I've just been reading about a new book that claims tomatoes are the latest superfood. Apparently they not only contain vitamins, but are also high in antioxidants, particularly one known as lycopene. It's the lycopene that gives tomatoes their bright red colour.
The book, The Red Bodyguard by Ron Levin, makes the case for tomatoes helping with all kinds of ailments thanks to the lycopene. It is claimed that they can help men with low sperm counts, and that when a test group were given supplements of lycopene there was a marked improvement in their fertility.
You can read more about the claims in this article in The Telegraph , and you may feel they're just another of the endless claims that if you eat more of this or less of that, it will improve your fertility. However, you're not going to do any harm by increasing your tomato intake, and it may help you ensure you hit your five fruit and veg a day target if nothing else.
Monday, 11 February 2008
Friday, 8 February 2008
Acupuncture linked to improved IVF success rates
Researchers have concluded that acupuncture carried out around the time the embryos are put back into the womb during an IVF cycle can improve the chances of a positive pregnancy test and a live birth.
The research team conducted a review of the existing studies looking at acupuncture and IVF, and drew the clear conclusion that acupuncture did appear to make a difference. Acupuncture has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to regulate the female reproductive system for centuries, and has become increasingly popular amongst those going through fertility treatment in recent years. The review looked at studies where acupuncture was used within a day of embryo transfer, either before or afterwards.
The full details of the review study can be seen here
The research team conducted a review of the existing studies looking at acupuncture and IVF, and drew the clear conclusion that acupuncture did appear to make a difference. Acupuncture has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to regulate the female reproductive system for centuries, and has become increasingly popular amongst those going through fertility treatment in recent years. The review looked at studies where acupuncture was used within a day of embryo transfer, either before or afterwards.
The full details of the review study can be seen here
Thursday, 7 February 2008
Considering donor insemination?
Women considering donor insemination may find it interesting to visit one of the evening seminars organised by the London Women's Clinic. Titled "Inseminar", the sessions are open to anyone, and provide a really useful insight into the practicalities of using donor sperm for patients. There are talks from the clinic's Medical Director, the Head of Nursing, the Sperm Bank Managers and the Legal Adviser.
I attended one of the seminars last night, and was impressed by the broad range of information on offer, from detailed explanations about pre-treatment testing to an in-depth discussion about the recruitment of sperm donors and the checks and safeguards built into the system. The London Women's Clinic was one of the first to offer treatment to single women and lesbian couples, and although there were some men present, the seminar may be of particular value for single women and lesbian couples, particularly the legal adviser's comprehensive overview of how the law works when donor sperm is used in these situations.
There's lots of valuable information on offer, whether you're considering having treatment at this particular clinic or not, and some advice from other women on the practicalities can be found in my book The Complete Guide to Female Fertility
More Inseminars are planned, and not just in London but also in Cardiff, and anyone interested in attending can find more information here
I attended one of the seminars last night, and was impressed by the broad range of information on offer, from detailed explanations about pre-treatment testing to an in-depth discussion about the recruitment of sperm donors and the checks and safeguards built into the system. The London Women's Clinic was one of the first to offer treatment to single women and lesbian couples, and although there were some men present, the seminar may be of particular value for single women and lesbian couples, particularly the legal adviser's comprehensive overview of how the law works when donor sperm is used in these situations.
There's lots of valuable information on offer, whether you're considering having treatment at this particular clinic or not, and some advice from other women on the practicalities can be found in my book The Complete Guide to Female Fertility
More Inseminars are planned, and not just in London but also in Cardiff, and anyone interested in attending can find more information here
Wednesday, 6 February 2008
UK to be home to Europe's largest IVF unit
Planning permission has just been granted for the largest IVF unit in Europe to be built in Liverpool. The Hewitt Centre for Reproductive Medicine , based at Liverpool Women's Hospital, is already one of the largest units in the country, but the new centre will be able to carry out 2,000 treatment cycles every year.
The project is funded jointly by the hospital and the private company, North West Fertility Ltd, and will include a new embryology laboratory, sperm bank and egg freezing facility. This can only be good news for anyone needing fertility treatment in the North West.
