To Life!
Precious Goal from page 19
Tips To Maximize
Fertility
Infertility And Judaism
• Minimize stress. Yoga, deep
breathing, regular exercise, talk-
ing with supportive friends or a
therapist can all be helpful.
• Limit caffeine and alcohol. This
applies to men, also, as heavy
drinking can cause sperm
abnormalities.
• Don't smoke. It can increase
the chance of miscarriage and
lower the success rate of IVF.
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet
high in fresh vegetables, fruits
and fiber, and low in fat and
sugar. Being too thin can be
detrimental to pregnancy.
• Exercise regularly but moder-
ately. Don't drain your energy
or compromise your health.
•Avoid self-prescribed herbal
remedies. St. John's Wort can
have a negative effect on male
fertility. Check with your doctor.
•Avoid some prescription drugs.
They can affect ovulation and
male fertility. Tell your doctors
you are trying to conceive.
•Avoid environmental hazards
such as pesticides, paint thinners
and other chemical solvents.
— American Fertility Association www.theata.org
West Bloomfield acupuncturist
O
52
Julie Silver places needles as
part of a fertility treatment.
Infertility Resources
These organizations, Web sites
and books provide information
and support relating to infertility:
The American Society for
Reproductive Medicine:
www.asrm.org
The American Fertility
Association: (888) 917-3777
www.theafa.org
Resolve, the National Infertility
Association: (888) 623-0744
www.resolve.org
A T.I.M.E. (A Torah Infertility
Medium of Exchange): (718)
486-7662 www.atime.org
And Hannah Wept: Infertility,
Adoption and the Jewish
Couple by Michael Gold
Be Fruitful and Multiply:
Fertility Therapy in Jewish
Tradition by Richard V. Grazi
Jewish Family Service (JFS)
provides help for those dealing
with perinatal loss, infertility,
adoption and other issues.
Support groups, referrals and
counseling are offered in Oak
Park and West Bloomfield.
Contact Ellen Yashinsky-Chute at
(248) 592-2300 or visit
www.jfsdetroit.org.
20
Sta ff photo by Brett Mounta in
Tears of Sorrow, Seed of Hope:
A Jewish Spiritual Companion
for Infertility and Pregnancy
Loss by Rabbi Nina Beth Cardin
Fertility specialist
Dr. Michael Mersol-Barg
Infertility is a recurring theme
throughout the Torah, beginning
with Abraham's wife, Sarah, who
was "barren" until she gave birth
to Isaac at almost 90 years old.
Matriarchs Rebecca and Rachel
struggled with infertility, as did
Hannah, whose poignant prayer
has become a well-known part of
Jewish scripture.
"Death is mourned, divorce is
at least acknowledged, but infer-
tility is suffered in silence said
Rabbi Berkun."There is no ritual
for miscarriage or even stillbirth.
The Torah reminds us that we
have to work in partnership with
God. Prayer and Jewish medita-
tion can increase a couple's con-
nection to God and to each
other."
Like.any crisis or major chal-
lenge, infertility can test the
bonds of marriage, bringing a
couple closer together or driving
them apart.
Dr. Jackie Raznik Shapo, an
Ann Arbor therapist who special-
izes in infertility issues, says it is
essential for couples to view this
as a joint problem and confront it
together, rather than trying to
place blame on each other.
"I encourage couples to engage
in enjoyable activities together,
such as exercise, movies, dining
out or sex, even if its hard to
muster the motivation:' said Dr.
Shapo. "A relationship can survive
the challenge of infertility and
even become stronger, but it does
require effort."
This approach worked well for
Tracy Bruce-Harrison and her
husband, Don Harrison, of
Shelby Township. Their 14-
month-old son, Grant, was con-
ceived through an ICSI procedure
performed by Dr. Mersol-Barg,
and their second child, who was
conceived naturally, is due at the
end of the month.
"We actually managed to make
it fun:' said Don. "Whenever
Tracy was scheduled for a proce-
dure, I'd plan something special
for us to do afterwards, like going
out for lunch or dinner or to the
park. I gave her backrubs, and I
made her laugh a lot."
Chana K., who is Orthodox,
experienced the personal pain of
infertility, along with the commu-
nal pressure to begin having chil-
dren right after marriage. When
treatment was unsuccessful, she
and her husband adopted a son
but did not give up the dream of
having their own biological child.
Finally they adopted another son.
"There was a lot of pressure,
and our community was not ter-
ribly understanding. But I thank
God that I went through those
bumps so I could help the next
person:' she said. She says the
lack of openness within her com-
munity ended up strengthening
her marriage.
"Because we didn't have any
outside support, we turned to
each other, which was very posi-
tive," said Chana, who since has
helped several other infertile
Orthodox couples go through the
adoption process.
Dr. Shapo advises couples to
get as much information as pos-
sible, to remain positive, yet real-
istic, to practice gratitude and
forgiveness, and to treat them-
selves and each other with gentle-
ness and compassion. She adds
that it's important to acknowl-
edge and let go of grief, which is
a normal part of the process.
Applying ancient Jewish law to
modern technology poses a chal-
lenge for religious leaders and
couples who want to conceive
without violating any command-
ments.
According to Rabbi Asher
Eisenberger of Congregation
Agudas Yisroel Mogen Abraham
in Southfield, the Orthodox
movement generally condones
the use of fertility drugs and pro-
cedures such as fVF and ICSI, but
draws the line when it comes to
using donor eggs and sperm or
surrogates.
"We try to make it as easy as
possible for a couple to conceive
within the context of Jewish law','
said Rabbi Eisenberger, who is
also a faculty member of Yeshiva
Beth Yehudah in Southfield.
"There is such an array of
options today; a couple should
always consult with their rabbinic
guide to decide what's right for
them."
The Conservative and Reform
movements generally encourage
the use of any assisted reproduc-
tive technologies that will enable
a couple to have children.
"Bearing children is a precious
in MS office
November 17.2005
„TN