FERTILTIY TREATMENT – MYTH VERSUS FACT

Have you have been trying to conceive unsuccessfully? Have you had unprotected sex for over a year, with no results? Are you worried about conception because one or both of you are over 35 years?

You need expert advice.

Femiint Fertility at Whitefield which is rated as one of Bangalore’s best IVF Fertility Treatment Centers owing to its high success rate  has a specialised team of doctors and staff who will be happy to walk you through your questions, however small they might appear to you.

Let’s explore some common myths and facts regarding infertility and fertility treatment.

Six Myths about Infertility and Fertility Treatment:

Myth No 1: Fertility is not an issue for men and women below 40 years

Age does have an effect on both men and women.

Women are born with an ova bank of around 10 to 20 lakh eggs. These eggs will not increase. Every month they lose about eleven thousand eggs before puberty, by which time they are left with about 3-4 lakh eggs. Subsequently about a thousand eggs are inevitably destroyed every month.  By the time they are in their late twenties the numbers have drastically dwindled.  The quality and quantity decrease, with each passing year.

Men over the age of 40 begin to have a decline in the quantity and quality of sperm that is produced.

Myth No 2: Being young and living a healthy lifestyle is a sure sign of being fertile

Healthy living is a key to living a full life and increases the fertility index. However, healthy living is not a guaranteed indicator of fertility. A healthy man who can ejaculate is not necessarily fertile. Semen is an organic fluid that may or may not have spermatozoa (sperm). A normal ejaculation may contain millions of sperms. But men can also have no sperms or a low sperm count. The motility of the sperms as well as the quality of sperms is directly linked to fertility.  

Even for healthy women, one in ten below the age of 30 years is infertile. This percentage increases with age.

Myth No 3: A failure to conceive is because the woman is infertile in the majority of couples

This is not true. Studies have shown that 1/3^rd of the problems with infertility are related to the male, and 1/3^rd to the woman. The remaining 1/3^rd is related to unknown causes.

Myth No 4: IVF does not necessarily result in conception or may result in more than one child

IVF treatment is a reliable procedure which most often gives positive results. The IVF treatment cycles are planned around the woman’s ovulation cycle. Advanced technology usually ensures the formation of a single or multiple embryo. With expert consultation, the chance for failure is minimal.  

Myth No 5: As long as one has a healthy sex life, one can keep on trying for a child

A healthy sex life is not a precursor to pregnancy. There could be issues faced by either partner.

Delaying treatment can be costly. Besides, the success rate is better with age.

Myth No 6: Having one Baby ipso facto means one is not infertile

Secondary infertility which is the inability to conceive after the first child is a reality. This can happen due to many reasons, from either partner, such as low production of sperm in men, blocked fallopian tubes in women etc.

If you are struggling with secondary infertility, don’t despair. There is hope. Consult a Fertility Specialist straightaway.

Femiint Fertility is a specialised IVF treatment Center at Femiint Health Hospital, Whitefield, Bangalore. Give them a call on 080-4931-1111 to fix an appointment with a Fertility Specialist. At Femiint Health, IVF treatment costs are affordable and the treatment is personalized. You could soon be on your way to bringing home a bundle of joy.

How to select the best IVF fertility treatment centre in Bangalore?

Should you pick the red, rosy apples or the tender pink-hued ones? Should you buy the shimmery purple dress or the pretty lavender one? So many fun choices. Unfortunately, the stress quotient is much higher while deciding on the perfect IVF treatment centre. Your whole life depends on the centre that you choose. It is a tough decision to make when there are so many centres touting that they are the best. Here is a brief checklist that will help you to sign up with the best IVF fertility treatment centre in Bangalore.

