Thursday, January 31, 2008

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

If you are currently going through fertility treatment, than you know how frustrating and time consuming it can sometimes be. There are so many tests, treatments, and procedures that you have to undergo, that it can be hard to keep track of them all. One particular test that you may undergo is to detect follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). This may sound like a little alien to you, but actually it is one of the predictors of ovarian reserve. This article outlines the basics of FSH and what it indicates about your fertility.

What is FSH?
FSH is just one of a number of hormones that is secreted by your brain. Inside your brain, located just at the base of your neck, there is a tiny region called the pituitary gland. This gland is responsible for releasing a variety of different hormones, including FSH. FSH hormone is used to help encourage the growth of eggs in women and sperm in men. Without FSH, neither males nor females would be able to procreate.

Ovarian Reserve and Follicle Stimulating Hormone
If you are having troubles conceiving, your health care provider will try to analyze your ovarian reserve. Your ovarian reserve refers to the number of eggs that you have available for fertilization. A high ovarian reserve usually indicates a good number of viable eggs present in your ovaries. A low ovarian reserve may indicate that you have fewer available eggs. In order to test ovarian reserve, many health care professionals rely on measurements of your FSH.

Measurements of FSH can be determined through a simple blood test. Levels of this hormone directly correlate to the number of eggs that you have "on reserve" in your ovaries. By measuring the amount of FSH, your doctor can suggest specific treatments (such as in-vitro fertilization or intrauterine insemination) that could help you to conceive. He can also predict how well you may respond to these treatments.

The FSH Testing Procedure
FSH blood tests are generally performed on the second or third day of your menstrual cycle. During this time, FSH can provide the most accurate predictions of ovarian reserve. Estradiol is also most accurate when measured on the second or third day of menstruation.

Interpreting Levels of Follicle Stimulating Hormone
Your health care provider will look for a number of things when examining the results of your FSH test. She will first compare your FSH levels to normal baseline results in most women. A normal FSH level is usually under 10, whereas an abnormal level is anything above 25. Measurements between 10 and 25 are generally considered borderline.

Your physician will also examine estradiol levels that are tested along with your follicle stimulating hormone. Estradiol is one of the estrogens that your body produces, and is secreted by the ovaries. During ovulation, estradiol levels increase rapidly, and drop again after ovulation. Estradiol levels are also helpful in indicating ovarian reserve. Levels above 75 may indicate a poor ovarian reserve.

What's Next
Once your FSH and estradiol levels have been determined, your health care provider will suggest certain treatment guidelines. A normal FSH and estradiol level probably indicate that you have a good ovarian reserve. This means that you do not have to undergo aggressive treatment right away. Instead, you have a little more time to play with when choosing and booking procedures. It is also likely that you will be able to use your own eggs.

Elevated FSH levels may suggest that you should begin treatment right away. Ovarian reserve can change rapidly, and even a short delay in treatment could mean the difference between conceiving and not conceiving. High levels of FSH and estradiol may also indicate that you should consider using an egg donor. Your eggs may not be in the best condition for use in procedures.

The Clomiphene Challenge Test
Sometimes, your health care provider may choose to perform a clomiphene challenge test. This is an extension of the FSH test, however, it is more sensitive. It is often used in older women who are trying to become pregnant.

After your FSH and estradiol levels are tested, you are given the medication clomiphene. You will take 100 mg of clomiphene everyday, throughout days 5 to 9 of your cycle. Your FSH levels are then re-tested on day 10 of your cycle. An abnormal FSH level may indicate a poor ovarian reserve.

Accuracy of the Tests
FSH testing is thought to be an accurate predictor of ovarian reserve. A New Jersey study monitored women with abnormal FSH levels who became pregnant - less than 1% actually had a live birth, with two-thirds miscarrying. High levels of FSH were also found to be good indicators of genetic abnormalities in babies.

