Category Archives: Informative artikel

Emotions and mood swings are something that almost every pregnant woman encounters at some point. This can be quite stressful especially for those of you who are more reserved and not used to expressing their emotions.

WHY ARE PREGNANT WOMEN MORE EMOTIONAL?

Many factors, both external and internal, affect emotionality during pregnancy. On the one hand, are estrogens and progesterone, whose levels are higher in pregnant women. They can also affect the mood of women in the different phases of the menstrual cycle. On the other hand, all the other factors – the joy of becoming a mother, worrying whether you will be financially stable after the baby is born or the fear of the birth itself. In some women even the change in appearance can be a source of stress and unpleasant emotions.

HOW CAN YOU HELP YOURSELF?

1. Accept that this is normal. All the emotions you feel are fully understandable and do not mean „there’s something wrong with you“. If they do not prevent you from doing your daily activities, there is no cause for concern.
2. Be generous about your sleep. Good sleep can do miracles for physical and mental health. Some pregnant women, however, have trouble sleeping because of the size of the abdomen, difficulty breathing or heartburn. It is advisable to sleep sideways, and putting a pillow between the legs and under the abdomen relieves discomfort. If you suffer from heartburn, lift the upper part of the body with more pillows.
3. You are not annoying if you share. Surround yourself with the people who understand and support you and do not worry about telling them how you feel. If you prefer to share your thoughts with a stranger, do not be ashamed to look consult with a psychologist.
4. Mind your diet. When we do not feel well, we often resort to candy and junk food, a.k.a. comfort food. In fact, many of these foods are rich in salt, which can raise your blood pressure and make you hold fluid, which is unlikely to improve your mood.

Pregnancy comes with a lot of changes and everything happens so fast that makes adjustment difficult. Emotions, though sometimes inexplicable, are part of this great journey. They are not harmful, as long as we treat them in a healthy way.

Premature ovarian failure – a relevant topic for a growing number of young women

Premature ovarian failure (POF) is a condition characterized by reduced ovarian function. The ovaries produce mature oocytes less frequently than normal (every month). It is called “premature”, because women affected by this condition are under 40 years of age. It is important to know that although difficult, it is possible to conceive with POF.

CAUSES

In a large number of cases, the causes for the condition are unclear. The main culprits include autoimmune disorders, genetic predispositions, surgical intervention of the ovaries, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Among the autoimmune disorders the most common cause is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Polycystic ovarian syndrome and endometriosis are also considered possible causes.

There’s a difference between „premature ovarian failure“ and „premature menopause“. Premature menopause means a complete cessation of ovulation. In POF ovulation does occurs albeit much less frequently. However, it should also be noted that the quality of the ovulated oocytes is reduced.

DIAGNOSIS

The treating obstetrician-gynecologist will examine you and will refer you for hormonal tests. These include: estradiol, follicle-stimulating (FSH) and luteinizing (LH) hormone. The Anti-Müller Hormone test provides information on the ovarian reserve. The values of these hormones are instrumental for the correct diagnosis.

SOLUTIONS

Depending on the precise diagnosis your obstetrician-gynecologist will lay out the possible solutions.

If you are going to be treated for an oncological condition, we encourage you to cryopreserve your oocytes before the treatment begins. According to the latest update in the statute book of the Center for Assisted Reproduction (CAR), the state will subsidize the cryopreservation of reproductive cells of cancer patients. This will significantly improve the chances of those patients for starting a family after receiving treatment. Cryopreserved oocytes can be stored for years and their quality still corresponds to your age at the time of freezing. In other words they are better quality, not only because they were not subjected to the toxic effect of the cancer therapy but also because of their younger biological age.

If the treating physician considers it suitable, an IVF procedure with own oocytes is one option. You have to bear in mind, however, that both the number and the quality of the oocytes are going to be reduced.

Doing an IVF procedure with donor eggs is another option. You can use eggs from an anonymous donor or a relative (sister or cousin). New Life Medical Center has a donor egg program. We work with one of the largest donor egg banks in Europe in order to offer you, our patients, more opportunities to make your dream come true.