 Does the team meet your expectations? – It takes a whole army of specialists to make the treatment process a surefire success. Specialists in Reproductive Medicine, Embryologists, Ultrasonologists, Andrologists and Counsellors all have a role to play. The whole IVF journey to get your little bundle of squeals and giggles, can be stressful and a counsellor helps to alleviate your concerns and anxieties. You need a hospital that can guarantee you a smooth transition to pregnancy and motherhood with state-of-the-art technology and efficient highly-trained staff.

State-of-the-art technology -  Once you zero in on the right team, equipment and technology matter as well to make sure the process is effective and seamless. Do your research and make sure that the hospital you choose keeps abreast with the latest medical advancements and is not lagging behind in the technology department.

Individual attention – Each fertility issue is unique and complex and should be dealt with personalized attention and care. If you are just being grouped into a ‘package’ deal that is offered to all patients irrespective of their needs, it’s not the place for you. Treatment protocols should be tailored to your needs and the treatment plan should be charted out solely depending on the nitty-gritties of your case. The hospital should give you no reason to worry. Each patient should be treated with the utmost care and every case evaluated accordingly.  

Transparency – Remember it is your body and you should be in complete control of what it is subjected to. You are going to be poked, prodded and injected. You therefore need to know the whole treatment plan and schedule of what is in the offing so that you can be mentally prepared for what lies ahead. Lack of transparency in the treatment plan is a red flag. A clinic that hems and haws and withholds information is dubious to say the least. Patients should be aware and informed and as much a part of the conception team as the doctors. After all, you are the star player and you should be aware of the script.

Hidden costs – IVF treatment is a costly affair and you need to prepare yourself financially as well before you embark on this. The last thing you want is huge bills to surprise you midway through the treatment. It should be like a buffet meal at a restaurant where you know the items on the menu well in advance. Beware of any clinic that is hesitant to share all the cost details right at the beginning.

If you think you may need IVF treatment, do not hesitate to visit a fertility specialist. One of the best IVF fertility treatment centres in Bangalore is the Femiint fertility in Whitefield. At Femiint Fertility, all cost details are clearly stated and shared so there are no nasty shocks to the pocket. Their team of experienced and highly successful fertility specialists are equipped with the latest technology and make sure you get individual attention. They stay by your side at every step you make in this journey.

So what are you waiting for? You are now armed with all the vital information you need to choose the best IVF treatment centre in Bangalore. Stride ahead confidently and realize your dream of a little baby in your arms.

5 things to look for while selecting the best IVF treatment centre

Ten little toes and ten little fingers, chubby cheeks and heart-melting gurgles and babbling … the journey to get this adorable bundle in your arms may sometimes look long and hard.  

You may have gone through years of disappointment and frustration and may now need a little extra assistance like an IVF treatment. But take heart, help is at hand and your baby will soon be here. A successful, viable pregnancy is just a few steps away.

Here are 5 things to look for when choosing an IVF fertility treatment centre that’s just right for you.

Treatment Plan – The quality of care is of paramount importance. It should not be a ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution. The course of action should be tailor-made to your needs. One needs to do a comprehensive ultrasound and review to personalize a treatment plan. This also eliminates pumping up the prospective mother with unnecessary drugs and undesirable side-effects. It is also advisable to confirm that the clinic you pick has access to donor eggs and sperm in case you need to resort to that route.                

Understanding success rates – The success rates of the clinics are a huge driving force in zeroing in on the one that’s the best fit for you. But be savvy when you interpret the success rates that they proudly display. A lot of the data can be deliberately misleading and irrelevant to you. You have to ascertain the treatment protocol followed by the patients surveyed. Also watch out for the finer details like are they recording a clinical pregnancy or a live birth.

The doctor-patient connect – How well do you gel with your Doctor and the rest of the team? Do you feel confident and relaxed under their care? Communication lines with them should be open and easy. You should be able to trust them with this important task of starting your family. You are embarking on the journey of a lifetime and these are the people who will be cheering you on at each stage of the IVF treatment.       

