Eliminate these myths to increase the success of IVF

Once a couple starts along with an IVF treatment, there are a lot of doubts and questions which goes through their minds during the same process. Still the main motive always remains to push the success rate of IVF process and this is where a lot of misconceptions and myths need to be eliminated.

There are a lot of myths and facts related to IVF and other assisted reproductive techniques. There needs to be a proper understanding of these procedures to be clear enough about what’s right and what’s wrong. Few myths explained by Goral Gandhi embryologist in Mumbai:

Myth 1: You cannot have control of the IVF process

You cannot have control over a lot of things in life; but you can do your best to have a successful result after a long process of IVF. There are lots of couples who generally think that the IVF process is all about the type of diagnosis and treatments in the process. This is simply not the right way as the overall success of the IVF process is a lot dependent on factors like a healthy diet, body weight, etc which can be checked upon.

You might not be able to check and monitor the treatments and diagnosis but you can always keep a check on the food, you eat and the lifestyle you follow. By maintaining a balanced diet and routine, a person can keep his or her body in shape and this can very much help in the course of the whole IVF treatment.

Myth 2: You should have bed rest immediately after going through an embryo transfer

Another myth busted! Women going for immediate long bed rest after the embryo transfer process thinking that it might improve the chances of the conception need to be corrected. They can resume their normal schedule after an hour of the process and can carry on with their day to day activities like normal. The only thing they should do to avoid any mishap is not going for any rigorous workout or take any unwanted stress.

Myth 3: Eating any specific food enhances your overall chances of getting pregnant

This is another myth that is there with the couples looking for an IVF treatment. As per Goral Gandhi there isn’t any specific food that is known for boosting the pregnancy chance of a woman during the IVF treatment. Although you got to follow a balanced diet which must include superfoods like nuts, green leafy vegetables, fruits and so on. This would not only help in getting a healthy pregnancy but a healthy body and mind throughout the process. Still, there are supplements like folic acid and Vitamin D which are prescribed by the fertility specialist during the IVF treatment.

Myth 4: IVF doesn’t work after the age of 40

Here is the truth behind the fact that IVF process cannot be successful for people aged more than 40.IVF can definitely be opted even after the age of 40 or more. The success rate of IVF treatment is not decided by the age but the health and the state of the reproductive organs of the male and females. Whereas the fact remains that one should always plan for a baby before 35 years of age because that’s when the fertility rate is high.

Myth 5: An unsuccessful IVF cycle is the end for your hopes of getting pregnant

One should not be disheartened after an unsuccessful cycle of IVF. If the first cycle goes waste that does not mean you can’t succeed in the other two cycles of IVF. A person can go around with two or three IVF cycles and that can really enhance their chances of getting pregnant. Therefore, the couples must stay hopeful of getting success out of their treatment and should take all the necessary precautions in regards to their diet and routine in the process for a healthy and a positive outcome.

IVF is definitely the most and successful technology giving the infertile couple's hopes of having a baby. IVF comes with its own set of facts and myths but most of these myths are busted by the fertility experts in Mumbai at clinic Indo Nippon IVF Mumbai headed by Goral Gandhi.

Assisted reproduction in Ghana: The Indian at the heart of the country’s IVF centers

Ghana has lately emerged as one of the most preferred destinations for fertility treatments around the world. There are several reasons why cross-border reproductive travel to Ghana remains a popular option among infertile couples living in Ghana’s neighboring countries, and of Ghanaian people living in Europe and the US.

The high quality of treatment and better results offered by the Ghanaian clinics and the circumvention of restricting regulations in the country of residence form the two biggest factors that drive medical tourists from several countries across the globe seeking fertility treatments to Ghana. Lower treatment costs and the availability of matching donor material in Ghana add to it.

However, a major contribution to Ghana’s emergence as a fertility treatment hub has been from the Mumbai-based clinical embryologist Goral Gandhi. 

In charge of the structure and foundation of several active-assisted conceptions labs in India and one in Ghana, Goral Gandhi has an expertise of more than 20 years in the field of IVF and assisted reproductive procedures.

Dedicated to keeping up remarkable achievement rate at all these labs or research centers, Goral Gandhi has had a rather huge impact on the health and IVF sector – taking care of thousands of IVF and ICSI cases and helping more than 3,500 couples expand their families. 

The Mumbai-based embryologist has provided training in IVF to more than 500 embryologists from 18 nations. Goral Gandhi has also trained Embryologists and Clinicians from Ghana for hands-on experience covering all parts of IVF including IUI, ICSI, troubleshooting, verification and laboratory management since 2000. 

