ART in HIV Positive

Extending the Family with ART in HIV Positive

ART stands for assisted reproductive technologies and it can be used by the duos who are HIV discordant couples. HIV discordant couples are those in which the male is HIV positive and female is HIV negative. One of the technologies which can be used in ART is IVF. The main concern of ART is the safety and risk to the offspring of such a couple. It aims at maximizing the safety for the newborn. Today even the people who are infected with HIV are living longer and experiencing improved health than in previous times. There are so many advancements in the treatments, which could let the person suffering from HIV live longer.

In addition, there are so many techniques, which may lead to a reduction in the risk of transmission of the disease. One of such process is sperm washing. Usually, heterosexual transmission of the virus is very low but a risk always is there. So, to be sure the person who is suffering from it must take care and go through the treatment processes. The technique sperm washing is used to remove all that which is contained in the sperm nut actual material which is used to get the women pregnant. Until now about 300 children have been born using this technique. Sperm washing technique is offered by various centers in Italy and Spain. Extending the family with ART in HIV positive has been improved through many procedures. It is considered that the child may be born uninfected but the health, safety and welfare of the child may be compromised.

Therefore, it is a much-needed concern about giving ART to HIV discordant couple. It has been published many times that the child born to any HIV infected parent is less likely to have a normal and healthy life. The risk of transfer of virus is minimized when the parents undergo this treatment. HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus and it is the reason behind AIDS which stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. It creates the conditions in which the immune system of the infected person is suffering from failure and it allows all types of life threatening viruses to attack the body of infected. The cost required for the procedures also seems to be reasonable. HIV has many classifications further and it requires immediate treatment in order to live longer is infected. IVF stands for in vitro fertilization and it is a process in which the egg is fertilized by the sperm. It is the major treatment technique where many other methods included in the ART technique have failed. The risk of transmission of the virus can be minimized by employing well trained staff and well equipped laboratory to be used. The sperm washing technique is very expensive but when the service is considered, the cost seems to be reasonable. The techniques are expected to produce more benefits than harm to the people involved in the process. Access can be denied in certain situation where the necessary conditions are not met by the people. There are many questions which arise when it comes to the delivering the ART services by a health care professional as follows:

• Do the health care professionals have an obligation in providing the ART techniques to required people?
• If the health care professional denies the access to such methods and uninfected partner or the child becomes infectious through unprotected sex, then who would be held responsible for that.
• Is the method in ART is legal or not. And if not what would be the problems that the people involved in it may have to suffer.
• Can the methods described in ART can be justified on medical and non-medical grounds.

The cost is usually in factor in such methods but it must not be a limitation on providing harmless treatment and a long living chance. The cost must not be the reason of denied or restricted access for the people who are in need. Some may also think that it is unethical to perform such activities and giving birth to children through such methods. But it is a process which helps to save many lives by not letting the virus transmits to the uninfected people. These methods must not be available on the basis of race or caste because that would be discrimination. It must be available universally. According to a survey in many centers in the United States of America, almost all the clinics do not provide all the necessary and relevant information to their clients and offers limited access which is not sufficient. Some of the clinics do not even treat people who have a bad history like events of child abuse or excessive alcohol consumption. Couples would definitely want to have kids and if that desire is to have natural children it needs no justifications. But if they are not healthy enough to participate in natural process, they must be denied the access to such a method which would provide them a chance to become parents. There are many reasons which encourage the desire of having a child which are as follows:

• Liking for children and a desire to have them.
• Pressure from older baby to have younger ones.
• To provide a brother or sister to older children.
• To avoid having an only child
• To replace the child who has died and to fill the incompleteness in the family
• Desire to have a child of each sex
• Having children without any reasons

There are no certain aspects on which it can be measured that who can be a good parent. And it seems unjustified to access it when we have techniques using which every parent can be a good parent. The risk of transmitting the virus to an uninfected partner or a child has been the major concern. This leads to the belief of some people that HIV positive people must not have children but they may not know about ART or IVF techniques.

