Pregnancy can be one of the most wonderful periods of a woman’s life, but it also hides many surprises and challenges.

We will present you some interesting and curious facts related to the waiting period of your little big man.

• During pregnancy, a woman needs only 300 calories more per day, which is equivalent to one fruit and a glass of yogurt.The cliché „eat for two“ does not apply.

• In some cases, hormonal changes have a beneficial effect on hair, skin and nails.Many women have healthier and shinier hair during pregnancy than before they became pregnant.

• The baby’s fingerprints are formed 3 months after the beginning of pregnancy.Once formed, they do not change for the rest of a person’s life.

• The average duration of pregnancy in women is 280 days.This equates to 10 obstetric (lunar) months or 9 calendar months and another 1 week

• The human embryo has a tail that disappears in the 10th week of pregnancy

• The sucking reflex begins to work in the womb.The baby starts sucking his thumb as early as the 15th week.

• From the beginning of the second trimester of pregnancy, your baby can hear sounds.They can even recognize the songs they listened to during their development in the womb.

• During pregnancy, the joints become more elastic due to the production of the hormone relaxin.Relaxin is a hormone produced by the corpus luteum and placenta during pregnancy.He loosens the ties, preparing the pelvis for the future birth.

• The volume of blood in the body during pregnancy increases from 40 to 50%.This extra amount supports the necessary flow of oxygen needed for a normal pregnancy.

• The placenta is the most important organ that is formed during pregnancy and performs many functions.An interesting fact about it is that it develops 50 kilometers of new blood vessels.

SHOPPING DURING PREGNANCY

Female infertility factor is the cause of about one third of all infertility cases. The reasons why a woman cannot get pregnant naturally are numerous, and the treatment varies depending on the case. In this article we will highlight the most common of them.

OVULATION DISORDERS

Ovulation disorders occur in nearly 40% of women with infertility. Among them, the most common are polycystic ovarian syndrome and premature ovarian insufficiency.

Hypothalamic dysfunctions (disorders of the secretion of luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormone), as well as increased prolactin secretion (hyperprolactinemia) also lead to ovulatory problems.

ENDOMETRIOSIS

Endometriosis occurs when the endometrium spreads to other anatomical structures: fallopian tubes, ovaries, intestines, bladder and others. This leads to the formation of scar tissue that can block the fallopian tubes and prevent sperm from reaching the egg, therefore preventing fertilization.

TUBAL INFERTILITY

Obstruction of the fallopian tubes can be a consequence of endometriosis, genital infections (gonorrhea, chlamydia, etc.), abdominal surgery. It prevents fertilization as well as the movement of the embryo to the uterine cavity (implantation).

One of the mandatory tests in the diagnosis of infertility is hysterosalpingography – a procedure that assesses the level of obstruction of the fallopian tubes.

UTERINE FIBROIDS

Fibroids are benign tumors (very rarely malignant) that originate in the muscular layer of the uterus. There are different types of fibroids: subserous – those that grow towards the abdominal cavity, intramural – inside the muscle itself, submucosal – growing inward to the uterine cavity. They can lead to infertility, as they:

-Change the position of the cervix, which reduces the number of sperm entering the uterus;

– Change the shape of the uterus, which can interfere with sperm movement or implantation of the fertilized egg;

– Block the fallopian tubes;

– Reduce blood flow to the uterus, which prevents the implantation of the embryo.

STRUCTURAL DISORDERS

In this category fall various congenital anomalies in the shape of the uterus – unicornuate, bicornuate uterus, etc. Adhesions due to uterine infections, injuries and surgery can disrupt implantation, leading to infertility.

AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES

Autoimmune diseases cause the immune system to attack normal body tissues, which it usually ignores. Autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or rheumatoid arthritis, can affect fertility. The mechanisms for this are not fully understood, but are thought to be related to inflammatory reactions.

WHEN TO VISIT A REPRODUCTIVE SPECIALIST?

When to seek help usually depends on your age:

By the age of 35, most doctors recommend one year of trying to conceive before testing.

If you are between 35 and 40 years old, discuss your concerns with your doctor after six months of trying.

If you are over 40, your doctor may suggest testing right away.

