Fertility Road Issue 11

S 

THE WORLD'S NO.1 FERTILITY MAGAZINE 

ISSUE 11 | SUMMER 2012 £3.95/€4.95 

YOUR PATH TO PARENTHOOD 

WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COM 

FOUR 

FERTILITY 

FRIENDLY 

FRAPPÉS 

• COOKING TO CONCEIVE • 

IES U M P T U O U S S U M M E R S M O OT H 

SPARRING 

PARTNERS 

Parents-to-be 

should de-stress 

& be pampered 

ADDING TO 

THE FAMILY 

Why having a 

second child 

is not always 

straightforward 

ISSUE 11 WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COM 

Giuliana Rancic 

Hollywood, heartache 

and future hope 

EUROPEAN ESCAPES FERTILITY & NUTRITION ALTERNATIVE THERAPY

iCandy peach 

London limited edition 

deliciously 

British 

experience 

www.icandyworld.com 

www.facebook.com/iCandyWorld

F E R T I L I T Y R O A D 

S U M M E R 2 0 1 2 

ISSUE 11 CONTENTS 

12 

20 

12 

36 

32 

12 EUROPEAN ESCAPES 

Travelling to Europe has never been easier so we have found 

three great destinations for you to unwind, relax and reinvigorate. 

16 COUPLES CHILL OUT 

We investigate how linking the wellbeing of the body and mind 

may well mean pampering before pampers for would-be parents 

20 RED CARPET ROMANCE 

E! News anchor, Giuliana Rancic and spouse, Bill, are expecting 

their first child in a matter of weeks; we hear the story of how 

they ultimately chose surrogacy as a means to start their family. 

26 SECOND THOUGHTS 

If you already have a child, surely you can have another? Not 

necessarily. Emma Cannon delves into the reasons for secondary 

infertility and what can be done to prevent this happening to you. 

32 ETHNICITIES AND EGG DONATION 

Jenny Currie explains to us how egg donation in South Africa can 

be influenced by personal history and relevant individual cultures. 

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: 

NUTRITION 

Nutrition expert, Hethir Rodriguez, brings some great summer 

inspired smoothies guaranteed to boost your fertility. 

MEN’S CORNER 

Dr. Gedis Grudzinskas takes time out to answer your fertility 

questions, especially aimed at male related issues. 

LETTER FROM THE HEART 

We hear Sophie's story about conquering all and finding out 

that some things are really worth fighting for. 

SUMMER 2012 | WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COM | 

03

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S 




C O N T R I B U T O R S 

ISSUE 11 SUMMER 2012 

CHECK OUT OUR NEW YOU TUBE 

CHANNEL FOR GREAT FERTILITY 

RELATED VIDEOS & INTERVIEWS 

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FERTILITY ROAD 





FOUR 

FERTILITY 

FRIENDLY 

FRAPPÉS 


GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR: 

PJ Mack 

CONTRIBUTING PUBLISHER: 

Jeff Crockett 

CONTRIBUTING MANAGING EDITOR: 

Giorgio Severi 

IT DIRECTOR: 

Tone Jarvis 

ART EDITOR: 

Damian Browning 

CONTRIBUTORS: 

Emma Cannon, Jenny Currie, Dr. 

Gedis Grudzinskas, Andrew Loosely, 

Hethir Rodriquez, Dr. Melvin Thornton 

WEBSITE & ONLINE PRESENCE: 

Giraffic Media Ltd 

www.girafficmedia.co.uk 

EUROPEAN SALES: 

Susan Calatayud, Pier Minole 

ACCOUNTS MANAGER: 

Jennifer Gardner 

LEGAL ADVISOR: 

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Square, Mayfair, London, UK W1J 6BD 

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SPARRING 

PARTNERS 

Parents-to-be 


& be pampered 

ADDING TO 

THE FAMILY 

Why having a 

second child 

is not always 




EUROPEAN ESCAPES FERTILITY & NUTRITION ALTERNATIVE THERAPY 

CONTACT DETAILS: 

Mack Media Group 

Suite 27, Westcroft Court, New Road, 

Broxbourne, Herts EN10 7LT 

Tel: 0843 2895337 

Email: info@fertilityroad.com 

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TWITTER.COM/FERTILITYROAD 


ISSUE 11 WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COM 

OUR WRITERS... 

Welcome to our latest Issue of Fertility Road. 

In this copy we hear about E! News anchor Giuliana 

Rancic and her difficult road to parenthood. From 

suffering a miscarriage, to battling breast cancer 

to finally awaiting the arrival a son via surrogacy, 

Giuliana and hubby Bill have remained positive and united throughout. 

With summer in full swing (supposedly) we have found some great 

escapes to Europe, with peace and revitalisation in mind, and we hear 

from Hethir Rodriguez, nutrition expert, on how to make delicious 

smoothies that are packed with fertility goodness. 

Emma Cannon, our resident fertility expert, reveals all you need to 

know about secondary infertility, and Dr. Melvin Thornton explains how 

to stay fi t for fertility, and fi nally we hear from Sophie who tells us her 

story about her quest to becoming a mum and fulfilling a lifelong dream. 

Until next time, why not kick back, relax and enjoy our magazine… Giorgio 

OUR FERTILITY EXPERT... 

Emma Cannon practises complementary therapies and acupuncture 

and specialises in fertility and women’s health; gynaecology, IVF support, 

conception, pregnancy and postnatal care. She is Director of Emma 

Cannon Ltd and author of The Baby-Making Bible and You and Your Bump. 

www.emmacannon.co.uk 

OUR EGG DONATION EXPERT... 

Jenny Currie is the founder and owner of a dynamic, South African based 

egg donor agency, baby2mom. The online donor website, www.baby2mom. 

co.za was founded in 2007. Benefits include affordable egg donor services, 

immediate free access to detailed profiles of hundreds of egg donors and 

experienced guidance. 

Andrew Loosely is The Natural Fertility Expert and creator of The Baby Creating 

Plan and has been using Traditional Chinese Fertility methods to treat thousands 

of people since 1998. He helps couples to conceive naturally and offers supports 

alongside IVF by using his treatment Plan. www.NaturalFertilityExpert.com 

Dr. Melvin Thornton has over 20 years of experience as a practicing physician. 

He is currently an Associate Clinical Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology and 

has served as Medical Director of Columbia’s Center for Reproductive Health 

Care for over 10 years. ww.cumc.columbia.edu 

Hethir Rodriguez is a master herbalist and holistic nutritionist specializing 

in natural fertility. Through her websites she educates thousands of couples a 

month in natural ways to increase fertility through diet, herbs and therapies 

in preparation for natural and assisted conception. Natural-Fertility-Info.com 

Dr. Gedis Grudzinskas has more than 20 years experience in the field of fertility, 

and is now an independent practitioner in Harley Street assisting couples after 

unsuccessful IVF treatments, preventing infertility and preserving fertility in 

both women and men who have been diagnosed with serious illnesses. 


05


T H E L A T E S T F R O M T H E W O R L D O F F E R T I L I T Y 

NEWS 

MEDITERRANEAN 

DIET MAY IMPROVE 

& BOOST FERTILTY 

NEW RESEARCH INDICATES THAT A BALANCED 

diet containing lots of monounsaturated fat can as 

much as triple the chance of success in women 

resorting to fertility treatment and most women 

wanting to get pregnant naturally as well. The findings 

revealed women who ate the most monounsaturated 

fat had up to three times the chance of giving birth by 

IVF as those who ate the least. 

“As far as the best fat profile is concerned, this is 

the fat profile you would find in a Mediterranean 

diet which includes avocados and olive oil.” reported 

Dr Jorge Chavarro from the Harvard School of 

Public Health who conducted the tests. However, he 

cautioned that the study was very small and the 

findings needed to be replicated in larger numbers 

before firm advice could be issued. 

THE NUMBER BABIES BORN SO FAR, THANKS TO IVF!! 

Five million “test tube babies” 

have been born to date, according 

to research estimates presented 

to a fertility conference in July. 

The first, Louise Brown, was 

born in July 1978 in the UK. 

THE 

WONDER 

CLOCK 

Is your biological clock about to 

run out? Not sure? A new app 

promises to tell you. It’s called 

“The Wonder Clock” and it uses 

your date of birth to calculate, 

down to the minute, when 

you’re going to become infertile. 

Created more as a tool for 

dialogue, then medical diagnosis, 

this app is meant to bring 

awareness to female fertility. 

Available from itunes.com 

BOOK REVIEW 

FERTILITY & 

CONCEPTION 

the Natural Way 

BE SURE TO BOOST YOUR CHANCES 

of getting pregnant and prepare 

for a successful birth by using natural therapies, diet and 

simple exercise regimes, Fertility & Conception: the natural 

way, by Anne Charlish, is the perfect handbook for the modern 

parent-to-be, offering tips on how making the right kinds of 

lifestyle and diet decisions which can help optimize your 

chances of conceiving and having a healthy pregnancy. 

The book also has information on the best pre-conceptual 

care, understanding cycles, foods and fertility, coping with 

problems and understanding treatments and therapies. This 

invaluable guide is an ideal companion for anyone seeking to 

maximise their chance of conception, offering a healthy start 

to pregnancy through natural regimes and holistic techniques. 

Available 30 August from Amazon.co.uk 

06 | WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COM | SUMMER 2012

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T H E L A T E S T F R O M T H E W O R L D O F F E R T I L I T Y 

NEWS 

FIVE CUPS OF COFFEE A 

DAY ‘AS BAD AS SMOKING’ 

FOR IVF SUCCESS! 

DRINKING FIVE OR MORE CUPS OF COFFEE A DAY, OR COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF TEA, IS AS 

bad as smoking for women who want to get pregnant via IVF, say researchers. The Danish 

team found women who drank that amount halved their chances of getting pregnant via 

fertility treatment, compared to those who drank none. 

Dr. Ulrik Kesmodel, of Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark said “Although we were 

not surprised that coffee consumption appears to affect pregnancy rates in IVF, we were 

taken aback at the magnitude of the effect.” describing the adverse impact on IVF success 

as “comparable to the detrimental effect of smoking”. 

Specialist travel insurance for 

your IVF treatment abroad 

ACCORDING TO STATISTICS, 76% OF BRITISH 

couples struggling to conceive would 

consider heading abroad for treatment, but 

did you know that standard travel insurance 

is void when you are travelling for any type 

of treatment? In fact they may invalidate the 

entire policy, leaving you and your partner 

unprotected for unrelated accidents. 

That’s why IVF Travel Shield has created 

cover especially to protect you when you 

most need it. More importantly, the policy, 

with full cover from around £40, protects 

against medical complications arising from 

IVF treatment, including OHSS (ovarian 

hyperstimulation syndrome). 

www.ivftravelshield.com 

Childhood obesity may 

cause fertility problems 

TIME TO PUT DOWN THAT BURGER! 

The dramatic increase in childhood obesity 

in recent decades may have impacts that 

go beyond the usual health concerns, it 

could actually be disrupting the timing of a 

child’s puberty and ultimately lead to a 

increased chance of infertility in later life, 

especially in females. 

FAKE TAN AND 

FERTILITY, NOT 

A GOOD MATCH 

FAKE TAN FANS BEWARE! EXPERTS HAVE RECENTLY 

warned that the harsh chemicals found in the lotions 

could cause serious health risks including infertility 

problems. Among the many dangerous ingredients 

are hormone-disrupting compounds, which can 

affect the healthy development of babies. Also, 

prolonged usage of fake-tan products can also 

have skin irritants and chemicals linked to 

allergies, diabetes and obesity. 

