Monthly Archives: Август, 2022

Regardless of the desired result, home pregnancy tests are quick, easy to use and most importantly — they are available in every pharmacy.

HOW DO PREGNANCY TESTS WORK?

Home pregnancy tests detect a hormone called beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in  urine. It is produced by structures of the embryo during the first weeks of pregnancy, and then by the placenta. After that, the hormone enters the bloodstream and is then excreted in the urine.

HCG levels double every day. Many manufacturers claim that their tests are 99% effective on the first day of a missed period. However, early testing may give a false negative result. Therefore, we advise you to wait or repeat the test one week after a missed period.

For the most accurate result, test in the morning right after waking up, because that’s when urine is the most concentrated and  hCG levels are highest. If you need to test at another time, withhold bathroom trips for about 4 hours and restrict fluid intake during that time.

CAN MEDICATIONS AFFECT PREGNANCY TEST RESULTS?

Fertility drugs containing hCG may affect the accuracy of the test. All other medications, including antibiotics and oral contraceptives, do not affect pregnancy test results.

I HAVE A POSITIVE TEST BUT I AM NOT PREGNANT

A false positive result is possible soon after a miscarriage, abortion or childbirth. This is because it takes several weeks for the body to completely clear itself of all the hCG it produced.

A false positive result can occur if you recently had a biochemical pregnancy (a type of early miscarriage).

Gestational trophoblastic disease (a rare condition of abnormal growth of trophoblast cells) as well as some hormone-secreting tumors can also produce high levels of hCG, leading to a false positive pregnancy test.

Regardless of whether you’re pregnant or not, it is important to contact a gynecologist if you have a positive pregnancy test. They will most probably order some additional tests (ultrasound, more blood work) depending on your case and guide you to the next steps.

MISCARRIAGES: CAUSES, SYMPTOMS AND EMOTIONAL SUPPOR

The length of the menstrual cycle is individual for each woman, being normally between 21 and 35 days, with an average of 28 days. Variations of a few days each month are not a cause for concern.

 When the menstrual cycle is longer than 35-40 days, the condition is called oligomenorrhea.

WHAT CAUSES IRREGULAR MENSTRUATION?

 It is possible that lifestyle changes such as stress, traveling or strenuous exercise can lead to irregular periods. Your cycle will usually normalize after you return to your normal routine. Rapid weight loss or gain  also affects menstruation.

Teenage girls can also experience irregular periods during puberty.

 Oligomenorrhea may be present after childbirth until the hormonal balance of the body is restored. Breastfeeding suppresses ovulation and during this period menstruation may not occur at all (lactational amenorrhea). We remind you that breastfeeding should not be used as a contraceptive.

Hormonal changes in perimenopause lead to a reduction of menstruations until they completely stop (menopause).

IRREGULAR MENSTRUATION AND HEALTH PROBLEMS

 If you have had a regular period up to now and suddenly this has changed without an explanation, it is necessary to consult an obstetrician-gynecologist. Irregular periods are a symptom of conditions such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, endometriosis or premature ovarian failure.

Endocrine disorders such as hypo- or hyperthyroidism, as well as some hormone-secreting tumors (prolactinoma, etc.) are related to the length of the menstrual cycle.

IRREGULAR PERIODS AND PREGNANCY

Oligomenorrhea does not equal infertility. However, it may take longer to get pregnant.

For women with regular periods, it is easier to determine when ovulation occurs and, accordingly, the best time to try for a baby. This is almost impossible when there is no pattern in the lengths of your menstrual cycles.

The bigger problem, however, is when oligomenorrhea is accompanied by anovulatory cycles. These are menstrual cycles where ovulation doesn’t occur. Bleeding may occur, and is usually heavier or lighter than normal for the particular woman. Ovulatory disorders are one of the most common causes of infertility (about 30% of all cases).

Irregular periods are not necessarily a symptom of a serious problem. However, it is important to have your condition evaluated by an obstetrician-gynecologist. Depending on your personal priorities (pregnancy, contraception or other), you will be offered a plan of action.

