Understanding a successful ICSI procedure

Fertility problem is something that is faced by every fourth couple, and figuring this issue out at an early stage is crucial to know the cause and treat it efficiently. This is where the ICSI procedure comes into view. This article is all about an ICSI treatment and procedure that the doctors follow; read it till the end to have a clear understanding of the complete procedure.

What’s the concept behind ICSI treatment?

The head of a man’s sperm must connect to the egg’s exterior before it may fertilise a woman’s egg. Once linked, the sperm makes its way through the egg’s outer layer to the cytoplasm, where fertilisation occurs.

However, for a number of reasons, sperm may be unable to enter the outer layer. The sperm may be unable to swim, or the egg’s outer layer may be thick or difficult to penetrate. In some circumstances, ICSI can be used in conjunction with in vitro fertilisation (IVF) to aid in fertilizing the egg. A single male sperm directly enters the cytoplasm of the egg during ICSI treatment.

Successful ICSI procedure

Initially, a woman has to do certain procedures first, and then a couple can go for the ICSI treatment afterward. Basically, women will need to take fertility medicine to increase egg production in the ovaries, just like with normal IVF.

During this period of treatment, the doctor will keep an eye on the eggs’ progress regularly. When the egg is ready to be retrieved, the ICSI treatment is carried out.

Further following ICSI treatment is followed:

●      Step 1: The first step is retrieval

Either the man must generate a sperm sample by ejaculating into a cup, or the sperm must be surgically extracted. The sperm can be extracted in a variety of different methods. The sperm retrieval technique may be conducted sooner in some situations, and the sperm may be frozen. A small needle and ultrasound probe will be used to extract several eggs from the woman’s ovaries.

●      Step 2: Sperm injection into the egg

The semen sample is then cleansed, and a single sperm is extracted. A very small hollow needle is then inserted into an egg. The sperm does not have to swim through the cervical fluid since it is injected immediately. It can take up to 24 hours for sperm to fertilise an egg and form an embryo.

●      Step 3: Keeping an eye on and monitoring the embryo

The fertilised embryos are preserved in a laboratory for up to 6 days after fertilisation. During this stage, they are watched for signs of development and growth. The fertilised embryos will not all be transported to the uterus of the mother. As a result, this phase is critical for selecting the strongest and most viable embryos.

●      Step 4: Procedure of embryo transfer

Either one or a set of embryos are chosen and implanted in the woman’s womb using an ultrasound-guided catheter once the embryo has attained a particular stage of development. This might happen two days after conception or five days afterward.

This is the ICSI procedure that is followed for successful treatment, and it is available everywhere in India; you can easily find one, but it is recommended to consult a doctor first before going for this treatment.

 

3 Ways to Take Care of an IVF Pregnancy

 

Achieving pregnancy is a huge IVF moment! It is the final step of successful infertility treatment. You will now have to do everything possible to ensure a healthy baby. These will include a proper care plan with healthy meals, supplements, regular check-ups and lifestyle modifications. The percentage of live births per egg retrieval is 54.5% in women below 35. This figure shows that it is not a tough job to take a pregnancy to term. It is exactly similar to natural conception at this point. You will have to follow the gynaecologist’s instructions for the next nine months till the baby arrives. 

It can reduce the risk of complications like a low birth weight or a premature infant. There are fewer chances of a miscarriage too. Taking proper measures can keep the mother and child safe. Here’s how to look after an IVF pregnancy at home. 

1.      Consider Healthy Eating

Eat small 5-6 well-balanced meals every day. This can help avoid morning sickness. Pick foods high in folates like fortified cereals, lentils, asparagus, wheat germ and oranges. It can help develop the child’s spinal cord. Babies to be born from IVF have slight risks of birth defects. This is where folic acid is also helpful to prevent the conditions. Add loads of lean meat, eggs and dairy products, beans, tofu and peanut butter as well. Lots of fresh fruits and leafy green vegetables are also recommended.

Take supplements like calcium, potassium and iron. Fish is also suggested to improve the baby’s motor skills and IQ. Cut down on caffeine and quit tobacco and alcohol altogether. Don’t forget to keep yourself hydrated.

2.      Be Mindful of Warning Signs

It is crucial to be cautious with pregnancies to ensure quick help. Do not ignore severe headache, persistent abdominal pain, changes in eyesight, dizziness, burning urge to urinate, itching all over the body and discomforts under the ribcage. Vaginal bleeding or spotting is fine in the initial stages but not in the second trimester onward. You must also see the doctor in case you feel restricted foetal movement.