Sales of tanning products were worth around 

£100million a year in Britain in 2011, with 1 in 

ten British men, and 4 in ten British women 

admitting they used them on a regular basis. 

PEOPLE SUFFER WITH SOME 

FORM OF INFERTILITY 



C E L E B R I T Y N E W S 

A-LIST 

FAMILY 

MATTERS 

We take a look at fertility 

issues in celeb-land, with all 

the gossip and rumours on who’s 

undergoing ivf, who’s adopting 

or who’s thinking about surrogacy! 

he role of Mother seems to be agreeing with the 

Hunger Games star Elizabeth Banks, who has 

been writing about the wonders of surrogacy in 

her exclusive blog for iVillage, a popular NBC 

owned website for women to exchange views, 

advice and support on parenting, pregnancy and health. 

“Just over a year and half ago, my son Felix was born via 

gestational surrogacy. He came out of me nine months early and 

because of my broken belly, he was baked in a wonderful angel’s oven 

and now, I can’t believe it, he’s talking and walking. He has expanded 

my capacity for joy a thousand-fold” 

The 38 year old Hollywood star has also talked about the strong 

bond she has with developed with son Felix despite not giving birth 

to him herself. In an interview with People magazine, the actress said 

“I adore my son, and I’m so grateful he’s in my life. He has provided a 

lot of clarity for me and so much joy. He’s the best thing that ever 

happened to me, however he happened to me.” 

Adoption is a hot topic at the moment in Hollywood with a few 

celebrities speaking out about their plans to take on a child. 

Hugh Hefner’s former No. 1 girlfriend Holly Madison, 33, has 

revealed she plans to adopt a child. The former Girl Next Door star 

and Playboy model has been reported to have employed the adoption 

agency, ‘Hold My Hand’, to help her with the long and difficult 

process of securing a child, which is to likely be from either Africa 

or South Korea. 

“I’ve started the adoption process…..I really want to be a mommy 

now,” Holly told America’s In Touch magazine. 

Last month the blonde said she wanted children “as soon as 

possible” and said she was “not trying to prevent” getting pregnant, 

but it is unclear if Holly, who also stars in the Las Vegas act 

Peepshow, is still considering trying for a biological child as well. 

A young prince or princess may be on the cards for Queen Latifah, 

who revealed on The View that she’s “working on” adopting a child. 

The rapper, actress and singer told host Barbara Walters that a TV 

movie was the thrust for her getting the ball rolling on parenthood 

“ 

I adore my son, and I’m so grateful 

he’s in my life. He has provided a lot 

of clarity for me and so much joy. He’s 

the best thing that ever happened to 

me, however he happened to me. ” 

Elizabeth Banks on how her son Felix has changed her outlook on life 

“I was watching one of those specials ... you know those movies 

of the week, it was about adoption” said the 42-year-old Golden 

Globe winner. “And it was like... I have always wanted to bring a child 

home” and turning to the audience she asked “So if you got a kid 

that you don’t want, just give me a year, let me set-up camp and 

send me the kid” 

Not to be outdone, mum to twins Max and Emme, Jennifer Lopez, 

also spoke out about her views on adoption. During an interview with 


“ 

You can really see how you can 

take a baby that you don’t know and 

who needs a home, give them a home 

and raise them as your own, I really 

came to understand, through the 

character, how people do it. So 

I’m not ruling out the possibility ” 

JLO on not ruling out the possibility of adoption in the future after her 

role mother adopting a child in What to Expect When You’re Expecting 

Cameron Diaz on The Ellen DeGeneres Show while promoting 

their movie What to Expect When You’re Expecting, based on 

Heidi Murkoff’s bestseller, J-lo said; 

“I had never really thought about adoption before. I just 

thought. ‘Oh, I’m going to have my own kids,’ and I never thought 

about it as something I would have to consider”. 

But after playing her role as a mother adopting a child in 

Africa, Jennifer added “You can really see how you can take a baby 

that you don’t know and who, you know, needs a home, give them 

a home and raise them as your own,” she said. “I really came to 

understand, through the character, how people do it. So I’m not 

ruling out the possibility” 

And finally is Elton John looking to add to his family? With 

son Zachary not even two yet, the king and queen of Pink 

Parenting are believed to already have baby number two on the 

way. Both Elton and David are refusing to deny the happy 

news, however speaking in an exclusive interview with Daybreak, 

Elton said he and David are ‘definitely’ going to be adding to 

their brood in the future, saying, “At what stage we don’t know, 

but we definitely will. We don’t want him to be an only child” 

Elton and David may have managed to keep the news of their 

first child under wraps until he was born but this time it would 

seem the cat may already be out of the bag, only time will tell. 

IN REDUCING 

STRESS... 

WE INCREASE 

SUCCESS 

If you are trying to conceive then 

download The Fertility App from the 

App store for iPhone & iPad. 

Barbados Fertility Centre is the first JCI 

accredited health care provider to 

develop an app for fertility patients 

and it covers: 

Fertility calendar 

Ovulation calendar 

Pre conception supplements 

IVF Medication management 

IVF Glossary 

Healthy lifestyle tips 

Queen Latifah is just one 

of a host of A-listers that 

have recently expressed 

an interest in adoption 

Organization Accredited 

by Joint Commission International 


by Joint Commission International


T I M E A W A Y F O R T W O 

A change of scenery is often exactly what we need to relax, unwind 

and revitalise. And with Europe literally on our doorstep, easily 

accessed by boat, train, plane or car, there is no reason why you 

can’t plan a weekend away without circumnavigating the globe. 

12 | WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COM | SUMMER 2012 »

THE SCARLET 

» Cornwall, UK 

A stunning seaside escape perched atop the 

cliffs of Cornwall, The Scarlet Hotel and 

Spa is an adult-only boutique hotel, with a 

difference. Not content with providing a 

luxurious retreat for those visiting the 

Cornish coast, they have also ensured that 

the property is as eco-friendly as possible, 

from the construction materials used, down 

to the natural plants used to filter the 

outdoor swimming pool. The Scarlet’s 37 

individually-designed rooms are intended 

first and foremost to make the most of the 

dramatic views over the beach below, with 

each room featuring a private outdoor 

space in the form of a balcony, courtyard 

garden terrace or rooftop pod. The roof is 

insulated with sea thrift which blends perfectly with the coastal 

landscape, every detail has been designed to harmonise with the 

beautiful natural surroundings. 

The restaurant, headed by Michelin award-winning local chef Ben 

Tunnicliffe, offers a daily changing menu that takes full advantage of 

seasonal local ingredients at their best and is complemented by a 

comprehensive wine list. 

The hotel also features a luxurious spa that uses organic 

seaweeds and other natural remedies with beautiful ocean views, so 

you can take a deep breath of the fresh sea air and truly relax. 

LEARN MORE: www.scarlethotel.co.uk 


13


T I M E A W A Y F O R T W O 

VIGILIUS MOUNTAIN RESORT 

» Lana, Italy 

Situated in the spectacular scenery of the Dolomites the Vigilius 

Mountain Resort is a 21st-Century take on a Tyrolean lodge. 

Accessed via a 7 minutes cable-car ride up the mountain a mile 

above the Ultimo Valley where the air is crisp, clean and scented 

with pine forests which makes you feel reborn and revitalised. 

Designed by architect Matteo Thun, the resort boasts two decks 

of rooms housed in low rectangles of glass, under an ultra-eco 

friendly grass-covered roof and boast inspirational views of the 

surrounding mountains, with their ever-changing colors. 

Superstar chef Mauro Buffo heads up Restaurant 1500 with 

light, modern dishes that champions local ingredients accompanied 

by an impressive wine cellar to wash down your food. 

The resort is ideal for activities, from skiing and tobogganing to 

hiking and horse riding, as well as melting down in the spa, this 

hotel offers everything you need to de-stress and chillax. 

LEARN MORE: www.vigilius.it 

DOMAINE DES ANDEOLS 

»Provence, France 

Perched high on a hill in the heart of the Luberon, circled by olive groves 

and lavender fields, sits the Domaine des Andéols, owned by Olivier and 

Patricia Massart, who have spent nearly 20 years collecting over 250 

paintings, photographs, furniture and objects. This collection is housed 

throughout the ten luxury villas which are all uniquely decorated and 

inspired by a piece of artwork, color or theme. 

The House of Savors Restaurant, under the direction of Chef Alain 

Ducasse, offers a generous array of dishes — a veritable gourmet 

promenade into the heart of Provençal cuisine. 

Under the ancient olive trees, the infinity pool and the jacuzzi invite 

idleness and relaxation. The House of Waters Spa welcomes guests for an 

intense moment of indulgence with its steam room, indoor pool and 

treatment room. Friendly barbecues are organised under the plane–tree 

for a moment of sharing conviviality and making new friends. 

LEARN MORE: www.domaine-des-andeols.com 


Assisted 

Reproduction 

Gynecology 

& Obstetrics 

Sperm Bank 

Genetics Lab 

90 years as specialists of Reproduction in Barcelona 

High success rates registered by the Spanish health authorities • Broad 

program of donation: egg, sperm and embryo, and embryo adoption • 

Leaders in the introduction of new reproductive technologies (IMSI/ 

Embryoscope/PGD) • Pioneers in the study of the male factor • No waiting lists 

www.institutmarques.com


R E L A X A N D R E V I T A L I S E 

or some, making babies is easy, some people fall 

pregnant as quickly as falling off that proverbial log. 

But for others it’s not so simple. 

The monthly disappointments that accompany 

that ‘not pregnant’ symbol on the test quickly take 

their toll, and it seems as though the more you want it, the further it 

feels from reach. Each new disappointment isn’t an isolated event 

that you can quickly shrug off. They accumulate, piling hurt upon hurt. 

And then comes all that really useful advice: “just relax!”, “it’ll 

happen when you least expect it!” You smile politely while fighting 

the urge to scream at the top of your lungs. 

But that repressed scream is something you really shouldn’t 

ignore. While doctors concentrate on the physical aspects of the 

problems couples have conceiving, your emotional and mental health 

should be treated separately, and with (at very least) equal importance. 

Even without the added strain of trying to conceive, we live – 

and work – in a high stress environment. Anxiety, pressure, tension. 

Every day we’re used to accepting and dealing with it as best we can, 

but the affect of stress on our health should not be underestimated. 

Indeed, a study published in the journal Fertility and Sterility has 

found that women who are anxious are 12% less likely to conceive 

during their fertile time than those who stay calm. The study of 274 

of the age range 18 to 40 years, and all planning pregnancy, found 

that stress significantly reduced the probability of conception 

during each day during the fertile window. 

“People have no idea how stressed they are until they stop,” 

says Lisa Whitehead, an holistic therapist specialising in fertility 

and positivity coaching. “They’re not aware of how much pressure 

they’re putting on themselves, and often it’s issues they’re not 

even conscious of.” 

Until recently, Lisa ran a national award-winning holistic clinic 

which was named the best holistic centre in the UK. Now, she 

works with the online Getalife UK team, and also operates 

privately offering reflexology and other treatments to women 

experiencing stress, anxiety and depression, as well as issues 

associated with fertility and birth. For those conception woes – 

something she prefers to call sub-fertility, rather than infertility – 

she likes to liaise primarily with couples, focusing predominantly 

on their emotional and mental wellbeing. 

“It’s mind, body and spirit,” she says. “We can balance the body 

physically, but more often than not the reasons couples are not falling 

pregnant is down to emotional blocks, stress and anxiety. It can be 

issues they’re not even conscious of, from a deep subconscious fear 

of falling pregnant, to issues associated with the relationship they had 

with their own mother. You hold so much memory inside you and it 

affects the way you feel about yourself,” she says. 

