Focus on the following scripture throughout the day. It’s God’s Word and it’s what He desires us to believe. Believe it is true for you because God’s Word is Truth. Speak this Word to yourself throughout the day. Personalize it by putting your name in it!
“So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding… All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.” ~ Colossians 1:9-10
Have you ever found yourself asking the question, “What about me, God?” If you’re struggling with infertility, you might ask that question frequently. Maybe every time you see your friend with her newborn. Or when you’re at the park and see kids on the playground. Even at church when parents have their infant dedicated to the Lord. Your heart may cry out often and that’s OK. Just make sure you’re listening for His answer just as frequently!
How do you attune your ears to hear Him?
How do you listen for His encouraging words to soothe the pain of waiting?
Do you focus on His love for you?
Sometimes we get so focused on the problem of infertility, we forget to look to the Source of the answer to the problem— God’s love. You may not doubt that God can heal you. But do you find yourself doubting that He will heal you? Jesus, in Matthew 8:3, reassured the leper who wanted to be healed that He was not only able to heal him but that He was also willing to heal him. Then, in His loving way, Jesus reached out and touched the man who had a very contagious disease and had not been touched by another human being in who knows how long. That touch of compassion helped the man feel accepted and loved.
Can you see yourself in that situation? Can you see that Jesus loves YOU? That He wants you to believe that He is willing to change your circumstances? Jesus was the physical manifestation of God’s love (John 3:16). When you look to Him as being your source, you stay focused on the display of God’s love for you and begin to see His Light and Life in your life.
Remember, let your focus be on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2) so you can grow in your confidence of God’s love for you. You’ll experience more peace and maintain hope as keep the eyes of your heart on the manifestation of His love for you.
Focus on the following scripture throughout the day. It’s God’s Word and it’s what He desires us to believe. Believe it is true for you because God’s Word is Truth. Speak this Word to yourself throughout the day. Personalize it by putting your name in it!
“Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth. How good is a word at the right time!” ~ Proverbs 15:23
It’s hard to maintain hope when it feels like nothing is going right. But we have a CHOICE. We can choose to give up to despair or give in to hope.
Each day, we get to choose what our attitude will be about the the things we’ll face. Each day, we get to choose blessing or cursing, life or death (Deuteronomy 30:19). When we choose life, it’s so much easier to maintain hope because we are depending on One greater than us, Jesus, to supply what we need and the blessings we desire. We are then empowered through Him to continually look with great expectancy for good things to come our way.
Here’s a word of encouragement from John Maxwell that I’m sure will help you toward maintaining a hope-filled focus.
Focus on the following scripture throughout the day. It’s God’s Word and it’s what He desires us to believe. Believe it is true for you because God’s Word is Truth. Speak this Word to yourself throughout the day. Personalize it by putting your name in it!
“This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” ~ Psalm 118:24
I’m grateful today. How to live out my purpose in life is becoming clearer.
It’s evident that my purpose includes bringing hope to those who are suffering with infertility. God has seen fit for me to share the message of my victory over infertility in order to give hope to others.
Here’s a recent review of my book, “A Seed of Hope: God’s Promises of Fertility” from an Amazon customer:
“I’m glad I can find healing and hope that God will bless us with children. Very inspiring and helpful.” ~M.B.
Please understand this— infertility has a spiritual aspect that must not be ignored. If you’re looking for some help to address it, A Seed of Hope: God’s Promises of Fertility will do just that. This is a devotional that will give you continual hope so that you too can live out your purpose and help others by sharing your stories of victory.
Do you know someone who needs hope in the midst of infertility? Is it you?
Order A Seed of Hope now on Amazon, Smashwords.com or Barnesandnoble.com (and coming soon to iTunes).
Focus on the following scripture throughout the day. It’s God’s Word and it’s what He desires us to believe. Believe it is true for you because God’s Word is Truth. Speak this Word to yourself throughout the day. Personalize it by putting your name in it!
![[Photo from jasoncrandall.org]](http://makeroomformommy.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/dusty-bible-jpg.jpg)
“Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.” ~Joshua 1:8 (NLT)
Here’s an article from RESOLVE that gives some good insights about PCOS–Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.