Egg Donation Can Make HIV Individuals Smile

How Egg Donation Can Make HIV Infected Individuals Smile

Introduction

There are a number of problems faced by the people who are HIV positive in having their own children. The biggest threat for them to have their own baby is getting HIV infected. In addition, they wants that their children live the same life with discrimination what they are living.

The doctors should evaluate problems faced by the patients. Because there are many things, which need to be assessed like family conditions, functioning, social conditions which are an integral part of the human’s life. These things confirm the stability of the patient’s life. As there are different conditions prevailing in the homes of single parents, teenage parents and homosexual parents. So to fight with these conditions, health providers also check on the behaviour of the children living in these types of environments.

If you are suffering from HIV and you still want to become parents and have babies. Then stop yourself from becoming a mother of a child. There are large numbers of options available for those women who are HIV positive and want to have children. Those women who are pregnant or wants to be pregnant, they should meet Dr. Reeta Bakshi at the International Fertility Centre (IFC). They provide you the best healthcare provider who will help in you conceiving. They will provide you the medications during the period you conceive, labour and delivering the baby, so that your child not is infected with the disease.

Different Methods Of Bearing Child

Generally HIV infected parents are becoming more burdened with the coming of children, especially if the child is also HIV positive. They have to bear the same problems what their parents are going through. The primary care health providers try to ease the burden.

Antiretroviral drugs are the drugs, which are administered to those women who are HIV positive during their second trimester pregnancy. Therefore, you need to visit to agencies like IFC where they will make sure of your safety during pregnancy. Many patients use these drugs before they are pregnant, but it would be better to consult any doctor and choose the best treatment available. Never hide that you are HIV positive when you are going to visit any doctor, even during delivery of the child. This will ensure you and your child safety during delivery.

Sperm washing, artificial insemination, in-vitro fertilization are better options but still if you are not convinced with these types of methods then you should opt for the egg donation. Donor eggs or donor embryos are the best option for those who are HIV positive and chances of getting it transmitted to the children.

Many egg donors are available to you. However, it is a good idea to consider those who are registered egg donors. Therefore, it would be a legal step to visit the IFC where you can get all information about the donor and make a contract with them. Even sometimes donor also visits couples to see the child after birth. If you want to find a donor yourself, then you can but you have to interrogate yourself to the donor. If you visit, the clinic there would be professional screening and evaluation of the donor. In addition, it is very much important that you should test the donor that not infected with any genetic disease or HIV, etc. even this thing should be also considered by those women’s who for the donor sperm.
 

Egg Donor Programmes

There are different types of egg donor programs, which vary according to the requirements. But generally most of the egg donor programs are very much extensive while their screening and hence gives you the full information about the donor from her background, medical history and education. Even these programs also age specific, as some of them do not allow the donor's age more than 30s. For example in the case of the American Society for the Reproductive Medicine who only opts for the donors below the age of 34 years.

Egg donation and implantation procedure is very much similar to the in-vitro fertilisation treatment. The woman who is going to receive the egg will be administered with the hormones like the progesterone or oestrogen to make her active for receiving eggs. The same hormones are given to the donor so that when the ovulation occurs, this causes super ovulation. When the eggs are ready, they will be given to the recipient.

Today’s Requirement For A Gestational Carrier

As half of the genetic material is inherited from the egg donor, so in that case parents look upon on the health of the egg donor as they consider the characteristics of the child the most important thing that cannot be ignored. Therefore, they are much concerned about the medical history, educational background and the personality characteristics of the egg donor. So every parent has his own big list of the features and priorities that they wanted to see in their child.

However, the prior selection of the surrogate carrier, you should consider the fact that what would be your equation with her? Is she will be your friend, or a relative or any neighbour? Because this matters a lot as the things are changed after the transfer of the egg. It might be possible that the carrier has her own family, requirements and priorities due to which she doesn’t able to reach all your expectations. So for that it’s necessary that you should be quite patient in this regard.