If you want to plan starting your family, it is a good idea to check your ovarian reserve first. Anti-mullerian hormone is considered the most objective indicator of ovarian reserve. It can be tested at any clinical laboratory, regardless of the day of the menstrual cycle.

Chlamydia, Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma – their impact on female fertility

Nowadays sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are still concern despite the improved level of sexual education and the widely available means of protection. Chlamydia infection remains one of the most common in sexually active people. By contrast, the  bacteria of the genus Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma are found in many women but rarely cause infections.

We can be infected with chlamydia during vaginal, oral and anal intercourse. The infection is also transmitted by an infected mother to her child during childbirth. The biggest problem with chlamydia infection is the lack of symptoms in nearly 80% of women. When symptoms develop, they are non-specific and can be ignored. These include vaginal discharge, burning during urination, and lower abdomen pain.

If left untreated, the chlamydial infection spreads through the cervix, the uterus and the Fallopian tubes. The inflammation caused by the infection can result in outgrowth of connective tissue and blockage of the tube, as well as accumulation of fluid inside it (termed “hydrosalpinx”). Hydrosalpinx could affect one or both tubes.

CHLAMYDIA AND INFERTILITY

If one uterine tube is intact, the chances of natural pregnancy are only slightly reduced. If both tubes are affected, however, spermatozoa cannot reach the ovulated egg. In those cases we talk about “tubal infertility”.

This diagnosis is confirmed after salpingography – a method of visualizing the tubes. In case of obstruction of both tubes,  your obstetrician-gynecologist will discuss your options with you. Most commonly patients with tubal infertility who want to conceive are referred for in vitro fertilization (IVF).

MYCOPLASMA, UREAPLASMA AND GETTING PREGNANT

Bacteria from the genera Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma are found in many women. They do not cause infections under normal conditions, in other words if your immune system functions normally. Some researchers report, however, that if they get into the uterus, for example through the embryo transfer catheter, they may prevent embryo implantation and pregnancy.

The most sensitive method for discovering these bacteria in women is Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) of vaginal secretions, cervical secretions or urine. Women are usually referred for PCR for Mycoplasma/ Ureaplasma if no bacteria commonly causing infections are found or if the antibacterial treatment prescribed is not working.

Why it is important to stay positive during your IVF procedure.

Dear friends, we know that each in-vitro procedure comes with a lot of emotions and expectations. Every woman/couple hopes to see a positive pregnancy test after the first procedure and if that does not happen, some people lose their positive attitude. That is why we decided to write this article and tell you why it is so important to stay positive.

Even if every step of the procedure is carried out in the most optimal way, there is no guarantee that you will get pregnant after the 1^st IVF cycle. The success rate of the procedure depends on a number of factors like the age of the patient (especially if using own oocytes) and the quality of the eggs and the sperm. Naturally the highest success rate is seen in women under 35 with high quality eggs and sperm of the partner/donor. In such cases IVF is done due to tubal factor or unexplained infertility but even then the success rate of a single procedure is not 100%. Getting pregnant whether through IVF or naturally has its biological limitations. Some women do get pregnant from their first IVF cycle, but do not despair if for you it takes longer. Just follow strictly the instructions that your fertility specialist is giving you and keep trying.

HOW TO STAY POSITIVE DURING YOUR IVF CYCLE

1. Do not be afraid to ask questions. For most people who aren’t medical professional IVF is something extremely abstract. This is quite normal. No one expects you to understand everything. The more informed you are, however, the more prepared and relaxed you will feel. Your gynecologist will gladly explain everything you are interested in.
2. Decide whether and with whom you want to talk about your IVF procedure. Some women prefer to wait until they have results. Others want to share all their concerns with those close to them, especially if they have been through the same thing. There is no wrong answer! The most important thing is that you (and your partner) feel good.
3. Don’t quit your everyday activities. Each in-vitro cycle is associated with many examinations, tests and procedures. While all of these can be very time-consuming, do not let your life be reduced to visits to the clinic and staying at home. You do not need to limit yourself so much, and a monotonous lifestyle can negatively affect your overall attitude. Go to work, exercise, go out with friends! Time will pass much faster.

