Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Surrogacy Goes Celebrity

Just as I entered my blog the other day about my radio show topic on Surrogacy as a conceivable option, I clicked on to USAToday.com last night and read the headline that Sarah Jessica Parker and her husband Matthew Broderick were expecting! First off, I love Sarah Jessica Parker, and who didn't get glued to the television when Sex In The City came on once a week...but I also loved watching Matthew Broderick back when he was acting in movies on a regular basis....with my favorite movie of his being Ferris Bueller's Day Off!

So I was excited to hear that they were going to add another child to their family. But I was surprised when I read further into the article that they are expecting twin girls this summer through a surrogate, and thought how interesting a coincidence that is. Up to this point celebrities having babies have been splashed across magazines as the topic to cover, and "following their bump" through pregnancy to delivering their baby is hot news! But I haven't heard any celebrity say that they have used a surrogate to expand their family!

I will be very interested to see what further information comes out about this exciting news and whether or not it will open the door to other celebrity couples going the route of surrogacy, as an option?

Monday, April 27, 2009

Conceivable Options/Surrogacy (FM)

To highlight Infertility Awareness Week as in international issue, I brought Mindy Berkson back on the show. As founder of Lotus Blossom Consulting (www.LotusBlossomConsulting.com), she has become the premier national resource for offering unique, unbiased infertility consulting to help explore family building options for individuals and couples. And one conceivable option for family building being discussed on my show is surrogacy.

But before Mindy talks in depth about the many movable parts involved in gestational or traditional surrogacy, one of her clients Shari Stewart is very gracious in sharing her personal journey, with her husband Bob, to find a surrogate.

After going through numerous IVF treatments to conceive their two boys, Shari and Bob found themselves with a difficult decision. It seemed to confront them on a yearly basis when a bill came due for the storage fee of their 8 frozen embryos they had created from their previous IVF treatments. What should they do? Discard them, donate them to research, or locate a surrogate to implant the embryos and carry their child to birth?

These are all interesting, emotional and philosophical questions that a couple faces when dealing with stored embryos.

It was one of the reasons the Octuplet mom gave when talking about all the embryos she had implanted.....she didn't want to discard her frozen embryos and her belief that those embryos were her children.

Supposedly there are hundreds of thousands of frozen embryos being stored across the country.....costing families a lot of money in storage fees, and creating an ultimately difficult decision about their fate.

Which was one of the reasons I liked what Dr. Shapiro discussed with me on an earlier show, regarding the fact that it is easier for people to discard frozen eggs, rather than frozen embryos.

Tap into this show to learn more about how Shari and Bob chose surrogacy, and how Mindy Berkson helped them achieve their goals.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Tracey's Tip #14 -- Being a Balanced Mom

Spend some quality time with friends. Many times busy moms find that between work, taking care of the family and the house, there is very little time for themselves.

One of the best ways to carve out some "me" time is scheduling time to get together with a friend; to talk, connect, vent, and see the world from another perspective....from someone that cares about you and loves you unconditionally.

Friendships always keep women balanced!

Tracey's Tip #13 -- Being a Balanced Mom

Add fun to your life! And what better way to do that then fun activities with your kids. There are plenty of times to "be the parent" -- but there are also wonderful moments to be a kid with your child.

Some examples of those activities are easter egg decorating, hunting for eggs, getting outside, and spending time in nature with your family! So go have fun!!

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Food Allergies & Nutrition (FM)

In today's world it seems that a tremendous number of children are having food allergies and these allergies have become a concern for new parents. Dr. J.J. Levenstein MD, spends time on my show debunking the fears of allergies and the concerns of pregnant women who may feel that they are created in the womb. Learn where Dr. JJ feels these allergies have started and what to be aware of as your infant grows into a toddler and starts expanding his food choices.

Then Nicole Meadow, a registered dietitian focused on pediatric nutrition, goes in depth in how to help your child learn good eating habits from the beginning. Obesity in children has become out of sight -- causing an increase in childhood diabetes. She also delves into role modeling healthy behaviors and creating a lifestyle for your child to follow that includes activity and not being sedentary. Tap into Nicole's segment on how to offer healthy food and not get into food battles with your child. www.NicoleMeadow.com

Friday, April 24, 2009

Easter & Kick Off of Spring (FM)

Easter can be a fun holiday as it kicks off the beginning of spring. There are Easter egg coloring, hunts for Easter eggs, brightly colored baskets, straw hats for church, and yummy chocolate bunnies.

