INFERTILITY FACTS, NEWS and VIEWS – Your Best Sperm Yet.....

Approximately  40% of couples overall infertility problems, can be traced to male factor infertility.

Many of the studies into male factor infertility focus on the concentration (amount) and motility of sperms, therefore if a man is found to have a high sperm count and active sperms, he was deemed fertile, but there was no way of knowing the quality of these sperms, can they effectively carry out the job of fertilizing the egg. 

It is for this reason that a new study developed by Researches at Yale School of Medicine, have discovered a method that looks into the DNA integrity, the best sperms, in an effort to improve male fertility.

This process is similar to the natural fertilization process, where the egg selects the best sperm for fertilization. In the case of invitro-fertilization though, doctors won’t know if they are in fact selecting the best sperm for this process, this would therefore be of great help.

Men, this is indeed good news.

Read more by following the link below:-

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100528211202.htm

Post image by: http://aattp.org/kansas-teapublicans-to-enact-law-stating-life-begins-at-fertilization/

INFERTILITY FACTS, NEWS AND VIEWS -"Freezing Sperm taken directly from testicles is effective for Infertile Couples"

It is now common knowledge that a woman’s egg can be frozen to be later used for conception via Invitro-Fertilization. In the same way, according to a recent study, sperm taken by way of a biopsy, directly from a man’s testicles, can be frozen to be later used for conception for infertile couples.

This procedure known as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) may be beneficial to men who have little or no sperm in their semen as a result of genetics, cancer or testicular failure.

These men would not be able to achieve pregnancy because there is not enough sperm in their semen and so a biopsy of the testicles would be the best option for them.

Read more by following the link below

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/08/130806165928.htm

HERBS FOR INVITRO-FERTILIZATION

Since herbs played a huge role in making my husband and I parents, I am always happy to share information on my blog about other herbs that I come across which can help in this regard.

This one I am particularly interested in because it is the first time that I am coming across one that has a part to play in invitro-fertilization.

Embryo Implantation Herbal Support (Prenatal Herbal Support) contains a balanced combination of herbs which helps in the embryo implantation process. 

I know there is a lot of stress associated with the Invitro-Fertilization process, as I have read many stories in this regard. Some good news then, this product is said to also relieve stress and prevents weight gain.

If you are so interested, follow the link below to learn more:-

http://ivfherbalsupport.com//ivf-embryo-implantation-herbal-support-p-2.html?gclid=CJSmlfq7ybUCFQGunQod6lkAtg

GETTING PREGNANT NATURALLY AFTER IVF

Women who have done Invitro-Fertilization (IVF), must have often wondered if they could still get pregnant naturally. 

According a recent article, turns out, this is very possible.

Follow the link below for more

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47282814/ns/health-pregnancy/t/after-ivf-some-women-get-pregnant-without-help/#.T7E3ZOj2a_g

From the article:

"It must be borne in mind that infertility did not mean no chance to conceive but low or very low chance to conceive," Troude said. Dr. Johannes Evers, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Maastricht University Medical Center in the Netherlands, said that couples' behavior can explain why people whose IVF didn't work out had a higher rate of natural pregnancies afterward.

Successful couples already had their child(ren), so they will have used contraception," Evers, who was not involved in the study, wrote in an email to Reuters Health. Men and women who were younger had a better chance of having a baby naturally, as did couples whose infertility didn't have a clear cause.

For instance, among women younger than 35 with unexplained infertility, 45 percent became pregnant after failing to have a baby through IVF.”

Post image by: http://www.trt.net.tr/medya2/resim/2012/04/15/330a44e7-e636-4487-990d-d02f6063b1d9-444x333.jpg

FROM FIGHTING INFERTILITY TO FIGHTING BREAST CANCER

In October 2010, I did a story about a celebrity couple, Giuliana and Bill Rancic, who has their own reality show on the Style Network, chronicling their struggles with infertility and their attempts at invitro-fertilization, to hopefully have the family they so want.

See story at http://onereachinganother.blogspot.com/2010/10/we-have-indeed-come-long-way.html

Turns out, on their second attempt at invitro-fertilization, (the first sadly ended in a miscarriage), Giuliana was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer and has now announced that she will be doing a double mastectomy, as this is the only option which gives the cancer a less than 1% chance of returning.

Tears came to my eyes as I watch her make the announcement along with her very supportive husband Bill. When asked how this would impact on their plans to have children, Giuliana said, she has to choose life at this point and further said that her husband, when they were in discussing their options about the cancer, said to her, “I just want you around for another 50 years kid, so let’s just get you healthy.”

This is a tough one, and I am now realising how good I had it, even though I thought that my days struggling with infertility were some of the darkest, but if cancer was thrown into the mix, I am pretty sure those days would be even darker.

