Prenatal Bonding: 5 Ways to Boost Baby's Health

“We’re discovering more and more that the health of the mother—including her mental health—affects her growing baby,” adds Wilson. Indeed, several studies have concluded that stress and depression during pregnancy can harm babies’ development. The flip-side of that? “When the mother is feeling happy and relaxed, her baby benefits, too,”

1. Talk to your baby

Take time out to get quiet and send positive thoughts to him or her. “Knowing that you’re contributing to the good health and well-being of your baby helps relax you,” says Wilson.

2. Take lots of naps

“It might sound silly to say that sleep could aid bonding, but short naps make moms-to-be more present and reduce pregnancy stress, which can have a negative impact on your baby,” says Wilson.

3. Connect

Connect with other women in your community or online and share your experiences being pregnant (both wonderful and challenging). Feeling supported and positive will keep the good vibes flowing to your growing bub.

4. Sing a song to your baby

This not only helps relax you, but because hearing develops 18 weeks into your pregnancy, it’s possible that your baby will be able to hear your tune, too, and get to know your voice and learn to be soothed by it.

5. Get creative

Take a prenatal yoga or art class, write in a journal, paint or draw, or cook a new dish. Enriching yourself and taking time to do things you enjoy will allow you to tune into the “mothering” part of your brain and help you become a better mom.

How to choose your gynaecologist - Gynecologist in Noida

Visiting a gynecologist should be a part of every woman's medical routine. Finding the right gynecologist may take some time, but it's worth doing your research and choosing someone you feel comfortable with. After all, your gynecologist will be the one helping you through your pregnancy and delivery so it is important to feel that you can speak to him or her freely. Here are a few tips to help you make your choice:

Does the gynecologist have a good reputation?
There is nothing wrong in being particular about your standards when it comes to your gynaecologist. After all, your gynaecologist is privy to some of the most intimate facets of your sexuality, body and overall health. Start with the website of the hospital he or she is affiliated to. This should tell you about the doctor's medical credentials and for how long they have been practising. It may highlight their particular areas of interest or experience as well. See if the gynaecologist is also an obstetrician. If she isn't you will need to see a different doctor at the time of your delivery because only obstetricians are qualified to deliver babies.

You can also ask around among your friends, family, colleagues or your own general physician. You are bound to find someone who goes to that particular gynaecologist and if not, you will probably hear of a good gynaecologist you might want to consider.

What should I ask the gynecologist?
When you go for your first "introductory" appointment, you may want to ask yourself the following questions:

•     Does the gynaecologist answer your questions willingly and accurately?
•     Is she friendly and responsive?
•     Do you feel comfortable asking her personal medical questions?
•     Does she seem up to date?
•     Is she listening to your concerns and answering accordingly?
•     Is she gentle during her check-up?
•     Does she seem to care about your comfort?

If you don't feel a rapport building with this doctor, try another one.

How easy is it to meet the gynecologist?
Good doctors are always busy, but you don't want a doctor who always seems too busy to take her time with you or to speak to you. Most doctors are willing to give you their cell phone number or email addresses. Find out how this gynecologist deals with emergency calls. Ask how quickly she aims to get back to people with non emergency queries. Check out how long you would usually have to wait for routine appointments, and how quickly you could be seen if you were unwell.

How far is the gynecologist from your home?
Think about the distance you need to travel for your appointments with your gynecologist. Do you want one close to home or would it be easier to visit someone close to your work? Think about how you will get there. If you need to use public transport check out how easy it will be. If you are pregnant or thinking of starting a family, you might find it easier to have a doctor closer to home since you will be going for more frequent check-ups.

Do you prefer a female gynecologist?
Many women prefer female gynecologists. But keep an open mind: you may also find a male gynecologist who is understanding and helpful. Make your decision after you have had a chance to speak with several doctors.

Will your insurance cover the cost of your doctor's visits?
Check your finances. There are some insurance schemes that do not cover visits to the gynecologist. In this case you may need to compare visiting costs. Delivery charges also vary a lot between gynecologists and often insurance schemes have a limit on the extent to which they cover you. If you have a baby planned or on the way, it may be worth comparing the delivery charges of the gynecologists on your list.

How do you feel about the gynecologist?
There is a reason that a women's intuition is so revered, it is often right! So do your researches, check background information, schedule an appointment and meet the gynecologist, but in the end trust your gut.

Understanding Ovulation and Fertility: Facts to Help You Get Pregnant - Gynecologist in Noida & IVF Specialist

Understanding Your Monthly Cycle

Knowing your menstrual cycle improves your chances of getting pregnant. The first phase starts with the first day of your period or blood flow. Your body releases hormones that makes the eggs inside your ovaries grow. Between day 2 and 14, those hormones also help thicken the lining of your uterus to get ready for a fertilized egg. This is called the follicular stage.

What Happens During Ovulation

The average menstrual cycle is 28-32 days. Ovulation usually happens between day 11 and 21 of your cycle. A hormone called luteinizing hormone (LH) surges, triggering the release of the egg that's most ripe. At the same time, your cervical mucus becomes more slippery to help sperm make their way to the egg.

It's All in the Timing

Women are born with about 1-2 million eggs, but only release 300 to 400 through ovulation. Usually you release just one egg each month. The egg travels down a fallopian tube, one of the two tubes that connect your ovaries to your uterus. If the timing is right, sperm may fertilize it on its way to the uterus. If fertilization doesn't happen within 24 hours of the egg leaving the ovary, the egg dissolves. Sperm can live for about 3 to 5 days, so knowing when you are ovulating can help you and your partner plan sex for when you're most likely to conceive.

Tracking Your Most Fertile Days

Generally, the highest chance of pregnancy is when sex happens1-2 days before ovulation. If you have a regular 28-day cycle, count back 14 days from when you expect your next period to start. Plan on having sex every other day around that time -- say, days 12 and 14.  Keep in mind that having sex every day may lower a man's sperm count. Your cycle may be longer or shorter, so an online ovulation calculator may help you identify the likely day.

Tracking Ovulation by Temperature

After your body releases an egg, the hormone progesterone kicks in to help build and maintain the lining of the uterus. Progesterone causes your body temperature to go up slightly. So taking your temperature with a basal thermometer every morning before getting out of bed can help you figure out if you ovulated. These thermometers are available at the drugstore and are inexpensive, but they aren't as accurate as other methods for tracking ovulation.