Waiting time – When you have been waiting for countless years to announce from the rooftops that you are expecting, the last thing you want is a clinic that puts you on the backburner, on a waiting list. So steer clear of centres that act high and mighty and are struggling to fit you into their calendar. We understand your urgency and that time is of the essence. So you should be able to walk right in and set up your appointment. The IVF treatment centre should work with your natural menstrual cycle and have an experienced team that will put you at ease right away.

Costs – Cost plays a huge role too in this vital decision. Some may be willing and able to shell out a fortune to welcome a little baby while others may be struggling to gather the resources for the treatment. Many clinics recommend unproven add-ons which can make the cost sky-rocket. They may dispense high amounts of stimulatory drugs which may not be necessary. Do your research and be aware what exactly you are paying for. A high IVF treatment cost does not guarantee a baby. Go with the clinic that is sincere in their approach and is transparent about the costs and payment.  

If you are looking for IVF treatment, consider the Femiint Fertility centre in Bangalore. Located in Whitefield, they have one of the best IVF treatment centres in Bangalore. Give them a call on 080-4931-1111 to fix an appointment with a fertility specialist. The costs are affordable and the treatment is personalized. You could soon be on the way to bringing home a bundle of joy.

Everything that you should know about In Vitro Fertilization(IVF)

In Vitro Fertilization(IVF) is a form of Assisted Reproductive Technology or ART. It is a process of fertilization where matured eggs extracted from the ovary are combined with a sperm sample. It is a manual process carried out in test tubes within laboratories. The IVF process involves fertilizing the egg outside of the body and later implanting the embryo into the uterus for conception.

Steps

Ovulation Induction:

Ovulation induction is a fertility treatment that is administered by way of medication to induce ovulation to encourage the development and release of eggs from the ovary. In case the subject is using her own eggs during IVF, she would then require commencing treatment with synthetic hormones to stimulate her ovaries to produce multiple eggs rather than a single egg that is produced every month. The need for multiple eggs arises as not all eggs fertilize or develop normally for fertilization.

A subject might need the following medications for inducing ovulation;

Medication for Ovarian Stimulation:

An injectable medication containing follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) or luteinizing hormone (LH) or combination of both is administered to the subject to stimulate ovaries to produce more than one egg at a time.

Oocyte Maturation:  

A medication named human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is administered to the subject after 8 to 12 days, when the follicles are ready for egg or oocyte retrieval. This is done to help the eggs mature.

Prevent Premature Ovulation: 

These medications are administered to prevent the body from releasing premature eggs.

Prepare the Lining of Uterus:

The lining of the uterus is an important factor for IVF. The thickness of the lining of uterus also termed endometrium is essential for retrieving eggs or successfully implanting the embryo. In instances where the lining is not receptive and thick enough for implantation, doctors may suggest the use of a medication called progesterone to make the lining of the uterus thicker and more receptive.

Egg Retrieval:

The process of egg or oocyte retrieval is carried out 34 to 36 hours after the subject has been administered human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and before ovulation.

Doctors before carrying out the process of egg retrieval sedate the subject to minimize pain.

The eggs are retrieved from the subject through transvaginal aspiration meaning the process or retrieving eggs from the ovary. An ultrasound supervised probe is inserted into the vagina to identify the follicles. A thin needle is then inserted through an ultrasound guide that penetrates the vagina and into the follicles to retrieve the eggs.

In instances where the ovary is not accessible through transvaginal aspiration, an abdominal surgery or laparoscopy may be advised.  Abdominal surgery or laparoscopy also known as key hole surgery is carried by making a small incision around the navel. A viewing instrument is then inserted through the incision to help guide the needles to the follicles to retrieve eggs.

Eggs are retrieved from the follicles using suction.

Immediately after retrieving the eggs from the ovary they are placed in a special solution also called insemination media or culture medium. Insemination media or culture medium is a nutritive solution that provides the retrieved eggs with the required nutrition to maximize the likelihood of successful fertilization of eggs by the sperm.

