Overcome Infertility - How to Treat Kidney's Yin Deficiency - Cause of High FSH in TCM Perspective

In conventional medicine, high FSH is defined as a condition of the follicles do not respond to the FSH, causing the pituitary gland to produce even more FSH to stimulate the response of ovaries in follicle production. In traditional Chinese medicine, high FSH is defined as the process of the continuous surging of yin can not stimulate the ovarian to produce the follicle, because of yin deficiency, leading to pituitary gland producing more FSH hormone. Herbs, acupuncture and foods used to treat kidney yin deficiency cause of high level FSH include

I. Herbs

1. Sheng di huang (Rehmannia)

The cool herb has been used to improve function of heart, kidney and liver channels by clearing heat, cooling blood, nourishing yin and generating fluids.

2. Gou qi ( Chinese wolfberry)

The neutral herb has been used to tonify the liver, lung, kidney by nourishing liver and kidney yin and blood yin deficiency.

3. Wu wei zi (Schisandra)

The warm herb has been used in TCM in promoting the heart, kidney and lung channels by tonifying kidneys yin and essence, generating fluids and reducing the kidney yin cause of frequent urination.

4. Sha shen (Glehnia root)

The cool herb has been used to enhance the lung and stomach channels by nourishing the stomach, generating body fluids and moistening skin and skin under layer.

5. Sang ji sheng (Mulberry mistletoe stem)

The neutral herb has been used to smooth the liver and kidney channel by enhancing liver function and curing the kidney caused by yin and blood deficiency.

II. Acupuncture

The bolow are the suggested points for acupuncture

1. BL15 (Xinshu)

2. BL18 (Ganshu)

3. BL23 (Shenshu)

4. HE7 (Shenmen)

5. KD3 (Taixi)

6. LV3 (Taichong)

7. SP6 (Sanyinjiao)

8. Etc.

III. Foods

1. String beans

2. Celery

3. Parsley

4. Grapes

5. Plum

6. Berries

7. Sea salt

8. Etc.

In TCM, each woman is treated uniquely to her own entity depending to differentiation, please consult with your Chinese medicine practitioner before applying.

Ten Things to Do Before Trying to Conceive

Have you and your companion decided to become parents? People worry all the time about the changes they have to make while being pregnant. However, there are things you should focus on before even trying. You must wait for a month or two and do these 10 things in order to prepare your routine, lifestyle and body for a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.

Have a healthy diet:

Have an intake of nourishing and healthy foods in order to prepare your body with all the nutrients needed for pregnancy. Have two cups of fruit and two and a half cups of vegetables daily. If you can afford it, buy organic because it is proved to be more nutritional. In addition have an abundance of whole grain foods such as brown rice, wholemeal bread, milk, orange juice and yogurt because they will provide you with the calcium you need. Avoid high mercury fish such as shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish. Methyl mercury in large amounts can damage your babys brain. However fish is still provides a great supply of protein and therefore you should have twelve ounces of low mercury fish a week. Examples include canned light tuna or salmon. Also try oily fish such as sardines and mackerel.
It is very important to have an intake of 400 micrograms of folic acid for at least a month prior to trying to get pregnant and beginning your first trimester. By doing this you will prevent the chance by 70 percent of your baby being born with neuraltube damage like spina bifida, which currently affects 1 in 1,500 babies born in the UK. Folic acid supplements may be purchased at drug stores. You may also take prenatal or standard multivitamin. However, make sure the latter does not withhold more than 770 mcg RAE (2565 IU) of vitamin A if its a type of beta-carotene, because it may cause birth defects. Foods such as leafy green vegetables, Brussels sprouts, bran flakes, black-eyed beans, papaya and broccoli are all good food sources for folic acid.

Refrain from consuming coffee, tea and colas. Caffeine reduces your ability to absorb the iron you require for pregnancy and enhances the danger of having a stillbirth. However if your body is too used to having these drinks on a regular basis, then cutting of suddenly may give you headaches. Switch to decaf and if thats not enough then try half decaf or half caffeinated drinks. Cut back a cup a day. Steamed milk with syrup is a good alternative because it provides your body with the calcium it needs..

