The Memorial Day weekend brings to mind time off from work and fun in the sun. It's also a time to remember those who sacrificed so we could enjoy that freedom. If infertility's a part of your life, it might be tough to conjure up this feeling of freedom -- but if you look closer, you'll see it.
Did you know that in some countries, egg and sperm donors are required to reveal their identity throughout the process? Since anonymity is what many prefer, the result of such laws is far fewer donors and fertility patients who must travel internationally just to get pregnant.
Even tighter restrictions exist in other nations where donor eggs are simply not allowed to be used for fertility treatment. Just imagine -- the only options available for these women is adoption, unless they travel to access IVF.
Just as incredible: freezing excess embryos is of questionable legality in some places. Imagine being lucky enough to create many embryos in an IVF cycle, but the law requires you transfer them all, increasing your already upped chances for multiples to dangerous proportions.
The United States continues to demonstrate leadership in the championing of individual rights, and this includes the health care arena. Fertility treatment is a highly personal choice and, so far, it's still very much up to the patient and her physician to decide which treatments to use and when. You can find out about the services we're free to offer at Houston Fertility Center's website, http://CallDrK.com.
Have a great weekend, knowing you're free to choose fertility treatment and make other decisions that are right for your life.
~Sonja Kristiansen, M.D.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
15 Is Magic Number?
Last February, I wrote that there's no magic to getting pregnant. That post was specific to "miraculous" fertility supplements. Well, now the news is full of "magic" again. This time, it's a Magic Number.
It's 15.
What kind of magic does the number 15 do for infertile couples?
A study that looked at 17 years worth of data concluded that 15 eggs retrieved in one IVF cycle renders the best chance of a live birth. Retrieving more eggs than that was linked to higher incidence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
The study authors failed to clarify that they were looking at conventional IVF cycles, not at cycles using very minimal or no ovulation stimulation medication. They did, however, tease out and present their findings related to the different ages within the study subjects. Specifically, the number 15 (eggs) did not make the live birth chances for women over 40 much better than otherwise. But as this article in the Globe and Mail suggests, a chance of live birth boosted by 4 percent might be inspiring to fertility patients older than 40.
I would remind patients that this is statistics, although well done. I worry about patients hearing these sorts of numbers and feeling stressed because theirs haven't "hit". As with so many aspects to treating infertility, your mileage may vary. We do everything possible to make each cycle safe *and* effective, and always, the outcome -- a healthy baby -- is our focus.
It's 15.
What kind of magic does the number 15 do for infertile couples?
A study that looked at 17 years worth of data concluded that 15 eggs retrieved in one IVF cycle renders the best chance of a live birth. Retrieving more eggs than that was linked to higher incidence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
The study authors failed to clarify that they were looking at conventional IVF cycles, not at cycles using very minimal or no ovulation stimulation medication. They did, however, tease out and present their findings related to the different ages within the study subjects. Specifically, the number 15 (eggs) did not make the live birth chances for women over 40 much better than otherwise. But as this article in the Globe and Mail suggests, a chance of live birth boosted by 4 percent might be inspiring to fertility patients older than 40.
I would remind patients that this is statistics, although well done. I worry about patients hearing these sorts of numbers and feeling stressed because theirs haven't "hit". As with so many aspects to treating infertility, your mileage may vary. We do everything possible to make each cycle safe *and* effective, and always, the outcome -- a healthy baby -- is our focus.
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