Predicting Ovulation by Hormone

A surge in LH triggers your ovaries to release the egg. The surge usually happens 36 hours before the egg is released. Ovulation kits check LH levels in your urine to help you pinpoint the day of ovulation. These kits, which are available at drugstores, are convenient and highly accurate. You may want to test 1-2 days before you expect the surge so you can note the rise in LH.

The Last Phase of Your Monthly Cycle

During the second half of your menstrual cycle, the hormone progesterone kicks in to help prepare the lining of your uterus for a fertilized egg. If the egg isn't fertilized and doesn't implant, it disintegrates, progesterone levels fall, and about 12 to 16 days later, the egg -- along with blood and tissues from the lining of the uterus -- is shed from the body. That process is menstruation. It usually lasts 3 to 7 days. Then the cycle begins again.

Ways to Boost Ovulation

There is growing evidence that links environment to fertility. If you want to boost your chances of getting pregnant, you may want to:

• Eat foods rich in folic acids.
• Buy more organic foods and green products.
• Avoid certain plastics (including plastic wrap).
• Maintain a healthy body weight through diet and exercise.
• Avoid alcohol and caffeine.

Weight Affects Fertility

A study found that women whose body mass index (BMI) was above normal took twice as long to get pregnant as those with a normal BMI. If you're overweight or obese, losing weight can boost your fertility and chances of getting pregnant. According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, a drop in weight of 5%-10% can dramatically improve ovulation and pregnancy rates. Obesity can also cause infertility and low testosterone in men. Being significantly underweight can also lead to infertility.

Age Affects Your Conception Chances

Fertility goes down with age, especially after the mid-30s. It also lowers the chances that fertility treatments will be successful. Experts say you should talk to your doctor if you're under 35 and have been trying to conceive for more than 12 months, or over 35 and have been trying for more than 6 months.

Fertility Declines in Older Men, Too

Studies show that sperm count and sperm movement decrease as men age, as does sexual function. But there isn't a cut-off age that makes a man too old to father a child. One study found that it took men age 45 or older longer to get a woman pregnant once the couple started trying. If your partner is older, you may want to talk to your doctor about ways to boost your chances.

How Men Can Boost Fertility

• Manage stress.
• Avoid alcohol and tobacco.
• Maintain a proper weight.
• Eat a diet high in zinc (found in meat, whole grains, seafood, and eggs), selenium (meat, seafood, mushroom, cereals, and Brazil nuts), and vitamin E. 
• Keep the testicles cool -- no long, hot baths, hot tubs, or saunas, which can reduce the number of sperm.

Treatments for Infertility

A number of things can cause infertility. The first step is for your doctor to check out you and your partner. Infertility treatments can include fertility drugs to stimulate ovulation and in vitro fertilization, which involves removing eggs from the ovaries, fertilizing them (shown at left), and then implanting them into the uterus.

How Home Pregnancy Tests Work

Home pregnancy tests check your urine for the "pregnancy hormone," called hCG, that your body makes once a fertilized egg implants in your uterus. Some of these tests may be able to tell if you're pregnant as early as 5 days before your first missed period.

Pregnancy: 5 Early Signs

• You miss a period.
• You need to urinate often.
• You tire easily.
• You’re nauseous in the morning -- or all day.
• Your breasts become tender and enlarged.

How long should women try to get pregnant before calling their doctors? - Gynecologist in Noida & IVF Specialist

Most experts suggest at least one year. Women 35 or older should see their doctors after six months of trying. A woman's chances of having a baby decrease rapidly every year after the age of 30.
Some health problems also increase the risk of infertility. So, women should talk to their doctors if they have:

• Irregular periods or no menstrual periods
• Very painful periods
• Endometriosis
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• More than one miscarriage

It is a good idea for any woman to talk to a doctor before trying to get pregnant. Doctors can help you get your body ready for a healthy baby. They can also answer questions on fertility and give tips on conceiving.

What medicines are used to treat infertility in women? - Gynecologist in Noida & IVF Specialist

Some common medicines used to treat infertility in women include:

• Clomiphene citrate (Clomid): This medicine causes ovulation by acting on the pituitary gland. It is often used in women who have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or other problems with ovulation. This medicine is taken by mouth.
• Human menopausal gonadotropin or hMG (Repronex, Pergonal): This medicine is often used for women who don't ovulate due to problems with their pituitary gland. hMG acts directly on the ovaries to stimulate ovulation. It is an injected medicine.
• Follicle-stimulating hormone or FSH (Gonal-F, Follistim): FSH works much like hMG. It causes the ovaries to begin the process of ovulation. These medicines are usually injected.
• Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) analog: These medicines are often used for women who don't ovulate regularly each month. Women who ovulate before the egg is ready can also use these medicines. Gn-RH analogs act on the pituitary gland to change when the body ovulates. These medicines are usually injected or given with a nasal spray.
• Metformin (Glucophage): Doctors use this medicine for women who have insulin resistance and/or PCOS. This drug helps lower the high levels of male hormones in women with these conditions. This helps the body to ovulate. Sometimes clomiphene citrate or FSH is combined with metformin. This medicine is usually taken by mouth.
• Bromocriptine (Parlodel): This medicine is used for women with ovulation problems due to high levels of prolactin. Prolactin is a hormone that causes milk production.

Many fertility drugs increase a woman's chance of having twins, triplets, or other multiples. Women who are pregnant with multiple fetuses have more problems during pregnancy. Multiple fetuses have a high risk of being born too early (prematurely). Premature babies are at a higher risk of health and developmental problems.

What is intrauterine insemination (IUI)? - Gynecologist in Delhi & Infertility Specialist

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is an infertility treatment that is often called artificial insemination. In this procedure, the woman is injected with specially prepared sperm. Sometimes the woman is also treated with medicines that stimulate ovulation before IUI.

IUI is often used to treat:

•     Mild male factor infertility
•     Women who have problems with their cervical mucus
•     Couples with unexplained infertility

What is assisted reproductive technology (ART)?

Assisted reproductive technology (ART) is a group of different methods used to help infertile couples. ART works by removing eggs from a woman's body. The eggs are then mixed with sperm to make embryos. The embryos are then put back in the woman's body.

How often is assisted reproductive technology (ART) successful?