A gestational carrier should bear few things for receiving egg that is a full time, normal, uncomplicated delivery. Therefore, that in case she would not face any problem while conceiving pregnancy. Not be addicted with any type of drug or alcoholic problems and have a normal healthy lifestyle. There should be a medical policy insuring pregnancy and delivery of a female. A complete psychological and reproductive evaluation of the gestational carrier is a must.

Conclusion

Therefore, we can conclude that the Egg donation is the safest method for those who are suffering from the HIV. It causes the increase in the fertility and delivery rate of the babies. It brings a hope for those patients who dream of having their own child HIV free, enjoy a discriminated, and burden free life in the society.

IVF - Blessing For HIV Positive Parents

IVF, A Blessing For HIV Positive Parents

For HIV positive parents, in vitro fertilisation proves to be a boon in their lives and brings a lot of joy and happiness. For getting this happiness you should visit Dr. Reeta Bakshi, where you will instructed certain guidelines what you should do before going to conceive. Improved techniques of treatment and prior care of the HIV patients in a certain way have caused the decrease in the rate of transmission of disease from parents to the offspring’s. It has decreased to the less than 1 per cent of the rate of transmission. This results increase in the birth rate of the babies by the HIV positive women.  In case, if you are also suffering from the HIV, then do not hesitate and visit International Fertility Centre (IFC). Here are some guidelines, which are being provided to the patients of HIV positive in case they want to have their own children. This important piece of information will definitely help you in bringing up your child in this beautiful world safely. This is very much necessary for to have a healthy pregnancy and HIV free baby.

Always take folic acid in the first trimesters as well as before you conceive. It should not be more than 1 mg per day present in vitamins. This diminishes the chances of a defect in the neural tube.

Drugs for recreation, smoking and drinking should be give up while pregnancy. Get vaccination for any types of disease that is having chances of transfer from you to your baby like the German measles.

Go for the test of sexually transmitted disease even if you do not any symptoms of it in you. These symptoms aren’t being easily noticed. However, this can be dangerous for your baby and could be easily getting transferred.

To reduce the chances of transmission, you should take anti HIV drugs during the pregnancy. Even it is also given to the baby in the first six weeks after the birth.

Before planning for pregnancy, do not forget to consult your HIV specialist doctor so that he can ensure that you are ready to conceive and in good health as well as not on any medication that can be harmful to your baby. There are few drugs, which are prohibited during pregnancy but are used for the HIV patients. Even those drugs, which are taken for the hepatitis also, harm the baby, even the male partner is taking it.

Assisted reproduction technologies are the methods, which are developed to make sure that the transmission is decreased. These techniques need the help of doctors, where the sperm is fertilized with the help of them. There are many fertility issues with the HIV positive parents, and they had problems in getting pregnant. Therefore, for that they visit the fertility clinics where the doctors assist them. There are different techniques like the intra-vaginal insemination, intrauterine insemination but the most successful one of them is the in-vitro fertilization.

In-vitro fertilization is done outside the body where the egg productions are stimulated with the help of drugs. After the egg is ready for fertilization, In vitro fertilisation is the treatment method in which the fertilisation of an egg by the sperm takes place outside the female body. It played a major role in making the barren individuals into the fertile parents when the other processes of making infertile into reproductive are failed. In this process, the woman’s ovulation is precisely monitored and ovum is removed and fertilized with the sperm in the medium prepared in the lab.
 
In vitro simply means carrying out biological experiments outside the organism whereas in vivo means carrying out that process in any living tissue i.e. in an organism. Even you can also opt for the surrogate mother who can carry your baby in her womb and give birth. They are also called the gestational carriers. They carry your baby and give birth. However, it does not mean that you can make any women ready to become the surrogate mother of your child. There are certain legal and medical formalities that you have to undergo before giving surrogacy of your child to someone.

