Category Archives: Informative articles

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?

In some cases donor eggs are the only way for a couple to have a child. This is often the case for women who do not respond well to ovarian stimulation (so-called low responders), or when their ovarian reserve is diminished. According to the Bulgarian law, donor oocytes can be obtained in two ways: from an anonymous donor or from a relative.

Donor programs with oocytes from anonymous donors are offered by different centers for assisted reproduction in Bulgaria. New Life Clinic donor oocyte program is open to all couples who have the medical indications for this procedure. Our program allows you to select a donor from a detailed list. The list includes a variety of physical features (such as height, weight, natural hair color, etc.), hobbies and interests and chosen career.

Link – “7 Most Frequently Asked Questions about  New Life’s Oocyte Donor Program.”

Donor egg from a relative donor

New LIFE clinic also performs in vitro procedures with donor oocytes from relative  donors. Relative egg donation has a number of advantages. That is why it is one of the options discussed for women who have a sister or  cousin meeting the criteria. According to Ordinance 28, the relative donor has to:

1. ” be between 18 and 38 years old and mentally healthy.”
2. “have at least one live-born child”
3. “up to 3 months prior to the donation procedure present  a negative serum or plasma sample test for:
4. a) HIV (Anti-HIV-1,2);

(b) hepatitis B (HBsAg and Anti-HBc);

c) hepatitis C (Anti-HCV-Ab);

(d) syphilis.

One of the benefits of donor oocytes from a relative  is that this way the child will be genetically similar to their mother. On the other hand, an undeniable advantage of an anonymous donor oocytes is that donors are under the age of 34. Most of them are much younger. This inevitably affects the quality of the oocytes.

In vitro donor egg procedure with donor eggs is performed only after consultation and a recommendation from a specialist in infertility care. If you’re wondering whether relative or anonymous oocyte donation is more appropriate for you, you can discuss the benefits and disadvantages of both options in detail with your treating physician .