I wanted to create a fun radio show filled with family fun activities to be shared with everyone; and that was done beautifully by Debra Immergut, Senior Editor of Family Fun Magazine. She opened the show by providing crafts, parties and activity suggestions for Easter and spring time. You can tap into some great ideas provided by Debra on the show, and also through their website www.FamilyFun.com on a monthly basis.

Then, later on in the show, I welcomed Debra Pascali-Bonaro, President of Mother Love, Inc. -- one of the oldest doula training and consulting agencies in North America, to talk about the role of a doula in assisting moms while giving birth. Since Easter is a time of rebirth, I wanted to focus on helping moms with the "birthing process." Debra goes in depth discussing the benefits of having a doula involved in a mom's delivery, and what the difference is between a doula, midwife, and a regular doctor. Lean about the importance of working with a doula......and Happy Spring!

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Fitness & Nutrition for Pre-Natal & New Moms (FM)

While most expectant moms realize that they have to eat right and exercise during pregnancy, there are many issues surrounding those two topics that are misunderstood.

On this show I am talking with Sheila Watkins, Founder and National Program Director of Healthy Moms Pre/Postnatal Fitness Programs and Jodi Citrin Greebel, a registered dietitian and President of Citrition, a nutrition counseling practice in New York City.

Sheila starts out by saying that a marathon runner would not jump into running a marathon without intensive training, and expectant mothers should consider training for their main event, The Sport of Motherhood. Exercise has a lot of benefits for expectant moms such as getting her body in shape for labor and delivery, as well as the physical toll that being a new mother entails.

It also helps to keep the pregnancy weight gain down, helps return to pre-pregnancy weight faster, decrease pregnancy related discomforts, increase muscular endurance and strength, and fit women tend to have shorter labors with a marked decrease in the need for medical intervention. There are also psychological benefits as well, such as: good feelings of well being, improved self image, enhanced self esteem, less tension, anxiety and fatigue, a feeling or more control, and a stronger conditioned response to control labor discomforts.

Then Jodi shares information about nutrition for pregnancy, and especially for after delivery, when a new mom is breastfeeding. So often new moms are so busy taking care of the baby that they have a tendency to skip meals, or grab whatever is easiest but this is not healthy. Jodi and I discuss how important it is for mom to take care of herself, especially when she is recovering; and with a lack of sleep, she needs to keep up her health for herself and the new baby. Plus, for breastfeeding, moms require an extra 500 calories than normal so don't skimp during this time!

Tap into the show and learn about key nutrients needed during breastfeeding, calorie needs during pregnancy, and how not to add extra unwanted pounds. Find out the importance of Omega-3 fats, healthy snack ideas, and foods to avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Tracey's Tip #12 -- Being a Balanced Mom

Don't neglect yourself. It is real easy to put everyone in your family ahead of yourself and that is not a good place to be. Find the time to eat right, and don't skip meals. Make time for exercise, to clear your head and recharge your body.

You are the heart of the family, and to be there for everyone else, you need to take care of yourself!

Tracey's Tip #11 -- Being a Balanced Mom

Now that Spring is upon us -- it provides a great opportunity to get outside, take a walk, go for a hike, just get outdoors and clear your head!

Being out in nature helps to ground us and allows us to think clearer. It also helps to bring us back into balance -- so get outdoors!

Monday, April 20, 2009

A Battle of Wills

Over the weekend I really experienced the terrible two's in action. There have been times over the past several months where my son has had meltdowns and we have worked through them. But the numerous temper tantrums that Zack experienced the last couple of days seemed to go on forever and were like something from a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde episode.

I was so concerned at one point that I was combing the Internet for information about temper tantrums to find out if this was a phase, or part of his personality that I should be concerned about!! Usually my son is so easy going and happy, that when he does get strong willed about something I can easily divert him, or give in to the situation because it is not a big deal. But these tantrums were over something he became frustrated about, or became a battle of wills, in which he wanted me to do something that second and would not take "no" for an answer, causing a sudden eruption.

