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5 SUPERFOODS ESSENTIAL DURING PREGNANCY

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.

IVF with donor eggs – why is it more expensive than regular IVF?

Dear friends,

This is the first article on a topic chosen by you. Thank you for the topic! We hope that the article will be informative for you.

The orderby which the procedure of oocyte

donation is carried out is strictly regulated and detailed in Ordinance 28 for activities related to Assisted Reproduction. According to Ordinance 28 “it is INADMISSIBLE TO PUT PRESSURE OR GIVE FINANCIAL INCENTIVE to potential donors of oocytes by medical staff, potential recipients, friends or relatives.”

“It is possible for oocyte donors to be COMPENSATED WITHIN REASONABLE BOUNDS for costs incurred, including: travel, accommodation and stay, absence from work, cause of discomfort or pain, lost profits, etc.”

Everything outside the boundaries quoted above is in violation of the law.

WHY ARE DONOR EGGS PROCEDURES MORE EXPENSIVE, THEN?

The expenses of clinics/donor banks for the recruitment, selection and consulting of egg donors are considerable. As well the compensation for the donor, these costs include all the medical examinations and preliminary tests before an IVF procedure for both the donor and the recipient. The hormonal stimulation is also more expensive because again both the donor and the recipient are pre-treated with hormones – the former in order to grow a higher number of follicles, containing oocytes, and the latter in order to achieve optimal parameters for embryo implantation and pregnancy. In many cases the donor and the recipient undergo additional manipulations – for example, genetic tests for the donor and hysteroscopy for the recipient.

To an extent the price of a donor egg program depends on the nature of the program in question. If an IVF unit is working with a donor egg bank from abroad, the program is more expensive due to the cost of freezing, transporting and thawing the eggs. The advantages of such a program are that it gives patients the opportunity to choose an egg donor who fulfils all of their requirements (e.g. blood type, height, weight, hair colour, occupation, etc) and that it can start as soon as the patients want.

5 tactics to survive the two-week wait

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!

Dance with me, mommy!

Dear friends, we’ve all read articles about celebrities who bounced back to their pre-pregnancy weight in like 2 weeks. This, however, is hardly possible for the rest of us as few have both a babysitter and a personal trainer and maybe even a personal chef. That is why we’d like to show you some easy at-home exercises which you can do with your baby!

You’ll need a yoga mat/carpet and a baby who can lift their head (4 months old).

1. Baby dancing – this is a very popular form of exercise. Play your favorite music and dance while holding your baby. This is a great warmup for you and your baby will feel very soothed.

2. Baby squats – instead of weights, use your baby. Complete 2 series x 25 repeats.

3. Plank pose – It is better than situps as it engages more muscle groups and won’t give you any neck or back pain. Try doing it in 15-45 sec intervals.

4. Pushups – support yourself on your knees rather than your toes until you get strong enough. Complete 3 series x 25 repeats.

5. Bridges – this is a classic move for your glutes. Complete 3 series x 30 reps.

Do not start working out before your Obstetrician Gynecologist gives you the green light. Nobody expects you to look like a supermodel right after you’ve given birth. Love your post-natal body with all of its imperfections as it is a reminder that you’ve given life to another human being.

Pregnancy and Endometriosis

Dear friends, today we would like tell you about a gynaecological condition known as endometriosis and its impact on fertility.

Endometriosis is a condition whereby tissue from the lining of the uterus (called the “endometrium”) migrates outside the uterus which leads to pain and bleeding during menstruation at the sites of the endometrial outgrowth(s).

Fortunately for the women in reproductive age, suffering from endometriosis, the condition does not necessarily mean infertility, but simply more difficulty getting pregnant. Many women manage to conceive naturally. The more severe the endometriosis, the more difficult it is to get pregnant. Endometrial tissue can clump around the ovaries or the fallopian tubes, which can prevent ovulation and / or fertilization. In these cases, surgical removal of these clusters is made, which facilitates pregnancy.

A combination of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and intrauterine insemination is a possible solution. After a few unsuccessful attempts (the number is determined by the treating obstetrician-gynecologist depending on your individual situation), it is time to consider in vitro fertilization.

Although 1 in 10 women of reproductive age suffers from endometriosis, not many people have heard of this condition because it is not life-threatening. At the same time, it has a negative impact on the personal as well as the professional life of those affected by it. We need to learn to understand women struggling with endometriosis every day because they are more than we imagine and they are everywhere.

Do Male Hormones Affect Your Chances of Getting Pregnant?

Dear friends,

We are bringing to your attention another interesting publication which will challenge your current knowledge about the male hormone testosterone.

As any woman trying to conceive knows, female sex hormones such as estrogen and progesterone are key to female fertility.

And while most women think of unsightly facial hair or acne when they hear about testosterone in females, it turns out that androgens – or male hormones – have a more important and positive role to play in the female body.

A study published in a reputable USA journal claims that male hormones, especially testosterone, seem to promote the growth of follicles, responsible for containing and eventually releasing mature eggs. Male hormones also prevent the follicles from dying at an earlier age. Therefore, women with lower-levels of these hormones as well as those who have reduced numbers of male hormone receptors may have a smaller number of follicles as a whole as well as follicles that die before the egg has a chance to mature and be released.

The bottom line of this study and others that followed is that male hormones can positively affect your chances of getting pregnant if they are in balance with your female hormones.

REGARDLESS OF WHAT YOU READ IN ANY ARTICLE, YOU SHOULD ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR TREATING GYNECOLOGIST (IVF SPECIALIST) BEFORE TAKING ANY NEW SUPPLEMENT! They have the knowledge and tools to decide whether the supplement in question may be helpful in your case. Good luck with your treatment!

There are thousands of interesting articles on the internet on topics related to conception and pregnancy. However, not many of them are backed scientifically or empirically. The purpose of the articles we post for you is to select the most interesting and useful information for you and present it in a popular language that would be easy to understand.

Can I afford IVF?

Dear friends,

We know that the cost of IVF is a hindrance for many of you in the pursuit of your dream to become parents. However, it is also important to remember that the success rate of IVF is much higher for women below 35 and therefore 1 IVF cycle done on time is better than more cycles done late. The purpose of this article is to inform you of all the external sources of funding for assisted reproductive procedures. Read More

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