Stay away from unpasteurized soft cheeses and dairy products, luncheon and deli meats, raw undercooked fish and poultry such as shellfish, and unpasteurized juices. The harmful bacteria and microorganisms in these foods can cause listeriosis, salmonella or E.coli, which lead to stillbirths and miscarriages.

Avoid Medications and Harmful Intoxicants:

Stop taking birth control. This can be easily done, however, stopping hormonal contraception needs more planning. Complete your current pack of The Pill to stop irregular bleeding.. Sometimes it takes months for your cycle to normalize, other times you become fertile the first month, most likely if you are under thirty. It will take some time for you to figure out how long your cycle is, and when you are most fertile. Contraceptive patch and ring can take up to a year.

There are many drugs that can influence sperm production, while everyday medications like anti-depressants, antibiotics, acne treatments and steroids can disturb your fertility. Some drugs remain in your system for months even after stopping use. See your doctor or health advisor to find out which prescribed drugs you need to stop using.

You must not smoke, take drugs or drink alcohol. Some drugs remain in your system long after their effects have disappeared and therefore you must stop immediately. Even second hand smoke can be harmful for your pregnancy. Indulging in these activities leads to miscarriage, untimely birth and unhealthy babies. Tobacco use also limits fertility, affects your fallopian tubes and drops the sperm count. Alcohol loads calories and weight, and does not allow you to have stable blood sugar required for hormone production.

Having a healthy weight:

Conceiving becomes much easier when you have a healthy weight. Make sure your BMI (body mass index) is between 20 and 30. A healthcare provider can show you how to best achieve your desired weight if you are not in shape.

Excess weight affects hormone production that is required to ovulate and consequently get pregnant. Oestrogen released by fat cells reduces the production of FSH, a hormone necessary for getting pregnant. Being underweight will not allow you to ovulate on a regular basis create an adequate amount of hormones to initiate pregnancy

Follow a fitness plan to have a healthy body that's ready for pregnancy. This means at least sixty minutes of physical activity like walking, jogging, cycling, weight training or yoga. By doing this you will relive the stress that accompanies the process of getting pregnant, and have a flexible, healthy body. You should continue your routine even after getting pregnant. If your body is not used to such a routine then start with a short exercise such as taking twenty minute walks. Change your activity to become more and more rigorous everyday.

Be in a healthy environment:

Be hygienic and avoid infections by washing your hands repeatedly and wear gloves when doing dirty jobs such as digging in the garden or sandbox. Avoid activities such as cleaning the litter box because the risk getting toxoplasmosis is dangerous for the baby.

Wash your hands regularly when cooking food and set your fridge at the temperature of 35 and 40 degrees F (2 to 4 degrees C) and your freezer under 0 degrees F (-18 degrees C) to make sure food does not go bad.

Make sure that your daily job is not harmful for your baby. Chemicals, radiation, cleaning products, pesticides, solvents, lean in drinking water from old pipes are hazardous for the baby. Discuss this with a doctor or midwife and see what changes need to be made.

Avoid X rays and other such treatments during this time, as they can be harmful for your baby.

Have the necessary check ups:

Hormonal changes such as increased progesterone and estrogen levels during pregnancy can make you more vulnerable to gum infections, and bring about different result to the bacteria in plaque, causing pregnancy gingivitis where the gums are bloated, bleeding or sensitive. This occurs to half the women who become pregnant. Women with the tooth condition periodontal disease are seven times more expected to give birth to underweight babies. Get a check up from a dentist to prevent these complications before getting pregnant.

Have a preconception check up with your regular healthcare advisor. You will be discussing your familys medical history, medication your are taking, diet, weight, exercise, suggested prenatal vitamin, update your immunizations, tested for immunity from the diseases you have had in the past such a rubella and chicken pox, possibly have a pelvic exam and a pap smear if it has been more than a year since your last check up, be tested for sexually transmitted diseases if at risk and possibly get genetic testing upon your wish to detect sickle cell disease, Tay-Sachs, cystic fibrosis etc.

