Dealing with stress due to infertility

Why you feel infertility is stressful and what you can do about it?

Infertility is one of the medical problems that you can feel in every aspect of life- from the way you think about yourself, to your relationship with your partner, to your overall point of view on living. It can also be stressful and challenging that creates a great deal of uncertainty and affects you emotionally in your day-to-day lives.

If you have been struggling with infertility, you are probably thinking one of the unfortunate persons in the world today. It affects you psychologically and at every time you think about fertility. But as overwhelming the situation may be, there are ways to reduce depression and anxiety. Here are steps that bring your attention to your body that makes you calmer, happier and stronger in life.

• Recognize your feelings

The first and foremost thing to reduce stress is to comprehend that what you are feeling is completely OK. Going through the infertility tests and procedures month after moth can be emotionally draining. And the feeling of the outcome of your infertility treatments can be stressful at times. Every couple wants to have biological child and dream of becoming a parent.

• Explore your questions and fears

As you are dealing with infertility, it helps to have people around who can provide support your questions, be close to your feelings and comprehend your fears and concerns.

• Allow yourself to grieve

Even though you are expecting a positive pregnancy, your subconscious mind has already started grieving for the biological child you have not yet had. You may have to go through a period of mourning in order to feel better again. You can also note down your feelings to acknowledge and work through your grief- and then let it go.

• Stay connected to family and friends

Another step in reducing stress is to build a bridge back to your close friends and family. You can tell them how certain remarks are sensitive by giving them a book on the subject or let your loved ones who are also infertile know how you want to be treated.

• Fertility clinics can be rewarding

You can also reduce stress by approaching the best fertility specialists or fertility clinics that will let you know about service treatments that they are offering to infertile couples. IVF, IUI ICSI or other treatments, can be rewarding as most of the infertile couples realized the dreams of parenthood through these services.

• Surrogacy options may prove effective

It is one of the options which can bring you all happiness once you explore the options of surrogacy and have children. Your goals of becoming parenthood can be achieved through surrogacy. So, why are still waiting, begin a consultation.

Reasons Why You Are Not Getting Pregnant

Getting pregnant is one of the biggest concerns for a couple in the post married life. There are various complexities and confusions that add the problem if a female is unable to conceive after six months to year of trying. Therefore it is mandatory for a woman to understand the reasons why it is difficult for a couple to conceive, things might seem a lot easier. Most couples are not able to get pregnant because they are not aware of the reasons for it. Possibly, there are factors that can make contribute to problems getting pregnant.

Here are some of the fertility saboteurs that could be the reasons you’re not getting pregnant

Stress

Stress is one of the major factors causing infertility. Stress, good or bad, is going to take its toll on you both physically and mentally. According to doctors, positive and calm are crucial part of trying to conceive. Studies have shown that when you are stressed your adrenal system takes a hit. Instead of altering your day-to-day routine entirely, we recommend you to go for counselling, art therapy, meditation and exercise to reduce stress levels.

Being Overweight

According to studies, being too thin or too heavy can disrupt the hormonal function. Sometimes, being over or under weight might also stand in the way of getting pregnant for the woman. A woman who is overweight may have difficultly to conceive a baby.  Excess weight can have a significant effect on fertility. Maintain a healthy diet and make a habit of daily exercise that will do wonders for your mind and body.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is an ovulation dysfunction that originates in the ovary and is one of the most common hormonal problems in women of reproductive age. It is also the main cause of infertility because it affects ovulation. Many women with PCOS don’t even know it as the wide spectrum of symptoms such as lack of ovulation, abnormal menstrual cycle; excessive weight gain, acne, unusual facial hair and infertility seem to be not related with each other. Healthy eating with regular exercise to maintain a normal weight can restore the imbalanced sex hormones and help your body to optimize normal menstrual cycles.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a disease in which uterine tissue grows outside the uterus. Painful periods and heavy bleeding are hallmarks of this common condition that prevents pregnancy. Pelvic pain during menstruation or ovulation can be a symptom of endometriosis, but may also occur in normal women. Treatments for endometriosis include medication, surgery, or a combination of the two.

What Intended Parents says about Gestational surrogates

Gestational surrogacy is one of the treatment options available to women who have some defined medical problems.  Intended Parents are pleased and expressed an interest by becoming parents through gestational surrogates. As a surrogate mother, she plays an important role in helping to build a family that is truly priceless. A gestational surrogate is doing one of the most fulfilling journeys of her life, by completing dreams for others. A gestational surrogate mother has no genetic connection to the child she carries. The child is biologically related to the intended father and intended mother or egg donor.

