When your end goal is a baby, and that seems so far off, the last thing you might want to think about is genetic screening or genetic testing. Being used to hearing the "bad news" of infertility, it is understandable to not want to be susceptible to  something additionally nerve-wracking, or worst case scenario, something…

Reflexology is an ancient technique used to access the whole body through the nerve endings on the hands, feet, and ears. Around the world and throughout history, reflexology has been rediscovered time and time again. Archeological found evidence that points to ancient reflexology medical practices in Egypt (2330 BCE), China (2704 BCE) and Japan (690 CE). Research has shown that specific…

Feeling overwhelmed by the multitude of information out on the internet about trying to conceive? It can feel like information overload. The best advice is to focus on a well rounded approach; charting, diet, supplements, exercise and stress reduction. Of course, always consult with your doctor before making any major changes to your lifestyle.

Top 5 favorites for trying to conceive:

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There is a nebulous place to be. It's newly pregnant. For anyone who has been through an infertility journey, this is a really scary place. On the one hand, it's the place you've wanted to be all along. On the other hand, it's fairly unreal and full of uncertainty.

Being newly pregnant is a difficult path to navigate: your friends that you've met while on your journey through infertility may have mixed feelings about your status. You are no longer officially "one…

Today begins National Infertility Awareness Week, April 22-28. The theme last year had to do with busting an infertility myth. This year it's Don't Ignore Infertility.  NIAW asks that people help raise awareness "to educate millions of people about a disease that is…

Don’t ignore infertility!

It’s ICLW, the beginning of NIAW and Earth Day all rolled into one!

So, I was thinking about Earth Day.  And when we think of helping…

We are 22 weeks along now! Amazing to finally be over the hump. We are more weeks into the pregnancy with 18 weeks to go. While it's an exciting milestone, the second trimester can feel like a slower time period. The pregnancy has gone from a very fast and exciting and nerve racking first trimester to an exciting yet slower progressing second trimester. I think things will pick up again once we reach the third trimester when the due date will be slowing approaching.…

Detox diets are all rage right now and I am often asked if it is okay to do a fast or detox diet when you have PCOS. I think the answer is both yes and no.

Detox diets that promise to help you shed 20 pounds in two weeks are not the way to go.  These rapid weight loss regimens can deprive you of…

Mark you calendars: April 22-28 is National Infertility Week. Not that this is something who are on their family building journey are necessarily celebrating. Many people hide the fact that they are even on a journey in creating their family. Something that can be positive in any type of difficult struggle…

NPR recently posted an interview with intended parents and their surrogate discussing aspects of their surrogacy arrangement and the birth of twins. Ties That Bind: When Surrogate Meets Mom-To-Be by Jennifer Ludden

I can honestly say that this audio clip…

Hi Everyone.

My name is Dr. Julie Bindeman, and I'm a licensed psychologist in the State of Maryland whose specialty is Reproductive Psychology. Often times, as I was told in graduate school, we don't pick our specialty areas but rather, they choose us. That is certainly the case with me. After a successful and uneventful pregnancy with my son, I experienced secondary infertility in the form of three losses prior to the birth of my daughter.

I work with women and…

Took about 4 months of convincing my husband that we should find out the sex with this baby. We kept it a surprise with our first son but given the very unique situation with having a child via surrogacy, I really felt like I wanted to take one other element of surprise out of the equation.

For me I felt like I would benefit from knowing the sex so I could spiritually bond more with the pregnancy and baby if I knew what the gender was. Even when I didn't care what the sex is.…

We just went to the 20 week ultrasound for our biological baby, via my egg and my husband's sperm, who is growing inside our surrogate. For the most part everything went very smoothly. I hadn't seen our GS, gestational surrogate, in about 7 weeks; the last time was at the 13 week checkup. It was really good to see her and know our baby was very close to us. It is still mind-boggling to know our baby is growing is someone else!

It is a nerve-racking experience going…

An overall family building plan should be developed as soon as a couple learns of the infertility diagnosis. All too often we see couples who have spent all of their savings on IVF treatments before considering surrogacy or donor egg. It is important to set a limit of how many IVF cycles will be performed before pursuing third party reproduction options such

as donor egg and/or surrogacy.

IVF Costs:

In order to keep IVF costs down,…

Now is a great time to strongly consider participating in a healthcare flexible spending account (FSA).  With the impending Family Act and many people not having insurance coverage for infertility related expenses, how can we get a break and save on infertility related expenses?  HEALTHCARE FLEXIBLE SPENDING…