Sperm Retrieval :

The partner of the subject provides for a semen sample for the sperm to be extracted. The semen sample is required in the morning when the egg is retrieved. For men who do not ejaculate the sperm can be directly retrieved from the testis using a surgical procedure. Donor sperms can also be utilized for the purpose.

Fertilization:

There are two common methods used for fertilization

Insemination:

 In this method the healthy sperm and matured eggs are mixed and incubated overnight.

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI):

This method of fertilization is used when the semen quality or the number is a problem or in case of failed fertilization attempts in previous IVF cycles. ICSI requires the healthy sperm to be directly injected into each mature egg.

Embryo Development:

Embryo development or embryogenesis is the process by which the assimilation of sperm and mature egg develops into an embryo.

Assisted Hatching:

In many instances of IVF treatment, the process fails because the embryo is unable to implant in the uterus. The embryo detaches from the outside membrane called the zona pellucida after 5 to 6 days of fertilization. Immediately after hatching the embryo implants itself in the uterus. For women who have experienced unsuccessful IVF attempts, doctors recommend assisted hatching. Assisted hatching is a technique by which a hole is made in the zona pellucida just before transfer for the embryo to successfully hatch and implant in the uterus.

Preimplantation Genetic Testing or PGD:

PGD is a procedure carried out before implantation of an embryo to check if the embryo has any defects. This is done to ensure that no genetic disorders or abnormalities are passed on to the child. While PGD is carried out as a preventive measure, it cannot be considered a safeguard.

Embryo Transfer:

Embryo transfer pertains to the transferring of embryos into a woman’s uterus to encourage pregnancy. The process takes place after 2 to 5 days from egg retrieval.

The subject is administered mild sedatives and may experience mild cramping

A long flexible tube called a catheter is inserted into the woman’s vagina, running through the cervix into her uterus.

A syringe containing one or more embryos is attached to the catheter and is transferred to the woman’s uterus by the doctor.

Embryo Cryopreservation:

Embryo Cryopreservation or embryo freezing is a process carried out by most IVF programs. It is a process by which healthy embryos are stored at sub zero temperatures for use later. Women who fail to conceive in earlier attempts can use these embryos for pregnancy instead of going through the complete IVF cycle. It can also be utilized for embryo donation for women wishing to conceive.

After the Procedure:

While women can carry on with their day to day routine it is advised that after the implantation of embryos women do not over exert themselves physically.

Side Effects:

Discharge of small amounts of clear or bloody fluid can occur owing to the swabbing of the cervix before the transfer of embryo.

High estrogen levels may cause breast tenderness.

Mild bloating or cramping may exist.

Constipation

In cases of severe pain after the embryo transfer subject is advised to visit the doctor to negate complications such as infection, twisting of an ovary and severe hyperstimulation syndrome.

7 Medical Conditions that IVF can overcome

The Inability to have children after trying for months and years can be one of the most emotionally challenging experience.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is the preferred method of Best IVF treatment that has helped millions of the people to get pregnant in last three decades.

IVF can be useful in treating infertility in the following patients.

1. Blocked or damaged Fallopian tubes - caused by infections.

2. Male Infertility 

3. Women with Ovulation Disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome and premature ovarian failure.

4. Uterine Fibroids - Non-cancerous mass that grows inside the uterus.

5. Endometriosis - Endometrium the inner lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus mostly grows on ovaries and muscular wall of uterus(Adenomyosis).

6. Women who had Salpingectomy (Surgical removal of Fallopian Tubes).

7. Age- Related Infertility - Women’s ability to have baby declines with advancing age due to low ovarian reserve (number of eggs) and poor quality of the eggs.

IVF is one of the most effective treatments to attain pregnancy in spite of these issues.

Fertility Treatment In Bangalore

Fertility is the natural capacity to produce offspring. As a measure, fertility rate is the number of offspring born per mating pair, individual or population.