This couple is in my prayers, as I ask for God’s favour on their lives.

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CONSTITUIONAL AMENDEMNT IN MISSISSIPPI COULD HAVE NEGATIVE IMPACT ON INVITRO-FERTILIZATION

A constitutional amendment in Mississippi, set to come up for a vote on November 8,  could have negative impact on invitro-fertilization.

This amendment could spread to at least twelve States, including Florida and Ohio and seeks to classify a fertilized human egg as a legal person, thus making abortion and some forms of birth control (like the morning after pill) murder.

For more, please visit the link below:-

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/10/24/personhood-ballot-initiative-in-mississippi-could-ban-some-ivf-practices.html

From the article:-

“As Hines explains, for IVF to have a decent chance of success, doctors have to try to fertilize more eggs than they intend to implant. “A basic problem in IVF is that we cannot look at an egg and determine that egg will get you pregnant,” he says. “In order to enhance the pregnancy rate, we stimulate the patient and take all the eggs that we can get and combine those with sperm. Then the eggs and the sperm determine which ones are actually going to lead to pregnancy. Some will not fertilize. Some will not become embryos, and some embryos will not progress."

Post image by: http://pregnancy.about.com/library/graphics/invitro.gif

“WHAT HE CAN EXPECT WHEN SHE IS NOT EXPECTING”

image by: http://www.natural-fertility-prescription.com

In my years of struggling with infertility, many times I felt very alone because my husband did not seem to be emotionally invested in this struggle. I was largely the cause of our infertility and so I thought that it was normal that I was the only one suffering emotionally.

After a while, it got to me because I was no longer able to cope all by myself. I became overwhelmed and sadly began to resent my husband and also started wondering if he even wanted children.

As a result of all that I was going through with my infertility struggles, I really did not want my marriage to deteriorate, because I did not have the energy to deal with any other struggle and so I sat my husband down one day and asked him how he really felt about our struggles to have children. I was in no way prepared for what he later said to me. He said he was indeed hurting but he did not want to show it, for fear that it would make me feel worst. I honour him for this response and was very upset with myself that I had judged him without ever giving him the chance to talk about his feelings. I accepted his response, but deep down I was thinking that there had to be more reasons for this disconnect.

Infertility is largely viewed as a woman’s issue and so because of this, men feel that they have no part in this struggle and especially if they are not a contributor to these struggles. Many men feel that their duty is just to be there physically to aid their wife in the conception process and so do not see themselves as part of the solution and emotional process at all.

 It is with this in mind, that the book, “What he can expect when she is not expecting” was written. Authored by Marc Sedaka, with input from his fertility doctor, Dr. Gregory Rosen. This book is a guide for men, on supporting their wives, saving their marriage and conquering infertility. Marc, along with his wife had very intense struggles with infertility, suffering through 16 artificial inseminations, 10 invitro-fertilizations, 3 miscarriages and finally welcomed twin girls as a result of gestational surrogacy.

Marc shares with us three ways that men can confront their infertility issues head on:-

Communicate – Deal with feelings, find out exactly how your wife is feeling without being confrontational.

Educate – If even after admitting that you both need professional intervention, your wife does not make any attempt to do anything, take matters in your hands, educate both yourselves, surf the internet, get books on infertility.

Support – Encourage your wife to seek support. She might refuse at first because she might not be ready to let anyone else into her painful world as yet, but continue to encourage her, when she is finally ready, she will find out that she really needed this support.

Marc also shares with us the "10 things not to say to your ‘fertility-challenged’ wife," some of which are:-

1.      

•   Thats Ok, I did not want you to get fat anyway.
•  No more condoms, cool.
•  Don’t worry, you are still relatively young etc. 

If you are interested in reading this book, it can be purchased directly below, from Amazon.com

WE HAVE INDEED COME A LONG WAY

Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.

Children born to a young man are like sharp arrows in a warrior’s hand

Psalm 127: 3 and 4

“HOPE MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE"

I remember when I was struggling with infertility, I yearned so much to see any mention in the media about it.  I wanted so much to connect with people who were struggling as I was, because I know they were out there and a lot of them too.

We have come a long way.  Guilliana and Bill Rancic of ‘Gulliana and Bill’ which airs on the style network, have invited us to come along on this journey with them in their pursuit to have a child of their own and I must say, I am so happy this is happening

I remember when I was first pregnant, I won a story competition, hosted by one of our local television stations. We were asked to submit our love story and say why our story should be the winning one. I did not hesitate to include our struggles with infertility and how we had weathered that storm and was about to welcome our long awaited child. Well, my story won and it was quite daunting knowing that we had to appear on public television for all the world to see and hear that we had indeed struggled with infertility and that was very frightening for me, to say the least, so I cannot imagine having a camera following me, every step of the way, as I embark on this very emotional journey.

