I may be the last person on the planet who hasn’t read The Secret – the book on the Law of Attraction that became a global best-seller not long ago. The idea behind it isn’t new, however, and I appreciate the perspective.
Seeing yourself already achieving your goal makes your brain believe that attaining that goal is possible. Focusing consistently on any given goal will enable you to manifest it far sooner than if you didn’t focus on it at all. Focus brings the goal closer to you.
My hesitation about connecting visualization and fertility is obvious enough – infertility is a medical condition, not a psychological barrier.
However in recent weeks, I’ve been reading about a number of cancer survivors and they all spoke about the power of visualization in their lives. Obviously cancer is a medical condition (and these people also received medical treatment at the same time), so maybe the two aren’t mutually exclusive.
Consider learning more about visualization. Open your mind to a variety of possibilities of what growing your family might look like. Perhaps your imagination has been limited to only one way of family-building. You may find that visualizing your goal may be a source of strength, encouragement and calm.

I am all about saving money – all about it. So, when free educational opps come my way, I am waay interested in letting you know about it. Here is one that just came in about a free teleseminar you won’t want to miss, hosted by the AFA.

Therapists Joann Paley Galst, PhD and Izetta Siegal Stern, PhD, will lead a
one hour discussion via telephone, addressing stress management and how to emotionally cope with fertility treatments. Issues like physical tension/stress, emotional stress caused by disappointment, and techniques to help you cope with treatments, will be discussed.

You are invited to attend this very educational discussion Thursday at 9:00 PM EST. Did I mention free?

Facilitator Bios:

Joann Paley Galst, Ph.D. is a psychologist in private practice in New York City specializing in mind-body medicine and reproductive health issues, including infertility, pregnancy loss, and pregnancy and parenting after infertility. She is a past Chair of the Mental Health Professional Group of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and is currently the Co-director of Support Services for the American Fertility Association. She is the author of numerous articles on infertility, has co-authored a book scheduled for publication in March of 2010 by American Psychological Association Books entitled, Ethical Dilemmas in Fertility Counseling, and is a nationally recognized expert on the psychological aspects of reproductive health and mind-body medicine as applied to issues of fertility and pregnancy loss.

Izetta Siegal Stern, LCSW is a New York City psychotherapist in general practice. One of her major areas of specialization includes counseling for individuals and couples facing fertility challenges. In addition, she has been a support group leader in the reproductive field for many years. In her groups, she seeks to facilitate the healing power of mutual support while also offering a mind-body approach to stress reduction. Ms. Stern also addresses issues pertaining to: becoming an empowered and self-advocating patient, pregnancy, postpartum and parenting following infertility and or pregnancy loss, secondary infertility, and decision making regarding treatment and family building options. Ms. Stern works with patients who pursue traditional fertility treatment as well as with those who are inclined to seek more integrative approaches. She has been a speaker at national fertility conferences and has presented on topics including, A Mind-Body Approach to Supporting Fertility, Resolving Partner Differences in Family Building and Moving Forward after Pregnancy Loss.

Preregistration by January 20th is required. The telephone line and pin number for calling-in will be provided to you upon registration.

To register contact:
Joann at jgalst@aol.com or 212-759-2783 or Izetta at isiegalstern@aol.com or 212-691-1266.

I tend to think the market is saturated with pillows aimed at boosting your odds of getting pregnant, but what do I know? Apparently, I had yet to see the “Little Deeper” cushion.

This unique and patented natural pregnancy aid offers couples trying to conceive an alternative to common fertility aids and treatments by helping them get into the right position. The cushion was specially-designed to tilt and lift the woman's lower torso and hips to achieve the ideal height and angle, allowing for more efficient and deeper penetration.

According to the press release, “this technique ensures that the sperm is deposited closer to the cervix, reducing the distance it needs to travel to fertilize the egg. By elevating the woman's lower torso, the Little Deeper™ cushion also makes use of the natural law of gravity. It helps to keep the sperm in longer and facilitates an upward flow toward the uterus.”

Don’t get me wrong. I too, used a pillow under my hips while baby-making and immediately after to aid gravity in Spermie’s journey to the Promised Land. Did it work? It’s hard to say. It might have been the injectible drugs. Or the uber-healthy diet (sans caffeine) or the meditation CD or the Black cohash.

In other words, couples who use the pillow who get pregnant would have gotten pregnant anyway. But it doesn’t hurt anything – except your wallet. At $70, just buy a great firm pillow at your local department store with a terry cloth cover you can throw in the wash and save yourself a few bucks.

MyFertilityPlan.com

Shamus Husheer, 32, made headlines in England after launching the DuoFertility ovulation detector through a company formed with fellow graduates from Cambridge University. Scott Mackie, is behind the company’s US arm.

The device is a thermometer the size of a $1 coin worn under the arm. It takes 20,000 readings every 24 hours to accurately alert the wearer when ovulation raises her temperature. On sale for ($1235), the device also comes with unlimited support and expert fertility advice.

While I am very wary about spending $1,000 you have to admire their enthusiasm. The company is quite enthusiastic and confident about the effectiveness of the gadget. As a promotion tactic, the company has launched the detector along with a money back offer, in case no results accrue within 12 months of use.

Just think about how much hormone testing, fertility evaluation and clomid you could get for $1200 bucks….

MyFertilityPlan.com

Achieving optimum fertility is an ultimate goal for couples who want to conceive and give birth to healthy babies. When your body is capable enough to conceive, there are other inevitable factors in the immediate environment which can compromise your chances of conceiving and having healthy newborns.

The first step towards attaining optimum fertility is an overall lifestyle change. Caffeine, alcohol, cigarettes and recreational substances all poisons to your system and can be hazardous to your fertility and pregnancy. Coffee or alcohol has been linked to a dramatic decrease in fertility of both men and women.

A diet rich in organic, seasonal and local produce that is as fresh and unprocessed can do wonder to achieving optimum fertility. Eat fresh vegetables and fruits and meat from organically-produced food animals. If possible have minimal amounts of dairy and gluten-containing foods to reduce allergic reactions and excessive mucus and inflammation. Gluten has been shown to have a negative influence on ovulation and decrease the assimilation of essential nutrients in the body.

Make time for regular exercise. Strive to stay on a desirable weight. Get plenty of rest and quality sleep.

Avoid or limit exposure to environmental toxins present in pesticides and household cleansers. These chemicals can interfere with endocrine function thereby affecting fertility in men and women as well as normal fetal development.