There are a few fertility clinics for considering HIV positive patients due to the complications, which they have to face while delivering the baby. IFC is the fertility clinics whom consider the HIV patients. As you go to any fertility clinic you have to ask them prior that they have any HIV positive patient or not because all fertility clinics not do this. Even the cost factor also matters a lot which keeps on varying with the patient’s severity of the problem in getting pregnant. Every time you visit they will charge the same doctor in case of failure of the previous try for conceiving, same amount.

Therefore, there are many issues regarding the pregnancy of the HIV positive women what she has to face in their lives. However, there is no need to lose hope of having your own child. Adoption is the safest technique that is adopted by the parents who are HIV positive. Why do you have to lose hope of bringing up your own child? The risk factor of transmission is still there but the happiness of giving birth to child cannot be experienced in anything else. There is risk that your child is infected with some neural defects or the HIV disease but small precautions make her safe from this also. What you need to then? You have to take efforts for bringing up your safe and HIV free child in this world.

Never hesitate and shy from your doctor. Before you visit nay clinic for delivering your baby, do not forget to tell them that you are HIV positive. This is not for making them alert that you are HIV positive but to make them an environment favourable for your delivery and safety of your child. In vitro fertilisation has made a big achievement especially in the case of HIV patients. We just need to a bit protective and aware of these technologies to make our world happiest place to live.

Surrogacy - Option for HIV Positive Couples

Can surrogacy be an option for HIV positive couples?

HIV has become one of the biggest challenges in the modern world. Although there is an extensive research being carried out at various medical laboratories worldwide, but none of them has got any major breakthrough to eradicate this deadly ailment completely. However, there has been a great development regarding prevention and control of HIV through powerful medicines and many HIV positive patients can live normal life for a longer time. There are cases where one or both partners are infected and extending family becomes a big question for such couples. Doctors strictly prohibit them from doing so because of the obvious reason. There is a very high possibility (almost 100%) of the baby getting infected from HIV by birth.

Few years back, there was no possibility of enjoying the biggest charm of the life. Adopting a child was always there as an option, but it was not a biological sibling. Raising an adopted child needs tremendous determination and unconditional love that might not be the case for every infected couple. A genetic baby would have the natural affection and pull and hence it is always preferred. The advancement in the reproductive medical science has opened so many innovative avenues for biological pregnancy for such couples. There are many cases where HIV infection in the couple is not that critical and they can live a smooth and long life with proper medication and care. Having a genetic child without the risk of transferring the risk of HIV is a real win-win situation for both, the baby and the parents.

An infertility clinic like International Fertility Centre receives many such cases every year and Dr. Rita Bakshi and her team take every case as a new challenge. The expertise and command over the subject plays a major role in achieving success for surrogacy of HIV positive parents. India has become the preferred destination for infertility, surrogacy and egg donation cases and not only domestic, but a lot of foreign national are coming to India every year to avail world class facilities in a much cheaper amount.

Challenges faced by HIV positive couples

Being HIV positive is the biggest challenge of the life. There are couple where either or both are infected by HIV. There are many challenges in front of them. Risk of life is obviously there, but modern medicines and treatment methods have increased the chances of living much healthier life for a longer time. Extending family is still a matter of concern and doctors never recommend pregnancy for them. The immune system gets weakened and there is a great risk of infection. Pregnancy is a long-term process and infections must be avoided during this period. The situation is absolutely frustrating and challenging.

What is surrogacy?

Surrogacy is a process of carrying out the pregnancy and childbirth through some other woman than the genetic mother. It is an invention of the modern medical science and has been used successfully to make parenthood possible for such parents that otherwise unable to enjoy that due to various reasons. The option of surrogacy is suggested to a couple when the mother is incapable of bearing the pregnancy or instructed not to go for it due to problems like HIV. The parents may or may provide matured egg and sperm for the fertilization process. Infertility clinics play as mediators and coordinators in the process. Right from hiring the right surrogate, arranging legal experts for preparation and signing the contract, taking care of the medical process, getting the baby delivered and handed over it to the intended parents; infertility clinic and their experts play an important role.
 