Things to Consider
It is important to remember that FSH tests are not the be-all and end-all to pregnancy. Just because you have a poor level of FSH does not mean you won't get pregnant. It is merely an indicator used to decide upon treatment options.

It is also necessary to consider age when undergoing fertility treatment. Age is an excellent predictor of both ovarian reserve and conception rates. Women over the age of 43 have a smaller chance of becoming pregnant than women under the age of 43, no matter what their FSH levels. This means that younger women with poor FSH levels may still want to try using their own eggs before seeking a donor.

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Monday, January 07, 2008

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Sunday, September 16, 2007

Watermark

These instructions are for PS, PSCS or PSCS2.

You can write an action for this so you can batch process it on a folder of images or do it on a image by image basis. It's set up so you can apply it on a vertical or horizontal image.

Start recording your action.

1. Open an image


(2) to 600 pixels horizontally and vertically (or whatever size you want). You use this command because it'll make the longer side whatever you have it set for regardless of the orientation.


3. Change your Image Size to 72/ppi. Make sure the Resample box is UNCHECKED. This will make it easier to apply the text more accurately.


4. Apply the text starting at the bottom right or left corner (up to you) with the proper justification (right or left). This will allow PS to properly apply the text during the action regardless of the orientation. Use a solid bold font. I also use white for the color (you can use whatever you want.


5. Adjust the position the text (if needed) and apply a drop shadow.



6. Reduce the opacity of the text (I used 50%) so if there is any detail under the text, it'll kind of show through.


7. Flatten the image and change the image size to 300 PPI or higher (Resample UNCHECKED). This will not change the pixel size of the image so it will appear the same size on the monitor screen BUT if they try to print it out, it'll be only thumbnail size unless they're technically knowledgeable to change it.


8. (not Save) to a folder of your choosing. The Save As command will allow you to batch the action on your folder and save it to a specified folder.

Stop recording the action.



Then try the action on a horizontal image to see how it works.



It it looks ok, you can now run a batch action on a folder.
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Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome)

What is plagiocephaly?
Positional plagiocephaly is what doctors call it when a baby's head develops a flat spot or becomes asymmetrical due to some kind of external pressure. Many babies are born with abnormally shaped heads as a result of the pressure exerted on them during birth, but most babies' heads will correct themselves within about six weeks. If your baby's head remains asymmetrical beyond six weeks, or if you start to notice a flat area after six weeks, you'll want to see your pediatrician for referral to a specialist. (Babies with severe plagiocephaly may also have prominent foreheads, misaligned ears, and uneven facial features.) Positional plagiocephaly is similar to and often mistaken for craniosynostosis, a more serious congenital condition in which one or more joints between the bones of the skull close up too early and the baby's head becomes deformed.

What causes plagiocephaly?
Another increasingly common reason that some babies develop a flat spot is that they spend so much time on their back. Starting in the early '90s, parents were told to put their babies to sleep on their back to reduce the risk of SIDS. While this advice may have saved thousands of babies' lives, experts have also noted a fivefold increase in the incidence of misshapen heads since then, says Michael Edwards, a pediatric neurosurgeon in Sacramento, California.

Babies are born with soft, pliable skulls, and when babies sleep on their back every night, their head can develop a flat spot where it presses against the mattress. This happens most often in infants who are born with a common form of torticollis, a condition in which a tight or shortened muscle on one side of the neck causes the head to tilt to one side. Premature babies are particularly at risk. (See below for tips on repositioning your baby to avoid both SIDS and plagiocephaly.)

A baby may also develop an abnormally shaped head if development in the womb is constricted somehow. This can happen when there's more than one fetus, if the mother's uterus or pelvis is especially small, or if there's too much or too little amniotic fluid. It can also happen to a breech baby whose head gets wedged under the mother's ribs.

