BabyHopes Blog http://www.babyhopes.com/blog Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:32:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 en hourly 1 EFT and Fertility http://www.babyhopes.com/blog/eft-and-fertility/ http://www.babyhopes.com/blog/eft-and-fertility/#comments Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:41:13 +0000 admin http://www.babyhopes.com/blog/?p=111 ]]> EFT is an easy technique to learn and use, for successful stress reduction and emotional well-being.  Based on the same theories as Chinese acupuncture, it is stunningly effective for dissolving negative emotions including anxiety, worry, fear and anger.  EFT stands for Emotional Freedom Techniques, and the principle behind it is simple:

The cause of ALL negative emotions is a disruption in the body’s energy system.

EFT utilizes the meridian system which has been used in acupuncture for thousands of years.  This modern development uses no needles, but instead a simple tapping technique on specific points on the face, upper body and hands while focussing on the emotional issue you want to work on and repeating words and phrases to help the process.  The tapping on these special points balances the energy disruptions, releases negative emotions, and helps us back into a state of balance where we approach challenges with a rational and logical outlook.  Unnecessary negative emotion which is unhealthy and damaging is resolved with EFT and replaced with more healthy emotions that benefit our physical and emotional well-being.  The tapping can seem a little crazy at first, but once you get started you will soon understand how quickly it can reduce, and usually eliminate, intense negative emotions.

So how can EFT help with fertility issues?  Anyone who has been trying for a baby for some time knows all about the roller coaster of emotions involved.  Common emotions include jealousy, anxiety, panic, fear, worry and guilt.  And although you know that stress can further block your attempts at conception, it’s so difficult to switch off these emotions, especially when you get a negative pregnancy test, or your period shows up.

EFT is also a highly effective technique at removing psychological blocks to conception. Past traumas, memories, beliefs about pregnancy, birth and parenthood, can all affect how you truly feel about having a baby.  You may feel ready to be a parent, but are there any hidden blocks that are stopping you from conceiving?  EFT helps you identify and resolve these blocks, and move you towards having your baby.

Fertility treatment such as IVF can increase your stress levels even further, as so much hope and expectation is built up around ‘Test Day’.  You wouldn’t choose to put yourself through so much stress when you are trying for a baby, but when faced with the challenge of fertility issues it seems inevitable.  Or is it?

Many women all over the world are using EFT to improve their chances of conception.  It’s a popular technique because, unlike other methods, it can be used both in a therapy session and as a self-help technique, it often works very quickly which also makes it low cost, and the results can be outstanding.  Here’s what some women said about their use of EFT for fertility issues.  (They had all been trying for a baby for a number of years, and became pregnant soon after).

“It was hard to believe how quickly EFT worked for me.  I had trouble dealing day to day with issues surrounding my infertility problems.  Just thinking about them brought up so much anger and frustration and jealousy towards other women who were pregnant or had babies.  After using EFT I felt all the anger, frustration and jealousy lift.  I’m definitely much more relaxed now and people have even commented that I seem happier.”
- SM (now a mother to 2 children)

“I first used EFT on the day I got a negative pregnancy test after IVF and I could barely talk I was crying so much.  EFT helped me to relate what the emotions were and enabled me to hope for the best at the next attempt.”
- J (now a mother)

“I am a very anxious person and was aware that stress and anxiety can have an effect of fertility.  EFT helped me to identify my feelings of panic and fear at not being able to conceive naturally and also addressed my feelings of envy for friends who conceived easily.  After using EFT I was surprised by the change in my outlook.  I am now feeling far more positive about the journey I am on in order to have family of my own and hoping for a blue line soon!”
- AL (now a mother)

EFT can be learned as a self-help technique at little or no cost.  To learn EFT from scratch and use it specifically for fertility issues to improve your chances of conception, the ebook ‘Overcoming Infertility with EFT’ is ideal.  It gives clear EFT instruction and is in a practical, easy to use format that is suitable for all fertility issues. Read more about ‘Overcoming Infertility with EFT‘ here:    http://www.babyhopes.com/articles/go/eft/

You may like to work with a professional EFT practitioner, either over the phone or in person, in addition to using EFT by yourself.  Some people find that even more can be achieved this way, and more complex issues can be approached.  Sarah Holland, the author of ‘Overcoming Infertility with EFT’, is a Certified EFT Practitioner who specializes in optimizing fertility.  She is based in the UK and works over the phone with people all over the world.

