How it Happened: How Circle+Bloom Helped Me

Wait... Miss my big announcement? Read it here.

Well, it was after a romantic evening and I told my husband we should... Kidding!! I'll spare you those details. I'm talking about what I did... Or what I think I did that helped me become with-spawn.

The first month... And even several months before, everything was extremely thought-out. I took my temperature daily, and I figured out when I was ovulating. The first month of TTC I drank herbal fertility tea, ate organic foods, took a break from french fries, I used swimmer-friendly lube and had a healthy diet. I even stood on my head... Ok, well not really, but practically. I started moderate yoga, and I kept my cool. I didn't feel stressed. I was wondering all the time "am I pregnant?" But I wasn't stressing over it. At least I didn't think I was.

After the first month I took a different approach. My BFF told me I should tell myself I didn't want to get pregnant... As silly as it sounds I tried it. I didn't think about all of the rules. I are as much fast food as I wanted, skipped the swimmer-friendly lube, and baby danced when I felt like it. Ok ok... Well I had an iPhone ap to show me when the "green days" were (yes, there's an ap for that) but I didn't focus too hard on the whole process.

The only thing I did religiously last month was meditate while listening to Circle+Bloom. It's a natural technique to help you get pregnant. It's a great way to start trying to get pregnant as well as something to add to your current routine if you're already trying.

There are 30 audio tracks... One for each day of your cycle plus a bonus ovulation track, as well as an introduction. Don't worry, it's ok if your cycle is longer than 28 days (mine is actually spot on so it was perfect for me). One of my favorites was the bonus track... It went right along with my reverse-psychology ideas last month.Before I started, I connected with Joanne, she's the co-founder of Circle+Bloom. When she first told me about it I was a little skeptic. But I started using it the last week and a half of my first cycle (you can start it at any point). It was crazy how relaxed I became by listening to it. I sometimes listen to music while relaxing but this had a way of taking me into a deep... Almost hypnotic relaxation that I couldn't get to alone.

Joanne has PCOS, but she now has two beautiful children. She said exploring the connection between the mind + body, as well as the direct connection between stress and hormone balance and ultimately fertility, gave her the idea of creating a daily relaxation program that tracked to the monthly cycle. Given the fact that our bodies are changing every day throughout the month, a physiological daily guided visualization made complete sense to her. As she says “it was my “ah-ha” moment and one that I will never forget standing in my kitchen with this idea that hit me like a bolt of lightening. I have never turned back.”

If you're like me you LIKE to know what's going on with your body... But you also know stress can be bad for conception... And you also know annoying it is for people to tell you that. This program helped me relax, AND let me know EXACTLY what's going on with my body each day while I was TTC . It even made the two week wait, as well as the first couple of weeks of my cycle more interesting! As weird as it sounds it gave me something to look forward to every morning.

I personally loved the program! I think it helped me relax and ultimately helped me get pregnant. All of the other stuff I threw out the window but I stuck with this. I know I didn't try to conceive for long, so it's hard to compare the evidence... But I know with my extreme-controlling personality it can sometimes be difficult to just calm down. I think it's important to take some time daily to relax, and what's 14 minutes a day? Maybe it was my "I don't care" attitude, or maybe it was all of the french fries I ate... But really I think my new pregnancy had A LOT to do with this. Plus, it's nice an natural!

Want to try it? Circle+Bloom has a free download on their website for cycle days 1, 5, and 13! AND they're giving one full program away to one of my readers! That's a $125 value!!

Here's what you do to enter:
-Follow my blog (mandatory)
-Leave a comment with something you learned by visiting Circle+Bloom's site there's TONS of info on there, so that won't be hard (mandatory).

