If you've had IVF treatment, you'll know how important the number of eggs collected during the cycle can seem - but other than assuming that lots is good, most of us have little idea of what would be the perfect number to maximise the chances of success.
Now, researchers have analysed data from more than 400 000 IVF cycles using information from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority to see if they could find a pattern of success related to the number of eggs collected. Looking at the live birth rate, they were attempting to produce a model to predict the chances of success based on the number of eggs and the age of the woman having treatment.
Their research showed the live birth rate rose gradually depending on the number of eggs collected until it reached 15 eggs, at which point it stayed stable until it got to 20 eggs, after which it began to decline. For women under the age of 34 who had 15 eggs, the live birth rate was 40% across the UK, and even for women of 40 and over, it reached 16% if they had reached the desired 15 eggs at collection. So 15 has been deemed as the ideal number of eggs in order to maximise the chances of achieving a live birth after IVF treatment.
You can read more details of the research, which has been published in Human Reproduction, here
Monday, 16 May 2011
Sunday, 8 May 2011
New support group for lesbian mothers-to-be
I went to a meeting this morning organised by a great new support group for lesbians who are thinking about having children. LGroup Families - www.lgroupfamilies.org.uk - was set up by a lesbian couple whose own experiences when they decided they'd like to start a family convinced them of the need for more support and advice. The group organises monthly workshops, often with speakers, for lesbians who want to know more about their options. The group can help women access information and help, and make them aware that they may seek help within the NHS as well as at expensive private clinics.
The group is also now starting meetings for pregnant women and for those who have children which will provide not only an opportunity to get together with others, but may also provide practical advice. Do have a look at the website and event listings to find out more.
The group is also now starting meetings for pregnant women and for those who have children which will provide not only an opportunity to get together with others, but may also provide practical advice. Do have a look at the website and event listings to find out more.
Monday, 2 May 2011
Infertility Network UK
I finished work as a Regional Organiser for Infertility Network UK last month after almost two years as a member of staff, and many more of being involved with the charity as a trustee beforehand. If you're not familiar with I N UK, do take a look at the website - www.infertilitynetworkuk.com . There's so much information for anyone with an interest in fertility, from downloadable factsheets on different aspects of infertility and treatment to a funding section with a fascinating interactive map to show what the current situation for NHS-funded IVF is across the UK. There are details of events and support groups across the country as well as forums and chatrooms where you can talk to others. The charity also supports those who've been successful after treatment through ACeBabes and those who are living with involuntary childlessness through More to Life.
I have had a wonderful two years working for the charity, and it has been great to meet so many lovely people and to do a job which felt worthwhile every day. Do take a look at the website and see what Infertility Network UK can offer...
I have had a wonderful two years working for the charity, and it has been great to meet so many lovely people and to do a job which felt worthwhile every day. Do take a look at the website and see what Infertility Network UK can offer...
Friday, 15 April 2011
Canadian study shows costs of IVF multiples
Anyone who has qualms about the aim to reduce the number of multiple births after assisted conception in the UK should look at a new study from Canada published in The Journal of Pediatrics which analyses the admissions to neonatal intensive care of IVF babies.
The research shows that a hefty 17% of the newborn babies in intensive care were the result of multiple pregnancies after assisted conception, and that a policy of single embryo transfer could save 30-40 deaths across Canada each year, not to mention many serious complications.
The researchers studied a database from one hospital over a period of some years to check for significant complications, and extrapolated those findings to the whole country. They found that twins were more likely to be premature, were more likely to be admitted to intensive care and were also more likely to have other complications. They say that although fertility specialists are aware of the risks of multiple pregnancy, they are still willing to continue with procedures that carry risks for mothers and their babies and that this is partly due to the fact that people are usually paying for their treatment. The couples are therefore willing to attempt anything that might mean paying for fewer cycles, while clinics are pressured for higher "success" rates. The researchers make it clear that they feel the medical system "sometimes has the responsibility to refuse to offer interventions that increase morbidity when there are equally effective alternatives available, which lead to lower morbidity; especially when the large part of the morbidity is suffered by another individual, in this case, the baby." They call for a system where treatment costs are reimbursed and where IVF is regulated in order to save lives and long-term additional expenses.
