Pregnancy over 40: Yet Another Link Between Stress and Pregnancy Complications

Pregnancy Over 40, Watch Your Stress Level

I've written much about how stress can interfere with your ability to conceive and how stress can lead to miscarriage.
My site: www.getpregnantover40.com
 Well, I also found an interesting article about how stress can be linked to pregnancy complications, specifically, "Pre-eclampsia":

Work Stress Linked to Pre-eclampsia

The article mentions that women who work during pregnancy especially in jobs that produce higher blood pressures might be at a higher risk of developing pre-eclampsia. I worked very little while I was pregnant. I taught a couple of classes at my local community college but the rest of my time I completely relaxed at home. I was always amazed at women who worked full time. How on earth did they do that? I must admit, I was pretty tired even after working just a couple of hours a day. I think many women don't listen to their bodies. Being pregnant just by itself can be very demanding on your body's resources.

Not only can high blood pressure lead to poor pregnancy outcomes, but it has also been shown to negatively affect fertility. If you're trying to conceive, evaluate your work schedule. The stress you're under may be preventing the very thing you want so much. When I worked in the corporate world, I would frequently have high blood pressure readings. Thank heavens I had the sense to leave the 'corporate pressure cooker'. Otherwise, I might still be running the 'rat race' and I may have never had my daughter.

Eicosanoids, Prostaglandins and Fertility

If You're Trying To Get Pregnant,  Reduce "Bad" Prostaglandins

I've written before about the connection between prostglandins and fertility.
My site: www.getpregnantover40.com
 Prostaglandins are eicosanoids which are a type of localized hormone.   I have a couple of links below which describe how fish oils can keep bad prostaglandins in check and they can help develop your baby's brain as well when you get pregnant.

 This article talks about how an imbalance can cause infertility and how omega 3's can help:

www.cbn.com


From the article:

The other important factor appears to be an imbalance of eicosanoids that can be treated with the increased consumption of fish oil. Epidemiological studies of pregnant women who consume large amounts of long-chain Omega-3 fatty acids, like EPA and DHA, found in fish oil tend to carry their babies for a longer period of time. They also have a correspondingly lower rate of premature births which can cause physical and neurological problems such as learning disabilities. Since 6 to 10 percent of all births in America are premature, I feel it is quite likely this unfortunate statistic may be linked to our growing decrease of long-chain Omega-3 fatty acids containing EPA/DHA in the diet

To read more about eicosanoids, click here:

Happy Holidays

Here's hoping you receive that which you want the most.

Have a safe holiday and holiday weekend.

Holiday Dinners Hard For Everyone, Not Just Infertile

So you think you're the only one struggling with holidays? I will grant you, holiday dinners can be hard for the infertile couple. All those questions come hurling at you from relatives or new acquaintances. But, according to this amusing article, holiday dinners may be hard for everyone. This article gives some good advice on handling difficult dinners and difficult questions. Read more:


Strategies for Surviving Holiday Dinners, Family Events and Other War Zones

This excerpt sums it up:

No matter how well we may have weathered our basic training, nothing can fully prepare us for the front lines of family gatherings. We're in the thick of it, dodging live ammunition, and fighting the urge to return to our old, reliable patterns that helped us to survive while we were growing up. We may have mastered our relationship skills in one-on-one relationships. We may have improved our romantic relationships, our professional relationships and our friendships. And we may have even improved our family relationships-one family member at a time. But when we're sitting around the holiday dinner table or socializing at a wedding reception with our entire family, it's an entirely different experience.

For one thing, when we're with our entire family, we have to juggle a number of different relationships at the same time. Our attention is divided at best, and for many of us, our awareness deserts us completely after the first major skirmish. We feel like we're surrounded and have to defend ourselves from sneak attacks. We often feel that retreat is not an option. When we are cornered, we often believe that the only way that we can survive is to fight our way out, new relationship skills be damned.

Important Information on Men's Fertility

SEE: MALE FACTOR INFERTILITY AND INCREASING SPERM COUNT (getpregnantover40.com)

SPONTANEOUS NATURAL CONCEPTION OF TRIPLETS AFTER IVF

CLICK HERE FOR MORE ARTICLES ON CONCEIVING NATURALLY AFTER IVF AND FAILED FERTILITY TREATMENTS (getpregnantover40.com) 

PCOS Controlled With Low-Carb Diet Can Help Fertility

I've written before about the connection between PCOS, fertility and diet. Women with PCOS seem to have issues with controlling insulin which is where a low carb diet can help. Read more:

www.pregnancy.org

From the article:

How Many Carbohydrates Should You Eat a Day?
At this point in time, I am not aware of any studies that provide data as to the recommended level of carbohydrates for a woman with PCOS. Some diets include The Food Pyramid-based diet (55 percent of calories from carbohydrates.but select mainly from whole grains), a diet which is 40 percent carbohydrates (The Zone), or a very strict diet that allows only 20 percent of calories from carbohydrates (Atkins or Protein Power). In my experience, there is no one level that will work for all women. Dr. Walter Futterweit, clinical professor of the Division of Endocrinology of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, has been working with women with PCOS for 25 years. He suggests that nonobese women with PCOS who get regular periods eat a balanced diet, moderate.not excessive intakes of carbohydrates (approximately 50 percent of calories), and select complex unrefined carbohydrates over refined carbohydrates. An obese insulin-resistant woman should consume a diet that is 40 percent carbohydrates or less, depending upon the degree of insulin resistance. These are only guidelines.the diet should be tailored to fit the individual person. I would suggest starting with a diet that is 40 percent carbohydrates and work your way downward if need be. Some subjective indicators that the diet is "working" are: decreased cravings and increased energy levels. Some objective measures that the diet may be working are: weight loss, decreased insulin levels, regular periods. Clearly, this is an area that needs to be researched.