On Mother’s day, Intended parents who have used the help of surrogates to become parents shares the experience how they felt after the baby was born from a surrogate mother.  They believed surrogates should be equally loved as they deserve every right of motherhood by helping thousands of infertile couples.  Below are the quotes given as:

“I would have been motherless, people used to look down on me. However, everything changed after I had my child with the help of Nita, our surrogate mother. To her, I would like to say, “Thank you for your amazing kind, I can never forget your kindness and willingness to help me. God bless you.””

“It’s so hard to tell you what we were going through after knowing about infertility. It was harder to dream of motherhood. Sandhi changed our life, and we are blessed because of her.  Let’s celebrate Mother’s Day for which you her who has made my life so wonderful.”

To all the mothers, surrogate mothers, expecting mothers, thank you for all your kind deeds and actions which cannot be measured. Happy Mother’s Day!

7- Things Every Woman Should Know About Mental Health during Pregnancy

Several studies have suggested that as many as 40-60% of mothers with moderate postpartum depression experienced complications during their pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes. To better understand the phenomenon, we will tell you about the mood and anxiety disorders during pregnancy and through the postpartum period. Pre-baby stress is common among women during pregnancy. Here are things that you must know about positive mental health during pregnancy.

1. Pre-baby anxiety is common

If you are feeling about the baby particularly how you will be able to cope as a mother, how the birth will go, how to take care of the baby, if the baby is healthy are all normal and common emotions. Let yourself have these thoughts and work through them slowly. It is important you should also watch yourself if they start become excessive.

2. Depression isn’t your fault

According to doctors, pregnant women and their partners need to understand that they are not to blame for a prenatal mood. There are several contributing factors to (pregnancy-related) mood shifts. Don’t blame mother as she is not at the fault.

3. And you are not alone

The mental health symptoms are a many common snarl of childbirth, doctors say. There seems to be misunderstanding among the people as they design a lady to be joyous after carrying a baby. You should have extensive information that will clear the doubts.

4. Treatment is very effective

Prenatal depression and anxiety respond positively to treatment as being pregnant and having a baby throw things out of balance in a woman’s life. The doctors, someone should help who has seen all this before can find ways to create a new balance that feel right to her.

5. Progress often happens quickly

Studies have further indicated some women feel better after one or two sessions, some after five and some after 13 or 14. The progress happens all the way, however they need to take medication longer depending on their needs.

6. The sooner you seek treatment, the better

There is no reason to procrastinate for help. Treatment should begin immediately.  The sooner you can get help, the easier it will be turn things around.  Delaying getting help can mean that you lose the early months of your baby’s life to feelings of sadness, not coping, bonding issues and can potentially be dangerous.

7. Take initial steps on-line

One of the simplest ways to get assistance is by Postpartum Support International is to explore the sites, resources, including providers and support groups, in each state.

Things you should know about Secondary Infertility?

Infertility is a serious problem, sometimes remains hidden. Most people think if you can have one child, you can easily conceive again and have second children- a misconception that creates depression and anxiety among married couples. So if you are finding the problem, it could be secondary infertility.

Secondary infertility (SI) is defined by doctors as the inability to conceive or carry to term a second or subsequent child. In other words, the term is used for patients who previously had a successful pregnancy but currently are infertile. The couples who are struggling to have second baby may not have heard of Secondary Infertility but they will probably soon because it’s on the increase. A US study revealed that, in 1995, 1.8 million women suffered from secondary infertility; in 2006, it was 3.3 million. SI now accounts for six out of 10 infertility cases.

Is Secondary Infertility a Male or Female Problem?

According to studies, a full 40% of all infertility (primary or secondary) is related to sperm while 30% is due to ovulatory dysfunction. Another 20% is related to female “plumbing problems,” such as blocked tubes, uterine fibroids or endometriosis. The remaining 10% is unexplained — but that can actually be a good thing! The data reveals, the more normal testing is, the more likely you are to be successful with infertility treatment.

Why is secondary infertility so emotionally difficult?

Some couple receives a shock after find they are unable to conceive a second child due to infertility. Also, family members and friends start asking insensitive questions to couple saying things like “you are lucky to have one child,” or “just relax, it will happen later”. Eventually, the couple find it too stressful to cope with the situation that they have only child to care.

