It’s National Infertility Awareness Week.  We hope that none of our Preggers mamas have had to tackle this challenge, but since infertility affects more than 5 million people of childbearing age, statistically speaking I’m sure that some of you have.  If you are reading this, and you are one of the 5 million, then most likely you’ve overcome this hurdle.  This week, we recognize your struggles to build your family with some facts that perhaps many people don’t know or understand about infertility.

• 1 in 6 couples struggles with infertility.
• The clinical definition of infertility is a couple who has been having unprotected sex for one year and hasn’t conceived. This changes to six months if you are a woman over 35 years old.
• Infertility is NOT an inconvenience; it is a disease of the reproductive system that impairs the body’s ability to perform the basic function of reproduction.
• In about 40 percent of infertility cases, a medical issue with the woman is the cause. In 30 percent of cases it is the man. And in 20 per cent of cases, both the man and woman are the cause. Approximately 10 percent of infertility cases can’t be explained.
• There are many different causes of infertility: lack of regular ovulation, a low sperm count, low sperm motility, premature ovarian insufficiency (early menopause) and anatomical problems, such as blocked Fallopian tubes and problems with the uterine cavity. In some couples, there is no obvious cause, which is called unexplained infertility.
• A woman’s age often plays a role in infertility. According to Health Canada, a 30-year-old woman has a 90 percent chance of getting pregnant. That chance drops to 77 percent by age 35 and 55 percent if you are 40 or older.
• Twelve percent of all infertility cases are a result of the woman either weighing too little or too much.
• Men and women who smoke have decreased fertility.
• Up to 13 percent of female infertility is caused by cigarette smoking.
• Irregular or abnormal ovulation accounts for approximately 25 percent of all female infertility problems.
• Investigation into potential causes of infertility can usually be completed over one menstrual cycle.
• Most infertility cases — 85% to 90% — are treated with conventional medical therapies such as medication or surgery.
• While vital for some patients, in vitro fertilization and similar treatments account for less than 3% of infertility services, and about (or approximately) seven hundredths of one percent (0.07%) of U.S. health care costs.
• IUI has a 10 to 20 percent pregnancy rate per procedure—a healthy woman under 35 can expect a success rate of about 19 percent per procedure. Each insemination costs $300 to $500, plus the cost of medications.
• IVF costs $6,000 and up per cycle, depending on add-ons chosen and whether eggs or embryos are frozen after the cycle.

Everyone’s journey toward motherhood is different.  If your experience included more than just you and your partner – more like a room full of doctors and scientists –  know that you’re not alone.

February 20 is National Love Your Pet Day!  And who among us doesn’t love your pet?  We chose today to dive into the question of whether your pets, namely dogs and cats, actually know that you’re pregnant . . . maybe even before you do.

Okay, let’s back up a little bit.  I don’t think that our pets actually know that you are pregnant or perhaps what that really even means, but they do know that something is different about you.

Most pet owners keep pets because they love the companionship that cats and dogs, or other animals, can give.  These animals become a treasured part of the family. We love them and they in turn love us back.  It starts out as dependence – they need us for food, water, shelter, etc. – but most of them come to love their humans deeply, as well.  Many of them are protective.

Cats and dogs are also very intuitive.  They can sense subtle changes that sometimes we don’t even know.  For instance, my cat seems to always know when I’m about to catch a cold or a virus.  She cuddles up right by me and won’t leave my side.  Sure enough, by the next day, I’m sneezing away, or worse yet, vomiting.  She knew.  They say that some animals can sense when their owner has cancer, specifically skin cancer.  It only makes sense that they would also sense when your body has changed due to pregnancy.

According to most animal behavior specialists, this ability actually comes from the animal’s excellent sense of smell.  The hormone levels of women change almost immediately once a woman becomes pregnant.  They begin producing elevated levels of estrogen, progesterone and chorionic gonadotropin.  Our senses, not as sensitive as dogs and cats, cannot sense or smell these hormone changes, but many people believe that our pets can.  Perhaps even before a pregnancy test would detect them.

Although it seems likely that dogs and cats really can sense a new pregnancy, they don’t all react in the same ways.  A dog may become protective and not let anyone near you.  Or, quite the opposite, a dog that has always been mild and good natured, may growl at you when you arrive home.  A highly independent cat, may become clingy.  They probably are confused and don’t understand why they feel differently about you, but they know there is something different.

The most important thing to do, regardless of how your pet reacts, is to just keep loving them and keep as much of your regular activities with them as you can.  You’ll reassure your pets that they’re still part of the family and that they’re not going to be abandoned or go hungry.  But, if you’re like me, I won’t really need to tell you that.  You’ll have no problem loving on your pets no matter what!  And most likely, you’ll have a fierce protector for the new little life that will soon be joining your family.

Happy National Love Your Pet Day!

My fur babies keep a watchful eye on my human babies!  Love them all!

Winter can really be treacherous in some parts of the country – even when you’re not pregnant, but especially so for those pregnant mamas.  There are three main areas that the pregnant mama will have to navigate – weather hazards, germ hazards, and well, wardrobe hazards.

