Path to Page Workshop Part 4

Recently, I went on a day long hiking and writing workshop in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Northern Michigan. The class was lead by Ann-Marie Ooman and sponsored by Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear, the park liaison group that coordinates volunteer efforts to maintain the historic buildings on the park grounds.
The hike went through the Port Oneida Historical District, which contains unoccupied homes, barns, beautiful forests and breathtaking views of Lake Michigan.
The following is an excerpt from one of my writings that day, in its first draft form.

Port Oneida Schoolhouse

Prompts:
1. Once...
2. I remember...
3. I dreamed...
4. What I understand now...

Once, not that long ago, these doors were open everyday, letting in the neighboring children summoned by a bell to class. It was the hub of the community. Did the children like to be here? That would've depended on the comparative differences for each child between home life and school. What was the teacher like? They would've had him or her for several years until the teacher either moved on to a different district or married and abandoned the career altogether.
I remember the competitiveness of elementary and junior high, the value of proving myself outside of home and excelling among my peers. It was a place where girls really could compete, and even had the advantage. An advantage that evaporated quickly after college. These girls in Port Oneida would've lost that advantage earlier. While allowed to attend school up until maybe 8th grade, they would've had somewhat equal footing with the boys here. Vocational training at home would be very different based on gender expectations.
As a child, I dreamed of a limitless world, the stuff of Disney fables, where women are valued for substance. Their ideas appreciated and given equal footing.
What I understand now is that it was an illusion. Without the security of gender roles and stability of the family as a unit, more is expected of women with less reward. As child bearers and rearers, women are still a vulnerable population that need special considerations and protections. In our haste to control our lives as women, we have lost our natural biological selves. What Would Nature Do? It would extinct us for our errors.

Path to Page Workshop Part 3

Recently, I went on a day long hiking and writing workshop in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Northern Michigan. The class was lead by Ann-Marie Ooman and sponsored by Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear, the park liaison group that coordinates volunteer efforts to maintain the historic buildings on the park grounds.
The hike went through the Port Oneida Historical District, which contains unoccupied homes, barns, beautiful forests and breathtaking views of Lake Michigan.
The following is an excerpt from one of my writings that day, in its first draft form.



Werner Family Cemetery

It was holy. That's what the early settlers thought of the views of Lake Michigan. The Lake, with its sparkling blue and crashing waves, was ultimately a hold place. It was customary to bury family on a hill overlooking the property. Maybe a nod to a life well lived; forever smiling down on what was accomplished and watching over family? But here, here they are also within earshot of the waves, overlooking, now through trees, the vast expanse of blue - all the way to the horizon. Where the Lake meets the sky; a symbol of eternity. This is easily a place of rest.
What Would Nature Do? Nature, which can be of such danger and unpredictability, can also comfort and soothe.
This is a holy place. Not made holy by the presence of human remains on a blessed and hallowed piece of ground, but rather recognized as holy by fellow humans over 100 years ago. Recognized as a place that they chose to create monuments to their dead and put them back into the hands of God.
This is where I want to be, at peace in this natural place, hearing the conversation of God as He "hovers over the face of the waters" and splashes on the rocks of the shore below.
These are the things that refuel me, and give me the strength to do the things I need to do. Perfect quiet, perfect peace. So rare yet so vital.
So about here is where God caught up with us on the trail - or at least me. Feeling Him fully here, I can guess that the settlers felt Him too. Comfort and resignation at the burying of their dead. Whether it meant an increase in hardship at the loss or a blessed rest of a suffering family member, God came alongside them here, as He does me even now. This is a place of reflection. I wish I could capture the feeling here with a picture. I'm sure I won't.
It is warm with a slight breeze. Cicada are humming; waves are crashing. The ground is cool and dry. Branches crunch under step. Sunlight plays through the moving leaves. Time to go...

Path to Page Workshop Part 2

Recently, I went on a day long hiking and writing workshop in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Northern Michigan. The class was lead by Ann-Marie Ooman and sponsored by Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear, the park liaison group that coordinates volunteer efforts to maintain the historic buildings on the park grounds.
The hike went through the Port Oneida Historical District, which contains unoccupied homes, barns, beautiful forests and breathtaking views of Lake Michigan.
The following is an excerpt from one of my writings that day, in its first draft form.

