4 Ways To Find Support During
The Lonely Battle With Infertility
Infertility can be a lonely and challenging journey. Women struggling to get pregnant may consider numerous options while experiencing a wide range of emotions in the process.
About 10 percent (6.1 million) of women in the United States between the ages of 15 and 44 have difficulty getting pregnant or staying pregnant, and the psychological toll can be great. Undergoing different types of infertility treatment, studies show, can exacerbate the emotional pain and anxiety as women wait for good news.
Those who try a natural fertility approach may initially feel lonely or detached from mainstream doctors because it’s considered a non-traditional path to pregnancy, says Hethir Rodriguez, founder and president of Natural Fertility Info.com (www.natural-fertility-info.com), a website that features natural fertility-focused expert advice and support.
“Most doctors tend to recommend medical interventions such as in vitro fertilization,” says Rodriguez, also a certified herbalist specializing in women’s health. “Many women will start researching different options online and trying to make a decision, but it can be confusing and overwhelming, and many couples can’t afford the medical interventions.
“Regardless of which route they choose, high levels of stress kick in, which makes it’s very difficult to conceive. Sadness, despair and loneliness are often part of the journey, and women struggling with infertility need support and sound direction on different levels.”
Rodriguez says there are four ways for women to find relief from the stress and sadness of infertility, and to maintain their hope of getting pregnant:
Talk to someone you trust. “It really helps if you connect with someone who understands what you’re going through – a loved one, therapist, or another woman who has gone through what you’re experiencing,” Rodriguez says.
Find inspiration. “This is a great way to keep hope alive,” Rodriguez says. “Many women eventually become pregnant after months or years of trying to conceive naturally. The key is to keep trying and never lose hope. There is always a path to motherhood for every woman out there – natural conception, medical interventions, sperm or egg donor, or adoption.”
Manage your stress. “Stress only exacerbates infertility and could potentially make it worse if your body is constantly in the sympathetic nervous system response of fight or flight,” Rodriguez says. “Do things to take your mind off it: start yoga, get involved with a spiritual group or your community, spend time volunteering, and practice gratitude for what you have.”
Stay connected. “This process may take some time, so it’s important to stay motivated and connected with whoever you’re working with, in whichever fertility path you choose,” Rodriguez says.”You need a support structure. Don’t go it alone.”
“When infertility becomes an issue, many women can feel like they have no one to talk to,” Rodriguez says. “But as they decide on a path to take, they will find they can build a support team, along with a bank of knowledge, that can keep them strong and help them realize their dream.”
About Hethir Rodriguez
Hethir Rodriguez is the founder and president of Natural Fertility Info.com (www.natural-fertility-info.com), a website focusing on many aspects of natural fertility, infertility, and reproductive health. She has been a certified herbalist for nearly 20 years, specializing in women’s health and natural fertility. Rodriguez holds a bachelor’s degree in nutrition sciences and is also a certified birth doula. Since founding Natural Fertility Info.com in 2007, Rodriguez has written and co-authored over 1200 articles on fertility. Her research, articles and guides have been read by over 40 million people.
Dear Dave,
I’m single and a firefighter, and we have a pension plus a 457(b) retirement plan. I’m not contributing to the 457(b) right now, because I’m following your plan and in Baby Step 2, which is paying off debt. Our retirement plan is managed by a big life insurance company, but I know you don’t like the idea of using insurance companies when it comes to investing. Can you give me a little guidance?
Dustin
Dear Dustin,
I’d max out a Roth IRA, which would be $6,000 a year in your case, before I did anything with the 457(b). That may not take you to the level I recommend—which is putting 15 percent of your income toward retirement—so then I’d investigate the options offered by the insurance company that’s managing your 457(b).
When you have a look at the options available to you within the 457(b), you’ll need to pay special attention to two things—the fees, this is where they’ll kill you, and the rates of return. If they are somehow accessing mutual funds, and you can get stock market-like rates of return—I’m talking about a 10 to 12 percent average over many years—then I’d put some in there.
Still, warning sirens in my head go off when I hear that a life insurance company is running a 457(b). Investing through a life insurance company is a bad idea 100 percent of the time. Now, is it a bad enough idea in this case to avoid it altogether? It may be an okay idea in this specific instance, but chances are it won’t be anything you’ll look at later and be blown away by great results.
