Pregnancy Panic During Pandemic: Stay Informed and Careful, Says Dr. Goral Gandhi

In case you're pregnant and attempting to process the everyday fire hose of news about COVID-19, you most likely have numerous inquiries. Goral Gandhi, a Clinical Embryologist, clarifies that while there's still a ton we don't know about the infection or how precisely it impacts pregnant women and their children, we consulted health experts to help clarify the most recent comprehension around coronavirus and pregnancy, and answer some frequently asked questions.

Impact of Coronavirus on fertility and pregnancy

Over the next several months, many people may be exposed to COVID-19. How many of these people will become infected remains unknown. It is known that few of these people who become infected will suffer dire consequences unless they are immune, compromised or suffer chronic medical illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes or respiratory illnesses. The people most vulnerable appear to be those over 60 years of age, especially if they have a chronic medical history.

Impact of Coronavirus on eggs

It is not known if it affects eggs. However, Dr. Goral Gandhi, the best embryologist in India, suggests that initiating fertility therapy should be postponed if you have flu-like symptoms and for two weeks if you have been in contact with an infected person or someone who has been in contact with a COVID-19 patient.

Things to understand if you're an infertility patient

Infertility is a life crisis and extremely stressful. However, undergoing care for infertility should not be. This is challenging in the midst of a public health emergency like the Coronavirus pandemic. Dr. Goral Gandhi says that as per the recommendations by the ASRM and ESHRE, no new fertility treatments should be started during this time.

Can Coronavirus be passed to a baby during pregnancy?

There is no elevated risk of becoming infected with Coronavirus during pregnancy. Goral Gandhi says that pregnant women who do contract the disease do not appear to be more susceptible to severe COVID-19 symptoms. There is also no evidence, as of now, that the virus can pass to the baby during pregnancy.

Goral Gandhi encourages the patients to try and avoid panicking during this process as frenzy and pain can have a huge impact on the wellbeing of the patient as well as the baby. Staying alert during these times is the way to battle this infection and everybody can win this together by cautiously watching their indications and rehearsing certain practices like social distancing.

Pre-Implantation Genetic Screening: Screening Your Embryos for Chromosomal Abnormalities

Increasing number of infertility cases is still one of the major health issues in India. Out of them, 60 percent of pregnancy losses are caused by genetic factors and add to that 2 to 3 percent of neonatal abnormalities, 50 percent of childhood disability and one to two percent of malignancies. Thankfully, today, new IVF and ART technologies are being devised so that patients can get the opportunity to give birth to healthy babies. Goral Gandhi, one of the eminent experts in the field, opines that amid the increasing cases of delayed and assisted pregnancy, genetic testing can be the shot in the arm.

"With the advancement in genetic technology, patients, especially those with genetic disorders of illnesses have been given the option to deliver genetically healthy children,” she further stated. One of the genetic testing processes is the pre-implantation genetic screening (PGS) which includes detection of genetic defects in embryos at the pre-implantation stage. According to the embryologist, this method is an ideal option for couples who have had child with genetic defects in the past or who are at a higher risk of having children with genetic abnormalities. The latter can be determined by various factors including the mother’s age (the older she is, higher is the possibility of genetic defects) and abnormal chromosome in any of the parents.

"With the help of PGS, embryos with a gene problem or abnormal number of chromosomes can be segregated from the normal ones, thus increasing the mother’s chances of giving birth to a healthy baby,”explains Dr Goral Gandhi, who is also the founder of Indo Nippon IVF. She also added that while PGS helps in eliminating any gene defect in an embryo, for a successful implantation of the healthy embryo, the uterus of the mother should have a receptive endometrium.

The ‘art’ Behind ART: Dr. Goral Gandhi

Dr. Goral Gandhi, a notable name in the Indian IVF circle, is a clinical embryologist based in Mumbai. In a profoundly effective vocation spreading over 25 years as a regenerative pro, she has helped a large number of childless couples step into the world of parenthood. The practice of embryology has been integral to the entire treatment process offered by ART, and Dr. Goral Gandhi has been at the forefront when it comes to practicing and researching about the living field. With new technologies and advancements in fertility treatments, doctors such as Goral Gandhi have been able to help couples who struggle to conceive.

