Friday, July 15, 2011

How to get pregnant

A new book shows that for many, it’s not as easy as it sounds. Author Firuza Parikh busts myths about IVF and pregnancy
About 10-12 percent of Indians have trouble conceiving a child. But several myths about Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) keep couples from seeking help. India’s top fertility specialist and gynaecologist Dr Firuza Parekh, who has recently published The Complete Guide to Becoming Pregnant, clears up some misunderstandings. An excerpt:

Myth
Eating spicy food causes ovulation, low sperm count, miscarriage, and premature delivery.
Fact
Eating spicy food only occasionally disturbs the gastrointestinal system and sometimes causes heartburn.
Myth
Seven to eight days of abstinence are required before a semen analysis, or before giving a sample for IVF/ ICSI/ sperm freezing.
Fact
Increased days of abstinence can, in fact, decrease the sperm motility. Two or four days of abstinence are adequate for a good semen sample.
Myth
Masturbation causes impotency and low sperm count.
Fact
Masturbation should not be associated with guilt. It does not impact fertility.
Myth
The chances of pregnancy are reduced if the ejaculated semen comes out of the vagina after intercourse.
Fact
Ejaculated semen liquefies after a few minutes in the vagina. Some seminal fluid is bound to come out. This does not decrease the chances of pregnancy.
Myth
The sexual position determines the gender of the baby.
Fact
No sexual position has any effect on the gender of the baby. There may be other compelling reasons though, for some sexual variation.
Myth
Having sex daily increases the chances of pregnancy.
Fact
Daily sex does not increase the chances of pregnancy and may, in fact, decrease the sperm count on the day of ovulation. In men with low sperm counts, this may be detrimental to the odds of pregnancy.
Myth
PCOS (polycystic ovary syn drome) goes away after having a baby.
Fact
PCOS is a condition that has a genetic basis. It does not go away by itself. Treatment needs to be continued.
Myth
A retroverted uterus causes infertility.
Fact
A retroverted uterus is present in about 30 percent of women. As long as it is not fixed in the retroverted position, it does not impact fertility.
Myth
IVF is completely unnatural.
Fact
IVF mimics nature and the seven steps of fertilisation. The culture medium, incubator, and processes are made as close to nature as possible.
Myth
IVF results only in girls.
Fact
There is no process of sex selection during the procedure. IVF doesn’t change the demography or percentage of girls over boys.
Myth
IVF makes you put on weight.
Fact
The hormones may cause water retention but do not lead to weight gain by accumulation of fat. Of course, if pregnancy occurs, weight gain ensues.
Myth
IVF increases the risk of cancer, particularly of the breast and ovaries.
Fact
There are several scientific studies that have shown no increased risk of cancer after IVF.
Myth
Complete bed rest is required for all patients following IVF.
Fact
Women can and should live a normal life after doing IVF. A study done four years ago showed no increase in pregnancy rates in the group who took bed rest after IVF as compared to those who did not.
Myth
Housework and cooking are prohibited after IVF.
Fact
Housework, cooking, bending, sleeping on the stomach, and mild exercise such as walking, are all permitted after IVF.
Myth
Taking progesterone injections after IVF is better than vaginal pessaries (tablets inserted into the vagina) of progesterone.
Fact
Progesterone injections are painful. They do not have any advantage over vaginal pessaries of progesterone.
 

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