Learning that your conception story is going to be completely different than the way that you had always imagined it can be a complete shock to your system. Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization specifically, is a rarely welcomed but necessary decision for one out of every eight couples. It’s no small feat to familiarize yourself with the new language and concepts associated with this involved process, let alone managing all of the constant variables like family, friends and work. Know that just like everything else in life, with a little bit of patience, a willingness to learn and an openness to new possibilities, you will master everything you need to know about the IVF process. Having undergone several cycles myself, I am all-too-familiar with the feelings of confusion and overwhelm that come along with this phase of your life. The silver lining for me is that this un-welcomed adventure has shaped the person I am today and is responsible for so many blessings that have since shown up in my life. Please remember these words as you navigate your way through this new journey – You are a whole person, complete and perfect in every way and fully equipped to move through this phase of your life with grace and with ease, regardless of the ultimate outcome.

Acknowledge That You May Undergo Multiple Cycles

Unfortunately Reproductive Endocrinology is an imperfect science and does not always deliver the results that we ache for immediately, if at all. Every woman’s body responds differently to the various protocols and the medication pairings, so results can vary greatly. The good news is that with each cycle, you will learn more about your body and how it responds to various internal and external stimuli and use that information to change up subsequent cycles for improved results. There are many instances where in vitro does work on the first try, however going into this new and unchartered territory with the awareness that a successful outcome may take some time and require an evolving understanding of which protocols are best for you, can be very reassuring. My husband and I threw ourselves into our first IVF, certain that it would be successful. To our complete shock, a positive cycle took a lot longer than we anticipated. Managing our expectations became key so that we could move forward mindfully and cautiously.

Strengthen Your Relationship With Your Spouse

More often than not, undergoing any form of assisted reproductive technology puts a great deal of pressure on the relationships in your life, particularly the relationship with your spouse. Stay mindful of the reasons that you and your partner are together and why you have mutually decided to expand your family. Understand that you would not be yearning for a child so deeply with anyone more than your chosen life partner. Based on pure biology, the woman is the one who has to bear the burden of most infertility treatments, doctors appointments and procedures, irrelevant to the cause of the infertility. This does not mean that her partner is not enduring his own personal battles with this all-consuming process. It is imperative for both parties in the relationship to try to empathize with the others perspective. Understand that this process is not easy on either of you and will often bring on feelings of shame, guilt or blame for one or both of you. Acknowledge the feelings that come up, but refrain from aiming your heartache at each other. More than ever, this is a time when you need to energetically and emotionally align.  Although there was definitely a learning curve for us, the more my husband and I united and focused on our love rather than our fear in this situation, the sooner we were able to heal and move closer to our resolution.

Nourish Your Mind

Creating a mindfulness practice can be a life line in order to maintain balance and peace throughout your cycle. There will be ups and downs and moments of despair and confusion; moments when you will absolutely need to access your own intuitive voice to to console and comfort you.  Mindfulness practices are very individual and can essentially be practiced in any form that brings you peace, comfort and release. For some, this practice involves meditation, affirmations and positive self talk. For others, it’s about indulging in an activity that brings you pure joy. Find your flow and move with it. For me, it was all about surrounding myself with new people, indulging in a favorite meal and getting lost in a good book.

Do Not Substitute the Internet for Medical Advice

Given the age of technology that we all live in, it seems only natural to get online and look for immediate answers to all of your critical IVF questions. Please refrain from doing this. It will only cause you more confusion in the face of an already uncertain time. Choose your Reproductive Endocrinologist wisely and put your faith in their knowledge, expertise and commitment in doing their best to give you your desired outcome. Become friendly with your nurses and don’t hesitate to contact them for any questions regarding your protocol. It took me a very long time, some unnecessary tears and an abundance of suffering to learn this very valuable lesson.