Frequent chills and fevers are also big causes of concern. It can mean bacterial infections and complications.  Instead of waiting for the signs to pass, visit the nearest infertility hospital in Hyderabad or whichever city you reside in.

3.      Mild Exercise

Kegels is the best when it comes to pregnancy. It helps to strengthen the pelvic floor. This can strengthen the uterus, bowels and bladder. You can also expect a smooth delivery and prevent birth complications. Learn the proper techniques and practise while sitting in the car, at your work desk or even outdoors while standing behind a queue. Yoga, deep breathing and meditation are also great to keep your body and mind steady. Do light household chores and walk daily for 10-20 minutes to improve your general fitness.   

You cannot afford to lose this golden opportunity of having a baby. So, take good care of this IVF pregnancy through the above-mentioned steps for the best outcome.

5 Must Have Foods After an Embryo Transfer

 

Embryo transfer is an important part of the in vitro fertilisation process, a highly popular option for women who are finding it difficult to become pregnant and have a biological baby. The IVF process involves stimulation of the ovaries to produce eggs that are fertilised with sperm to have an embryo. This is followed by the transfer of the embryo to the uterus for it to result into pregnancy. Since the whole process of IVF and its three stages can be quite stressful, adequate focus is required on eating nutritious and healthy food. 

Specialists at the best IVF centre in Hyderabad recommend eating a plant-based diet with a lot of colourful items. The Mediterranean diet that is rich in plant based foods is known to have a positive impact on the overall health of both men and women and may even improve the IVF success rate amongst women. 

Relation between Nutrition and Fertility

Nutrition plays an important role in enhancing the reproductive efficiency of a person. And eating a balanced and nutrient rich diet becomes even more important when you have opted for IVF and have undergone an embryo transfer. While IVF does not guarantee pregnancy, it offers hope, and the chances of its success can be improved by adopting good food habits. 

A diet rich in fish, legumes, vegetables and low in carbohydrates has been found to increase the chances of pregnancy by IVF intracytoplasmic sperm injection or ICSI, according to a study. It was also found that a dietary intake of Polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids, Alpha-linolenic acid and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is linked to positive results in women undergoing IVF or ICSI. A healthy diet also works to ward off potential obstacles to fertility. 

Foods to Consume After Embryo Transfer

The success of the IVF and the embryo transfer largely depends on the age at which ovulation took place, the quality of the embryo and the endometrium of the uterus. But the type and quality of diet consumed is important for the overall well-being and health of a person which in turn aids in improved fertility.   

Here are some essential food items that should be included in your diet after embryo transfer:

• Protein rich foods- both animal and vegetable proteins must form part of your diet as they make you feel full longer.
• Fresh fruits and vegetables are loaded with vitamins, minerals, fiber and disease fighting phytochemicals. The antioxidants present in fruits and vegetables are important for detoxification of our body. Also rich in iron, zinc, magnesium and potassium, fruits and vegetables should constitute 50% of our food intake in a day.
• Whole grains especially grains with more fiber.
• Legumes like beans, lentils and chickpeas are rich in folic acid, an essential nutrient for the brain and spinal cord development of the baby. One can even take folic acid supplements.
• Healthy fats like nuts and seeds such as flaxseeds, chia seeds are good sources of energy.

In addition to inclusion of foods that are rich in essential proteins and minerals like zinc and iron, in your diet, ensure that you eat home cooked foods rather than foods that are fried and cooked with lots of butter and oil. Processed foods are rich in trans fats that are unhealthy and can be linked to high infertility rate, doctors at the IVF Conception Centre in Kondapur, Hyderabad point out.

Your Children Are What You Feed Them

Aresearch report released by UNICEF, points out that proper nutrition at an early age has both short term and long term implications. In the short run, it facilitates brain development and muscle mass body composition, while in the long run it develops cognitive and educational performance, builds immunity and prevents diabetes, heart diseases and many other problems. It also states that 90% of a child’s brain is developed by the time he or she is 8 years old, which means it is crucial to get your child to inculcate healthy eating habits as early as possible.

A healthy baby not only grows up to become an impressive individual you feel proud of, he or she also functions as an asset to the nation. Therefore, it is important to understand early child development and the role nutrition plays in it.

How Is Healthy Food Beneficial For Kids?