Success rates vary and depend on many factors. Some things that affect the success rate of ART include:

•     Age of the partners
•     Reason for infertility
•     Clinic
•     Type of ART
•     If the egg is fresh or frozen
•     If the embryo is fresh or frozen

The U.S. Centers for Disease Prevention (CDC) collects success rates on ART for some fertility clinics. According to the 2006 CDC report on ART, the average percentage of ART cycles that led to a live birth were:

•     39% in women under the age of 35
•     30% in women aged 35-37
•     21% in women aged 37-40
•     11% in women aged 41-42

ART can be expensive and time-consuming. But it has allowed many couples to have children that otherwise would not have been conceived. The most common complication of ART is multiple fetuses. But this is a problem that can be prevented or minimized in several different ways

How does age affect a woman's ability to have children? - Gynecologist in Noida, Gynecologist in Delhi

Many women are waiting until their 30s and 40s to have children. In fact, about 20 percent of women in the United States now have their first child after age 35. So age is a growing cause of fertility problems. About one-third of couples in which the woman is over 35 have fertility problems.

Aging decreases a woman's chances of having a baby in the following ways:

•     Her ovaries become less able to release eggs.
•     She has a smaller number of eggs left.
•     Her eggs are not as healthy.
•     She is more likely to have health conditions that can cause fertility problems.
•     She is more likely to have a miscarriage.

How long should women try to get pregnant before calling their doctors?

Most experts suggest at least one year. Women 35 or older should see their doctors after six months of trying. A woman's chances of having a baby decrease rapidly every year after the age of 30.

Some health problems also increase the risk of infertility. So, women should talk to their doctors if they have:

•     Irregular periods or no menstrual periods
•     Very painful periods
•     Endometriosis
•     Pelvic inflammatory disease
•     More than one miscarriage

It is a good idea for any woman to talk to a doctor before trying to get pregnant. Doctors can help you get your body ready for a healthy baby. They can also answer questions on fertility and give tips on conceiving.

4 Myths About Babies - Gynecologist in Noida, Gynecologist in Delhi

Myth 1: Babies need to poop at least once a day.
Parents often think a baby is constipated when he’s not. Newborns often have several bowel movements a day, but they may poop as little as every three to four days at about 2 months to 3 months of age, he says.If bowel movements are very hard and infrequent, or you see blood in the diaper, however, call your pediatrician.

Myth 2: Babies should be bathed daily.
The truth is, bathing removes moisture from your baby’s delicate skin, which can make it dry and irritated. Plus, sitting in soapy bathwater can irritate a girl’s urethra and potentially lead to urinary tract infections. As long as you keep your baby’s diaper area, neck and other skin creases debris-free, you can do full baths just two to three times a week.

Myth 3: Babies who achieve milestones early are gifted.
When a child first walks or talks has little or no bearing on his later successes, research shows. “Many parents support the idea of giftedness at birth, but this is not supported by the evidence,” In fact, in some cases, early “achievements” may indicate a potential problem—for example,showing an inclination to be left- or right-handed before 18 months of age (children should use both hands equally until this age).

Myth 4: Touching your baby’s soft spot can hurt his brain.
The fontanel, or soft spot, at the front of your baby’s head is a skin-covered opening in the skull that pulsates, frightening some parents. “There’s a presumption of vulnerability, but the brain is actually quite well protected,” The front fontanel typically closes at about 1 year of age, while the smaller soft spot in the back of the head usually closes at 2 months to 3 months.

Are You Gaining Enough Weight? - Gynecologist in Delhi

Ever see a super slim pregnant woman, and feel a pang of jealousy? Well, a new study published in the American Journal of Public Health might change that.

Researchers at the University of Maryland looked at over 159,000 women over the course of four years, noting how much weight they gained during pregnancy in comparison to the rates of infant mortality. It turns out, women who didn’t gain enough weight were more likely to lose their baby within the first year of birth, compared to those who put on more pounds.

Obviously, no woman wants to put her baby at risk, but remember that the study can't prove causation—it's just an association for now. Still, if you're actively trying to stay slim during pregnancy, the research does suggest a big reason not to: The infant mortality rate among mothers who didn’t gain enough weight was 3.9 percent, compared to 1.2 percent among infants of mothers who gained the suggested amount of weight, and 0.7 percent among those who gained too much.

The importance of putting on the pounds.
So, what might be going on? Researchers also looked at the infant’s death certificates, and found that the most common cause of death was fetal malnutrition, ultimately resulting in birth defects and respiratory problems.

“Today, there’s a lot of concern around remaining slim during pregnancy, but it’s a trade off for the baby,” says Sandra Hofferth, PhD, professor in the Department of Family Science at University of Maryland, and lead researcher of the study. “You need to consume enough calories in order for your baby to develop adequately, and they need to be high quality calories.” (Read: Not from a drive thru.)
How much should you gain?

Check out our BMI Calculator to determine the optimal amount of weight for you, based on your body mass index, and ask your doctor if you’re gaining a healthy amount throughout your pregnancy.
Worth noting: You don’t want to gain too much weight, either. “Even though our study showed less risk of infant mortality for mothers who gained an excessive amount of weight, too many extra pounds are harmful to the mother,” says Dr. Hofferth. (Excessive weight gain could cause heart problems, gestational diabetes, and hemorrhaging.) Remember: You really only need an extra 300 calories per day, per baby.

How do doctors treat infertility? - Female infertility specialist in Delhi& NCR

Infertility can be treated with medicine, surgery, artificial insemination, or assisted reproductive technology. Many times these treatments are combined. In most cases infertility is treated with drugs or surgery.

Doctors recommend specific treatments for infertility based on:

•     Test results
•     How long the couple has been trying to get pregnant the
•     Age of both the man and woman
•     The overall health of the partners
•     Preference of the partners

Doctors often treat infertility in men in the following ways:

• Sexual problems: Doctors can help men deal with impotence or premature ejaculation. Behavioral therapy and/or medicines can be used in these cases.
• Too few sperm: Sometimes surgery can correct the cause of the problem. In other cases, doctors surgically remove sperm directly from the male reproductive tract. Antibiotics can also be used to clear up infections affecting sperm count.
• Sperm movement: Sometimes semen has no sperm because of a block in the man's system. In some cases, surgery can correct the problem.

In women, some physical problems can also be corrected with surgery.

A number of fertility medicines are used to treat women with ovulation problems. It is important to talk with your doctor about the pros and cons of these medicines. You should understand the possible dangers, benefits, and side effects.

What medicines are used to treat infertility in women?

