Category Archives: Informative artikel

DO THE RELATIONS BETWEEN PARTNERS CHANGE DURING IVF?

At some point, almost every couple decides it is time to think about having a baby. For the majority, the desired two lines appear relatively fast, while for others things are not so simple.

In vitro fertilization as well as other assisted reproduction technologies  have an effect on one’s emotions. Many couples say that in vitro procedures have made their relationship stronger. Others may experience a feeling of hopelessness and that they’re not as close as they used to be. How things will turn out for you is quite specific and can’t be predicted.

We have prepared several tips for „survival“ during IVF and other assisted reproduction procedures:

KEEP IT REAL

Couples who are aware of the whole process, their options and chances experience much less trouble in their relationship. Assisted reproduction is constantly developing, but no one can guarantee success from the first attempt. Discuss how far you would go in your attempts for a baby trials and do not be afraid to ask your obstetrician-gynecologist for information.

HAVE FUN

In the monotonous daily routine between work, home and the IVF clinic, take time for something that will take yours and your partner’s mind off things. Doing something fun does not mean you are not dedicated enough to your goal.

MAKE LOVE, NOT BABIES

There is nothing romantic about „scheduled“ sex. Remember that stress is among the greatest enemies of getting pregnant (naturally or in vitro). Do it for pleasure, and the results will eventually appear.

There are ups and downs in every relationship. The important thing is to focus on the positive side of the situation. Which is – you love each other so much that you want to have a baby.

FRIEND IS GOING THROUGH IVF – HOW CAN YOU HELP THEM?

Many of us have friends going through in vitro fertilization. It’s a delicate topic and many people avoid talking about it. There are many ways to help your loved one, while avoiding awkward situations.

In vitro can be an emotional challenge even for the strongest. Procedures, and waiting for results often make one feel isolated and desperate. Although IVF is particularly harsh for  ladies, gentlemen do not suffer less than their spouses.

SHOW SYMPATHY

You do not have to know anything about IVF to ask your friend how they feel or whether they need something. Show them that they can share with you as much as they want. Do not blame them if their reaction is not very pleasant – everyone experiences stress differently.

SUGGEST HELP

In vitro fertilization can be very exhausting. Some people find that they cannot handle their daily  tasks as before. Help even with something mundane like shopping or walking the dog would be a great relief.

DO NOT ALLOW SELF-BLAME

It is possible for your friend to blame themselves for having to go through in vitro. It is even more difficult if there is a female infertility factor. Explain to your  friend that this can happen to anyone. Remind her that ultimately her goal is to have a baby.

BE CAREFUL WITH ALTERNATIVES

It is normal to want to bring a little positivity to your friend’s life. However, it is not the best idea to suggest adoption or another assisted reproduction technology.

While adoption could be amazing, for someone going through IVF it is a reminder that they have a problem with fertility. Your friend has certainly thought of this option, but let them decide for themselves.

DON’T TALK ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE’S BABIES

Some people find conversations about pregnant colleagues and baby showers extremely depressing. For others the desire for one’s own baby motivates them to spend more time around  children. Determine which kind your friend is and be tactful.

CINEMATHERAPY

Stories have always inspired and helped people. For many, movies are a way to kill some of our free time. Besides entertainment, cinema therapy is also a supplemental method psychologists use.

More and more psychologists recommend that their clients watch certain films that are related to their problems. Their goal is thus to „lead“ their clients to the right way of solving their issues and despairs.

 HOW DOES IT WORK?

Films, like other forms of art, provoke people, make them think about different aspects of their lives. Proponents of cinema therapy claim that it can change our thinking, emotions, and the way we respond to different situations. Therefore, it is even practiced as an educational method .

For a better result, it is advisable to reflect on the characters‘ behavior and what it can teach you.

CINEMA THERAPY AND IN VITRO FERTILIZATION

Many couples going through in vitro say that their lives have become a schedule. Frequent examinations, procedures, and waiting can negatively affect even the most patient. However, this does not mean that you shouldn’t try to have  fun. Movies are a great way to transfer to another world, relax and recharge yourself with positive emotions.

