Infertility is Fully Beatable

Infertility is fully beatable

Infertility is a common problem across the globe and whatever may be the country, culture or society there are the same implications and impact of it. Couples face mental pressure and uncomfortable questions from peer group, friends, relatives and others. While the problem might look larger than life, the reality is absolutely different. Infertility is a medical problem and there are definitely solutions for it. Advancement in the diagnostic methods, treatment and latest medicines have made it absolutely curable. Expert doctors like Dr. Rita Bakshi of International Fertility Centre, one of the most advanced clinics in India have successfully cured thousands of such cases and brought smiles on the faces of unfortunate childless couples. Infertility is 100% beatable, but the only thing required is dedication, seriousness, sincerity and expert treatment!  

Signs of infertility

In the medical terminology, infertility is a situation when a couple is not able to conceive even after having unprotected sex for more than six months to one year. The case has to be diagnosed thoroughly and the exact root cause should be identified. There are various aspects of infertility and each has to be treated differently.

a) Male infertility: Around one third of the infertility cases are contributed by the male partner. Unfortunately, male infertility is very difficult to diagnose and there are many cases where exact cause of infertility is found after a deep diving into the problem. Sometimes there are physiological problems with the male reproduction system. In some cases the sperm count and sperm strength is very less and fertilization becomes impossible. In very rare cases, there are antibodies produced in the male body that kills or weakens the sperms thereby reducing the chances of fertilization.

b) Female infertility: It contributes to the majority of infertility cases, but the diagnosis and treatment are relatively easy. In many cases the female is incapable of releasing matured egg. In some cases, there is transportation problem of the matured egg from the ovaries to the uterus. Some females have cysts or fibroids in the uterus that makes the internal condition unfavourable for the pregnancy. In some cases, the female reproduction system has some structural defects that prevent the pregnancy

Remedies

Doctors have to choose separate path for every case of infertility. The most important aspect is diagnosing the root cause of infertility. In some cases doctors perform surgery and correct the physiological problem in male or female. It increases the chances of successful pregnancy. In case of hormonal problems, corrective medicines are given to make the hormonal balance proper. In cases where female is unable to conceive due to problems of ovaries or uterus, doctors suggest surrogacy or egg donation. It all depends on the type and fundamental reason of infertility.

Infertility is beatable if the reason behind it gets revealed quickly.  An infertility clinic like International Fertility Centre and specialist doctors like Dr. Rita Bakshi gives their dedicated support and helps to the childless couples. They have a history of many successful cases and they can suggest the best way to beat infertility completely.

Overcome Infertility

Top 3 lifestyle changes to overcome infertility

There are various aspects of infertility problem and there are various factors that impact it. Researchers have evidence that food habits, lifestyle, living standard and even lack of exercise also impact it up to a great extent. It seems to be a valid point because infertility is a state of our body and therefore must be getting influenced by all these factors. Just like our body weight, physique and the overall health get influenced by these factors.

The long-term effects of improper diet, hormonal medicines taken for managing body weight, consumption of tobacco and alcohol surely impact the fertility adversely. Specialists like Dr. Rita Bakshi of International Fertility Centre term these things as 'the most damaging factors'. Exercise is an important and integral part of our life and we have been facing various physical problems due to absence of this fundamental element from our life. The malfunctioning of all the systems in our body are related some way or the other with it and reproduction system is also not an exception.

1. Say NO to tobacco and liquor:  Scientists have clear facts and figures regarding the relationship of tobacco, liquor and infertility. There is a misconception regarding the capability of these two elements to increase sexual ability, but reality is absolutely reverse. The toxic elements in alcohol and tobacco have very serious impact on the sperm production, sperm quality and quantity, ovulation process and quality of eggs and overall sex life. Quitting harmful elements is the only option to help infertility.
2.  Have a sound sleep: There have been studies that clearly show the correlation of lack of sound sleep and infertility. So you must be aware in case you are a frequent party animal. To be awake late night for a long time makes fundamental changes in the hormone levels thereby increasing the chances of infertility. Scientists say that people having inadequate sleep for a longer time face various health related problems, including low fertility rates. It affects the hormonal balance in the body that is one of the major cause for infertility.
3. Correct the food habits: Although food habits do not have a direct connection with infertility, but certainly with obesity. Fast food, food that is rich in fats and carbohydrates, salt and sugar will increase the weight rapidly. As the body weight gets increased, it affects the reproductive system adversely. According to experts like Dr. Rita Bakshi of International Fertility Centre it is always recommended to have body weight in control, not only for enhancing the fertility level, but for the overall fitness.