Your doctor may also recommend some tests without waiting if you have a disease that is known to affect fertility.

https://newlifeclinic.bg/2018/02/09/%d0%bf%d0%be%d0%bb%d0%b8%d0%ba%d0%b8%d1%81%d1%82%d0%be%d0%b7%d0%bd%d0%b8%d1%82%d0%b5-%d1%8f%d0%b9%d1%87%d0%bd%d0%b8%d1%86%d0%b8/

https://newlifeclinic.bg/%d1%81%d0%b8%d0%bd%d0%b4%d1%80%d0%be%d0%bc-%d0%bd%d0%b0-%d0%bf%d0%be%d0%bb%d0%b8%d0%ba%d0%b8%d1%81%d1%82%d0%be%d0%b7%d0%bd%d0%b8%d1%82%d0%b5-%d1%8f%d0%b9%d1%87%d0%bd%d0%b8%d1%86%d0%b8-pcos/

https://newlifeclinic.bg/2017/08/12/%d0%b7%d0%b0%d0%b1%d1%80%d0%b5%d0%bc%d0%b5%d0%bd%d1%8f%d0%b2%d0%b0%d0%bd%d0%b5%d1%82%d0%be-%d0%b8-%d0%b5%d0%bd%d0%b4%d0%be%d0%bc%d0%b5%d1%82%d1%80%d0%b8%d0%be%d0%b7%d0%b0%d1%82%d0%b0/

https://newlifeclinic.bg/2021/08/30/%d0%bf%d0%bb%d0%be%d0%b4%d0%be%d0%b2%d0%b8%d1%82%d0%be%d1%81%d1%82/

https://newlifeclinic.bg/2018/06/01/%d0%b8%d0%b7%d1%87%d0%b5%d1%80%d0%bf%d0%b0%d0%bd-%d1%8f%d0%b9%d1%87%d0%bd%d0%b8%d0%ba%d0%be%d0%b2-%d1%80%d0%b5%d0%b7%d0%b5%d1%80%d0%b2/

https://newlifeclinic.bg/2018/06/15/%d1%85%d0%b0%d1%88%d0%b8%d0%bc%d0%be%d1%82%d0%be-%d0%b2%d0%bb%d0%b8%d1%8f%d0%b5-%d1%82%d0%b5%d0%b3%d0%bb%d0%be%d1%82%d0%be/

IS INFERTILITY ONLY  A WOMEN’S PROBLEM ?

Infertility affects millions of people of reproductive age worldwide – and has an impact on their families and communities. Estimates suggest that approximately 50 million couples live with infertility globally. The term „infertility “ means that a couple has failed to achieve a succesfull pregnancy after one year of trying to get pregnant. For women over the age of 35, the cut-off is 6 months.

In some cases, the woman becomes pregnant but can’t carry the pregnancy to term . This scenario  is also considered infertility.

Infertility is primary when a person has never achieved a pregnancy. Secondary infertility is when a person has already achieved one or more pregnancies.

ARE WOMEN SCAPEGOATED WHEN IT COMES TO INFERTILITY?

In the past, as well as today, in some societies it is women who take the blame for infertility in the family. This was largely due to ignorance of reproductive pathology, as well as some  moral values.

Nowadays, science has confirmed that both women and men can suffer from reproductive problems. Therefore, terms such as female and male infertility factors have been coined.

Interestingly, in about 30% of cases, infertility is due to a purely male factor. Therefore,  blaming women as the only responsible ones for infertility  is scientifically unjustified.

 In 20% of couples, the cause of infertility is in both men and women. A couple is diagnosed with unexplained (idiopathic) infertility (10% of cases) if the cause of infertility cannot be determined by conventional diagnostic methods.

CONCLUSION

Infertility is an extremely painful topic for those who have encountered it. Affected men and women often blame themselves for the problem. The truth is that there is no one to blame. The various conditions leading to infertility are beyond our control and are a matter of an unlucky coincidence.

Fortunately, modern reproductive technologies offer a solution to many cases. The most important thing is not to lose hope, as well as time for diagnosis and treatment.

Common Causes

„Mission: Reproductive Health“

If such a long-awaited pregnancy does not occur or you want to check your reproductive status, you can take advantage of the current campaign of New Life Clinic – „Mission: Reproductive Health“

For Consultation with a reproductive health specialist

– Free anti-Mueller hormone test

Because of the required time for the consultations and examinations, please make an appointment in advance on tel. 032 693 693 for the city of Plovdiv or 0879 084 777 for the city of Burgas.

The campaign focuses on topics such as fertility, reproductive health prevention, and ovarian reserve assessment. One of the main goals of the initiatives is to provide information on the options and opportunities facing women for freezing reproductive material because of medical and social reasons – due to cancer treatment, progressively declining ovarian reserve, postponing pregnancy to a later stage or premature menopause.