Weather Hazards
Ice, snow – you know where this is going.  How many times do we hear about people falling on the ice and getting injured?  Pretty much every time there’s ice, right?  Your center of gravity changes when you’re pregnant, so you’ll need to take extra care in making sure you don’t fall.  The following are a few tips to help keep you on your feet.

1. Footwear – You’ll need to make sure you have a good, stable pair of rubber-soled shoes or boots. This is particularly useful, even when there isn’t ice and snow as good traction will help you step with confidence.  If you have to trek through ice and snow pretty regularly, we may want to invest in some ice traction slip-ons that you can put over your shoes to help prevent slipping.  Above all, ditch the high heels.

If you do slip, try not to worry too much.  Typically baby is well protected in your womb.  Baby is probably just fine, but you can call your doctor if you need a little peace of mind.  But, if you sense decreased movement or other changes like bleeding or water breaking, definitely call your physician.

2. Avoid the Ice and Snow to Begin With – When the weather is really bad, you should try to avoid going out altogether. It’s just best not to tempt fate and risk unnecessary injury.  Many local grocery stores have home delivery fees.  This is an excellent time to take advantage of this service.  You can also shop for your baby gear online.  In fact, this is a really good idea, because you can read reviews before you buy.
3. Ensure You Have a Good Hospital Route – If you’re near the end of your pregnancy, or even if you’re not, you’ll want to make sure you have a good route planned out for getting to the hospital. When you make your plan, have a couple of backup plans in your back pocket, too, as you never know if a certain road is too icy or hazardous to navigate.
4. Roadside Service Plan – If you really are not able to avoid driving this winter, you may want to have a roadside service plan that you can call in the event of a break down or other emergency.
5. Don’t Shovel Snow! – Shoveling snow is really back breaking work and this is certainly not the time. You don’t want to risk getting hurt or going into premature labor.

Germ Hazards
Ugh!  Germs and illnesses are rampant this time a year.  Most illnesses are just giant nucenses, but they become a bigger problem during pregnancy when many cold relief drugs are off limits.  But, there are lots of ways to navigate this hazard, too.

1. Prevent – Almost all OB/GYNs recommend that pregnant women get a flu shot once in the second or third trimester. Remember that pregnant women have a somewhat suppressed immune system, making you more susceptible to getting sick.  Although it’s not a sure thing, a simple flu shot will go a long way to preventing the flu.
2. Wash Your Hands Regularly – You should do this anyway, right? Yes!  But, pay careful attention to this right now.  It will help you stay healthy.  Wash up after each bathroom break, before eating, after grocery shopping or anytime you come into contact with sick people.  You can also carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer in your purse.
3. Take Something – Yes! If you do get sick, don’t be afraid to take something to help relieve some of the symptoms.  Just make sure you follow your OB/GYN’s instructions.  My doctor always gave me a booklet in the beginning that listed all the safe drugs for every scenario.  There’s really no need to suffer when a little simple relief for you won’t hurt baby at all.
4. Hydrate – Yep. That one again.  Water just makes everything better.  Drinking plenty of water while pregnant will help to keep your skin from getting too itchy, which tends to happen when it expands.  Winter makes that even worse.
5. Moisturize – Water won’t do it alone, though. Have a good moisturizer on hand and lather up – often.  Cocoa butter works great for stretching skin, too.

Wardrobe Hazards
Okay this one isn’t as much of a “hazard”, but it can be a point of stress for expecting moms.  For me, it was hard to justify spending good money on an oh-so-temporary wardrobe.  With my first pregnancy, I didn’t worry quite so much because I was sure that I would be using all of these pieces again.  Little did I know that there would be nine years in between my first and second and trends tend to change a little bit in that span of time – and I felt like it was a lot!  But, when I was pregnant with my second, I knew she would be my last, so I tried to make do with what I had from the first go-around.

1. Winter Coat – To buy a maternity winter coat or not to buy a maternity winter coat? They’re so expensive and used for such a short time – especially in warmer climes, so really should you buy one?  I think that all depends on your situation.  My first baby was born in December, so of course I was at my biggest when it was really starting to be coat weather.  I didn’t buy a coat for this pregnancy.  I really ended up only needing a coat for about 2 short weeks.  In the late part of the fall, I just layered up.  After that, I wore a looser fitting coat.  It just wasn’t worth it for that short time.  I was only in my first and early second trimester during the winter months of my second pregnancy, so I got away with not buying one again.  Phew!  Some people will just have to suck it up and buy one, though.  If you spend the better part of the winter waddling through your third trimester, it might be worth it to have a good maternity coat.  Or maybe just use an extra coat of your husband’s! 😉
2. Layer Up – For the rest of your wardrobe, invest in a few pieces that are very versatile. A pair of leggings, a good pair of maternity jeans and some long shirts or tunics will get you through almost anything that you’ll need.
3. Compression – A pair of compression tights or leggings will round out any good wardrobe. You can dress them up or down, but they also give you the awesome gradient compression qualities.  Gradient compression will help to energize your legs and promote good circulation.
4. Support Band – A good Preggers Maternity Support Band is another great addition to any maternity wardrobe. The band helps to support your belly and ease back discomfort.

Remembering these few tips will help tremendously in navigating through these winter hazards.  Being pregnant during the winter months may sound dangerous and scary, but I think I’d honestly take that over suffering through the heat of summer at 9 months pregnant!