Miller Barn
Birds, leaves rustling in the breeze, sounds of distant traffic. Stillness of the barn. It rests easily and comfortably on its property. The house is gone, first from fire, then from neglect, but the barn remains - still and strong. It is on a firm foundation of stones - the huge corner posts resting flatly on boulders. This is an easy place to be, the site is at rest.



Earlier I wondered what the people who lived here thought of life on the edge of Lake Michigan, with its dramatic views and fierce weather. Were they afraid, awestruck when they looked out on the larger than life landscape? I often feel that way, overwhelmed by the otherworldly sights here. But 125 years ago, when their lives depended on the elements, how much more amazing it would've been to see the Lake, on it's beautiful days as well as it's stormy ones. With all of the modern control I have over my world, looking out onto the dunes and Lake still makes me feel small.
Yes, they were terrified - unable to control the elements, like the cold and snow of winter and storms, they had to always be prepared - to accept whatever came on a daily basis. Their coping mechanisms were not developed like ours are - a/c, furnace, radar to track storms, snow plows, and good cars. Every change had the potential to be a huge upset; every storm could destroy, like a roof blown off a barn.
In the Olsen house nearby, there is an interpretive display about life on an early farm, which talks about the daily drudgery of the "wood chores". If they didn't do wood chores daily in the winter, there would be no cooked food, no warm house, no warm water. They are wrong about the wood chores. Wood chores, no mater how laborious, create the end result of incredible warmth. It is a miracle in the dead of winter to enjoy the warmth of a fire. Having lived a winter season in an old drafty farm house can create the appreciation of heat on a bitterly cold night. It is the kind of heat that warms to the bones. It is an enormous blessing, universally enjoyed and appreciated by every living thing in the house.

From Anne-Marie Oomen's writing, "When its work is done, a barn knows how to be alone...it knows how to close its eye; it does not long for callers."
Yes, old barns really know how to be empty, when they are solidly cared for and sturdily made. Old homes do not know how to be empty - a sadness resonates in them and reverberates outward onto their sites, and can be felt in a passing car - even at 55 mph. Old homes, without the flow of story, are unable to stand, and start to become invaded by weather and animals. What Would Nature Do? It would erase all traces of human past.
Why? Why are we so much a part of the natural world, yet so far from it? Why are we at war with it?
This site, at the Miller Barn, is a site at rest. Nature and humans have struck a balance here, allowing for serenity to pervade the very rocks of the foundation.

Path to Page Workshop Part 1

Recently, I went on a day long hiking and writing workshop in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Northern Michigan. The class was lead by Ann-Marie Ooman and sponsored by Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear, the park liaison group that coordinates volunteer efforts to maintain the historic buildings on the park grounds.
The hike went through the Port Oneida Historical District, which contains unoccupied homes, barns, beautiful forests and breathtaking views of Lake Michigan.
The following is an excerpt from one of my writings that day, in its first draft form.

Prompt: “The wilderness is within walking distance…”
…And beyond that the calm of the lake, where the “spirit of the Lord is hovering over the face of the waters.” (as in Genesis 1), then more wilderness – in the form of an island. Aren’t all wildernesses islands? Ever shrinking spaces in our haste to control the world? Often we’d like to think so, but then the wilderness escapes.
“What Would Nature Do?” as I saw on a t-shirt yesterday in a local gift shop. Interesting theology, meant to somehow evoke trust in nature and raise it to the form of deity. Bad news is that Nature would very likely kick your ass and not think twice. “Nature” isn’t interested in our best interest as humans, and while we have certain evolutionary advantages, like thumbs and larger brains, we are on our own in the natural world. Self preservation, in and of itself, is completely natural.
Wilderness is always within walking distance, but the truth is that it is walking up on us – ever stalking and sneaking in- seeking its own end. If you’ve ever attempted to garden, you’ll recognize this fact – especially if you have a fondness for controlled, tidy beds. Nature is certainly not tidy, and wields its own beauty in its very unpredictability and awe evoking power. It is a system set into play with its own rules and its own sense of truth, much unknowable. While we can “know” the biology, botany, meteorology and other parameters of nature, we can’t know them in the sense of accepting and letting go of the control and predictability we want. This space, this park, is about conceding the desire to rule, stepping back, setting a truce, watching and waiting. And, as the spirit of the Lord hovers over the waters, if we are still, we may connect to it.

