Getting Pregnant Naturally
Page 11
Be wary of antibiotics.
Give up breastfeeding.
HIS
Wear an athletic cup.
Avoid distance biking.
Keep your testicles cool:
Avoid hot tubs and saunas.
Wear boxers rather than briefs or bikini underwear.
Avoid wearing synthetic shorts during exercise.
Avoid workouts that heat the testicles.
Avoid high-heat occupations.
Try a cold-water treatment
Give your sperm a chance to recover from illness.
Manage diabetes.
Get a mumps vaccine, if appropriate.
Treat varicocele.
COUPLES
Maintain a reasonable weight.
Quit smoking.
Stop drinking alcohol.
Don’t use recreational drugs.
Avoid unnecessary prescription and over-the-counter drugs.
Don’t use anabolic steroids.
Use your computer safely.
Minimize air travel.
Avoid environmental hazards.
Avoid X-rays and radiation.
Minimize your exposure to electromagnetic fields.
Resources
ORGANIZATIONS OF INTEREST
Infertility
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
P.O. Box 96920
409 Twelfth Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20090-6920
(202) 638-5577
This group can provide a list of board-certified reproductive endocrinologists, as well as consumer information brochures on fertility.
American Self-Help Clearinghouse
Northwest Covenant
25 Pocono Road
Denville, NJ 07834
(201) 625-7101
This group offers phone numbers for support groups on infertility and other topics; it also provides information on how to start a support group.
American Society for Reproductive Medicine
1209 Montgomery Highway
Birmingham, AL 35216-2809
(205) 978-5000
E-mail: asrm@asrm.com
Web site: http://www.asrm.com
This nonprofit organization publishes the monthly journal Fertility and Sterility and provides information on infertility and other issues associated with reproductive medicine. A list of infertility specialists is available on request. In addition, a list of patient brochures is included on the Internet site.
Fertility Resource Foundation
877 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10021
(212) 744-5500
This groups offers brochures and information on infertility; there is a fee for some of the materials.
National Infertility Network Exchange
P.O. Box 204
East Meadow, NY 11554
(516) 794-5772
E-mail: nine204@aol.com
This nonprofit organization maintains a national referral service of doctors, lawyers, clinics, donor programs, and other fertility-related resources. The group publishes a bimonthly newsletter, runs support groups, and holds workshops on fertility and adoption.
Reproductive Toxicology Center
2440 M Street, N.W., Suite 217
Washington, DC 20037-1404
(202) 293-5137
This organization operates a database on the effects on reproduction of chronic or acute exposure to thousands of potentially toxic substances. The center serves health care professionals only; if you have a specific question, ask your doctor to call for more information.
RESOLVE, Inc.
1310 Broadway
Somerville, MA 02144-1779
(617) 623-0744
E-mail: resolveinc@aol.com
Web site: http://www.resolve.org
This group provides information, support, and referral to specialists for men and women with infertility problems. The group sponsors local support groups, publishes a newsletter and fact sheets, and makes physician referrals.
Society for Reproductive Endocrinologists, Inc.
1209 Montgomery Highway
Birmingham, AL 35216-2809
(205) 978-5000
This group, which is an affiliate of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, can provide a list of member doctors; all must be board certified in reproductive endocrinology or have similar qualifications.
In addition, computer users may find the following Usenet newsgroups helpful:
alt.infertility
misc.health.infertility
Adoption
National Council for Adoption
1930 Seventeenth Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 328-1200
This group provides information on adoption, including domestic, international, and special-needs adoptions.
Adoptive Families of America
2309 Como Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55108
(612) 535-4829
This organization provides support and information to adoptive families, and those considering adoption. The group also can provide information on local chapters and support networks.
International Concerns Committee for Children
911 Cypress Drive
Boulder, CO 80303
(303) 494-8333
This group provides information and support for orphan children in many countries. The organization publishes The Foreign Adoption Report, an annual listing of foreign adoption resources for U.S. citizens, and also a listing of children available for adoption by U.S. adoptive families.
Nutrition and Nutrition Supplements
If you have special nutritional needs or want help designing a regimen of nutrition supplements to help boost your fertility, you may want to consult a nutrition counselor. For information on finding a qualified nutrition counselor, contact:
American Academy of Nutrition
3408 Sausalito Drive
Corona Del Mar, CA 92625
(800) 290-4226
This group offers referrals to more than four hundred graduates of a fifteen-month program accredited by Distance Education and Training Council of the U.S. Department of Education.
