Monday, October 25, 2010

New Lifestyle...New Life???

My infertility really stumps me. I feel like part of me is not working and there has to be a reason why. Looking back at all of my doctor visits to Obi-Wan Kenobe, I'm not satisfied with the way things were handled. Please don't misunderstand what I am trying to say. I am very thankful to God and the staff at the clinic I went to for giving me my gorgeous little girl. But I also wish other things were done. Instead of trying to figure out why my ovaries don't work properly, I was given clomid to make them work. That's great, but what if there was a better way? What if I could change things in my lifestyle or in my diet that would help my body behave properly? I wonder about that. I remember asking about things like my weight and about my eating habits and I was told not to worry about it. Now, looking back, I feel like I should have pursued the subject more.

A few weeks ago, one of my blogger friends (I don't know her in real life, but have "known" her for a few years) wrote a blog about the book Making Babies by Sami S. David and Jill Blakeway. The thing that really struck me from my friend's blog about this book was that the writers want to fix the problem, not just get around it by clomid or IUI's or IVF's. That really peaked my interest. I searched for the book on several sites and ended up paying less than $7.00 to buy it from here. I was able to get free shipping because I had never bought from them before and I also had a $5.00 off code that they gave me when I hit their site. They did sign me up for a month to month program (I just missed where it said that would happen at the bottom of the page), but they were really great when I called about the extra fee and they reimbursed my credit card within 48 hours.

Once I recieved the book I immediately started reading it and immediately felt overwhelmed. When we were trying for Chloe Jo, I was depressed, anxious and overwhelmed all of the time. This time it is different. This time I feel like it would be okay if we aren't able to have another baby. I am so happy with Chloe Jo that my heart almost bursts with love whenever I see her. So instead of letting myself get so far in that I feel like I can't take it anymore (like I did last time), I put the book down. I pondered the things I read for a few days and I got to a point where I was okay to read more. I'm making myself relax this time.

After I started reading further into the book, I started liking the book more. Sami S. David is a reproductive endocrinologist who was the first doctor in New York to perform a successful IVF. He wrote about that experience in the book and how he decided that wasn't the route he wanted to go. He joined forces with Jill Blakeway, a licensed acupuncturist and together they combine western and eastern medicine. They work under the belief that every person falls into one of 5 fertility types. They have an online quiz if you want to find out what category you are in. They then give more specialized advice depending on your specific type.

One of the things I was surprised about was that the book really stresses eating organic foods. I have never been into the whole organic fad that is going on because I thought it was just that: a fad. Now I understand the reasons behind the lifestyle. I still think a lot of people do it because it is a fad, but it really is a better choice.

What I like most about the program so far is that the book gives you specifics. It doesn't say to take a this or that supplement and leave it at that like many of the other books I read did. The writers actually give a specific dose for each of the vitamins/herbs that it talks about. It also gives a list of the vitamins and herbs that are best for your fertility type. Beyond vitamins and herbs, it talks about nutrition for a healthier you (in general and for your type). It stresses that the best way to get vitamins into your system is by the food you eat and not by popping a bunch of pills every morning, though it does recommend some. I have really enjoyed the section on nutrition because it seems like something I can do.

I have been getting everything ready to start this new lifestyle. I had to order some of the rarer herbs off of Amazon and they were a little pricey, but I paid for most of it with swagbucks. I bought the rest of the vitamins I will be taking today (there will be 11 in all). I also bought the ingredients to make a fertili-tea that I will be drinking 3 times a day. I mixed that up and tried a cup. Unfortunately I used a mesh ball to steep the tea and the spices I mixed with it came out of the little holes so I am going to have to get some filters to strain the liquid out. It was pretty nasty! I also was able to buy more organic than I thought I would. Organic is on the pricey side so I won't be able to get all organic.

I'm really excited about this program. Even if it doesn't give the desired result of a new baby, it will be great to know I am doing all I can to be healthy. I'll try to give updates about how it is going for me!

2 comments:

Ashley said...

mulIs this the book Courtney recommended? I think I need to read it - we have been going back to the RE to work on baby #2 (I got pregnant but there was no heartbeat at the u/s at 6w3d)...like you, I wonder what it is that makes my body act (or not act) the way it does! Please keep posting about this journey!

Courtney said...

Looks like the old webmd crew is back in the saddle again. Glad you like the book Lisa!! It is such a heavy read. I'm having to read it again to wrap my brain around what I'm supposed to be doing. Keep us updated!!