Fertility Fact Friday

Now posting Fertility Fact Friday's over on the website:

Dancing Upon Barren Land ~ Spiritual Nourishment for the Infertility Road.

Please visit: www.DancingUponBarrenLand.com.

Thank you!

Fertility Fact Friday

Fertility Fact Friday

For the next couple of 'Fertility Fact Friday's' I am going to post on Infertility Etiquette. How friends, family and ministry leaders can respond to those who are going through infertility or infant loss. Be sure to check back each Friday during the month of December for some great info!

For Family & Friends

How to Respond

• Recognize infertility exists.
• I am sorry that you’re having to go through so much.
• What can I do for you?
• Teach me about what you are going through so I can better understand.
• Never give up. Keep believing.
• It is okay to cry.

What to Say

• Non-selfish comments.
• Voice interest in medical treatments.
• I’ll be praying for you and your husband.
• I am here for you.
• God can do anything.
• Give a scripture.
• You’ll be a great mom!
• I can’t wait to meet your baby!
• Give a call on Mother’s Day.
• Remind them of God’s promises.
• Don’t say anything, just listen and encourage.

What NOT to Say

• When are you going to have children?
• Just adopt.
• Are you sure you want to try for a child?
• Shouldn’t you wait until ‘this’ happens or ‘that’ happens?
• Quit trying so hard.
• From a medical specialist, “You will never have a baby.”
• Give up. Let it go. It will happen.
• It is not the end of the world if you don’t have kids!
• Just relax.
• You’re too old to have a child.
• Just stop thinking about it so much, then it will happen.
• It will happen when you are least expecting it.
• Just go get drunk.
• There is more to life than just being a “mom”.
• At least you’re an aunt. That’s fun!
• Complain about your own children.
• Questioning the ability to be a mother.

For Other Family Members

• Let up on the questions, “Do you want children?” or “Where are my grandchildren?”
• Do not treat the woman/infertile couple differently.
• Do not test them on how they will react to other children in the family.
• Keep the issue within the family.
• Be their biggest cheerleader.
• Get educated on fertility treatments and terminology.
• Be sensitive that they may not want to share the highs and lows of the journey.
• Ask how they feel, not just ask superficial things.
• Encourage faith. Pray with them.
• Try not to fix the situation.
• At family gatherings: Be aware that the couple may not come around as often.
• After the initial issue is shared within the family, don’t sweep it under the rug. Silence about the matter can be a killer.

For additional infertility etiquette or spiritual inspiration as your traveling down the infertility road, please visit: Dancing Upon Barre Land ~ Spiritual Nourishment for the Infertility Road, www.DancingUponBarrenLand.com.

Fertility Fact Friday

Since this month is National Adoption Awareness Month here in the United States, I thought I'd post about embryo adoption. Not many people are aware of embryo adoption, but it is another avenue in which a childless couple can explore to become parents. I've personally attended a meeting of the Snowflake Adoption Program met the parents and heard the story of the parents who have chosen embryo adoption, a very precious way to honor life. Here are some facts and great resources below!

Frozen Embryo Donation and Adoption - Donation: Frozen embryos represent hope for infertile couples. With close to 500,000 frozen embryos stored in the U.S.A. alone, this can give a childless couple a chance to adopt and birth a child. Pray and consider donating your frozen embryo(s).
Adoption: If you are one who has ovulation dysfunction, yet have a viable uterus to carry a child, this may be an option for you. Prayerfully consider adopting a frozen embryo.

Support Organizations

• www.embryoadoption.org Increases awareness and understanding of the hope embryo adoption and donation offers to peoples struggling with infertility.
• www.nightlight.org Snowflake Adoption Program. This program recognizes and advocates the person hood of pre-born children. Assisting birth parents and genetic parents in making a wise and loving plan for their child’s future.

If you this is your first visit to this blog, hop on over to Dancing Upon Barren Land ~ Spiritual Nourishment for the Infertility Road, www.DancingUponBarrenLand.com. You'll find more inspiration and resources there. Also, become a fan of DUBL on Facebook!

Fertility Fact Friday

November marks the National Adoption month here in the United States. Today's Fertility Facts include some resources and support organization providing adoption information. I hope you'll pass this on to someone who is pursuing adoption. Also, this would be great for pastor's and women's ministry leaders as well!

Adoption
Support Organizations
Show Hope
Adoption aid, how to start an adoption fund ministry at your church and orphan care, created by contemporary Christian singer Steven Curtis Chapman. www.showhope.org

Christian International Adoption
One of the largest international adoption agencies in the U.S.A. www.cwa.org

National Adoption Foundation
Provides financial resources, info and services for adoptive or prospective adoptive families. www.nafadopt.org

Adoptive Families of America Magazine
A magazine with information for families before, during and after adoption. www.adoptivefamilies.com

Fertility Fact Friday

Listed below are a few medical acronyms used in the infertility world. Upon initial testing your doctor will screen you for various hormones. Remember your regular obstetrician/gynecologist has only about 6 months of special training in infertility during medical school. So, if you have trouble conceiving, prayerfully consider scheduling an appointment with a Reproductive Endocrinologist, a physician who specializes in issues involving the reproductive system.

There is a reason why I listed only a few here. By no means is this an exhaustive list! And, you're probably thinking what does PMS and PG have anything to do with? Just read the next post and you'll find out!