Sarah Holland www.TapIntoYourPotential.com

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]]> http://www.babyhopes.com/blog/eft-and-fertility/feed/ Comparison of “Fertility-Friendly” Nature of Pre-Seed Single-Use Versus Multi-Use Formulations http://www.babyhopes.com/blog/comparison-of-fertility-friendly-nature-of-pre-seed-single-use-versus-multi-use-formulations/ http://www.babyhopes.com/blog/comparison-of-fertility-friendly-nature-of-pre-seed-single-use-versus-multi-use-formulations/#comments Tue, 08 Sep 2009 18:16:27 +0000 admin http://www.babyhopes.com/blog/?p=107 ]]> Thanks to Pre-Seed for sharing their newsletter with us an allowing us to repost it. :)

Comparison of “Fertility-Friendly” Nature of Pre-Seed Single-Use Versus Multi-Use Formulations

Over the past few years a frequent request by Pre-Seed® users has been for a multi-use packaging format to decrease the waste associated with the pre-filled single use applicators.  Last year we brought the 40 gm Pre-Seed® tube to market with twist on applicators that allowed individuals to choose the amount of product they wanted to use.

Because this packaging format allowed for multiple uses, based on industry standards, slightly more preservative was added to this version. Everything else about the formulas is exactly the same, including their performance.

It is important to remember that bacteria and their by-products (such as endotoxin) are well known causes of infertility and can result in permanent reproductive tissue damage. Preservatives suppress bacterial growth and are thus needed in products.  However, many preservatives damage sperm by their mechanism of action (such as acidic types).  In developing Pre-Seed® we did the first, and to our knowledge the only, studies ever done to determine the lowest dose of preservatives we could use that would meet our goal of protecting against bacterial growth while preserving optimal sperm function.
All of our Lot Release specifications are the same for Pre-Seed® multi-use and single-use Formulas.  This means that each test that we do, on every lot of product before we can sell it (such as measuring how well sperm swim in the product), has the exact same requirements for both formulations.  These tests have been reviewed and accepted by the FDA, as part of us being the first and only lubricant able to state that it is “safe for use by trying- to-conceive couples”.
The following figures show that safety study results for sperm motility, egg fertilization, and embryo development do not differ between Pre-Seed in the single use or multi-use formulation. Most importantly, neither Pre-Seed formulation changes sperm or embryo function over that seen in routine in vitro fertilization media controls.
Please let your community know about this important information!  We would also love to hear from you regarding our packaging formats info@preseed.com.

Effect of Pre-Seed Formulations on Human Sperm Motility

No difference between Pre-Seed formulations in average percent motile sperm, expressed as a percent of sperm motility in the control medium (without Pre-Seed).  At least 40 ejaculates tested per treatment.

Effect of Pre-Seed Formulations on Mouse Embryo Development

No difference between Pre-Seed formulations in average percent one-cell mouse zygotes developing normally to blastocysts, expressed as a percent of embryo development in the control medium (without Pre-Seed).  At least 45 embryos tested per treatment.

Effect of Pre-Seed Formulation on Bovine Embryo Fertilization

No difference between Pre-Seed formulations in average percent in vitro fertilized cow eggs, following 30 min pre-fertilization sperm exposure to either Pre-Seed formula.  Data expressed as a percentage of the fertilization seen in control medium (without Pre-Seed).  At least 40 eggs tested per treatment.

Effect of Pre-Seed Formulation on Embryo Development

NO difference between Pre-Seed formulations in average embryo development over 6 days, for cow embryos resulting from sperm with 30 min pre-fertilization exposure to either Pre-Seed formula.  Data expressed as a percentage of the embryo development seen in control medium (without Pre-Seed).  At least 40 eggs tested per treatment.

