From Book to Shirts

Hi all!
Sorry I haven't blogged in a while.  Between the death of my beloved Opu, Super Storm Sandy destroying my parents' house and my father-in-law becoming ill right before Christmas, things have been crazy-busy around here.

The death of Opu, my first baby and a black labrador retriever in September, didn't only greatly sadden me, but also my children.  Funny, but it was my three year old son, Owen, who wanted me to bring him home from Kevin's house (clearly didn't understand that I was saying that Opu was in "Heaven" and instead that he was at Kevin's house in the clouds).

This was the genesis of my idea of putting "Opu" on a shirt for my children.  It was much harder and easier than I thought it would be.  I hadn't sewn since Home Economics class in Junior High and let's just say that anyone who knows me knows that I cannot draw.  However, I strongly believe in the age-old saying that if there is a will there is a way and well...I found a way to make the shirts for my kids.  I have gotten so much joy out of creating the shirts and positive feedback from people that I decided to open an Etsy shop.  We'll see what comes of it, but I've definitely have had fun making, not only the Opu shirt, but also the pirate ship, hammerhead shark and butterfly for my kids.

Here is a link to my shop KooCoo Say, if you would like to look at or purchase a shirt.

The name comes from my kids' favorite saying, "Koo Coo Sock."  Brian and I don't know where they got it from, but basically if you are being silly, they will call you a "Koo Coo Sock!"

My kids are giving me multiple requests each day, so by the end of the week I'll should also have a tiger, flower, whale and octopus up on Etsy.

I wish you all the best,
Laura

New Hope for Infertile Couples

An Embryoscope is a new device that is helping doctors deal with especially challenging issues of infertility.  It allows doctors to monitor an embryo's growth, almost minute by minute. And in doing so, help them select the best candidates for successful invitro fertilization.  It is similar to a high tech incubator and time lapse camera that captures the beginning of life.

Dr. Nina Desai, of the Cleveland Clinic explains, "Imagine you're able to see every minute of the embryo's development even before it's transferred to the uterus, before it implants on the uterine wall you're able to see this embryo. It’s never been possible before."  

Traditionally, Doctor Desai takes an embryo out of the incubator once a day to look at it under a microscope. but a lot can happen that she'd miss.  The Embryoscope keeps the embryos in a safe and stable environment and tracks every second.  That gives doctors an even better chance to catch even the most subtle changes.  

Dr. Desai continues, “It's a wealth of information we're learning so much that we hadn't realized happens to an embryo as it grows so we are just blown away by this, it's an amazing, amazing technology.  When pointed out, the ones that were growing well were definitely different from ones that were sort of stuck."

Here is a link to the full article.

My book, Five Strands of Hope, is available here on Amazon.  It is a memoir about my journey through secondary infertility through a horrendous triplet pregnancy.

Are Infertility Doctors Predatory Bankers?

A neighbor, a friend, a couple down the street will discover this week that they are infertile and that if they want biological children of their own, they are going to need in vitro fertilization (IVF).  According to treatment protocol, the woman will need to take powerful medicines to ramp up her production of fertilizable eggs.  One monthly cycle of this treatment will run around $12,000.  But most couples require more than one cycle to achieve their goal of carrying a child to term.  In other words, this couple could easily be looking at a bill exceeding $30,000 or $40,000.

And did I mention that this money could all come out of their own pockets?  Because not all insurance companies pay for in vitro fertilization.

No worry though.  Their infertility physician informs them about a company he has worked with that specializes in infertility loans.  He even offers to have his office staff help the couple fill out the necessary paperwork.  Thanks to this assistance, the couple secures the loan and, with luck, will soon be rewarded with a healthy baby.

Infertility Doctors

Free market medicine at its finest, yes?  A couple with “skin in the game” learns about their health costs in advance.  They are given accurate data about the likelihood that any given cycle of treatment will work.  They even work with a loan agency specifically geared to meet their financial needs.

Would it bother you if you learned that the infertility doctor received a referral fee from the loan agency?  Would you be upset to learn that this couple was charged an annual interest rate of 22%?

Here's a link to the full article.

My book, Five Strands of Hope, is available here on Amazon.  It is a memoir about my journey through secondary infertility through a horrendous triplet pregnancy.

Infertility Treatments and Multiple Sclerosis

There is an article on WebMD, which discuss two studies that show that infertility treatments increase relapse rates for MS patients.  This makes me incredibly sad.  Infertility is hard enough and so is MS, but to have both and to know that infertility treatments may make your MS worse is just too much.  I wish the best for women who are suffering from infertility and MS.

Multiple Sclerosis and Pregnancy

Here is a link to the full article.

My book, Five Strands of Hope, is available here on Amazon.  It is a memoir about my journey through secondary infertility through a horrendous triplet pregnancy.