What should I do if my baby's head seems to be developing a flat spot?
In many cases, even a serious-looking flat area will round out on its own as a baby starts crawling and sitting up (especially if you follow our repositioning tips below). But to be safe, it's a good idea to insist on a referral to a pediatric neurosurgeon or craniofacial specialist as soon as you notice the flattening. A specialist should be able to tell whether your baby's situation is severe enough to warrant treatment and what your options are. Get the referral and make an appointment right away because you may still have to wait weeks or even months to see a specialist for a diagnosis, and the earlier you catch a severe case, the easier it will be to correct.

What's involved in getting a diagnosis?
In most cases, the specialist will need only an X-ray to distinguish plagiocephaly from craniosynostosis (which requires a different treatment). But some doctors may also recommend a special kind of CT scan. In certain cases, a very experienced specialist may be able to tell just by looking at your baby's head what's causing the deformity. He will want to know whether your baby was born with the flat area or whether it developed several weeks after birth. If you can't remember when you first noticed the flattening, go back and carefully examine any pictures you have of your newborn.

If the doctor determines that your baby has plagiocephaly, he'll most likely recommend repositional therapy first — that is, ways you can reposition your child to avoid putting pressure on the flattened areas. This kind of therapy is most likely to be successful if you try it before your baby reaches 6 months of age; after that it's much harder to control the position your baby sleeps in. If repositional therapy doesn't correct the problem, your doctor may recommend cranial orthotic therapy, a band (or sometimes a helmet) custom molded to fit your child's skull. (Reconstructive surgery is no longer recommended except in the most severe cases or in the case of craniosynostosis.) If your baby has torticollis, she will have to have physical therapy as well to treat this condition.
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Torticollis (wry neck)


What is torticollis?
Torticollis (also called congenital muscular torticollis) is a condition that causes a baby's head and neck to tilt to one side. It affects about 2 percent of newborns. The cause is unknown, but doctors suspect that when a baby is positioned in the uterus so that her head is tilted to the side and her neck is down, the blood supply to the neck is cut off. This results in some tightness in one of the two strap (or sternocleidomastoid) muscles that connect the breastbone, head, and neck, and allow a baby to turn her neck. Though the baby may look uncomfortable, this condition causes no pain. About 8 percent of babies born with torticollis will also have other problems such as hip dislocation.

How will I know if my baby has torticollis?
You'll probably notice one or both of the telltale symptoms: Your baby may hold her head to one side and have limited neck movement, or she may have a small bump on the side of her neck. Torticollis is usually diagnosed within the first two months of a baby's life because even if parents don't spot it, a pediatrician will. Babies with torticollis may also develop positional plagiocephaly (asymmetrical head shape) because they'll often sleep with their head turned to the affected side. There are also a few other less common forms of torticollis. One, called wryneck, which happens when one of the vertebrae doesn't develop completely. Another, called acquired torticollis, is a serious condition that can come on anytime after birth and is usually an indication of a more serious problem, such as a brain or spinal cord tumor. Your doctor may need to take X-rays or perform other tests to determine which form your baby has.

How is it treated?
If your baby is found to have congenital muscular torticollis, you'll want to get her started on a stretching routine to lengthen and stretch her tight neck muscles. The doctor may show you the proper exercises (or refer you to a physical therapist), and you'll be required to perform them on your child several times a day. The moves aren't complicated, but if you're not comfortable doing them, ask your physical therapist to help you. You'll also want to provide as many opportunities as possible for your baby to turn her head to the other side. To that end, you should approach her from the non-affected side, encouraging her to turn her head in that direction. You can also place your baby to sleep with her head turned to the non-affected side. When she's awake, it's very important to give your baby plenty of time on her stomach. This will help to develop the muscles in her neck.