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]]> http://www.babyhopes.com/blog/comparison-of-fertility-friendly-nature-of-pre-seed-single-use-versus-multi-use-formulations/feed/ Trying to Conceive: A Boy or a Girl? http://www.babyhopes.com/blog/trying-to-conceive-a-boy-or-a-girl/ http://www.babyhopes.com/blog/trying-to-conceive-a-boy-or-a-girl/#comments Mon, 31 Aug 2009 00:02:17 +0000 Laura http://www.babyhopes.com/blog/?p=104 ]]> Most couples don’t care whether their first child is a boy or girl, but when it comes to the second child they may be more likely to want to influence nature to give them the sex they don’t have. There are many wives’ tales out there that will supposedly help you conceive the sex you want. One is that women should eat salty foods for a boy or desserts for a girl. However, there are truly no guaranteed ways to ensure your next baby will be a boy or girl. The good news is that there is a 50% chance of either sex, more or less, but it also depends on the male’s sperm.

Some couples enjoy looking at the Chinese conception chart that is supposed to let couples know when to try for a boy or girl based on the woman’s age and the month of conception, but it is right as often as it is wrong.

Still, you will find many books on sex selection as well as sex selection kits. There are vitamins, insemination kits, and more, that will supposedly help couples conceive the little boy or little girl they have been dreaming of.

Of course, if you really want a girl or boy then you might want to try some of the suggestions that seem to be the most likely to work based on the way sperm works. For example, couples who want to try for a little boy should have sex at the time of ovulation or as close as possible. The reason why is because women have more alkaline body fluids at this time and this is more favorable to the Y sperm making it to the egg and fertilizing it. On the other hand, if you want a baby girl try to have sex two or three days before ovulation (the sperm will live and hang out for the egg) and this might result in a girl.

Keep in mind that there are no guarantees when it comes to having a particular sex and there have been studies published that show there are no correlations between timing of sex and the sex of the child conceived. However, there is no harm in trying! Just don’t think that by trying to conceive a particular sex through the information here will necessarily be successful. Have fun trying, though!

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]]> http://www.babyhopes.com/blog/trying-to-conceive-a-boy-or-a-girl/feed/ TTC and Choosing a Name http://www.babyhopes.com/blog/ttc-and-choosing-a-name/ http://www.babyhopes.com/blog/ttc-and-choosing-a-name/#comments Tue, 11 Aug 2009 03:10:46 +0000 Laura http://www.babyhopes.com/blog/?p=102 ]]>

 

As people we tend to want to give names to things, especially our offspring. However, if you are trying to conceive and have had several miscarriages and already had a name picked out you may feel like you need to come up with a name for each pregnancy. On the other hand, you may feel like the name you have picked out is the right name for the child that is your firstborn. Regardless of how you feel about the naming issue it’s up to you to decide what is right. Some couples may feel like they need to name the fetus that ends up being miscarried while other couples may feel like they don’t need to. It’s a very personal issue and one that each couple should handle on their own without any outside influence or opinions. Of course, the length of the pregnancy comes into play in many cases. Late miscarriages and stillborn births more often cause the couple to feel like their child needs a name and that is completely fine. A miscarriage or stillbirth is one of the worst things that can happen to a couple and any coping mechanism that works is highly recommended.

Of course, there are many couples who won’t have to experience miscarriages and they may be wondering at what point it’s okay to start thinking about names. Every couple is different, but most women don’t feel “safe” about their pregnancies until after the first trimester. The first trimester is when the majority of miscarriages happen and in most cases pregnancies that make it past the first 12 weeks will make it all 40! That’s good news, but it won’t lessen the anxiety for couples who have been trying to conceive for years and that when the pregnancy finally happens they can’t quite accept it as being the truth until the bundle of joy actually arrives. It’s normal however couples should start thinking about names towards the end of their second trimester/beginning of the third trimester. This is far enough into the pregnancy that couples should feel comfortable about the outcome and still allows enough time to come up with a name everyone can agree on. Many couples find that when it actually comes time to name their baby they can’t find a name they agree on.

The best advice is to take the pregnancy one step at a time and start talking about names whenever both members of the couple are ready. Don’t include other people either because coming up with a name among two individuals is challenging enough. Not to mention if you have several names you really love you don’t want to risk hearing people criticize them!