Keep all the above points in mind, especially if you are already facing the problem of infertility. It is a fact that making necessary changes in the lifestyle will increase the overall health, enhance the sperm count and quality, correct the ovulation process, and maintain blood sugar levels and weight thereby improving the overall health condition. Getting rid of bad habits like smoking, drinking, late night parties and over exertion will improve the body fitness. You can feel improvement in the stamina, sound sleep and better mind and body state.

Couples go for Egg Donation

Why couples go for egg donation?

The need to go for infertility treatment gets arise when a couple is unable to succeed in pregnancy after taking efforts for a longer time. Unprotected physical relations for more than six to nine months must turn into a successful pregnancy and if this does not occur, it triggers the alarm. Infertility clinics like International Fertility Centre has state-of-the-art diagnostic facilities to find out the root cause. Treatment methodology is different in every infertility case and the same is suggested according to the type of infertility. Dr. Rita Bakshi the leading infertility specialists at IFC, treats every patient individually. Personalized treatment is provided to every patient and individual case-study is kept in mind while suggesting the right alternative.

Every couple goes from the same state of mind where complete uncertainty, sorrow and frustration that takes the energy and enthusiasm of life. It is therefore, required to have the right doctor with a right attitude. Vast experience of handling a variety of the cases, positive attitude and high positive energy, motivating and encouraging attitude increases the probability of coming off with flying colours!

Revealing the bitter truth

Couples go to take expert advice after unsuccessful efforts of getting pregnant and the first step is to diagnose the problem. A doctor like Dr. Rita Bakshi follows the structured and systematic approach of eliminating the probable cause one by one. There are various tools and techniques are used, e.g. physical examination, blood sample testing, ultrasound and x-ray tests, etc. Clinics like IFC have all types of machines and instruments, well supported by a team of expert technicians that are capable of diagnosing the root cause precisely.

The first information about infertility is a terrible experience for the childless couple. The truth is much hard to digest and they are not able to accept the reality. Leading infertility specialist Dr. Rita Bakshi of IFC terms it as 'the most critical moment'.

However, after the first shock is over the intended couple understands that it is a medical problem and can be resolved with medical aid. Doctors need to further investigate and find out the root cause so that exact solution can be planned.

It is extremely important to give a mental and emotional support to the childless couple after revealing the truth of infertility. This task is performed very well by the doctors treating infertility. They explain the root cause and all probable remedies to overcome infertility. Couples feel much relaxed and relieved after the counselling done by doctors and get prepared for the further treatment.

The options

1. There are various types of infertility and treatment varies accordingly. Doctors are the best judge and they decide what to opt and when?
2. Surgery: This option is chosen when there is physiological problem in the male or female reproductive system. In case of some males, sperm are unable to travel from testicles to penis. In some females the path of ovaries to uterus is blocked and therefore matured egg can't travel to the uterus. In such cases, surgery can correct the problem.
3. Hormonal treatment: In some cases, either or both partners develop antibodies that kill sperms or make changes in the egg due to that fertilization becomes impossible. Special drugs are injected in the blood or taken in the form of tablets to correct the problem.
4. Surrogacy: Doctors suggest the option of surrogacy when there is pregnancy not possible in the female partner due to structural problem or incapability of the uterus. In some women, the inner lining of the uterus is very thin and fertilized egg could not get attached with it. The pregnancy gets terminated either immediately or after few months. If the same happens repeatedly, doctors suggest surrogate pregnancy since both partners are able to provide healthy eggs and sperm.