If you want to know more, you can see the local newspaper report on the story here
The project is funded jointly by the hospital and the private company, North West Fertility Ltd, and will include a new embryology laboratory, sperm bank and egg freezing facility. This can only be good news for anyone needing fertility treatment in the North West.
If you want to know more, you can see the local newspaper report on the story here
Tuesday, 5 February 2008
Successful fertility treatment?
When fertility treatment works, it's a truly fantastic feeling, but it's also surprising how quickly that elation turns to a whole new set of fears and worries. You've spent so long getting to this point, and you expect to feel ecstatic but instead you may find yourself obsessed with miscarriage and pregnancy problems.
When I was pregnant after IVF, I couldn't stop reading pregnancy books, and convinced myself I had every possible problem from latent pre-eclampsia to an incompetent cervix. The most difficult part is knowing who to turn to. You're only too aware that your fertility friends don't want to listen to your concerns, but at the same time it often seems that everyone else thinks you're worrying unnecessarily at a time when you ought to be filled with joy.
Help is at hand, and has been for the last ten years. ACeBabes is a national charity supporting those who've had successful fertility treatment right through from the early days of pregnancy to parenting. There's advice and a chance to get in touch with others in a similar position, and you can even find yourself a "bump buddy", For more details, take a look at their website
When I was pregnant after IVF, I couldn't stop reading pregnancy books, and convinced myself I had every possible problem from latent pre-eclampsia to an incompetent cervix. The most difficult part is knowing who to turn to. You're only too aware that your fertility friends don't want to listen to your concerns, but at the same time it often seems that everyone else thinks you're worrying unnecessarily at a time when you ought to be filled with joy.
Help is at hand, and has been for the last ten years. ACeBabes is a national charity supporting those who've had successful fertility treatment right through from the early days of pregnancy to parenting. There's advice and a chance to get in touch with others in a similar position, and you can even find yourself a "bump buddy", For more details, take a look at their website
Monday, 4 February 2008
Miscarriage support
Losing a baby during pregnancy is devastating for anyone, but when you've been waiting a long time to get pregnant in the first place, or have been through fertility treatment first, it can seem completely overwhelming. Anyone who has experienced both infertility and pregnancy loss will be aware of the whole range of emotions that this can bring, and the feelings of isolation, hopelessness and failure.
It can seem as if you are all alone, but there is help and support if you need it. You may usually rely on your partner for emotional support, but at this time it is sometimes very difficult for them too, and you may deal with the experience in different ways. Friends may not seem to understand at all, and it is certainly worth considering seeking professional counselling even if you usually think it's not for you. Alternatively, you may want to see support from The Miscarriage Association who can offer practical advice, help and support as well as a range of leaflets that may help.
It can seem as if you are all alone, but there is help and support if you need it. You may usually rely on your partner for emotional support, but at this time it is sometimes very difficult for them too, and you may deal with the experience in different ways. Friends may not seem to understand at all, and it is certainly worth considering seeking professional counselling even if you usually think it's not for you. Alternatively, you may want to see support from The Miscarriage Association who can offer practical advice, help and support as well as a range of leaflets that may help.
Friday, 1 February 2008
Heart disease in IVF twins
Researchers in the United States have discovered that IVF twins have an increased risk of congenital heart disease, although single IVF babies have no greater risk than the rest of the population.
The team at Yale University say their research suggests that some previous reports of high rates of congenital heart disease in IVF babies may be a result of the high levels of multiple births after IVF rather than anything else.
The study looked at more than 2,000 patients and found the IVF twins had a three-fold increase in rates of congenital heart disease. The research comes as UK clinics are being urged to cut their multiple birth rates, and may be another statistic to take into consideration in the debate about single embryo transfer.
There's more information about the study on the Yale University website.
The team at Yale University say their research suggests that some previous reports of high rates of congenital heart disease in IVF babies may be a result of the high levels of multiple births after IVF rather than anything else.
The study looked at more than 2,000 patients and found the IVF twins had a three-fold increase in rates of congenital heart disease. The research comes as UK clinics are being urged to cut their multiple birth rates, and may be another statistic to take into consideration in the debate about single embryo transfer.
There's more information about the study on the Yale University website.
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