Antimullerian hormone (AMH) analysis is a blood test that is done quickly and gives information about the ovarian reserve. Its levels rise gradually, starting from the day of birth and reaching a maximum value around the age of 25. With age there is a decline in values, as the period around menopause the results are very low.

All ladies who need a specialized reproductive consultation can book their appointment at New Life Clinic. We remind you that we are the first in-vitro center in Bulgaria, which transfers know-how from Israel in the field of assisted reproductive technologies on the Bulgarian market. The center has modern equipment and our specialists approach each patient individually, paying attention not only to the medical side of the treatment, but also to the human and emotional history behind each of them.

We start the campaign thematically in the first spring month – April, the beginning of new opportunities, aspirations and hopes.

The examinations start on Monday – 04.04.2022 and will continue until the end of the month.

For the city of Plovdiv, the campaign is carried out jointly with the Synevo laboratory.

ANTI-MÜLLERIAN HORMONE

THYROID GLAND AND PREGNANCY

The thyroid gland is located in front of the neck. It is made up of two lobes – right and left, which are connected to each other by isthmus. In shape, the body resembles a butterfly. Under the influence of TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone, thyrotropin), secreted by the pituitary gland, the thyroid gland produces T4 (thyroxine) and T3 (triiodothyronine).

The thyroid gland affects all organs and systems – cardiovascular, nervous, digestive system and reproductive system. It is very important about metabolism and psyche. Disorders of thyroid hormones in women can cause disruption of ovulation, menstruation and even lead to infertility. Sometimes the thyroid gland synthesizes too many hormones – a state of hyperfunction (hyperthyroidism) or too little – hypofunction (hypothyroidism).

The following symptoms can be seen in various forms of hyperthyroidism: • nervousness, emotional lability, hyperkinesis • increased sweating, heat intolerance • palpitations • easy fatigue and shortness of breath with physical exertion • weight loss with increased appetite, rarely – weight gain • increased, rarely decreased appetite • hair loss • increased intestinal motility, diarrhea • swelling of the lower extremities • sleep disturbance • polyuria • menstrual disorders, decreased libido

Symptoms of hypothyroidism: • fatigue • weight gain • dry skin and chills • yellowish skin color • hair loss • hoarse voice • goiter • delayed reflexes • ataxia (uncoordinated movements of the limbs) • constipation • memory impairment • decreased concentration • depression menstrual disorders and infertility • myalgias • hyperlipidemia • bradycardia • hypothermia • myxedema

Thyroid hormones are crucial for the normal development of the brain, nervous system and fetal growth.

During pregnancy, the thyroid gland grows in size by at least 10%, the need for thyroid hormones increases significantly as well as the need for essential elements contained in thyroid hormones such as iodine.

The daily iodine intake during pregnancy and lactation should be at least 250 µg, but should not exceed 500 µg due to the risk of potential thyroid dysfunction. Pregnant and lactating women can meet a significant proportion of their iodine needs through the use of: • iodized salt • foods made with iodized salt (bread, cheese, milk) • natural sources of iodine (fish and seafood)

Iodine-containing combination preparations that contain vitamins and minerals can be taken during pregnancy. Screening for thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy is performed in the following cases:

women with clinical symptoms of thyroid disease

women with elevated thyroid antibodies or goiter

women after thyroid surgery

women treated with levothyroxine

women over 30 years of age

family history of thyroid disease

women with type 1 diabetes mellitus or other autoimmune disease

women with a previous abortion or premature birth

multiple pregnancy

obesity (BMI> 40 kg / m2)

administration of Amiodarone, Lithium, iodine-containing X-ray contrast agents in the last weeks before pregnancy

women from iodine deficient regions

What are the normal reference values for TSH in pregnant women?

• first trimester: 0.1 – 2.5 mIU / L;
• second trimester: 0.2 – 3.0 mIU / L;
• third trimester: 0.3 – 3.0 mIU / L.

Explicit hypothyroidism in pregnant women is associated with an increased risk of complications: • premature birth • miscarriage • preeclampsia • gestational hypertension • gestational diabetes • low birth weight • adverse effects on neuro-cognitive development of the fetus • low IQ of the offspring

Subclinical hypothyroidism during pregnancy may also lead to an increased risk of preterm birth, miscarriage, preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, impaired cognitive function of the newborn

Untreated hyperthyroidism during pregnancy can lead to: • miscarriage • premature birth • low birth weight • preeclampsia • thyrotoxic crisis

It can cause various changes in the fetus, such as congenital malformations, delayed intrauterine growth, low birth weight, tachycardia, goiter, fetal death and more.

HOW DOES HASHIMOTO’S THYROIDITIS AFFECT YOUR WEIGHT AND YOUR CHANCES OF CONCEIVING?