Obesity Damages a Woman's Eggs

Obesity has long been associated with infertility as well as lower success rates with in vitro fertilization, and now researchers think they understand why: Obese women are more likely to have abnormalities in their eggs that make them impossible to fertilize.

Brigham and Women’s Hospital infertility researchers examined nearly 300 eggs that failed to fertilize during IVF in both severely obese women and those with a normal body weight. They found that severely obese women were far more likely to have abnormally arranged chromosomes within their eggs compared with women who weren’t overweight, according to the study published Wednesday in the journal Human Reproduction.

Researchers still don’t completely understand why obesity might lead to structural problems in eggs, but it could have something to do with higher levels of hormones like leptin, which make chromosomes more fragile.

Previous research has linked similar abnormalities to aging eggs, which could at least partly explain why women over 40 have a much harder time getting pregnant than those in their 20s.

While women can’t do anything to turn back the clock, they may be able to improve their egg quality by achieving a healthier weight, said Dr. Catherine Racowsky, study co-author and head of the Brigham’s IVF lab. “Many obese infertility patients in our program wind up achieving successful IVF after they lose weight,” she added.

The women in the study were severely obese with a body mass index of at least 35 -- or 210 pounds for a 5-foot, 5-inch person -- and it’s likely that moderately overweight women who carry just 20 or 30 extra pounds don’t have the same increase in egg abnormalities.

But those at the extreme end of the weight spectrum who are attempting infertility treatments should make an effort to nudge their weight closer to a healthier BMI. Obese women who lose just 5 or 10 percent or their body weight may see enough improvement, according to Racowsky, to help them achieve a successful pregnancy with IVF or natural methods. By the same token, underweight women, who have a BMI under 18.5 -- or 111 pounds for a 5-foot, 5-inch person -- are also at risk of infertility and might increase their pregnancy odds by gaining a few pounds.

Here is the link to the full article.

My book, Five Strands of Hope, is available here on Amazon.  It is a memoir about my journey through secondary infertility through a horrendous triplet pregnancy.

Sperm Grown from Skin: Infertility Hope for Men

Wow!  That's all that I can say after reading an article from the Daily Mail (UK) about doctors/scientists from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.  Scientists succeeded in using slivers human skin tissue to grow early-state sperm.  Thousands of infertile men may be able to fulfill their dream of fatherhood with their own biological children.

Male Sperm

The scientists use chemicals to turn back the biological clock in skin cells, which gives the cells chameleon-like powers of embryonic stem cells.  Then nutrients transform the cells into round ones and appear to be genetically normal.

Click here for the full article.


Five Strands of Hope on Amazon

Expanded Infertility Care for Veterans

I saw an article in the Seattle Times regarding expanded health coverage for veterans.  This bill, which is being considered in the Senate, includes infertility care for Veterans and their spouses.  Currently, IVF and surrogates are not covered.

I am so excited for the Veterans and their families.  Of course, I'll be happier when the bill actually passes.  However, I was upset by comments readers left on Seattle Times' website.  It is horrible enough that men and women who protect our country and human rights of people everywhere are hurt and killed in the line of duty.  It never occurred to me that thousands of men and women also lose the ability to have biological children.  Since it is within our abilities to perform infertility treatments (IVF and surrogacy) that will greatly increase the chances of Veterans to have children, then we should not think twice about covering the cost.

Here is the link to the full article.

Five Strands of Hope on Amazon

Natural PCOS Remedies

I found a press release for Dr. Rebecca Harwin's book "Conquer Your PCOS Naturally." My fertility issues didn't involve PCOS.  However, I did try natural remedies for our infertility issues before turning to a reproductive endocrinologist.   For those unfortunate enough to suffer from PCOS, I believe, this book might help you.

The Face of PCOS

Dr Harwin is a leading PCOS expert, providing resources to help women suffering from PCOS balance their hormones, naturally regain fertility and live a symptom-free and well life, (http://www.ConquerYourPCOSNaturally.com).

The international author of 'Conquer Your PCOS Naturally' has appeared in magazines such as CEO Magazine, Women's Health & Fitness, and will be featured in the August edition of Vogue. You can get the first three chapters of her book at her website for free.

Dr Rebecca Harwin, Author & Founder of Conquer Your PCOS Naturally

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/784998#ixzz207nLode7

My Book at Amazon: Five Strands of Hope

Here are links to previous blog posts: 

90% Divorce Rate for Parents of Triplets

I'll Have Another

A Mother's Fears

The Strongest Women

The Loneliness of Having Triplets

Infertility and Alcoholism

Acupuncture Improves Your Chances

Stress Kills Your Chances

It's Not Your Lifestyle: Male Infertility

Grasping at Straws: Laptops Damage Sperm

Fresh vs Frozen Embryo Transfer

Premature Babies Twice as Likely to Suffer Mental Disorders

Does IVF Increased Your Breast Cancer Risk?

