Modern Mothers: 8 Surprising Facts

When you look at what it was like to be a first-time mother in the past, it is significantly different in modern times.

Comparing motherhood experiences across generations reveals stark differences – what you experience is not the same as your grandmother’s experience.

Have you ever been curious about how modern mothers are different?

I’ve put together the below eight surprising facts about modern mothers. Do any of these apply to you?

7 Facts About Stress & Infertility

While stress is not a cause of infertility, research has shown that high levels of longstanding stress can significantly impact the ability to conceive during infertility treatment. The positive news is that by decreasing stress, couples can experience higher fertility potential as well as healthier and happier wellbeing.

Many couples don't realize how much stress impacts health and fertility potential. The goods news is that stress is one of the fastest variables to change in the body, and taking proactive action through yoga, psychotherapy, meditation and potentially acupuncture is not only beneficial, but enjoyable.

To help couples combat stress, I have put together some helpful information below with Beth Heller of Pulling Down the Moon.

7 Facts About Stress & Infertility: 

FCI Past Patient Guest Blog: Bill & Katie O’Connor

Former patient, Katie O’Connor, wrote in her own words about her journey to motherhood with Fertility Centers of Illinois. She wanted to share her experiences so that they could help anyone who might be going through the same struggles, pain and worry. Read on to experience her journey through her eyes.

My journey through infertility started with my husband, Bill, and I deciding we wanted to start our family, get off the pill, and ring in 2009 with a normal annual exam at my OBGYN. I learned I had a non-existent period which lead to going through preliminary testing, trying several rounds of hormonal meds to help "jump start" my period. With nothing working, I got referred to an infertility specialist, going through WAY more testing, getting diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), to even more rounds of hormonal meds, (more than I can count) blood works and ultrasounds, and again nothing working. 

Turning the corner in 2010, I finally I got my period started - after several failed IUI (the glamorous acronym for Intrauterine Insemination, previously known as Artificial Insemination) attempts, we had our first IVF (In-Vitro Fertilization) attempt. This time around included more meds (you name it I was probably on it), shots (in my stomach and my behind), tons of monitoring appointments (blood work and ultrasound), periods of stress, sadness, pain, and general "why me?". 

FCI Past Patient Guest Blog: Julie Pelc Adler & Family

Former patient, Julie Pelc Adler, wrote in her own words about her journey to motherhood with Fertility Centers of Illinois. She wanted to share her experiences so that they could help anyone who might be going through the same struggles, pain and worry. Read on to experience her journey through her eyes.


It was December 2011 and we were still months away from what would become the date of our son’s conception. My husband and I were frustrated with our unexplained infertility and the years of fruitless attempts to conceive a child. I was beginning to lose hope.

I glanced around the office of our new doctor, searching for an object upon which to fix my ever-shifting gaze. Then I saw the stuffed animal stork nestled on the doctor’s bookshelf.

“Really?” I asked him, rhetorically.
“Really.” He replied.

Past FCI Patient Guest Blog: Rachael Kobleske & Family

Former patient, Rachael Kobleske, wrote in her own words about her journey to motherhood with Fertility Centers of Illinois. She wanted to share her experiences so that they could help anyone who might be going through the same struggles, pain and worry. Read on to experience her journey through her eyes.

FCI Gave Me Hope - by Rachael Kobleske

Jon, Rachael, Sophia (left) & Chloe (right)

Seven years ago my husband and I decided we wanted to have children. Me being the naive person I was back then just thought that we would actually "try" to get pregnant now, instead of preventing it, and things would work out right away. After all, my mother told me over and over that unprotected sex leads to unexpected pregnancy! I had NO clue what sort of journey I was in for.

After a year of trying to conceive without success and then a miscarriage I started to worry that I would never get pregnant and kept wondering "What is wrong with me???".

MTV True Life "I'm Desperate to Have a Baby" Recap

Recently, MTV has showcased what women and men endure when faced with the perils of infertility in and episode of the documentary show True Life titled "I'm Desperate to Have a Baby."

Have you seen it yet?

If you're new to the fertility treatment scene, much of what was covered in this episode is new to you: the heartache of being told you can't conceive naturally, the seemingly endless wait for answers, the possibility of never having children, hanging onto your hopes and dream so tightly...

Or if you're a veteran to this world - you've been here, or know someone who has and your heart goes out to these two profiled.