EMOTIONS AND STRESS DURING IVF TREATMENT

By the time your doctor recommends in vitro fertilization (IVF), you may have already experienced the years of stress and anxiety that often accompany infertility.

In vitro fertilization can be an emotionally, physically, and financially exhausting experience. In fact, patients rated IVF exposure as more stressful or almost as stressful as any other major life event, including the death of a family member and divorce.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF STRESS DURING IN VITRO FERTILIZATION?

Most often, stress and negative emotions are associated with possible side effects of the used medications, as well as the fear of failure. Despite the options for funding of the procedure (by the Center for Assisted Reproduction or municipal funds), paying for your IVF could raise concern.

TIPS FOR DEALING WITH STRESS DURING IVF

1. Many couples are afraid of the procedure itself (whether there will be pain, potential side effects, success rates, etc.). Use the time you are at your doctor’s office to ask all your questions. We assure you that you will not look stupid. Information from a competent person can greatly prepare you for the upcoming procedures and reduce the fear of the unknown.
2. Talk to couples who have already undergone in vitro fertilization. Of course, remember that each experience is unique and individual.
3. Create a plan with your partner for the future. How many times would you try to get pregnant through assisted reproduction? What would you like to happen to unused eggs or embryos?
4. Simplify your life as much as possible. Do not burden yourself with other important events unless necessary.
5. Make time for sports, hobbies and any other activities that give you happiness.

Emotions and stress are often an inevitable part of in vitro fertilization. They are completely normal and expected, if they do not interfere with other aspects of your daily life. If you feel that your emotional state is deteriorating too rapidly, we advise you to consult a psychologist with experience in couples with reproductive problems.

WHAT CAUSES INFERTILITY IN MEN?

STRESS INCONTINENCE

Urethral stress incontinence is a common problem in middle-aged women, after natural childbirth or due to physiological weakness of the connective tissue.

Stress incontinence occurs when you sneeze, cough, laugh, jog, or do other things that put pressure on your bladder. It is the most common type of bladder control problem in women.

In cases of stress incontinence, the muscles in the pelvis can weaken. This makes the bladder dropping down into a position that prevents the urethra to close completely. The result is a leakage of urine.

A number of things can contribute to stress incontinence, some of which are:

• Overweight
• Pelvic surgery
• Estrogen deficiency – in the postmenopausal period
• Anatomical disorders
• Pregnancy and childbirth

The disease is progressive – it begins with mild episodic discharge of a small amount of urine and may lead to inability to perform normal daily activities.

Timely treatment and solving this unpleasant symptom is especially important for leading a normal and fulfilling lifestyle.

In Bulgaria, laser therapy of stress incontinence is a new perspective for treatment, gaining more and more popularity.

The non-invasive and regenerative procedures offered by our clinic can deal with all these intimate health problems. With a certain course of treatment, we could restore tightness, aesthetically improve and rejuvenate your body in this area, increase sexual desire and practically to regain what gradually causes time.

NON-INVASIVE AND REGENERATIVE PROCEDURES LEAD TO COMPLETE SATISFYING LIFE

During the various stages of live, especially after childbirth and menopause, women can experience a number of medical conditions and problems that cause both discomfort and disturbances. These may include vaginal weakness and dryness, incontinence, scarring, pain during intercourse caused by dyspareunia and general loss of libido. The combination of all these prerequisites can have a profound effect on the ability to lead a full social and intimate life for both you and your partner.

Vulvo vaginal atrophy (VVA) affects up to 80% of post-menopausal women. The symptoms primarily include vaginal dryness, irritation, itching, dysuria, and dyspareunia. These symptoms can adversely affect interpersonal relationships, quality of life and sexual function. The main cause for VVA is a drop in estrogen levels during menopause. The change in estrogen level causes the vaginal lining to become thinner, dryer and less elastic. As the urinary tract is also estrogen dependent and since the urethral epithelium originates from the same embryologic tissue as the vaginal epithelium, women with VVA may also have symptoms such as urge incontinence (UI) or stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

• THE EFFICACY OF CO2 LASER IN THE TREATMENT OF VVA

Laser-based technologies and especially fractional CO2 lasers, have been proven to be safe and effective for a range of indications involving tissue remodeling over the past few decades.

Recent scientific literature shows that treatment with fractional CO2 lasers can be used also for treatment of vaginal health related conditions and specifically that it significantly improves symptoms of VVA in post-menopausal women.

In addition to symptoms improvement, histological data indicate that fractional CO2 lasers cause a thickening and a restoration of the vaginal mucosa.