Be Mindful of Where You Seek Support

Never underestimate the power of a meaningful support system. When undergoing infertility treatment, it is imperative that you have an army of angels by your side. Seek support from the sources that feel most natural to you. When sharing with friends and family however, know that they will be waiting on you for results and updates so be sure to set parameters and let them know what to expect from you throughout the process – the last thing you need is to bear any extra pressure now. There are a myriad of online groups where women unite to mutually support each other through their cycles and beyond. Free local support groups are also always welcoming new members. A therapist or a coach is another great resource to keep you aligned, balanced and grounded. I chose to start my own support group which provided me with a great deal of purpose and connection and so much comfort in knowing that I was able to support others on this journey as well as myself.

Your fertility journey is only a piece of your story, it is not your whole life. Remember to be gentle with yourself, seek the support that is right for you and use this experience as an opportunity to evolve, grow and access your own unwavering inner strength.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/melody-pourmoradi/how-to-mindfully-support-_b_8697358.html

More than three quarters of Irish adults have no idea what age their fertility will start to decline.

A new national study has also discovered that more than half of us think our fertility will start to decrease at 35, that is five years after it actually does.

Health website myfertilitycheck.ie spoke to almost a thousand people between the ages of 25 and 44, after it was revealed that Irish mothers are among the oldest in Europe.

46% of women say they are waiting for the right partner before they have a baby, while 37% of men claim financial concerns are making them put off fatherhood.

Head of Clinical Services at My Fertility Check, Mary McAuliffe, said: “I see so many women and couples attending for fertility treatment and IVF who are surprised that it has proven so difficult to have a baby naturally.

“A substantial portion of adults think fertility declines at a much later age than it does in reality. 41% of people think the decline begins at 35 while one third believe it starts later – at 40 years.”

She said this was a concern.

She said: “The results really highlight the need for a nationwide, State-funded education campaign on fertility and reproductive health, particularly targeting students at third level.

Young people need to be educated on the lifestyle choices that can affect their fertility; in particular, age, smoking, alcohol and health issues such as sexually transmitted diseases.”

Here are the basic numbers:

* National survey reveals 79% of adults do not know the age at which fertility declines

* 41% incorrectly believe that fertility starts to decline at 35 years

* 46% of women say waiting for the right partner is the primary reason to delay having a baby

* 37% of men say finances is their main reason to put off fatherhood

* 710 men and women aged between 25 and 44 took part in the study

Source:http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/survey-finds-startling-percentage-of-adults-dont-know-when-fertility-declines-715071.html

More than seven in 10 adults do not know when fertility declines, a study shows. A national survey reveals that 41% of Irish people incorrectly believe that fertility starts to decline at the age of 35 when, in fact, it occurs five years before that.

The study also shows that 46% of women say waiting for the right partner is the primary reason to delay having a baby, while 37% of men say finances is their main reason to put off fatherhood.

The report was commissioned by My Fertility Check — a self-referral fertility assessment service for men, women,and couples. It revealed that the majority of adults in Ireland are misinformed about the age at which fertility declines.

Commenting on the results, Head of Clinical Services at My Fertility Check, Mary McAuliffe, said: “I see so many women and couples attending for fertility treatment and IVF who are surprised that it has proven so difficult to have a baby naturally.

“A substantial portion of adults think fertility declines at a much later age than it does in reality. Forty-one percent of people think the decline begins at 35 while one third believe it starts later — at 40 years. The proportion of people that are misinformed is of concern.”

Ms McAuliffe said the results of the study highlighted the need for a nationwide state funded education campaign on fertility and reproductive health, targeting students at third level.

“Young people need to be educated on the lifestyle choices that can affect their fertility; in particular, age, smoking, alcohol, and health issues such as sexually transmitted diseases,” she said.

Some 86% of respondents said they had never had a fertility assessment. Six out of 10 of these said it was because they were unaware of the existence of fertility check services.

“Having a fertility check at an earlier age will empower people with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their future plans for starting a family and, will also help them avoid the emotional and high costs associated with fertility treatment,” said Ms McAuliffe.

“From fertility awareness studies and population surveys, we have learned that most young people are too optimistic about their chances to conceive spontaneously after age 35. Also, young people tend to overestimate the effectiveness of IVF, in part due to the number of celebrities giving birth in their forties and, also due to ‘miracle’ stories in the media.”

