Monthly Archives: August, 2017

Dear friends,

This week we decided to talk to you about vitamins, more specifically vitamin D. “Why is this vitamin important, how it affects your body and whether it can harm you” are some of the questions that we will focus on.

The most famous role of vitamin D is associated with absorption of calcium in the small intestine. But its benefits do not stop there. Deficiency of vitamin D plays an important role in the development of autoimmune diseases, cancer, and fertility problems.

Vitamin D receptors

The female reproductive system has vitamin D receptors. The active form of vitamin D (calcitriol) affects the genes involved in the production of estrogens. Calcitriol supports embryo implantation as well as immune cells in the uterine cavity that protect it from infections during pregnancy. Deficiency of vitamin D during pregnancy is associated with some complications such as high blood pressure.

Vitamin D is especially important for women who are about to undergo an IVF procedure. According to several studies, there is a correlation between the levels of vitamin D in the body and the success of the in vitro procedure.

Therefore, adequate levels of vitamin D in the body are a necessity. I stress the word “adequate” because vitamin D, as well as vitamins A, E and K, are fat-soluble and are stored in the liver. Excess of these vitamins cannot be excreted with the urine and they can be overdosed, which means that the prescribed dosage must be followed strictly.

Dear friends,

As many of you know an IVF procedure includes egg retrieval following hormonal stimulation, egg fertilization, culturing of the resulting embryos and return of the best embryos to the uterus of the patient (the so called “embryo transfer”). The maximum number of embryos that can be returned to the uterus of the patient is strictly defined and detailed in Ordinance №28 of the Law for Assisted Reproduction. That number is dependent on the patient’s age, the number of previous unsuccessful IVF procedures and the developmental stage the embryos (e.g. Day 3 or Day 5).

It is important to know, however, that the transfer of 2 embryos is done NOT in order to achieve a twin pregnancy but in order to increase the chance of a pregnancy, regardless of whether it is a singlet pregnancy of a twin pregnancy. The embryos with the best morphology are transferred during the fresh embryo transfer, in other word the ones that look best. However, the embryologist can never know which embryo will implant, because there is no 100 % correlation between embryo morphology and implantation potential. That is why transferring more than 1 embryo increases the chance of achieving a pregnancy but it also significantly ups the risk of a twin pregnancy.

Consult your obstetrician-gynecologist/ fertility specialist to help you decide what the best option in your case is!

In general, regular exercise decreases stress and helps maintain weight close to optimal values which is especially important when trying to get pregnant. Although weight loss and diet changes are recommended for overweight women. Before getting pregnant, that does not necessarily mean a restrictive diet and a heavy workout routine to get quick results. Those would not increase the chances for pregnancy, they would merely lead to skyrocketing levels of the stress hormone cortisol, fatigue and possibly even injury.

Too much or too intense

Too much or too intense exercise in normal weight/underweight women is also not a good idea. As well as the unnecessary stress for the body, heavy exercising could result in very low levels of body fat. Fat tissue is necessary for achieving pregnancy, because it is one of the sites of estrogen synthesis (family of female sex hormones). Low estrogen levels are related to irregular menstruation (oligomenorrhea) or the complete lack of menstruation (amenorrhea). Of course those are rare cases, which happen mostly to professional female athletes.

So, do not give up on sports, but be wise when practicing it!

Dear friends,

As many of you know New Life clinic has a contract with a European Bank for donor sperm, which gives you, our patients the opportunity to choose from more than 100 sperm donors.

HOW to CHOOSE the RIGHT DONOR FOR YOU?

All donors are young men, aged 18 to 40 years old, with excellent sperm quality and negative test results for common genetic diseases in the European population (e.g. Thalassemia, Cystic Fibrosis and others). Donors are also tested for the compulsory transmissible diseases (Hepatitis B and C, HIV and Syphilis).

The information provided about each donor on our list consists of:

–        Race/ Ethnicity

–        Blood type

–        Height and weight

–        Natural hair and eye color

–        Education/ Occupation

Although different things are important to different patients, if you have a partner, it is good for the donor to have the same blood type as your partner or you. If you and your partner are 0+ and A+ (the two most common blood types), for example, it is generally not biologically possible for you to have a child with a different blood type.

If the female patient is with a negative Rhesus factor (Rh –), the donor should also be Rh –. The idea is to minimize the risk of the so called Hemolytic disease of the newborn, where the immune system of the mother attacks the red blood cells of the baby due to the presence of a certain protein on their surface.

If you have any doubts or worries regarding the choice of a donor, do not hesitate to talk to us!

He changes in your body during pregnancy also affect your skin. It can get dry, oily or it can develop acne or pigmentation. Some of the products you put on your skin can affect the fetus, so it’s important to know which ingredients are safe and which are not.

HOW to DEAL WITH ACNE?

Popular solution: A product with salicylic acid that can be absorbed through the skin and, in high doses, harm the fetus.

Alternative during pregnancy: Products containing glycolic or lactic acid. For even better results, combine with procedures with blue light which has an antibacterial effect and is completely safe.

ANTI-AGING CARE

Popular solution: Retinoic acid (vitamin A), which stimulates cell division and is one of the most commonly used anti-aging products, also suitable for the treatment of acne. Unfortunately, it is also “on the blacklist”.

Alternative: Creams with vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant, brightens the complexion and smoothes the skin.