If you want to watch something on the topic and you like documentaries, we recommend „My Future Baby“ or „40 Weeks“. To have a good laugh, download „Baby Mama“

We should not forget that film therapy is just a supplement to psychotherapy and a means of self-help. Sometimes, however, our problems are more serious and professional help is essential.

PETS AND BABIES

Until recently, it was thought that babies and pets should never live together. Separating with a pet is an extremely difficult decision, which, fortunately you will hardly have to take.

The common belief is that dogs, cats (and all other pets) are a potential source of infections, aggression and allergies, and that they have no place in the baby’s home.

FEWER ALLERGIES

Recently, a totally different statement has gained popularity – that domestic animals, and especially dogs, can reduce the risk of the child developing allergies. The immune system of children who live with a pet is better developed and they get sick less frequently. It is believed that this phenomenon is due to the fact that, thanks to the pet, the child encounters a much wider range of potential allergens.

WHAT’S THE RISK OF DISEASES?

If the pet is dewormed and vaccinated regularly, there is no cause for concern. You need to clean the house a little more often and restrict your pet’s access to the nursery.

If you have a cat – test it for toxoplasmosis. If the result is positive – test yourself, too.

BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS

Animals do not attack without provocation. Aggression towards the youngest is usually caused by jealousy (all attention is directed to the baby) or rough handling. Proper training  can prevent accidents. On one hand, the pet should feel comfortable about running and screaming children. On the other hand, the child should be explained that  animals are not walking toys and that they also need personal space.

When the necessary measures are taken, your pet can only be a benefit to the child. That’s how they learns responsibility, love, and respect for animals. Children often talk to their pets, which makes them much better at communicating with people.

POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION – HOW TO PREVENT IT?

Postpartum depression is a common condition that happens to many women after birth. It is due both to the drop in hormone levels and to the new challenges faced by the mother. Fortunately, there are ways to protect yourself from it or at least reduce its effects.

NO SELF-BLAME

Social media only shows the beautiful side of motherhood. This creates a wrong image in the mother’s head, which leads to self-blame. Among the key features of postpartum depression is feeling that the mother does not do her job well enough. If the baby does not want to eat or sleep, she is the guilty one, which is far from the truth.

 Remember that no one knows how to handle parenthood from the beginning, but for your baby you are the best mother in the world!

DO NOT FORGET TO EAT

Plenty of women now follow a special dietary plan while they are pregnant. The baby is born, their eating habits become a chaos.  Lack of any regimen can lead to  fluctuations in blood sugar levels and increase in the feeling of fatigue and helplessness. Eating healthy foods regularly improves the mood, the quality of breastmilk and keeps you in a good shape.

HELP FROM A FRIEND

We support the claim that children should be taken care of by their parents. However, little help from time to time is not superfluous. It is useful for all – the parents are resting, and the child socializes. If you do not feel comfortable leaving your baby with someone , ask your family to help you with housework or shopping – they will surely volunteer !

Postpartum depression does not spare dads. Many men, feeling unprepared for parenthood, feel anxious and depressed after the baby is born. Talk about the subject with your spouse and try to solve the problems together.

If, after trying out our tips, you do not feel better, we recommend that you seek professional help. Consultation with a psychologist does not necessarily mean „there is something wrong with you“, but that  you just need expert advice.

EATING YOUR BABY’S PLACENTA: A HOLLYWOOD TREND OR MADNESS

Ever since Kim Kardashian dried up her child’s placenta and ate it in the form of capsules, more and more people started talking about eating the placenta. This is far from new and unusual. Most animals eat the placenta after birth, and in many cultures it is subject to various rituals.

According to ancient Chinese medicine, eating the placenta was the perfect way to celebrate the child’s birth. It was believed that it helps to cope with postpartum depression, fatigue and promotes recovery. Ancient doctors noticed that women lose a lot of blood during childbirth and that this lowered the amount of breast milk. In order to stimulate lactation, it was recommended to eat the placenta. And the most interesting of all is that placenta was also thought to cure infertility.

WHAT IS THE PLACENTA?

The placenta is a temporary organ. It begins to form between the 8th and 13th gestational week. Through it the fetus obtains the necessary nutrients from the mother and disposes of metabolic waste products. All this happens without direct contact between the mother’s and the fetus’s blood. The placenta is responsible for the production of certain hormones. One of these is progesterone, which is extremely important for a normal pregnancy.

