Simply page down for our chronological blog postings, or click on the categories to read what we have to say:
Welcome to the Circle+Bloom blog
Guest Blog by Diana Palmentiero and Lenore Pranzo, co-founders of Fertility Wellness Group. Their on-line fertility enhancing workshops help empower women to write about their own fertility struggles which will eventually lead to positive endings.
Why write about your fertility story
Recently Fertility Wellness Group had an epiphany. We decided to change the format from leading support groups for women who were having fertility issues to helping women write their fertility stories. We would still be there every step of the way supporting women as they blogged/journaled/chronicled their fertility journey. The focus, however, would be on getting everyone’s individual story out in a nurturing environment.
Shortly after our epiphany, we began blogging about our own fertility journeys, albeit, after the journeys had ended. We wanted to inspire women to realize that they are going on these journeys for a reason. What that reason is may not be known at the present time. We also wanted to give them hope that their journeys would lead to positive endings, even though it did not seem like it now.
As we sit and write our blogs, we often say “We wish we had been able to do this when we were going through the ups and downs of infertility.” Even though it is 6 years later, the process is still cathartic. There are still emotions that we have not dealt with completely that are being cleansed as we write about them. “The anger of another miscarriage.” “Another month and still no positive line on the stick.” As these words are being typed, the emotions are being put to rest for us. Blogging about our journeys has made us realize that we have gone through a difficult, dark period in our lives and came out of it, better and stronger women. Every woman will come out of it, in one way or another. The idea is to build the strength along the way and realize that you are a stronger person because of it.
The one thing we do not have, that we now wish we did, is an actual blog or journal to remind us of what we went through, how we felt, the changes we were going through, etc. as we were going through the process. It might be interesting for our children to read about it later on. We went through a lot so hopefully they realize what special children they are. And now, how grateful we are that they are part of our lives.
This concept is based on a therapeutic intervention called Narrative Therapy (created by Michael White and David Epson). Narrative Therapy helps people look at their overwhelming problem, external to themselves. This makes the problem the problem, not the person. We believe that once “infertility” is thought of outside of a person then they can create a story that they have more control over. This would:
- Allow “infertility” to seem less overwhelming and more manageable
- Give the individual a way to see patterns
- Allow it to be looked at from many angles and the problem solving process can happen
- Increase the effectiveness of a support group
- Give the individual the choice of how they would evoke their story (words, photos, drawings, or other means)
- Result in something to continue to analyze and learn from
- Help create a new game plan
- Be something to be shared now or many years from now
The thoughts and feelings that occur when trying to start or expand a family, when it doesn’t happen easily, are vast. Even if we are successful in all areas of our lives, we still believe we are a failure when we cannot do this one thing that is inherent of all women. Another “failed” cycle. Ugh! Our hope is that all of our workshop attendees can turn this thinking around over the 5 weeks, one layer at a time. Ultimately, resulting in a story that one is happy to have created and shared.
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Circle + Bloom just released their NEW Frozen Embryo Transfer Program and they are offering a special launch 35% discount. Enter code FET35 at checkout.
Is the next step in your fertility journey a FET or Frozen Embryo Transfer? Then this is the right program for you. An eleven session audio journey that will guide you specifically through each stage of the FET procedure – from the first part of the regimen when you suppress your cycle, through when you begin taking estrogen, or another fertility supplement, to the actual transfer and two week wait period. Feel in greater control over your mind and body during this very important time of your life.
Click here to learn more or purchase our Frozen Embryo Transfer Program
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Guest Blog by Greg Czarnowski, Lifeables, a free service enabling parents to easily collect, organize, safeguard and share all of the digital posts, pictures, events and conversations that detail their children’s lives.
Because of work conflicts, distance, or mismatched schedules, members of today’s modern family often miss a memorable event like a game, school play or birthday party. Those who attend capture great pictures and videos on their mobile phones and digital cameras. They might even share funny stories or pictures on Facebook or Flickr. But in the end, no one knows exactly who has managed to capture what, and on which device or social network, making it nearly impossible to later relive the event and protect its memories.
Lifeables will make sure family members “Never Miss a Memory” – it’s the ultimate collection (and curation) engine for today’s modern family, retrieving pictures, videos and posts from every possible source while eliminating the privacy concerns still plaguing other social networks.