National Institute of Nutritional Education
1010 South Joliet Street, #107
Aurora, CO 80012
(303) 340-2054
This group provides free referrals to 750 certified practitioners who have completed coursework and passed exams on nutrition; practitioners must update their certification annually.
For help with specific questions about nutrition, contact:
Consumer Nutrition Hotline
(sponsored by the American Dietetic Association)
(800) 366-1655
The hotline staff can answer questions and provide free referrals to registered dietitians in your area.
Publications on nutrition are available (some for a fee) from:
American Council on Science and Health
1995 Broadway, Sixteenth Floor
New York, NY 10023-5860
(212) 362-7044
American Institute of Nutrition
9650 Rockville Pike, Suite L4500
Bethesda, MD 20814-3990
(301) 530-7050
Nutrition Action Health Letter
Center for Science in the Public Interest
1875 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 300
Washington, DC 20009-5728
(202) 332-9111
Society for Nutrition Education
2001 Killebrew Drive, Suite 340
Minneapolis, MN 55425-1882
(612) 854-0035
Herbal Medicine
Herbal medicine is used by many naturopathic physicians and acupuncturists. There is no separate certification or licensing process specifically for practitioners of herbal medicine. Look for a practitioner who is a member of a professional organization, such as the American Herbalists Guild.
For information on herbal medicine and re
ferrals to practitioners in your area, contact:
American Herbalists Guild
P.O. Box 1683
Soquel, CA 95073
(408) 464-2441
Additional publications, newsletters, and books on herbal medicine are available from:
American Botanical Council
P.O. Box 201660
Austin, TX 78720-1660
(512) 331-8868
(800) 373-7105
Herb Research Foundation
1007 Pearl Street, Suite 200
Boulder, CO 80302
(303) 449-2265
Manufacturers of herb mail-order catalogs include:
East Earth Trade Winds
P.O. Box 493151
Redding, CA 96049-3151
(800) 258-6878
(916) 241-6878 in California
Herb-Pharm
P.O. Box 116
William, OR 97544
(541) 846-6262
McZand Herbal Inc.
P.O. Box 5312
Santa Monica, CA 90409
(310) 822-0500
Meridian Traditional Herbal Products
44 Linden Street
Brookline, MA 02146
(800) 356-6003
(617) 739-2636 in Massachusetts
Nature’s Way Products, Inc.
10 Mountain Springs Parkway
Springville, UT 84663
(801) 489-1520
Windriver Herbs
P.O. Box 3876
Jackson, WY 83001
(800) 903-HERB
Homeopathy
Homeopathy is practiced by medical doctors (M.D.’s), osteopaths (D.O.’s), naturopaths (N.D.’s), chiropractors (D.C.’s), and dentists (D.D.S.’s). Some states also allow chiropractors, family nurse practitioners, acupuncturists, and physician assistants to obtain licensure.
For an information packet on homeopathy and a directory of practitioners, contact:
National Center for Homeopathy
801 North Fairfax Street, Suite 306
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 548-7790
There is a $6 fee for the information packet and directory. The center also publishes the monthly magazine Homeopathy Today; cost: $40 a year.
Homeopathic Educational Services
2124 Kittredge Street
Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 649-0294
This groups charges $8 for a directory of National Center for Homeopathy members, plus a list of homeopathic study groups and manufacturers. Other educational materials are also available.
Manufacturers of homeopathic medicines that offer mail-order catalogs:
Apothecary
5415 Cedar Lane
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 530-0800
Apthorp Pharmacy
2201 Broadway at Seventy-Eighth Street
New York, NY 10024
(800) 775-3582
(212) 877-3480
Bailey’s Pharmacy
175 Harvard Avenue
Allston, MA 02134
(800) 239-6206
(617) 782-7202
Boericke and Tafel, Inc.
2381 Circadian Way
Santa Rosa, CA 95407
(707) 571-8202
Budget Pharmacy
3001 N.W. Seventh Street
Miami, FL 33125
(800) 221-9772
Dolisos America, Inc.
3014 Rigel Avenue
Las Vegas, NV 89102
(702) 871-7153
Ehrhart and Karl, Inc.