If you see signs of depression such as loss of pleasure in activities that used to be enjoyable, a change in diet, sleep pattern and loss of energy, feelings of despair and hopelessness and worthlessness then check your mental health with a therapist or psychiatrist. Women with depression are more likely to have problems with fertility. Do a mental health check before you get pregnant especially if you have a personal or family history of depression.

Do your own research:

Do some research on your family's health history. Find out if there is a history of genetic or chromosomal disorders such as Down syndrome, sickle call anemia, cystic fibrosis, Tay-Sachs disease or bleeding disorders, mental retardation, developmental delays or anatomical birth defects like cardiac or neural tube defects.

Know your cycle. The average length is 28 day but it varies from 25 to 35 days in most women. Symptoms such as tender breasts, abdominal pain and increased libido can indicate when you are ovulating. You can calculate your ovulation day. You may start charting your basal body temperature and the changes in your cervical mucus. By keeping a record for several months you can figure this out. Purchase a special thermometer available at certain drugstores and record it when you wake up in the morning before getting out of bed. Ovulation predictor kits can also help but these are expensive.

Start thinking about the costs:

Contact your health insurance company and consider the cost of having a baby. Take a look at prenatal coverage, the cost of going out of network, the cost of a particular doctor or midwife, deductibles for prenatal visits and delivery, and insurance coverage of tests and procedures. Vaginal delivery costs around 7000 dollars, a cesarean section costs around 11,000 dollars and neonatal intensive care can cost around 3000 dollars per day without insurance.

Contact a financial advisor to find out the cost of raising a child and about saving. Families that make around 50,000 dollars a year are likely to spend around 200,000 dollars to raise a child.

Keep a check on your partner:

Keep a check in your partner too. Make sure that the limitations you set for yourself, you also make him follow. Caffeine, alcohol and weight have influence on the sperm as well as the eggs. A man's fertility can cause as many delays in conceiving as a woman's. Make sure he isn't stressed out and is eating healthily. Sperm production and quality is connected to a good healthy diet. Vitamin tablets such as Wellman tablets will advance his energy levels and make conception easier.

Have sex:

Have regular sex before you start trying. By getting comfortable with this activity on a regular basis, you will not have a problem when you need to have sex at certain amounts in order to conceive. Having sex with the intention to conceive can bring a lot of stress and pressure, so make sure you enjoy it. Buy some lingerie and feel sexy. It is suggested that women are more fertile when they are aroused so don't let it become a chore and have fun with it.

Mentally prepare yourself:

This is a big change in your life. There are many things you need to be sure about. Some of the things you should think about and discuss with your partner are about being equally committed about doing this, about religious differences affecting the child, giving up sleep, childcare responsibilities, balancing work and family, parenting a special needs child and hiring babysitters.
Are your prepared to dedicate yourself to these changes and responsibilities?

You may release stress by talking to a friend and confiding your emotions with them. They will support you and share your feeling of anticipation and excitement.

Have fun. Do all the crazy things you will have to avoid once you are pregnant. Ride a horse, Go on a rollercoaster. Treat yourself for this exciting journey to come.

3 Symptoms of Major Depression

How does major depression differ from depression? Major depression is classified as a person having 5 or more symptoms of depression in 2 weeks. This is accompanied by changes in sleeping or eating habits. For the three symptoms read further.

If symptoms are exhibited there are screening tests that can be done to further conclude the diagnosis of Major Depression. Nobody is immune from this, but it is reported that women are more prone to get this form of depression compared to men.

Three symptoms to watch for are

1. Fatigue or Lack of Energy.


2. Trouble sleeping or the opposite to much sleep.


3. Withdrawn, remove themselves from social activities they otherwise would attend.

There is no need to expand on these symptoms, they are self explanatory. The causes can be anywhere from a small incident that triggers an extreme response up to a chemical imbalance that triggers extreme emotional behavior. In either case this is a very serious condition that requires attention.

The most extreme way of relief is suicide. As we know many people with depression have taken this route. Pills and drugs can temporarily calm a situation like this down, but long term the drugs can actually be more harmful. To further complicate the matter the health plans of today are trimming back benefits. They are also overloaded and can't always give the individual the care needed for a depressive condition.