“I mirror back to people the negative language they use to 

describe themselves. I say ‘be careful what you say because your 

body is listening’ and just small shifts in the way they talk and think 

about themselves can make a huge difference.” 

Whether you’re trying to 

conceive naturally or with 

assistance, it can be very 

stressful. Making time for 

yourself and your partner 

can really help to reduce the 

pressure, and put you back 

on the path to parenthood. 

Couples 

Chill out 


Lisa points out that everyday stresses tend to manifest 

themselves as a physical response in the body. Whether it’s a 

migraine, a stiff elbow or a bad back reminding you that you feel as if 

you’re carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders, the effects 

of stress can equally manifest in fertility issues. Learning to properly 

relax and remove those pressures from your core can make a 

dramatic difference to a couple’s success rate. And it’s particularly 

important for men to acknowledge and discuss their feelings. 

“They’re putting so much pressure on themselves it really affects 

the quality of their sperm,” explains Lisa, who says that if couples 

are going to go down the road of exploring their emotional and 

mental wellbeing they may have to be prepared to face issues they 

do not normally like to give voice to. 

“They don’t want to talk about these things,” she says, “Especially 

men, because there is the notion that having fertility issues imply 

an admission of failure. That can be tough, because they tend to go 

inside themselves and may be feeling they’re not a proper man.” 

These concerns and anxieties that we ten to brush under the carpet 

undoubtedly bring separation to a couple’s working mechanism, and 

at a time when they most need to be pulling together. Coupled with 

sex becoming more clinical and less intimate it’s no wonder that 

conception seems to become more distant the longer it continues. 

Lisa says she works with couples helping them to “relieve that 

pressure and get the fun back into love making.” And she’s noted an 

85% success rate in couples going down this route, even when they 

“ 

People have no idea how stressed 

they are until they stop, They’re not 

aware of how much pressure they’re 

putting on themselves, and often it’s 

issues they’re not even conscious of. ” 

have diagnosed physical issues causing sub-fertility. She says there’s 

a step-by-step approach couples can take to help themselves. 

“There are practical things you can do that will really help,” she 

says. “Take time for yourself, not just each other, look after your diet, 

and get plenty of rest. There are sensible steps like cutting out 

alcohol and tobacco, but also balancing of mind, body and spirit is 

going to help. Take up relaxation activities, go for a walk or a swim 

or try yoga,” she suggests. 

The changes she sees in couples who’ve learned to address their 

stresses can be dramatic, not least because it’s handing the control 

of the situation back to those who’ve felt as if they have no control 

over what’s happening to them. “They feel like they’re owning it 

again,” says Lisa, “they’re creating the opportunities”. 

Nutritionist and psychologist Dr Marilyn Glenville agrees that 

people under stress will adversely affect their ability to get 

» 


17


R E L A X A N D R E V I T A L I S E 

» 

pregnant. Her focus is on diet and nutrition and she says, “When people are 

under a lot of stress, that in itself will increase the need for certain nutrients. I take a 

whole look at what’s going on with their lifestyle – smoking, exercise, everything – 

and we consider lots of factors in combinations working positively or negatively on 

hormones and other fertility features. 

“Fertility or infertility is stressful in itself, and trying to fit in an IVF cycle with 

appointments and so on – whilst maybe not talking to people at work or loved ones 

about it – makes the whole thing something that’s not at all easy to juggle. But 

nutrients can combat the stress effect,” she says, “and it’s crucial because stress 

dampens libido, and for some women it can have a physical effect on their cycle.” 

Dr Glenville says couples shouldn’t be afraid to look to their emotional and 

mental health when getting to the bottom of fertility problems. “That emotional side 

is important and it’s not as easy to address as physical issues,” she says. “It’s much 

more elusive and is often the last on the list to be looked at.” 

She believes couples should take time to work on relaxing, and suggests a range 

of exercises and therapies that apply “techniques that will have a stress-busting 

effect.” Dr Glenville says it’s no coincidence that couples who’ve been trying a long 

time will suddenly fall pregnant when they go on holiday, or that we often hear 

those anecdotes about the couple who stopped trying and started the adoption 

process only to conceive out of the blue. “The letting go of pressure and stress is 

what makes the difference,” she says. 

Dr Glenville believes it’s often harder for men who will internalise their feelings, 

perhaps experiencing guilt about being unable to give their partner a baby, and not 

talking to their partner because they don’t want to burden them. “They can’t separate 

the clinical bit from themselves as a man, that’s the battle. Overcoming that is the 

first step towards mentally recognising a solution,” she says. 

So experts and studies increasingly agree that relieving stress and increasing 

relaxation is key to successful conception, and options for maximising a de-stress 

session are now many and varied. Different therapies and exercises will appeal to 

different people, more and more spas are realising that treatment designed for 

couples can provide something that a quick work-out session at the gym cannot. 

Men may balk at the thought of attending a spa – the images of dressing gowns, 

mud packs and sliced cucumber often the most prominent – but the belief that these 

getaways are a female-only zone is something that owners are trying to change. And 

the attraction of couples in order to enhance aspects of fertility is a great way to 

change preconceptions. After all, if you want to get the intimacy and fun back into 

your baby-making, what better way than to relax together and enjoy a pampering 

that leaves you both feeling wonderful? From those aforementioned mud bath 

treatments, where you smother each other in nutrient packed Serail mud, to steam 

rooms for two or side-by-side massage couches, 

In fact, recognising how negative stress can be on people’s lives, SenSpa in the New 

Forest has launched a Stress Management Package that includes a seminar featuring 

an expert from the Stress Management Society, someone who will help you recognise 

signs of stress, spot your own stress triggers and come up with a toolkit for combating 

stress as well as boosting your energy levels for ‘greater clarity, creativity and 

productivity’. And, like many spas now, they have a couples treatment room. 

Spa at Chancery Court in London also have a couples suite which they say is 

very popular, and they place great emphasis on stress alleviation in their treatments. 

Spa manager Maria Haggo says, “Since we launched our male menu we’ve seen a 

huge increase in men coming for treatments and that has brought an increase in 

couples booking our Harmony Suite. Whether it’s work-related stress or whatever, 

we focus on de-stressing and re-balancing, and it can have a really positive effect on 

a couple’s relationship. Often on a honeymoon you might have a massage together 

on the beach and we can replicate that feeling here, you can have your treatment 

side by side. It’s quite sensual and helps you feel better together.” 

Maria says it seems to work as she’s noticed couples getting closer after a 

treatment. “They might arrive on a Friday afternoon after work feeling stressed and 

bickering at each other, and after their treatment they leave holding hands and being 

much closer.” It definitely sounds worth a try! 

TOP 5 

SPAS 

FOR 

COUPLES 

If you fancy the idea of a couple’s spa 

day out to unwind and relax together, why 

not check out one of our 5 top UK spas: 

BLYTHSWOOD SQUARE 

The Spa at Glasgow's Blythswood Square hotel, 

incorporates nine luxury treatment rooms, two 

relaxation pools, a thermal suite, plus several 

couple focused packages, where you will be 

immersed into a calming and understated 

space with wellness as the key focus. 

» www.blythswoodsquare.com 

CHAMPNEYS AT TRING 

This Hertfordshire based stately home boasts 

an outstanding health resort dedicated to the 

wellbeing of your mind, body and soul. Relax 

together in the steam room or take a full body 

massage, or a dip in the heated pool, there’s 

plenty to pamper and relax you. 

» www.champneys.com 

CHEWTON GLEN 

This luxurious country-house hotel and spa 

is set in 130 acres of the New Forest National 

Park. and offers a wide range of facilities to suit 

your spa needs, with therapy rooms, health and 

beauty services, and couples packages to enjoy. 

» www.chewtonglen.com 

AGUA SPA 

The Agua Spa in London provides pampering, 

spiritual relief, and tranquillity to all who enter. 

Offering an array of rejuvenating treatments 

combining the best of ancient and modern 

techniques, 14 treatment rooms, a chill-out 

zone and meditation beds, Agua Spa has a 

dreamy and almost cloud-like ambiance. 

» www.sandersonlondon.com 

HOMEWOOD PARK 

The Spa at Homewood Park, includes a sauna 

hydrotherapy pool, steam room and heated 

outside pool. The luxurious treatment menu 

promotes a mind, body and soul philosophy 

that promises to be a truly indulgent time. 

» www.homewoodpark.co.uk 


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Pink Parenting Sep.indd 1 12/09/2011 10:04


C E L E B R I T Y S P O T L I G H T 

Reality TV star and host of E!News, Giuliana Rancic, dreamed of 

having a family which is finally set to come true in August, when 

she and hubby, Bill Rancic, winner of the first US The Apprentice, 

welcome their first baby via surrogacy. The couple’s difficult 

journey to parenthood has been shared with millions of viewers 

as their reality show Giuliana and Bill provided a window into 

the world of a very ordinary couple struggling with infertility. 

orn in Naples, Italy in 1975, 

Giuliana Rancic only spoke 

Italian until the age 7, but 

when her family moved to 

Washington D.C., she taught 

herself English by watching day-time soaps 

and other television shows. Since then all 

Giuliana has ever wanted to do was be a 

News Anchor and to realise this dream she 

attended the University of Maryland, where 

she received a B.A. in Journalism. and earned 

her Master’s degree in Journalism from 

the American University in D.C. While in 

attendance, she worked for a Capitol Hill 

news bureau covering a number of stories 

related to the Pentagon, Supreme Court, 

White House and State Department. 

In 2002 Giuliana got the break that she so 

desperately wanted, as she joined E! News as 

a correspondent and in 2005 became solo 

anchor and managing editor for the show, 

taking it from the lowest rated show on the 

network to number one within one year. In 

2006, she was joined by co-anchor Ryan 

Seacrest with whom she covers every 

mega-event in the entertainment industry 

including the Oscars, Grammy's and Golden 

Globes interviewing the Hollywood elite. 

Meeting her beau 

While covering the first series of The Apprentice with 

Donald Trump on E! News in 2009, a very excited 

Giuliana was desperate to get her hands on the winner, 

Chicago born Bill Rancic, in more ways than one. 

WORDS BY 

GIORGIO SEVERI 

“I had heard in the E! Newsroom that there was an interview 

opportunity with Bill Rancic and I was all over it because I used 

to watch The Apprentice every week and I was in love with Bill,” 

Giuliana admits. “I was totally scoping him out.” She had to snatch the 

interview from an E! co-worker, who had the assignment first. Luckily 

for her, she took home the tall, dark, handsome prize from that battle, 

and the couple were engaged eight months later. 

“Bill proposed in a helicopter above Chicago. It was a total 

surprise. I thought we were going to see the Christmas lights on 

Michigan Avenue and Bill loves aviation. So, I just thought it was 

something crazy that he wanted to do.” Turns out, she was in for a 

crazier ride than she expected because he got down on one knee and 

sealed the deal with a beautiful diamond. 

Within a year the couple married in a lavish ceremony on the 

island of Capri, and US show The Style Network was invited to 

provide coverage of the happy couple’s day. 

Reflecting on their thriving love, the couple say, “We're here to tell 

you that our marriage isn't the result of discovering a truth behind 

the mystery... No, it's much simpler than that. Our marital success 

stems from the small but significant efforts we've made to improve 

our relationship, as far back as our first date.” 

While being interviewed on SheKnows' in 2006, Giuliana revealed 

what grounds the couple in a crazy world called Hollywood. 



