Last night on the panel, interestingly, the two adoptive parents tried to conceive, decided they were infertile, then turned to international adoption. And BOTH became pregnant *after* the international adoption. I've heard this story SO many times, I almost think adoption is one of the greatest fertility enhancers ever.Obviously, it has to do with stress, expectations, our goal-oriented culture, etc. Makes you think, ey?
8 comments:
I agree! Stress definitely seems to play a big part in fertility. There's actually a study that came out over the summer which shows that Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) restores ovulation in 80% of infertile women, apparently by reducing hormonal stressors... details at http://cttoday.org/?cat=11
WoW! That's really interesting, thanks for posting it!
As far as scientific studies go, from what reproductive endocrinologists and other practitioners have told me, stress is the most studied factor as far as fertility in females goes. It is found to affect women hugely.
It makes sense doesn't it? We always say 'we are what we eat' - 'we are what we think' too perhaps?
I know for me, personally, stress affected me so much. Complimentary practices - meditation - letting go of the wanting - yoga - and visualization all helped me so much. Always looking for that "fix" sometimes just makes things harder.
Hi Marie,
I got the following information from the Resolve website:
"Myth: If you adopt a baby you'll get pregnant!
Fact: This is one of the most painful myths for couples to hear. First it suggests that adoption is only a means to an end, not an happy and successful end in itself. Second, it is simply not true. Studies reveal that the rate for achieving pregnancy after adopting is the same as for those who do not adopt."
This actually made me feel better because I beat myself up over being intense and sensitive, and yes, stressed out! And thus I have one more reason that I am the fault of my infertility. I'd like to deal with my stress better, and certainly infertility has been a great factor in the stress that I have now. But I'm not sure that I can healthily tell myself that if I could just destress I'd get pregant. On the other hand, I'd like to decrease my stress just to feel more myself and to move onward.
Ali
Have TWO aunts who have adopted domestic and then got pregnant...and in our currently waiting internat'l adoption travel group, TWO waiting moms are also now pregnant...hubby and i are an anomaly...we didn't try to get preg. before adopting...then adopted again..and are in waiting for adoption #3...then maybe I'll try...who knows...
I know someone who'd had a lot of ovary problems and absolutely couldn't conceive. She went on to have two kids via in vitro fertilization. Then one day she ups and gets pregnant with out trying, and now has kid number 3. I think what this and the adoption phenomena prove is that most women who aren't using birth control (and of course, some who are!) will eventually get pregnant some day in their lifetimes, but it can be a real crapshoot as to when and why. Thus I say unto you, particularly since you have had a successful pregnancy, it's only a matter of time and it may come when you least expect it. That's pretty trite, but true.
Great story. It's encouraging to know since we've been TTC for the past year and may now start looking into IVF and adoption in 2007.
Good luck!
Post a Comment