Thursday, April 5, 2012

Fertility discovery

I can't believe it.

I just discovered something that completely impacted the way I view my fertility.

First, I want to thank my SIL for giving me the book Take Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler. She didn't really need it since they already have a baby (my nephew!). I had decided to start charting this past month, and I've been reading about it online. This book is way more informative than any web site, and I would suggest it for every woman, from those who want a natural way to understand their bodies to those who want birth control and/or pregnancy awareness.

I just read a section about practical tips beyond fertility awareness. I got to the section about antibiotics and yeast infections and lo and behold it says this:

"...antibiotics are notorious for killing the good bacteria along with the bad, often producing an overgrowth of CANDIDA, a type of yeast that RENDERS THE VAGINAL ENVIRONMENT INHOSPITABLE TO SPERM." (caps my own emphasis)

I got allergy tested for molds, and Candida was one of the yeasts my body has formed an immune response to! The doctor put me on a Candida and allergy-restricted diet, of which today is the last day before I add back the allergens.

I am completely shocked. THIS could be the reason I'm not getting pregnant!

I guess I am going to continue giving up sugars and other Candida-growth-promoting foods until I get pregnant. I still hope that when I visit I'll be given a green light to eat sugar once a week so I can at least have some homemade ice cream once in a while this summer (I miss chocolate!).

Wow.