September 2008 Vol 1, Issue 9
Every woman can be WHOLE!
Greetings!
Throughout the ages, Black women have been characterized as prolific baby makers. In slave times, our fruitful wombs were used to birth a labor force for building this countryWhite & Blue Baby Booties. These days, media images of "baby mamas" birthing children with wanton abandon create false impressions of us as  hyper-fertile. 
  
Truth be known, there are a whole lot of sistahs longing for the patter of little feet, whose loving arms remain empty. Infertility is epidemic in the Black community. Yet the stigma of being unable to bear children is so great that few of us pursue medical help for this condition.
 
For too long, sistahs battling infertility have suffered in silence, feeling isolated, and less than a woman. It is mentally torturous, emotionally draining, and physically devastating. I know. I was one of them.
 
My journey to motherhood was an eight-year odyssey of multiple surgeries, African and Eastern medical remedies, miscarriages and heartache. Despite all that, I was one of the lucky ones. I did finally give birth, and my daughter is now in her teens. A lot of sistahs won't be so lucky; they'll never experience the joy of childbirth.
 
This month we're going to learn self-care tips that can enhance fertility. Of course, there are no guarantees that these practices will magically result in a baby. But you will learn more about discovering the natural rhythm of your body. And you'll be empowered to undertake the journey to possible childbirth more healthy and informed about what lies ahead.
  
When the months pass without the blessing of new life, please don't suffer in silence. Seek out the medical help you need.There is no shame in having reproductive challenges. The only shame lies is judging yourself as somehow deficient because of your circumstance. Accepting all of who you are is the first step to being WHOLE.
In This Issue
Facing Infertility
WHOLE Self-Care Principle #8: Renew
Eggplant: A World of Good Eating!
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Facing Infertility

We don't often think of it, but to conceive and birth a child is an extraordinarily delicate accomplishment. It requires precise timing, optimal temperature, and a whole lot of luck. Given the slim odds that all the required ingredients for conception will be aligned, it is not surprising what a difficult occurrence this truly is.
 
Infertility is the failure to become pregnant after one year of unprotected sex if you are under the age of 35, or six months if you are older. It strikes more than 2.7 million American couples each year. Contrary to what most people think, it's not just a women's problem. Men's conditions account for nearly 40 percent of infertility problems, while 35 percent are associated with women. The remaining cases are related to combined factors attributed to both partners.
  
Looking at reproductive health issues on the female side of the equation, Black womenClose-up of sistah with folded hands are faced with some alarming realities:
  • African Americans are affected by infertility nearly twice as often as whites 
  • Only 31 percent of African American women facing infertility will seek treatment
  • The prevalence rate of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), one of the most common causes of female infertility, is nearly three times higher in African American women than in whites
  • 50-75 percent of African American women develop fibroid tumors, another barrier to conception, at rates three times higher than white women
  • 40 percent of African American women with pelvic pain, painful menstruation, infertility and abnormal vaginal bleeding are misdiagnosed with PID rather than endometriosis, also a chronic condition affecting reproductive health
  • In vitro fertilization (IVF) is less successful in Black women than in white women. In a University of Maryland School of Medicine study, Black women had lower implantation rates than white women, 9.8 percent versus 23.4 percent, and lower pregnancy rates, 19.2 percent versus 42.2 percent

Coupled with our higher incidence of obesity, poor diet, and other lifestyle choices, there is no wonder that our community plays host to a hidden epidemic of infertility.

What can you do?
The path through infertility diagnosis and treatment can be long, with many unpredictable twists and turn. Yet before you engage in treatment with an infertility specialist, there are several things you can do on your own to enhance the prospect of conceiving and bearing a child:
 
Stop Smoking. I cannot say it strongly enough--smoking kills fertility. STOP!!! It causes low sperm counts and slow "swimmers" in men. Smoking can also damage a woman's eggs and is reported to lessen the effectiveness of fertility treatments and cause miscarriages. Smoking or living with a loved one who smokes are equally dangerous. This destructive habit is especially detrimental to the health of children. Smoking marijuana is just as detrimental. Smoking ruins fertility in both men and women.
 
Limit or Eliminate Alcohol Consumption. An occasional glass of wine might not be harmful, but why drink at all? If you are working hard to have a baby, giving up alcohol is a small price to pay to increase the chances of getting pregnant. Alcohol has been reported to reduce egg and sperm production.
 
Limit Caffeine. Reduced fertility and increased miscarriages have been linked to caffeine use. Coffee (even decaffeinated) is the source we think of most readily, but caffeine also is present in many teas, sodas, and yes ladies, chocolate!
 
Eat a Healthy Diet and Maintain Optimal Weight.  These are essential elements that strengthen the foundation of fertility. Whether you have weight to lose or are at the proper weight, eating balanced, nutritious meals made of wholesome foods is the fuel for healthy baby making. 
 
Exercise! Moving your body reduces stress, promotes good circulation, and increases fitness. It doesn't matter what exercise you choose. The important thing is to work up a sweat several times a week. You'll need all the energy you can muster before, during, and after the baby comes! 
 