Eating healthy ensures your child maintains a healthy weight, prevents immunity-based health problems, helps in stabilizing energy and sharpens the mind. Besides contributing to general physical growth and development, a healthy and balanced diet also affects a child’s mental and emotional wellbeing. This can prevent the occurrence of adverse conditions such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, at a later stage in life. Even in cases where a child has been diagnosed with a preexisting mental health problem, nutritious food can aid in managing the symptoms and maintain as regular a lifestyle as possible.

Inculcating Healthy Eating Habit

Now that we know why healthy food is important for kids, let’s move on to how one can get their children in the habit of eating healthy.

It is worth noting, that your child is not born with a liking for junk food or an aversion to healthy foods. It is only when they are exposed to fries and burgers at a young impressionable age that they begin to develop a taste for these and eventually crave them. Children usually crave for junk food when they are hungry. If you ensure that your child has had a nutritious diet, chances are that he or she would not be asking for a burger soon. You can make each meal more nutritious, with just a little bit of effort. For instance, you could try a fortified milk powder likeEnfagrow A+ for your child, rather than offering regular milk. This is not only tastier, but also more wholesome than regular milk.

Similarly, you can look fortasty and healthy recipes for children from sites like BBC Worldwide’s Good Food website to ensure your child associates healthy food with good taste and does not crave junk food.

Besides making each meal healthy and tasty, it is also important you make mealtimes fun. A child’s brain is capable of perceiving the ambience and associating it with an emotion. If you make mealtimes more enjoyable, your child will develop a positive response towards food too.

5 cutting edge infertility treatments for couples

The first test-tube baby was born in 1978 and since then there has been a lot of progress in the field of genetics and infertility treatment. However, despite so much progress, the success rate of IVF treatments is quite low in infertility clinics across the globe. On an average only 30%-40%, IVF cycles result in successful live birth.

This is the main reason why scientists around the world are trying to find new ways to avoid any disorders that can cause infertility. There are simple methods like squeezing an embryo to complex methods like taking DNA from three parents in order to give birth to a healthier child. The following list of top 5 cutting edge infertility treatments for couples will give you an idea of how far medical science has come to find 100% assured cure for infertility.  

1. DNA Fragmentation Index

When a couple chooses to get their sperm and eggs mixed together in a lab then they can choose from two options. The first option is IVF in which the harvested egg is kept in a petri dish along with other sperms and waits for one of them to fertilize the egg. The second method is intracytoplasmic sperm injection in which a sperm which highest probability to fertilize the egg is directly injected into the egg. The latter method adds an additional cost of around 1.5 to 2 lakh in the cost of the procedure. Now a new specialized process is being used by the doctors known as DNA Fragmentation Index or DFI which gives a clear idea if the couple needs to go for ICSI or not.

2. Squeezing embryo

At present, the doctors wait for a few days to see which embryo(s) will be best viable for the transplant in the uterus. The new technique of squeezing the embryos seems to be proving useful to decide and select the most suitable sperm. Though more testing and research is required in this field, but if it is confirmed then it can take the success rate of IVF treatment to 90%.

3. INVOcell

The process is fairly new and it is used only in a few hospitals in US and Canada but it has shown promising results. In this process, the woman’s own body is used to regulate the temperature of the embryo. The woman carries the developing embryo in her vagina until the time comes for the transplant in the uterus. The sperm and egg are mixed in the lab and then placed in INVOcell which is a tiny capsule like device. This capsule is then inserted in the vagina and it stays there for five days after which it is removed and one or more embryos are then transplanted.

4. Augment with egg precursor cells

OvaScience which is Cambridge based company has found a way to treat the low quality of eggs. As the woman gets older the mitochondria in the woman’s eggs gets tired which results in low quality of the eggs. The company has found a way to mix mitochondria from egg precursor cells with sperm before mixing them with the eggs which eventually increases the chances of IVF success.

5. Mitochondrial replacement techniques

One of the major reasons for infertility is a mitochondrial disease. In the process, the embryo is created by taking the DNA from mother’s egg’s nucleus and another DNA from a donor. This process ensures that the disease does not have any effect on the growth of the embryo. But this treatment will still take some time to reach the infertility clinic near you.

In the last few decades, the infertility clinics in Bangalore are trying their level best to give the best possible treatments to their patients. This is the reason why the latest technology reaches much before in these clinics in comparison to other cities in the country. Infertility is an increasing problem but it is curable in most of the cases.