Unfolding Dreams

According to the article, Progesterone May Not Lower Risk Of Repeat Miscarriage by Elizabeth Lees, " Pregnant women who have had several miscarriages in the past are sometimes given progesterone supplements, in hopes of avoiding another miscarriage. But a new study shows these hormone supplements do not increase the chances of maintaining the pregnancy in these women.  In the study, researchers found no difference in birth rates between women who received progesterone treatments during their   first trimester of pregnancy  and those who received a placebo at that time. Among the women given the supplements, 65.8 percent maintained their pregnancy, compared to 63.3 percent of those given the placebo. The researchers took into account the women's age, ethnicity, medical history and pregnancy history. " Sources: 1.        Lees, Elizabeth. “Progesterone May Not Lower Risk of Repeated Miscarriage.” Yahoo! News , Yahoo!, 28 Nov. 2015, www.yahoo.com/ne...

- Introduction - The first thing I was unprepared for was successfully becoming pregnant while breastfeeding, fighting a short luteal phase and irregular cycles seemed like an endless battle at times I felt I would never win and would eventually have to wean from breastfeeding. Once that battled was conquered, I entered another unknown territory: breastfeeding during pregnancy.  There is so much conflicting information from doctors telling you to wean to become pregnant and wean from breastfeeding once you've achieved pregnancy while breastfeeding to myths that your body could never sustain a nursing toddler and growing baby. A mother who is healthy and has a low-risk pregnancy can breastfeed through pregnancy. I nursed my first child to 30 months, during 22 weeks of my 2nd pregnancy and I carried my second child to full term, 39 weeks and 2 days and delivered a healthy 8 lb and 2 oz baby unmedicated, without intervention. I've composed a list of resources be...

-  Pineapple May Help  - You may remember my little tidbit  about avoiding pineapple during pregnancy from my list, Food to Avoid During Pregnancy.  If you would like to see this list,   click  here . Pineapple contains bromelain, that supposedly helps ripens and softens the cervix.  Some people say mango and kiwi have bromelain too, but pineapple is the most heard of and used for natural induction.  This is why you want to avoid pineapple during pregnancy, except for your two-week wait, because it may help with implantation when following The Pineapple Core Method. To read more about The Pineapple Core Method, click here . And when you get to the end of your pregnancy pineapple may help induce labor.  It is recommended, to eat fresh pineapple rather than canned pineapple. Supposedly fresh pineapple is more effective than the bromelain tablets. However, the tablets are suggested for women to try who may have some allergic reac...

Question: Can a Christian woman read erotica  to help her get in the mood sexually for her spouse? Are All Romance Novels Erotic? Clean No. Not all romance novels are considered erotic. I feel like there are 3 levels of romance novels. There are "clean" romance novels that contain no sex scenes. Mild ones that might have hand-holding, kissing, and the suggestion that sex occurred without the details. An example of this category would be the Christian Love Inspired romance books. Romantic There are some romance novels that contain sex but aren't considered "erotic". They are generally found in the romance section for adults and Teen Romance for Young Adults in a bookstore. An example of this would be Harlequin romance for adults or Twilight Saga for adults and teens. Erotic However, there are "adult" romance novels that are considered erotic. They may contain explicit language and graphic sex scenes. You know if you have stum...

One of my sources is the article, Erotica, Women, and Marriage, by Juli Slattery, Dannah Gresh and Pam Woody from www.focusonthefamily.com. To give you a little background, "Dannah Gresh, and Dr. Juli Slattery wrote,  Pulling Back The Shades: Erotica, Intimacy and the Longings of a Woman's Heart  to expose the lure of erotica found in Fifty Shades of Grey. These authors warn that although women love a great romance escape, how a woman chooses to escape can actually prove to be dangerous to her marriage."  I heard these interesting quotes about erotica, from Juli, "Erotica, like 'Fifty Shades' is fantasy, because it subtly ask you to assume a different reality." From, Dannah, "The fantasy of erotica inspires one thing - the longing for more. Instead of satisfying your longing, it will awaken, manipulate and deepen them." They also address 5 longings of women, you'll have to read the article to get more information on the longings  here ...

Question:  Will supplements help after a miscarriage? First Cycle Post Miscarriage (and / or D &C) I wouldn't go crazy with supplements if you don't need them. Honestly, I would leave this first cycle alone and see what your body does to get a better idea of what you need to do for your next cycle. Supplements can help when you need them, but if you take them when you don't, they can do the opposite. Since you're just coming from a miscarriage and a D&C, its hard to know what your body is going to do before it does it and if you take all these things you may not need, you may end up throwing it off, rather than helping it. I know you're trying to help for the possibility of a thin uterine lining or low progesterone levels, but you don't know you have those for sure, so you may be treating something that isn't a problem. But that is just my opinion on it.  Moms Speak! This is advice from a mom who has experienced two miscarriages a...

Question:  Can I ask my doctor for fertility help while breastfeeding?  Even if it's been under a year and I am under 35 years old? There is nothing wrong with bringing up your concerns with your OB/GYN, that is what they are there for. The real question will be whether your OB/GYN shares your concerns and will offer you help before it has been a year of trying to conceive if both your spouse and you have no known fertility issues and are trying while breastfeeding. Some OB/GYNs are awesome and will definitely help. You'll find many mothers in the same boat have had different experiences when they sought help. I'll just share mine. I have been diagnosed with Stage 1 Endometriosis before trying to conceive # 1. I had a laparoscopy to diagnose and laser out the Endometriosis and remove a cyst off of one of my ovaries. That being said, I got pregnant 3 cycles a few months post lap. Now when my first was 9 months old, my husband and I wanted to get a head star...

From researching the topic, I have found there is much-contradicting information out there on the safety of this product during trying to conceive and pregnancy. During your Menstrual Cycle Supposedly drinking the tea during your menstrual cycle helps with cramps, PMS, and menopause. Periods have been said to be heavier when individuals are drinking it. Trying to Conceive  Drinking it during your cycle supposedly helps increase the uterine lining and also help women with Luteal Phase Defect by lengthening their short luteal phases. Those who believe it is helpful, say to only drink the tea from cycle day 1 until ovulation and to avoid drinking it after ovulation,  during your two-week wait or early pregnancy.  The author of What To Expect series, Heidi Murkoff, says in her book What To Expect Before You’re Expecting , herbal teas to avoid are Red Raspberry Leaf, Southernwood, Wormwood, Mugwort, Barberry, Tansy, Mandrake Root, Juniper, Pennyroyal, Nutm...