Respondents were also asked on why people in Ireland are leaving it later in life to start a family. A recent Eurostat survey showed that first time mothers in Ireland are among the oldest in Europe, with 52% aged between 30 and 39.

For more information, see www.myfertilitycheck.ie

Source:http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/most-adults-do-not-know-when-fertility-levels-decline-375662.html

With the general election looming in early 2016, it’s time for those candidates who purport to be invested in long term planning about the future of the country to step up to the plate and make a case for a state-funded, nationwide education campaign on fertility awareness.

Ireland is one of three EU countries that do not fund IVF treatment for couples struggling with subfertility and with current health budget restrictions, this situation is unlikely to change anytime soon.

What politicians can do is commit in their election manifestos to an education programme on reproductive health for third level students. This campaign should be rolled out in all of our universities and third level institutions across the country.

Recent decades have seen huge advances in reproductive technology, which can now overcome previously insurmountable infertility problems. However, complex fertility treatments are expensive and Irish couples often struggle to afford these unsubsidised costs.

It is not unusual for couples to take out bank loans, borrow from parents or even re-mortgage their homes in order to pay for IVF treatment. These financial burdens are worth every cent when treatment is successful and couples achieve their dream of having a baby.

Fertility education

However, fertility treatments do not always succeed  –  the most common cause of repeated failure is poor egg quality caused by increasing age. To put it simply, if women leave it too late in life before starting to try to have a baby, they may find it impossible to do so with or without treatment – women who would probably have been able to become pregnant easily had they only started trying at a younger age, avoiding a huge and unnecessary emotional and financial toll.

The women I treat often express anger that they were not made aware at a younger age of basic realities surrounding fertility, particularly that women’s fertility starts to decline at age 30 with a sharp plunge after age 35. It’s clear that these women would have benefitted from an education and awareness programme about fertility in their early twenties.

I am not in favour of encouraging men and women who have just started their college life to start having babies, but I strongly believe that they should be armed with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their future plans for a family.

Men as well as women need to be educated about reproductive responsibility. They need to be aware that, in the future, if they refuse to commit to parenthood soon enough, they may be depriving their partners the opportunity of motherhood.

College students should also be made aware of the negative impact on fertility of cigarette smoking and obesity. Lifestyle choices made now can affect future fertility prospects.

Take the steps now

Women in their early 30s, who intend to have children should be aware of fertility assessment services which can provide information on their reproductive health. The results are usually positive and reassuring, but if a concern is identified steps can be taken to deal with it at an early stage.

In some cases advice should be sought at an earlier stage. Fertility difficulties can be anticipated where women have irregular periods, have thyroid problems or have a family history of fertility problems or early menopause.

Men should seek early assistance where there is a history of undescended testicles or childhood mumps. The problem is that many men and women are unaware of fertility check services. A nationwide education campaign can go a long way towards educating them on the existence and benefits of these checks.

A fertility assessment check involves a blood test to measure the level of AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone) which gives a good indication of a woman’s ovarian reserve (the numbers of eggs in her ovaries).

A transvaginal ultrasound scan is also carried out to provide information about a woman’s uterus and ovaries. A semen analysis test is straightforward with immediate results about the male’s fertility prospects.

Our election candidates need to take responsibility for the future health of the population they wish to serve. The first step they can take is to ensure our young people have access to vital knowledge that will empower them to make informed plans for their reproductive futures.

http://www.thejournal.ie/readme/women-fertility-education-2521404-Dec2015/?utm_source=shortlink

Waterstone Clinic is continuing to lead the way in bringing ground-breaking technologies and fertility treatments to Irish families, with the announcement of the birth of the first baby after pre-implantation genetic screening (PGS) in Ireland.

PGS is a complex form of IVF treatment which is recommended for couples who have experienced recurrent miscarriages or repeated unsuccessful IVF cycles. Screening embryos for genetic defects before transferring them significantly increases the chance of a successful pregnancy and decreases the chance of miscarriage. It also considerably reduces the chance of having a baby with genetic problems.