If you rule out a chemical imbalance for the cause then you can look at the emotional side. Somewhere HOPE was lost in the persons mind. Depression and hope are opposites. Filling the gap when someone losses hope is depression. The longer this condition is allowed to go on the deeper the roots go.

It is imperative to attack this as early as possible.

Maternity Insurance Plan

A maternity insurance plan is a very important to every woman capable of bearing a child. It would be very helpful to keep a maternity insurance plan such as insurance because if you do not have insurance covering your pregnancy, you will face some difficulties. Your joy with the little child would be because of financial burden. As medical expenses are very high you should consider buying a maternity insurance plan to get a medical coverage.

Medical services are very expensive. When a woman gets pregnant, she has to go to the hospital very often which costs much money. Every single thing like the delivery, medicine, room will cost her. So a good maternity plan insurance is needed otherwise a huge amount of money will be just gone. When you are having a health insurance, you might think that this insurance will cover you during pregnancy. But it is not true because many insurance companies do not give coverage during pregnancy. So when you are buying a health insurance make sure that the policy holder will provide with coverage on maternity services expenses. Most of the policy holders will cover maternity charges, but they keep high premium on this. Find out the most suitable policy for you.

If the normal health insurance does not cover your pregnancy, do not cancel your plan. You can also buy additional coverage along with the earlier insurance which can help you with your maternity plan. Many coverage plans include pregnancy rider which is a maternity insurance. If you need this rider, you should buy it before you get pregnant. You can buy insurance from other providers but keep in mind that you have to buy this insurance about three months to a year before you become pregnant. Otherwise your pregnancy will not be fully covered. You can shop for maternity coverage, by doing online searches. Without this you can also check your local companies that provide medical insurance with maternity coverage. Premiums will be higher than general insurance if the maternity rider is added. But you have to be sure about adding the maternity rider. Many insurance plans do not cover maternity expenses. So the rider is the best solution.

Before covering maternity benefits a general health insurance plan may have a waiting period. Usually the waiting period is of one year before maternity is covered. By this way, you will able to know your options and you can deal with the situation. After taking the rider on your insurance policy you can get pregnant when the coverage is possible.

But if you became pregnant and not qualified for any maternity health insurance, then you can call the hospitals and try to negotiate a cheaper rate than normal maternity expense. You will get a discount if you pay cash in any hospital. But it would be best if you plan early to reduce the cost of maternity expenses.

The Surrogacy Base Fee - How Does it Work?

Once Intended Parents start the search for a surrogate mother, whether its in an independent situation or through an agency setting, they will soon come a crossed the phrase "base fee". What is this fee for? Who sets these fees? Isn't it the same as 'paying' a surrogate? Why is the word compensation used?

Let me illuminate you on the "base fee factors". In general, a base fee is to cover the 9 months or 40 weeks your surrogate will be pregnant with your child/children. It is very rare for any of the base fee monies to be distributed before you see a heart beat on the ultra sound screen. The base fee is commonly broken down into monthly payments, however these are not equal monthly installments. Lets use a fee of $20,000. The break down may look like this:

Month one: $1,500
Month two: $1,500
Month three: $2,000
Month four: $2,000
Month five: $2,000
Month six: $2,500
Month seven: $2,500
Month eight: $3,000
Month nine: $3,000

These fees are usually strategically set up like this in a contract because there are so many times that a miscarriage can happen in the first couple of months of an IVF cycle. This way the Intended Parents are not out a huge amount of money and the surrogate is compensated for the time that she actually did carry.

Lets remember that babies are born on their own time table and so if a baby or babies are born early the amount that is left over is put into one last check and given to the surrogate with in 14 days after the birth or whatever is stated in the contract. In the case of multiples an extra amount is often added from month 5-9.

So who sets these fees? Good question! Basically attorneys and agencies know state by state what those judges will tolerate regarding a surrogacy fee. This is why you don't see women being surrogates and charging $100,000! If a judge sees an amazingly large amount of money in a contract that fact alone will raise the following questions: "Was this woman coerced?, Is she selling her body?, Is she selling a baby?" This is why the base fee is labeled compensation or reimbursement or even living expenses. Surrogate mothers are supposed to be carrying a child not to make money but instead for altruistic reasons. Any money involved is to support them throughout the process. The point is that no money should be coming out of the surrogates family budget to support her while she is a surrogate mother.

