The fertility predictor company, First Response™ funded an unrestricted educational study through Yale School of Medicine. Its results were published in January (2014). Researchers surveyed 1,000 women ages 18-40 in the U.S. about reproductive health. Responses were covered widely in the media for a few weeks noting how little information women have about their own reproductive systems and how infrequently women discuss these issues with their healthcare providers. Much hand wringing and head shaking followed about women and their apparent lack of information.
See more about the study here: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/242205101.html
Reading these results, my thoughts were that the sample of women surveyed really do not reflect the knowledge and experience of the patients I see. It is probably true that many women don't know exactly how to get pregnant... until they start trying. But that's where the sample population and the women I serve in my practice diverge. 98% of my patients know about the misconceptions found in the study.
They know when their ovulation occurs.
They know that sex right before ovulation is the recommended best practice for fertilization.
The number of eggs their ovaries carry weighs heavily on their minds.
They are aware that folic acid (I recommend L-5-methyfolate instead) is recommended to prevent birth defects.
They have already changed their lifestyles, diet, and dropped any potentially unhealthy habits that may inhibit fertility and healthy pregnancy.
I think this study reflects attitudes and misperceptions about reproductive health that are too broad to truly lend meaning. I believe the articles that followed leaned heavily on shame (see HuffPo's take or Forbes or Google to find many other articles.
None of this is helpful to women who are trying to get pregnant. So, if you felt a little uncertain upon hearing the news that most women don't know what's what, don't sweat it. You are not most women.
Feel free to share this blog and my website with your friends. I love to help people have babies.
Yours in good health,
Rachel Blunk, L.Ac.
Rachel Blunk is a fellow of the American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine who has specialized in fertility since 2002. Her practice is located in Fort Collins, Colorado. See more at www.BabyByBlunk.com.
See more about the study here: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/242205101.html
Reading these results, my thoughts were that the sample of women surveyed really do not reflect the knowledge and experience of the patients I see. It is probably true that many women don't know exactly how to get pregnant... until they start trying. But that's where the sample population and the women I serve in my practice diverge. 98% of my patients know about the misconceptions found in the study.
They know when their ovulation occurs.
They know that sex right before ovulation is the recommended best practice for fertilization.
The number of eggs their ovaries carry weighs heavily on their minds.
They are aware that folic acid (I recommend L-5-methyfolate instead) is recommended to prevent birth defects.
They have already changed their lifestyles, diet, and dropped any potentially unhealthy habits that may inhibit fertility and healthy pregnancy.
I think this study reflects attitudes and misperceptions about reproductive health that are too broad to truly lend meaning. I believe the articles that followed leaned heavily on shame (see HuffPo's take or Forbes or Google to find many other articles.
None of this is helpful to women who are trying to get pregnant. So, if you felt a little uncertain upon hearing the news that most women don't know what's what, don't sweat it. You are not most women.
Feel free to share this blog and my website with your friends. I love to help people have babies.
Yours in good health,
Rachel Blunk, L.Ac.
Rachel Blunk is a fellow of the American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine who has specialized in fertility since 2002. Her practice is located in Fort Collins, Colorado. See more at www.BabyByBlunk.com.
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