A significant proportion of human embryos which develop normally in the IVF lab have genetic defects and are unable to produce a normal successful pregnancy. The most common abnormality is aneuploidy where one too many chromosomes or one too few are present in all of the embryo’s cells.

Most embryos with chromosome abnormalities will not implant or will result in miscarriage during the first trimester of pregnancy. PGS can improve the potential for a successful pregnancy by ensuring that chromosomally normal embryos are transferred.

With PGS, embryos are generated using a form of IVF treatment known as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). They are then screened to find out if they have the correct number of chromosomes. Embryos with a normal number of chromosomes are then transferred into the woman’s uterus.

PGS can be recommended in the following situations:

• Recurrent miscarriages in the past
• Repeated unsuccessful cycles of IVF where embryos have been transferred
• Advanced female age (it is well-recognised that the risk of aneuploidy increases with increasing maternal age)
• Family history of chromosome problems

What is involved for the couple?

If a couple embark on PGS treatment the following is the usual sequence of events in their care:

Step 1. The couple undergo IVF treatment with ICSI employed to fertilise each of the oocytes collected

Step 2. The embryos are kept in culture until Day 5/6 (Blastocyst stage)

Step 3. The embryologist biopsies the embryo (in the process removing a number of cells from the embryo) and these cells are sent to the genetics laboratory for testing

Step 4. The biopsied embryos are cryopreserved until the results of the chromosomal analysis is available

Step 5. One or two of the embryos that appear chromosomally normal are transferred to the uterus

A successful PGS programme is only possible if the laboratory team involved can carry out all of the component processes flawlessly, i.e. blastocyst culture, embryo biopsy and embryo vitrification.

What are the risks with PGS?

• The embryos may not develop appropriately to the stage where they are suitable for biopsy
• There is a risk that all biopsied embryos will be aneuploid and result in no suitable embryos for transfer
• There is a risk that some embryos may not survive the biopsy process
• There are risks associated with IVF treatment itself such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome or pelvic infection

 A couple are celebrating the birth of a child after using a new embryonic screening technique.

The baby is the first to be born in Ireland using the technique, which offers hope to women who have had repeated miscarriages or have gone through several unsuccessful cycles of IVF treatment.

The baby girl was born at Cork University Maternity Hospital two weeks ago, after the couple underwent successful preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) with IVF treatment at the Waterstone Clinic earlier this year.

Dr John Waterstone, medical director of the Waterstone Clinic,said: “This breakthrough will provide vital information to thousands of Irish couples who have endured multiple miscarriages, or failed IVF treatments.”

Dr Waterstone said that 20 per cent of pregnancies result in miscarriage and in most cases no explanation is ever found.

“However, research indicates that at least 50 per cent of miscarriages are caused by chromosome abnormalities.

“This uncertainty is particularly upsetting for couples who have suffered recurrent miscarriage.

“Around one in every hundred women will have recurrent miscarriages.”

Dr Waterstone explained that PGS is different to preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), which has been used by clients of the clinic to avoid having babies with certain genetic conditions such as cystic fibrosis, sickle-cell disease and muscular dystrophy.

He said that PGDis the screening of embryos for a specific genetic condition so that parents at risk of passing on the condition to their children can avoid doing so.

The PGD process involves generating a number of embryos through IVF and then examining the genes of these embryos.

An embryo that is free from the genetic condition is then selected and transferred to the woman’s uterus.

Chromosomes

Dr Waterstone said that, in contrast, PGS involves examining IVF-generated embryos to see if they have the correct number and structure of chromosomes.

“An embryo with the normal structure and number of chromosomes will be selected and transferred to the woman’s uterus.

“This significantly increases the chance of a successful pregnancy and reduces the risk of miscarriage,” he said.

Dr Waterstone explained that the child’s mother and her partner were recommended for the treatment after a number of unsuccessful cycles of IVF treatment at the clinic.

