Dr.Malpani explains how to get rid of the fear of IVF

IVF is one of the most effective ways by which infertility can be treated, but the fear associated with the process scares a lot of women away. This fear is often because of a lack of information regarding the procedure – and the tragedy is that this ignorance causes them to reduce their chances of having their own baby !

Some couples think that a test tube baby might be born abnormal or weak, because it is an “artificial process” . However , IVF is simply an assisted reproductive technique , which allows the doctor to do in the IVF lab which is not occurring naturally in the bedroom. Over the years , after multiple studies , doctors have arrived at the conclusion that IVF does not cause any sort of birth defect in the child. Over 2 million babies have been born worldwide after IVF ! However, many families with orthodox thinking still believe that this technique is abnormal and unnatural , and hence do not opt for this, even though it has a high success rate. They are depriving themselves of their best chance of completing their family !

The major worry women have are regarding the side effects of the hormonal injections which they have to take during the IVF procedure. In reality , these hormones are the ones which are normally produced by the pituitary, and they are natural. They do not have any long term effects, because they are metabolized by the body. Some other concerns were that these might result in a decline in fertility or early menopause or even ovarian cancer - all of which have been found to be false.

Patients consider that IVF is a last resort treatment - and that if it fails , then they will not have any other option left. Hence , they want to keep IVF in reserve. For some infertile couples , even the suggestion of IVF comes as a jolt , and they start believing that the fact that they require such an advanced treatment means there is something seriously wrong with them ! Most infertile couples would much rather delude themselves that they have a minor problem , which can be solved easily.

For most couples, the limiting factor for IVF is the expense. It is a very costly treatment and is usually far away from the reach of most average people. For other patients , the stress of going through IVF is a major factor. They might have learnt to manage the ups and downs associated with the natural cycle ,  but the uncertainty and anxiety associated with the IVF cycles is much harder to handle, because so much is riding on the outcome ! Also the fact that the final outcome is neither in their control nor in the hands of the doctor acts as a major deterrent.

Some patients are so frustrated with repeated IUI treatment cycles, that they lose confidence in themselves and their doctorsand do not wish to go for IVF. Most gynaecologists prefer to stick with repeated IUI (intrauterine insemination) cycles because they do not want to refer their patients to IVF cycles. Studies have shown that the pregnancy rates drop after 3 cycles of IUI treatment , after which patients should be advised to consider IVF. Often IVF may prove to be the most cost effective option, even though it is more expensive than other treatments.

However there is a right time for doing IVF. If you wait too long , the chances of getting pregnant decline with advancing age. The best way solution is to do your own research on IVF, so you can plan your own course of action. While the outcome of IVF might not be in your hand , giving it a try will give you peace of mind you tried your best, and did not leave any stone unturned in your quest for a baby !

The saddest words known to man are – “If only ...” Don’t let the doubt that if you had done IVF , you might have had your own baby , haunt you for the rest of your life !

POSTED BY DR.MALPANI

 Articles:

• Dr.Malpani Infertility clinic
• Dr Malpani - Testing for pregnancy after an embryo transfer in an IVF cycle (drmalpani.wordpress.com)
• Dr Malpani - What are my chances of getting pregnant with IVF(drmalpani.blog.com)

Dr.Malpani Addressing the concern on the complaints,by IVF Patients on the right IVF Treatment.

Dr. Malpani helps you to know if you received the right IVF treatment.

Several patients have asked me to review the IVF treatment they had

received earlier at other IVF clinics. It is sometimes difficult to answer this question , since I was not present during the treatment, and am unaware regarding the decisions that were made by your previous doctors and under what circumstances.

Many patients ask if the cause of the failure of their IVF procedure was the doctor or poor medical facilities provided at the lab. There are multiple factors which play a pivotal role for a successful IVF cycle and in certain cases it might be a biological problem , and not the clinic - or it could be vice-versa. Most patients are unaware about what went wrong , which is why they need me to guide them. In order to provide an intelligent  second opinion , it is necessary for me to review the documentation the previous IVF clinic provides. This is the chief reason I always tell patients to insist that their clinics provide them with good quality images of their embryos , before starting the IVF procedure. This the only tangible evidence to prove that they have received good medical care. It means that they are on the right track , since only good IVF clinics produce good quality embryos; and are careful about maintaining proper medical records.

However, in the absence of any valid documentation , and photographs of the embryos,  it becomes hard for any doctor to review your case and give a second opinion.