How surrogacy is carried out for the HIV positive couples?

Surrogacy helps the HIV positive couple a lot and the biggest challenge of pregnancy and delivery becomes easy by this method. There is devastating difference between the normal surrogacy and the surrogacy for a couple infected from HIV. In case of normal surrogacy, the process becomes much simple once the basic tests are carried out. In case of surrogacy for HIV positive couple, the increased risk of HIV infection makes it extremely critical to monitor very closely.

There has to be absolute transparency among all the parties and the surrogate mother and the couple must establish a trust and rapport before going forward for the process.
Surrogate mother has to take specific medicines to reduce the risk of getting infected from HIV. The baby also needs to take HIV preventive medicines for the first few weeks after birth.
Doctors use a special technique of 'sperm washing' before going for artificial insemination. The sperms are taken from the male partner and disinfected for HIV in the laboratory. Doctors can choose Intra-vaginal insemination, Intra-uterine insemination or In-vitro fertilization techniques according to the need.
Surrogate mother has to undergo continuous monitoring during the pregnancy.

Points to ponder by infertility clinics

The responsibility of the infertility clinic like IFC increases tremendously in case of such type of surrogacy. The doctors need to be extremely alert and attentive towards any signs of abnormality.
The couple and surrogate mother and her family has to be on the same page while deciding for the pregnancy. There should not be any ambiguity and confusion regarding the risk factors.
Insurance coverage and financial security plays a major role in such cases and therefore it has to be planned properly.
During pregnancy and post-natal care and monitoring would ensure that there are no chances of infection even after the birth takes place. Dr. Rita Bakshi underlines its necessity and work keenly towards providing the best care at IFC.

As we understood, it is not at all a wise decision to conceive by the couple affected from HIV. There is no point in transmitting a fatal disease to the siblings. The chances of getting infected by other virus and bacteria are very high in case of such pregnancy because of the weakened immune system. Surrogacy comes as a fantastic option for such couples since the entire process of pregnancy and childbirth takes place in the body of surrogate mother. Doctors can decide whether HIV infected couple can donate the sperm and eggs for the fertilization process. In case they are unable to do the same, then donor's help can be obtained. There is absolutely no doubt that the couple has to compromise with the genetic relation with the baby, either partially or fully depending on the individual case. However, they can at least have a chance to enjoy parenthood. This all is possible due to the advance medical techniques in the modern world.

Being infected from HIV is no more a hindrance in enjoying parenthood; the modern medical science has made it possible for them!

ART Bill is Significant in Surrogacy

Why ART Bill is significant in Surrogacy

There is a need of surrogate pregnancy for those couples who are unable to give birth to a baby through normal natural way. The mother is capable of producing healthy and a normal egg, the father has healthy and sufficient count of sperms; still doctors suggest not to go for pregnancy. There might be some genetic problems that doctors do not want to get carried forward in the next generation, or there may be structural problems like small size of the uterus or narrow opening path that could cause serious risk during pregnancy for the mother and the baby. The situation is frustrating and in the earlier days there was no solution for this problem. Advance techniques in the science of reproduction have given a solution for this problem in the form of surrogacy. Now it is possible to fertilize the egg externally and place the embryo in some other woman's womb that is ready to bear the pregnancy. After the childbirth, baby is handed over to the 'original' or genetic parents. Dr. Rita Bakshi of International Fertility Clinic, New Delhi quotes that India has become a ‘dream destination’ for surrogacy all over the world.

