Some STIs can, unfortunately, lead to infertility and health problems for both yourself and your baby during and after pregnancy. In some cases, they can even be passed onto your baby. HIV, for example, has a 1 in 4 chance of being passed onto your child. Of course, this depends on the type of infection and whether or not it has been treated. The more times you have a particular STI, the more likely you are to suffer from other problems. The two most common STIs in the UK are chlamydia and gonorrhoea and if they are left untreated, they can both lead to infertility in men and women. For example, chlamydia can result in pelvic inflammatory disease for women,... View Article
If you have survived cancer, you might be wondering whether or not you can still conceive a child and whether or not it is safe for both the unborn child and the mother. Some cancer treatments can, unfortunately, make it difficult or even impossible for survivors to have biological children. Your health care provider will be able to tell you whether or not you’re likely to be able to conceive. Chemotherapy includes particular ingredients that can sometimes damage heart cells. A weakened heart will have to work that much harder during pregnancy and labour. However, do not confuse this to mean that pregnancy is impossible. As mentioned above, speak to your doctor for their expert opinion. The good news is... View Article
It’s fantastic to know that we have been able to truly help someone and make a difference in their life. That was the case for Hana, a single woman in her late 30s, who came to us in March 2018 after we were recommended to her by one of her friends. As a result, Hana now has a beautiful baby boy! Read on for Hana’s full story. “I decided that I wanted a baby in January 2012. I know exactly when it was. I’d been working at a new job for about 6 months and had decided I wasn’t enjoying it so I had a real moment. It was the first Friday at work after Christmas and I decided to... View Article
To improve your chances of getting pregnant and having a healthy baby there are some important changes that you will need to make. Follow these simple steps to help prepare yourself and your body for pregnancy… See your doctor If you are planning to get pregnant it is a good idea to visit your GP and have a full health check. Your doctor will be able to assess your medical history and discuss any health concerns. They will also be able to offer advice and inform you on which vaccines are available. Healthy diet It is important to maintain a healthy body weight if you are trying to conceive. Being overweight during pregnancy can lead to complications, such as high... View Article
If you are having difficulty becoming pregnant and you are considering IVF treatment, then you may wish to know a little bit more about how the process works and what to expect. It is important to note that there are a range of different IVF procedures and no two cycles are the same, however to give you an idea of what is involved in a typical IVF treatment cycle, we have outlined 7 of the key stages below… You and your partner will first need to have a number of physical examinations and tests, such as ultrasounds, sperm analysis and blood tests before you can start treatment. If you are considered a good candidate for IVF treatment then you will... View Article
There are millions of people around the world who are unable to conceive a child naturally, many of which turn to fertility treatments such as IVF. In fact, it is more than likely that you or someone you know has suffered with infertility, but they may not feel that they can open up about it. The 2nd of November 2019 is World Fertility Day. It is a day of education and communication, allowing people to become more open about infertility and help break through the taboo. Below is an infographic with some useful facts and figures to help educate you on fertility, but if you would like to speak to a professional for more information, you are more than welcome... View Article
Egg freezing is a method of preserving a woman’s fertility so she may try and have children in the future. The current maximum storage period for frozen gametes (eggs and sperm) is ten years, although women at risk of becoming prematurely infertile (through medical treatments such as chemotherapy) are able to store their eggs for up to fifty-five years if specific authorisation is received. However, a new bill has been presented to the House of Lords that aims to extend the standard ten year time limit on egg freezing. This new ‘Storage Period for Gametes Bill’ was introduced by Baroness Ruth Deech QC, a former chair of the fertility regulator of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. It asks for... View Article
There are a number of factors to consider when choosing the right fertility clinic. Some of the main factors are the cost of treatment, location of the clinic and the success rates. However, it is also important to consider what treatments are available and which one is right for your individual needs. Selecting the right clinic is an important decision and it can feel overwhelming when there is so much to consider. To help you decide which fertility clinic is right for you, we have put together this helpful guide… Cost Prices of fertility treatments will vary from clinic to clinic, however it is vital that you do not choose a treatment simply because it appears to be the cheapest... View Article
Most cases of infertility can now be understood and a plan for dealing with the situation formulated. When undertaking fertility testing it important that both the female and male partners are tested in order to diagnose the causes of infertility as an infertility issue is almost as likely to be due to the male partner as to the female. We offer some introductory diagnostic packages with the aim of saving you time and money and as a way of guiding you through the plethora of diagnostic tests now available. So what fertility tests should I have? Female Fertility Testing Ultrasound Scans These are performed by our doctors using a transvaginal ultrasound probe which produces an image of the physiology the doctor needs to... View Article
There are a number of natural ways to increase your chances of conceiving. Below we have put together a list of 5 natural ways to help boost your fertility. Avoid Trans Fats Eating healthy fat every day is important for boosting fertility. However, trans fats are associated with an increased risk of ovulatory infertility, due to their negative effects on insulin sensitivity. Trans fats are commonly found in hydrogenated vegetable oils and are usually present in some margarine, fried foods, processed products and baked goods. A large observational study found that a diet higher in trans fats and lower in unsaturated fats was linked to infertility. Cut back on alcohol Drinking alcohol can reduce the chance of conception for women significantly. Even moderate alcohol intake may contribute... View Article