Speaking about the doctors working in these clinics , make sure that your doctor is a full time IVF specialist . Some IVF clinics cut corners and prefer to employ part time doctors, who are not always available to monitor your case. Some of them may even indulge in dirty tricks like sharing your eggs with other patients without your permission because it helps them to earn some more through egg sharing programs. This is not only unethical , but also reduces your success rate of pregnancy.

They must have good quality equipment like incubators and arrangements for freezing embryos. Some might even use cheap microscopes , or recycle the needles for egg collection , which puts you at a risk of infections. They might even be using old models of ultrasound scanners , making it difficult for them to see the follicles and collect your eggs. Although it might be difficult for a patient to check the equipment , you can make sure that they show you the lab and share information with you while undergoing the treatment.

Even some reputed clinics might resort to such underhand practices . This is even more dangerous, since no one questions them or complaints. Thus some push for unproven treatments for recurrent pregnancy losses, offering false hopes. These treatments are largely unproven and controversial, and it is only fair to offer these as clinical trials , free of cost. Some patients , out of desperation , are happy to grasp any opportunity which comes their way , because it is cleverly disguised as a possible treatment for their problem.

POSTED BY DR.MALPANI

 Articles:

• Dr.Malpani Infertility clinic
• Dr Malpani - Why do I have to wait 2 weeks to do a pregnancy test(drmalpani.blog.com)
• Dr. Aniruddha Malpani (drmalpani.wordpress.com)
• Dr Malpani - Patients with poor ovarian reserve - flogging a dead horse ? (drmalpani.wordpress.com)
• Dr.Malpani complaints Blog (The pain of failed ivf)

DON’T WORRY: YOU TOO CAN HAVE A BABY

   18 ways to make a baby

There is good news for childless couples. Recent advancements in Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) and IVF have considerably increased the chances for having a baby for any infertile couple. The article narrates how a highly dejected couple had treatment under Dr. Malpani and was finally blessed with kids despite many complications.

It was not a typical Dr. Malpani Complaint of childlessness as Mrs DF, a 35 year old woman turned up to take a second opinion in 1991. She had failed to conceive even after three years of marriage despite being normal.  The problem was with her husband in the form of azoospermia or zero sperms and he was not accepting that situation. So the desperate wife bore all taunts of ‘barrenness’  to protect her husband's prestige ego and suffered in silence .

Investigation

During Dr.Malpani Review, the couples were examined and the husband was asked to undergo a semen analysis from a trusted lab. A diagnosis of cryptozoopsermia (very few sperms ) was confirmed. It is caused usually by partial testicular failure. In 1991 it had no treatment and the only remedy for the couple was donor insemination. The IVF option could not work as it required at least 1,00,000 sperms. Refusing donor sperm option they went back disappointed.

ICSI Option

In 1994, the husband came back with the news of an innovation happening in Belgium where a technique is enabling fertilization of a single egg with a single sperm. 
This treatment intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) was becoming popular and this couple also gave their nod for this treatment.But the hurdle surfaced, when the wife, who had turned 39 by then, showed she had a poor ovarian response in producing eggs. So, the couple agreed for a donor egg ICSI.  In that treatment process, the cycles of the donor and the wife were synchronized and ICSI performed by injecting a single sperm into each egg.  Of the 11 injected eggs, 10 fertilized and assisted hatching was conducted in 3 4-cell Grade A embryos, which then got transferred into the wife's uterine cavity. This happened in October 1995.

Bringing cheer to all, she conceived and had a healthy twin pregnancy. Following a caesarean section she became the mother of two healthy babies - one son and a daughter.

Take Home Lessons

From this case study, Dr. Malpani feedback is that key take away lessons have to be kept in mind by couples facing infertility issues.

·    Always use a reliable laboratory to perform a semen analysis to avoid confusing results.

·   The doctors must treat the infertile couple as a unit.

·   Knowledge of male infertility and interpreting a semen analysis report is a must.

The story is also about the dramatic advances in ART that is now helping many infertile couples to start a family. Now there are more than 18 ways to make a baby. The list will grow if options such as TESA and PESA are added. So, there is a solution for every infertile couple to have a baby. But they have to choose an option that works for them in consultation with an expert doctor.

Posted by Dr.Malpani

Articles:
Dr.Malpani Infertility Clinic
Dr.Malpani complaints Blog(Why doctors orders lots of test?)