Intimate health

If you have diabetes and you are planning to have a child, you should try to normalize your blood sugar levels before you become pregnant.

High blood sugar can harm your baby during the first weeks of pregnancy, even before you know you are pregnant. If you have diabetes and you are already pregnant, you have to visit your doctor as soon as possible to make a plan to control your diabetes.

How can diabetes affect my baby?

The baby’s organs, such as the brain, heart, kidneys and lungs, begin to form during the first 8 weeks of pregnancy. High blood glucose levels can be harmful at this early stage and can increase your baby’s chances of having birth defects, such as cardiovascular disease or abnormalities in the brain and spine. High blood sugar levels during pregnancy can also increase the chance of your baby being born too early, weighing too little, having breathing problems or having low blood sugar levels immediately after birth. High blood sugar in diabetes increases the chance of miscarriage.

How can my diabetes affect me during pregnancy?

Hormonal and other changes in your body during pregnancy affect your blood sugar levels, so you may need to change the way you control your diabetes. Even if you have had diabetes for years, you may need to change your diet, to make routine exercise, and take medications. If you have been taking an oral medicine for diabetes, you may need to switch to insulin. As the term approaches, the disease`s control may change again.

What health problems can I develop during pregnancy due to my diabetes?

Pregnancy can make some long-term problems with diabetes worse, such as eye problems and kidney disease, especially if the blood sugar levels are too high.

In addition, you are more likely to develop preeclampsia, also called toxemia, when you have high blood pressure and too much protein in your urine in the second half of the pregnancy. Preeclampsia can cause serious or life-threatening problems for you and your baby. The only cure for preeclampsia is childbirth. If you have preeclampsia and you have reached 37 weeks of pregnancy, your doctor may want to give birth to your baby earlier. At the very beginning, you and your doctor may consider other options to help your baby better development before he or she is born.

How can I prepare for pregnancy if I have diabetes?

If you have diabetes, keeping your blood sugar as close to normal as possible before and during pregnancy is important to stay healthy and have a healthy baby. Examinations before and during pregnancy, adherence to a diabetic diet, physical activity, physical activity and medication, if necessary, will help you control the disease. Quitting smoking and taking vitamins can also help you and your baby stay healthy.

What do I need to know about blood sugar testing before and during pregnancy?

You can often check your blood sugar levels, as it is important to know that they can change during pregnancy. You may need to check them even more often than you do normally. Ask your doctor how often you should check it for better health analysis

SHOPPING DURING PREGNANCY

Congratulations, you are having a baby! We know that you cannot wait to visit all baby stores. However, we recommend you first treat yourself to some new additions that can make your pregnancy a tad more comfortable.

SHOPPING LIST FOR MOMS-TO-BE

Comfortable clothes and shoes. Whether you choose maternity wear, or standard clothing in a bigger size, depends entirely on you. One smart idea is if you don’t want to say goodbye to your favorite jeans yet, you can look for special maternity bands that can give you extra room around your belly.

Cosmetics suitable for pregnant women. Some ingredients such as retinoids must not be used during pregnancy. On the other hand, your skin will most likely undergo some changes during these 9 months. It can become more dry or oily, or you might develop acne. This means you’ll have to make some changes into your beauty routine.

Pregnancy body pillow. The more advanced your pregnancy is, the more difficult sleep becomes. A pregnancy body pillow can give you much needed belly support, which means fewer sleepless nights. You can even use it during breastfeeding after the baby is born.

A soft toothbrush and dental floss. Hormones during pregnancy make gums more sensitive. It is possible to develop bleeding or inflammation of the gums (gingivitis), which means you should put even more effort into your dental hygiene. Electric toothbrushes are amazing for this purpose but do not fit into everyone’s budget. Instead, look for a soft toothbrush that won’t irritate your gums, and at the same time gives you a thorough cleaning.

When to start shopping for the baby?

 Today, everything can be purchased online and arrive home in a matter of days. Therefore, you do not need to rush to the shops the moment you see your positive pregnancy test. Many future parents wait until the second trimester when you typically learn your baby’s sex. It is advisable to try in store some items such as strollers. Therefore, listen to your body and choose a time when you feel most comfortable for shopping.

COVID-19 AND SHOPPING

So far, we know that pregnant women are at risk for severe COVID-19 infection. We would like to remind you that vaccination, personal hygiene (wearing your mask correctly and washing your hands) and social distance are crucial for disease prevention. If possible, avoid large crowds. Shop during the weekdays or early in the morning on weekends when stores are not so busy.