Some common medicines used to treat infertility in women include:

• Clomiphene citrate (Clomid): This medicine causes ovulation by acting on the pituitary gland. It is often used in women who have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or other problems with ovulation. This medicine is taken by mouth.
• Human menopausal gonadotropin or hMG (Repronex, Pergonal): This medicine is often used for women who don't ovulate due to problems with their pituitary gland. hMG acts directly on the ovaries to stimulate ovulation. It is an injected medicine.
• Follicle-stimulating hormone or FSH (Gonal-F, Follistim): FSH works much like hMG. It causes the ovaries to begin the process of ovulation. These medicines are usually injected.
• Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) analog: These medicines are often used for women who don't ovulate regularly each month. Women who ovulate before the egg is ready can also use these medicines. Gn-RH analogs act on the pituitary gland to change when the body ovulates. These medicines are usually injected or given with a nasal spray.
• Metformin (Glucophage): Doctors use this medicine for women who have insulin resistance and/or PCOS. This drug helps lower the high levels of male hormones in women with these conditions. This helps the body to ovulate. Sometimes clomiphene citrate or FSH is combined with metformin. This medicine is usually taken by mouth.
• Bromocriptine (Parlodel): This medicine is used for women with ovulation problems due to high levels of prolactin. Prolactin is a hormone that causes milk production.

Many fertility drugs increase a woman's chance of having twins, triplets, or other multiples. Women who are pregnant with multiple fetuses have more problems during pregnancy. Multiple fetuses have a high risk of being born too early (prematurely). Premature babies are at a higher risk of health and developmental problems.ture babies are at a higher risk of health and developmental problems.

- Inputs from Dr Priyamvada Senior InfertilitySpecialist, Genesis IVF

What causes infertility in women? - Infertility Specialist

Most cases of female infertility are caused by problems with ovulation. Without ovulation, there are no eggs to be fertilized. Some signs that a woman is not ovulating normally include irregular or absent menstrual periods.

Ovulation problems are often caused by polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is a hormone imbalance problem which can interfere with normal ovulation. PCOS is the most common cause of female infertility. Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) is another cause of ovulation problems. POI occurs when a woman's ovaries stop working normally before she is 40. POI is not the same as early menopause.

Less common causes of fertility problems in women include:

• Blocked Fallopian tubes due to pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, or surgery for an ectopic pregnancy
• Physical problems with the uterus
• Uterine fibroids, which are non-cancerous clumps of tissue and muscle on the walls of the uterus.

What things increase a woman's risk of infertility?

Many things can change a woman's ability to have a baby. These include:

•     Age
•     Stress
•     Poor diet
•     Athletic training
•     Being overweight or underweight
•     Smoking
•     Excess alcohol use
•     Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
•     Health problems that cause hormonal changes, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome and primary  ovarian insufficiency

- Inputs from Dr Priyamvada Senior InfertilitySpecialist, Genesis IVF

Things Mothers Really Do When Baby Sleeps - Gynecologist in Noida

What Mothers Do When Baby Sleeps

#1: Have A Shower

New mothers don’t love the fact that sometimes it can be days before they actually get the chance to step foot in a shower. If you’re a non-parent, you may wonder how this is even possible – how could a decent human let this happen?! They must have their priorities all messed up, right? But especially in the early days , baby is adjusting to life outside of the womb. Imagine what it would be like to be in the womb: a warm, dark, snug, comfortable and cosy place, with the ambient sound of a mother’s heartbeat. Being in mums arms (or in a baby carrier) is the closest place baby can be to replicate that feeling while going through such a massive adjustment. Therefore, by responding to her baby’s needs, holding her baby and getting very little sleep, it can lead to a lengthy amount of time without a shower. Unfortunately, a new mother’s showers don’t tend to be very relaxing, as a mother often worries about not hearing her baby if he or she wakes, so she rushes to get it done. Or, baby does wake up… usually as she’s just stepped into the shower and gotten all wet.

#2: Feed Themselves

It can be really hard to eat a decent meal when you have a baby in your arms all the time – especially a good, healthy meal. With a belly growling louder than a passenger aeroplane taking off, as soon as baby is down and asleep, a mother’s human instinct for food kicks in. What also kicks in is a baby’s inbuilt ‘mum is eating!’ wailing alarm, which is guaranteed to go off, just as mum takes that first bite of food.

 #3: Have A Poo

Getting out the big guns here – and I don’t mean to be crass, but we all HAVE to poo at some point. When the baby is in our arms isn’t a good time. And you can’t schedule having a poo, so sometimes you just gotta hang onto it until the baby sleeps. Urgh. Having a quiet, undisturbed poo, opposed to a rushed one while the baby is screaming, can feel like heaven to a new mother.

#4: Pay Bills And Return Phonecalls

With a long list of phone calls to return, which are usually from companies wondering when you’re going to pay their bill, this is one of the more important things mothers feel they need to sort out when their baby sleeps. Because mammas are so busy looking after baby, many things tend to slip, even the bills. There are appointments to be made, changes to policies to be made, and all sorts of administrative tasks that need to be done during business hours.

#5: Doing The Dishes

You get to the point where you get desperate after running out of clean coffee (or tea if you prefer) cups. And spoons. And plates. And bowls. And well, you get the picture.

 #6: Hanging Out The Washing

You know you’re in trouble when you start wearing a wrap around the house because all of your maternity bras, tops and pants are covered in baby spew, leaked nappy contents and your last attempt at lunch (where more landed on the baby’s head and your top than in your mouth.

#7: Prepare Dinner

A mother knows that if she can sneak in dinner preparation while baby sleeps, it will make it so much easier at night time, especially when you have to contend with the witching hour (aka arsenic hour). While full dinner preparation may not happen often, she may attempt to get vegetables peeled and cut or meat defrosted before the baby wakes again.

#8: Having A Mouthful Of Tea

Baby is asleep in bed, yay! Mum excitedly does a silent fist pump, runs straight into the kitchen and switches on the kettle. Finally, a nice, hot cup of tea. The minute her cup of tea hits her lips, baby is somehow awake. Babies just seem to know when mum is having some ‘me’ time. And mum well knows she’s going to have a stone cold cuppa… again.

#9: Getting On With Business

Some mothers have businesses to run or are on maternity leave, but have agreed to work from home. Sure, they could just say no to work, but saying no may cause a dire financial situation or stop a business from running. A mamma who is still working tends to spend every spare minute working, which can be very demanding and draining. Sleep sounds awesome, but no income does not.

 #10: Adoring Her Baby

When a baby is asleep in our arms, it can be the most beautiful thing to just stare at our babies and enjoy them, especially while they are not being so demanding of us. Staring at and adoring our babies produces oxytocin, which is great for breastfeeding and great for bonding. While some believe that a mother will create a rod for her own back by holding her baby, its actually some VERY important work. A strong, loving bond between mother and child can only mean good things for future generations – all we need is love! We should all support new mothers to hold and adore their babies as much as possible. Also, teaching babies the importance and joy of comfort teaches them how to be comforting in return. My own children are an example of this! The empathy and comfort they give friends and family is beautiful to see.