21


» 


“We have a very similar family life, Bill and I. My parents met 

when my mom was 16. They were very young. Bill's parents were 

together forever, too. We've learned a lot from our parents”. 

When asked: When it feels like everyone in Hollywood breaks 

up, what's the most important thing in a world where love is so 

short lived? Giuliana replied, “You really have to have your 

priorities in check. Bill and I realize that Hollywood is just the 

backdrop. It's where we live and what we do, but it's not who we 

are, and if this all disappeared tomorrow, we'd still have each other.” 

Juggling a career with married life 

Bill and Giuliana decided to put off starting a family while they 

focused on their careers. Giuliana continued to work on E! News, 

co-hosted the show Fashion Police with Joan Rivers and also had 

a small cameo performance as herself in the movie Bring It On: 

Fight to the Finish. While husband Bill, went on to fill in as a judge 

on The Apprentice and also co-hosted In the Loop with iVillage 

and reality show, We Mean Business amongst other projects. 

Giuliana has always been very focused on her career and felt 

that she still had age on her side when it came to falling pregnant. 

However a pregnancy scare resulted in the couple realising that 

they could not wait to be parents and it was the right time for 

them. The couple took a year of trying to conceive naturally with 

no luck, they said “The plan was to buy a house and start a family, 

but in retrospect, it’s not as easy as we thought it was going to be.” 

Starting a family 

In November 2009 the couple sought medical help and after a few 

visits to her Doctor, it was established that IVF would be needed 

in order for the couple to start their own family. 

“My diagnosis was that I wasn’t ovulating consistently, so my 

doctor recommended that I gain a little more weight in order to 

start ovulating consistently,” she said. “He told me (to gain) five to 

ten pounds, which I know isn’t a big deal, but I had to bite that 

bullet because I have worked out every day of my life and this 

meant stopping all that. I love feeling good, waking up, working 

out.” she explained “its part of who I am” 

Starting her first round of IVF in March 2010, Giuliana had 

to endure over 63 injections as part of the procedure, and was 

quoted to say “We're going through the first round of IVF. It's 

lengthy because you have to do shots for a couple of weeks. Then 

you do the retrieval, then the implantation. And then you have to 

wait two weeks. So we're right in that process. Hopefully we'll 

have some good news to report soon, but you never know...” 

Giuliana and Bill the show 

From the beginning of their relationship, the couple have always 

been very open about their difficulties with falling pregnant, and 

this suited Giuliana down to the ground. Always willing to share 

and candid about her emotions, she loved the fact that she was 

able to bring awareness to young career girls like herself, and 

send a message out that it’s ok to struggle with infertility. 

It was because of this openness that the couple were 

approached by The Style Network once again and asked to star in 

their own reality TV show together, which coincided with their 

first attempt at IVF. 

“I guess it all started on our wedding day. The Style Network 

made a TV special about the wedding and we actually got used 

to having the cameras around pretty quickly. People loved that 

“ 

My diagnosis was that I wasn’t 

ovulating consistently, my doctor 

recommended that I gain a little 

more weight in order to start 

ovulating consistently, he told me 

five to ten pounds, which I know 

isn’t a big deal, but I had to bite 

that bullet because I have worked 

out every day of my life and this 

meant stopping all that. I love 

feeling good, waking up, working, 

its part of who I am ” 

special so much that the network wanted to do a reality series 

with us” Giuliana recalls. 

The couple initially hesitated, as they knew about “the reality 

show curse” as Giuliana called it, since various reality TV couples 

have split up after staring in such shows. Giuliana was also 

quoted as saying that she and Bill never wanted to do a typical 

reality show, with all the contrived hysteria and petty backbiting. 

“The only way we would do it, is if we could make it a real 

reality show,” she says. “There are so many fake reality shows, all 

this drama, people having affairs. We're not flipping over tables. 

There's no scandal in this show.” 

Lights, camera, action 

Opening the doors to the cameras, the couple allowed their 

viewers to experience the highs and lows on their path to 

parenthood. The couple amassed millions of fans from around the 

globe, all rooting for them to have their baby. 

It wasn’t long before the world knew that their first round of IVF 

was unsuccessful. Unfortunately, 9 weeks into her cycle, Giuliana 

miscarried. The bombshell was dropped by the couple in an episode 

of The View, hosted by Barbara Walters and Whoopi Goldberg. 

The couple said on the show, “It's hard to talk about. This is 

actually the first time we are talking about this, because nobody 

knew we were pregnant. And it was really scary, I'm sorry I'm 

getting a little emotional, but about eight weeks in, we went for a 

routine ultrasound and the nurse looked very concerned. She 

brought in the doctor and he also looked concerned. So he said, 

'Go wait for me in my office. I'm going to review this a little more.' 

And when we were in there he came in... and we just knew that 

something wrong.” 

To which Bill added “You could see it in the Doctor's eyes. He 

had news he didn't want to tell us, but he had to... It was a 

miscarriage.” The couple were inundated with sympathy from 

their fans who mourned the loss of a child as if it was their own. 

“We have had over 40 women say that they would be willing to 

be our surrogate” Giuliana said on her reality show, and one lady 

told me she had a niece who was giving up her child for adoption 

and she wanted us to have her. It is so overwhelming to know that 

there is so much love and support out there” 




» 

Doctor’s orders 

Giuliana and Bill were resolved to carry on with the quest to start 

a family and under the watchful eye of the camera, and with the 

backing of millions of viewers, the couple embarked on their 

second round of IVF which devastatingly was also unsuccessful. 

Once again, undeterred, the couple embarked on a third 

round of IVF treatment and shortly after commencing the cycle, 

Giuliana shared some tragic news on the Today show. “Through 

my attempt to get pregnant for the third time, we sadly found out 

that I have early stages of breast cancer. It's been a shock. A lot 

of people have been asking, we saw that you were undergoing 

IVF, are you pregnant? But sadly, we've had to put that off.” 

Giuliana explained that during the initial stages of IVF 

treatment, a doctor said she needed a mammogram. She wasn't 

going to get one until she was 40, but he urged her. When she 

found out the mammogram revealed breast cancer, she said, 

“I couldn't believe it.” 

She added, “I will be OK, because I found it early. I'm not going 

to give up on trying for a baby. Now I truly believe God was 

looking out for me. Had I gotten pregnant, a few years down the 

line I could have gotten sicker. So the baby saved my life.” 

Undergoing surgery 

Giuliana underwent a double lumpectomy a week after diagnosis 

and then a six week course of radiation therapy. However, the 

surgery was unsuccessful in removing all the cancer cells, and 

unwilling to live with the risks that would come with another 

operation, radiation and medication, in December 2011, the couple 

decided that a double mastectomy would be the best option. 

Though Bill was noted to say that his wife's scars would be “a 

badge of courage,” he went on to explain that the procedure was 

not the disfiguring experience of years past. Plus he got to have a 

little fun related to the reconstructive surgery she chose to have. 

“Bill helped pick'em out and everything,” an ever-optomistin 

Giuliana told the Today show, smiling. “So I'm, like, Bill, that big?” 

Though he might not have been a breast man before, he said 

that, “given the option, go big or go home, right?” 

Bill also told theToday show that they were looking forward to 

starting 2012 with a clean slate. “Once the clock strikes midnight,” 

he said, “we're taking the rear view mirror off the car and we're not 

looking back, because we're going to be done” 

And true to their word, the couple were keen to focus on the 

goal they had before the last set back. “We are definitely having to 

explore other options, we absolutely want a child. As far as getting 

pregnant myself, with the medication I'm starting... it's probably 

not going to happen any time soon.” Giuliana explanined “Possibly 

adoption or surrogacy, listen, at the end of the day, whether you 

have a baby naturally, via adoption or surrogacy – it's your baby. 

You're going to love that baby and that's all that matters.” 

A new arrival 

In April 2012 the elated couple announced the following summer 

they would be a family of three. The couple had decided that 

surrogacy would be the best option to start their family. Luckily 

for them, the surrogate fell pregnant first time. With the good 

news spreading, they admitted they had no regrets about sharing 

their darkest moments with the world. 

“Especially with the news we gonna have a baby, now more 

than ever I’m happy I went public because it shows there is a light 

at the end of the tunnel,” Giuliana said. “And If you hang in there 

and stay positive, God will give you good things.” 

Giuliana and Bill both admit that their rocky journey has made 

their marriage stronger and brought them closer. 

“When you say ‘In sickness and in health,’ you never think it’s 

going to be tested,” Bill says. “But you do what you need to do and 

when one of us is down, the other is there to pick us up.” 

Looking to the future 

The couple held a baby shower to tell all their friends and family 

what sex their first born was going to be. As is tradition in Italian 

families, the mother of the bride announced to the excited group 

that they were expecting a boy. 

With only a few weeks left to wait, the couple are now 

deciding on names and we can only wish them happiness. Against 

all the odds, and all that has been thrown at them, they have been 

united throughout and their relationship has remained solid. 

“Sometimes, life can throw you out of line” Bill said, “the secret 

is to pick yourself back up and dust yourself down. We have 

something to really look forward to – our own little boy, and he 

will know how brave mummy and daddy were and how happy we 

were to have him on board the Rancic Team!”.


S E C O N D A R Y I N F E R T I L I T Y 

Deciding to try for a brother or sister to your first child is 

an exciting step. However, if conceiving your first child was 

straightforward, it can come as a shock when you run into 

difficulty getting pregnant second time around. Our resident 

Fertility Expert, Emma Cannon, explains what Secondary 

Infertility is and what can be done to prevent it. 

Second 

Thoughts 

hen you desperately want 

another child it can be 

an emotional rollercoaster 

especially if things are 

taking longer than your first child. Many 

women report finding it hard to be with 

their friends who have managed to 

conceive again as they feel inadequate and 

desperate for another baby. Women often 

have a sense of the size they want their 

family to be, many long for a sibling for 

their first born, fearing they will suffer if 

they remain an only child. Others are 

anxious about leaving a large gap between 

children, fearing that they wont ‘get on’. 

There is also often little sympathy available 

to these women as they are perceived lucky 

to have any children at all. 

Nowadays it is as common as 1 in 7 couples 

who struggle with secondary infertility 

and many of the patients I see in my clinic 

have to deal with problem. Infertility affects 

approximately 15% of the population and 

secondary infertility approximately 5%. 

Sometimes it is simply a matter of 

reduced opportunity; it can be hard to fit in 

enough sex when you already have one or 

two children and you are tired from broken nights. WORDS BY 

EMMA CANNON 

Furthermore, there is a growing trend to have our 

children in quick succession with very little gap in 

between. We see other couples achieve this and think it 

is the norm. In previous generations, when child rearing was spread 

out over a much longer time frame (say 20 years), it was quite normal 

to have large gaps between children. My own mother had 5 children 

spread over a 20 year period; she had her first at 20 her last at 

40 with a couple of miscarriages in between. I like to think of this as 

‘organic parenting’; they used no contraception and sometimes they 

tried to avoid pregnancy by avoiding the fertile times but the rest 

of the time they just ‘got on with it’ (according to my mother). 

How different things are now; we try to avoid pregnancy for 

many years, keeping our fingers crossed that we aren’t pregnant 

and then when we are ready we want it all to happen as we dictate. 

I also believe that in the 1950’s sex of an evening was a good option 

and that we had little to distract us. Now we can chose to watch TV 

until late, use computers to catch up on work we didn’t manage to 

finish in the day, there is often little distinction between work and 

home life. So sex can come quite low down on the list of priorities; 

particularly if both parents are working and there are small 

children to care for. Interestingly, according to Chinese Medicine 

theory a woman needs 5 years between children to recover her 

energies and to make space in order to give proper care and attention 

to the next child. With the average age of a woman having her first 

child being 29 this would be impossible and it has become necessary 

to have children much closer together. 