The option of egg donation

There are cases where female partner has ovulation related issues; she is unable to provide matured eggs. In this case, the uterus is capable of carrying out the pregnancy without any problem. Doctors suggest the option of egg donation in such cases where healthy and matured egg is 'borrowed' from another woman. The egg is then fertilized externally with the sperm of the male partner and embryo is transplanted in the intended mother's womb. The offspring is partially connected to the couple because only sperm is taken from the male partner.

However, couples find this type of pregnancy much comfortable as compared to the alternative of adopting a baby with no genetic relation.

Going through the process

• Identify the donor: When the childless couple is given the option of egg-donation and they agree with it, the infertility clinic starts the work of searching the most suitable egg-donor woman. Normally, the registered egg-donors with good clinics like IFC comply with the basic norms. Intended couples have to match the physical characteristics only.
• Select the type of egg donation: There are three types of egg donation; open, semi open and closed. In case of open egg donation both parties are well verse with each other and know all the personal and profile information. In case of semi-open egg donation both parties interact with each other without knowing the personal details. They can have interaction through mail, chat and phone. In case of closed egg donation, there is no interaction at all. The egg donor donates the eggs and her role is over.
• The medical procedure: Once the egg donor and egg donation type is finalized, there is a contract gets signed between the three parties and the medical process starts.

a) There are two women involved in the process and therefore doctors need to match the egg maturity cycle of both. Although the intended mother's egg does not play any role in pregnancy, still it is required to make the internal condition of the uterus favourable for embryo transplant.
b) Once the eggs get matured in the egg donor's ovaries, they are extracted by a small medical process. Half a day hospitalization is required and the donor woman can go home the same evening.
c) There are multiple matured eggs get produced in the donor woman because she is given special hormonal injections. It is done so that many eggs are available for more than one attempt.
d) External fertilization takes place in the laboratory. Male partner of the intended couple gives sperm for the same. Doctors get ready multiple embryos and select the best two or three.
e) The embryos are implanted in the intended mother's womb. If the intended mother is less than 40 year of age, they implant two embryos. In case it is more than 40 year, then three embryos are implanted. It is done because the probability of successful pregnancy gets reduced with the age.
f) After two to three weeks of observation the pregnancy is confirmed. Intended mother has to be under observation during the entire pregnancy.

Choosing egg donation is perhaps the best option for couple who wants to have a baby with partial genetic connection, instead of adopting a child where there is no genetic connection at all. Although the process is not very simple, but with the help of infertility experts like Dr. Rita Bakshi of International Fertility Centre, you can very well cope-up with infertility problem by going through this method. It is the combined efforts of egg- donor woman, intended couple and the doctors and team of the infertility clinic hence requires a great amount of teamwork, dedication, sincerity and technical skills.

Surrogacy in India, Far from the Troubling Questions

Surrogacy in India, Far from the Troubling 

It has been a long time now when India started emerging as a new place for surrogacy. In last few years, a lot of water has been flown under the bridge and the overall situation of surrogacy market has been improved immensely. There are infertility clinics like International Fertility Centre; New Delhi that works on the total treatment of infertility and surrogacy is an integral part of it. Dr. Rita Bakshi who heads the organization with a vast experience of more than 20 years and thousands of successful cases vigilantly looks into every case. She ensures the legal and ethical aspects are taken care of and there is nothing that violates the law of the land. There had been many troubling questions and actual incidents in the past to support the criticism and objections by social activists, doctors and journalists. The situation has improved a lot and the industry has attained a great level of maturity and the troubling questions are no more. The major issues or objections that used to exist in the past have been resolved and with the combined efforts of doctors, social activists and government it has become much clear and clean process. 