In this episode, True Life follows two women going through fertility treatments in order to have children, and one of those couples comes to our fertility center in Chicago to meet with our own Dr. Beltsos. Chicagoland couple Jenna & Kurt's road to pregnancy is documented below and we are so happy we were able to share in this experience with them.

WATCH the full episode here & let us know what you think:

Get More: True Life, Full Episodes

See the recap of Jenna & Kurt's experience and where they are now from the Chicago Sun Times!

Boosting Fertility Through Natural Treatment: Part 2

If the stress of trying to conceive is bringing you down, natural treatment options can give you a boost. Fertility Centers of Illinois works in conjunction with Eastern Healing to offer a wide array of options.

Not only can natural treatment options decrease stress – they can help you get pregnant. In a Harvard study, 55% of women who participated in mind and body programs got pregnant, compared to 20% who did not.

5 Benefits of Natural Treatment: 

1. Increases blood flow to the uterus and ovaries
2. Strengthens uterine lining
3. Equalizes stress hormones
4. Improves sperm count, motility and morphology
5. Encourages relaxation, mental clarity and mindfulness  

Peter Harvey, owner of Eastern Healing, has helped countless couples boost their fertility and decrease stress during infertility treatment. 

“Building a family is exciting, but the stress that results from infertility treatment can take a toll on couples,” he says.  “Most of my patients don’t even realize they have underlying low-level anxiety problems, which can be easily helped through a variety of options.”

Natural treatment options can come in many forms:

Acupuncture

Read more on acupuncture for fertility here.

Chinese Diet Therapy

Read more on Chinese Diet Therapy for fertility here.

Chinese Herbal Medicine

Read more on Chinese Herbal Medicine for fertility here.

Meditation & Breathing Techniques

Read more on Meditation & Breathing Techniques for fertility here.

Massage

Read more on Massage for fertility here.

Yoga

Read more on Yoga for fertility here.

Natural treatment options and medical treatment options are detailed in this YouTube video.

For more information visit: http://www.fcionline.com/ or www.easternhealing.org.

Understanding Infertility Basics: Part 1

Infertility affects more couples than you might think.

Approximately 15 percent of all couples are affected by infertility, or roughly 7 million people. That number is expected to grow to 7.7 million by 2025.

Why the increase?

Dr. Meike Uhler of Fertility Centers of Illinois, who has treated hundreds of couples with infertility, says that answers point to a variety of reasons.

“Women are waiting to have children, and delayed childbearing can present a host of infertility issues,” she explains. “There are also excellent contraception options for women, which makes deferring parenthood much easier. The increase in sexually transmitted diseases in the U.S. has also increased the prevalence of infertility issues.”

If couples have been trying without success, there are some basic infertility facts that are good to know.

5 Infertility Facts: 

1. Women and men experience infertility equally (yes, really!)
2. Age is the biggest factor with infertility for women and men
3. Ovulation is the most prevalent infertility issue for women
4. If you have been trying for one year and are under 35, or trying for 6 months and over the age of 35, you may have infertility issues
5. Stress affects fertility levels for both women and men

Did infertility fact #5 make you nervous? You’re not alone. The process of infertility treatment can be exhausting. The testing, multiple appointments, potential financial stressors, taking time off work, and the constant inquiries from family and friends are all stress factors.

Take a deep breath, we have some good news.

In a Harvard study, 55 percent of women who participated in mind and body programs got pregnant, compared to 20 percent who did not. Natural treatment can provide the relief and fertility boost you are looking for.

To learn more about understanding infertility, this YouTube video can help answer some of your questions and explain what men and women can expect in an initial consultation.

To learn more about natural treatment options that can boost fertility, read more in Part Two.

Looking for More Resources on Fertility Treatments?

If you are struggling to conceive and you are exploring fertility treatment options, find compassionate and personalized care with Fertility Centers of Illinois. Schedule a consultation with us on our website or call us at (877) 499-8730.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine explains what you need to know about your FSH level and how it affects fertility.

WebMD explains more about your FSH and how testing can help you learn about your fertility treatment.

Read further about ovarian freezing and how it’s giving women undergoing cancer treatment hope for the future in this article.

The American Society for Reproductive Medicine explains more about the risks of multiple birthsassociated with fertility treatment on this site.

This Guardian article discusses how multiple pregnancies have dropped as fertility treatment doctors refine their procedures.