For extra entries (please leave seperate comments for each entry):
-Become my Facebook Fan
-Become a Circle+Bloom Facebook fan
-Tweet "I just entered @FutureMama's giveaway for @circlebloom's fertility relaxation program. http://bit.ly/2oHleg"
-Follow @CircleBloom on Twitter
-Add my NEW button to your blog!
-Post about this giveaway on your blog.
-Email Subscribe to my blog (don't forget to confirm your email!)
-Vote for me on Top Baby Blogs (per day/computer) (just click the link)
-Download Circle+Bloom's Free Trial (5 entries! Please leave 5 comments)

Contest ends Saturday November 6th at 11:59 pm. I'll choose a winner with random.org. Good Luck!

I disclose: The product in this review was provided to me free of cost for the purpose of conducting this review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are not influenced by monetary or other means of compensation.

Natural Fertility Prescription: Sponsor #21

Short story: I.. The self-proclaimed "Baby Makin' Machine," found making a baby isn't as easy as I had hoped. So to take my mind off baby makin' I'm spending a month raising money to help March of Dimes babies. Read the long story about how this fundraiser got started here!

Read my latest TTC update here.

Trying to have a baby? Well, if you're trying to go the natural way... or at least are for a year or so, I have something that can help you out! I've been really excited to introduce you to this sponsor! Natural Fertility Prescription.

Iva Keene is a naturopathic physician, natural fertility specialist and passionate complementary medicine advocate. She's devoted to teaching couples about safe, effective, affordable ways to overcome infertility naturally and without IVF... But not only that, she's a generous sponsor for this March of Dimes Fundraiser and she's offered to donate her $200 program to one of you wonderful donors!!

Iva said she does what she does because she's very passionate about woman’s health, natural fertility management, complementary medicine and protecting the environment and our Planet’s fertility.

"I believe education is the key to better health, optimal fertility and healthy babies," she said. "Many people simply don’t know and don’t understand what’s good for their health and fertility. It’s this lack of knowledge and awareness that’s the number one cause of most health problems we see in the world, including infertility. This is why I provide lots of free articles and information on my website and via twitter."
Her mission is to reach as many people as possible until natural fertility management becomes the first line of infertility treatment and preconception care.

"Today we are seeing more and more couples with infertility, she said. "Conventional medical approach to infertility is IVF or some other form of ART (assisted reproductive technology). These procedures are invasive, painful, expensive and harmful for mother’s health and the baby."
She said top experts in the industry are speaking out and warning couples to reserve IVF as the last option and not the first. She said the natural fertility approach in her program has been shown to nearly double the success rate of IVF, if IVF is the only option.
Iva has generously donated the entire natural fertility program, which comes with three additional books (on gender selection, natural contraception and infertility myths) as a bonus! So the person who wins this will get the whole kit. A $200 value!

You can also find out more about this program by following @IvaKeen on Twitter.

If you donate just $20 to the charity I'll give you 20 tickets to win this prize from Natural Fertility Prescription! Not only are you helping a charity but you get 20 tickets in our GIANT drawing! AND you get a GUARANTEED prize from ME! One of which can be two of these cute baby headbands and bows! Look I made these!! (Or you can get a custom doggie bandanna instead) You can donate by clicking the "chip in" button to the right or by clicking here. (Paypal is NOT associated with the drawing, just with donations. Questions about the drawing? Email me at babymakingmachine{at}gmail.com)

This is just one of more than 40 prizes (worth over $1500) that's up for grabs in the drawing! See the full list here. 100% of the funds raised are going to March of Dimes, to help save babies!

Read how this got started here!
Check out all of the prizes here!
Enter my 2nd Cutest Baby Contest here!
Have a giveaway? List it here! Offer extra entries to your peeps for donating!

The 400th Follower Giveaway Part 5

My vacation is still going well! A big thanks to those who have been asking. I know my husband is wishing I didn't bring my computer right about now, and I'm surprised with how much work goes into writing all of these features! Yikes! ...But it's fun, and I'm so happy to see you're all enjoying it!

Before you get all sad thinking this is the last giveaway I'm holding... Hold your tears... I've decided I'm going to do one more after this... This evening, another LIVE giveaway! The last one was so fun and I was expecting it to last a week or so and so many people missed it cause it went so fast! SO... I'm planning on doing another LIVE GIVEAWAY tonight at 7pm MST. ...Be there (here) or be square!... Although my giveaways are open to enter through next week tonight will be the finale of me posting them!

