Tag: Nova IVF Fertility

Health

After four failed IUI and 2 failed IVF Cycles, a 30-Year-Old woman could fulfil her dream of motherhood

Dec 21, 2021 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #Arti Singh, #Dr. Dafle, #Dr. Karishma Dafle, #Fertility Consultant, #IUI, #IVF Cycles, #Nova IVF Fertility, #pune

A team headed by Dr. Karishma Dafle, Fertility Consultant, Nova IVF Fertility, Pune, successfully helped a 30-Year-Old Woman to fulfil her dream of becoming a mother after four failed IUI and 2 failed IVF Cycles and battling conditions such as a severe form of endometriosis and Adenomyosis. The woman is a proud mother to healthy twins now.

Mrs. Arti Singh (name changed) and her husband Rahul Singh (name changed) tied the knot in 2012 and are doctors from Pune. After completing one year of marriage, the couple failed to conceive naturally and decided to investigate and find out about endometriosis. They opted for intrauterine insemination (IUI), a type of artificial insemination procedure for treating infertility. The couple was disheartened as they couldn’t achieve pregnancy. After four failed IUI cycles, the couple was desperate to have a child and were trying various methods, the couple didn’t succeed. They were referred to Nova IVF Fertility, Pune wherein their dream was fulfilled, and they gave birth to healthy twins in 2021.

Dr. Karishma Dafle, Fertility Consultant, Nova IVF Fertility, Pune, “Arti was 28, and her husband was around 29 when she first visited the clinic in 2018 with the history of four failed IUI cycles. The couple was married for four years and wished to have a baby. On examining her, a blood test and ultrasound revealed the patient had an endometriotic cyst of 3cms in the left ovary and her uterus was enlarged. Given her failed IUI cycles, an endometriosis diagnosis, the patient was advised to go for an in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. IVF means fertilizing eggs by sperm outside the body. In the first IVF cycle, no embryos were formed reason being poor egg quality. Then, a repeat IVF cycle was done after weight reduction by improving her eating habits.”

Dr. Dafle added, “To her dismay, though 2 good embryos were there, the endometriotic cyst became 5 cms in size, and the uterus was enlarged too. She had severe dysmenorrhoea a condition with painful periods. We further examined where she was diagnosed with Adenomyosis, a condition where cells from the uterus lining grow into the uterus muscle causing painful menses.”

The patient underwent Laparoscopic Adenomyomectomy along with endometriotic cyst excision. Adenomyomectomy is a major surgery wherein the enlarged part of the uterus is removed. The surgery was done in 2019 and 6 months later the embryos were successfully transplanted.

However, the patient had a miscarriage at 8 weeks because of a covid infection and high fever. When she was 30, a repeated IVF was done and 2 embryos were transferred. The patient conceived and gave birth to twin babies in June 2021. The babies were 2 and 2.1 kg respectively. Both mother and babies were doing fine at the time of discharge.

“After our marriage, we were elated to start our family. Unfortunately, I had severe endometriosis with symptoms like menstrual cramps, heavy menstrual flow, and painful intercourse. On consulting an expert, we came to know about infertility, and our world turned upside-down. We thought that we would never be able to conceive but IUI gave us some hope. We were disheartened after four failed IUI cycles. I would cry to myself and become sad when I saw the other small babies with their mothers. I have always wanted to have my child, and it was painful for me. I felt ashamed, guilty, embarrassed, anxious, depressed, stressed, and frustrated. I stopped socializing, meeting friends, and attending gatherings. The failing IUI cycles hurt my self-esteem. Finally, there was a ray of hope when we approached Nova IVF Fertility. I thank Dr. Dafle for helping me to achieve pregnancy even after facing complications. We are parents to healthy twin babies now via an IVF treatment. IVF is a boon for couples like us, who want to become pregnant successfully. Any underlying condition causing infertility needs to be addressed on time” concluded Arti.

Health

“India’s first ‘Savior Sibling’ saves her 6-year-old brother suffering from Thalassemia”

Oct 15, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #Dr. Banker, #Dr. Deepa Trivedi, #Dr. Manish Banker, #Mr. Sahadev Solanki, #Mr. Sahdev Singh Solanki, #Nova IVF Fertility, #Sankalp CIMS BMT Unit, #Savior Sibling, #Thalassemia

In a virtual press conference today, Nova IVF Fertility shared the successful treatment of a 6-year-old boy who was saved by India’s First Savior Sibling.

Baby Kavya was conceived through IVF to be HLA-matched, suitable to transplant bone marrow to her brother who was suffering from Thalassemia Major. Through a novel technique in Assisted Reproductive Therapy called PGT-M (Pre-Implantation Genetic Testing for Monogenic Disorder) with HLA (Human leukocyte antigen) matching Baby Kavya was born to save the older brother.