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]]> http://www.babyhopes.com/blog/ttc-and-choosing-a-name/feed/ Treating Infertility http://www.babyhopes.com/blog/treating-infertility/ http://www.babyhopes.com/blog/treating-infertility/#comments Sat, 01 Aug 2009 13:57:51 +0000 Laura http://www.babyhopes.com/blog/?p=100 ]]>

If you have recently been diagnosed with infertility then you probably have a lot of questions. If you haven’t been diagnosed but have had difficulty conceiving you may be worried about infertility as well. It’s important to understand there are many treatment options for infertility and many couples go on to have the children they so desperately want. Of course, it’s not easy and it can be a long and frustrating road. Nevertheless, infertility technology is advancing every day and couples facing infertility have an even better outlook when it comes to conception.

Treatments

Common treatments for infertility include assisted reproductive technology, different types of drugs and supplements, artificial insemination, and in some cases surgery. Many times more than one treatment option is used to treat infertility. The treatment methods that will be chosen for you will depend significantly on the age of the man and women, the  amount of time the couple has been trying to conceive, the health of the couple, the couple’s preference regarding treatment, and various test results.

Remember, women are not always the reason for infertility in a couple and many times the man must be treated. Similarly, sometimes infertility results from the man and woman and in other cases there is no easily identifiable cause. Men are usually treated with medicine or therapy for sexual problems causing infertility. Men with not enough sperm may be given medicine or even require surgery. In other cases men might have an actual blockage and require surgery to correct it.

Women suffering from problems with ovulation may be prescribed drugs to help them ovulate. There are potential side effects like a multiple birth that may be result from these drugs as well as other side effects so it is important to find out what these are before beginning treatment.

Some of the most common ovulation drugs used in women includes Clomid, Pergonal, Gn-RH, among others. Clomid is very popular because it helps women ovulate by targeting the pituitary gland. Women suffering from polycystic ovarian syndrome will most likely be prescribed this medication. Pergonal is a medicine that affects the ovaries and causes them to ovulate. It is a drug that is injected, however. Gn-RH is Gonadotropin-releasing hormone that helps with ovulation, too, and may be administered through nasal spray or injection. Glucophage is a great treatment for women who are insulin resistant and have higher male hormone levels. The drug helps women ovulate so that they can conceive.

Talk to your doctor about your options and the best plan for you. Every couple has their own special circumstances that should be evaluated before creating an infertility care plan.

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]]> http://www.babyhopes.com/blog/treating-infertility/feed/ Take Care if You are Trying to Conceive http://www.babyhopes.com/blog/take-care-if-you-are-trying-to-conceive/ http://www.babyhopes.com/blog/take-care-if-you-are-trying-to-conceive/#comments Fri, 31 Jul 2009 12:22:46 +0000 Laura http://www.babyhopes.com/blog/?p=98 ]]> Many women focus on when they are ovulating when they are trying to conceive, but far too few women think about other risk factors that they might have. One of those is toxoplasmosis. This is an infection caused by a parasite that is often found in undercooked meat, cat litter boxes, and in other places. It’s usually not a big issue for healthy people and many times they won’t even show symptoms. For pregnant women, though, it can be much more serious and if the infection occurs during pregnancy and is passed onto the fetus serious damage may result. In some cases the baby is born looking normal but the infection takes its toll over the first year and may cause brain damage, blindness, developmental delays, and other issues. There is treatment, but the treatment can’t erase the potential damage that may have occurred in the womb. So, what’s the easiest way to avoid toxoplasmosis? The answer is to avoid cats, their litter boxes, and raw meat if you are trying to conceive.

You may be one of those people who can’t eat a steak unless it is cooked medium rare or perhaps you don’t wash your hands well enough after touching raw meat and then put your hands in your mouth. You could have several cats and are in charge of changing the litter box. Regardless of what your risk factor is for toxoplasmosis you need to eliminate them. It’s easy to put someone else in charge of changing your cat’s litter box and you can suffer through eating well cooked meat until you get pregnant and give birth at least.