With just one click, Lifeables starts pulling in pictures and posts from across all family member social accounts, using advanced filtering to eliminate the clutter and highlight the best content. And best of all, the Lifeables system learns as it goes – the more it is used, the more accurate it becomes. Along with mining items from social networks, Lifeables also allows family members to chronicle memories from items stored in their e-mail, mobile phone, and computer.
The true value of Lifeables goes well beyond collection, with easy-to-use tools that give families the flexibility to organize the memories they’ve found (or created) into living collections – by person, event, date or theme – whatever makes sense to them. Each collection is then continuously updated as Lifeables finds new content related to memories in that collection. The service goes further, allowing individual memories or entire Lifeable collections to be selectively shared with trusted family and friends in the format they each prefer without extra work. So Grandma gets her email, Aunt Cathy views rich displays within Lifeables (which can be turned into hard-copy keepsakes), and Facebook friends get to enjoy posts from mom and dad’s wall.
Lifeables creates a new paradigm for family memory collection and curation by:
- Allowing the preservation of a family’s history to become full-blown multimedia collections that constantly evolve
- Involving all generations – parents, kids and grandparents – and all family members (not just Mom) in both the telling and recollection of the family’s story
- Creating an ultra-secure environment where elements for precious family memories (digital pictures, personal reflections, etc.) can be safely stored and shared
Lifeables.com is available free to all consumers, with mobile/tablet extensions to be available soon.
Also be sure to check out Lifeables baby blog application (babyblog.lifeables.com) that offers expectant parents a simple way to provide family and friends with real-time updates about the upcoming birth of their child. Easy-to-use, it allows users to track and share their progress during the birthing process. It will also provide those friends and family members whom you invite to join you on the Baby Blog with an opportunity to offer the well wishes before the birth and their congratulations after the blessed event. And best of all, everything is captured on the Lifeables platform. Once things have quieted down after the birth, you can log in to the Lifeables account that you created and view and organize all of the memories that you recorded. These can then be shared with anyone you’d like, or kept as personal, private memories for yourself.
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National Infertility Awareness Week® is April 22 – 28, 2012. The goal of NIAW is to raise awareness about the disease of infertility and encourage the public to understand their reproductive health.
Be part of the infertility movement! Anyway you can raise awareness will help increase public understanding about the disease of infertility. We urge anyone who cares about the infertility community to help with NIAW efforts.
1. Infertility is a disease that affects 1 in 8 couples of reproductive age.
2. Acknowledge that there are many ways to build a family.
3. Understand that the disease of infertility impacts the physical, emotional, and financial health of those that are facing it.
4. To those trying to conceive know when to seek the advice of a specialist.
We, at Circle + Bloom are offering a 35% discount on all of our mind-body programs in honor of NIAW week. Enter code NIAW35 at checkout. In addition to our 35% off receive a FREE copy of our ebook “28 Ways in 28 Days to Re-think your Fertility”. Add the ebook to your cart and at checkout a discount will automatically be applied for the full $5.99 value. Click here for your FREE ebook. NIAW code and ebook valid April 18 – 28.
Our e-book “28 Ways in 28 Days to Re-think your Fertility” is filled with tips to getting pregnant, inspiration, hope and reflections. A must have companion on your journey when you are trying to conceive.
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Guest Blog by Element Natural Healing Arts, a wellness center specializing in a variety of holistic therapies including: Acupuncture, herbology, massage, reflexology, lymphatic drainage, Thai bodywork, rolfing, chiropractic, European & Ayurvedic facials and skincare, nutrition, ear candling, reiki, Alexander technique, craniosacral, yoga, meditation, personal training, pilates mat, Tai Chi and martial arts.
A new specialty yoga class at Element Natural Healing Arts in Brooklyn, New York is designed especially for women struggling with infertility.
As a wellness center specializing in acupuncture, we see many patients dealing with infertility on a regular basis. Acupuncture has gained much recognition for helping aid in fertility, but having an active role in your health goals may be just as important as receiving treatments. Developing a regular yoga practice can significantly reduce stress (among many other benefits) which is extremely important for a woman’s body while trying to conceive, especially if she has other factors working against her.
