Articles filed under 'Pregnancy & Birth'
Sometimes the last resort for infertile couples is in vitro fertilization, and the cost of in vitro fertilization is often foremost in most people’s minds. Because it is a complex medical procedure, the cost of IVF is high. Some couples would like to find ways to reduce IVF costs, but that could be a mistake if having a child is a high priority for you. Hidden costs can creep into the cost of IVF and tend to make those low estimates higher than you would expect. Health insurance often does not cover IVF expenses, so it is left to the expectant parents to foot the bill. If you are determined to have a child, you will find ways to cover the cost of IVF treatments or utilize alternative fertility treatments you can afford.
Cost of In Vitro Fertilization: Just the Basics
The average price of IVF in the United States is $12,000, but it can be as high as $15,000 or as low as $10,000. Factors affecting the cost of IVF will primarily depend on your region of the country, how skilled a practitioner you use, and what extras you want to add to the total costs of in vitro fertilization. This IVF “price tag” is for one cycle of IVF, meaning one harvest of sperm and egg and one placement. Sometimes you can use frozen embryos from a previous IVF procedure to reduce your IVF costs considerably. The price to merely transfer an embryo is $3,000 which is significantly less than the expense of a complete IVF procedure.
Cost of In Vitro Fertilization: Some Extras
In addition to the cost of IVF itself, several accessory procedures are sometimes necessary that can raise the total IVF cost. For instance, if you need the sperm injected directly into the egg, the cost of in vitro fertilization can increase by several thousand dollars. Freezing any additional embryos that were created in the IVF process can also raise the IVF costs by at least a few hundred dollars, or even a thousand dollars. However, embryos can be transferred in the future, cutting the IVF cost of later attempts drastically.
Egg and sperm donation bump up the cost of IVF significantly. The cost of an egg donor is $25,000 to $30,000 per cycle, while sperm donation can raise the IVF cost to $13,000 to $17,000 per cycle. You can also get an entire embryo donated, and this raises the cost of in vitro fertilization. The cost for embryo donation is $5,000 to $7,000 for pre-created embryos. If you would like to choose the donors for the embryo, the cost of IVF could be astronomical.
Cost of In Vitro Fertilization: Money Considerations
In some cases, when IVF doesn’t work for you, certain clinics will give refunds . However, you must carefully read the agreement to understand what a successful cycle means. The cost of IVF may not be refunded if you become pregnant and miscarry later. You also want to consider the agency’s success rate when looking at the cost of in vitro fertilization. If you find a clinic with low IVF costs but without high success rates, then you may need to pay for IVF several times to become pregnant. Financially, it may make more sense to go with the more expensive clinic with a demonstrated record of success in helping couples conceive.
If you are trying to get pregnant and considering the cost of in vitro fertilization , it may interest you to know that acupuncture can sometimes make IVF more successful. You can cut down on the repeated IVF costs with an investment in fertility acupuncture at Fifth Avenue Fertility Acupuncture. Visit their website at http://www.fifthavenueacupuncture.com for more information on how acupuncture can help with the cost of in vitro fertilization.
March 11th, 2012
Have you been struggling with infertility for a long period of time? Perhaps you have gone through endless appointments at infertility clinics to get treatments for your condition. Are you wondering just what keeps you from getting pregnant? Infertility treatments focus on restoring your fertility by looking at the root causes of infertility and helping you get pregnant.
The causes of infertility in women come in three basic categories: 1.) mechanical problems involving your reproductive organs; 2.) hormonal imbalances in the chemicals in your body that regulate ovulation, pregnancy and fertility 3.) or, a disease that affects the functioning or condition of the uterus and which can interfere with hormonal balance. Any of these causes of infertility may send you to your physician and result in a referral to an infertility clinic. Infertility treatments can resolve or correct the causes of infertility and help you get pregnant.
Causes of Infertility in Women: Mechanical Problems
One commonly seen mechanical cause of infertility that requires infertility treatment is a blocked fallopian tube. This is the tube that carries the egg from the ovary to the uterus. If the tube is blocked, the sperm cannot make its way to the egg. One simple infertility treatment in an infertility clinic involves a procedure to “blow out” the fallopian tubes to clear them. Endometriosis can be another cause of infertility that requires infertility treatments. This condition involves the lining of the uterus growing outside the organ, and many infertility clinics will recommend infertility treatments that get this condition under control in order to conceive.