© Richard Wilkinson/www.richard-wilkinson.com 


27


S E C O N D A R Y I N F E R T I L I T Y 

» 

So how do you know if you have a problem or if it is normal or 

simply lack of opportunity? As a general guide if you are having 

regular sex; every 2 or 3 days throughout the month and you have 

not conceived within a year then seek help. It is important to also 

check the following: 

Have your periods returned to normal? 

Did you breast feed for longer than 9 month? 

This can result in the blood becoming deficient and responds 

well to acupuncture and herbal medicine. 

Have you gained or lost a significant amount of weight? 

If so you might need to get your thyroid tested. 

Weight can also affect conception. 

If your BMI is too high or too low. Make sure you maintain a 

healthy weight and eat a healthy diet. 

“ 

Sadly many couples who suffer 

with secondary infertility can 

remain uninvestigated for too 

long. Often it is assumed that since 

they conceived perfectly easily 

the first time it is only a matter 

of time before they will again. 

Or they wait too long to seek help 

because they feel they are ‘lucky 

enough to already have a child’ ” 

Did you lose a lot of blood in the delivery or after? 

Again this can result in blood deficiency. 

Did you have retained products of birth which were 

hard to pass or that had to be surgically removed? 

You might need a scan to check that the uterine lining is clear 

and there are no adhesions. A scan can also check for fibroids 

and infections that can develop after childbirth. 

With your previous pregnancy did you have a traumatic 

birth or suffer from post natal depression? 

If yes then perhaps you need to work through this with a 

counselor. I'm a big believer that sometimes our mind can block 

our body from achieving pregnancy particularly if you have 

experienced trauma. An animal in the wild would never reproduce 

if it felt like it’s life was threatened and I have met women who 

are so traumatised by birth that they literally feared for their lives. 

It is worth getting a sperm test. 

Sometimes sperm problems can develop particularly if your 

partner has had an acute illness with a fever. 

As you get older your fertility does naturally reduce. 

Remember that as you get older your fertility does naturally 

reduce so age may not have been a factor in your first pregnancy 

but may play a part in subsequent pregnancies taking longer. 

A word of advice from me. 

Resist the habit of comparing yourself to other people. We 

are all different and just because those around you are having 

babies close together, do what is right for you and your family 

and also your body. You don’t have to follow the crowd. When 

babies are small a year or so seems like a long gap, but in the 

bigger scheme of life it really isn’t that long and having space 

between siblings can have it’s advantages. 

Sadly many couples who suffer with secondary infertility can 

remain uninvestigated for too long. Often it is assumed that since 

they conceived perfectly easily the first time it is only a matter 

of time before they will again. Or they wait too long to seek help 

because they feel they are ‘lucky enough to already have a child’. 

Listen to your instinct, if you feel something is not right or that 

something in your body or your menstrual cycle has changed 

then go to your GP or find a fertility consultant. 

Dr Beer author of Is Your Body Baby Friendly suggests that in 

some women an immunological problem can develop; “women 

with one liveborn child followed by a history of infertility, IVF 

failure or miscarriage have the highest incidence of autoimmune 

disorders”. He suggests that if the problem is of an immunological 

nature that these women can actually among the hardest to treat. 

If immunology is the cause it often results in a problem around 

implantation. So the sperm and the egg can appear to be normal 

and fertilization will occur, but the embryo will fail to implant. It 

is thought that elevated NK (natural killer) cells are to blame. 

There is much controversy around this diagnosis and treatment 

making it hard for the patient to find suitable answers. In my 

own practice I have seen many women diagnosed and treated for 

NK cells who then go on to have normal healthy pregnancies. 

However, I think there are more obviously issues that are worth 

ruling out first as treatment is only available privately and can be 

costly and invasive. 

The good news is that research suggests that couples who have 

had one or more children and are seeking fertility treatment are 

more successful and have more live births than couples who have 

had not previous pregnancies. 

IVF: An Emotional Companion 

- Brigid Moss, £12.99 

The Baby-Making Bible 

- Emma Cannon, £14.99 

Is Your Body Baby Friendly? 

- Dr Allen Beer 



S 



» ASHERMAN’S SYNDROME 

Asherman’s is scarring (adhesions) of the uterus. This can result 

in lighter periods or no periods at all as it is difficult for the 

endometrium to be shed due to the damage to the uterine lining. 

It can be caused by any of the following: 

• An ERPC 

• A retained placenta following the birth of your last baby 

• A D&C 

• An operation to remove fibroids 

• A termination since your last baby 

• A pelvic infection since your last baby 

If you think you might be suffering from Asherman’s go to your 

G.P. this conditions is often over looked and it is treatable. 

» DON’T 

When trying for that baby, it is very easy to become obsessed. 

Here is a list of things not to do while on that journey. 

• Turn your life into ‘project baby’ and become obsessed 

with having ‘the next one’. 

• Become a google addict. 

• Compare yourself to other people. 

• Forget that this is about your loving relationship with 

your partner. 

• Diary sex in – it is such a turn off for your partner and 

makes sex less enjoyable for you. 

• Leave it too long if you really feel something is wrong 

and you have tried everything below. 

• Leave it too long if you are over 35 and you want another baby. 

» DO 

Of course for all the don’ts there are plenty of do’s. Below are a 

few examples of what you can do to maximise your chances. 

• Seek help if you have been having regular sex for a 

year and have not conceived. 

• Make a plan 

• Try acupuncture to help optimize your fertility 

• Address you diet and manage your weight and BMI 

• Prioritize sex and make space in your life for your partner 

and your relationship. 

• Monitor and be aware of your menstrual cycle and note 

if there are any changes. Your menstrual cycle is the only 

outward sign of your fertility. 

• Be positive and have gratitude for all the gifts in your life 

• Seek emotional support if you think you may be 

traumatised by a previous birth 

Emma Cannon is the author of The Baby-Making Bible and has 

her own clinic in London specialising in fertility, ivf support and 

pregnancy. For more information visit www.emmacannon.co.uk 

USEFUL INFORMATION 

»WWW.ASHERMANS.ORG/HOME 

»WWW.HAVEABABY.COM 

»TRYINGFORNUMBERTWO.BLOGSPOT.CO.UK 

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& FACEBOOK! 

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the world, your 

journey to family 

begins here. 

We welcome international patients. Take your 

first step and give Dr.Bruce Shapiro or Dr.Said 

Daneshmand a call today to start your journey! 

The Fertility Center of Las Vegas (FCLV) has been dedicated to providing the highest level 

of reproductive care for more than two decades. Dr. Bruce Shapiro & Dr. Said Daneshmand 

work tirelessly to offer effective, individualized care for male and female-factor infertility. 

The doctors’ commitment to advancing the science of Reproductive Endocrinology and 

Infertility (REI) has won international acclaim. Their peer-reviewed studies and papers 

have brought worldwide recognition. For more information please visit our website. 

TheFertilityCenterLV.com or call +001.702.254.1777


E G G D O N A T I O N 

Different ethnicities, race groups and religious groups all feel 

independently that the group to which they belong has stronger 

views about the highly sensitive topic of egg donation. The reality is 

that egg donation is very personal and the exploration of such egg 

donation is ultimately based on the individual’s own circumstances 

and the uniqueness of the decisions is influenced by people’s own 

prominent histories and the influence of their associated culture. 

Ethnicities and 

egg donation 

ypically, Caucasian South 

Africans tend to take 

longer to accept the fact 

of requiring donor eggs 

to conceive. Although the 

trend of advanced fertility treatments is 

growing, egg donation remains a highly 

private decision. The general public remain 

in awe and interest of concepts such as egg 

donation, which always requires further 

explanation, to ensure everyone fully 

understands that the topic is human egg 

donation of the female. 

In Africa, cultures amongst the Black 

Africans are that of fertility and the bearing 

of children is almost a given. As infertility 

neither discriminates against race nor 

culture, a certain proportion of woman 

from all groups will fall victim to infertility. 

Black woman have always given a fixed 

decision that the egg donation conception 

will remain highly private without even 

grandparents knowing about the egg donor. 

The ability to find an egg donor of the same 

ethnic group enables these hopeful parents 

to have the promise of a similar child to 

the physical traits of the commissioning 

parents and restore hope from a potential 

ostracised situation of being barren and the 

only family without children. Black families have WORDS BY 

JENNY CURRIE 

typically borne many children in one household, so 

whilst it cannot be said that one woman’s pain of 

infertility is greater than another, it could be argued 

that the stakes are higher if associated families have conceived several 

children and one struggling lady is battling to have a mere one child. 

Black egg donation recipients tend to make decisions quicker 

about their egg donor. South Africa is also a haven for egg donation 

treatments for neighbouring African states, such as Cameroon, 

Zimbabwe and Nigeria who share some of the African cultures of 

conceiving and having many children. 

“ 

As infertility neither discriminates 

against race nor culture, a certain 

proportion of woman from all groups 

will fall victim to infertility. ” 

A new African commissioning parent shared his story that he 

was raised in an environment where his genetic mother was 

actually his sister. He only become aware of this in his late teens, 

which left him somewhat deceived. His grandmother assumed the 

role and responsibility of mother in the home. He had to resolve 

extensive personal conflicts about the concept of an anonymous 

egg donor. After understanding that an egg donor is not a mother 

and really a donor, he was able to distinguish between mother and 

egg donor. With this newfound realisation, he has realised that 



33

F E R T I L I T Y R O A D E G G D O N A T I O N 

Institute of Reproductive Medicine 

» conception with an anonymous egg donor is not repeating his own deception of 

not having the truth about the genetic mother. His is a choice, whereas his family 

Where new life begins… 

situation manifested as a result of an unplanned situation. 

Although Australian and UK recipients travelling to South Africa incur more costs 

for such fertility treatments abroad, there tends to be a greater initial acceptance 

EGG DONATION PROGRAM 

which allows for a quicker turnaround in terms of decision making and confirming 

the preferred donor. This may be that there is an inherent understanding that 

1 donor for 1 patient 

further planning is required to facilitate and arrange such an trip. 

Each individual is guided by their own personal history in terms of 

No waiting list 

decision making around the selection of the egg donor, the 

Blastocyst transfer 

promptness hereof and other supporting decisions, such as aspects 

of importance in the egg donor as well as maintaining the 

65-70 % success rate 

confidentiality of the egg donation role in the conception. 

South Africa offers an affordable anonymous egg donation 

On-line medical support till the 

and experienced donation clinics. Agencies are required to be 

12th accredited week and adhere of to your guidelines pregnancy 

governing egg donation, 

solution for recipients worldwide, with hundreds of donors 

confirming their professionalism and the highest egg 

Ukrainian donation standards. hospitality 

More details about egg donation in South Africa can be found 

via baby2mom Egg Donation at www.baby2mom.co.za 

FOR MORE ARTICLES ON 

EGG DONATION VISIT 

FERTILITYROAD.COM » 

1, Baggovutivska Street, Kyiv, 04107, Ukraine 

Phone: +380 44 503 0759, +380 44 483 0685 

e-mail: info@irm.com.ua 

www.irm.com.ua 

You could be wrong; so wrong about conception challenges, 

about the right remedies and the possibilities at your disposal. 

At Nordica Fertility Centre, Lagos we see a child as the 

greatest gift that life can bestow; it brings the most 

exquisite joy that one will ever know. 

That’s why we help couples believe, conceive, and deliver 

this great gift. All you may ever say is ‘thank you’ as you 

break down in tears of pure joy at the sight of your baby 

We are Nordica Fertility Centre, Lagos. 

