Reproductive Science Center New Hampshire

Special Concerns about Parenting after Infertility

While raising a child is, at times, a trying task for every parent, there are a few parenting concerns that are specific to those who have dealt with infertility. Here are a few of the issues that you may experience if you are expecting your first child after having fertility problems.

• Expectations: Many parents who have battled infertility have heightened expectations for themselves as parents. You may feel that you have to be a perfect parent at all times since you have worked so hard to become one. In addition, you may experience feelings of guilt when you dislike or do not feel capable of performing parenting duties, such as changing diapers or being awake at all hours. These feelings are normal, but it is important that you do not berate yourself or consider yourself a bad parent if you cannot always live up to your own expectations.

• Heightened Protectiveness: For those who become parents after experiencing infertility, it is normal to feel a heightened sense of protectiveness over your child. While this is normal, it should still be addressed. Try initiating new activities for your child and familiarizing yourself with those activities ahead of time so that you feel more comfortable. You may want to start with activities that you can participate in with your child.

• Stress in Relationships: You may also experience a distrust of others when it comes to the care of your child. This is especially problematic when it occurs between partners. If you begin to feel frustrated or critical of your partner’s parenting techniques, then it is important to communicate your feelings and to listen to your partner’s input. It is also essential that you make time for each other. Try to set aside one evening every week when you can discuss your roles and responsibilities as parents and as partners.

At the Reproductive Science Center of New England, we help our clients through all of the problems that accompany infertility, including those that occur after childbirth. To learn more, call our New Hampshire clinic today at (877) 875-4634.

Common Fertility Medications and Hormones

For women with ovulation and fertility disorders, medications and hormone therapy are typically the primary course of treatment.  Taken orally or injected, these medications normally regulate or stimulate ovulation.  These drugs are also used to assist in other procedures, such as in vitro fertilization.  Below are some of the most common medications and hormones used to treat infertility. 

• Clomid:  Clomiphene citrate is typically the medication of choice to stimulate normal ovulation and has been used for over two decades.  It is an anti-estrogen that stimulates the brain to release natural hormones that will in turn stimulate ovulation.

• hMG:  Human menopausal gonadotropins, also known as Menopur or Repronex, cause the ovaries to increase the production of follicles, which may assist in egg production.

• FSH:  Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is also commonly used to stimulate the ovaries to produce more eggs.  This hormone is administered by subcutaneous injections (under the skin).

• hCG:  Human chorionic gonadotropin enhances sperm production in males and can trigger the release of an egg from the ovary in females. 

• Progesterone:  Progesterone is the hormone that is largely responsible for preparing the lining of the uterus, or the endometrium, for the implantation of the fertilized egg.  It can be administered as an injection, in a gel form, or as a vaginal suppository.

• Lupron:  Leuprolide acetate acts to suppress natural hormone release.  Suppressing the natural release of hormones helps to improve the control of the stimulation of the ovaries while additional hormone therapy is administered.    

For many women and some men, the use of hormones will increase egg and sperm production and aid in increasing fertility.  If you would like to know if one of these treatments could help you, contact RSC New England at (877) 875-4634 to schedule a consultation.  

How to Better Manage Infertility-Related Stress

Struggling with infertility can be a rollercoaster of emotions and expectations.  The feelings of uncertainty about the outcomes of the various treatments can lead to a large amount of anxiety and stress.  Even with the challenges presented by an infertility diagnosis, it is important to take care of yourself and keep as positive as you can.  Below are some tips to help manage infertility-related stress.

• Let yourself be upset.  The first step in recovering from and successfully managing your stress is to allow yourself to cry and be angry.  Do not try to shut out your feelings.  Making a focused effort to shake off completely normal feelings takes more emotional energy than dealing with them head-on.

• Identify the triggers that upset you.  It is impossible to anticipate every birth announcement, baby shower, or family gathering that may trigger feelings of anxiety, sadness, and stress.  If something does bother you, be sure to take note of it; recognizing what triggers these negative emotions can help you to manage them more efficiently in the future.

• Allow your partner to express their emotions in their own ways.  Just because you are expressing your feelings of frustration in a certain way, do not expect your partner or spouse to express theirs similarly.  We all have our own ways of dealing with stress.

• Communicate to your partner how you want to be helped.  Your partner cannot read your mind and anticipate how you want to be treated during this difficult time.  If you want to be hugged, left alone for a little while, or just listened to without a response, be sure to let your partner know.   

The mission of RSC New England is to help our patients defeat infertility and realize their dreams of starting a family.  If you would like to learn more about us, contact our staff at (877) 875-4634 or visit our website.

Prenatal Nutrition Tips

Studies have shown that eating right (and maintaining other healthy habits) before and during your pregnancy can boost your fertility and improve your chances of having a happy, healthy baby that is less likely to have certain chronic medical conditions.  So, what should you eat to help keep your child from being affected by heart disease, diabetes, and obesity?  Read on for some prenatal nutrition tips.   

• Make sure you are eating enough.  The demands of a growing baby demand additional energy, which means that you must eat more to achieve the recommended weight gain.  Be sure that you are eating enough protein—twenty percent of a pregnant woman’s diet should consist of lean proteins. 

• Take the right vitamins and supplements.  Having a varied and balanced diet typically ensures that you are getting the recommended amounts of vitamins and minerals to support the growing child.  Vitamin supplements are not meant to substitute for a balanced diet—they simply ensure that your intake of vitamins and minerals is adequate.  Consult your physician to see what vitamins and minerals you may need to supplement.   

• Avoid certain foods.  Seafood can be a great source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, which promote a developing child’s brain development.  Many fish, however, contain dangerous levels of mercury that can harm your baby.  Tilefish, shark, king mackerel, and swordfish should be avoided; shrimp, crab, salmon, cod, and tilapia are all among the fish considered safe to eat.  Raw, undercooked fish, meat, poultry, and eggs can all carry harmful viruses and bacteria and should be avoided.  Be sure all dairy products are pasteurized. 

Diet is not only important for pregnancy; it is also important for conception.  The Reproductive Science Center of New England is staffed with fertility specialists that are dedicated to helping each patient achieve a successful pregnancy and a healthy future for their family.  If you are struggling with infertility or have any questions about our services, call our New Hampshire fertility clinic at (877) 875-4634—we are here to help.

Different Options for Conception

There are many factors that may compromise an individual’s fertility, but fortunately advanced medical science has solutions to help a wide variety of couples conceive healthy, happy children. The fertility specialists of RSC Fertility Clinic New England can help you determine your options for conception and start your family. Call us at (877) 875-4634 or visit our website to schedule a consultation in one of our offices.

• Visit AttainFertility.com to get informed about how PGD works.

• The National Institute of Child Growth and Human Development explains the difficulties of living with down syndrome.

• To learn some facts about muscular dystrophy read this article from KidsHealth.org.

• Check out WebMD.com to learn what fertility evaluations include.

• Get some help making decisions about egg donation from the American Fertility Association.