The average base fees being asked for by agencies for their surrogates looks something like this:
First time surrogate with her own health insurance: $18,000-$20,000
First time surrogate without her own health insurance: $13,000-$15,000
Second time surrogate with her own health insurance: $25,000-$28,000
Second time surrogate without her own health insurance: $20,000-$22,000
Third and forth time surrogates with health insurance can command anything up to $45,000 and those without $35,000.

Yes, there are some variations but this configuration is the most common. Insurance companies are adding surrogacy exclusions each time they print up a new policy! They feel that if money is being exchanged then their policy shouldn't be used as a bargaining chip. If a surrogate is on medicaid then she can not, under any circumstances, use government insurance! This is FRAUD and is punishable by the law. Surrogates without insurance need to be insured ASAP through one of the few companies that have policy especially for those involved in third party reproduction or family building. New Life is one of those agencies. Needless to say these are very expensive policies which is why an uninsured surrogate is compensated less then those who carry their own health insurance policies with maternity coverage.

Fertility Diet: How Does What You Eat Help You Get Pregnant?

There is no "magic bullet" fertility diet food that will "cure" infertility. With that said, there are a number of ways in which you can enhance your fertility as well as the chances of success for infertility treatment through foods and vitamins.

A Multi-Vitamin is a Fertility Diet Food. There have been a number of studies that show that taking multi-vitamins, particularly with folic acid if you are a woman, improve fertility. For women, the recommended daily dosage for folic acid, which helps prevent birth defects of the brain and spinal cord, is 400 mcg. There are a number of over-the-counter prenatal multi-vitamins that fit the bill - a prescription vitamin is not necessary. However, if you do obtain a prescription from your doctor for a multi-vitamin, you may be able to treat it as a qualified expense under your flexible spending account (i.e., an employer-sponsored account in which an employee sets aside a portion of earnings for health/medical expenses, which are not taxable).

Drink Pure Water, When Possible. It is important to eliminate sodas (including diet sodas) and artificial sweeteners as part of your fertility diet. Try carbonated waters or drinks sweetened with stevia (a natural herb that is used as a sweetener) as alternatives. The goal is to drink 6 to 8 glasses of pure water per day; however, some people may who have specific health issues should talk to their doctors as they may need to customize the amount of fluids they consume to meet their individual needs.

Avoid Processed and Diet Foods. While eating "fake" foods will not completely destroy your chances of getting pregnant, they are not fertility diet foods that support the reproductive system or enhance your fertility or the success of infertility treatments. Consider limiting or avoiding these foods:

*Processed products, which are found in the center aisles of your grocery store and usually come in a box or package

*Any food that comes with a health claim such as "low fat", "low cholesterol", or "No Trans Fat"

*Sodas, Candy, and Juices, which are high in sugar

*Artificial sweeteners such as Sweet'N Low, Equal, Splenda and others

*White floor, white sugar

*Store-bought muffins, cupcakes, breads and crackers

*Cereal - even the healthy versions found in health food stores are processed

*Margarine or other butter substitutes

*"Fake" foods and food substitutes such as Tofurkey, Not-dogs, etc.

*Soy food products - they have been reported to interfere with normal hormonal production

*Any products that list high fructose corn syrup, partially hydrogenated oil or artificial dyes.

Eat like your ancestors with food that is closest to nature. Consider incorporating these fertility diet food options:

While it may seem frightening for those who have used diet foods for years to control their weight, whole food products actually support fertility and enhance your chances of getting pregnant. For example, cook eggs in real butter. Drink organic, full fat milk from grassfed cows or goats instead of skim or low-fat milk in which powdered milk has been added, along with oxidized cholesterol.

Keep grains to a minimum given that a significant amount is not necessary in your diet. Recommended grains include lentils, beans, quinoa, buckwheat and brown rice. Eat unprocessed bread such as true sourdough, sprouted grains, or gluten-free products.

