Congratulations to Robert Edwards

It is wonderful news that Professor Robert Edwards, the IVF pioneer, has finally been awarded a knighthood in this year's Queen's birthday honours. It is hardly surprising that the work of the man who changed the lives of so many has been recognised, but it is surprising that it has taken so long. The award comes closely after the Nobel Prize for Medicine awarded to Professor Edwards last year. Maybe, four million babies down the line, the establishment has finally woken up to his amazing legacy - and to the fact that the UK led the way in this field with the birth of the first ever IVF baby in 1978. Congratulations to a truly brilliant and inspirational man.

Varicoceles linked to lower testosterone levels

Varicoceles, which are dilated or enlarged veins in the testicles, are a common problem for men. They've been linked with male fertility problems for many years, but new research has shown that they can interfere with the production of testosterone. Lower levels of testosterone can have an impact on men's energy levels and muscle strength as well as affecting fertility.

As many as fifteen percent of men have varicoceles, but no medical action is usually taken unless they are painful or thought to be causing infertility. However, the new research suggests that it may be a good idea to opt for microsurgery earlier rather than later in order to prevent future problems.

To read more about the research, visit http://weill.cornell.edu

Precious Babies

I've had the cover through this week for my new book, Precious Babies, which is out in October. There's something about seeing the cover for the first time that makes a book seem real and I'm so excited about this one. I've wanted to write something aimed at those who are pregnant, or new parents, after infertility ever since I first discovered I was pregnant after my second cycle of IVF. The joy that I felt was tempered with a terrible sense of fear that it couldn't possibly be real, that I couldn't possibly be so lucky and that something was bound to go wrong. Nothing did - but I spent nine months worrying - and in retrospect that seems such a shame. There's nothing anyone can do to change the natural concern you feel when you conceive after experiencing infertility, but by acknowledging the feelings, I hope that this new book can at least make help make those fears fade a little.

The book also covers parenting from birth right through to teens, as I really do believe that the experience of infertility often changes the way we feel about being parents. The parents I spoke to felt very strongly that they were less likely to take their children for granted, and recognised that they sometimes set themselves impossibly high standards to follow as parents. Of course, the experience of infertility fades fairly rapidly, but many of those I spoke to felt that their infertility had ended up changing them for the better, and that they truly appreciated how very blessed they were to have their children.

I hope that Precious Babies addresses many of the issues that concern parents, and I've included expert views and advice throughout in order to ensure that it can offer a rounded view to anyone who has finally been successful after spending some time trying to conceive. You can find out more about the book here

Ideal number of eggs for IVF success?

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

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.

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...

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