This is the best news of the century! This week I read that eating ice cream can enhance fertility (and no, I didn’t read it in the National Enquirer).

The findings came from the Nurses Health Study at the Harvard School of Public Health.

Researchers found that women who ate ice cream two or more times a week had a 38 percent lower risk of infertility than women consuming ice cream less than once a week.

Women who ate two or more low-fat dairy products a day were nearly twice as likely to have trouble conceiving... more

I recently read a wonderful book called Building an Effective Women’s Ministry, by Sharon Jaynes. In one chapter, Amanda Bailey, who started Hannah’s Heart ministry for women experiencing infertility and miscarriage, shares how she began her program.

She started with some nonnegotiables... more

Working Mother magazine published its annual report on the 100 family-friendliest companies in the U.S. (October 2006 issue).

Here’s the breakdown on adoption and infertility benefits:

73 percent of Working Mother’s 100 Best Companies offer paid adoption leave, compared to 16 percent nationally.

91 percent of Working Mother’s 100 Best Companies offer adoption assistance, compared to 22 percent nationally.

72 percent of Working Mother’s 100 Best... more

Kathe Wunnenberg knows what it’s like to yearn for a child to continue the family legacy. She knows what it’s like to suffer in silence through years of infertility, infant loss, failed adoption, and miscarriage. She describes her devotional book, Longing for a Child, as a “companion of hope” for those who experience fertility challenges.

Similar to her first two books, Grieving the Loss of a Loved One and Grieving the... more

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I’m re-reading Patricia Irwin Johnston’s book, Adopting After Infertility. Early on in the book, she discusses how to deal with family and friends in regards to your fertility impairment.

Johnston points out that infertile people tend to be moody—every month, there’s that cycle of hope followed by despair. Events that other people celebrate, such as baby... more

In my previous post, I reviewed a Bible study for couples facing fertility challenges. Today, I’ll review another publication from Stepping Stones: “Starting an Infertility Support Group.”

Written by John and Sylvia Van Regenmorter, co-directors of Stepping Stones, this 20-page booklet provides practical tips for those who want to start a support group.

The booklet addresses the following questions:

Section 1: Before you begin

Are you willing to devote time and energy to this project? Who... more

“Without Hope, You Are Hopeless!” is a six-week Bible study for couples facing fertility challenges. Written by Casey and Julie Ross for Stepping Stones, the study is intended to be completed with a spouse, a trusted friend, a Bible study group or a support group.

Each study opens with a reflection about a particular aspect of the authors’ infertility experience. The reflection is followed by several questions for discussion, and includes space for you to journal your responses.

The authors encourage people to write their responses, saying, “It will help you better understand what God is saying to you. It will also help you in the... more