Need of ART bill

The technique might look simple, but it might have some serious legal and emotional complexities. There have been various cases in the past where surrogacy process was not very smooth and took unpleasant twists and turns. The doctors, intended parents and surrogate mother are the three important elements and there could be dispute at any stage of surrogacy. According to Dr. Rita Bakshi, India has become the favourite destination for surrogacy due to three major factors:

• The relatively low cost of surrogacy in India
• Advance medical facilities and availability of expert doctors
• Relatively flexible rules and regulations
• Availability of surrogate mothers with a good medical history
• Tourist attractions of rich cultural and historical significance in India

However, there were a few loopholes in this process because of the legal flexibility. Ambiguous judiciary guidelines caused major disputes and there was a strong need felt to have bill for surrogacy. In the year 2010, a draft bill on Assisted Reproductive Technology was prepared and submitted. It covered every aspect of ART and surrogacy in a comprehensive manner to provide complete coverage to the treatment process and to protect the rights of all the three parties.
 

How it is significant in surrogacy

ART bill is a comprehensive bill that gives an overall coverage to the process and looks into every aspect of it, irrespective of the magnitude.  

1. The process of giving womb on rent is called surrogacy and it is considered completely legal in our country. Asking for financial reimbursement is also valid and within the law of the land. However, there are clear guidelines regarding to prevent the commercialization of it.
2. The bill considers the term 'couple' as two people having a sexual relationship that is valid and legal according to Indian law. Recently the supreme court of India has given verdict in the favour of sexual relationship of same sex, gays or lesbian can also go for surrogate pregnancy legally. However, the number of such cases is less in India.
3. The surrogate mother must be in the age bracket of 21 to 35. One surrogate woman can bear at the most five pregnancies, including her own children.  This is to ensure the health of surrogate mothers.
4. In case of single parents going for the option of surrogacy, he or she will be considered a legitimate parent of the surrogate baby. The single parent will have to agree and bear the cost of egg or sperm donation, as the case may be.
5. The couples that have a live-in relationship will be considered legitimate parents in case they go for surrogate pregnancy. The responsibility of the baby that was born through surrogate process will be shared jointly by both and any of them can’t deny from it.
6. The cost of surrogacy will be borne by the intended parents completely. A contractual obligation has to be there among all  three parties. Infertility clinics like IFC facilitate to provide insurance coverage to the surrogate mother.
7. For intended parents that do not belong to India, they have to produce the surrogacy policy of their respective country. It is mandatory to know the salient aspects of legitimacy. Legal documents and certificates are needed ensure the validity of the documents. This is to avoid any conflicts between surrogacy laws of both countries.
8. Complete details of surrogate mothers and egg donors will be maintained by government certified banks. State boards will certify the ART banks that are an independent body to register, monitor and maintain the validity. It minimizes the chances of commercialization of the whole process.
9. Any attempt to know the sex of the baby before childbirth is strictly prohibited. There is no scope for 'selective pregnancy' on the basis of baby's sex. ART bill ensures that surrogacy is not made a tool of churning out male child.
10. It is a method of pregnancy and childbirth to provide chance of enjoying parenthood to couples that otherwise unable to do it the same. In no case it should be an attempt to commercialize or used for cloning. None of the three parties the intended parents, infertility clinic and surrogate mother uses it as a ‘factory of babies’.

The intentions of ART bill are crystal clear and it is completely unbiased and equal. It is more relevant in surrogate pregnancy since the pregnancy and childbirth is a long and complicated process. There is a need of continuous monitoring and care of the surrogate mother. ART bill ensures that everything is covered under legal bracket leaving no chance for disputes or discussions. Surrogate mother is given clear-cut idea about the legitimacy and she is advised not to have any emotional bonding with the baby. It has to be handed over to the actual parents after pregnancy and for all legal aspects; the intended parents will have all the rights.
 

ART bill was presented with the fundamental intention to protect the rights of all parties that take part in the process, in an unbiased and equal perception. The fundamental need of ART bill was to ensure that none of the parties is exploiting or getting exploited. The right of equality is well preserved and accessed during the complete process. The intended parents who are spending a big money get value for money and the surrogate mother who takes the risk of pregnancy and childbirth. The family of surrogate mother is at high risk and therefore needs financial protection. Infertility clinic and doctors take part in the medical process with good intentions, hence needs well protection for their efforts. 
 