Mr. Sahdev Singh Solanki and Mrs. Alpa Solanki’s second born, Abhijeet was diagnosed of Thalassemia Major and was dependent on a monthly blood transfusion. The Solanki’s were advised Bone Marrow Transplant as the last resort to treat their child. However, the inability to find the required match for Human leukocyte Antigen (HLA) made the family helpless. In desperation to save their young child they consulted doctors across the country.

Mr. Solanki himself did thorough research to find treatment options and came across the term “Savior Sibling”. This gave him a ray of hope and he reached out to Dr. Manish Banker, Medical Director, Nova IVF Fertility at his Ahmedabad Clinic for executing this novel clinical approach to save his son.

On conducting such a unique medical marvel, Dr. Manish Banker, Medical Director, Nova IVF Fertility, said, “We are extremely thrilled to be part of a reproductive history in India to create the first-ever ‘savior sibling’ through medical marvels of ART.

Considering the unavailability of matched human leukocyte antigen (HLA) donors for the transplant in Abhijeet’s case, we decided to opt for IVF with HLA matching with Pre-Genetic Diagnosis & Screening test (PGD and PGS). This process for HLA typing is an established method for conceiving a child who may donate cord blood or hematopoietic stem cells for transplantation to save a respective sibling with a critical illness. Bone marrow transplantation from an HLA-identical donor is the best therapeutic option for thalassemia major patients.”

“Though we were aware of the science behind this, the father himself approached us basis his research on this, which is highly commendable. Considering this was the first-ever case in the history of Indian IVF, we took the challenge and created a healthy ‘Savior Sibling’ to save her elder brother.” He added.

The medical experts at Nova IVF executed this first-ever treatment at the Ahmedabad Center, led by Dr. Banker, where the mother had 18 embryos biopsied, of which only one embryo was found to have matching HLA, normal on Preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic diseases (PGT M), and was thus transferred successfully in its very first cycle.

This resulted in a successful pregnancy, delivering a healthy baby girl who was found to be 10/10 HLA match with the sibling. In March 2020 having the perfect HLA match, a successful bone marrow transplant was done for the affected child at CIMS Hospital, who is now healthy and risk-free.

Commenting on the success, the father, Mr. Sahadev Solanki, said, “We had consulted many doctors across the country, but when nobody could assure successful transplantation, I decided to do whatever it takes to save my young child. Even though with limited medical knowledge, I researched and went through a pile of medical journals and case studies of similar cases to come up with something that can save my child from this deadly disease.

Though our country now offers some of the best fertility solution centers, we needed the technological backbone of expert embryologists to perform this medical marvel and that is when we approached Dr. Banker in Ahmedabad. Hearing me patiently, Dr. Banker assured me and he did so with utmost success.

Now looking at both children gives me immense pleasure to see them full of life for the years to come. I am heartily thankful and will always be indebted to Nova IVF Fertility for giving us hope to live”

Dr. Deepa Trivedi, Programme Director, Sankalp CIMS BMT Unit, CIMS Hospital, said, “PGD for single gene disorders along with HLA typing offers the possibility of having a matched sibling donor that can save a sick sibling afflicted with the same genetic disorder. It is labour and cost-intensive and requires multidisciplinary collaboration. It might be a viable option to a select group of families who want to avoid recurrent pregnancies, prenatal testing and termination of pregnancy if fetus is affected.”

Health

Getting Pregnant With PCOS By Dr. Ritu Hinduja, Fertility Consultant, Nova IVF Fertility, Mumbai

Sep 21, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #Dr. Ritu Hinduja, #Fertility treatment, #Mumbai, #Nova IVF Fertility, #PCOS

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, also known as PCOS, is a reproductive metabolic syndrome and imbalance or an endocrine metabolic problem. Women having PCOS may have infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods Women with PCOS produce higher-than-normal amounts of male hormones. This hormone imbalance causes them to skip menstrual periods, as no egg is released from the ovary and this makes it harder for them to conceive.

In PCOS, many small, fluid-filled sacs grow inside the ovaries. The word “polycystic” means “many cysts.” These sacs are actually follicles, each one containing an immature egg. The eggs never mature enough to trigger ovulation. The lack of ovulation alters levels of estrogen, progesterone, FSH, and LH. Estrogen and progesterone levels are lower than usual, while androgen levels are higher than usual. Extra male hormones disrupt the menstrual cycle, so women with PCOS get fewer periods than usual.

