Fertility

Yes! Though much of the discussion surrounding infertility throughout the decades has deemed it a “woman’s problem,” men are equally affected by infertility. About one-third of infertility cases can be attributed to female issues while male infertility accounts for another third of infertility cases. . Infertility is a common issue that can affect anyone, meaning neither partner should be ruled out when experiencing problems with conceiving. If a couple has trouble becoming pregnant, we strongly recommend that both partners be tested to ensure a comprehensive, faster diagnosis. We offer treatments for both male and female infertility.

Yes! The age of the female partner is the single most important factor in achieving a viable pregnancy. This is because age directly affects the following:

• The quality and the number of eggs. There is also an increased risk of miscarriages and abnormalities with advanced maternal age.

• The ability to have a healthy baby decreases gradually but significantly from 32 years of age to almost Nil at the age of 46.

• High FSH >10 on day three is the second most important factor, even in younger patients. If found, it severely reduces the chances of pregnancy with any treatment, including IVF.

3-5 days after the fertilization process, the embryos are transferred back into the uterus. Each process of IVF is called a “cycle.” One full cycle takes about 2.5 weeks but may vary depending on each patient’s unique menstrual cycle.

There is no standard number of embryos that are implanted for all patients. Many factors influence how many embryos to transfer, including your age and medical history. However, to offer the highest chance of a safe and successful pregnancy, we always look to minimize the risk of multiple births (twins, etc.), which often means implanting as few eggs as possible.

It’s important to discuss your goals with your doctor. If you want a single pregnancy, the approach to your cycle may be different than if you’re planning on a large family requiring several embryo transfers. The latter may indicate a cycle that creates a more significant number of embryos available for freezing and use in future cycles. The former may require lighter stimulation, reducing the number after the cycle is complete.

No, there is no connection between IVF and premature menopause. We find that this is a common misconception, as patients often ask if IVF will deplete their egg supply or influence their long-term fertility. IVF is actually used in some cases to give women experiencing onset early menopausal symptoms a chance at conceiving and having a healthy pregnancy.

This varies from patient-to-patient. Your age is a great predictor of the number of eggs that you have. Generally speaking, the older you are, the fewer eggs remain. At birth, a baby girl has 2 million eggs. 400,000 eggs remain at puberty, 100,000 remain by age 30, and by age 45 or 50, that number usually drops to 0. This is all-natural and is associated with increased rates of embryo abnormalities, miscarriage, and infertility.

One test that can tell you where you stand is an AMH blood test, which gives an accurate count of your remaining egg supply. Whether you want to get pregnant now or wait, it’s a good idea to know where your fertility levels stand. Data definitively shows that egg quantity and egg quality begin to gradually decrease after age thirty.

Yet it’s also important to know that everyone is different. We see women who experience infertility in their twenties, as well as women who are incredibly fertile in their late thirties.

By freezing your eggs, you significantly increase your chance of a successful pregnancy in the future. For example, if you freeze your eggs when you’re 32 and use them at age 42, your success rate is that of a 32-year-old. Egg freezing allows a woman to use ‘younger’ eggs whenever she decides she would like to become pregnant. This will enable her to avoid the decreased fertility and increased miscarriage rates associated with advanced age. It’s an empowering opportunity to pause your biological clock so that you can choose to build your family when you are ready. There are many reasons a woman might not feel prepared to become pregnant “right now.” No matter the reason, freezing your eggs preserves them so they maintain their health and youth until you are ready to start your family.

Yet it’s also important to know that everyone is different. We see women who experience infertility in their twenties, as well as women who are incredibly fertile in their late thirties.

Yes, the more your weight is outside your optimum range, the more it will adversely affect your chances. This goes for both underweight and overweight. Quick weight gain and loss can also affect ovulation and your hormone levels. Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure of weight in relation to the height measured in Kg/height in meters squared. BMI outside the normal range of 18.5-22.5 has been shown to affect the chance of pregnancy.

It can! Stress affects all body functions – including reproduction. Though severe stress has been shown to prevent ovulation, several studies conclude that stress does not affect pregnancy rates with IVF. With that being said, it is helpful to try and decrease your stress level in any way you can. Yoga, meditation, acupuncture are all helpful in slowing down and easing the mind. If you’re worried about stress affecting your fertility, our counsellors would be happy to help you find the best solutions for your situation.

Before beginning a cycle of IVF using your own eggs and sperm, you and your partner will likely need various screenings, including:

• Ovarian reserve testing

• Semen analysis

• Infectious disease screening

• Practice (mock) embryo transfer

• Uterine exam

Lifestyle choices that should be avoided before starting IVF treatment include cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, illicit drugs, and intensive exercise. Rapid weight loss immediately before an IVF cycle should also be avoided as it is related to a reduced pregnancy rate.

Sleep During IVF

Research indicates that individuals who sleep 7-8 hours every night have a higher chance of success through IVF. Sleep is very restorative. It's where repair takes place throughout the body, amongst other processes, and it can contribute to a healthy pregnancy.

An anti-inflammatory diet is instrumental in IVF success. To that end, minimize the intake of processed foods, fast foods, and sugar. Healthy fats, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and clean proteins such as fish, legumes, and low-fat poultry are all part of an anti-inflammatory diet.

Ensure a healthy level of fluids by in taking adequate quantity of water. The no smoking and no alcohol rule continues in this phase too. Do moderate to a low impact exercise routine. Avoid cardio-exercises.

A woman can easily walk out of the clinic immediately after having an embryo transfer without facing any difficulties, physical activities a day after the transfer also helps in reducing stress.