In our Yoga for Fertility class, instructor and acupuncturist Liza Uma Pollock brings the best of both worlds together, helping women calm their minds while focusing on poses and acupressure points that can aid in fertility. We asked Liza to answer a few questions for Circle + Bloom readers who can’t make it to class a themselves.
Why is yoga beneficial for fertility?
Yoga that includes a physical practice as well as deep relaxation, breathing techniques and meditation reminds us that our bodies, minds and emotions are not separate. Bringing balance to any one of these areas will have a ripple effect on balancing the whole system. Asanas (or poses) can benefit and improve the function of the reproductive system by increasing circulation and building strength & flexibility, especially around the pelvic area.
What poses are best for enhancing fertility?
Half and/or Full Locust pose is great for increasing circulation to and toning the abdominal and reproductive organs. This pose is done lying down on the stomach with the chin on the mat and the hands tucked under the tops of the thighs, or for increased benefit with the arms tucked inside the hips giving more pressure to the abdomen. In Half Locust one leg is raised at a time, keeping the leg straight, bringing it up as high as is comfortable without straining and holding each side for about 15 seconds. In Full Locust, both legs are raised.
Another beneficial posture is Bow Pose. This is also done lying on the stomach with the forehead on the floor to start, reaching the arms along the sides of the body, bending the knees and holding on to the feet or ankles. Keeping the arms straight, press the ankles into the hands lifting the legs if possible and keeping the knees hip distance apart, and also lifting the head, neck and chest. This posture has the same benefits as Locust but to a greater degree, sending blood to the abdominal organs, as well as improving the health of the ovaries and adrenals.
What is a common acupressure point for fertility and how can someone access that on their own?
Although each woman seeking treatment for fertility will receive an individual diagnosis and treatment protocol, in almost all cases, points along the Kidney channel would be chosen. The first point on the Kidney channel, Yong Quan (translated into Gushing Spring) is beneficial for fertility and will activate the Kidney Qi, or roughly translated, the energy within the Kidney channel and organ. According to Chinese medicine, the Kidneys support the functioning of all the organs in the body and have everything to do with reproduction, growth and development. Kidney 1 is located on the sole of the foot approximately 1/3 of the distance from the base of the second toe to the heel. This point can be rubbed with the thumb while applying medium pressure.
Optimally, regular acupuncture treatments and yoga practice together may significantly help women struggling to get pregnant or compliment other forms of treatment for pregnancy. Please consult your physician or acupuncturist before making any changes to your routine. For more information about Element Natural Healing Arts and Yoga for Fertility class, please visit our website at www.elementhealing.com.
Receive a limited time special discount for their Yoga for Fertility Class through our Fertility Deals Site.
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Guest Blog by Brigitte Adams, Founder of Eggsurance, everything egg freezing, the only non clinic-related egg freezing (oocyte cryopreservation) education & community site.
I always imagined that I would be a mom someday. Over the years, I accumulated a library of children’s books ranging from Dr. Seuss to Goodnight Moon. My first communion dress is wrapped in tissue paper and stored in a box for my daughter. I even have names picked out for a boy and a girl. However, after one divorce, three career changes, four moves and many bad dates, I found myself at 38, still single, still childless and still hopeful.
I never imagined I would be a candidate for egg freezing. Like many women, I just assumed that since I looked younger than my age, exercised and ate well that I must have a healthy supply of eggs. I just kept thinking that I had more time. When I finally looked into egg freezing I was surprised to learn that by 40 only 3% of your eggs remain. As a type-A, I felt helpless that I had no control over my reproductive future.
Given the tremendous strides in egg vitrification technology, I quickly decided to freeze my eggs. I now have eleven eggs on ice in a lab in Colorado waiting for me to retrieve them. And a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Although I don’t know what the future holds, I am no longer fixated on meeting Mr. Right and I am calmer and more optimistic.
After my procedure, I became very vocal and passionate about fertility education. I also realized that other women, like myself, were not educated about their fertility options. Soon I decided to create Eggsurance (www.eggsurance.com). Our mission is to build a safe and welcoming community for women to learn, share and discuss all things egg freezing. We look forward to your visit!
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Guest Blog by Marni, the creator of Bridge To Baby, an online support community and social media website for people trying to grow their families and those who want to help.
