Surrogacy 101

What do the worlds poorest women do about their sanitary needs?

Until I read the article, below, I have to admit that I never gave a second thought to what the poorest women in the world do during "that time of the month". I didn't think that girls would miss over 50 days of school a year because they had no sanitary supplies and it didn't cross my mind regarding the cost of buying sanitary products  for these poor women. So I am bringing an awareness to all of us here in the USA...is there something WE can do to help these poor women? Read below to find out more.

 

Sharon LaMothe
Infertility Answers, Inc.

 

Affordable Sanitary Pads for World's Poorest Women

 

By:Anna Portela

A company called Sustainable Health Enterprises (SHE), together with researchers from North Carolina State University, have joined forces to create economical and reliable sanitary pads for millions of women across the globe, who cannot afford the regular feminine products currently available.

Because of their periods, some young women who live in poverty stricken places, are forced to miss up to 50 days of school in a year. This is due to the unavailability of feminine products. Elizabeth Scharpf is founder and CEO of SHE, an organization that is led by women whose goal is to manufacture and distribute affordable, environmentally friendly sanitary pads of good quality, to women in the developing world. What a fantastic idea and mission! Scharph says: “In some …areas of Africa, a month’s supply of imported sanitary pads cost more than a day’s worth of wages. Our goal is to create affordable pads that are…easily manufactured for a low cost at the local level-and the research being conducted at NC State helps us do that.”

The making of these sanitary napkins involves knowledge of areas such as paper and wood science, medical textiles, biomedical engineering and textile engineering chemistry.

The raw materials used in the process are banana stems. The stems undergo a series of chemical treatments that convert the fibers into soft, billowy materials that can absorb liquid.

These sanitary pads can be reproduced at the local level. Dr. Lucian Lucia from the Department of Wood and Paper at the university says that their role in the project was to show that it is possible to turn banana stem fiber into an absorbent material, and that the average person, and one who is not necessarily a scientist, would be able to create the sanitary pads. Local production and distribution means that the sanitary pads can be sold by community health workers for 30 percent less than the available brand.

Dr. Marian McCord, associate professor of textile engineering chemistry, science and biomedical engineering, maintains that the project is just one example of how a university can have an important impact on global health. Very true.

Congratulations to everyone involved in the project, and to SHE for its plans to distribute this sanitary pad to girls and women, so their lives can be made easier when that time of the month rolls around.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Thank God every day when you get up that you have something to do that day which must be done whether you like it or not. Being forced to work and forced to do your best will breed in you temperance and self-control, diligence and strength of will, cheerfulness and content, and a hundred virtues which the idle will never know.
Basil Carpenter

 

Enjoy your day with Family and Friends!

All my best from:

Sharon LaMothe
Infertility Answers, Inc.
http://infertilityanswers.org/
 

The Side Road to Happiness By Lybi Ma

 

You may wonder why it's so important to loosen your creative juices, but diving into innovative pursuits can be your ticket to a healthier, more joyful life. When a painter paints, for example, he becomes utterly immersed in what he is doing. This focused engagement takes deep involvement where time seems to move effortlessly. The fulfillment that provides is at the heart of happiness. Forget money and worldly possessions. They're not even close. Instead, plunging yourself in work, a hobby, or craft will get you to the bliss you're looking for.

 Go With the Flow: Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi conferred the label "flow," on the mental state in which you are fully engaged in creativity. In his research on happiness and well-being, he learned that people can become so absorbed that they feel they are outside of time. Other researchers have found that the passion of such pursuits can keep you physically healthy and out of the doctor's office.

Up to the Challenge? Psychiatrist Gregory Berns of Emory University takes the idea of engagement even further. He has found that experiencing discomfort is necessary to get you to contentment, arguing that satisfaction is to some extent generated by the stress hormone cortisol's effects on the dopamine system. That's why some people derive joy from extreme challenges. Think about the marathon runner who slogs through 26 miles of pain and suffering or the crossword puzzler who gets that same feeling when everything falls in place in "Aha!" clarity.

I'm Not That Creative: Yet, you wonder, isn't creativity reserved for the likes of artists, writers, and inventors? Not so fast. We all know that kindergartners are bundles of creative energy. But all of us were once in kindergarten, weren't we? So where does this early innovation go? The truth is: We are all creative, but somewhere along the way it was beaten out of us. Finding your passion is the key; think about what moves your motor and start small. But whatever you do, start somewhere.

Creative Thinking in Suits: Granted, you may not play the cello like Yo-Yo Ma or paint like Picasso, but creative thinking can be deployed in any profession. Take sales and marketing: Each new sale requires a different approach. "If that doesn't work, I'll try this..." Corporate America knows a good thing when it sees it. Companies like Microsoft and Toyota are using the idea of flow to get the best out of their workers—with employee satisfaction and productivity in mind.

Got What It Takes? To be creative you have to be passionate about what you are doing. This passion will lead you to a more joyful life. What helps? Creative people do not live by rules, they know how to do their own thing. These people are also more open to experience and fantasy; that's why they are happy to take more risks. And remember, genius does not require a tortured spirit—Van Gogh is not the epitome of the creative soul.