Now as a mom, I get tired of doing a million things for my son, but he is a toddler and I am there to help him get what he needs. But there is also a fine line that gets pushed throughout the day when there are things he can do himself, that I shouldn't have to do for him, and there are things that I need to do, that will cause him to wait until I am done before I can help him. So patience and self sufficiency are tools that he is being pushed into learning that he may not like and I have to tow the line as his parent.

But with these episodes I could not give in to his behavior and set up a pattern with him believing that it will get him what he wants. So I saw my son erupt into a temper tantrum in which I couldn't talk to him, he wouldn't listen to anything I was saying, he started hitting, and would continue to scream....there was no calming him down. Time outs were not an option because he wasn't calm enough to sit, and it was as if all he saw was red.

What I did learn from various articles is that this is normal (great) and that I need to wait it out....try to calm him down and help him with his words...which is what I know as a professional, and have tried with him in the past but these episodes where uncontrollable!! But ultimately it will work itself out.

My husband was worried about even going out to dinner last night because we didn't want Zack to have an episode out at the restaurant and have to leave. But when we left for the restaurant and all the time that he was there, he was his happy go lucky self, flirting with the waitresses, dancing in his seat to the music, waving and talking to the other people going to their tables -- our precious little boy was back! But when would Dr. Jekyll come back to invade my sons body again?

Monday, April 13, 2009

The Business of Being a Mom (FM)

The most challenging position in the world is being a mother and juggling a career. Not only is being a mom difficult on it's own, but then try juggling a full time career while trying to be the best at both. Which is what a lot of this radio show is all about -- how to find resources and answers to make life easier because before baby came along, most women were juggling a busy life to begin with.

On this show I am joined by Mindee Dooney, co-creator of Boogie Wipes, and now a regular contributor on the show as a Mom in Business expert. She had two children when she launched the product line of Boogie Wipes with her partner in December of 2007, she then got pregnant, and just recently gave birth to her third child, while building a successful business. She shares some parallel mom skills with business skills that can be used not only at the office, but also at home. Skills such as time management, schmoozing, strategy, negotiation and multi-tasking. Learn how she has managed to keep her personal and business life trucking along.

Then Laura Lowell, a mom, entreprenur and author of the book 42 Rules for Working Moms discusses some rules that she uncovered through her own experience, and by interviewing hundreds of other mothers while researching her book. She shared with me how 70% of all moms work in some capacity out of the home. If you are one of those mothers learn about several things to consider when first bringing baby home, how organization is the key to your sanity, and don't forget about your partner, he plays a major role in helping you keep it all afloat!

Tap in to the radio show and see if you can pick up some tips to make your life a little easier.

Friday, April 3, 2009

Tracey's Tip #10 -- Being a Balanced Mom

Try to take life one day at a time....especially if you are juggling several little ones!

Don't try to do it all.

Keep a "to do list" as it will help you stay organized, but take each day as it comes. If you don't get to finish your to do list, that is ok as well. Don't put undo pressure on yourself. Just move those unfinished items to the next day and try to prioritize what is most important...move those to the top of the list and the other items can get done as you find the time.

Let your day unfold as it should and stay in the moment as much as you can.

Find joy in your family!

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Parenting Multiples (FM)

On my radio show I have addressed challenges and solutions for recovering from a c-section, dealing with sleep deprivation, teaching your child to sleep through the night and reconnecting with your spouse after baby. Now multiply those difficulties by 2 or 3 and that is what parents of multiples are coping with.

Maureen Boyle, Executive Director of MOST (mothers of supertwins) knows that better than anyone. As a mother of triplets and two other single children, she founded the organization 20 years ago to provide information and resources to parents of multiples. Over that period of time the organization has grown to 250 volunteers working in nearly every state and 50 countries worldwide. She has a website with a wealth of information (mostonline.org) and has created a magazine called Supertwins. She has also developed another website www.premiecare.org to address the needs of multiples that are delivered premature.

Then later on the show I am joined by Trista DeFilipis who shares her parenting experiences after delivering twin girls almost 9 months ago, while juggling her son who was 18 months at the time. She opens up about what she learned, good and bad, with raising three children under 2 years of age.

If you are having multiples or are trying to juggle the responsibility of twins, triplets or more tap into this show and learn from others who have been there.