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Dr. Zhang’s Pick of the Month: Who can benefit from PGS?
According to research, the miscarriage rate increases as a woman gets older. Women who are undergoing IVF treatment can benefit from Pre-implantation Genetic Screening (PGS). PGS evaluates an embryo to determine if it has the correct number of chromosomes. Having too many or too few chromosomes is evidence of a genetic defect. This test does not look for specific diseases, rather it aims to identify embryos that have an abnormal number of chromosomes. As a woman ages, the chance of her having embryos with an abnormal number of chromosomes rises.
Read more: Dr. Zhang’s Pick of the Month: Who can benefit from PGS?
Mini IVF for PCOS vs Conventional IVF: an actual case study
Among the areas of focus that we have at New Hope Fertility Center is Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome or PCOS. Often colleagues and patients alike want to know: how does NHFC manage individuals with PCOS during their IVF process? Let’s look at a case to see how New Hope Managed to successfully treat a difficult and common situation.
Read more: Mini IVF for PCOS vs Conventional IVF: an actual case study
Is Early Pregnancy Bleeding a Sign of a Potential Miscarriage?
Seeing that you’re bleeding during early pregnancy can be extremely alarming. Often, a woman’s first thought is that there’s a serious problem or that she’s having a miscarriage. Bleeding during the early stages of pregnancy is common and typically not indicative of a major issue. However, because it can be an indication of an issue, it is important to see your doctor as soon as possible to verify the health and safety of yourself and your growing baby.
Read more: Is Early Pregnancy Bleeding a Sign of a Potential Miscarriage?
When should ovulation be induced?
Tessa, a patient with a very low ovarian reserve, came to New Hope Fertility Center on the 10th day of her menstrual cycle wanting to have her ovulation induced. However, she was unable to stay in New York City for a long period of time. Thank goodness cutting edge Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) – through Natural Cycle IVF – has made it possible to induce a woman’s ovulation during the early stages of her menstrual cycle.
What should I be aware of now that I have had a successful embryo transfer?
Congratulations – you have tested positive for pregnancy 14 days after your successful embryo transfer! In another 14 days, you will have a transvaginal ultrasound performed. If the doctor determines that the results are normal, you will undergo another follow-up ultrasound in one month. Through New Hope Fertility Center’s Customized Fertility Care, it is normal for you to undergo two vaginal ultrasounds in the beginning of your first trimester.
Read more: What should I be aware of now that I have had a successful embryo transfer?
What does it mean to have the best in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment?
With IVF treatment, best treatment does not exist; only the most appropriate treatment is available from a leading medical provider. The IVF treatment program most suitable to your individual needs is considered the best treatment.
Read more: What does it mean to have the best in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment?
Considering Genetic Testing for Your Embryo? Here are 7 Things to Consider
Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) can be done during IVF treatment to identify embryos with genetic defects. The intention is to identify which embryos are healthiest and to avoid the use of embryos that will result in pregnancy loss. Additionally, the PGD process allows parents to avoid passing down a genetic disease. As with any medical procedure, PGD has pros and cons. Ultimately, there is no one answer about the use of PGD. It is a highly personal decision that each couple must consider.
Read more: Considering Genetic Testing for Your Embryo? Here are 7 Things to Consider
4 Pros and Cons of PGD
During in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment, doctors have a number of tools at their disposal to increase success rates. One of these tools is preimplantation genetic diagnosis, commonly referred to as PGD. PGD is a method of testing embryos during IVF treatment to determine if an embryo has a genetic disease or chromosomal defect. Both of these issues can result in pregnancy loss, so transferring healthy embryos is ideal to increase the likelihood of a live birth and healthy child.
Do Men Have Biological Clocks?
Men And A Biological Clock
A woman’s biological clock is directly related to her ability to become pregnant and have children. Biologically, a woman is best equipped to become pregnant before age 35. After age 35, her natural fertility begins to decline. This means that while she still can become pregnant, the process to do so may take longer and may be more difficult. For many years, the biological clock was thought of as women’s issue. However, recent research indicates that men have biological clocks as well. A man’s biological clock can impact both his fertility levels and the health of the children he helps to produce.
The Male Biological Clock
As people age, their bodies begin to function differently – particularly in how hormones are produced in the body. As a man ages, he produces lower levels of the hormones required for semen production and fertility. Testosterone, DHEA, estrogen and FSH are all required for fertility and decline as a man ages. These declines can result in reduced sperm counts and higher percentages of abnormal sperm.
The results of the change in male fertility has several impacts. As a man gets older it will be more difficult to conceive naturally. Additionally, the trend with sperm quality and aging can also be seen during fertility treatments, such as in vitro fertilization. Furthermore, men who are older are more likely to have a child that is lost to miscarriage. This is true even if the child’s mother is young and has no other health issues. These findings stand in stark contrast with the widely held belief that male fertility is not impacted by age because men produce sperm on a daily basis.
Paternal Age and Birth Defects
Research indicates that there is a link between the age of a child’s father and the likelihood of developing birth defects. Specifically, having an older father raises the risk of having a child with autism. Due to these new findings, researchers are taking a hard look at birth defects that were thought of as resulting due to issues within the mother.
Improving Male Fertility
Living well is the most important thing a man can do to improve his fertility and the quality of his sperm. This includes eating well-balanced meals and exercising regularly. Getting to a healthy weight and maintaining that weight is also key. Furthermore, annual physical exams help to discover issues before they become major problems, thus improving a man’s health and his ability to reproduce.
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How to Optimize Your Fertility Levels During the Winter
The change in weather to cooler temps mean that winter and the holidays are just around the corner. For many people, that change also means loosening the reigns on their healthy eating habits. Unfortunately, reversing healthy lifestyle choses can also have an impact on your fertility. Sticking with your healthy habits can help to boost fertility levels during the winter here in NYC.
Read more: How to Optimize Your Fertility Levels During the Winter