Eat Organic, When Possible. While going organic has the potential to impact to your pocketbook by being more expensive than non-organic foods, there is a benefit to eating organic when it comes to your health and your fertility. If your budget requires you to limit your choice of organic foods, the following fruits and vegetables are considered to be highly contaminated with pesticides and should be eaten organic as much as possible: apples, bell peppers,celery,cherries, imported grapes, nectarines, peaches, pears, potatoes, red raspberries, spinach, and strawberries.

On the other hand, produce that is considered to be the least contaminated and could be eaten as conventionally grown if organic is not available includes: asparagus, avocados, broccoli, bananas, cauliflower, kiwi, sweet corn, onions, mangos, papayas, pineapple, and sweet peas.

Regardless if it is organic or not, all pre-packaged produce should be washed, even if the package indicates that it has been pre-washed - this is important to reduce any residual bacteria or chemicals that may be present.

Eat meat from animals that are raised outside (i.e., pasteurized chickens and 100% grassfed beef) and preferably organic, without the use of hormones.

With respect to seafood, wild caught fish is nutritionally superior to farmed fish. Avoid large fish with high mercury content such as tilefish, swordfish, and shark. Pregnant women should limit their consumption of low-mercury fish to no more than 12 ounces per week. Examples include canned light tuna, shrimp, pollock and salmon.

Avoiding Plastics Is Essential to a Fertility Diet. Studies have shown that the presence of BPA or Biphensol reduces fertility in both men and women. Get rid of the plastic containers and bottles in your home. Look for BPA-free drinking materials and avoid using the "steam in the bag" vegetables - instead, buy fresh vegetables and prepare them in a steamer or on the stovetop.

Consider Doing a Cleanse to Jump Start Your Fertility Diet. Purification, also known as detoxification, can help eliminate natural toxins and prepare your body for infertility treatments and pregnancy. There are a number of programs available on the market. Look for a program that utilizes whole food supplements and whole, organic and unprocessed foods.

Are You Bored by Confinement? Simple Ways to Lead an Exciting Life With a Baby

Things get complicated after you bring a new baby home. Whatever your life consisted of before has to be trading for changing diapers, washing bottles, and worrying nonstop about the health and growth of your new baby. You stop listening to your own thoughts and start listening to baby monitors. Every aspect of your life changes during confinement.

This is supposed to be a super busy time of your life where you are praying for just an hour of solid sleep and the time to take a shower without the baby crying in the next room. For some women that is the way confinement is, but not for every woman. That may not be the way you are experiencing confinement and there should be no guilt or apologies for it.

Rather than being overwhelmed with responsibility you may be feeling a little bored. You may miss the adventure and spontaneous fun that you enjoyed routinely before getting pregnant. You may be thirsting for some of that adventure and spark in your life right now.

The baby is wonderful and you couldn't love them more, but you need something more. You need something to do during the confinement period. What could that possibly be?

First, you have to adjust your thinking. You aren't interested in finding just something to do. You are looking for something to do with your children, not by yourself. You want to bring some excitement into the health without disrupting their schedule or being irresponsible. How do you balance that during confinement?

Bring Some Relief

The first thing you have to do if you are feeling bored in confinement is bring a nanny into the picture. You need someone who can help you look after the baby so you have a little more free time to spend with yourself.

Nannies are often thought of as being there to care for the baby and make sure a new mother gets adequate rest to recover from the delivery of the baby. Yet, many nannies will take on more responsibilities and free up some time for a new mother if she wants to spend more time doing things for herself.

Just having someone there to talk to and to help care for the baby will help you find other things to do besides just changing diapers and washing bottles all day long.

Safe Activity

Next, think of things that you used to do before giving birth that you could safely do during confinement. Preferably, find things that could include your baby for bonding time.

For instance, if you like to scrapbook or have been thinking that a detailed baby scrapbook would be nice to have, that would be a good option for confinement. You don't have to physically get active to do this and you will have something very valuable to show for your time at the end of confinement.

You can also start working new hobbies into your life that include the baby. What about photography? Take pictures of the baby and go online to learn new techniques for better and better images.

You can also paint, draw, or write short stories. As you are cleared for more physical activity you can start working to lose the baby weight. You may want to learn to cook healthier foods so your breast milk is healthier or take the baby on long walks through every park close to your home.