- Inputs from Dr Priyamvada Senior InfertilitySpecialist, Genesis IVF

Tea During Pregnancy – Gynecologist in Noida

Benefits of Drinking Tea During Pregnancy

Drinking herbal teas during pregnancy is certainly a wise choice when compared with caffeinated beverages.
Caffeinated drinks have a diuretic effect, reduce nutrient absorption and deplete the adrenal glands.

Meanwhile, herbal teas hydrate, provide easily assimilated nutrients and feed the body during pregnancy. They are also packed with antioxidants and vitamin C which helps lower your anxiety and stress levels. Various types of herbal teas can also reduce morning sickness symptoms and even prepare the uterus for labour!

The Safe Tea List

1. Ginger Tea
2. Nettle Tea
3. Raspberry Leaf Tea
4. Dandelion Leaf Tea
5. Peppermint Tea
6. Rooibos Tea

Teas To Avoid During Pregnancy

According to research, caffeine consumption during pregnancy (particularly over has 200mg) has been directly linked with reduced birth weights. According to this study:

“Caffeine is rapidly absorbed and crosses the placenta freely. After ingestion of 200 mg caffeine, intervillous blood flow in the placenta was found to be reduced by 25%. Cytochrome P450 1A2, the principal enzyme involved in caffeine metabolism, is absent in the placenta and the fetus.”

BMC Central has published research this year (2013) which again produced results showing that caffeine is implicated with low birth weight. They found that for a baby expected to be of average birth weight (3.6kg), it equated to a loss of 21-28 grams per 100mg of caffeine consumed per day. Caffeine also extended the length of pregnancy by 5 hours per 100mg of caffeine per day, however if you’re also a coffee drinker the news is even worse! Coffee was associated with an even longer pregnancy – 8 hours longer for every 100mg of caffeine per day.

This research illustrates the importance of keeping an eye on your caffeine consumption during pregnancy. For this reason, teas that are particularly high in caffeine should be restricted while you are pregnant.

- Inputs from Dr Priyamvada Senior InfertilitySpecialist, Genesis IVF

What are the most common reasons for infertility in women?

If your doctor suspects a problem with you, she will look at certain common problem areas:
Is there any hostility to the sperm in the vagina or the cervix?
Is there any obstruction to the passage of sperm in the vagina or the cervix?
Is the uterus in the right position?

Your doctor will also check whether your reproductive organs are functioning well. She will look for any blockages in the fallopian tubes. The fallopian tubes carry the sperm to the egg, and also carry the fertilised embryo to the uterus for successful implantation.

A blockage in the fallopian tubes can cause irreversible infertility. In our country, genital tuberculosis causes permanent blockage of the fallopian tubes. Endometriosis can also block the fallopian tubes and can cause adhesions between the pelvic organs.

Another common cause of infertility in women is problems linked to ovulation. Such problems mean that either a woman does not ovulate or she may have dysfunctional ovulation. Many women do not ovulate due to polycystic ovaries syndrome (PCOS).

Polycystic ovaries syndrome is becoming more common, particularly in young girls. In the case of irregular ovulation, getting pregnant can take longer but it usually does happen eventually. Many causes of infertility are treatable today or at least something can be done to improve your chances of conceiving. So if you suspect a problem, do consult a fertility specialist.

What is Infertility?

What is infertility?

Infertility means not being able to get pregnant after one year of trying. Or, six months, if a woman is 35 or older. Women who can get pregnant but are unable to stay pregnant may also be infertile.

Pregnancy is the result of a process that has many steps. To get pregnant:

A woman must release an egg from one of her ovaries (ovulation).
The egg must go through a Fallopian tube toward the uterus (womb).
A man's sperm must join with (fertilize) the egg along the way.
The fertilized egg must attach to the inside of the uterus (implantation).

Infertility can happen if there are problems with any of these steps.

Infertility facts

• Infertility means not being able to become pregnant, within certain parameters.
• Infertility is a common problem of about 10% of women aged 15 to 44.
• Infertility can be due to the woman (33%), the man (33%) and by both sexes or due to unknown problems (33%), approximately.
• Infertility in men can be due to varicocele, low or absent sperm count, sperm damage or certain diseases.
• Risk factors for men's infertility include alcohol and drug use, toxins, smoking, age, health problems, medicines, radiation, and chemotherapy.
• Risk factors for women's infertility include ovulation problems, blocked Fallopian tubes, uterine problems, uterine fibroids, age, stress, poor diet, athletic training, and those risk factors listed for men.
• Aging decreases a woman's fertility; after age 35 about 33% of couples have fertility problems; older women's eggs are reduced in number, not as healthy and less likely to be released by the ovary – the woman is also more likely to have a miscarriage and other health problems.
• Women under 35 should try for a year or 6 months if 35 or older to become pregnant before contacting their doctor if they have no health problems.
• Doctors use the histories of both partners and may run tests such as sperm studies, ovulation tests, ultrasound, hysterosalpingography, or laparoscopy.
• Infertility may be treated with medicine, surgery, artificial insemination, or assisted reproductive technology, based on the couples test results and other factors.
• There are multiple medicines that may be used to treat infertility in women.
• Intrauterine insemination is artificial insemination where a woman is injected with sperm into the uterus.
• ART (assisted reproductive technology) is when a woman's eggs are removed, mixed with sperm to make embryos that are placed back in the woman's body; it's successful about 11% to 39%, depending on the woman's age.
• There are several types of ART; in vitro fertilization, Zygote transfer, Gamete transfer and intracytoplasmic sperm injection.
• Surrogacy (the woman's male partner sperm is used to fertilize another woman egg and that other woman carries the fetus to term and the infant is then adopted ) is a way for some couples to obtain a baby.
• A gestational carrier is a woman who has an embryo placed in her uterus, carries the fetus to term and gives the baby to the couple (or responsible persons) that produced the embryo.

Dr Priyamvada SeniorInfertility Specialist, Genesis IVF

Dr Priyamvada Senior Infertility Specialist, Genesis IVF

Usually pay quite a handsome amount for surrogacy. Unfortunately, the surrogate mother barely receives Rs. 2-3 lakh because of the absence of a central regulatory authority. Couples faced with infertility can resort to full or partial Surrogacy. Full surrogacy involves the implantation of an embryo created using one of the following:

• The eggs and sperm of the intended parents
•  A donated egg fertilised with sperm from the intended father
• A embryo using donor eggs and sperm

Partial surrogacy, however involves sperm from the intended father and an egg from the surrogate. Here, fertilisation is usually done by artificial insemination or intrauterine insemination (IUI).