90% Divorce Rate for Triplet Parents

Happy Friday!
The triplets had their 3 year well-visit on Tuesday.  I'm happy to report that Anna, Liam and Owen are all doing well.  Funny, though, Anna and Liam are the same height and same weight.  Owen is my big guy, although only an inch taller and a pound heavier.

I really like my children's doctor and often ask him about his children.  One of his sons trades derivatives and another is a reproductive endocrinologist.  Having traded derivates and gone to a reproductive endocrinologist, I am very familiar with both of these areas and enjoy hearing about my doctor's sons.

This visit, however, my doctor surprised me when he told me that his son read a recent study that the divorce rate for parents of triplets and other higher-level multiples is 90%.  I had heard the divorce rate was a mere 80%, but 90%!

How Can These Innocents Lead to a Higher Divorce Rate?

I don't usually admit to being really stressed - definitely not when I'm in the moment.  However, I have a few times since having the triplets.  It felt like my heart was beating so fast that it would just conk out like a rusty old car.  Those moments weren't caused the kids bad behavior, but just a feeling of being totally overwhelmed.  It usually happened at the end of the week or when holidays were approaching and additional responsibilities were thrown at me (sometimes by myself or by hosting family and holidays).

During my times of feeling completely overwhelmed, Brian and I had more than our usual share of arguments.  The arguments took on a nastier tone than necessary.  However, I can tell you now that we were both trying to expel the stress and we didn't realize that was what we were doing.  In hindsight, I believe, that it was possible for one or more of those fights to get completely out of hand and cause permanent damage to our marriage.  Thankfully, none of the arguments did.

Though we never talked (or screamed) about divorce.  I don't want to say that it's not an option, because Jennifer Masche did and well, she divorced her children's father.  There are definitely circumstances were I would leave a marriage and I'm sure Brian feels the same way.  However, we are committed to making our marriage work for our children and because we truly love each other.

I don't want to be egotistical and whole-heartedly believe that Brian and I are among the 10% that don't get divorced.  However, knowing the statistic, I will make sure that we keep communication open and continue to find more productive ways to expel the stress that builds up.

Then again, we are lucky with statistics.  We were told we had a 2% chance of getting pregnant with triplets.  Then we were told we had almost no chance of having healthy ones.

Owen Casey

Liam Casey

Anna Casey

Gavin Casey

My Book at Amazon: Five Strands of Hope

Here are links to previous blog posts: 

I'll Have Another

A Mother's Fears

The Strongest Women

The Loneliness of Having Triplets

What is the "Right" Number of Children to Have?

The Baby Making Project: IVF

Infertility and Alcoholism

Acupuncture Improves Your Chances

Stress Kills Your Chances

Smoking's Bad

It's Not Your Lifestyle: Male Infertility

Grasping at Straws: Laptops Damage Sperm

The Holistic Approach to Infertility

Fresh vs Frozen Embryo Transfer

Premature Babies Twice as Likely to Suffer Mental Disorders

Does IVF Increased Your Breast Cancer Risk?

Higher Rates of Psychiatric Disorders Among Childless Women who Faced Infertility

I found this article to be interesting for two reasons.  First, it gives you a glimpse into the Danish healthcare system.  And, of course, the study that showed that women who went through fertility treatments, but ended up childless were more likely to be hospitalized for psychiatric disorders.

I cannot imagine how my mental state would be if I found myself fifty years old and childless.  I'd like to say that I wouldn't fall apart, but maybe I would.  I have wanted to be a mother since I was a little girl.  If I wasn't able to have biological children then I know I would have adopted.

However, it's not always that easy.  When I was in college, I worked with a women who tried to take out a loan from a bank, so that she could adopt a child.  She was turned down time and time again.  I met her when she tried for the fourth time to adopt a little boy.  She was turned down.  She got a cat, dyed her hair black and didn't seem to smile for the rest of the summer.

The full article is here.

My Book at Amazon: Five Strands of Hope

Here are links to previous blog posts: 

I'll Have Another

A Mother's Fears

The Strongest Women

The Loneliness of Having Triplets

What is the "Right" Number of Children to Have?

The Baby Making Project: IVF

Acupuncture Improves Your Chances

Stress Kills Your Chances

Smoking's Bad

It's Not Your Lifestyle: Male Infertility

Grasping at Straws: Laptops Damage Sperm

The Holistic Approach to Infertility

Fresh vs Frozen Embryo Transfer

Premature Babies Twice as Likely to Suffer Mental Disorders

Does IVF Increased Your Breast Cancer Risk?