Get Checked

If you have some of the risk factors above for toxoplasmosis and are actively trying to conceive then please get checked first. A simple blood test can let you know whether you are infected or not and then a course of antibiotics can get you cleared up and ready for pregnancy. Doctors say that once you are infected and cured you won’t get infected again so it’s definitely worth taking the time to get checked before you get pregnant. There are too many things to worry about in pregnancy as it is that you don’t want to add something else to it. If you don’t have any real risk factors you are probably okay, but it still makes sense to get some blood work before getting pregnant to make sure everything is okay and you are ready to conceive.

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]]> http://www.babyhopes.com/blog/take-care-if-you-are-trying-to-conceive/feed/ Trying to Conceive and the Risk of Multiples http://www.babyhopes.com/blog/trying-to-conceive-and-the-risk-of-multiples/ http://www.babyhopes.com/blog/trying-to-conceive-and-the-risk-of-multiples/#comments Thu, 30 Jul 2009 02:32:16 +0000 Laura http://www.babyhopes.com/blog/?p=96 ]]> The goal of trying to conceive can overwhelm some women, and even their doctors, and the outcome may not always be bright. The outcome is obviously trying for a positive pregnancy test and ultimately a healthy baby. However, the methods used to get that positive pregnancy test are sometimes unethical and can put the mom-to-be and her unborn children at risk during pregnancy and in the future. What am I talking about? Large multiple births. Just look at Jon and Kate Gosselin with their huge family and Nadya Suleman. Sure, both have secured television shows and most likely their children will be taken care of. However, not all families with large sets of multiples will have million dollar television shows. In most cases the family is lucky if their church helps out or local stores donate diapers and/or formula. The vast majority of couples who find themselves pregnant with three, four, five, or six babies are setting themselves up for an uncertain future. So many things can go so wrong that it begs the question of how ethical it is to implant so many eggs to begin with. Sure, the more eggs that are implanted means the better chance of one taking and a single pregnancy resulting. However, every egg implanted could potentially become a baby and very few couples are mentally, physically, and financially prepared to care for so many babies. That is especially the case if the babies have health problems.

I bring this situation up because in the moment the idea of implanting six or seven eggs sounds like a good one. Maybe one or two, or at the most three, will implant and you will have a readymade family. Nobody thinks all the eggs will become babies and although it’s rare, it happens. So, if you are going in for implantation soon and your doctor doesn’t seem to have a problem with implanting as many eggs as you want regardless of rules and guidelines be sure to stress the max number of eggs to be implanted. In my mind, three eggs should be the max, but then again it’s easy to come up with opinions of the way things should be done when looking from the outside in. Regardless of where you stand make sure that you talk with your doctor and come up with a plan that will work for you and your future family.

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]]> http://www.babyhopes.com/blog/trying-to-conceive-and-the-risk-of-multiples/feed/ Exercise While Trying to Conceive http://www.babyhopes.com/blog/exercise-while-trying-to-conceive/ http://www.babyhopes.com/blog/exercise-while-trying-to-conceive/#comments Tue, 21 Jul 2009 11:51:57 +0000 Laura http://www.babyhopes.com/blog/exercise-while-trying-to-conceive/ ]]> Are you interested in starting an exercise routine now that you are trying to conceive? Or, perhaps you have been exercising regularly for years. Regardless of your situation, exercise is a wonderful way for women who are trying to conceive to stay in shape, perhaps lose a few extra pounds, and even reduce their stress levels. Women who walk through their pregnancies are more likely to have healthy pregnancies and term babies according to studies, so it’s worth the effort! There are some recommendations for women who are trying to get pregnant to follow so keep these in mind.
The first recommendation for women trying to conceive is to start a regular workout plan before getting pregnant. That way your body will be ready for the stresses of pregnancy and can better endure continued exercise throughout the pregnancy. It is recommended that you exercise at least three times per week. Walking is a wonderful exercise for pregnant women as well as those trying to conceive.
Any type of exercise or activity that is extreme or vigorous should be avoided. Moms-to-be should take it easy and do exercises with a low risk of injury. Also, it’s important to drink plenty of fluids before and after exercise sessions. Water is the best.
Some women who have been trying to conceive for quite some time may begin an exercise routine, lose weight, get healthier, and find they can conceive again. This won’t happen with all women but it’s certainly worth giving it a shot. The more you can do to improve your chances of getting pregnant and carrying that pregnancy to term is worthwhile. So, consider starting an exercise routine today so that you can experience that many positive benefits that come along. If you have not been exercising and are actively trying to conceive you may want to talk with your doctor about any recommendations or considerations that apply to your situation.