I'm still trying to round up a few more sponsors for it to end with a BANG, but I also wanted to do one more traditional giveaway for those of you who are traditional. So, on to the tradition...

Learning is fun right?--Sure, but making it a game can make it REAL fun.
23. That's exactly what Emily at Second Story Window has in mind when she's creating games for kids. They are teachers designing unique, colorful, and exciting activities for teachers, parents, homeschoolers, and most importantly, kids. All of their games are in the form of PDF files which makes it wonderful because you can get it right away! I browsed through her site and spotted this cute rhyming game to play cops and robbers... What kid wouldn't think that's a fun way to learn to rhyme? But there are LOTS more games! And the winner of this prize gets a $20 gift card to the shop! So check it out and let me know which games you'd pick!

Ok, I'm really trying not to be bias, and it could be my baby fever talking, but this next prize is SOOOOO cute!
24. You love little babies in Swaddles right? Oh man I know I do... They look like little baby burritos! Well, now you can make your own baby burrito at home (or help your friend make one) cause Loving Baby Inc. Is giving you the choice of your very own swaddle blanket!.. And let me tell you these are CUTE! Oh, and there's even some evidence that swaddling is good for babies.
The Perfect Swaddle!" Guaranteed to soothe your baby to sleep. This blanket is crafted from high-quality, luxurious 100% cotton flannel giving your baby a higher quality of life by providing a soothing, secure, comfortable and cozy environment. It promotes feelings of calm and relaxation, increasing the quality of sleep for both parent(s) and baby. It contour's baby's head, neck, shoulders and body for a secure, comfortable and long lasting wrap. Reduces crying and increases depth and length of sleep. Promotes "back to sleep" position reducing the risk of SIDS.
Sold yet? Enter away!

The next item up for grabs is something I SO wish I was winning, cause seriously I'm going to buy some...
25. Menstrual Beads from Doulahara's Etsy Shop. ...And before you look at me on the other side of the screen all strange (yes I get that reaction when people read the name of this prize) hear me out! Ever lose track of where you are in your cycle, want an easy way to remember when you're fertile so you DON'T do it on that day... or so you DO cause you wanna make a baby? Well, this is a unique and natural way to keep track! Here's how they work...
It's really simple! Every day, you move the charm over by one bead on the strand, beginning with the first day of your period.
-The strand of beads begins with one bead, that represents the day your period begins. There is a low likelihood of becoming pregnant on this day.
-The next 6 beads represent the infertile days of menstruation. There is a low likelihood of becoming pregnant on these days.
-The next 12 beads represent days when you are very likely to become pregnant if you have unprotected sex.
-The final 13 beads represent days when there is a low likelihood of becoming pregnant.
-In this final section of 13 beads, the 8th one represents the 26th day of your cycle--if your period ends before reaching this bead more than once in a year, you may not be a good candidate for this method of fertility awareness.
Note--These are set to work for women who have cycles between 26-32 days. So check out her site and let me know what other cool stuff you find!

And last but not least in my LAST "traditional" giveaway post for my 400th Follower Giveaway... Something for Jr.
26. I can't help but think of my puppy when I see things like these, but I'm so happy to know that chew-toy-like things don't go out of style just cause you have a human baby! Ok, I'm kidding, but really... I know from my younger siblings and working in daycare that teething can be a beast! Well, Krista from Discovery Toys is coming to the rescue with this prize-- A Yummy Teether. This prize with help your little one with those little pains coming through the gums! It's five teethers in one that will encourage sensory exploration as it soothes and comforts your teething tot. Stimulate baby's gums and ease the pressure that builds as teeth begin to appear. Five uniquely textured heads and light scent provide a range of sensations. 4" (10cm) long. Appropriate from Birth-Toddler.