Showing Up: Sometimes just showing up is all it takes. Make a time and place for your pursuit, and your body will slip into the moment as soon as you allow it. If you follow a pattern, it will become somewhat automatic. You might even find yourself pining for your easel when that time of day comes. Beyond that, stick with the program; nothing will happen if you quit in the thick of it.

Work Is Play: And play is work. Don't worry about the end product, just concentrate on the process. Fussing over finished results will get you nowhere. And don't fret over what other people might think. You're doing this for you, not for them. Think about the knitter who pulls apart a sweater just because she wants do it all over again. Sounds crazy, but it can be worth it.

Budgeting for Infertility by Evelina Weidman Sterling and Angie Best-Boss: A LaMothe Book Review

 

Especially important in our current financial crisis, Budgeting for Infertility is a timely and accurate depiction of what it takes to pay for Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) to complete a family. I found this book not only assists with budgeting but also educating Intended Parents on all aspects of ART including treatment terms, how to choose a clinic, finding affordable fertility medications, understanding the financial options and even exploring adoption. I especially liked reading the comments from Intended Parents who know first hand what it's like to travel down the road of infertility treatments. I highly recommend this book for anyone starting out, or even in the middle of their own personal infertility journey. Well worth buying and passing along.

 

Synopsis

Having a baby can be one of the most wonderful times of your life -- but if you need help to conceive, it can swiftly become a staggeringly expensive undertaking. With the average cost of infertility treatments ranging from $35,000 to $85,000 in the United States (most of which is not covered by insurance companies), many women and couples find themselves having to make difficult choices about building their families.

Getting a grip on your finances is one of the few things you can do to regain control of this process. Infertility experts Evelina Weidman Sterling and Angie Best-Boss have created the ultimate guide to ensuring the most cost-effective care with the highest chances for success. With anecdotes, interviews, and advice from both doctors and patients, you can easily apply these specific money-saving strategies to your own unique situation. Learn how to:

- Select a fertility clinic with a high rate of success

- Convince your insurance company to cover more of the costs

- Track down the most affordable fertility drugs

- Travel abroad for cheaper care or international surrogacy

- Avoid the scams and unnecessary expenses every step of the way

Personal and professional, Budgeting for Infertility is an invaluable resource that shows you how to pay for infertility treatment...and still have money in the bank for diapers and day care.

 

Sharon LaMothe

http://infertilityanswers.org/

What is an Endometrial Biopsy?

Mock Cycle/Endometrial Biopsy

In order to assess the uterus for implantation an endometrial biopsy may be performed on a mock cycle.

Purpose: Assure normal uterine development for Embryo implantation

Endometrial Biopsy

Background

The uterine lining, or endometrium, undergoes a specific sequence of changes after ovulation during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle in order to develop a receptive environment for the developing embryo.  Estrogen followed by progesterone secretion by the ovaries is crucial for the proper development of the lining.  Abnormalities of uterine lining development, or luteal phase defects, may be documented with an endometrial biopsy.  The may be associated with abnormal implantation.

Patient Protocol

1. Call the office with the onset of menses.

2. Call the office to schedule the biopsy 18 days later.

What to Expect

The biopsy is somewhat like a pap smear.  After introducing a speculum into the vagina, the cervix will be wiped with betadine to cleanse it.  A small catheter is then introduced into the cervix and the biopsy is performed.  It takes a few seconds.  If you would like, you may take some Anaprox or your RE can give you a local anesthetic.

Most patients tolerate the procedure well and feel it is similar to the HSG.

What is a Hystersonongram?

Saline Infusion Sonogram (SIS),
( sonohysterogram )
or
Hystersonongram

A saline infusion sonogram (saline sonography) is routinely performed to make sure that the endometrial cavity (inside of the uterus) appears normal.  Benign uterine growths, such as endometrial polyps or uterine fibroids, may develop in the cavity and create an environment that is hostile for implantation.  Scar tissue may also be identified with the saline infusion sonogram.  This procedure may be done as part of an evaluation for recurrent pregnancy loss or done prior to an IVF cycle.  It may also be done to evaluate causes of irregular or very heavy menstrual cycles and some types of chronic pelvic pain.  The saline infusion sonogram is scheduled early in a menstrual cycle, just after your period stops but before ovulation – usually between days 5-12 of the cycle.

The procedure is simple and usually takes 10 to 15 minutes to complete.

A speculum is inserted into the vagina and the cervix is cleansed with an antiseptic solution.

A special catheter approximately 1mm in diameter (about the size of a single strand of spaghetti) is inserted and slides through the cervical canal.

The ultrasound probe is placed in the vagina.

Sterile salt-water solution (saline) flows through the catheter into the uterine cavity.  This distends the endometrial cavity and allows the physician to see the entire cavity on the ultrasound monitor.  You may experience mild cramping at this point.

Several images of your uterus will be taken during the procedure, pictures of your ovaries may also be taken.

You will need to schedule an appointment with your physician to discuss any abnormalities that are seen during the procedure.

After the procedure you may continue to have mild cramping for a few hours.   You may also experience light spotting or watery discharge for as long as 24 hours after the procedure.  You should refrain from intercourse for approximately 48 hours.  If any symptoms other than those listed above are noticed, please call the office at which you are seen.