           

     - Inputs from Dr Priyamvada Senior InfertilitySpecialist, Genesis IVF

5 tips to make traveling easier during pregnancy

As your bump grows bigger and bigger, chances are your dreams of foreign adventures or sojourns to other parts of the country will diminish considerably. It's not that a vacation isn't needed – in fact, at many points during pregnancy, it may feel much-deserved – the fact is, most mothers-to-be have bigger things on their minds than a trip, like getting ready for baby.

But during pregnancy, some trips are non-negotiable, like a planned stay at a relative's house. This can be a pleasant experience for some, but other women struggle to feel comfortable while traveling. With these five tips, going from place to place during pregnancy can be easier than ever before.

1. Talk to a healthcare provider
Before you take any kind of extended trip, reach out to your doctor to ensure that it's OK for you to do so. This may be just a quick check-up, but it can be important for you and your partner to gain peace of mind before you embark on an adventure together.

2. Prepare for the unexpected
Even the best-laid plans can become a mess due to unexpected hiccups or delays, but when you're pregnant, this can take on a whole new dimension. When you're pregnant, you may be fighting the urge all day long not to put your feet up or sprawl out on your favorite sofa to relax after a tense day, but while you're traveling, you may not feel this is so easy to do.
While you may not be within the comfort of your own domain, by planning for potential issues – including health troubles, discomfort or sudden feelings of tiredness – you may be able to feel calm.

3. Plan for comfort
Whether you travel by bus, plane or car, comfort is key during pregnancy for making sure you get to your destination without delay. If you're traveling in a vehicle, you may want to pack along a neck pillow, ear plugs and a blanket so that you can relax throughout the ride, while having bottled water, snacks and spare bags in case you get motion sickness can help you feel at ease during the journey.

4. Pack your healthcare documents
You never know what kind of potential hazards you could encounter while you're away from home, which is why it's so essential that you do your best to manage your health while you can. One of the best ways to reduce the potential for pregnancy complications is to bring all of your relevant healthcare documents with you, as this can make you prepared to manage any potential challenges.

5. Know your limits
When it comes to traveling during pregnancy, women should be especially careful during their third trimesters, as this can be a dangerous period for being on an airplane.
Although this can be different for each airline provider, most recommend that women who are in the final weeks of their pregnancies avoid this mode of travel, as it could lead to potential health risks. Additionally, most healthcare providers urge women not to travel after 36 weeks of pregnancy unless in the event of an emergency.

- Inputs from Dr Priyamvada Senior Infertility Specialist,Genesis IVF

6 Baby Games to Boost Your Child's Brain Power

Newborn to 3 Months

PLAY A GAME: Where's Mommy?
Newborns have an innate fascination with voices, but they're not able to locate the source of a sound. To help your little one fine-tune this sense and also learn that his family provides laughter and smiles, place him in the middle of a bed or in an infant seat or hold him in your arms; get close to his face and talk or sing to him. Walk back and forth in front of him as you continue to talk and sing.

Developmental skills: Listening; visual and social development

3 to 6 Months

PLAY A GAME: Airplane Baby
Help comfort your cranky baby—or simply have fun together—with this classic game. To start, hold him under his chest and belly, tummy down. (Be sure to support his neck if he doesn't yet have head control.) Swing him gently back and forth.

Developmental skills: Upper-body strength; tactile stimulation; trust.

6 to 9 Months

PLAY A GAME: Knee Rides
Once your baby has good head control, prop her up on your knees and gently bounce her as you babble or sing. Babbling supports her early efforts to communicate with sounds other than crying. When she says, "aahh," say, "aahh" in return; when she says, "goo," nod and say, "goo" back. Then try stretching out the words and adding to them ("ooh" becomes "ooooh-wah!").

Developmental skills: Listening; language and social development.

9 to 12 Months

PLAY A GAME: Peekaboo!
Peekaboo is a classic favorite with babies: First Mommy's there, then Mommy's gone, and then she's back again. Sometime around 6 or 7 months, babies start to understand that objects continue to exist even if they can't see them. Use your hands or hold a blanket or towel infront of your face, whisk it away and call, "Peekaboo!"

Developmental skills: Object permanence; social development.

12 to 18 Months

PLAY A GAME: Bubbles for Baby
Watching bubbles float through the air helps your baby practice her visual skills. Trying to swat at them is excellent practice for budding eye-hand coordination. Aiming large bubbles at a blanket or carpet gives older babies a chance to catch them. Bubbles billowing outside are especially enchanting.

Developmental skills: Cause-and-effect; eye-hand coordination; visual development.

18 to 24 Months

PLAY A GAME: I'm Gonna Get You!
Babies love to be chased and surprised. Start crawling or running after your baby, saying, "I'm gonna get you!" Then gently grab him and say, "Igot you!" Lift him up in the air, kiss his neck and tickle his ribs, but keep it gentle. A good game of chase will keep him on his toes as a toddler and evolve into classic big-kids games such as hide-and-seek and tag.

Developmental skills: Gross-motor skills; social development; balance; trust.

Things Every Pregnant Mamma Must Do Before Giving Birth

So take some time out before then to be selfish and indulge yourself.

Pregnant Mamma Bucket List Item #1: Have A Girly Night

Whether you head out for an evening of mocktails, or hide indoors in front of a good film, invite all of your besties over for some quality time. A few hours of laughing with friends could be all you need to feel revitalised. The great thing about best friends is that they always know exactly what you need – whether you need hilarious date disaster stories, or a shoulder to cry on, they’ll know just how to help.

Pregnant Mamma Bucket List Item #2: Paint Your Toe Nails

Or, more likely, ask someone to paint them for you. You may not even be sure you have toes anymore, since it’s been so long since you last saw them. Rest assured though, they are still there – and very much in need of painting. Treat yourself to a pedicure at your favourite salon, or ask a friend to paint your nails for you.

Pregnant Mamma Bucket List Item #3: Have A Massage

Pregnancy isn’t easy on the body, and you may find yourself suffering from aches and pains as you enter the final trimester. A prenatal massage can help – a qualified masseuse will be able to ease your aches and pains, relieve tension in your muscles, and help you to feel relaxed. If budget is an issue, organise a do-it-yourself massage at home. Invest in some massage oil (coconut oil is a great option) and a massage ball, and ask your designated masseuse to spend a few minutes watching how to videos online. Turn out the lights, play some calming music and enjoy a lengthy massage in the comfort of your own home.