• Comprehensive Gynaecological Assessment • Endoscopic Surgery • In Vitro Fertilization • Surgical Sperm Retrieval • Egg Donation 

• Artificial Insemination • Embryo Donation • Laser Assisted Hatching • Sperm Donation • Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection 

Contact Details: 

• 106 / 108 Norman Williams Street, Ikoyi, Lagos. 

Tel: 01-4617023-4, 01-4610858, 08037360870, 

08030778074, 0808NORDICA, Fax: 01-4610858. 

• 6, Turton Street, Off Commercial Ave, Sabo-Yaba, 

Lagos. Tel: 01-7913537, 01-7744893 

• 5 Erhuvwu Club Street, Off Summit Road, by Havilla 

Hotels Asaba, Delta State. Tel: 056-871371 

email: info@nordicalagos.org 

web: www.nordicalagos.org


D U O F E R T I L I T Y 

Since the launch of the very 

successful DuoFertility monitor, 

the scientists from Cambridge 

show no signs of slowing 

down. Recently launching 

their new online application 

‘My-IVF-chances’, it would 

seem that they have a winner 

on their hands yet again. 

My-IVF-Chances: 

Helping couples understand 

better their likely chances 

of conception with IVF. 

Fertility Road recently caught up with Dr. Oriane Chausiaux, 

lead fertility expert at DuoFertility, who was happy to give us 

the low-down on what to expect from their latest innovation. 

So what’s ‘My-IVF-chances’ all about? 

We are really excited to be announcing the launch of our on-line 

report which will help women and couples who are considering IVF 

and ICSI as a means to conceive. By using this tool you can find out 

what matters to you, get personal IVF success rates along with a 

comprehensive report on what it all means. It also gives you tips 

and advice on how to maximise your chances of pregnancy. 

and Templeton Models, which are two academic models developed 

a few years ago, and are used as an additional point of reference. 

How informative is the report? 

Your personalised profile generated by myivfchances.com will 

allow you, your partner, and your doctor to make informed decisions 

about whether to start IVF, or whether to choose ICSI. Knowing your 

personal odds can save you thousands in the long run by arming you 

with the correct information needed. The report is typically 10 pages 

long and provides couples information about how to optimise their 

chances of conception with IVF and for natural conception. 

What do you need to do? 

It’s a really easy process where you complete a short survey on 

line about yourself, your partner, your medical and reproductive 

history and ‘My-IVF-Chances’ will do the rest by comparing your 

personal information to a database of thousands of other women 

who have undergone IVF and ICSI. 

How much does it cost? 

The tool is free to use, but we are hoping to encourage people to 

make a small donation to charity if they have found the report 

helpful to them as we are working with a number of charities who 

are interested in supporting this project. 

Where are you getting the information from? 

The great thing about this tool is that it uses the HFEA dataset 

which hosts records of all IVF cycles since 1992 in the UK, and is 

updated every time new information is released. Also included in 

the report sent to you, is your success rate calculated by the Nelson 

SUMMER 2012 www.fertilityroad.com 

| WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COM | 

35 

35


N U T R I T I O N 

summer 

smoothies 

Smoothies are a great way to include essential nutrients and superfoods 

into your diet. Hethir Rodriguez, nutrition expert and author 

of e-book ‘Fertility Smoothies: Elixirs for Optimal Fertility’ shows 

us how to make a selection of delicious smoothies, and explains 

why they are so great for your fertility. 


ISLAND GIRL 

COLADA 

INGREDIENTS: 

• 28g pineapple 

• 28g mango 

• 28g strawberries 

• ½ banana 

• 1,000mg maca powder 

• 600mg royal jelly 

• 237ml milk of choice (nut or dairy) 

METHOD: 

Blend all ingredients together. Add water as needed for desired 

consistency. If you are using all fresh fruit you may want to add 

some ice cubes to get the slushiness of a colada. If the fruit is frozen 

you will not need to add ice to get a nice colada consistency. 

WHY THIS IS A FERTILITY SMOOTHIE: 

In this smoothie I have included antioxidant rich strawberries, 

pineapple and mango. Antioxidants are important to include in your 

diet when you are preparing for conception because they can help to 

protect the ovum (egg) and sperm from free radical damage, as well 

as protect DNA integrity. Also included are two fertility superfoods, 

maca and royal jelly. Maca helps to support hormonal balance and 

royal jelly supports egg health as well as general wellbeing. 

MANGO 

LASSI 

INGREDIENTS: 

• 1 mango (fresh or frozen) 

• 59ml yogurt 


• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract 

• ¼ teaspoon cardamom powder 

• 1 handful spinach 

• 1 banana 

• 237ml milk of choice (nut or dairy) 

METHOD: 

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend. Add liquid as needed for 

correct consistency. If you like it sweeter add a date. If you were to 

ask me what my favorite food was (and it happened to be summer), I 

would say without a doubt, MANGOS! Being from an island and 

growing up with tropical fruits, this one has stuck with me as my 

favorite food. When in season I eat a couple a day. 


Another great thing about mangoes is that they are rich in vitamins, 

minerals, and antioxidants. This is my fertility version of a 

wonderful mango lassi from India. Oh and don’t worry about the 

spinach, you won’t taste it when blended into this smoothie. 

Sneaking greens into smoothies is a great way to increase the leafy 

greens in your diet. 

» 


37


N U T R I T I O N 

STRAWBERRY 

FIELDS 

INGREDIENTS: 

• 338g strawberries 

• 1 banana 

• 1 teaspoon raw coconut oil 

• 355ml cups fresh orange juice 

• 1 teaspoon lemon peel 

METHOD: 

Put all ingredients into a blender and blend well. If you do not have a juicer to 

make the orange juice you can add a whole peeled orange with 1 cup of water 

instead. For really hot days I like to freeze my bananas beforehand so it makes 

the smoothies really creamy and cool. 


Antioxidant rich fruits - strawberry and oranges, help to protect egg and sperm 

health, combined with essential fatty acids from coconut oil. Coconut oil 

contains omega 3 and lauric acid which are very important for hormonal 

production and a healthy immune system. 

PEACHES 

• 1 

AND CREAM 

INGREDIENTS: 

• 

1 peach (take fruit off pit) 


• ½ banana 

• 237ml almond milk 

• ½ teaspoon vanilla 

METHOD: 

Add all ingredients to the blender. I 

add a little bit of water to start with 

to get the consistency that I like. I 

also like to have some bananas in 

the freezer so it chills the smoothie 

and adds a great creaminess. If you 

find that you are hungry an hour 

after drinking your smoothie, add 

some protein powder or nuts, they will add additional protein to keep you 

energized and your blood sugar levels balanced throughout your morning. 

WHAT MAKES THIS A FERTILITY SMOOTHIE: 

This malty tasting smoothie is great for those with sensitive taste buds or those 

starting out with smoothies. Maca is included in this smoothie to help support 

hormonal balance in both men and women. 

Hethir Rodriguez is a master herbalist and holistic nutritionist specializing in 

natural fertility, and is the founder of the Natural Fertility Company. Through her 

websites she educates thousands of couples a month in natural ways to increase 

fertility through diet, herbs, supplements and therapies in preparation for natural 

and assisted conception. Natural-Fertility-Info.com and NaturalFertilityShop.com 

THE BENEFITS 

OF DRINKING 

FERTILITY 

SMOOTHIES... 

Abundant in antioxidants 

Antioxidants help to protect the cells from free radical 

damage. This is important for egg health, sperm health 

and overall reproductive and DNA health. In one 

smoothie you are able to include a huge variety of 

antioxidants in their most absorbable form. 

Rich in fiber 

Fiber has many actions in the body, but specifically for 

fertility fiber helps the body to get rid of excess 

hormones. It works like a broom helping to carry 

hormones out of the body. Fiber is also important for 

helping to move food through the digestive process and 

keeping the blood sugar levels balanced. 

Packed with vitamins and minerals 

There are many minerals and vitamins that are 

necessary for healthy fertility and a balanced cycle. 

Zinc, calcium, selenium, Vitamin E, A, C and D, Folic 

Acid, Iron and many more nutrients play a vital role to 

support the your monthly cycle of menstruation and 

ovulation. A deficiency of these nutrients can impact 

your fertility. Smoothies make it easy to get a wide 

range of whole foods in a convenient and tasty form. In 

addition since smoothies are liquid, the nutrients are 

easier to absorb during digestion. 

Easy way to get fertility superfoods daily 

Fertility superfoods are awesome. They make it easy to 

get a large amount of nutrients and fertility tonics in a 

small dosage. Superfoods are foods that are nutrient 

dense, supplying a ton of nutrition in a small package. 

Some fertility superfoods can also specifically nourish 

the endocrine system or promote egg health. 


F e r t i l i t y R o a d 

A L T E R N A T I V E T H E R A P Y 

In days gone by it was common 

practice to adjust your lifestyle to 

match the season, but modern trends 

have led us away from this over the 

last hundred or so years. In China 

however, many couples still adhere 

to the advice from the ancients about 

living differently in each season to 

increase their fertility. Here, natural 

fertility expert Andrew Loosely 

shares his knowledge in these 

Traditional Chinese methods. 

3 natural 

fertility tips 

for Summer 

raditional Chinese medicine puts many fertility issues 

down to ‘incorrect’ living and lifestyle choices, there 

may be a need for people to head back to traditional 

ways. After all, the animal and plant kingdom have barely 

changed their ways in millions of years and are still reproducing at 

a consistent rate, unlike humans who are on a reproductive decline. 

So how can we learn from of our ancestors? One of the easiest 

ways is to follow the ancient Chinese fertility system. This means 

making simple changes to your diet, sleep patterns, exercise, state of 

mind and general lifestyle and varying them throughout the seasons. 

Most of it is common sense and very easy to follow. 

I have picked out the following three key principles, which are the 

most important to help you get started: 

Avoid cold foods and drinks. 

This is probably the most common and damaging mistake that 

most people make. Summer is a time when your body is most 

active with really good blood flow to your reproductive organs, and 

this relates to the warm weather. It’s also the best time to absorb lots 

of nutrients from the rich healthy foods provided by the season. 

The advice: Eat and drink foods only at room temperature or 

warmer. Never eat cold foods from the fridge or iced foods or drinks 

during summer. From the traditional viewpoint, the coldness entering 

the body causes severe disruption and blockage of blood flow to the 

uterus and ovaries, and also to the testes in men. This has a negative 

impact on your fertility, as the reproductive organs do not get a good 

supply of blood and nutrients. It also causes the uterus to become 

‘cold’ and underactive and not receptive to a fertilised egg. 

Sleep at the right time of day 

With the stimulation of modern living I find that the majority 

of people don’t get to sleep within the natural sleeping hours. 

The advice: The Chinese physicians all agree that sleeping at the 

right time of day can positively rectify most fertility problems. For 

optimum health and increasing your fertility you need to be asleep 

several hours before midnight. The most important hours for sleep in 

the Chinese fertility system are between 9pm and 3am. 

The more you can get before midnight the better, as your body has 

adapted to carry out specific functions while you are sleeping. One of 

these functions is to recharge your energy and the other is to clean 

your blood and remove waste from your body. 

Keep a healthy state of mind 

Everything in nature is thriving with plenty of food and 

nourishment and with the sun’s rays; we can experience a 

relaxed, happy and joyful state of mind. 

The advice: Achieve happiness by avoiding confrontation and 

arguments. Do all of the things you love doing and most of all try to be 

outdoors as much as possible and relax! When you’re sleeping leave 

the windows open so that you feel as if you are outdoors. This is a 

great way to calm the mind, by providing good clean air to your body. 