Doctors don’t know exactly what causes PCOS. They believe that high levels of male hormones prevent the ovaries from producing hormones and making eggs normally. Genetics, insulin resistance, and inflammation have all been linked to excess androgen production. Insulin is a hormone the pancreas produces to help the body use sugar from foods for energy. When cells can’t use insulin properly, the body’s demand for insulin increases. The pancreas makes more insulin to compensate. Extra insulin triggers the ovaries to produce more male hormones, which not only disrupts ovulation but also causes hirsutism and acne. Women having PCOS also tend to experience a low-grade inflammation that stimulates polycystic ovaries to produce androgen, which can invite heart and blood vessel problems in the future.

Know how PCOS affects your fertility?

It is a well-established fact that women suffering from PCOS take a longer time to get pregnant. The reason can be due to irregular periods which means they don’t ovulate every month. PCOS patients tend to have a poor quality of the egg, compared to that of a non-PCOS woman. This could imply that a PCOS patient has a lower pregnancy potential compared to a non-PCOS patient of the same age. Also, being overweight reduces fertility and can contribute to women with PCOS taking longer to conceive. This is how women with PCOS improve their chance of pregnancy. One needs to adhere to a healthy lifestyle and medications in order to increase the chances of getting pregnant. Here are some healthy lifestyle changes that should be opted for:

• Adding fiber to your diet helps lower the insulin levels and enhance the health of your gut. Eat seeds, berries, legumes, flax seeds, and whole grains.
• Eat more of lean protein but speak to your expert about the quantity in which you should eat. Include grilled chicken, salmon, fish, beans, tofu, shrimp, and tuna.
• Eat antioxidant-rich foods by opting for olive oil, avocado, quinoa, brown rice, kale, and spinach to stay healthy.
• Women with PCOS are at a higher risk of type-2 diabetes. A low-GI diet can help in weight loss as well as improve insulin sensitivity. Eat nuts, seeds, fruits, starchy vegetables, and other unprocessed, low-carbohydrate foods.
• Say no to white bread, pizza, pasta, and white rice. Too much sugar intake is linked to weight gain. So, do not eat sweets or pastries or drink juice, aerated drinks, or smoothies.
• Processed foods contain harmful chemicals, not only are poor for weight loss but can also destroy the gut microbiome. Bid adieu to ice creams, candies, and cookies.
• Saturated fats can be pro-inflammatory so don’t eat fast food and red meat. Avoid eating doughnuts, French fries, frozen pizza, junk, oily and spicy food.
• Similarly, smoking and alcohol is a strict no-no.

Fertility treatment can also be helpful: IVF is the most common treatment for women with PCOS who are not able to conceive naturally. In severe cases of PCOS, even after incorporating lifestyle changes, some women still experience infrequent ovulation, making it difficult for them to conceive. In these cases, women may choose to undergo IVF treatments to help with conception. In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is one of the types of assisted reproductive technology (ART) that works using a combination of medicines and surgical procedures in order to help sperm fertilize an egg after which the fertilized egg is implanted in the uterus. First, a woman is prescribed medication to make her eggs mature and ready for fertilization. Next, the doctor performs a procedure called egg retrieval, post which, the sperms and the eggs are fertilized in the IVF lab. After that 1 fertilized eggs (embryos) of good quality is transferred into a woman’s uterus and the woman may become pregnant if the embryo implants itself in the lining of the uterus.

Health

Understanding Male Sexual Health: Lifestyle Choices and Infertility Dr. Karishma Dafle from Nova IVF Fertility, Pune

Sep 5, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #Dr. Karishma, #Lifestyle Choices and Infertility, #Male Sexual Health, #Nova IVF Fertility

Starting a family is something many couples dream of. But, some couples may find it difficult to conceive and become parents. The reason behind this could also be the fertility condition of the couple. Infertility is a common issue in men, they are equal contributors in a couple’s fertility journey.

Problems such as ejaculation the difficulty, inability to maintain an erection, pain, and swelling in the testicle area, decreased facial or body hair, or chromosomal and even hormonal abnormality and low sperm count all account for male infertility. Male infertility is a common occurrence in this day and age, and requires immediate medical attention. It is imperative that a couple facing challenges to conceive naturally, seek the required help from a fertility specialist.

The fertility of a male tends to depend on the quantity and quality of the sperm. Male infertility causes due to low sperm production, abnormal sperm function, or blockages that prevent the delivery of sperm. Moreover, illnesses, injuries, chronic health problems, lifestyle choices, and other factors can also be culprits.

Lifestyle Choices affecting male fertility:

Smoking: It is no brainer that smoking is injurious to health. But, are you aware? It can also have a negative effect on the sperms as the nicotine leads to an imbalance in one’s body that is known as oxidative stress. This can impact one’s sperm quality and even induce infertility. Moreover, substance abuse can also lower the quality of the sperm. Thus, quitting smoking if you want to conceive successfully is the need of the hour.