Pregnant Mamma Bucket List Item #4: Get Away

Pack a bag, grab your partner and whisk him off into the sunset to grab some much-needed couple time before the baby arrives. Once you become a family of three, your time alone with your partner will be limited. Nights away will need months of forward planning, dedicated babysitters, and plenty of location restrictions based on distance away from the baby. Make the most of your last months of freedom (just kidding, you’ll still have freedom – you get a second chance at it in about 18 years) and disappear to wherever takes your fancy. If you already have children, you might like to take them with you, or try and arrange friends or family to help out for a quick holiday away before the next family member arrives. Tight for cash? Give housesitting a try.

Pregnant Mamma Bucket List Item #5: Take Some Bump Shots

You may not love your bump now, but one day in the not too distant future, you won’t quite be able to believe just how big you got. Make sure you have some photographs of you and your bump before it disappears. You can take the photos yourself, ask a friend to do it, or even hire a professional photographer to capture some frame-worthy shots. A belly cast is another great alternative to remembering your bump, which you can have professionally painted if you wish!

Pregnant Mamma Bucket List Item #6: Go To The Cinema

This may not sound overly exciting, but there will come a time when you yearn for a simple trip to your local cinema. One day, as you sit in front of the television showing nothing but repeats, covered in baby sick, baby snot and the everyday grime that accompanies motherhood, you will wish you could waltz out of the door to the cinema. Lash out and have a Gold Class (upgraded) session if you can afford it – you can put your feet up and enjoy the movie in total comfort!

Pregnant Mamma Bucket List Item #7: Visit Your Favourite Restaurant

Go on, you deserve it. Pregnancy is tough – even the most plain sailing pregnancy has its fair shares of grumbles, so give yourself a much needed treat. Make the most of your last few weeks as a family of two (or more!), and head out of the door without having to organise a babysitter or changing bag, and enjoy a delicious feast at your favourite eatery.

Pregnant Mamma Bucket List Item #8: Read A Book

Run yourself a nice, warm bubble bath, choose a book off your to-read pile, and let your fingers and toes get wrinkly. You may imagine yourself having plenty of time to read whilst on maternity leave, but while you may manage the odd book, you probably won’t be spending many hours leafing through novels under shady trees. You may even find that the only books you manage to read during maternity leave, are baby books. So make the most of these final few months of pregnancy by reading some good books cover to cover.

Pregnant Mamma Bucket List Item #9: Catch Up With Friends

Pregnancy is the perfect time to catch up with old friends. Make plans to meet up with old friends, and spend time on the phone chatting to long distance friends. It can be that little bit harder to keep in touch when the baby arrives, simply because you’ll be so busy, so spend time catching up with everyone during pregnancy.

Pregnant Mamma Bucket List Item #10: Write About It

Pregnancy is such a wonderful time, as you approach the unknowns of motherhood, you may find yourself spending time reflecting on your feelings. Take this opportunity to write down your thoughts and feelings as the birth approaches. If you are planning to keep a baby book detailing the first year of your baby’s life, this would make a great first entry.

Pregnant Mamma Bucket List Item #11: Have A Blessingway

You may or may not have had a baby shower, but a blessingway is all about getting your favourite women together and making it all about the mother-to-be. There’s no gift giving (although you could definitely class everyone’s presence and support as a gift) but instead, its all about preparing you emotionally and spiritually for birth. They are absolutely amazing and leave you overflowing with love and laughter.

Know more...

Let's Talk About Breastfeeding

How long do you think you should talk to your prenatal doctor about breastfeeding? While you may not have a specific amount of time in mind, if the duration 39 seconds sounds a bit short, it is. But a new study published in Gynecology found just that: Researchers recorded conversations from people’s first prenatal visits, and found that doctors spent an average of 39 seconds talking to women about breastfeeding.

Even more concerning: They found that doctors initiated breastfeeding discussions only 29 percent of the time. And even then, they sounded ambivalent about the topic.

“They usually asked a brief question, like ‘breast or bottle?," just to make a note of it,’” says obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences “But it’s important to discuss the benefits—and challenges—of breastfeeding early on so that women have the tools they need to prepare.” After all, you may encounter breastfeeding problems, so it’s important to know how you’ll address them ahead of time, and why it’s worth overcoming them in the first place.

If your doctor hasn’t discussed breastfeeding with you yet—speak up! Ask her about the breastfeeding benefits for mom and baby, and what you should know about lactation consultants, nutrition, alcohol, medication, and any existing health issues in relation to breastfeeding.

Symptoms and Signs of Breat Cancer

Every person should know the symptoms and signs of breast cancer, and any time an abnormality is discovered, it should be investigated by a

healthcare

professional.   Most people who have breast cancer symptoms and signs will initially notice only one or two, and the presence of these symptoms and signs do not automatically mean that you have breast cancer.
By performing monthly breast self-exams, you will be able to more easily identify any changes in your breast.  Be sure to talk to your healthcare professional if you notice anything unusual.

A change in how the breast or nipple feels

• Nipple tenderness or a lump or thickening in or near the breast or underarm area
• A change in the skin texture or an enlargement of pores in the skin of the breast  (some describe this as similar to an orange peel’s texture)
• A lump in the breast (It’s important to remember that all lumps should be investigated by a healthcare professional, but not all lumps are cancerous.)

A change in the breast or nipple appearance

• Any unexplained change in the size or shape of the breast
• Dimpling anywhere on the breast
• Unexplained swelling of the breast (especially if on one side only)
• Unexplained shrinkage of the breast (especially if on one side only)
• Recent asymmetry of the breasts (Although it is common for women to have one breast that is slightly larger than the other, if the onset of asymmetry is recent, it should be checked.)
• Nipple that is turned slightly inward or inverted
• Skin of the breast, areola, or nipple that becomes scaly, red, or swollen or may have ridges or pitting resembling the skin of an orange

Any nipple discharge—particularly clear discharge or bloody discharge

It is also important to note that a milky discharge that is present when a woman is not breastfeeding should be checked by her doctor, although it is not linked with breast cancer.