How long does it take to see results?
You'll probably see improvement within weeks. And as long as your baby's condition was discovered early enough — ideally by the age of 2 or 3 months — and she's following a rigorous stretching program, it should be fully corrected by age 1. (Your doctor may refer you to a physical therapist to help stretch the muscles.) If, however, the muscles do not return to their normal length and your baby doesn't have a normal range of motion by the time she's 18 months old, your doctor may refer you to an orthopedic surgeon, who may recommend surgery to lengthen the muscles. Surgery is necessary in about 15 percent of cases.
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Wednesday, May 09, 2007

Tackle it Tuesday

Tackle It Tuesday Meme


http://www.5minutesformom.com
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Monday, January 15, 2007

Tammy Siggy

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Oh and this is a closed blog, only those I give a link too see these, which is only you and me.
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Friday, July 28, 2006

friends

  • You Just Never Know...

  • 3outta5

  • Planet Jules

  • 8 is not enough

  • Ramblings From Robin

  • Our Journey

  • I'd Rather Laugh

  • Rebecca's Blog

  • Oh to be a 40's Torch Singer

  • Days of Deerledge

  • Opinionated mother of two TTC #3

  • Rantings of a Late Night Mama


  • a little pregnant

  • expressions of luv

  • 10 Tiny Toes

  • My Journey with my IF's

  • darrenh

  • joanne ms days


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    Sunday, July 02, 2006

    Tammy siggy

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    Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

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    Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

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    Monday, June 12, 2006

    Poems (loss)

    Thoughts on becoming a mother:

    There are women that become mothers without effort, without thought, without patience or loss and though they are good mothers and love their children, I know that I will be better.
    I will be better not because of genetics, or money or that I have read more books but because I have struggled and toiled for this child.
    I have longed and waited. I have cried and prayed.
    I have endured and planned over and over again.
    Like most things in life, the people who truly have appreciation are those who have struggled to attain their dreams.
    I will notice everything about my child.
    I will take time to watch my child sleep, explore and discover. I will marvel at this miracle every day for the rest of my life.
    I will be happy when I wake in the middle of the night to the sound of my child, knowing that I can comfort, hold and feed him… and that I am not waking to take another temperature, pop another pill, take another shot or cry tears of a broken dream – my dream will be crying for me.
    I count myself lucky in this sense; that God has given me this insight, this special vision with which I will look upon my child that my friends will not see.
    Whether I parent a child I actually give birth to or a child that God leads me to, I will not be careless with my love.
    I will be a better mother for all that I have endured…
    I am a better wife, a better aunt, a better daughter, neighbor, friend and sister because I have known pain, known disillusionment, been betrayed by my own body… been tried by fire and hell many never face – yet given time, I stood tall. I have prevailed. I have succeeded. I have won.
    So now, when others hurt around me, I do not run from their pain in order to save myself discomfort. I see it, mourn it, and join them in theirs.
    I listen. And even though I cannot make it better, I can make it less lonely.
    I have learned the immense power of another hand holding tight to mine, of other eyes that moisten as they learn to accept harsh truth, when life is beyond hard. I have learned a compassion that only comes with walking in those shoes. I have learned to appreciate life.
    Yes, I will be a wonderful mother.
    A Different Child
    poem by Pandora MacMillian

    People notice
    There's a special glow around you.
    You grow
    Surrounded by love,
    Never doubting you are wanted;
    Only look at the pride and joy
    In your mother and father's eyes.
    And if sometimes
    Between the smiles
    There's a trace of tears,
    One day
    You'll understand.
    You'll understand
    There was once another child
    A different child
    Who was in their hopes and dreams.
    That child will never outgrow the baby clothes
    That child will never keep them up at night
    In fact, that child will never be any trouble at all.
    Except sometimes, in a silent moment,
    When mother and father miss so much
    That different child.
    May hope and love wrap you warmly
    And may you learn the lesson forever
    How infinitely precious
    How infinitely fragile
    Is this life on earth.
    One day, as a young man or woman
    You may see another mother's tears
    Another father's silent grief Then you, and you alone Will understand And offer the greatest comfort. When all hope seems lost, You will tell them With great compassion, "I know how you feel. I'm only here Because my mother tried again."