Asking before Worrying

The concept of not talking enough about infertility has created a need to press any misconceptions that circle infertility, and to make more people know that there is help out there for them. That’s why outreach and education have been one of the main objectives of Dr. Goral Gandhi, who has not only actively worked to educate people about the options available but also shared her expertise through training various embryologists.

With critical expertise in the field, Goral Gandhi has been instrumental in establishing benchmarks of success in IVF and ART in India. Her work has also given countless couples a chance at becoming parents. Being an embryologist, Dr. Gandhi works to unite and realize the developmental potential of embryos and for some of these embryos to ultimately complete the processes of implantation, and growth, providing the offspring so keenly desired by childless couples.

Her journey to the top of the leader’s ladder

Dr. Goral Gandhi began her journey into the field of fertility medicine and embryology here in India. Having done her master’s in Applied Biology from the King Edward Memorial Hospital, University of Mumbai, from the very start, she was determined to make a contribution in terms of advancement and practice of embryology in India.

As her interest in reproductive health and fertility increased, she embarked on a career in the direct day-to-day care of patients who were struggling to create their families. The chance to offer that potentially life-changing services to people was the driving force that eventually brought Dr. Goral Gandhi into being a Scientific and Laboratory Director at Indo Nippon IVF Bandra Mumbai. She has offered great expertise in IVF, ICSI, Donor egg IVF, Surrogacy, Frozen embryo transfer, Egg freezing, Segmented IVF, along with providing emotional support as well as best consultation to her patients.

“IVF requires a laboratory that would not only evaluate, prepare and process samples with utmost diligence,  providing perfect quality control, but act as an effective substitute to natural reproduction,” opines Dr. Goral Gandhi, who has been behind the design and establishment of many successful assisted conception laboratories in India and one in Ghana.

Inspiring hundreds by imparting knowledge to budding embryologists

Not sidelining her research work, she continues to create better education and awareness around IVF and has also been credited as a pioneering trainer. Imparting IVF and embryology training to clinicians and embryologists, Goral Gandhi has set up a global training school at Indo Nippon IVF. She has also trained over 500 clinicians and embryologists, not just from India but from many other countries as well. Her students have now moved on to become competent, independent embryologists and clinicians, with quite a few of them now running their own independent IVF units.

“Ever since I’ve started practicing clinical embryology, I strive to provide the best possible treatment options to my patients. I continue to pursue my research work to reinvent better and more convenient ways to provide the best patient-centered care,” says Dr. Gandhi.

Dr. Goral Gandhi has proved herself as an excellent advocate and an educator, evaluating and improving the course of fertility-treatment-assisted pregnancies in India and abroad.  In association with that, she has led significant research studies and co-authored over 30 chapters in various medical textbooks and has several publications in national and international journals.

Doctors like Goral Gandhi have helped thousands of couples across the world conceive and with newer medical advances, the effectiveness of ART continues to get better. Along with bringing happiness into the lives of their patients, women like her are also becoming an inspiration formillions across the globe!

Goral Gandhi: Offering a Range of IVF Services for Stepping into Motherhood

The empowerment and autonomy of women and the improvement of their political, social, economic and health status is a highly important goal in itself. In addition, it is essential for the achievement of sustainable development. The full participation and partnership of both women and men is required in productive and reproductive life, including shared responsibilities for the care and nurturing of children and maintenance of the household.

During her successful career of 25+ years, she has handled thousands of IVF and ICSI cases. One of the prominent names in embryology in India, Dr.Goral Gandhi is a chief embryologist and an assisted reproductive techniques trainer at International School of Reproductive Medicine and Embryology. In addition to this, she has trained over 500 embryologists from over 18 countries in vitrification for eggs and embryo cryopreservation.

In 1989, Dr. Goral Gandhi decided to become something that, given the old times, was considered as a taboo. Her journey began in London and she later completed her Master’s in Applied Biology from King Edward Memorial Hospital, University of Mumbai. Her career as an embryologist began in 1996. Today, she is a pioneer in the field of egg freezing.