So there you have it! Just leave a comment for your first entry! That's it!! No requirements, just leave one comment and you're in! BUT if you want something specific for one of these prizes let me know which color/style you like. Go ahead... Leave a separate comment for each choice, that'll up your odds! Here's other ways to up your odds:

You get extra entries by letting me know:

-*NEW* Tweet: "LIVE Giveaway tonight at 7pm MST on @babymakinmachin's blog! 25+ Prizes already! http://tinyurl.com/nzmfpn (Please RT)!"
-You subscribe to my blog
-Become a Facebook Fan for my blog
-You favor my blog on Technorati
-Vote for me on Top Baby Blogs (just click the link) and click my link again.. (It's a little too simple.)

-You Tweet/ Facebook about this contest (every day you tweet is an extra entry!) Please say: "Check out this 400th follower giveaway by @babymakinmachin 25+ prizes! http://tinyurl.com/nzmfpn (Please RT)!"

-You follow my blog (worth 2 entries so leave 2 comments)

-You share your favorite "mommy moment" post you wrote this month (2 entries) - please comment on the "mommy moment" post with your link then let me know you did it here!
-You post about this contest (2 entries)

-Leave a comment on one of my posts for Conceive Magazine (2 entries for each comment on a different post)
-Leave a comment on one of my posts for MyBrownBaby (2 entries for each comment on a different post)

-You have my blog button (3 entries, so leave 3 comments)

-Vote for my blog in the 2009 Bloggers Choice Awards (worth 5 entries! So leave 5 comments)

-Vote for my blog in the 2009 Black Weblog Awards (worth 5 entries!)

Again, Please leave a comment for each extra entry! That way you up your odds!

**I'm using Random.org to choose the winners. This contest closes midnight Friday July 17th**

The "Natural" Family Planning Technique

WARNING: Some of the information contained in this post may or may not gross you out. So if you're a guy (specifically my husband) or if you find human sexual anatomy gross in any way, you may not want to read anymore. Consider yourself warned.

I've heard this called many athings. I've heard "not trying, not preventing," which in my book, IS trying--Which I may have been accused of in this post. But I beg to differ... I think people who may say "I'm not prevention at all, but leaving it up to the Lord" in turn will probably wind up pregnant, while those of us who are preventing still but say "If it still happens than maybe it was the Lord's will" is kind of a logical statement. I think if you're using SOME form of protection/prevention then you're not expecting to get pregnant. However, I do understand that my methods now may not be as effective, I'm still doing my best to stay un-pregnant.

One way I'm doing that is researching the Natural Family Planning or "NFP" method and/or the Fertility Awareness or "FAM" method. For now, I've just been mapping it all using the rhythmic method. I've been charting my days and what not and have been trying to avoid--(Ya know)--on certain days. I even downloaded a free iPhone application from Fertility Friend to keep track. It's REALLY helpful! Their website is nice too.
I've also heard of the ovulation/billings method, which seems a little more complex and takes more effort. You watch more for signs from your body, take your temperature a lot and check all sorts of nasty anatomy stuff. I bought a basal thermometer that I'm hoping to try to use, and map out my minor degree changes from day to day. If anything this should be a fun experiment right?

Here's my plan: Track as much as I can so I know what days to AVOID, and in turn, when it's baby makin' time, hopefully I'll have it down. But for now, I'll try to count and figure out the days, and keep using the magic gel (every time regardless) and hope I don't wind up pregnant for at least a few more months. I hear these methods work pretty well when used correctly.
I'm actually interested in finding more books on this topic. I know a lot of my friends tried this because they don't like hormones. Most of them are pregnant now, but I think it's because they weren't trying hard enough. At least that's what I'm telling myself so I have the confidence to make it though.

I hear this way of tracking is great for when you're TTC too because you'll know your cycle very well. Part of me doesn't get that though... Can't you just do it every day? That's one way to try to make a baby. At least that covers all of your bases! That's my plan at least.

I dunno, what do you think? Have you tried this method before? It work for you? Have any books or sites to recommend?