    Angel Wings
    By Jean Rozon

    A precious angel slipped away, no one heard a cry.
    No time for Dad and Mommy to sing me lullabies.
    My time with you was much too short. I had to leave too soon,
    But love had joined us as I grew inside my Mommy's womb.
    It wove it's way within our hearts, in all our hopes and dreams,
    Until the very purest love became my tiny wings.
    Although I could not stay with you, I knew right from the start,
    That once you felt your angel's love, you'd keep me in your hearts.
    I'm just a little angel but my time was not in vain.
    As dark clouds that surround you give way unto the sun,
    My precious parents you will see that any heart will sing,
    If only for a moment it is brushed by angel wings.


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    Friday, May 05, 2006

    Clomid ( clomiphene citrate )

    Clomid ( clomiphene citrate ) was first synthesized in 1956 and introduced for clinical trials in 1960. Since then, Clomid has been widely used as a "first line" treatment to induce and regulate.

    Clomid is typically administered on either day's three to seven or day's five to nine of the menstrual cycle with "day one" defined as the first day of normal menstrual flow. Clomid works at the hypothalamus, a small gland at the base of the brain. Clomid stimulates the production of gonadotropin releasing hormone( GnRH ), which stimulates the pituitary gland to produce follicle stimulating hormone ( FSH ). stimulates the development of the ovarian follicles which contain the eggs.

    Clomid is taken orally and should be taken at the same time each day. The "fertile time," or the time of ovulation usually occurs five to eight days after the last Clomid tablet is taken.Sometimes Clomid is given to stimulate ovulation for intrauterine insemination, IUI, usually in combination with FSH.

    The physician determines how Clomid cycles should be monitored. Early in treatment, patients usually take clomiphene for five days each month and return for a follow - up examination after three months of therapy if they do not become pregnant. Sometimes, the physician may wish to monitor the Clomid cycles more closely.
    A combination of ovulation predictor kits and / or ultrasounds may be used to determine the number of follicles present, their rate of growth, and to help pinpoint the time of ovulation.

    Clomid has been used for many years and is considered a safe and effective medication. It does, however, have risks and occasionally there may be side - effects. Clomid side - effects can include abdominal discomfort often described as "fullness and / or soreness," hot flashes, moodiness, or visual disturbances. Acetaminophen ( Tylenol ) can help with these symptoms. In a few patients, Clomid can cause enlargement of an ovary; if this occurs, a patient is advised to seek an internal examination by her physician.

    Clomid is associated with a 10% incidence of multiple births, but the vast majority of these multiple births are twins. There is no increased risk of birth defects. If Clomid has not produced a pregnancy within three to six months, alternate modes of treatment should be pursued. The literature strongly supports that using Clomid beyond six months is unlikely to result in pregnancy.
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    Thursday, April 27, 2006

    Prometrium

    Prometrium

    pronounced: pro-ME-tree-um

    Generic name: Progesterone


    Why is this drug prescribed?

    Prometrium is prescribed for postmenopausal women who are taking estrogen (hormone replacement therapy); it prevents a buildup of the lining of the uterus and abnormal bleeding. Prometrium also may be prescribed to restore menstruation if your menstrual periods have stopped.

    Most important fact about this drug

    Prometrium increases the risk of blood clots, which can lead to phlebitis, breathing problems, vision problems, or stroke. If you experience any symptoms that might suggest the onset of a clot-related disorder--pain with swelling, warmth, and redness in a leg vein, coughing or shortness of breath, loss of vision or double vision, migraine, or weakness or numbness in an arm or leg--stop taking Prometrium and see your doctor immediately.


    How should you take this medication?

    Take Prometrium as directed by your doctor. If Prometrium is prescribed to prevent abnormal buildup of the uterine lining, you will take it once a day for 12 days in a 28-day cycle. If it is prescribed to treat missed menstrual periods, you will take it for 10 days. Prometrium is taken in the evening.

    --If you miss a dose...

    Take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Never take 2 doses at the same time.

    --Storage instructions...

    Store at room temperature. Protect from light and moisture.


    What side effects may occur?

    Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Prometrium.


      • More common side effects may include:
      Abdominal cramping, back pain, bloating, breast tenderness or pain, chest pain, constipation, coughing, depression, diarrhea, dizziness, emotional instability, fatigue, headache, hot flashes, irritability, joint pain, muscle pain, nausea, night sweats, swelling of hands and feet, upper respiratory infection, urinary problems, vaginal discharge, vaginal dryness, viral infection, vomiting, worry

      • Less common or rare side effects may include:
      Abnormal vision, acne, abscess, allergic reaction, anxiety, arthritis, blood clot, breakthrough bleeding (between menstrual periods), breast cancer or lump, breast enlargement, bronchitis, change in menstrual flow, chest pain, confusion, decreased or increased appetite, dry mouth, earache, fever, fibroids in uterus, gallbladder disorder, herpes simplex, high blood pressure, indigestion, injury, insomnia, irregular heartbeat, itching, lack of menstruation, leg cramps, lung inflammation, lymph problems, muscle tension, nasal congestion, nervousness, personality disorder, rash, rectal bleeding, sleepiness, sinus inflammation, skin discoloration, sore throat, stomach or intestinal inflammation, speech disorder, spotting, stomach hernia, swelling, throat infection, tooth disorders, vaginal inflammation, warts, weakness, weight change, yellowed skin and eyes

    Why should this drug not be prescribed?

    Do not take Prometrium if you have ever had an allergic reaction to it. Prometrium contains peanut oil, so you should also avoid this medication if you are allergic to peanuts.

    Do not take Prometrium if you are pregnant or have had an incomplete miscarriage. Avoid it if you have ever had a blood clotting disorder or a stroke. Do not take this drug if you have breast or genital cancer, unexplained vaginal bleeding, or severe liver disease.

    pecial warnings about this medication

    To rule out cancer and other problems before you start taking Prometrium, your doctor will give you a complete physical exam, including examination of your breasts and pelvic organs. You also should have a Pap test (cervical smear). Tell your doctor if you experience any irregular vaginal bleeding while taking this medication.

    Remember that Prometrium can cause clot-related disorders. Check with your doctor immediately if you experience any of the warning signs listed in "Most important fact about this drug."

    Prometrium may cause some degree of fluid retention. If you have a medical condition that could be made worse by fluid retention--such as epilepsy, migraine, asthma, or a heart or kidney problem--make sure your doctor knows about it.

    Prometrium makes some women depressed. If you've suffered from serious depression in the past, alert your doctor if you think you're having a relapse You will probably need to stop taking Prometrium.

    Prometrium has a slight effect on insulin and blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, your doctor will want to watch you closely while you are taking this drug.

    Prometrium may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. If you experience extreme drowsiness or dizziness, the doctor may tell you to take Prometrium at bedtime.

    Because progesterone is processed in the liver and kidneys, the doctor will monitor you closely if you have a mild liver or kidney disorder. If you have severe liver disease, the drug should not be used at all.

    In rare cases, women taking Prometrium suffer a sudden drop in blood pressure that can cause them to faint


    Possible food and drug interactions
    when taking this medication

    Tell the doctor if you're taking the antifungal medication ketoconazole (Nizoral) or a similar drug. It's possible that it may increase Prometrium's effect

    Special information
    if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

    Because the possibility of harm to a developing infant cannot be ruled out, Prometrium should not be taken during pregnancy.

    Prometrium appears in breast milk. The drug is recommended for nursing mothers only if it is clearly necessary.

    To Prevent Abnormal Buildup of the Uterine Lining

    For women taking daily conjugated estrogen tablets, the usual dosage of Prometrium is 200 milligrams taken each evening for 12 days in a 28-day cycle.

    To Restore Menstrual Periods

    The usual dose is 400 milligrams taken each evening for 10 days

    Overdosage

    Although no specific information is available, any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. If you suspect an overdose of Prometrium, seek medical attention immediately.


















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