17 North Wabash Avenue
Chicago, IL 60602
(773) 248-5588
Five Elements Center
115 Route 46W
Building D, Suite 29
Mount Lakes, NJ 07046
(201) 402-8510
Hahnemann Pharmacy
828 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
(510) 527-3003
Homeopathic Educational Services
2124 Kittredge Street
Berkeley, CA 94707
(510) 649-0294
Homeopathy Overnight
4111 Simon Road
Youngstown, OH 44512
(800) ARNICA-30
Luyties Pharmacal Company
4200 Laclede Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63108
(800) 325-8080
Santa Monica Homeopathic Pharmacy
629 Broadway
Santa Monica. CA 90401
(310) 395-1131
Standard Homeopathy Company
P.O. Box 61067
154 West 131 st Street
Los Angeles, CA 90061
(213) 321-4284
Taylor’s Pharmacy
339 South Park Avenue
Winter Park, FL 32789
(407) 644-1025
Washington Homeopathic Pharmacy
4914 Del Ray Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 656-1695
Weleda Pharmacy, Inc.
175 North Route 9W
Congers, NY 10920
(914) 268-8572
Acupressure and Acupuncture
While you can practice acupressure as a self-help technique, you may want to consult a professional if you have additional questions, or if you would like to try acupuncture for a more powerful healing effect. Nationwide, approximately three thousand medical doctors and osteopaths have studied acupuncture and use it as one of the tools in their medical practice. An additional seven thousand naturopaths and other nonphysician healers use acupressure and acupuncture.
Acupuncture and acupressure professionals must meet state licensing or certification requirements in twenty-nine states and the District of Columbia. All states allow medical doctors to practice acupuncture, but only fourteen require physicians to have formal training in it.
If you want to use a physician acupuncturist or acupressurist, look for someone who is a member of the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture. To become a member, a physician must complete at least two hundred hours of acupuncture training and two years experience. Approximately three thousand doctors practice acupuncture in the United States today, but only about five hundred of them are AAMA members. For more information or a referral, contact:
American Academy of Medical Acupuncture (AAMA)
5820 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 500
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(213) 937-5514
If you’re interested in seeing a nonphysician acupuncturist or acupressurist, make sure he or she has been certified by the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncturists. (A certified member can use the title Diplomate of Acupuncture, indicated by the initials Dipl. Ac. after his or her name.) To become certified, an acupuncturist must pass both a written and a practical exam; to be eligible to take the exams, he or she must be licensed, must have at least two years of training or must have worked as an apprentice acupuncturist for at least four years. For more information or to confirm certification of a particular acupuncturist or acupressurist, contact:
National Certification Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCA)
P.O. Box 97075
Washington, DC 20090
(202) 232-1404
For additional information on acupuncture and acupressure, as well as for a free referral to practitioners in your area, contact:
Acupressure Institute of America
1533 Shattuck Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94709
(800) 442-2232
(415) 845-1059 in California
American Association for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
433 Front Street
Catasauqua, PA 18032-2506
(610) 266-1433
Mind-body Medicine
American Board of Hypnotherapy
16842 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 475
Irvine, CA 92606
(800) 872-9996
This group provides referrals to its ten thousand member practitioners who have
been certified and registered by the board.
Biofeedback Certification Institute of America
10200 West 44th Avenue, Suite 304
Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
(303) 420-2902
This group offers free referrals to practitioners of biofeedback therapy. Submit your request in writing with a stamped, self-addressed envelope.
Center for Mind-Body Medicine
5225 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 414
Washington, DC 20015
(202) 966-7338
This nonprofit educational organization provides information on mind-body healing. The group offers workshops on mind-body techniques to enhance health and to improve fertility. It also offers a directory of local and national practitioners, organizations, and resources to assist you in locating complementary health care information. The directory costs $10.
Holistic Medicine
Holistic medicine is practiced by medical doctors (M.D.’s), osteopaths (D.O.’s), and naturopaths (N.D.’s). These physicians emphasize the treatment of the whole person and encourage personal responsibility for health.
For a national directory of licensed holistic practitioners, contact:
American Holistic Medical Association
4101 Lake Boone Trail, #201
Raleigh, NC 27607
(919) 787-5146
There is a $5 fee for the national referral directory. The association also publishes the magazine Holistic Medicine four times a year for its members.
American Holistic Health Association
P.O. Box 17400