Category Archives: Fairhaven Health Library

Fertility

When it comes to trying to conceive, knowledge is power.  Exciting new information is always becoming available on how to best support your fertility. Women who know when they are ovulating each month have a much greater chance of becoming pregnant. Men who test for low sperm count and take steps such as antioxidant supplementation are showing huge improvements in their numbers.

In our articles, you will find resources to help you take charge of your fertility. Keep us posted on your journey!

• Understanding Fertility
• Charting & Other Helpful Tips
• Ovulation & Timing
• Male Fertility & Sperm Health
• Nutrition, Lifestyle & Supplementation
• Cycle Irregularity, Hormone Imbalance, & Other Challenges
• Am I Pregnant?
• IVF, IUI & Other Assisted Reproductive Technologies

Pregnancy

The excitement has begun! There is probably no other time in your life where you will have so much happening within a nine month period. It all starts at the very beginning when you first start experiencing pregnancy signs and symptoms and maybe even getting a twinge of implantation pain. The rest of your nine months will be spent preparing for the big event of childbirth and baby in the house. Lots of research will keep you busy and the time will fly by.

Knowledge is power during pregnancy just like it is with fertility. You’ve heard the saying “eating for two” but now you really need to dig in and understand what certain minerals, vitamins, amino acids, antioxidants, and more can do for both you and your baby to keep your pregnancy on track. The mother’s health is critical as well and thinking ahead about things like perineal massage to avoid episiotomies, treatment for high blood pressure and preeclampsia, ultrasounds, and other miscellaneous medical aspects is important so you are informed and calm if an issue pops up.

This helpful guide for pregnant women covers pregnancy by trimester, health & nutrition, and pregnancy challenges and risks.

• Pregnancy Basics
• Pregnancy Signs & Testing
• Perineal Massage & Other Tips
• Pregnancy Wellness, Diet & Nutrition
• Pregnancy Procedures, Challenges & Risks

Breastfeeding

One of the most important decisions you will make in the early days of parenthood is how to feed your newborn. And who knew there is so much to learn about one of those choices – breastfeeding? When first learning about breastfeeding, you might come across confusing terms like let-down, foremilk, hindmilk, latching, and plenty more. Many birthing centers fortunately offer lactation consultants to help you in those early days after birth.

Because you are so busy growing your baby during pregnancy, it likely will not be your first thought that you should start early to prepare your body to nurse. Your baby is already the ultimate parasite – claiming every nutrient he or she needs even at your expense. Just like during pregnancy, it is critical to ensure you have enough minerals, vitamins, amino acids, and more on board at the right levels to sustain both you and your baby’s needs.

Get started on your breastfeeding education with these helpful articles.

• Latching, Pumping & Other Breastfeeding Basics
• Nipple, Milk Production, Milk Imbalance & Other Challenges
• Eating Right for Breastfeeding
• Weaning Your Baby & Starting Solids
• Lactation Research & Resources

Women’s Health

Menstrual cycles, ovulation, pregnancy, birth control, peri-menopause, menopause – women have a unique list of health matters to consider versus men. Hormones play a central role in women’s health. Estrogen and progesterone are most well known because of their influence on a woman’s reproductive health. Many people think males have a monopoly on testosterone but that is not the case. Testosterone belongs to a class of male hormones called androgens but women also have testosterone.

A woman’s body makes and uses many other kinds of hormones that affect other aspects of health from energy level, metabolism, insulin management, weight, mood, and more. Hormones can affect your quality of life with issues such as vaginal dryness and painful intercourse.

Start your journey to a better understanding of women’s health issues with our articles.

• Hormones and What Can Affect Them
• Monthly Woes – Breast Pain, Cramps, & More
• Peri-Menopause & Menopause
• Vaginal Health