The ability to conceive and bear children, the ability to become pregnant through normal sexual activity. About 90 percent of healthy, fertile women are able to get pregnant within one year if they have intercourse regularly without contraception. Normal fertility requires the production of enough healthy sperm by the male and feasible eggs by the woman, successful passage of the sperm through open ducts from the male testes to the female Fallopian tubes, penetration of a healthy egg, and implantation of the fertilized egg in the lining of the uterus.

Fertility Treatment brings you care that is complete, impressive, leading edge and yet, very sensitive. State-of-the-art infrastructure combined with the latest medical technology ensures you get the right treatment focused on providing solutions. Your chances of pregnancy by improving and treating fertility related problems is termed as best fertility treatment in Bangalore. There are many infertility treatments available like IVF, IUI, ICSI.

IUI

Intrauterine insemination(IUI), is a process that involves injecting the sperm directly into the uterus. best IUI center in Bangalore increases the number of sperm to reach the egg in turn maximize the chance of pregnancy.

IUI is used to treat

l Unexplained infertility

l Women with cervical mucus problem

l Ejaculation dysfunction

l Women who wants to conceive with the help of a sperm donor.  

Fertility drugs are recommended to stimulate ovulation and monitored carefully so that IUI procedure can be carried out around the time of ovulation.

IVF

IVF is the most preferred method of treating women who struggle to conceive naturally. Here, the eggs and sperms are collected and combined manually in a laboratory dish for fertilization. The fertilized eggs develop into embryos and these embryos are later transferred into the uterus. Best IVF treatment in Bangalore is recommended for the women who struggle to conceive naturally.

ICSI

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI), a technique that involves direct injection of sperm into egg. ICSI is originally developed to treat male infertility and is highly recommended because the success rate is around 90%. The early stages of ICSI are same as IVF procedure which involves ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, sperm collection and then injection of each sperm into each egg and later the embryos are transferred into the uterus. This technique maximizes the fertilization and increase the chances of pregnancy.

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IN VITRO FERTLIZATION (IVF) PROCEDURE : Step-by-Step

In Vitro Fertilization(IVF), the Assisted Reproductive Technology is commonly known as ‘Test Tube Baby’.

In normal pregnancy, (natural conception) the fertilization takes place inside a women’s body and then the fertilized egg attaches itself to the inner lining of the womb (uterine wall), and continues to grow into a baby.

IVF is recommended for the women who struggle to conceive naturally.

Here, the fertilization of the eggs take place in a laboratory dish, and then the fertilized eggs (embryos) are transferred into the woman's uterus.

Basic Steps for IVF

Step 1: Ovarian Stimulation

Fertility drugs (contains follicle stimulating hormones) are given to stimulate egg production. So that ovaries can produce more eggs than normal. (Woman typically produces only one egg per month).

Step 2: Egg Retrieval

A minor surgery called Follicular aspiration is performed to collect the eggs from the ovary.

A thin needle connected to a suction device is inserted through vagina into the ovary to suck the eggs out.

Step 3: Sperm Collection

Sperm sample is collected and prepared to combine with the eggs.

Step 4: Insemination and Fertilization 

The collected eggs and sperms are mixed together in a  laboratory dish, nestled . inside an incubator (temperature control). Fertilization takes place within few hours

ICSI technique (direct injection of sperm into egg) is performed for severe male factor infertility.

Step 5: Embryo Transfer

The fertilized eggs called zygotes divides and develop into embryos which are then transferred into the womb. The embryos are transferred by inserting a catheter (containing embryos) into the uterus through the vagina. The embryo attaches to the inner lining of the womb embryo growth begins. (uterus wall), and the healthy embryo growth begins. 

Usually 2 or 3 embryos are transferred during IVF, which can lead to multiple pregnancies However, patients can choose Elective Single Embryo Transfer (eSET) opt, where one embryo can be transferred into the uterus, rather than multiple.