Being one of the very first clinical embryologists to bring assisted reproduction to Ghana, Goral Gandhi has set up extremely fruitful Fertility Preservation modules at various labs. Her current research projects are centered on the choice of the most reasonable and ailment free embryo along with the unique conceivable implantation potential using PGD and PGS methods.

IVF treatment and surrogacy used to be two of the least talked about methods of conception topics in Ghana. Despite these medical breakthroughs being a beacon of hope to a large number of childless couples worldwide, discussing assisted reproductive technology had been almost a taboo in the conservative society of Ghana.

Social stigmatization for choosing assisted reproductive techniques to conceive a baby has been a common woe in Ghana. Several couples keep their decision under wraps until the child is delivered. Despite technological advancements, some couples don’t divulge details of their method of conception for the fear of being criticized or shamed by family and friends. 

However, organizations like WHO and fertility scientists like Goral Gandhi are working towards creating awareness and de-stigmatizing the adoption of assisted reproductive procedures for conception amongst the people in Ghana. For people living in other countries, Ghana remains a fertility haven due to the availability of quality fertility treatments

How to get better out of an Embryo transfer process in IVF ?

Embryo transfer day can come over as a crucial day for any of the persons going for an IVF treatment and this comes along with lots of stress and worries in the process for both the couples alongside. While this would be bringing a lot of hope for both the partners seeking a solution for their infertility issues, this also brings along a greater risk of making everything go in vain in a matter of few days. So when this goes along, there are certain things that both the partners must keep in mind whilst planning through for an Embryo transfer process.

1. Look out for the best doctor around

Whilst this is going to be the best and most important decisions of your life being a couple, you must go forward to look around the best doctor who can help you all the way during the process. As this would help and support your overall IVF treatment in a big manner, it would also lay down a better foundation for your dreams of attaining parenthood eventually.

2. Get along with all the diagnosis required in the process

As a person goes through an IVF treatment, there is a list of diagnostics and tests that she has to go through during the same process which might include tests like Hormone profiling, semen analysis for the male partner, Trans -vaginal scan and so on. All these tests would play a crucial role in the treatment process

3. Diet and lifestyle

If we talk about the dietary schedule to follow during the IVF treatment process, the person must intake diet rich in Folic acid as it’s been said that Folic acid reduces the chances of any sort of birth defects in the child. Moreover, the patient can also opt for Folic acid supplements in case she is not finding it feasible to go on a diet for the same. Along with Folic acid, the Multivitamins must also be considered within the same process and it’s been stated by several medical professionals that Folic acid, whilst been taken along Multivitamins, improves the chances of IVF pregnancies by a great extent.

Other than diet, the person needs to make some crucial changes to another lifestyle in order to keep the unwanted stress and anxiety at bay. This can come through implementing various relaxation techniques, medication or through yoga. Whilst has been done, this could prove as a crucial aspect of the overall embryo transfer afterward.

Embryo transfer process: How to go about it during an IVF treatment?

Embryo transfer process is a part of the IVF treatment process and it can said to be the final step in the same process as well. Being a person seeking the IVF treatment, you might have been through weeks of medications, observations along with the egg retrieval process and finally it’s the time when the Embryo is going to be transferred to the uterus of the women after getting developed in a lab for 3-5 days.

This process comes as the most anticipated moment of the whole IVF journey and after months of treatment and medications, it’s that time when you will get to know the overall result about your IVF treatment. Therefore, understanding the overall process of taking care whilst going through the same always holds the key.

The Embryo transfer process

Once the embryo is developed and cultured in a lab dish, it is then implanted in the uterus of the women who are seeking pregnancy through IVF. It is a relatively easier Embryo transfer process than the Egg retrieval process and the patient can be discharged within 2-3 hours once the process is through. Going via ultrasound, the physician will use a fine transfer catheter to place the embryos through the vagina and cervix into the uterus. Once the transfer process is through, you will then be asked to lie on your back for about 30 minutes before getting discharged.

What happens after the embryo transfer?

The embryo transfer process isn’t that tough but what happens afterward is a journey full of anxiety and stress. As there will be a gap of almost two weeks between the embryo transfer and the first pregnancy test, the period in between comes along with all the stress and impatience for the person. As a result, you will get to see some symptoms like mood swings, fatigue, slight bloating and sore breast and it would be a bit hard to guess whether these are symptoms for premenstrual or Pregnancy.

This is where the patient becomes more confused in regards to the result of the overall IVF treatment and all they can do is to wait for the first pregnancy test.

Precautions to take after the embryo transfer

Although it’s been suggested that the patient can result with her daily routines after the embryo transfer process, she is still advised of proper bed rest for some time along with the consumption of some healthy foods in the process. Moreover, the patient is strictly prohibited for the consumption of alcohol and tobacco and this must be followed religiously. Moreover, for further information on the embryo transfer process and best IVF treatment around.