“We are all delighted that PGS has helped this couple to become parents. PGS is a significant development that provides real information to couples who have endured the heartbreak of repeated miscarriages, or failed IVF cycles, without getting any answers.

“Through PGS, we can provide an extra level of information on the true potential of an embryo.”

© 2015 irishtimes.com

Barry Roche

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/first-baby-is-born-in-ireland-using-new-ivf-technique-1.2424501

A Cork woman has become the first in Ireland to give birth following a complex new IVF treatment at a leading fertility clinic. The healthy baby girl was born last week at Cork University Maternity Hospital, following Pre-Implantation Genetic Screening with IVF at Waterstone Clinic.

The 33 year old mother and her partner were recommended PGS treatment following a number of unsuccessful IVF cycles. The woman was the first to give birth as a result of PGS carried out in Ireland.

Pre-implantation Genetic Screening (PGS) is a technically challenging IVF treatment that involves screening embryos for chromosome abnormalities, before transferring them to a woman’s womb. PGS significantly increases the chance of having a successful pregnancy after embryo transfer. It also decreases the chance of miscarriage and, considerably reduces the chance of having a baby with a chromosome anomaly.

This breakthrough will provide vital information to thousands of Irish couples who have endured multiple miscarriages, or failed IVF treatments.

Miscarriage affects one pregnancy in five and in most cases no explanation is found. However, research indicates that at least 50% of miscarriages are caused by chromosome abnormalities.

This uncertainty is particularly upsetting for couples who have suffered recurrent miscarriage. Around one in every hundred women will have recurrent miscarriages.

Welcoming the news of the birth, Dr John Waterstone, Medical Director of Waterstone Clinic, said: “We are all delighted that PGS has helped this couple to become parents. PGS is a significant development that provides real information to couples who have endured the heartbreak of repeated miscarriages, or failed IVF cycles, without getting any answers. Through PGS, we can provide an extra level of information on the true potential of an embryo. “

What is PGS? 

PGS is a highly complex form of IVF treatment where embryos which are developing normally in culture are biopsied and cryo-preserved (by vitrification) at the blastocyst stage. The biopsied cells are analysed to determine if they are normal with regard to chromosome number and structure.

This process identifies chromosomally normal embryos which are suitable for transfer. A successful PGS programme is only possible if the laboratory team involved can carry out all of the component processes flawlessly, i.e. blastocyst culture, embryo biopsy and embryo vitrification.

PGS is recommended for couples who have experienced recurrent miscarriages, or repeated cycles of unsuccessful IVF treatment. It is also recommended for women in their 40s with good egg numbers.

The healthy baby girl was born last week at Cork University Maternity Hospital. The woman and her partner were recommended Pre-Implantation Genetic Screening (PGS) with IVF at Waterstone Clinic following a number of unsuccessful IVF cycles.

PSG involves screening embryos for chromosome abnormalities before transplantation.

The technique significantly increases the chance of a successful pregnancy after embryo transfer and also decreases the chance of miscarriage.

Miscarriage affects one pregnancy in five and while in most cases no explanation is found, research indicates that at least 50% of miscarriages are caused by chromosome abnormalities.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Medical Director of Waterstone Clinic Dr John Waterstone said Irish couples have always availed of genetic screening procedures, but have had to go abroad in the past.

Dr Waterstone said the latest procedure was carried out for a couple who were not at risk for a genetic disease but were desperate for a baby.

He said in this case seven embryos were tested and five proved to have chromosomal abnormalities.

He said the other two were normal and one embryo was transplanted resulting in a successful pregnancy.

Three other babies have been born as a result of Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis carried out at the centre, including a baby girl born last year whose parents underwent PGD to prevent her from inheriting cystic fibrosis.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2015/1110/740787-cork-birth-ivf/

A Cork woman has become the first in Ireland to welcome a baby after undergoing a new complex IVF treatment.

The mother (33) gave birth to a healthy baby girl two weeks ago in Cork University Maternity Hospital following Pre-Implantation Genetic Screening with IVF at Waterstone Clinic.

The complex new procedure was recommended to the woman and her partner following several failed attempts at IVF.