To claim your FREE copy of ANDREW'S 

book, The Ultimate Fertility Guide, please 

visit www.NaturalFertilityExpert.com » 

The Chinese fertility system is complex and may need a practitioner 

to help you. The above three principles will help balance your body to and 

improve your fertility, try to make changes in each season if you can. 

Andrew is the creator of The Baby Creating Plan and uses Traditional 

Chinese fertility methods to help couples to conceive naturally and 

also offers supports alongside IVF. www.naturalfertilityexpert.com 


39


H E A L T H & F E R T I L I T Y 

Doctors and Healthcare providers are frequently consulted by 

couples concerned about the potential of their fertility, with 

some seeking this information even before attempting pregnancy. 

Often these couples are especially motivated to listen to advice 

concerning the impact of lifestyle factors on fertility, as well as 

their general health. 

Optimizing 

your natural 

fertility 

ome lifestyle factors appear 

to affect the duration of time 

before achieving pregnancy; 

these effects tend to be small 

and cumulative. Many scientific studies 

suggest that lifestyle modifications can 

improve fertility potential. These include 

the impact of tobacco use, body mass index, 

alcohol and caffeine consumption, exercise, 

and stress. 

Currently there are 250 million women 

in the world of reproductive age who are 

daily smokers. In the U.S., and the U.K., 

approximately 25% of reproductive age 

women smoke. Substantial harmful effects 

of cigarette smoke on fertility and 

reproduction by the female partner and 

possibly the male partner have become 

apparent but are generally not appreciated. 

Many studies have shown a decrease in 

fecundibility (probability of achieving a 

pregnancy in a single menstrual cycle) if 

the female partner smokes greater than 10 

cigarettes per day. The possible mechanisms for the WORDS BY 

DR MELVIN 

delay in conception among female smokers include THORNTON 

changes occurring in the fallopian tube and its effect 

upon cervical mucus and damage to the eggs. These 

changes can also lead to an increase in spontaneous abortion and 

tubal pregnancy in female smokers. In addition, numerous studies 

linking smoking to early menopause suggest that cigarette smoking 

causes premature depletion of the ovarian pool of ooctyes (eggs) and 

premature aging of the ovary by up to four years. The components 

found in cigarette smoke have also been shown to cause oxidative 

stress and DNA damage in the ovarian follicle. This coupled with 

ovarian aging is thought to be a major contributor to unexplained 

infertility. These relationships were best illustrated in a large study 

comparing women who smoke to nonsmokers. Cigarette smoking by 

the female partner was associated with a significant increase in 

infertility compared to nonsmokers. 

Studies addressing the effect of smoking on sperm concentration, 

motility, and morphology in fertile and infertile men found a modest 

reduction in semen quality and altered hormone levels among 

smokers compared to nonsmokers, but did not find a reduction in 

male fertility associated with paternal smoking. However, a possible 

effect on male fertility or a secondary effect on female fertility 

cannot be definitively excluded. Studies evaluating the effect of 


smoking by the male partner on the success rate of in vitro 

fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection reported a 

significant decrease in the number of pregnancies achieved in 

couples where the male partner smoked compared to nonsmokers. 

The good news is that many studies have suggested the decrease 

in fertility associated with smoking in couples trying to conceive 

can be reversed within a year of smoking cessation. 

A BMI of 19 to 24 kg/m2 is associated with little or no increased 

health risks and, for this reason, is desirable for both women 

and men irrespective of fertility issues. The distinction between 

overweight and obesity is based upon the body mass index (BMI), 

which is the most practical way to evaluate the degree of excess 

weight. It is calculated from the weight and square of the height as 

follows: BMI = body weight (kg) divided by stature (meters) squared. 

The BMI can also be obtained from a monogram, table, or 

calculator. The definition of overweight and obesity varies by race. 

But in general Overweight is defined as a BMI between 25 and 

29.9 kg/m2 and obesity is defined as a BMI of 30 kg/m2 or more. 

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 

a nationally representative sample of the US population reported 

that over 60 percent of American women were overweight (BMI 

≥25) and 33 percent were obese (BMI ≥25). 

Many women in the underweight, overweight, and obese 

categories will not have a problem conceiving. However, 

overweight and underweight women are at risk of subfertility 

(delay in time to conception) as well as other adverse effects on 

health. The effect of weight on fertility is mainly due to its effect 

on ovulation. Most studies report a BMI greater than 27 kg/m2 or a 

BMI less than 17 kg/m2 is associated with increased anovulatory 

infertilility. The association between high BMI and subfertility 

appears to be related to insulin resistance leading to insulin 

excess leading to altered ovarian physiology and anovulation. 

The association between low BMI and infertility is also related 

to anovulation, especially in women who exercise 


41


» 

H E A L T H & F E R T I L I T Y 

excessively and/or have low caloric intake. Weight reduction in 

obese, infertile women appears to be associated with an increase in 

the frequency of ovulation and the likelihood of pregnancy. Weight 

reduction is best achieved by a combination of reducing calorie 

intake (dieting) and increasing calorie expenditure (exercise). 

However, for the female partner, exercise at levels more 

than 60 minutes per day has been associated with an increase 

in ovulatory infertility. Underweight women may benefit from 

weight gain, which may improve both the frequency of ovulation 

and the likelihood of pregnancy. In male partners there is 

consistent evidence that obesity affects reproductive hormone 

levels, but studies have reported conflicting results on the effect 

of obesity on semen parameters. Weight reduction can correct 

the hormonal imbalance; the effect of weight loss on semen 

parameters and pregnancy rate has not been studied. 

“ 

Marijuana and other drugs should 

be discouraged for both men and 

women, particularly because they 

have well-documented harmful 

effects on the developing fetus 

and studies have shown that the 

prevalence of infertility is increased 

in women who used marijuana. ” 

The relationship between diet and exercise is not well defined. 

Many nutritional experts consider a "fertility diet" (higher 

monounsaturated to trans fat ratio, high percentage of protein 

from vegetable rather than animal sources, low glycemic index 

carbohydrates, high fat dairy foods, and use of iron and 

multivitamin supplements) may be of benefit. Some studies have 

supported the beneficial effects of a Mediterranean diet on 

achieving natural or assisted conception. There is no harm to such 

diets, but there is insufficient data at this time to recommend dietary 

changes solely for enhancement of fertility. Women attempting to 

conceive should be advised to take a folic acid supplement of at 

least 400mcg daily to reduce the risk for neural tube defects. 

Dietary habits may also affect male fertility. In one study 

comparing men who have higher consumption of skimmed milk, 

shellfish, tomatoes, lettuce and significantly lower consumption 

of dairy and meat processed products, may have improvement in 

sperm parameters. Furthermore, when men with defects in sperm 

parameters associated with varicocele made lifestyle/dietary changes 

(e.g., reduced intake of caffeine, alcohol, tobacco and increased intake 

of fruits and vegetables), showed improved semen quality. 

In both women and men, undiagnosed/untreated celiac disease 

may cause subfertility, which resolves by adopting a gluten-free 

diet. The combination of intensity and duration of exercise can 

affect female fertility, but the specific type of exercise does not 

appear to be a factor. In some studies, vigorous/intense physical 

activity has been associated with infertility while others have not 

FOR MORE ARTICLES ON 

GETTING FIT FOR FERTILITY 

VISIT FERTILITYROAD.COM » 

observed a significant association. Baseline patient characteristics 

appear to play a role. In a well-designed study on the effects of 

exercise and fertility, vigorous physical activity (running, fast 

cycling, aerobics, swimming, gymnastics) was associated with a 

reduction in fertility; however, the effect was confined to women 

with a BMI 5 cups)) per 

day maybe associated with a decrease in fertility. Female fertility 

does not appear affected by caffeine intake less than 200 mg per 

day; therefore, women contemplating pregnancy can probably 

have one or two 6 to 8 ounce cups of coffee per day without 

impairing their ability to conceive. There is no evidence to 

support limiting caffeine intake in the male partner. 

The effects of marijuana and other recreational drugs are 

difficult to determine because their use is illegal. Such drug use 

should be discouraged for both men and women, particularly 

because they have well-documented harmful effects on the 

developing fetus and some studies have shown that the prevalence 

of infertility is increased in women who reportedly used marijuana. 

Although many scientific studies have suggested lifestyle 

modifications can improve fertility potential these interventions 

have not been definitively tested in randomised clinical trials. 

Dr. Thornton is an Associate Clinical Professor of Obstetrics & 

Gynecology at one of the world’s leading medical schools in New 

York, and has served as MD of Columbia’s Center for Reproductive 

Health Care for over 10 years. www.columbiafertility.org 


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A S K T H E E X P E R T 

Fertility expert and best-selling author, 

Emma Cannon takes time out to answer 

our readers fertility related concerns. 

Expert Witness 

with Emma Cannon 

My Husband and I have been married for 3 years but 

have been trying to for a baby for only a few months. 

I have heard that if I orgasm during intercourse, it will help 

my chances of falling pregnant. Is this true? 

The research says that orgasm is not essential, but when you 

orgasm you release oxytocin which makes contractions that helps the 

sperm travel through the cervix and reach the egg. So perhaps with 

orgasm it is propelled towards its goal more efficiently. Oxytocin is 

not called the Love hormone for nothing; it makes you feel good and 

relaxed which may or may not aid conception. 

Spend time enjoying making love with your husband - explore 

one another rather than racing towards the climax. I think that Baby- 

Making sex can become quite stagnant if you are too focused on 

outcome (i.e a baby!) I also think it can become a chore and chores are 

boring, so try and keep things interesting for each other. 

I am thinking of starting a family with my partner and 

was wondering If I am getting my period regularly 

does that mean I'm ovulating and fertile? 

It's a good start. It does not however tell you everything about your 

fertility; for instance whether the tubes are working and there are many 

other factors that need to be working in order for you to be fertile. It's 

the fertility of both the man and the woman that will ultimately 

result in conception and a baby - so don't leave him out of this. 

You don't say how old you are but if you are under 30 then don't 

start stressing too quickly, as long as you are having a period and you 

and your partner are generally healthy; don't smoke and only drink 

moderately and are not over or under weight. Then it is best just to 

have plenty of sex (every other day around the mid cycle and 2-3 

times a week the rest of the time), don't panic for now. If you are over 

30 then it would be worth seeing a Dr after 6 months of trying, 

although it is quite normal for it to take up to a year. 

We have been trying for over 6 months for a baby 

and my Doctor has suggested I go for a fertility 

test. What does this involve? 

You will probably be offered a FSH test Follicular Stimulating 

Hormone. Taken on day 3 of your menstrual cycle which gives an 

indication of how hard your ovaries have to work to produce an egg. 

You may also be offered a day 21 Progesterone test to see if you 

have ovulated (although a gynaecologist I work with tells me the only 

sure sign of ovulation is pregnancy!) A sperm test should also be 

offered and if not, request one. You may be offered other tests but 

after 6 months it may not be necessary depending on your age. 

I am 35 and my husband is 57 and we are trying for a 

baby. My husband has two children from a previous 

marriage. As we have not conceived yet, I wanted to know if 

my husband's age might be playing a factor in this. Do men 

have a 'most fertile' time like women? 

A man's fertility does indeed decline with age but not in quite the 

same way as a woman's. Just because your husband conceived in the 

past does not guarantee his fertility today. The DNA in men's sperm 

begins to fragment with age but it is harder to pinpoint an exact time 

and depends on his constitution and lifestyle. A DNA Fragmentation 

test which you might have to pay for privately will give you some idea 

of the state of his sperm, along with the standard semen analysis. 