You can read the report in full at www.jpeds.com
The research shows that a hefty 17% of the newborn babies in intensive care were the result of multiple pregnancies after assisted conception, and that a policy of single embryo transfer could save 30-40 deaths across Canada each year, not to mention many serious complications.
The researchers studied a database from one hospital over a period of some years to check for significant complications, and extrapolated those findings to the whole country. They found that twins were more likely to be premature, were more likely to be admitted to intensive care and were also more likely to have other complications. They say that although fertility specialists are aware of the risks of multiple pregnancy, they are still willing to continue with procedures that carry risks for mothers and their babies and that this is partly due to the fact that people are usually paying for their treatment. The couples are therefore willing to attempt anything that might mean paying for fewer cycles, while clinics are pressured for higher "success" rates. The researchers make it clear that they feel the medical system "sometimes has the responsibility to refuse to offer interventions that increase morbidity when there are equally effective alternatives available, which lead to lower morbidity; especially when the large part of the morbidity is suffered by another individual, in this case, the baby." They call for a system where treatment costs are reimbursed and where IVF is regulated in order to save lives and long-term additional expenses.
You can read the report in full at www.jpeds.com
Monday, 28 March 2011
Report on the More to Life day
We were all delighted that our first ever More to Life day for those who are involuntarily childless was a resounding success, attended by more than eighty people. I must admit I’d been quite anxious in the run up to the day about whether people would enjoy it, but the afternoon of talks and workshops provided an ideal opportunity for More to Life members from across the country to get together and for prospective members to find out more about the charity and what it can offer.
The afternoon was opened by More to Life Chief Executive, Clare Lewis-Jones, who explained a little about the background to the charity and about all the work both staff and volunteers do throughout the UK to enable More to Life to offer help and support to those who are involuntarily childless.
The first speaker of the afternoon was counsellor Jayne Williamson from Aberdeen whose talk was peppered with music, poetry and art. Jayne talked about the coping strategies she suggests in her therapy sessions and about the art therapy she practices. She showed us some of the art work she’d produced herself whilst learning about the process, and explained that once people had overcome their anxieties about putting pen or paint to paper they often found it could offer unique insights, forming a very helpful part of the healing process.
Jayne’s talk was followed by a workshop with Vivienne Edgecombe, who began by explaining that she was going to be talking from the heart about her own experience of involuntary childlessness and about her journey to the realisation that you don’t need children in order to have a happy life. Vivienne looked at the way we can get stuck in negative thought patterns about all kinds of things in our lives, and explained that she uses EFT(Emotional Freedom Technique), or tapping, to help get rid of negative thoughts. She showed the audience how to tap, starting with a tap on the side of the hand and moving around the upper body. She admitted that it might look a bit odd, and explained that there were all kinds of theories about why it might work, but that the important thing from her perspective was that it really did seem to make a difference. Vivienne’s natural enthusiasm and honesty shone through in her talk, which left many of those in the audience feeling really inspired.
The break in the middle of the afternoon gave the audience a chance to get together and chat, to make new friends and to meet others from their local area. There was a really lovely, friendly atmosphere where everyone felt welcomed, and it was quite a feat to encourage the delegates back into the conference hall for the second half of the afternoon!
The final speakers, Hazel Hodge and Rachel Ormrod, are both familiar faces to many More to Life members. Hazel, an active member from the Midlands, spoke eloquently about her own experiences of involuntary childlessness and of learning to cope after a hysterectomy. Hazel shared many of her own ideas and suggestions for focusing on the positives and explained that those without children have two valuable resources, time and money, which they can use to live their lives to the full. Hazel showed her own list of positive things that she intends to do in her life, and discussed her voluntary work for More to Life and with children, as well as her fundraising activities. She explained that a ‘moving on plan’, which she refers to as a mop, is an essential part of learning to cope and of finding a purpose in life.
Rachel Ormrod, our final speaker, was best known to many of the audience as the co-author of ‘Beyond Childlessness’, a great resource for anyone dealing with involuntary childlessness. Rachel told her own story, and talked about the stages of acceptance of her own involuntary childlessness, with a very frank and open account of the lows and highs. Rachel’s husband declared he didn’t want children after they married, and she spent the next 20 years dealing with this before he decided he wanted a divorce, leaving her free to do whatever she wanted with her life. She offered her services to an orphanage in Africa and the picture she painted of the children, longing for parental care, and of herself, living in their world but still feeling the pain of her own childlessness so acutely, was incredibly moving.