How can couples best cope with the situation?

Couple with secondary infertility often has young kids of their own and find themselves surrounded by the mothers who are pregnant or younger siblings of their children’s friends. This makes them harder to avoid questions from child about wanting a little sister or brother.

Like any infertility couple, those are facing secondary infertility need support, validation and empathy from their friends. They also need support from the fertility clinic in case they want to expand their family. Some couples go for IVF and other medical procedures in order to have second baby.

Thus the bottom line is that secondary infertility can be problematic for couples and can cause depression or anxiety and loss for many couples. If you or your spouse is facing the similar situation, it’s important to learn all through credible sources and organization and obtain support by which you can take best decisions for you and your family.

Six Tests for Female Fertility

Around one in seven couples have trouble conceiving despite having regular unprotected sex for six months to one year. Infertility becomes a serious problem if it is not treated sooner.

Fertility Testing is the process by which your fertility is assessed, both generally also to find the fertile window. Ideally, there is no single best test for infertility. The fertility doctors perform multiple tests and examines to identify any problems that might be contributing to a woman’s infertility. However, there are some basic tests which are mandatory to know the reproductive health status of women in order to have successful pregnancy. If the problem occurs, you must visit the clinic immediately. Here are some of the tests you may have to go through to check the fertility status given as:

1.Ovulation Testing
You will need a blood test to check whether ovulation is happening or not. This can be carried out at your IFC clinic during clinic hours. This also looks through your temperature charts, using ovulation predictor kits and ultrasound.

2.Pap Smear
Most women who are struggling with infertility may be familiar with this basic gynecologic test. The Pap smear and pelvic exam are best at detecting cervical cancer, other problems with the cervix, or active sexually transmitted diseases. Any of these can interfere with fertility in women.

3.Ultrasound Scan
An ultrasound scan checks the lining of your womb (endometrium) and diagnoses any conditions that may be distorting the lining. Ultrasound scans of the ovaries may also be conducted to establish the development of ovarian follicles. This can be useful particularly in the diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome.

4.Basal Body Temperature
You can check your body temperature each morning. Basal body temperature changes during the menstural cycle and causes an abrupt increase in basal body temperature by 0.5°C at the time of ovulation. By checking your body temperature each morning, you can detect this rise, showing your ovulation pattern over months.

5.Hysteroscopy
Hysteroscopy is used to diagnose the presence of a number of conditions which may affect fertility, such as uterine fibroids, presence of abnormalities, growths, or scarring in the uterus. It involves the insertion of an endoscope to produce images of the inside of the uterus which can be used for the future reference.

6.Laparoscopy
Laparoscopy is used to examine the interior of the abdomen. It can be used to establish patency of the fallopian tubes, and if any abnormalities such as endometriosis, scar tissue or other adhesions are found, they can be removed by a laser. It is important to confirm that you are not pregnant before the test is executed.

These are the basic tests and your fertility specialist better knows which tests to recommend as per the condition of your fertility so that you will be treated accordingly.

How IVF treatment helps childless couples?

In our earlier blog, we have discussed about detailed IVF procedure, today we will let you know how IVF treatment help infertile couples on the road to parenthood. In vitro fertilization commonly known as IVF is one of the assisted reproductive techniques available to couples who are unable to conceive despite having unprotected and regular vaginal sexual intercourse for a year. IVF has now become a phrase in such common use that is rare for anyone to talk about “test tube babies” any more.

In vitro means literally ‘in glass’ and the process takes place in a laboratory. During IVF procedure, an egg is surgically removed from the woman’s ovaries and fertilised with sperm in a laboratory. The fertilised egg, now called an embryo, is then transferred to the woman’s womb to grow and develop.

IVF is a viable option for couples to expand family when the rest of the options have failed to achieve positive pregnancy results. If you are going through IVF, you will be given counselling by the team of fertility specialists to guide you through the process.

Who can have IVF?
With a number of treatments available today across the world, almost any couple can have access to IVF in Nepal as an infertility treatment as long as you and your partner can produce your own sperm or eggs. If the treatment costs higher in your home country then travelling abroad is now easier than ever.

IVF as an infertility treatment is a better option for couples whose age is above 35, this means when the female partner have fewer chances of becoming pregnant by naturally. IVF surrogacy Nepal, one of the state-of-the-art IVF Lab in Grande International Hospital will be happy to accommodate women in the early 40’s.