High on this hill, overlooking Lake Michigan and the surrounding farmlands and the Manitou Islands, what did people think of this view one hundred years ago? Would it be more or less awe inspiring?

Running

Last year, at the age of 40, I began to run. Why? Well, maybe the first clue is easy to spot: I turned 40. It wasn't just that, it was actually a lot of things. Over the past four years, having escaped marriage in to the serenity of divorced life as a single mom (yes I did say serenity), I expected certain goals would be met by my 40th. I really had my dial set for 40, no farther. Four years was plenty of time to heal, recover financially, get the kids settled into this new reality, and who knows - maybe even have a tidy relationship with a boyfriend on the side. For a while, all was falling into place, operating under the power of my own steam, along with the help of others, was really working. Along the way, the shine began to wear off of my acomplishments, my momentum slowed, and life got very - well- 'daily'. Slower than daily actually.
And then I fell down the stairs. In my fuzzy socks hopping down my wooden stairs, turning to pick up a discarded toy, I lost my grip on the floor and twisted at the knee in one unnatural electrically jolting movement while I crashed into the livingroom. It took eight months of ignoring it to get to the point where I realized it wasn't gong to fix itself, and four more to get the surgery I needed. The motivation to move followed quickly on the heals of four weeks on crutches. Physical therapy went well, and I harnessed the momentum toward wellness into a running program.
This spring, I ran in the Riverbank Run in Grand Rapids, my first time ever in any kind of race. 21,000 runners were there that morning to participate in one of the races, mine was the 5K. While 5K may not sound far, it is after all only 3.1 miles, it was the longest I had ever run. I was very insecure about how I might perform that day. Would I make it? Would I have to walk? Would every other person pass me? Would I freeze to dealth with forcast rain in the low 40's? None of my fears were valid and after 5 months of training, the race felt like a victory lap. Every step of it.
Am I a runner? Yes. Because I run, and I have found my momentum again.

Fertility Q & A - When to Start Trying to Conceive, Delaying Fertility, and When to Start Treatment.

Q: I'm 34 and want to wait a year or two to try to get pregnant (I just got married and want to enjoy our new status!) Will my chances to get pregnant change dramatically in that time period, or stay the same as they are now?
A: Congratulations on your marriage! There are certainly a lot of changes in your life right now, and even good changes need time for adjustment. Family-planning often follows closely on the heels of the big event, making you (and your spouse) wonder if you are moving too quickly.
Taking all things into consideration, you have to stop and listen to the ticking of your biological clock. It is a fact of nature that after the age of 35, egg quality starts to decrease significantly in women. While it is true that women get pregnant after age 35 all the time, it is more challenging due to changes that occur in the eggs chromosomes and the biochemical make up of the cell. Beginning to try to conceive at age 34 is biologically better than waiting until you are 36. It is certainly possible that you will get pregnant at age 36 with no trouble at all. The problem is that you won't know until you try.
In this day of female independence, many women are offended to hear that at age 35, their eggs are "old". The reality is that we are naturally designed to have our children young; much younger than we are often socially and financially ready to. You and your husband may find it more important as a couple to wait a few years, just make sure you are making an informed decision.

Q: Is it common for women to freeze their eggs for use at a later date, and does it typically work?
A: Egg freezing is an attractive possibility for a few reasons. Single women could store eggs well ahead of menopause to prolong their child-bearing years. Cancer patients could insure their reproductive abilities by saving eggs in the deep freeze ahead of cancer treatments that often damage them. And of course, the most ethically significant reason: the dilemmas regarding frozen embryos would be avoided if the eggs and sperm could be successfully frozen separately. This would eliminate the painful decisions of what to do with unused frozen embryos.
The reality of the matter is that the technology for freezing eggs is still experimental and relatively unproven. It is starting to become commercially available at select clinics around the country, but I would recommend that women do their homework first. The human egg is very fragile and generally does not survive freezing well. Understand that the take home baby rate per thawed egg is extremely low. The younger the woman is when she freezes the eggs, the better the possibility of a pregnancy later. No one should rely entirely on this method for reproduction at this time. Eventually, as the scientific technique gets better, this may become more mainstream medical care.