  1. Ethical 1issue: The fundamental reason of increase of surrogacy industry is certainly the big money associated with it. In a country like India where lower middle class or labourers are struggling hard to earn Rs 200-300 per day an amount of few lakhs is certainly a pulling factor. Unethical practices were prevailing where either the couple was not used to provide adequate or whatever was promised to them.

a)    There used to be agents and middlemen working as a racket to bring poor surrogate mothers with false promises of huge money and later washing their hands by paying peanuts. The ethical clinics like IFC works on the total transparency and there is a direct dealing with the intended parents and surrogate mother.

b)   There were cases when foreign couples were made with false promises of surrogacy and then handing over a baby to them that is not genetically connected at all. Some pre-fertilized eggs were used to make the pregnancy happen. These cases came into light when the respective countries denied passport to the baby because there law didn’t allow. 

c)    There were many cases reported in the past where illegal business of human organ transplantation was being carried out in the name of surrogacy. Poor surrogate women or their husbands were forced to give kidney or other organs with a remuneration of few bucks. Government has made many changes in the law and legislature related to surrogacy to prevent such cases. Surrogacy clinics have to follow stringent norms and have to keep track of every case they are handling. Dr. Rita Bakshi and her team at IFC accept every case with thorough investigation and scrutiny process and ensure that total transparency is maintained.

d)   There used to be least botheration about the total welfare of the surrogate mothers. They were left unattended during the surrogate pregnancy, had to live in extremely unhygienic and unbearable conditions, there was hardly any care take n regarding her physical and mental health. Critics termed it as ‘complete exploitation of the basic rights of a woman’. The situation has improved a lot in the last few years and clinics are taking care of the physical and emotional aspects as well as social security. IFC ensures that the surrogate mothers are covered under insurance, they live in completely hygienic and best of the living condition, there is continuous monitoring of the physical health, and counselling and emotional support is provided to the surrogate mothers. Not only the surrogate mothers, but their family members and own kids are also well supported.

e)  There was a big question raised by the social activists regarding the fundamental concept of ‘lending a womb’ for surrogacy. However, there has been a clear stand by the supports and even surrogate mothers regarding its validity and relevance. In a country where a big number of people are living under poverty line, there is complete uncertainty of wages and employment, no social security and assurance by the government and high dependency on rains for harvesting there are tough times for the poor. The situation becomes worse with the unexpected or accidental death of earning member in a family that depends on agriculture. The widow and her children have no moral and financial support. Surrogate pregnancy has become a great help to a lot of such women and they have been able to raise their own children with good living standard. Ethical infertility clinics like International Fertility Centre works on this with extreme attention and they ensure that surrogate woman gets the best return for her efforts in carrying a surrogate pregnancy.

   2. Legal issues: There had been a lot of legal issues in the past because of ignorance, carelessness or unethical practices of surrogacy clinics. The law has been made stringent now and there are hardly such cases get reported.

a)      There had been cases where surrogacy was carried out for gays and lesbian couples from foreign origin. The legal documents were denied to the baby because of restriction of such relationship in the Indian constitution. Norms regarding surrogate pregnancy are now much clear and explanatory to avoid such complications.

b)   There were few cases in the past when unexpected death of one or both intended parents occurred during the surrogate pregnancy. Also there were some cases when divorce happened between the intended parents during surrogate pregnancy and later there was nobody ready to accept the surrogate child. This situation resulted in the unpleasant scenario of handing over the baby to orphan homes. Indian government has issued guidelines regarding all aspects of surrogacy and now the chances of such cases are very less. IFC takes care by consulting legal experts before going for surrogate pregnancy and take all the required help from them.

There had been a great criticism to surrogacy in the past and truly there were cases happening to support this fact. However, government, social reformers, media and surrogacy clinics have taken joint efforts to correct the situation and now it is a much clean and clear process that helps to bring the happiness of parenthood to a childless couple. Foreign and Indian couples find it as a great way to solve the problem of being childless for the entire life. With the ethical and legal practice of more and more clinics like International Fertility Centre the situation would improve further. India is going to emerge as the place for surrogacy, a win-win situation for intended couples and surrogate mother!