THE FIRST DAY OF YOUR MENSTRUAL CYCLE?

Controlled ovarian hyper stimulation (COH) is one of the most important stages of each in vitro cycle. Successfully applying it can significantly increase your chance of becoming pregnant.

BRIEF NOTES ON OVULATION

Eggs develop in the ovaries in fluid-filled structures called follicles. Every month, when fertility-enhancing drugs are not taken, several follicles begin to grow under the influence of sex hormones.

However, in the next few weeks, only one or at most two follicles reach maturity, releasing the egg in them. This is a process known as ovulation. Other follicles that have started to develop stop growing and become atretic. Therefore, only a small percentage of the eggs found in the ovaries reach maturity and have the potential for fertilization.

WHAT IS COH?

Controlled ovarian hyper stimulation is a process whereby fertility drugs are continuously administered over a period of time, whose length is dependent on the stimulation protocol being used. Once the female patient starts taking the drugs, her doctor will start monitoring the growth of her follicles by regular ultrasound and blood tests.

Retrieving good-quality oocytes is a prerequisite for having good-quality embryos. That is why selecting the most suitable COH protocol is very important. It is selected based on factors like the patient’s age, fertility history and ovarian reserve (egg supply).

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT DURING COH?

Some of the drugs you might take are in the form of tablets and others in the form of injections that you can administer yourself. It is quite possible that you may be confused or unsure of exactly what to take at a time. Do not hesitate to contact your doctor for help.

Each woman responds differently to ovarian hyper stimulation. As with any other treatment, some side effects are also possible, such as: rash at injection site, changes in your mood, or discomfort due to fluid retention. If you feel unwell during therapy, this should be discussed with your obstetrician-gynecologist.

CONTROLLED OVARIAN HYPER STIMULATION AND WORK

COH  is  associated with frequent visits to your chosen in vitro clinic, so it is very important to have easy and accessible transportation to it. Working women should talk to their employer about upcoming absences due to medical procedures. Unfortunately, in our country, discrimination against pregnant women and those wishing to become pregnant is a real issue. The good news is that the law is on your side. This means that you have the right to leave your workplace for a medical procedure and to have up to 20 days paid leave between your follicular puncture and  embryo transfer. We at New Life Clinic will make sure you have all the necessary documentation for this.

Egg Retrieval for IVF

Embryo Transfer following IVF

Egg quality plays a key role in female fertility. Healthy eggs have the best chance of developing into an embryo, implanting in the uterus, and leading to a successful pregnancy.

It is important to note that there is no specific test to determine egg quality. Instead, in medical practice, various tests are combined to give us information about female fertility.

Modern methods for determining egg quality include ovarian reserve testing, hormonal tests, as well as transvaginal ultrasound. The age of the woman is also taken into account, because it is directly related to the quantity and quality of the eggs.

AGE AND EGG QUALITY

As we age, the number of eggs with chromosomal abnormalities, that is, containing too few or too many chromosomes, increases. If fertilization occurs with such an abnormal (aneuploid) egg, the embryo will inherit the abnormality. Most aneuploid embryos will either fail to implant in the uterus or get miscarried. In some cases, the fetus survives but suffers from chromosomal defects. An example of this is Down syndrome, where children have an additional 21st chromosome.

By age 30, about 70% of a woman’s eggs are chromosomally normal. At age 40, only about 35% of eggs are healthy. This is one of the reasons why fertility declines with age.

OVARIAN RESERVE

Unlike men, who create sperm continuously throughout their lives, women are born with a fixed number of immature eggs (1-2 million). Of these, only a few hundred mature and can be fertilized.

It is normal for ovarian reserve to decline with age. Sometimes this process starts earlier (before the age of 40). We call this condition premature ovarian insufficiency. A distinction must be made between «premature ovarian insufficiency» and «premature menopause». Premature menopause means, there is a complete stop of ovulation. With premature ovarian insufficiency, ovulation occurs, but much less often. The eggs released during ovulation, however, are of reduced quality.