4. Do not give up quickly. Sometimes the only thing separating you from success is trying one more time. We know that IVF is a costly procedure and most people do not have the finances for multiple attempts. That is why we are so happy that government funding is available through the Center for Assisted Reproduction (CAR) or Municipal Funds. For more information, please visit:

We are all looking forward to and making plans about the upcoming vacation days during Easter. Many of you are probably planning to return home, travel or even go abroad. That is why we decided to share with you this short but important information about flying during pregnancy.

If you are having a normal pregnancy without complications, there is no reason to give up your flight. However, it is always best to consult with your obstetrician-gynecologist before booking the tickets.

Some airlines do not allow pregnant women on board after the 32^nd week of gestation. Others require a signed document from the treating obstetrician-gynecologist, confirming that flying is not contraindicated for their patient. Read the rules of your chosen airline before the flight in order to be prepared.

Do you remember the story about baby Nikolai who was born in August, 2017 during a flight from Bogota (Colombia) to Frankfurt (Germany)? Although he was born prematurely, his mother was lucky enough to have 3 doctors on board. With their help Nikolai was born without complications. Although such things occur rarely, do the responsible thing! Consult with your treating physician before undertaking such trips!

How to make your flight more enjoyable?

1. Select a seat near the aisle. This way you can get up, walk around or go to the toilet more easily.
2. Drink plenty of water to save yourself from the dry air on the plane.
3. Have fun, you are going on holiday after all!

Travelling by other modes of transportation is not contraindicated during pregnancy, as long as all safety rules are followed.

New Life Fertility Center wishes you Happy Easter!

A BOY OR A GIRL – WHAT ARE THE PREFERENCES OF THE PARENTS OF TODAY?

Some parents know whether they want a boy or a girl even before they have seen the positive test. Others do not have particular gender preferences and only hope for the pregnancy to go smoothly.

However, it is far more interesting how the preferences of modern parents have changed from those of the previous generations.

In the past, parents preferred having a boy. In the social context of the past that was fully understandable. The norm was for the son to remain at his father’s house, while the daughter went to her husband’s house. In this way she became part of his family, continued his family line and takes care of his parents when they grow old. Some societies nowadays have still not managed to break free of this stereotype and most parents over there still prefer having boys.

Nowadays, young couples do not have to live with either one’s parents. Furthermore, the boundary between gender roles is now almost obsolete. Both men and women have close to equal opportunities for career development and financial well-being. In some families in the west children even inherit BOTH their mother and their father’s last name. The most famous example of that is Shiloh Jolie-Pitt, the first born daughter of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. All these things contributed to the shift in gender preferences for babies. More and more parents-to-be say that they want to have a girl.

CAN PARENTS CHOOSE THE SEX OF THE BABY?

For pregnancies conceived naturally, the answer is no. However, the sex of the baby usually becomes known at around the 20^th week of gestation as part of a routine ultrasound examination. It can be known even earlier (~ 9^th week of gestation) if an optional non-invasive DNA screening test is done.

А Вие имате ли предпочитания за пола на бъдещото Ви дете? А ако вече сте родители, сбъдна ли се Вашето желание?

For pregnancies conceived through IVF there is a method that makes possible the transfer of only female or male embryos. It is called Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) and is usually employed in cases where there is a genetic disease segregating in the family. The method can be used for selecting embryos based on gender, not only based on the absence of a disease gene. However, according to Bulgarian Law gender selection of embryos is only allowed for medical reasons. In other words, it is allowed in cases of sex-linked genetic diseases which affect predominantly one gender (usually males – hemophilia, color blindness, etc.).

Do you have any preference for the sex of your future child? And if you are already a parent, was your wish fulfilled?