The afternoon ended with a presentation of flowers to the More to Life chair, Judy Wingrove, who has done so much to ensure More to Life can continue to work to support those experiencing involuntary childlessness. The day was a great success, and one we hope that can be repeated n the future!
The afternoon was opened by More to Life Chief Executive, Clare Lewis-Jones, who explained a little about the background to the charity and about all the work both staff and volunteers do throughout the UK to enable More to Life to offer help and support to those who are involuntarily childless.
The first speaker of the afternoon was counsellor Jayne Williamson from Aberdeen whose talk was peppered with music, poetry and art. Jayne talked about the coping strategies she suggests in her therapy sessions and about the art therapy she practices. She showed us some of the art work she’d produced herself whilst learning about the process, and explained that once people had overcome their anxieties about putting pen or paint to paper they often found it could offer unique insights, forming a very helpful part of the healing process.
Jayne’s talk was followed by a workshop with Vivienne Edgecombe, who began by explaining that she was going to be talking from the heart about her own experience of involuntary childlessness and about her journey to the realisation that you don’t need children in order to have a happy life. Vivienne looked at the way we can get stuck in negative thought patterns about all kinds of things in our lives, and explained that she uses EFT(Emotional Freedom Technique), or tapping, to help get rid of negative thoughts. She showed the audience how to tap, starting with a tap on the side of the hand and moving around the upper body. She admitted that it might look a bit odd, and explained that there were all kinds of theories about why it might work, but that the important thing from her perspective was that it really did seem to make a difference. Vivienne’s natural enthusiasm and honesty shone through in her talk, which left many of those in the audience feeling really inspired.
The break in the middle of the afternoon gave the audience a chance to get together and chat, to make new friends and to meet others from their local area. There was a really lovely, friendly atmosphere where everyone felt welcomed, and it was quite a feat to encourage the delegates back into the conference hall for the second half of the afternoon!
The final speakers, Hazel Hodge and Rachel Ormrod, are both familiar faces to many More to Life members. Hazel, an active member from the Midlands, spoke eloquently about her own experiences of involuntary childlessness and of learning to cope after a hysterectomy. Hazel shared many of her own ideas and suggestions for focusing on the positives and explained that those without children have two valuable resources, time and money, which they can use to live their lives to the full. Hazel showed her own list of positive things that she intends to do in her life, and discussed her voluntary work for More to Life and with children, as well as her fundraising activities. She explained that a ‘moving on plan’, which she refers to as a mop, is an essential part of learning to cope and of finding a purpose in life.
Rachel Ormrod, our final speaker, was best known to many of the audience as the co-author of ‘Beyond Childlessness’, a great resource for anyone dealing with involuntary childlessness. Rachel told her own story, and talked about the stages of acceptance of her own involuntary childlessness, with a very frank and open account of the lows and highs. Rachel’s husband declared he didn’t want children after they married, and she spent the next 20 years dealing with this before he decided he wanted a divorce, leaving her free to do whatever she wanted with her life. She offered her services to an orphanage in Africa and the picture she painted of the children, longing for parental care, and of herself, living in their world but still feeling the pain of her own childlessness so acutely, was incredibly moving.
The afternoon ended with a presentation of flowers to the More to Life chair, Judy Wingrove, who has done so much to ensure More to Life can continue to work to support those experiencing involuntary childlessness. The day was a great success, and one we hope that can be repeated n the future!
Tuesday, 22 March 2011
Brighton fertility support group
The Brighton fertility support group organised by Infertility Network UK will be meeting this Thursday, 24 March, at the Agora Clinic in Hove at 6pm. The meeting is open to everyone - you don't need to be having treatment at the clinic - and you don't need to book to come to the group, just turn up on Thursday evening. Hope to see you there!
Friday, 18 March 2011
Asian support group
The next meeting of the Infertility Network UK Asian support group will be held this Tuesday at the Harley Street Fertility Clinic in Devonshire Street, which is just off Harley Street in Central London. The Asian support group has proved to be a huge success and has featured on the BBC's Woman's Hour and the BBC Asian Network in recent months. The group is open to everyone - you don't have to be having treatment at the clinic or to be a member of Infertility Network UK. Do come along on Tuesday at 6.30pm if you're interested - it's a very informal, supportive and friendly group.
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