In case you might have premature ovarian insufficiency, your OBGYN will recommend some hormonal tests (Anti-Müllerian hormone, FSH, LH), as well as ultrasound of the ovaries. Depending on the results and your comorbidities, you will be presented with treatment options.

HORMONAL TESTS

1.Antimüllerian hormone (AMH).  AMH is secreted by the granulosa cells of the follicles in the ovaries. Its concentration is proportional to the number of follicles. Therefore, the more follicles there are, the higher the concentration of AMH will be.

2.Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). FSH is critical for follicle development. It is secreted by the pituitary gland and stimulates the maturation of follicles in the ovaries. A high concentration of FSH on day 3 of the cycle is associated with a smaller ovarian reserve.

3. Estradiol (E2). It is tested together with FSH on the 3rd day of the menstrual cycle. A premature rise in estradiol early in the follicular phase is caused by increasing FSH levels in women with declining ovarian reserve.

TRANSVAGINAL ULTRASOUND

Transvaginal ultrasound allows doctors to estimate the number of antral follicles in the ovaries. It is usually performed between the third and twelfth day of the menstrual cycle and involves counting the total number of follicles between 4 and 9 millimeters in both ovaries. Follicles are eggs that can potentially mature and be released during ovulation. A lower number of follicles means you may have problems with egg quality and quantity.

WHAT’S NEXT?

After interpreting your test results, your obstetrician-gynecologist will suggest an action plan tailored to your health condition and personal preferences.

If you have any concerns about your fertility, you can consult New Life Clinic’s reproductive specialists.

ANTI-MÜLLERIAN HORMONE

I AM 40. IS IT TOO LATE TO HAVE A BABY?

Every year, World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated from August 1 to 7 in more than 120 countries around the world with the support of WHO and UNICEF, we will pay attention to the importance of this process and all the benefits associated with it.

Breast milk is undoubtedly the best food you can provide your baby for optimal growth and development. Its composition includes the ideal number of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals and, last but not least, it is easily digestible for absorption by the newborn, and there is no risk of intolerance to it. The presence of essential enzymes, hormones and antibodies make it vital for the normal growth, development and good health of your baby. The unique thing about it is that it naturally adapts to each stage of the child’s development while growing, meeting all his/her needs and at the same time has the role of protection from different diseases and infections.

The health effects of breastfeeding are well recognized and practiced in all developed nations and countries. Breast milk is uniquely suited to the baby’s nutritional needs and is a living substance with unparalleled immunological and anti-inflammatory properties that protect both mothers and children from numerous diseases.

One of the essential benefits of breastfeeding is related to the beneficial effect on reducing and preventing obesity. This is because breast milk contains hormones that program the regulation of your baby’s food intake, thus breastfed babies control the amount of milk they consume and stop feeding when they feel full. This helps them control their appetite from a very early stage in their development.

• Breastfeeding builds strong immunity and prevents frequent illnesses.
• Breastfed children suffer less from recurrent upper respiratory tract infections or rota viruses.
• Breastfeeding reduces the risk of developing atopic dermatitis
• Reduces the risk of developing overweight
• Breastfeeding is believed to be relevant to the intellectual development of the infant and child.

The World Health Organization strongly recommends that newborns can be fed only with breast milk until 6 months of age and continue to receive breast milk along with complementary foods (at a later stage) for at least the first year of life.

Many women encounter difficulties at the very beginning in the process of breastfeeding. The main concerns are related to pain, sore nipples and the fear that the amount of breast milk offered is not enough. Therefore, there is undoubtedly a need for more medical facilities that support the natural feeding process, as well as more trained counselors to encourage and assist mothers.

However, if you manage to overcome the initial difficulties and start breastfeeding your baby, the benefits can be summarized as follows:

• Help the process of your uterus returning to its normal size more quickly
• Builds an initial and special bond with your baby
• Saves you time and money
• Convenience — no need to carry bottles or adopted milk formula when you are out of home
• Breastfeeding burns calories and can help you regain your per-pregnancy weight faster

Source: https://aptekizapad.bg/