Women tend to think about their biological clock at least once in a lifetime. Dr. Goral Gandhi believes that this process is especially extremely tough for women who are suffering from severe illnesses like cancer  or for those who are not ready to become a mother but want to become one in the future.

Her venture Indo Nippon IVF offers many sensitive issues that could affect how a woman perceives herself. “Many women worry that their biological clock may run out of time and they may never have the opportunity to experience the charms of motherhood”, says, Dr. Goral Gandhi.

Women like Goral Gandhi are empowering women and helping couples through their accurate knowledge and clinical expertise, along with the compassionate attitude towards ensuring their patient’s well-being.

The Fear of Failing: Factors That Can Affect Female Fertility

The chances of fertility treatment success vary widely, since each couple has a unique set of circumstances.  Treatment success depends on many factors, especially the age of the female partner.You may not be looking to get pregnant right now, but it’s important to understand what can affect your success if you do decide you want to start a family—and what you can do now to prepare.

A senior embryologist and Founder of Indo Nippon IVF, Dr Goral Gandhi helps outline the factors that can help enhance fertility among women, and factors to keep in mind before opting for assisted reproduction treatment.An overview of some of the most common fertility concerns or “factors” are listed below:

Lifestyle Factors

Although a woman’s age, genetics, and biology have the greatest impact on her fertility, lifestyle choices like weight, smoking, alcohol intake or caffeine play an equally important role. According to the ASRM, up to 13% of infertility may be attributed to tobacco intake. Other factors, such as weighing extreme on the scale (underweight or overweight), or having an irregular sleep cycle, could also affect fertility by creating a hormone imbalance.

However, adopting a healthy diet including supplements known to improve reproductive health can lead to a healthy ovulation. Dieticians often recommend intake of organic foods and cold water fish such as salmon, along with whole grains, and freshly squeezed fruit juices for couples who are trying to conceive.

Age Factor

One of the most important factors determining a women’s ability to conceive is her biological age. “A woman’s eggs age with her, decreasing in quality and quantity. This is why age is a detrimental factor when it comes to a woman’s fertility. While good health improves the chance of getting pregnant and having a healthy baby, it does not override the effects of age on a woman’s fertility,” says Dr Goral Gandhi.

However, IVF has proven to be an effective treatment option for older women who want to get pregnant through egg freezing or cryopreservation.

Genetics

There are some individuals that might be prone to a genetic condition that may either stunt sperm cell development or make it nearly impossible for an embryo to successfully implant or develop normally in the uterus. Studies estimate that approximately 50 percent of infertility cases are caused by genetic issues. Family history plays a defining role when it comes to certain conditions that cause infertility.

“Age of menopause runs in families—so if a mom went through menopause at 40 (average age being 51), her daughter would have a somewhat higher chance of having an early menopause—meaning a slowing down of fertility earlier on,” explains Goral Gandhi, one of the best embryologist in Mumbai.

One of the best things you can do is understand your family fertility history, so that you can proactively manage your fertility health. Ask your female relatives about their experience with menopause and fertility—if one or more of them hit menopause prematurely or had difficulty conceiving, you’re at risk.

Medical Conditions

Infertility can result from underlying hormonal issues as well. Hormones are varied, unseen, and interactive, so evaluating a possible hormonal imbalance and its potential impact on fertility can be challenging. Dr. Goral Gandhi further explains,“Damage to reproductive organs or even certain medical treatments can jeopardize a woman’s fertility. Be it the pelvic inflammatory disease, PCOS, or endometriosis (a disorder causing swelling, cysts, or blockages that might prevent pregnancy)”

However, in many cases where medications do not respond to traditional fertility treatment, IVF treatment may provide the highest chance of success.Some women may have medical conditions that can affect their fertility.  These may or may not be known about while starting to try for a family.  Some of these conditions may be general, for example thyroid disease and Vitamin D deficiency, whilst others may be more specific, for example, polycystic ovary syndrome and endometriosis.

Whether you’re thinking about getting pregnant or have been trying to conceive, it’s never too early (or too late) to evaluate what factors affect your fertility the most. Adopting healthy habits and getting rid of unhealthy ones can measurably improve your overall fertility health. Also, some lifestyle changes may promote/demote fertility in both the partners.