The ground breaking procedure involves screening embryos for chromosome abnormalities before they are transferred to the womb.

The procedure significantly increases the chance of successful implantation and pregnancy in the aftermath of the procedure and decreases the chance of miscarriage. The procedure also reduces the chance of giving birth to a baby with chromosome abnormalities.

The success of the procedure is expected to offer hope to many couples struggling with multiple miscarriages and failed IVF treatments.

Following the arrival of the healthy baby girl in Cork, Dr John Waterstone, Medical Director of Waterstone Clinic, said: “We are all delighted that PGS has helped this couple to become parents. PGS is a significant development that provides real information to couples who have endured the heartbreak of repeated miscarriages, or failed IVF cycles, without getting any answers. Through PGS, we can provide an extra level of information on the true potential of an embryo. “

Online Editors

http://www.independent.ie/life/family/mothers-babies/woman-33-welcomes-irelands-first-baby-born-following-groundbreaking-new-ivf-treatment-34185496.html

There is very good reason to be positive about fertility treatment, the medical advances of late have been ground-breaking and success rates are hugely encouraging. But it’s essential to be prepared for the emotional side of the experience and to know that at times, it will take its toll.

Often, women presenting at fertility centres exhibit high levels of stress and anxiety. They can take excellent care of their physical health when trying to conceive, but will often tend to overlook their emotional wellbeing and, it’s not something to be ignored.

It’s good to take a step back and consider your happiness and whether you feel supported during this. Know that it’s ok to feel scared and worried, but really try not to let these feelings overwhelm you – the statistics are hopeful – 55% of patients under the age of 35 that attended Waterstone Clinic for treatment went on to have a baby. 51% aged 35-37 years of age also had a baby.

And research by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine has shown that the vast majority of people undergoing fertility treatment adjust well emotionally, and there seems to be no evidence of a long-term impact on relationships.

Undergoing fertility treatment is, however, a difficult experience and it can be easy to lose sight of your mental wellbeing as you go through numerous tests and procedures.

So, I’ve outlined a few practical steps to take to ensure your mental health is in check:

1. Inform yourself

Information and knowledge are a good antidote to anxiety. The more you know and understand about the process, the less stress you may feel. Arm yourself with all the information available from your fertility centre, ask your doctors for advice on good reading material and, talk to anyone you know who has been through the process. There are also support groups you can join, and fertility centres will always have information on good counsellors.

2. Limit discussion

If you’re going through assisted reproduction with a partner, it’s important to communicate, but set a limit to that communication. Put aside 20 minutes a day to discuss it, and then put the subject off-limits. During this time, talk about your hopes and expectations of each other throughout the experience, like, whether you will you go to appointments together or if you need them to be with you when the doctor calls. You can do this with a close friend or confidante if you are opting for fertility treatment as a single person.

3. Know your stress response

Identify your stress triggers and get familiar with how you and your partner respond to stress. Anticipate what is going to make you or your partner most stressed during the process, will it be fitting in the appointments at the clinic or maybe it could be the injections. Become aware of each other’s style of dealing with stress and figure out what has helped in the past. This will help to develop your coping strategies. Women usually find they want to talk it out and they need verbal support while men tend to want to spend time doing something they enjoy, like a hobby or activity. Knowing in advance how you and your partner are likely to react, will make it easier to be supportive and more understanding of each other.

4. Minimise confidantes

Decide in advance who you will tell about the process. It can be a good idea to identify who’ll give you the support you’re going to need and only confide in those people. You can also nominate a ‘spokesperson’ who will communicate what is going on to your wider circle of family and friends, if and when you want them to. With hindsight, a lot of patients can feel they would have been under less pressure if they hadn’t told so many people.

It’s important to think about these coping mechanisms in advance to minimise the stress and anxiety associated with fertility treatment. Additional support and advice will always be available from professional counsellors at your fertility centre, while joining a support group, or even attending a few meetings is always helpful.

Remember, the statistics are favourable and the more positive and relaxed you are, the better for your overall health and the health of your future baby.