are misconceptions and misrepresentations of abortion or early terminations of pregnancies, you can bet that attacks on non-traditional reproductive techniques are not far behind.

Right now, you are able to store the embryos that are not used in your current fertility treatments to try again should your current cycle fail, or should you want to try to get pregnant again. But recent court cases could throw all of that into question. One such case, in which a divorced couple is arguing over who gets the embryos:

has ignited debate in America because of its potential implications for the legal status of the embryo. The ability to store embryos has created new legal questions over rights to these embryos in the event of subsequent disagreement between couples. There is currently no federal precedent…

Some fear that if the case ends up in the Federal Supreme court, then the increasing conservative Court may use it as a vehicle for reconsidering the legal status of the embryo. In the landmark Roe v Wade ruling, which effectively made abortion legal in America, the Court ruled that because the unborn do not have constitutional rights, the woman’s rights over her own body take precedent. If the unborn are considered to have a constitutional right to life, the legality of abortion will be thrown into question.

Feministing.com disagrees and thinks that

A law banning embryo disposal doesn’t threaten Roe. Without a woman’s involvement, these embryos are not viable. Viability is key to the Roe decision.

Ah, but I bet there are Pro-Lifers that would strongly disagree. My 12 years’ Catholic girl training taught me “life begins at conception” and there is no screwing around with it after that.

I truly feel for individuals who are trying to come to terms with their infertility in ways that are acceptable to their religions. Natural procreative technology is an attempt to do that. While its success rates are impressive, this technique will certainly not help anyone whose bodies (like mine) are missing some vital parts (like ovaries).

I want to emphasize here that Choice is not just about the “choice” to have an abortion. New books and anthologies like Choice: True Stories of Birth, Contraception, Infertility, Adoption, Single Parenthood, and Abortion use their very titles to make that clear. This blogger gives a great summary of where the 2008 presidential candidates stand on abortion , but that’s a lot easier to pinpoint than their stances on reproductive health in general. This upcoming article in the Nation entitled, “A Long Roe to Hoe” also spells out the need for Choice to move beyond the defense of abortion and on to the wider platform of women’s reproductive health:

While pro choice and antiabortion groups in the United States have argued about the minutiae of abortion practice, women’s economic security and reproductive health have been severely undermined by far-reaching changes in public policy. Given this broad assault on women, it is no longer ethically sound or politically wise to see abortion as the centerpiece of women’s struggle for freedom and equality. In the “change” election of 2008, it is critical that all candidates who claim to be pro choice define choice more broadly. They must make a commitment to fully restoring reproductive health and dignity to all American women regardless of their economic status. Likewise, a commitment should be made to a foreign policy that supports these services and rights for women in the developing world.

And that, my friends, is why today should be a day of celebration and this election year one of vigilance.

Happy Blog for Choice Day. Please click on the icon to read even more blogs about your right to choose.

Post from: Blisstree

Choice, Infertility and Reproductive Rights