It is a bill formulated comprehensively so that everybody gets equal opportunity to avail the best of it and there is no scope for confusion and conflicts in the process of surrogacy!

Important Phases In Female Egg

Important phases in Female Egg Donation Process

Female egg donation has played an instrumental role in the treatment of a particular type of female infertility when there are fundamental problems related to ovulation. Females that are incapable of producing eggs of good quality can't conceive since fertilization becomes impossible. There are only two ways to resolve this problem. Couple can adopt a child or go for egg donation. For a few couples the first option is acceptable, but a few do not buy the idea of raising a child with no genetic relationship and reject the idea utterly. They feel the second option much better since there will be at least some genetic relation with the baby. Egg donation is a process of taking a healthy matured egg from some other woman's body. The egg is fertilized with the male partner using a special technique that is known as In Vitro Fertilization or IVF. According to Dr. Rita Bakshi, a well-known infertility expert at International Fertility Centre the IVF technique is very effective in the cases where natural fertilization is not possible due to any of the cause. This technique has made egg donation very effective and nowadays thousands of couples all across the world are getting benefited with successful pregnancy.

The act of egg donation is performed by perfectly healthy women that are willing to come forward for it. Egg donors can opt to be completely unknown, partially known or fully known to the intended couple. It is typically called as open, semi-open and closed egg donation. The type of egg donation is decided on the mutual agreement of both parties. While a few couples are not comfortable with the idea of getting acquainted with the egg donor while a few want to have a complete interaction. In some cases, egg donor and intended couple interact through mail or phone calls without revealing their identity. Doctors do not force any particular type of egg donation and it is decided by the intended parents and egg donor.

Selection of egg donor is done by the infertility clinic like IFC and stringent criteria are followed for it. They try to match the physical and mental characteristics as close as possible so that the baby gets resemblance with the intended parents. Egg donors have to be mentally and physically fit with no history of drug abuse, alcohol addiction or venereal disease.

Milestones in the egg donation process 

Infertility treatment of any type is a long journey and therefore it has to be well-planned. There are various important milestones or phases that need to be identified and discussed with all three partners. Egg donors sometimes do not become an active member in the discussions, especially in the case of closed egg donation where egg donor does not disclose her identity. However, she is kept well-informed by the infertility clinic like IFC where the treatment is conducted. Both parties are informed about the time taken for each phase, requirement of their presence during the process and need of hospitalization. The childless couple and the egg donor can plan their work schedule and travel accordingly.

1. Stimulation of ovaries and retrieval of eggs

   a) This is the first important phase of female egg donation process. When the decision to go for egg donation is taken, doctors conduct a few basic tests like blood examination and ultrasound checking to ensure the overall fitness for the treatment. It does not require any hospitalization and can be done at the convenience and availability of the patients. 

    b) Ovarian suppression is the next step to match the menses for both women in order to retrieve eggs and place the fertilize embryo. Doctors use oral contraceptives to regulate and synchronize the cycle. After a treatment of two to four weeks, ultrasound tests and blood tests are performed to ensure the suppression.

   c) Ovarian stimulation is the process of injecting special drugs in the body of egg donor to aggravate the process of egg maturity and release. This continues for a few days and every day visit is required. The condition of ovaries is monitored carefully by ultrasound tests.  The recipient woman is prepared meanwhile to make ready for embryo implant. Special drugs are injected to keep the internal lining and environment of the uterus ready to receive embryo.

    d) Egg retrieval happens when the follicles are large enough and eggs are ready to release. Special drugs trigger the process and multiple matured eggs are obtained at a time. The process takes two to four hours and require half a day of hospitalization. The role of egg donor woman gets over with the retrieval of matured eggs.

    e) Sperm collection is done from the male partner. Infertility expert Dr. Rita Bakshi suggests that the male partner must refrain from ejaculation at least two to three days prior to sperm collection to ensure good quality of sperms.

    f) Fertilization happens next day of the egg retrieval and it is performed in the laboratory. Sometimes the sperm and eggs are mixed in the glass plate to make fertilization happen. In some cases, doctors inject the sperm in the outer shell of the egg.

    g) The fertilized eggs, now called embryo are monitored for two to three days to ensure proper growth and development.