By Jennifer Kulp Makarov, MD
Published in Resolve for the journey and beyond, Winter 2011
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a very common disorder that many women first learn about while seeking the cause of their infertility. PCOS affects 5-10% of women of reproductive age, making it one of the most common hormonal disorders in this age group. The exact cause of PCOS is not known. It is likely that a combination of factors leads to the development of PCOS. PCOS is thought to be a genetic trait and may run in families. Environmental factors such as the diet that one consumes are also thought to play a role in the development of PCOS.
Women with PCOS have three characteristic symptoms. Women are diagnosed with PCOS when they have at least two of these three symptoms:
Women with PCOS may have irregular periods. They may have only 6 to 8 periods per year. They may get their period every month for a few months and then skip a month or two or they may go many months without having a period. Many women with PCOS will have infertility associated with their irregular menses. Also, when women with PCOS do become pregnant, they have an increased rate of miscarriage.
Another common symptom of PCOS is acne or oily skin. Acne may occur over the face but may also be found over the back or chest. This is due to relatively higher levels of testosterone circulating in the bloodstream. Testosterone is a hormone that is found in much higher levels in men. Women with PCOS do not have male levels of testosterone but the levels of testosterone may be higher than expected for females. These higher levels of circulating testosterone can also cause excess facial hair on the chin or upper lip or excess hair growth on the chest and abdomen. The hormone imbalances seen in PCOS can also cause a type of hair thinning which occurs at the front of the scalp. Sometimes blood tests can show excess levels of testosterone in women with PCOS but other times they do not.
The third common feature of PCOS is what is called polycystic ovaries. This can be seen on a transvaginal ultrasound. This is actually a misnomer as the ovaries of women are not really full of cysts but rather ovarian follicles that each contains an egg. All women have these follicles in their ovaries and each month a group of follicles start to develop, with one going on to be the dominant follicle that ovulates the egg. The ovaries of women with PCOS may contain many small follicles that do not go on to ovulate an egg each month. These follicles fail to develop normally because of the hormonal imbalances in PCOS. Because the ovaries do not grow and ovulate an egg each month, women with PCOS may also experience difficulty getting pregnant.
Obesity is also common in women with PCOS. Up to 50-60% of women with PCOS are obese. Symptoms of PCOS such as those described above can be worsened by obesity. The hormonal imbalances found in women with PCOS may cause them to be more likely to gain weight and become obese. Women with PCOS are also prone to developing insulin resistance in which the body produces excess amounts of insulin. This is thought to be a precursor to Type II diabetes. Women with PCOS are at greater risk of developing diabetes and therefore all women with PCOS should be screened for insulin resistance.
There are treatments available for women with PCOS. These treatments do not cure the disease but rather help improve the symptoms of PCOS. For women with PCOS who are obese, diet and exercise to maintain a normal body weight may alleviate many of the symptoms of PCOS. In fact, for obese women, losing even 5-10% of body weight may help. Oral contraceptive pills are often given to correct some of the hormonal imbalances found in PCOS and can help decrease acne and excess hair growth as well as regulate menstrual cycles. Acne can also be treated with topical ointments or antibiotic creams. Women with excess hair growth often find laser electrolysis helpful. Metformin is an oral medication that may be prescribed to women with PCOS who are insulin resistant.
Women who are having difficulties conceiving may take a medication called clomiphene citrate or clomid to help them ovulate regularly. In women with PCOS who take clomid, about 80% will ovulate in response to the medication and 30-40% will become pregnant. About half of women will ovulate when taking one pill a day (50 mg) on cycle days five through nine. The other 50% of women do not ovulate on this dose of clomid and may need a higher dose or another medication. Using clomid increases your chances of having a multiple pregnancy to 8-13%, with twins being the most common. If pregnancy does not occur after six cycles of clomid use, further evaluation or a change in therapy is recommended.
If you think you may be experiencing any or all of the symptoms of PCOS, it is important to see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
Dr. Jennifer Kulp Makarov practices at Genesis Fertility & Reproductive Medicine, both at Genesis’ main office as well as their new office, in Park Slope, Brooklyn, New York. Dr. Makarov graduated from Tufts University with a degree in Biology, earning her medical degree from the UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. She completed her Obstetrics and Gynecology residency at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and her fellowship training in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Yale University School of Medicine. Dr. Makarov has a special interest in the care of patients with PCOS, those in need of PGD to prevent transmission of genetic disease and women desiring fertility preservation.
You might also want to take a look at this previous post that is written from a more personal view of experiencing PCOS.