PMS - pre-menstrual syndrome
TTC - trying to conceive
LH - Luteinizing Hormone – an acute rise triggers ovulation
FSH - Follicle Stimulating Hormone – regulates the reproductive process and the production of eggs.
HCG - Human Chorionic Gonadotropin – hormone produced in pregnancy that is made right after conception
PG - pregnant

Fertility Fact Friday

"Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you."

Jeremiah 1:5

Today, here in the States, October 15th is declared Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day. For those of you who have lost children whether it has been through a miscarriage, stillbirth or early infant death, I just want to say, "I am sorry for your loss, I feel for you." But not only I feel for you, the Lord Jesus Christ has great compassion for you. Reach up and out to Him, the true Comforter of your soul.

For Fertility Fact Friday, I thought I would list a few statistics and facts:

- A miscarriage is pregnancy loss that occurs prior to 20 weeks, before the fetus is able to survive outside its mother’s womb. This tragedy occurs in about 15 - 20% of pregnancies.

-Most miscarriages occur in the first trimester (12 weeks) of pregnancy.

-Some doctors believe that as many as 50% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage, because some losses occur before a woman realizes she is pregnant.

-A baby is stillborn if it dies between the twentieth week of pregnancy and the time of birth. www.modimes.org

Repeated Miscarriages -
-Fortunately, at least 85 percent of women who have had one miscarriage will go on to have a successful pregnancy the next time, as will as 75% of those who have experienced two or three losses.

-In about 25% of cases, the cause of repeated msicarriages cannot be found. However, couples in this situation should not lose hope: Even without treatment, about 60% of women with repeated miscarraiges eventually have a healthy pregnancy.
Losing You too Soon, by Bernadette Keagy.

^{If you have suffered from loss there is a helpful ministry I highly recommend, Sarah's Laughter. The leader, my friend Beth Forbus suffered from infertility, she ministers out of compassion for those who are desiring to become a 'mommy' or who have experienced loss. Last year she came to our support group at Lakewood Church, H.O.P.E. and led a memorial service for the women who lost children. Lives were touched, grief was lifted and hearts were healed. Please check out her website! She has many wonderful resources to aid you in your journey to motherhood or to pick up the pieces of your shattered heart from loss. www.sarahs-laughter.com}

^{If you've had a loss and would like to share how God helped you through it or if you can give another one reading this encouragement or a testimony how God has brought children to you, please leave a comment. Sharing our hearts helps one another!}

^{Praying for you today.}

Fertility Fact Friday

For this Fertility Fact Friday we'll continue to look at how to honor God through the infertility process. These questions are taken from the book, Hannah's Hope by Jennifer Saake. A great resource for individuals and small groups. I highly recommended it.

Am I Honoring God, Part 2

Am I investing more time and effort into the pursuit of parenthood than into my relationship with God?

I am called to trust God to fully provide the resources for whatever path He leads me to follow. Am I being faithful in my financial obligations to God (tithes and offerings) and others (debt)? Am I envious of those who seem to have more resources and abilities to grow their families? (Financial issues of fertility challenges give new meaning to “We can’t afford to have kids.”)

Am I waiting on God’s perfect timing?

Ecclesiastes 3:1 “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven—.”

If this path ultimately leads to parenthood, can I explain to my child, without shame or secrecy, exactly how she joined our family?

Is it both acceptable and beneficial in God’s sight?

All different types of procedures and options may be presented to you, but it is important for you to pray and ask God if it is permissible for you. If God has not given you a peace about a particular procedure or plan, then wait. “Everything is permissible for me—but not everything is beneficial.” I Corinthians 6:12

Am I trying to force God’s hand?

Sometimes God gives us less than the best He desires for us because we BEG Him to do so, just as He conceded to the demands of Israel, see I Samuel 8:6-22. Other questions you can ask yourself: Am I trying to manipulate my way to a baby? Am I willing ot accept God’s best for my life, or do I want to be in the driver’s seat and demand what I perceive to be best?

H.O.P.E. tonight!

For those of you who live in Houston, Texas or surrounding areas I personally invite you to H.O.P.E., Hearts Of Promise & Expectation for Women, tonight (thursday, Oct. 7) at 7 p.m. at Lakewood Church.

If you are a woman who is struggling with infertility, secondary infertility, multiple miscarriage or failed adoption attempts come and receive support! We are Christ-centered sharing the Word of God and His love to those silently suffering. The group is open to any faith or denomination, but for women only!

Make sure to check the blog periodically. I post a devotional from time to time, as well as Monday Morning Prayer and Fertility Fact Friday weekly.

My hopes for this blog is to bring spiritual inspiration as you travel down this barren road to your destination: Motherhood. Keep the faith!

Fertility Fact Friday

"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge..." Hosea 4:6

It's not enough to pray and ask God for a child. You have to be proactive in learning how your body works and taking care of yourself.

Here are some helpful tips!

1) A woman's cycle can be anywhere from 21-42 days.

2) If you have taken Deprovera as birth control it takes your body longer time to wash out this drug before you are able to conceive.

3) Take at least 400mcg of Folic Acid every day. This decreases the chance for neuro tubal defects. Don’t wait until after conception to start taking prenatal vitamins. It is important to have this at time of conception.

4) Active lifestyle, exercise and eating healthy are a key to conception and a healthy pregnancy.

5) Avoid Ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil and Aleve. It can affect ovulation.