Q: How long should I try to get pregnant on my own before seeing an Infertility Specialist?
A: If you are a woman under 35, specialists recommend that you seek assistance after 12 months of unprotected intercourse without pregnancy. If you are over 35, don't wait longer than 6 months. Egg quality changes drastically after age 35, and every cycle counts.
If you want to be proactive and work toward conception without the wait, I suggest an at-home fertility product, such as the Conception Kit. It is a great way for people to take charge of their fertility, and get a jump start on trying to conceive. Often, men in particular are reluctant to see the doctor, knowing that it will involve the possibility of a semen analysis. Using an at-home product can help get started without the pressure of an office visit, easing your partner into the process, while still working toward your goal of building a family.

Sources:

1. http://www.asrm.org/Patients/patientbooklets/agefertility.pdf
2. http://www.asrm.org/Media/Practice/Essential_elements.pdf

Human Egg Freezing

One of the newer and more exciting prospects in reproductive medicine is the emerging technology for cryopreserving, or freezing, human eggs. As many young women delay marriage and child bearing due to career options or relationship flexibility, the idea of egg freezing is an attractive possibility for a few reasons. Single women could store eggs well ahead of menopause to prolong their child-bearing years. Cancer patients could insure their reproductive abilities by saving eggs in the deep freeze ahead of cancer treatments that often damage them. And of course, the most broadly reaching reason: the ethical dilemmas regarding frozen embryos would be all avoided if the eggs and sperm could be successfully frozen separately and combined post thaw. Currently, untold thousands of frozen embryos remain in storage waiting for disposition.
The reality of the matter is that the technology for freezing eggs is still experimental and relatively unproven. It is starting to become commercially available at select clinics around the country, but it is recommended that women do their homework first. It is important to understand that the take home baby rate per egg is extremely low. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) gives the live birth rate as 2-4% per oocyte thawed, for women who froze oocytes before age 35. (1) The younger the woman is when she freezes the eggs, the better the possibility of a pregnancy later.
In order to obtain eggs to freeze, the patient must undergo ovarian stimulation with hormone medications that carry risks of adverse effects, require frequent blood tests and transvaginal ultrasounds, and give no guarantee of the number of eggs produced. Typically, women in their late thirties and early forties are likely to produce only a few eggs, and those eggs will be of lesser quality than eggs produced by younger women. When freezing eggs, women should also realize that to use them later will require ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection), which will add significant cost to the procedure.
Since this is a new and unproven technique, many clinics have little data on success rates for their own patients. In the early years of such programs, the majority of the work is done freezing the eggs and the thawing and attempted fertilization will come in later years. It may take five to ten years to really get reliable statistics for any one clinic.
While this is new and exciting technology in theory, no one should rely entirely on this method for reproduction at this stage. The human egg is very fragile and generally does not survive freezing well yet. It will be a brilliant option for women and solve some of the ethical cryopreservation issues at clinics when it is good enough to be mainstream medical care. It is however, highly experimental at this time. It is wonderful when people are able to participate in cutting edge science, but considering the high price and the low success, women should carefully weigh their options.
We have a lot of faith in medical science, possibly too much. People expect good medical solutions for their problems. In our generation of readily accessible birth control, we expect to have complete control over our reproductive lives start to finish. There are some things in life that money just can't buy and time is one of them.

Footnote
1. Essential Elements of Informed Consent for Elective Oocyte Cryopreservation: A Practice Committee Opinion http://www.asrm.org/Media/Practice/Essential_elements.pdf

Talking to Men about Infertility

In America, approximately 7.3 million women of reproductive age have sought reproductive services (1), sometimes with less than cooperative spouses. Women and men approach infertility differently and this can cause tension in the relationship. As women, trying to consider the reasons behind men's reluctance to undergo fertility treatment may contribute to harmony that restores the unified effort of trying to conceive.

So, why might a man deny why help is necessary in the first place? Women are often more open to medical testing of any kind, and may not see a problem with getting checked out, particularly if it is a test covered by insurance. Men don't necessarily think of it that way.

First of all, there is the barrier of actually making the appointment and giving the semen specimen to the lab. Men often don't want to have to collect a semen specimen at the clinic, which can be embarrassing. Using the collection room, which is usually a bathroom with some adult magazines, can make men very uncomfortable, especially when the walls are not sound proof and they can hear people walking or talking nearby. Having to "perform on command" can be daunting for some men, increasing their stress level. It helps to ask if the clinic allows men to collect their specimen at home. This can give a man the freedom to produce the specimen in the comfort of his own surroundings. His wife may offer to take the specimen cup into the lab for him, to avoid the awkwardness of facing the lab staff.