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]]> http://www.babyhopes.com/blog/exercise-while-trying-to-conceive/feed/ Trying to Conceive: What are Your Options for Becoming a Parent? http://www.babyhopes.com/blog/trying-to-conceive-what-are-your-options-for-becoming-a-parent/ http://www.babyhopes.com/blog/trying-to-conceive-what-are-your-options-for-becoming-a-parent/#comments Mon, 20 Jul 2009 12:00:11 +0000 Laura http://www.babyhopes.com/blog/?p=92 ]]>  

When you start the process of trying to conceive you may imagine it will happen the first time out or at the very most the second month. However, many healthy couples find it takes quite a while to conceive even when there is nothing wrong. Then, there are couples who might have infertility that plays a role and needs to be treated before a pregnancy will take place. Regardless of the reasons why you are not conceiving now it is possible with the right medical treatment that you will in the future. And, if you don’t, there are still other options available that will allow you to become a parent. If that is your overall goal then you should keep your options open and even create a timeline of what methods you are willing to use and how long you are willing to try them before moving on to something else. Here are some of your options.

 

Your Pregnancy

One option for becoming a parent is through a pregnancy of your own. This may occur naturally by trying at your most fertile times or else it may be achieved through in fertility treatments of some kind. Many women find they are able to become pregnant and carry a baby even after they were diagnosed with infertility and believed they would never have a child. Be positive and do the things that you can to help yourself including exercising, losing weight, and tracking your cycle to try at the best times.

Surrogates

If for some reason you cannot carry a baby then consider a surrogate mother. The pregnancy could be with the couple’s egg and sperm or only one of those with a donor egg or sperm depending on the situation. Many couples find they don’t have to start a family the way they originally planned to be happy.

Adoption

Another option to become a parent is adoption. There are many children that are given up for adoption every year and for couples facing true infertility this is an option that will allow them to become a family. Some people look down on adoption; however it’s worth looking into and researching before judging. Adoption has made many happy families over the years and continues to be a wonderful option for childless couples.

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]]> http://www.babyhopes.com/blog/trying-to-conceive-what-are-your-options-for-becoming-a-parent/feed/ All About Clomid http://www.babyhopes.com/blog/all-about-clomid/ http://www.babyhopes.com/blog/all-about-clomid/#comments Tue, 14 Jul 2009 04:07:25 +0000 Laura http://www.babyhopes.com/blog/?p=90 ]]> Many times women trying to conceive will be prescribed Clomid, which is a fertility drug. The reason many women are prescribed Clomid is because it induces ovulation. As a result, it is the mainstay of infertility treatments. If you are having trouble getting pregnant and make an appointment with your doctor you will likely hear something about Clomid. However, how will you know if it is the right choice for you?

Clomid is not a miracle drug and it is not the right drug for all women, either. It’s important for doctors to do a complete review of the couple’s history and health issues before choosing to prescribe any drug. If you visit a doctor who is willing to prescribe Clomid without really getting to the bottom of what’s behind your infertility then you and your eventual happiness may be at risk.

The way Clomid works is that it blocks the brains’ estrogen receptors to cause ovulation. The drug basically tricks your brain into thinking you aren’t getting enough estrogen and will begin producing more, which will cause an increase in FSH and LH. When these hormones are released then estrogen rises higher and hopefully ovulation

Most women who are prescribed Clomid are given a small dose to start out. This is not a drug that is taken every single day, either. Instead, it should be taken on the third through seventh days of your cycle or in some cases on days five through nine of your cycle. Doctors may need to induce a cycle for women who do not have regular cycles. If the Clomid works then ovulation will generally occur a week after the last pill was taken.

Women taking Clomid should expect some side effects. These include headaches, hot flashes, mood swings, and more. Another side effect is a slightly increased risk of having twins. Clomid is generally only prescribed for a maximum of six cycles and then if conception does not occur another treatment method will be offered.

 

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