That kind of thing just isn’t going to happen when you wrap an insurance company, or life insurance, around investing. I mean, you don’t go to a transmission shop to get your muffler fixed. It’s just not what they do!
—Dave
* Dave Ramsey is CEO of Ramsey Solutions. He has authored seven best-selling books, including The Total Money Makeover. The Dave Ramsey Show is heard by more than 15 million listeners each week on 600 radio stations and multiple digital platforms. Follow Dave on the web at daveramsey.com and on Twitter at @DaveRamsey.
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CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2019
AGRICULTURAL SUMMARY: Utah saw a good amount of moisture for the month of February, with snowpack levels well above normal, according to the Mountain Regional Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA. Topsoil moisture level conditions were rated 100 percent in the adequate to surplus range compared to only 48 percent the same period last year. Winter wheat condition rated good to excellent increased from 21 percent a year ago to 64 percent this year. Condition ratings fell from last year for cattle and calves from 84 percent good to excellent to 76 percent this year and sheep and lambs from 76 percent last year to 74 percent this year. The percentage of cattle and calves receiving supplemental feed is 93 percent, 13 percentage points above a year ago. Sheep and lambs receiving supplemental feed is also up from last year at 67 percent compared to 62 percent a year ago. Box Elder County has had a wet winter, with producers reporting standing water in fields as well as difficult calving conditions. Cache County reported very cold winter conditions. Duchesne County reported livestock were being fed due to deep snow in Basin rangeland. Beaver County reported snowpack was in great shape but the snowy conditions have led to higher than normal calf deaths. Iron County reported that the snow has helped with the drought conditions but calving was difficult. Hay and roughage supplies were rated 1 percent very short, 30 percent short, and 69 percent adequate. Stock water supplies were rated 3 percent short, 94 percent adequate, and 3 percent surplus.
Note: The next monthly report will be released for March on Monday, March 25, 2019. The first weekly report will be released on Monday, April 1, 2019
NA – not available (--) – zero
SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION Commodity Current report Previous report Previous year 5-year average (percent) (percent) (percent) (percent) Topsoil moisture Very short ......................................................... -- NA 17 NA Short ................................................................. -- NA 35 NA Adequate .......................................................... 91 NA 47 NA Surplus ............................................................. 9 NA 1 NA Subsoil moisture Very short ......................................................... -- NA 16 NA Short ................................................................. 11 NA 32 NA Adequate .......................................................... 83 NA 52 NA Surplus ............................................................. 6 NA -- NA NA – not available (--) – zero
LIVESTOCK PROGRESS Commodity Current report Previous report Previous year 5-year average (percent) (percent) (percent) (percent) Cattle and calves Cows calved ....................................................... 12 NA 16 NA Receiving supplemental feed ............................. 93 NA 80 NA Sheep and lambs Ewes lambed – farm flock ................................. 21 NA 16 NA Ewes lambed – range flock ................................ 1 NA 1 NA Receiving supplemental feed ............................. 67 NA 62 NA
CROP, LIVESTOCK, PASTURE AND RANGE CONDITION Current report Previous report Previous year 5-year average (percent) (percent) (percent) (percent) Pasture and range Very poor .......................................................... 1 NA 5 NA Poor ................................................................... 17 NA 10 NA Fair .................................................................... 27 NA 47 NA Good ................................................................. 54 NA 38 NA Excellent ........................................................... 1 NA -- NA Winter wheat Very poor .......................................................... -- NA 9 NA Poor ................................................................... 4 NA 21 NA Fair .................................................................... 32 NA 49 NA Good ................................................................. 58 NA 19 NA Excellent ........................................................... 6 NA 2 NA Cattle and calves Very poor .......................................................... -- NA -- NA Poor ................................................................... 4 NA 1 NA Fair .................................................................... 20 NA 15 NA Good ................................................................. 76 NA 82 NA Excellent ........................................................... -- NA 2 NA Sheep and lambs Very poor .......................................................... -- NA -- NA Poor ................................................................... 5 NA 2 NA Fair .................................................................... 21 NA 22 NA Good ................................................................. 74 NA 75 NA Excellent ........................................................... -- NA 1 NA NA – not available (--) – zero
Notice: Please be advised, the Crop Progress report’s weather data table has been discontinued for budget reasons. Please contact the NASS Mountain Regional Field Office at (720) 787-3150 with questions.