The next barrier is the fear of the results. Many men identify their masculinity with their sexual performance and the quality of their sperm. Even the possibility of getting a negative diagnosis in the form of a poor semen analysis result can stop a man in his tracks.

How can a woman broach the subject without creating a fight or argument? It is good to approach this topic with sensitivity. A woman should consider his perspective: the embarrassment, the fear of negative results, and the potential attack on his identity as a man. These can be very real issues, and cause a man to drag his feet. Studies have shown that it can take a man several months to go in for a semen analysis after it has been ordered.

The idea of getting a semen analysis done can be discussed from a financial stand point. The test is usually one of the least expensive fertility tests available and may be covered by insurance. Also, the results can give the couple peace of mind; they will know what they are facing.

There is the very real possibility, however, that the problem may lie with the man. Unfortunately in this situation women have to sometimes be cautious and not share the concern that he may have a problem with his semen bluntly. A gentle, non accusing approach is appropriate here. This is not the time for pointing fingers, it is important not to assign blame; 20-40% of the time the diagnosis is shared. (2) For example, he could have a low sperm count and she might not be ovulating. As a couple, they are in it together no matter where the problem originates.

To fully address the deeper relational issues, using the services of a counselor, particularly a fertility counselor, may be of help. Of course, men who have unspoken objections about participating in fertility treatments may be unwilling to see a fertility counselor. For men who are not very open about the process, seeing a counselor may be seen as putting themselves into another kind of vulnerable situation, similar to having the testing done. If a woman able to convince her partner to go to some counseling, the fertility counselor can take the lead so that it is not seen as an attack coming from her. Also, being open minded in the process is vital; the counselor is not there to take either side, but to help both process their emotions so that they can make good decisions. The counselor can point out the spectrum of issues involved in infertility. Of all diagnosis, about fifty percent of the time it is related to the male. There is also a good chance that the problem is both male and female related. Seeing a counselor both individually and as a couple can certainly be beneficial.

How can a woman help a man to feel like a real partner in the fertility process? Men can definitely feel left out, with "the couple" becoming the woman and her doctor. Suddenly, the doctor becomes the person who is going to get her pregnant; a further challenge to his masculinity and role in the relationship. Being sensitive to this and offering to include him as much as possible can help. Considering using an at home based Conception Kit is a good way to start. (3) Using the Conception Kit can allow the man to get involved with the cycle planning, if he wants. The best part is that the couple gets to have sex, not just having to collect the sperm in some bathroom. Using the kit, the semen is collected in a non-spermicidal, non-latex condom, and then transferred to a silicone cervical cap, which is worn by the woman. The Conception Kit can also be used prior to getting a semen analysis, which will remove some of the hesitation on the man's part. This may allow a reluctant couple to get started sooner!

It is possible that the man may not want to be more involved in the process. Women tend to really dig in and learn all that they can, tracking their cycles religiously and watching for all the fertility signs. Men take a more laid back, simplistic approach. Realizing these differences can be a strength, the man and the woman can balance each other out. It is important to not insist that he reacts the same way that she does to the challenges of trying to conceive. Let him be himself, and appreciate him for who he is, and don't push him too hard.

Footnotes
1. National Survey of Family Growth, National Center for Health Statistics, United States Department of Health and Human Services http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/fertile.htm
2. http://www.asrm.com
3. http://www.conceptionkit.com