SUN PROTECTION

Popular solution: Chemical sunscreens with oxybenzone as the main active ingredient. Chemical sunscreens generally provide less protection from UVA rays compared to physical sunscreens. They also penetrate the skins and can harm the fetus.

Alternative: Physical sun protection creams (! not sprays!) with the active ingredients zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration these compounds are not absorbed through the skin and are safe for you and your baby J.

WHICH COSMETIC PROSEDURES are SAFE?

Procedures such as laser hair removal, fillers, botox, peels with high acid percentage and microdermabrasion are contraindicated. Pamper yourself with a facial or various moisturizing treatments instead. Be sure to warn the cosmetologist that you are pregnant so the procedure can be tailored to your needs.

It is advisable to consult a specialist about skin care during pregnancy. If you have used any of the above mentioned “harmful” substances, do not worry too much, just replace them with a safer option

Is sunbathing allowed during pregnancy? Yes, but only if you follow some rules.

The hormonal changes that occur with pregnancy make the skin more sensitive to the sunrays, which means you can get sunburnt much faster. In addition, exposure to sun without proper sunscreen worsens  hyperpigmentation (eg, chloasma, acne scars). Use sunscreen with the active ingredient TITANIUM DIOXIDE that is not absorbed through the skin and does not reach the fetus.

Pregnancy predisposes the body to overheating and dehydration, which can reduce blood flow to the placenta and the delivery of nutrients to the fetus. The fetus also receives warmth from the placenta and the uterus, hence overheating of the mother can cause fetal overheating. How to avoid these problems? Stay in the shade between 12 and 16 hours when the sun is the strongest and drink between 2 and 3 liters of fluids per day. And if you cannot swim, now is the time to learn! Swimming strengthens the heart, muscles and is not hard on the joints.

Do not give up entirely on the sun! Vitamin D synthesis begins in the skin thanks to UV rays. Vitamin D is needed for the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus, the immune system and bones. Deficiency of vitamin D is associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia.

Even though summer heat and humidity are unpleasant, you can still enjoy the hot summer months while you are pregnant. Listen to your body for a healthy and relaxing summer.

The changes that occur during pregnancy require a balanced diet because your baby “eats” what you eat.

In this article we talk about 5 superfoods essential during pregnancy.

1. Nuts

You can skip them if you are allergic. However, if you are not, you have no excuse! Nuts are a source of protein, fiber and healthy fats. Recent studies have found that children of women who consume nuts regularly, rarely suffer from nut allergies.

2. Yogurt

Yogurt has proteins, calcium and vitamin D. The healthy bacteria in it contribute to the proper functioning of the digestive system and prevent the yeast infections so common among pregnant women.

3.Dried fruit

They are rich in fiber and are easily carried in a bag. Dried fruits should be free of added sugar though. Eat them between meals or when you are out to reduce food cravings.

4.Lime juice

Pregnant women often suffer from vitamin C deficiency. Lime juice is completely safe on its own or added to water. It is good for your digestive system and blood pressure and contains potassium, beneficial to the nervous system of the fetus.

5.Red meat

This includes veal, pork and lamb. Red meat is rich in zinc, iron and protein and promotes the formation of collagen, erythrocytes and bone tissue. Select meat without much fat and cook it thoroughly.

Especially during the first months of pregnancy, most women experience cravings for all those foods that should be avoided – junk food,pastry and sweets. This is due to the  abrupt hormonal changes and is normal. If you are among these ladies, do not try to completely avoid those foods, but  also do not make them your main source of energy. Balance is key.

Уou have just gone through in vitro fertilization (IVF) and you have been told you have to wait two weeks to find out the result? If that’s you, read on, because in this article we give you 5 tips on surviving the two-week wait.

1. Say “No” to overanalysing

The classic symptoms of early pregnancy (nausea, chest and abdominal pain, etc.) are very similar to those of premenstrual syndrome and are unlikely to occur on the fifth day after your embryo transfer procedure. So, just because you are experiencing those, does not mean that you are pregnant or not, for that matter. You just have to wait and see!

2. Stay away from early pregnancy tests

Popular pregnancy tests are effective only after your menstrual period is delayed which is about 2 weeks after your embryo transfer. They use the level of a hormone called hCG (human chorionic gonadotrophin) in the urine to determine whether you are pregnant or not. Since many hormonal stimulation protocols for IVF include hCG (e.g. in the form of Pregnyl), doing a pregnancy test too early could give you a false positive result. Blood tests remain the most reliable method for confirming a pregnancy, so when the time comes, it is best to go to a medical laboratory or another suitable health institution rather than the drug store.

3. Consult with your doctor, not the internet

You may think that the internet holds such vast amounts of information that it can answer all of your questions. The problem, however, is that the source of all that information is not proven to be reliable and in many cases is not even known. That is why when it comes to your health and whether you get pregnant or not, the only source of information is your obstetrician-gynecologist and the medical team working with him/her.

4. Meet with people and be physically active

Unless your condition requires it, there is no reason for you to lie down all day. Moderate exercise and other types of physical activity lead to the release of endorphins which make you feel happier. At the same time, walking around and meeting up with people can act as a pleasant distraction.

5. Stay positive about the future regardless of the result

Nothing you do in these two weeks can change the test result for the better. If it is negative, it’s not because you did not lay down enough, you yelled at your partner, or you cried several times. Self-accusations will only make things worse. The best thing you can do is to go on with your life and think positively about the future!