Get to Know Your Natural Body Rhythm
Back in the day before the availability of many contraceptives, women were much more in tune with their monthly cycle as a way to prevent pregnancy. That same process can be effective in the reverse, to identify your most fertile days so you are more likely to get pregnant.
 
Calendar with blue bootiesIt's called the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM). By charting several different markers throughout your cycle such as length of flow, body temperature, and cervical mucus, you can learn a tremendous amount about your body. By selecting one of these markers and charting your bodily functions over several months, you can identify when you ovulate, and increase the likelihood of pregnancy. To learn more about FAM, I recommend the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility," by Toni Weschler, MPH. For online resources, try the American Pregnancy Association, or FAMinfo.
 
Here's wishing you well. And remember, success is not only measured by having a child, but by giving birth to a stronger self who can be at peace no matter what the outcome. Good Luck!

WHOLE Self-Care Principle #8: Renew

 
Praise dancerTo Renew is to give yourself the gifts of compassion, tenderness, and patience. It is to step outside of the stressful demands of daily life, and back into the spirit-affirming activities that make you WHOLE again.  Renew means to get centered: eating right; moving our bodies; and embracing ourselves with loving energy.
 
Far too many sistahs are "walking wounded," silently anguished over seemingly unsolvable problems. This dull ache is a constant assault on the connection to self, compromising mental, physical, and spiritual health. To Renew is to exfoliate the burdens from life, revealing fresh confidence and resolve.
 
How do you Renew? Self-care. It starts by recognizing the responsibility you have to focus your attention, your resources, and your energy on making yourself WHOLE. You first. Your instincts might tell you that it is selfish to put yourself first. But to Renew is to realize that you cannot help anyone else if you are depleted.
 
Whether your struggle is infertility, another health challenge, or anything else that can weigh heavily on a sistah's heart, take solace that you are in community with self and others. Renew your commitment to the three pillars of self-care: good nutrition, exercise, and regular health screenings. These practices will always help you to sustain better health--the foundation of solving any problem.
 
To Renew is to regain your strength. To make time for self-care. In so doing, you empower yourself, your family and your community to withstand the inevitable challenges we all must face. To Renew means living each day in praise of the divine that resides within.  Ashe!

Eggplant: A World of Good Eating!

 
Eggplant is one of the most widely cultivated vegetables in the world. It is an excellent Perfectly ripe purple eggplantsource of fiber and minerals, and low in calories. There are so many varieties, from snow-white to deep purple, from hefty orb to golf-ball sized nugget.
 
Black folk in this country might not eat a lot of it, but throughout the African Diaspora, eggplant is queen. It has come to be one of my favorite veggies! It's versatile as the star in everything from smoky, lush hummus to hearty stew. It is a comfort food for all seasons, at its peak right now.
 
Here is a quick, easy, vitamin-packed recipe from our Moroccan brothas and sistahs I'm sure you'll enjoy.  
 
 
Roasted Eggplant
 
The lush Moroccan flavor for this recipe comes from infusing oil with wonderful, aromatic spices. Cooking tip: please do not overheat oil/spice infusion; if the garlic browns, it will turn oil bitter.
 Close up of eggplant dish
Ingredients:
 
1 large eggplant (approximately 1 1/4 pounds) cut in large cubes
3 cloves garlic, finely minced
2 tbsp oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 sprigs fresh thyme (reserve 1 sprig for garnish)
1/2 tsp whole cumin seeds
1/2 tsp powdered turmeric
1/4 tsp salt
Pinch red pepper flakes
 
Preparation:
 
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
 
1) Place eggplant in a colander over a large bowl. Sprinkle with salt and set aside.  This step will draw out the excess moisture from the eggplant and heighten its earthy natural flavor.
2) Combine oil, garlic, cumin seeds, red pepper flakes, and 1 sprig of thyme in a small sauce pan. Gently heat oil and spices over low heat for 5-7 minutes. Remove oil from heat, and set aside to allow the spices to infuse.
3) After about 15 minutes gently pat eggplant dry with a paper towel. Remove colander from bowl and discard the liquid that has collected there. Rinse and dry the bowl.
4) Dump eggplant into the bowl along with the chopped onion. Drizzle with flavored oil and toss until well coated.
5) Spray cookie sheet with a light coat of non-stick spray, and spread eggplant mixture on tray in a single layer. Bake for approximately 20 minutes until the skin of eggplant is tender, and lightly browned.
6) Remove eggplant from cookie skeet and place it in a serving bowl. Pull leaves of thyme from stalk and sprinkle over eggplant to garnish. Dish may be served hot from the oven, or at room temperature.
It's sometimes hard to face reproductive health challenges. But please know that you're not alone. I'm pleased to share my experience and talk with you more about infertility. Just e-mail me at Jacci's Desk, and I'll be in touch.
 
Got any topics you'd like to see us cover? Drop us a line at Customer Service and we'll be sure to follow up! Thanks for all your support! 
 
Yours in health,
 
Jacci Thompson-Dodd
WeSpeakLoudly
 
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