Cervical Cap Insemination

Many couples who are facing infertility find that there are few satisfying therapeutic options between timing ovulation and undergoing IVF. There is another lesser known category of treatment that couples can consider; cervical cap insemination. To use this technique, the semen is collected and placed into a small cap which is inserted into the vagina and onto the cervix, the opening to the uterus. The sperm are held next to the cervical mucus while being shielded from the vaginal environment. Without this protection the sperm die within minutes after intercourse. Capping the semen onto the cervix allows all the available sperm to swim up into the uterus and fallopian tubes, to where the egg will be. The cervical cap can be used for treating low sperm count, low sperm motility, tilted cervix, and other common conditions.
Cervical caps have been used by gynecologists and urologists for decades and have been documented in medical literature since the first edition of Fertility and Sterility in 1950. At that time, Dr. M.J. Whitelaw wrote about a technique for insemination by “using a plastic cervical cap filled with the husband’s semen applied to the cervix for 24 hours”. (1) This was done to treat oligospermia, which is low sperm count. At the time, other OB/GYNs were also doing cervical cap insemination, but with a heavier cup made of surgical steel, with the women undergoing treatment having to lie down in the doctor’s exam room for six hours with their hips elevated.
Cervical cap insemination was used widely into the 1970’s and 1980’s. Effective for the treatment of low sperm count and tilted cervix, it was also used for unexplained infertility. In 1983, Dr. Michael Diamond and colleagues found that women with primary infertility, defined as no prior pregnancies, had a pregnancy rate of 43% in the first six months of cervical cap use. Women with secondary infertility, having a history of at least one pregnancy, had a pregnancy rate of 67% in the first six months of use. (2) Their method included a cervical cap that was placed by the patient onto the cervix then filled with semen using a catheter that fit into a small opening in the cap. The couples treated in this study generally had low sperm count and/or poor post coital test results, yet had normal evaluations of the female. The doctors in the study also offered cap insemination as an option for couples who had not completed a full evaluation which at the time included diagnostic laparoscopy. This allowed patients to continue trying to conceive and use all of their cycles, while still considering advanced options.
Eventually, with the advent of Invitro Fertilization (IVF) and subsequently Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), cervical cap insemination began to fall by the wayside. During the economic boom of the 1990’s, with more discretionary income, couples had access to a multitude of tests and procedures, even if their insurance did not cover them. Such tests as Hamster Egg Penetration, Hypo Osmotic Swelling Test, and Antibody Testing which were popular a few years back are not as frequently ordered by doctors today, citing the value of the results obtained compared with the money spent. ICSI, which was developed to treat low sperm count, is now used a majority of the time by clinicians with IVF. In the most recent data collected, The Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) reports that ICSI use for 2006 was 62% of all IVF cycles. In 2007, a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that over a decade, the rate of use of ICSI had increased five times although the sperm quality parameters over that same time period essentially remained the same.
While the cost and use of high tech treatments has skyrocketed in recent years, the cervical cap and at home insemination is quietly making a comeback. Couples interested in more cost effective, natural methods are seeking out other options for conceiving. At home insemination by cervical cap is a treatment option that can fit into several places in a couple’s fertility planning. For couples just beginning on their fertility journey, at home insemination could be used as a first step, especially when one or both of the partners are reluctant to spend a lot of time at the doctor’s office. For those who have been trying to conceive for several cycles, and may be taking fertility medications to enhance ovulation, a cervical cap could add another valuable tool to the treatment plan. Lastly, couples who are undergoing IVF cycles, or who have had IVF in the past, may want to try an at home insemination method on their cycles away from the more aggressive treatments. Single mothers of choice can also benefit from this technique as an alternate insemination delivery system.
Cervical caps, which have also been used for contraception to prevent pregnancy, are part of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). The current term for cervical cap devices used for insemination is conception cap. The cervical cap currently available for at home insemination is a modern upgrade of the old rigid plastic or metal caps of the past. The newer version is made of soft implantable grade silicone, and has flanges in the inner rim to create a one size cap that does not need to be custom fitted. It can be worn during normal activities, allowing a woman the freedom to go about her regular daily routine.
The clinical trial done for FDA clearance in 2007 was designed using couples who had been diagnosed with infertility; most of them also had attempted other methods such as IVF and IUI. The results were that 84% of patients found that placing the cervical cap on their cervix was easy to do, and 92% of patients found that the instructions were easy to understand. Of the patients involved in the clinical trial, 24% became pregnant within the first month, including couples with failed IVF and IUI attempts. (3)
Cervical cap use has shown positive results in the past and has something significant to contribute to the future of reproductive medicine. With the cost of medical expenses rising beyond the ability of the average consumer to pay, at home cervical cap insemination may be an attractive option for continuing pursuing family building in tough economic times.

Footnotes
1. Whitelaw MJ. 1950. Use of the cervical cap to increase fertility in case of oligospermia. Fertility and Sterility. 1:33.
2. Diamond, MP, Christianson C. Daniell JF, Wentz AC. Pregnancy following use of the cervical cup for home artificial insemination utilizing homologous semen. Fertility and Sterility. 1983 April; 39(4); 480-4.
3. Conception Kit clinical trials, Conceivex. 2006-2007 www.conceptionkit.com