Obesity: Obesity is the mother of all diseases and requires timely intervention as it can invite many other ailments that can be fatal. A BMI above 30 can have a negative impact on sperm quality, as fat deposits can overload and influence the metabolism of androgens (the hormones in male traits and reproductive activity), mainly testosterone. This causes significant alterations in sperm development. Hence, staying in top shape and embracing a healthy lifestyle can do the trick.

Injuries to one’s genital area: You will be shocked to know that testicular injury can also lead to infertility if you fail to protect your testes while playing rough sport such as martial arts, cycling, and so on. See to it that you wear proper gear and stay safe and away from injuries.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as gonorrhoea or chlamydia can also induce male infertility by altering sperm quality. While severe and chronic cases of these infections can cause obstruction. Any sign of infection should be diagnosed and treated with appropriate medication.

Aging: After 35, one’s reproductive health may decline. Biological clock for both men and women is no joke. Hence, one should get married at the right time and plan for a baby, accordingly.

Tumors: Do you know that cancers and nonmalignant tumors take a toll on male reproductive organs directly, through the glands that release hormones related to reproduction, such as the pituitary gland, or through unknown causes. Even radiation or chemotherapy can lead to male fertility.

Varicocele: can be described as a swelling of the veins that drain the testicle. It’s the most common reversible cause of male infertility and lowers sperm quality. It can be treated with the help of a surgery.

Health

Why pre-marital counseling is essential and how does AMH Test play a role By Dr. Ritu Hinduja, Fertility Consultant, Nova IVF Fertility Mumbai

Sep 1, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #AMH Test, #Dr. Ritu Hinduja, #Nova IVF Fertility, #pre-marital counseling

It may be the right time that couples should think about both, pre and post-marital counselling. Though the couple may think that the counselling is unnecessary, the outcome could make them feel otherwise. Counselling is a good way to resolve all your relationship issues along with planning your timeline of steps towards starting a family. Yes, you have heard it right!

Chalking out a roadmap for when to plan a child makes you feel empowered as a couple, and it is easier than you think. Two very simple tests can help you plan your parenthood and that is a blood AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone) level in women and semen analysis in men.

Everything about the Anti-Mullerian Hormone Test:

In women egg reserves decline with age, this is known as their biological clock. AMH testing is a way for couples to get a sense of the reproductive span, thus helping in smart planning of conception

AMH Test is a test that is an indicator of a woman’s ovarian reserve. The level of AMH gives insights into the remaining quantity of eggs and where a woman stands on her fertility graph. AMH testing involves a simple blood test that can be done at any time of the month, as the levels of AMH do not change with the menstrual cycle.

Did you know? The AMH blood test can be done even if you are using oral contraceptives.

Why pre-marital counselling is essential and how does AMH Test plays a role:

Many couples seek pre-marital counselling to test their compatibility. For couples, today fertility parameters are as important as emotional factors before tying the knot and thus AMH along with a semen analysis can be the perfect test. Understanding your AMH levels can help to assess your ovarian egg reserve and therefore your fertility. However, we know fertility declines as we age so it’s important that women understand their fertility and what the current tests and treatments can and can’t do for them. Considering we now live in a society where late marriages are a norm which ultimately translates into a delay in starting a family, AMH Testing helps in providing information on reproductive years left for the couple.

Career-oriented women tend to delay many aspects of their personal life while chasing their professional dreams. Increasing age means a decrease in ovarian reserve, this can prove to be a roadblock in attaining motherhood. A simple blood test lets a woman know her ovarian reserve within a matter of hours. Therefore, if you get your AMH levels tested at a younger age, you will have a better idea of your reproductive health. An AMH test can also help couples decide if they want to put their embryos on ice while they pursue other achievements on their timelines. It can also guide women who do not have a steady partner or are not married to decide to freeze their eggs thereby freezing their fertility in time so that when they do find a partner they can use their frozen eggs and plan a pregnancy thereby breaking free of the deleterious effects of ageing on reproductive outcomes.

When to opt for the AMH test?

AMH can be done at any time in the menstrual cycle, as your AMH levels are stable throughout the cycle. It is a marker for ovarian (egg) reserve and is assessed via an AMH blood test. It is imperative to understand that AMH is just an indicator of a woman’s fertility and does not guarantee a pregnancy. Women opting for AMH testing should consult with her fertility expert or gynaecologist to discuss the way forward.

Take-home message: AMH does not guarantee pregnancy in the future. However, it does make a woman more educated about her fertility. If your AMH levels are low and do not meet the mentioned criteria, then you need to speak to your doctor and act accordingly. Your doctor will then suggest a suitable way forward for you.