I know Gullliana and Bill must have often asked themselves, as others have, why they are dong this, and it must be frightening as well, to think that they are putting themselves out there like this, because it is such a personal and private journey, but on the other hand, I know they have applauded themselves for taking this risk and is comforted in knowing that their story will help, if it is only just one couple who is also struggling in this regard.

They did Invitro-fertilization and was successful, but sadly loss the pregnancy at 8 weeks, due to a chromosomal abnormality. They were hurt deeply, as you can well imagine, by this, but they still maintain great  courage and positiveness, that they will one day, be able to embrace the fruit of their labor.

My thoughts and and prayers go out to them.

Are our doctors selling us short????

“Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.
Children born to a young man are like sharp arrows in a warrior’s hand.”
Psalm 127: 3 & 4

I know I might get in some hot water for this post but I am fine with that, it will only be giving me the total blogging experience because I am told that comments can be brutal and I am yet to see any such.

Seriously though, are our doctors selling us short? When a couple battling infertility ends up in a doctor’s office for help, they go there with all intentions that they will get the help they need to make their dreams of having a family a reality. Why then are some couples having such a difficult time. Shouldn’t their doctors do a thorough diagnosis as is possible, instead of giving them a diagnosis of only some of the issues they face, while seemingly ignoring the other possible ones. The reality is when these issues are deemed fixed and the couple still fail to become pregnant, they can become so disillusioned and discouraged because I am sure they are thinking that their troubles are over when in fact, they have only just begun. I know I have been there, because after my surgery for my PCOS and my six months within which my doctor gave me to get pregnant had passed, I went to another doctor for a second opinion and what she discovered was that the walls of my cervix was not building up enough to receive any fertilized eggs. Iar menstrual cycle. I felt disillusioned and discouraged that here I am thinking I was close to my goal of having a family when something new suddenly pops up to set me back. I was even thinking why couldn’t my doctor asked me to come in after this six months had elapsed with no pregnancy resulting just to maybe see what new development there was that was still causing me to be unable to get pregnant instead of telling me to consider other alternatives. I felt like I was been tossed overboard out of a ship, to the sharks.

A friend of mine who did surgery in hopes of having a family told me that after her surgery, her doctor told her only God can help her now. I am sure she probably thought nothing of the comment at the time, and her doctor probably had very good intentions in saying this, because in essence, nothing is really wrong with the comment, but in my opinion, it seem a little cold, like he was actually throwing her out of the ship, instead of offering to still monitor her post surgery.

When I had my son, it was only after suffering a agonizing failed labour that I was told that I had an inverted pelvis why attempts at labour had failed (an inverted pelvis is when your pelvis is too narrow to allow for the passage of your baby). I was very perturbed, probably naivity again, thinking could'nt this have been diagnosed earlier saving me, my baby and my family all this anxiety. What if something had happened to me or my child while they were attempting labour. I am still to check with my doctor just to see if they could possibly have known this earlier.

I am someone who encourages people to read up on their conditions so that they will be able to interact with their doctors in an informed manner, but shouldn’t we also expect that our doctors will do what they are supposed to do and willingly give us any vital information we need as well? After all, they are the experts, not us, the patients.

Is it naïve of me to think that we should be able to find doctors who are thorough and who really care about their patients and their needs, who are not profit driven. When I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, when I did my surgery my doctor at the time only told me that if I did not get pregnant within six months of the surgery, I should consider alternatives like invitro-fertilization. Nothing was said to me that the cysts would return or that I will have other issues like heart disease, diabetes or ovarian cancer to think about. Little wonder I left the doctor’s office feeling that all my problems were fixed.

The other doctors I saw, I must say they were not at all bad, but thankfully, one in particular caused me to rethink how I felt overall about doctors. He was so unselfish, so caring and each miscarriage I suffered, he had nothing but encouragement to give. He did not even charge me for some of my visits relating to my miscarriages. I am truly blessed to have met him.

I have been following up on this tragic case where a mother died in child birth due to complications arising from a c-section. The story is so sad. The mother apparently has fibroids and developed a blood clot during surgery. Her husband is saying, the doctors knew her condition and should therefore have been able to prevent it. Why do I feel we are being sold short by our medical system which is put in place to help us when we are sick and save our lives as much as possible. This is why many people spend the time and money for second opinions because you cannot just rely one as this could cost you your life.

Is it that if doctors become who we really want them to be, we could not really pay them to see us. Just wondering.

I am at a lost so some medical personnel please enlighten my naivity. Please do not let me look bad on the world stage. My readers are counting on me.

Until next time, my readers, keep clinging to hope.