2. Transplantation of embryo

   a) This is relatively simple phase and done with half a days of hospitalization. Fertilized eggs or embryos are examined and the healthiest two or three are selected for transplantation. The process is normally painless and patients can go home in the evening. However, they are advised not to drive because of the after-effects of sedation. Hormonal support is given through drugs that help the embryo to get settled in the new environment.

    b) Ultrasound tests and blood tests are performed after one or two weeks of implantation and growth is monitored carefully. The importance of post-implantation monitoring is very much because unlike the normal pregnancy here the fertilization environment and embryo development environment are different and there can be basic adoption issues. 

Egg donation is certainly one of the noblest acts to bring happiness in the life of childless couples. It requires a huge amount of inner strength, courage and helping attitude to make the decision. Although egg donors are relatively less visible (and sometimes completely invisible) element, but their contribution is significant. The problem of ovulation related infertility can be surely treated with a coordinated effort of the egg donor, childless couple and infertility clinic like IFC. No doubt that the path is not that easy and there are many challenges, but the advance medical science and expert doctor like Dr. Rita Bakshi it becomes much easy and approachable.





  

What worries Most to the Doctors while Treating Infertility?

What worries most to the doctors while treating infertility?

Infertility is a condition that affects not only the couple trying hard to get pregnant, but to the doctor as well. The problem is extremely complex and the treatment as well. It is a long journey with extreme patience, dedication and ups and downs. There are various causes of infertility and it is a big challenge for the experts to identify the root cause. Some of these causes are relatively easy to handle while some are really hard nut to crack. However, doctors like Dr. Rita Bakshi of International Fertility Centre does not leave any stone unturned to treat the patients. The disturbing factors during infertility treatment are many, but the top most that doctors worry about are:

• Poor quality of eggs: There are women who can produce the eggs normally, but the quality of egg is not adequate due to some basic problem in the maturity process. Sometimes it is age related, but sometimes completely unexplainable. Surrogacy or egg donation might be the only remedy.

• Endometriosis: This is one of the most critical and complicated problem that causes infertility in women. There is an inner lining in the uterus called as endometrial tissue. If this tissue grows outside the uterus, then it causes infertility in the women. The condition takes a long time to correct and long-term medication is required.
  
   
• Ovulation related issues:  Ovulation is the process of production and maturity of the egg in the body of woman. The egg gets matured in the ovaries and then travel up to the uterus. Fundamental problems in this process prevent pregnancy. Doctors like Dr. Rita Bakshi of IFC have to really work hard to eliminate the root cause and treat the problem.
  
   
• Polycystic ovary syndrome: There are women with problems in the ovaries in the form of small cysts. These cysts cause major hormonal problem and makes the pregnancy absolutely impossible. Doctors have to treat the patient with various trial and errors of drugs to resolve the issue. There are multiple pregnancies and miscarriages during the treatment and it is really tough time for the childless couple as well as the doctor.
  
   
• Male tube blockages: This is the infertility problem caused due to the male partner. There are blockages in the tubes that carry the sperms from testicles to the penis. Surgery is the only option, but it does not guarantee 100% success.

These are the top five worries. Apart from these, there are many other factors that cause infertility. The most important part of the infertility treatment is obviously the correct diagnosis. The more accurate and early the diagnosis is, the faster is the success. Infertility clinics like International Fertility Centre; New Delhi is one of the most prominent centres for the treatment of all variants of infertility. World famous infertility expert Dr. Rita Bakshi provides her able guidance and top class expertise to thousands of childless couples every year and bring a smile of happiness on their face. Treating infertility is a joint effort of the childless couple and the team of doctors and medical experts of the infertility clinic and the teamwork and cohesive working would only able to yield good results!