MYTHS

Fact: Sterility is the complete inability to reproduce where as infertility is “sub-fertility,” or impaired fertility. A sterile person cannot reproduce but about 70 percent of those who seek treatment for infertility are eventually able to have a baby.

Fact: 1/3rd of cause is attributed to woman, 1/3rd to men and 1/3rd to either both or unexplained. Therefore infertility is not only a woman’s problem.

Fact: Fertility is definitely age related. Studies have suggested that on an average, female fertility declines slightly starting at age 27, but drops off in a clinically meaningful amount around age 35 and then dramatically at age 40. The ideal age for conceiving for a woman is in her twenties.

Fact: With the help of pro active measures taken by the patients in managing their treatment , risk to the embryo can be minimized. For example, a couple can limit the number of potential embryos, to a number they are willing to transfer in the uterus in that cycle, and hence avoid the ethical minefield of pregnancy reduction.

Fact: Position makes no difference sperm has to reach cervical mucus within five minutes, or they are inactivated by the active PH of the vagina. Hips resting on a pillow or staying in the position at the time of ejaculation will not alter the chances of fertilization.

Fact: Egg freezing is an option for a single woman who is concerned of age who are concerned about their fertility options.

Fact: IVF is the most natural way in which genetic composition of the man and the woman is used to form a baby. Since this process is not possible inside a woman’s body either because of tubal blockage or poor sperm count, IVF helps in bringing the egg and the sperm together outside the body.

Fact: Most people avoid IVF expecting this to be an exorbitant process costing lakhs. However at Gynaeworld we provide the best treatment at the lowest possible rates.

Fact: Many people shun away from IVF thinking that if this process is unsuccessful they will never be able to become pregnant. However, there are many couples who conceive naturally or with IUI even after IVF

Fact: The background risk for congenital malformation after natural conception is 2-3 %. With IVF it increases by 0.5 – 1 %. Majority of IVF pregnancies give rise to normal babies.

Fact: IVF is not as painful as many people think it to be. Apart from the inconvenience and discomfort of multiple injections (which may vary from 1-2 per day for 10-14 days), there is no other painful procedure involved. Egg collection which can be a painful process is done under anesthesia so that the patient feels no pain. Embryo Transfer is again a painless process.

Fact: Though extra precaution is recommended in first three months of pregnancy, most patients can carry on with normal activities including their job till the final stage of pregnancy.

Fact: There is no particular diet that has shown to improve IVF pregnancy rates. People living in different parts of the world with varying dietary habits get pregnant with IVF. However, a healthy food habit is recommended. A good mixture of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and plenty of water is advised. It is best to avoid spicy and oily food.

Fact: Though certain studies have shown to improve IVF pregnancy rates by acupuncture, most robust large scale studies have failed to show this improvement.

Fact:  False, IVF technology can be used even in older (post-menopausal group, age less than 50 years) ladies using donor eggs from younger females.

Fact: False, it does not require overnight admission.  It is, by and large, an out-patient treatment. Only the egg-collection procedure requires day-care admission.

Fact: Not true, the chances of multiple pregnancies can be reduced by reducing the number of embryos transferred, especially in young women.

Fact: Not true. There is a slight increase in major malformation (1.3 times), as compared to spontaneously conceived pregnancies. This is expressed as 1 in 12 pregnancies following assisted reproduction as compared to 1 in 15 in spontaneously conceived. But the absolute risk of having a child with congenital malformation remains low.

Fact: No, it is not dangerous; in fact it is a safe treatment.  Only 1-2% of patients may become unwell because of severe ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome. Also, this can be minimized with close monitoring.