HOPE Enrollment is closed

We have closed enrollment for new participants in the HOPE Study. Thank you to all of our invaluable participants and interested individuals!

How do I know if I'm ovulating?

Take a look at this video of Dr. Joseph Stanford, one of the investigators on this study. He discussed how to know when you're ovulating.

Staff Changes to HOPE

                   Once again, HOPE bid farewell to an amazing worker. Nicole Bailey, Participant Coordinator and Research Assistant, graduates with a Masters in Public Health this week! She is looking forward to a career in the public health field, volunteering for cancer camp, and spending more time on her mountain bike. Nicole was a valuable asset to the study and participtants and we will miss her greatly!


We are excited to welcome our new staff member though!

Kathryn Szczotka, Graduate Research Assistant

               

     Kathryn received in B.A in History and Women’s Studies at Colorado State University. She is pursuing her Masters of Public Health along with a Women’s Health certificate. Previous research experience includes Creighton Model studies and NaPro studies, both focusing on fertility and infertility tracking. She is thrilled to be working with the HOPE Study and Dr. Porucznik and all of the study participants. In her free time, she enjoys skiing, hiking, and spending time with her husband. 

Spring Changes to The HOPE Study Staff!

This Spring has brought about a few changes in our HOPE Study staff and we wanted to make you a part of it!

It is with warm hearts and our deepest gratitude that we bid farewell to Lindsey Schmidt, our Participant Coordinator.  Lindsay recently graduated with her Masters in Public Health. She is excited to begin her career, continue volunteering for cancer camp and spend more time with her husband Matt.  She will be missed by both the staff and her participants!  Good luck Lindsey!








It is with great excitement that we welcome a few new faces to our staff:


Nicole Bailey, Graduate Research Assistant
Nicole received her B.S in Biology at Westminster College and is currently attaining her Masters of Public Health degree and Global Health Certificate at the University of Utah.  Her prior research experience includes genetic analysis on cestode species and content analysis of ubiquitin in differentiating stem cells. She is excited to begin this stage of research and work alongside Dr. Porucznik and The HOPE Study Staff.  Her future endeavors include working on her Ph.D., with hopes of working for the CDC in infectious disease control.  In her free time she enjoys mountain biking, skiing, volunteering for cancer camp and crocheting with her cat.




Lindsay Janicki, Volunteer
Lindsay is an avid skier and Utah Utes fan, with a weakness for Mexican food.  She is currently finishing her third year of medical school at the University of Utah and is interested in pursuing a career in OB/Gyn. 

Mack Whitehead, Volunteer

Mack recently graduated from BYU with a Bachelors in Russian Language and Literature. He is applying to medical school, and plans on entering the 2014 class. He was a participant in the HOPE study with his wife Jaci, who recently gave birth to his daughter Dixie. Mack is excited to be a part of the HOPE study team, to help others have wonderful children of their own.

BPA in the news

This is an interesting article about BPA in a typical American diet.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/19/opinion/eat-like-a-mennonite.html?ref=opinion&_r=1&

Read and enjoy!

Waking (Basal Body) Temperature

Hello HOPE participants! We wanted to share some information about waking (basal body) temperature.  

What is waking (basal body) temperature?

Waking (basal body) temperature is an easily observable fertility sign. Most women experience a rise in their waking temperature of at least 0.3^oF a day or two after ovulation. A woman’s preovulatory waking temperature typically ranges from 97.0 to 97.7 ^oF, but some women can be lower. Postovulatory temperatures typically rise to about 97.8 ^oF and higher. After ovulation, temperatures will stay elevated until the woman’s next period, about 12 to 16 days later. When interpreting temperatures, it is important to look for a pattern of highs and lows. You will find that before ovulation your temperatures will go up and down in a low range and that after ovulation your temperatures will go up and down in a high range. The trick is to see the whole, and not focus on the day-to-day changes. Use the chart below as an example.

How to take your waking (basal body) temperature

Take your daily temperature first thing upon awakening, before any other activity including drinking water or getting up to use the bathroom. You should take your temperature about the same time every morning, give or take about an hour. Take your temperature orally, under the tongue. Try to maintain as much consistency as possible, including recording your temperature about the same time and getting at least three consecutive hours of sleep before doing so. Do not take your temperature multiple times as the longer you are awake, the more variable your temperature will be. In summary, take your temperature first thing after wakening and record that first reading. 

For more information about this or other topics refer to "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Toni Weschler 

Interested?

Interested in joining the HOPE Study? 

We can teach you how to track your fertility to identify ovulation! 

 Females, click here to find out if you are eligible

Males, click here to find out if you are eligible