45


L E T T E R F R O M T H E H E A R T 

Sometimes the path to parenthood can resemble a rocky 

rollercoaster ride, with its highs and lows at every corner, 

and Sophie’s journey so far has been just that. With so many 

obstacles thrown in her way, Sophie remains positive and 

determined never to give up. Here is her story so far. 

Sophie's 

Journey 

e like to think of ourselves 

as a pretty normal people, 

I work as a nanny and 

I have been with Benji, 

my partner for 15 years. Both my partner 

letter from 

and I have always had very strong views 

about children and when we used to chat 

about starting a family, we always thought 

we would make perfect parents, but it’s 

turned into a joke 

the heart 

really, given the situation 

we are finding ourselves in now. 

A few years ago we decided that it was 

time to start a family, as neither of us were 

getting any younger. With excitement at 

the prospect of having a child in our fold, 

we started trying straight away, but 

nothing happened for ages. We waited for 

6 months then went to see our doctor, 

who in turn, did all the usual fertility tests 

and scans, including a sperm test but they 

couldn’t find anything wrong. 

» Trying for a family 

We were advised that I should go for a 

laparoscopy and it was discovered that my 

fallopian tubes were, in fact, blocked, and 

that IVF was going to be the only way I 

would be able to conceive, but my Doctor 

told me all this while I was still coming 

round from the anaesthetic so I was all groggy and sick as I hadn’t 

eaten for 13 hours prior and I remember feeling so overwhelmed 

by the news he was saying to me. 

Leaving the hospital, I went back home to recover from my operation 

and think about my next step to parenthood. I started to do 

some research, and I had friends who had undergone IVF before so 

was able to chat with them, but the hardest part was really accepting 

that this was happening to me as I never thought it would. 

» Facing facts 

When I went for my first appointment, funnily enough, the nurse 

who saw me, told me to use an address in Camden as opposed to 

Haringey as this meant I would get two free chances on the NHS. 

Luckily I have a brother who lives in Camden so I was able to use 

his address, but what a crazy rule, it should be equal for everyone, 

regardless of where you live in the country. 

To prepare myself for our first attempt of IVF, my partner and I 

gave up everything, from coffee in the morning, to our glass of wine 

in the evening. I remember once sitting in on a Saturday night with 

my partner, while all our friends were out having fun, but we were 

really serious about making this work so we were willing to sacrifice 

that lifestyle for the chance of having a child. 

» Failed IVF cycle 

Unfortunately the first round of IVF didn’t work and naturally we 

were devastated. I just thought, maybe naively, that this should have 

worked, but with the help of my partner, I rallied myself and started 

my second attempt. Once again we lived like monks, no drinking or 

smoking, even doing acupuncture and having massages, though in 


offering my partner’s sperm, whether it 

was a straight couple or a gay couple, we 

didn’t really care, all we wanted was some 

viable eggs in return. 

I naively thought it would be really nice if 

we found a couple who had my boyfriend’s 

sperm and we had one of their eggs, and if 

they lived in London our siblings would 

sort of have half brothers or sisters to grow 

up with. And because I have always been 

really pro gay parenting, I thought this 

might be my chance to help a gay couple, 

but it didn’t work out that way. 

Finally I found a donor who’s really 

lovely, but she lives outside of London. She 

wants some sperm because her husband 

had a vasectomy when he was younger and 

this was going to be the only way they were 

ever going to have a child. 

“ 

I remember once sitting in on a Saturday night 

with my partner, while all our friends were out 

having fun, but we were really serious about 

making this work so we were willing to sacrifice 

that lifestyle for the chance of having a child. ” 

» A spanner in the works 

It seemed like it was all going to plan, but 

then my partner fell ill, and had to undergo 

a mild form of chemotherapy, which in turn 

temporarily killed off all his sperm. So we 

were suddenly left with no sperm to offer, 

no currency so to speak of, they say money 

talks but in our case sperm was our money 

and our part of the deal. 

We found out that before my partner 

started chemotherapy, the doctors had frozen 

some of his sperm, which was great, 

but my concern now was, with so much 

fresh sperm out there, why would anyone 

want frozen sperm? Obviously I will use 

the frozen sperm because it's my partner 's 

and that's who I want a child with. 

reality, all I wanted to do after a stressful 

day at work was have a glass of wine and 

relax. Even my partner was finding it very 

difficult to go out with his mates who were 

all drinking and he wasn’t. Questions were 

being asked, as none of his friends knew 

that we were going through IVF. Of course 

all my girlfriends have known since the 

start, but I guess that's women for you! 

When our second attempt of IVF failed, 

we didn’t want to waste any time and 

started another round of treatments. I 

visitied my Doctor, all hyped-up thinking 

this time was going to work, third time 

lucky and all that. But unfortunately after 

reviewing my test results I was told that 

I would probably never have my own 

children because of my low egg reserve. 

This was not the news I wanted to hear. 

The doctor then advised me that the next 

step to having a child could be to find an 

egg donor, but I remember thinking how 

and where, were we going to find a donor. 

» Searching for a donor 

After this latest news we were again devastated 

but not detered, I went straight home 

and started to search the internet about 

egg donation. After a couple of days of 

searching various websites, I came across a 

lesbian couple, who wanted to use my 

partners sperm to have a child and they 

would give us an egg in return. So it was 

like doing a swap, an egg and sperm swap! 

Unfortunately the couple got uncomfortable 

with our situation and they pulled out, 

which was really tough to take. Eventually 

we found another donor and we were still 

» Fresh or frozen sperm? 

As it turns out, my partner’s sperm might 

now be ok, he finished his course of chemo 

six months ago, so he is due another sperm 

test soon which coincides with my next 

IVF attempt, so hopefully we will use either 

fresh or frozen sperm, its 50/50. 

As I sit here, I am praying that this might 

be the one where I will finally fall pregnant 

and be able to start my long awaited family. 

If I think back, I stepped on this path thinking 

that conceiving would be the easiest 

thing for us, but since then I have had so 

many unexpected twists and turns, I feel 

like I am ready to take on anything now. It 

would be nice to think that this might be 

the end of the rocky journey, but I am not 

naive any more, and I know that some 

things in life are really worth fighting for. 


47


A S K T H E E X P E R T 

SPONSORED BY 

With over 20 years experience Dr. Gedis 

has been helping men (and women) with fertility 

issues. Here he answers readers questions 

Mens Corner 

with Dr. Gedis 

My wife and I would like to start a family, however 

she has read an article in a magazine that if men wear 

tight underwear it will affect their fertility. How much truth 

is there in this, and if it is true can the damage be reversed? 

Tight underwear can lead to an increase in the temperature of 

the testicle and may interfere with sperm production. In itself in a 

healthy person it is unlikely to make any difference. A sperm test 

which looks at sperm count and viability will show whether there is 

any cause for concern. If the sperm count is not “perfect” then 

wearing loose underwear makes sense. 

I am a gay man and am looking to co-parent with my 

best friend who is a lesbian. I will admit that I have 

had a bit of a wild past with drugs and alcohol, but I have 

been clean for about three years. What does taking drugs 

do to your sperm and could it harm my chances of being able 

to father a child? 

Drugs can reduce sperm counts but not in everybody. A visit to 

the doctor who will arrange a sperm count is the next step. 

I have been married now for 3 years and still have no 

children. Recently I have had this aching in my left 

testicle and have what I can best describe as an enlarge vein 

down the side. My wife thinks it might be Varicocele. What is 

this and can it really change my chances of starting a family? 

This is likely to be varicose veins also called varicocoele. This can 

increase the temperature of the testicles and in this way reduce the 

sperm count and your fertility. What next? It makes sense to see an 

“ 

Having a very low sperm count 

typically reduces the possibility of 

fatherhood but does not mean that it's 

impossible, it will just take longer. ” 

expert for a full examination of the testicle as well as performing a 

sperm count. The specialist may advise minor surgery to block the 

vein and so doing causing the testicular temperature to be normal. 

A recent test on my sperm came back saying that I 

have very low sperm count. I have heard that this 

could stop me having kids of my own. Can I do anything to 

improve my sperm count? 

Having a very low sperm count typically reduces the possibility of 

fatherhood but does not mean that it is impossible. The truth is that 

it will take longer. What next? The important next step is to see an 

expert who will advise about which tests are necessary to determine 

why and what can be done to try to improve the sperm count.The 

other important point here is the age of the lady. If over the age of 30 

see the expert soon, but if over 35 years get a move on!!! 

Dr. Gedis Grudzinskas is now an independent practitioner assisting 

couples after unsuccessful IVF treatments and preserving fertility in 

both women and men who have been diagnosed with serious illnesses. 

If you would like to have your male fertility related questions 

answered by Dr. Gedis, please email DrGedis@fertilityroad.com 


Special offer to all readers of Fertility Road 

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Do you feel like nobody understands what you are going through? Well now you are on the right track, as you have found Barbados Fertility Centre, 

a centre of excellence for IVF located on the tranquil and beautiful Caribbean island of Barbados. The natural beauty of the island forces you to unwind 

while the experts handle your treatment. Barbados Fertility Centre has been awarded the gold seal of approval from JCI International, the US based 

health care accreditation body so you can rest assured that our patient safety standards and operating procedures have passed stringent tests. You 

will also be pleased to learn that our treatment costs are a lot lower than private treatment in the UK and we can start scheduling your treatment straight 

away with no waiting lists. If you still need convincing that you need to talk to Barbados Fertility Centre then you you will be delighted to know that we 

achieved 71% pregnancy rate using Blastocyst on women under 35 in 2009. We pride ourselves on individualised patient care and use the latest in 

quote or more information 

bridge • and West let Midlands the international • DY9 team 8LQ at Barbados • United Fertility Kingdom Centre take over. 

mail: info@fertility2u.com • web: www.fertility2u.com 

For further information please call our IVF Nurse Co-ordinator on 001 246 435 7467 or go to our website www.barbadosivf.org 

cutting edge technology that is not widely available in the UK to give every patient their best possible chance of success. So stop going round in circles 

and 5th November at the Olympia, London 


by Joint Commission International


N O T F O R G O T T E N 

© Brian Bould / Daily Mail / Rex Features 

‘Brave and determined’ Mother of 1st test-tube baby dies 

The mother of the world’s first test-tube baby has sadly died at the age of 64. Lesley Brown made medical history in 1978 

when she gave birth to daughter Louise. She and her husband John had been trying for a baby for nine years when they signed 

up to the then experimental procedure, in-vitro fertilisation, carried out by pioneers Dr Patrick Steptoe and Prof Robert 

Edwards. She became pregnant at the first attempt and Louise was born on 25 July, weighing 5lb 12oz. Since then more than 

four million babies around the world have been born through this procedure. Speaking for Prof Edwards, Mike Macamee of 

Bourn Hall Clinic in Cambridge said: ‘Through her bravery and determination millions of women have been given the chance to 

be mothers’. Mrs Brown’s family announced that she had died at Bristol Royal Infirmary following a short illness. 

Neither this publication nor its contents constitute an explicit endorsement by Mack Media Group of the products or services mentioned in advertising or editorial content. The editorial content in this 

publication does not necessarily represent policies or recommendations of Mack Media Group. This publication is not intended to be exhaustive. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, 

Mack Media Group shall not have any liability for errors or omissions. Readers who have questions should consult their healthcare providers or other competent sources of information and guidance. 

© All copyright Mack Media Group unless otherwise stated. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. 


INTRODUCING 

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Fertility Road Issue 11

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