I have spent years working at building a family and I know many aspects of the TTC journey. I know first hand that a woman cannot do this alone. In my struggles to conceive a second time with Asherman’s Syndrome and ultimately choosing surrogacy, I felt the need to help others dealing with infertility using my personal experience.
After launching BridgeToBaby.com in March of 2011, I had a desire to go one step further and create an iPhone application that encompassed all the tools and resources I used during my fertility treatments. I came up with the idea to create an application that can help women be more organized and more in control of their fertility.
My Fertile Food is designed to help women who are trying to improve their odds of conceiving a baby, by eating healthy foods that are beneficial for fertility. It has been found that eating certain foods can improve the quality of women’s eggs, reduce stress, improve conditions for implantation, and prepare the body for pregnancy.
My Fertile Food is a customized tool enabling women to figure out their own individual needs. As an example, someone who is underweight needs to add more good fats to their daily diet or someone with PCOS should consume certain foods help regulate their menstrual cycle. My Fertile Food allows you to customize and individualize your dietary intake and gives you the ability to stay in control and motivated from anywhere!
But that’s not all! Not only is My Fertile Food a fertility food tracker and motivator, it also gives you access to Bridge To Baby and My Hopeful Journey. Bridge To Baby is a community for emotional support and resources. My Hopeful Journey is a mobile app which helps you stay organized and manage your menstrual cycles, medications, appointments and specific infertility treatment information like lab tests and procedures, and so much more.
I hope My Fertile Food helps you in your journey!
To read more about Marni’s journey go to Bridge To Baby.
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Different decades of our lives bring different life experiences. During our first ten years we’re normally the focus of other people’s care and attention, our minds and our bodies are developing; then as we move into our second decade as teenagers, we are faced with the hurly-burly of school life, puppy love and seesawing hormones. Many of us settle down in the second and third decades – in our 20s and 30s we’re pursuing careers, meeting a life partner and maybe starting a family of our own. Then we reach the grand old age of 40 – so is it all down hill from here?
Absolutely not! The phrase ‘life begins at forty’ says it all – there are, yet again, different life experiences and changes ahead and these can be just as exciting and challenging as our experiences during earlier decades. For example, those of us who have enjoyed good health shouldn’t expect all this to change as soon as we reach the age of 40 – it simply makes sense to catch up a little at this stage with how we’re functioning generally.
Some basic health checks
A straightforward health screening will present us with any indicators of potential problems, so that we’re well informed and can take steps to improve our diet, exercise regime, stress responses, or whatever might need fine tuning. It’s always worth getting blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels checked. Also, healthcare providers might suggest that those aged 40 or over should have a simple blood test to check levels of homocysteine, C-reactive protein and triglyceride. These are associated with stroke, heart attack and cardiovascular disease respectively.
Fertility in the over-40s is the subject of much debate and discussion. Whilst it’s generally acknowledged that fertility begins to decline somewhere towards the end of the third decade, it’s by no means the case that women can’t have children well into their 40s, and even their 50s. In fact, many healthcare professionals believe older mothers are less impatient and more tranquil, with generally good self-esteem and well-developed support systems – all of which is very beneficial for the new baby. Usually, more settled mothers also will have made sensible, practical arrangements such as making a will, and ensuring their income is secure and life cover is in place.
Take care of yourself
Women of any age are urged to take really good care of themselves during pregnancy and Moms-to-be who are in their 40s should do likewise. My Irish great-grandmother had twelve children – she was in her 20s when her firstborn made an appearance, and in her 40s when my grandmother, the 11th child, was born. Although the family wasn’t wealthy, my great-grandmother always had fresh food; she had no option but to stay busy, but she loved to walk so she made sure to take sensible exercise and also to have regular rest and relaxation periods.
Nowadays there’s a lot of options for mothers in their forties in terms of looking after their physical and mental health. Mind and body programs often focus on combining my grandmother’s favorites – a good diet, with the right vitamins and minerals, and exercise – with meditation and visualization techniques, for achieving the restful calm that she managed to find in her relatively simple, everyday life.
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We are proud to say that many reproductive health practitioners are recommending our programs to their patients. Says Dr. Dehan Chen of Valley Fertility “I am happy to see mind-body science and innovative stress reduction exercises have been tailored for the fertility community. I am excited to incorporate Circle + Bloom’s programs in our practice.”