Scrotal heating and sedentary position

Testicular descent into the scrotum normally occurs by birth in boys and failure of testicular descent, especially when this extends into puberty and adulthood, results in absence of spermatogenesis. The testes descend into the scrotum in order that their temperature can be kept 3–4°C below core body temperature, as maintenance at normal body temperature is incompatible with spermatogenesis. It is probably also important that the testes are descended into the bottom of the scrotum rather than being placed at the top where their proximity to the body surface is likely to impair cooling of the testis. This is mentioned because it is reckoned that failure of the testes to descend into the bottom of the scrotum should probably be classified as a form of cryptorchidism . As well as testis position, the two other key elements in ensuring cooling of the testis are the presence of a vascular-rich corrugated scrotal surface via which heat loss can occur and the presence of an arterio-venous plexus (the pampiniform plexus) in the spermatic cord and which functions as a heat exchanger to cool incoming blood to the testis by heat exchange with the cooler venous blood that is exiting the testis . Normal functioning of this plexus is important for maintaining testicular coolness, and it is potentially susceptible to disruption by chemicals or by vascular-active drugs disorders such as varicocele in which the veins in the plexus are varicosed . However, even if the pampiniform plexus is functioning normally, it cannot cool the incoming arterial blood to the testis unless the blood leaving the testis is already itself cool, and this requires heat loss via the scrotal surface and its transmission to the underlying testes. Therefore, anything that impedes scrotal heat loss will affect testicular temperature and in turn any elevation of testicular temperature will have a harmful effect on spermatogenesis. In general, the more prolonged is the elevation in testicular temperature, then the greater will be the detrimental effect on spermatogenesis 

 

The most obvious things that can affect scrotal heat loss are a febrile illness such as influenza, exposure to an exogenous heat source, such as occupationally (bakers, welders, foundry workers) or via taking a hot bath . Based on experimental studies in laboratory animals, a 30 min soak in a moderately hot bath (40–42°C) impairs spermatogenesis  and, more importantly, it can induce germ cell apoptosis, DNA damage to the sperm and impair embryo development and fertility when ‘affected’ males are mated with normal females (Paul et al. 2008a,b). Follow-up studies have provided insight into the mechanisms involved (Paul et al. 2009). These have shown that heat exposure causes hypoxia and oxidative stress responses in the germ cells, manifest as increased expression of hypoxia inducible factor 1α, haem oxygenase 1, glutathione peroxidase 1 and glutathione-S-transferase-α, which push the germ cells towards apoptosis (Paul et al. 2009). Perhaps of more concern is if mild oxidative DNA damage is induced such that the germ cells continue their development into sperm, as this is associated with increased time for such sperm to initiate a pregnancy in humans (Loft et al. 2003). The adverse effects of scrotal heating on spermatogenesis and fertility are equally evident in non-human primates (Lue et al. 2002). Exposure to heat in other situations, such as in a hot shower, would have minimal effect as the scrotum is still able to thermo-regulate (it is not immersed in water) and a similar situation applies to saunas, although spending a long time in very hot saunas is detrimental.

 

Arguably of more concern are lifestyle and occupational factors that cause men to spend a long time in a sedentary position, something that has become common for many men working in Western countries today (figure 2). When seated, air does not circulate so easily around the scrotum and therefore there is less-efficient cooling, an effect likely to be exacerbated if wearing tight underpants or trousers. In studies of men in whom scrotal temperature was measured continuously in relation to position and activity, scrotal temperature increased progressively with duration of sedentation, and this was associated with lower sperm counts (Hjollund et al. 2000, 2002a,b). Studies in lorry and taxi drivers, who spend a long time seated, have also produced evidence for detrimental effects on semen quality (Figa-Talamanca et al. 1996; Bujan et al. 2000). However, overall, the relationship between time spent seated and poor semen quality is not suggestive of a major impact on fertility (Hjollund et al. 2000, 2002b;Stoy et al. 2004). Other studies have investigated the impact of wearing tight versus loose underwear and reached similar conclusions (Mieusset & Bujan 1995b). The most recent scenario investigated has been the impact on scrotal temperature of using a laptop computer (Sheynkin et al. 2005). It is perhaps more likely that scrotal heating may combine with or exacerbate adverse effects of other environmental/lifestyle factors and that only then will there be a significant impact on fertility (Lue et al. 2000).

 

Scrotal heating has been investigated as a potential contraceptive method in men and shown to be effective (Mieusset & Bujan 1995a). However, other studies that have tried to link more modest elevations in scrotal temperature (such as those associated with sedentary position) to infertility have not shown major or consistent associations, as outlined above. Nevertheless, it is common sense that any factor that impedes normal cooling of the scrotum/testes can only have an adverse effect on spermatogenesis, and it is therefore prudent to advise all men who are attempting to father a pregnancy, especially if they are known to have low sperm counts or low sperm motility, to take steps to minimize scrotal heating by any of the pathways mentioned above—where this has been done in a controlled way, the results have been positive (Jung et al. 2001). Such small lifestyle changes can only have a beneficial effect on spermatogenesis.

New Method to Detect Genetic defects in Egg cells could Double Success Rate of IVF

Infertility affects up to 15 percent of couples around the world, and in virto fertilization (IVF) is one way to treat this common condition. A study published by cell press December 19^th in the journal cell reveals a safe, accurate, and low-cost thereby increase a couple’s chance of producing a healthy child.

Through whole-genome sequencing of individual egg cells, the new method detects chromosomal abnormalities and DNA sequence variations associated with genetic disorders. “In the way, we kill two birds with one stone: one setoff deep sequencing analysis to avid two types of genetic problem,” says study author Jie Qiao of Third Hospital, Peking University. “Theoretically, if this works perfectly, we will be able to double the success rate of test tube baby technology from 30 percent to 60 percent or even more.”

The IVF procedure involves joining a woman’s egg and a man’s sperm in a laboratory dish and then transferring embryos into the woman’s womb. Various procedures are currently available to detect genetic defects in embryos prior to implantation, but these approaches are often invasive, requiring the removal of cells from the growing embryo,  and do not simultaneously detect both chromosomal abnormalities and DNA sequence  variations associated with genetic disorders.

Researchers have recently developed whole-genome sequencing methods too simultaneously detect both types of defects in single human sperm cells, but until now, an analogous approach had not been applied to egg cells even though chromosomal abnormalities are much more common in egg cells than in sperm cells.

In the new study, Sunney Xie of Peking University and Harvard University teamed up with Qiao and Fuchou Tang of Peking University to develop a method for sequencing the entire genomes of polar bodies – cells that arise as a byproduct of egg cell division and often die later on.

Because polar bodies are dispensable for human embryonic development, they can be safety removed without harming the embryo. “We are now starting a clinical trial based on this approach,” Xie says.  “If the clinical trial works, this technique could enormously increase the success rate of IVF, especially for older women or women who have had recurrent  miscarriages.”