SHOULD YOU EAT PLACENTA?

People who believe in eating the placenta support Chinese medicine’s claims on the subject. If you google it, you will even find placenta cookbooks. According to scientists, however, this obsession is just a placebo. Nutrients in the placenta can be obtained through a healthy diet. Opioids found in it, which help with the pain, are sensitive to high temperatures and are easily destroyed. Do not forget that outside of your body, the placenta is the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive in.

CAN I TAKE MY BABY’S PLACENTA HOME?

In Bulgaria the law does not allow it. The placenta is a biomedical waste which is disposed of  in a highly strict manner. What is worth keeping is the baby’s umbilical cord. It is rich in stem cells that can be extracted, frozen and used when needed.

We live in a world where it is important for one to be talked about. That’s why when you read that your favourite celebrity did something odd, consider the possibility of being just a marketing trick.

HOMEOPATHY DURING IVF

When homeopathy is mentioned, the debate is guaranteed. For some people, it is the best treatment option, suitable during in vitro fertilization and pregnancy. For others, it is nothing but a well-advertised placebo. Whose side you’re on, is up to you.

WHAT IS HOMEOPATHY

Homeopathy is a method of alternative medicine, created more than 200 years ago by German physician Samuel Hahnemann. It is based on the principle „similar treats similar“. This means that when a healthy person takes a certain substance, he can get negative symptoms. A sick person suffering from the same symptoms, however, can be cured with a homeopathic medicine prepared from this substance.

Homeopathic medicines are of plant, mineral or animal origin. They are produced by repeated dilution of a substance. Homeopaths support the theory of water memory. This is also the reason homeopathic remedies do not actually contain an active ingredient or it has a very low concentration. According to homeopaths, this renders them absolutely harmless and suitable for many people, including pregnant women and young children.

If you are a supporter of alternative medicine and its methods, we won’t judge you. Many people prefer not to talk about this matter out of concern about how they will be accepted. This is not the most important thing when it comes to your health. Hiding such information from your doctor may only hinder your treatment.

COMPATIBILITY WITH IVF

During an in vitro cycle anything you take can have an impact. This includes dietary supplements, traditional and alternative medications. Your gynecologist will determine how those might affect ovarian hyperstimulation. If anything you use can have a negative impact on it, you’ll probably have to stop or change it.

Although harmless, homeopathic remedies are still medications. Therefore, self-treatment with them is a bad idea. If you wish to take such medications during an IVF cycle, always consult with a homeopath and with your treating physician, of course.

DOCTOR-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP: WHEN DOES ONE CROSS THE LINE?

Openness and trust in communication with your doctor is the key to diagnostic success. Like all other relationships, the one between a physician and a patient requires time to build.

Patients usually build stronger relationships with doctors they have been seeing for a while. For example, if you are getting pregnant through IVF, expect frequent appointments with your obstetrician-gynecologist. This will undoubtedly make you get closer.

WHEN DO YOU CROSS THE LINE?

Every doctor knows how important it is for the patient to be calm and to talk freely about their symptoms. Every patient should feel comfortable asking all sorts of questions about their health. This means that the doctor is doing a good job.

No matter how wonderful your relationship with your doctor is, remember that you should keep it professional. This means that calling your doctor outside of working hours for no good reason is completely unacceptable.

Contrary to  popular belief, doctors do not live in their office. They, like everyone else, have family, children and need adequate rest time. High demands and stress at the workplace cause many young doctors to be diagnosed with severe illnesses. According to many studies, medical professionals are among the most commonly diagnosed with depression.

EMERGENCY OR NOT REALLY?

Many late night calls to the doctor can be avoided by teaching patients which situations are truly urgent.

Emergency cases require immediate intervention. For example, a pregnant woman suddenly gets severe abdominal pain and a vaginal bleeding. If the situation is not immediately taken under control, there is a risk for both the mother and the fetus.

Nonemergency means that the solution to your problem can be delayed. Typically, such problems do not appear overnight, or at least the doctor’s appointment can wait until the next day- for example, joint pain or a cough.

Panic can easily cloud one’s judgment. If you are unable to tell if your case is an emergency or not, it is always better to call your doctor.