Uterine fibroids are very common in women, but they are not a common cause of infertility. Still, some infertility clinics will recommend infertility treatments that involve removing these benign uterine growths because they can interfere with the egg implanting inside the uterus. Another cause of infertility is pelvic adhesions, which are tight bands of scar tissue that constrict the uterus. A fertility clinic might recommend having these adhesions surgically removed.
Causes of Infertility in Women: Hormonal Problems
Some of the most frustrating causes of infertility that bring a woman into infertility clinics are those that stem from hormonal issues. Ovulation disorders can prevent the egg from releasing from the ovary, and you may need to take medications to stimulate the ovary to release an egg. Another type of disorder that commonly requires infertility treatment is polycystic ovarian syndrome. This condition involves an excess of male hormones in the body that interfere with pregnancy hormones. You may be given infertility treatment to correct the hormonal imbalance.
Another possible hormonal cause of infertility is elevated prolactin levels. Prolactin stimulates the body to produce breast milk and signals the body to prevent pregnancy. An infertility clinic would be able to correct this imbalance with medications. Or, you may experience early menopause – another possible cause of infertility, depending on your age. Some women can experience menopause as early as 40 years old. Even women in their 30s, those who engage in excessive exercise regimens, may find themselves in early menopause. In this case, no effective fertility treatment is possible.
Causes of Infertility in Women: Diseases and Conditions
Many different diseases and the medications prescribed for women can contribute to infertility. You can speak with your doctor at your infertility clinic about your own concerns about infertility. Your physician may be able to adjust your medications or successfully treat your underlying condition so that you are able to get pregnant. Some of the diseases that prompt women to seek infertility treatments at infertility clinics are Sickle Cell Disease, kidney disease, and diabetes. If you have had cancer with radiation, your cancer treatments could be another cause of infertility. You would need to discuss with your doctor at your infertility clinic your diagnosed conditions that are causing infertility. Your doctor will help you to find appropriate options and recommend the right course of action for your infertility treatment.
If you have explored the causes of infertility and are looking for infertility treatments , Fifth Avenue Fertility Acupuncture can help you explore natural treatments instead of going to a traditional infertility clinic for your fertility needs. Visit their site at http://www.fifthavenueacupuncture.com for more information on acupuncture as a treatment for fertility.
March 10th, 2012
If you are looking for solutions to increase fertility, have you considered pairing fertility treatments and acupuncture to help you conceive? Using acupuncture to assist fertility is not as far-fetched a concept as it may seem. Various research studies have actually shown that it can increase fertility. Natural treatments are currently popular, and deciding on acupuncture to aid fertility may be something you will want to consider if other options are not working for you. Treatments for fertility, used jointly with acupuncture, can produce even greater effect.
Acupuncture for fertility cannot solve all problems or improve fertility in every situation, but it can help in many cases. Because so few risks are associated with combined treatments for fertility and acupuncture you may want to give it a try to boost your chances of having a baby. You can find a number of scientific articles confirming that acupuncture for fertility actually works for many women.
Fertility and Acupuncture: How It Can Help Increase Fertility
You can improve your fertility with acupuncture, but only if you have certain conditions. For instance, if you have blocked fallopian tubes, some treatments for fertility and acupuncture techniques will not work for you, unless you have those problems corrected by a physician first. Acupuncture for fertility is not helpful for more mechanical forms of infertility, such as endometriosis, fibroids, pelvic adhesions, or other conditions that might require surgical remedies.. Acupuncture for fertility is also unlikely to increase your fertility if you have already started menopause.
Acupuncture for fertility can help in cases where hormones are out of balance or there is a lack of blood flow to the reproductive organs. Fertility and acupuncture treatments can provide support for women who have polycystic ovarian syndrome, thyroid disorders, or trouble with ovulating every month. Acupuncture can also increase fertility through stimulating blood flow to the reproductive organs, thus assisting pregnancy hormones in reaching their targets and restoring a balance to the body.
Fertility and Acupuncture: What Are the Risks?
Few risks exist to deter an expectant mom from using acupuncture for fertility. Fertility and acupuncture go hand in hand and provide a safe, effective way to increase fertility with virtually no harm to you. Although some women experience slight bleeding with acupuncture for fertility, the overall process usually causes little or no discomfort. Using a qualified practitioner can largely eliminate any complications during your treatments.
If you have had in vitro fertilization (IVF) or suspect you might be pregnant, then the acupuncturist should take precautions with acupuncture for fertility to prevent miscarriage. To avoid any complications for your possible pregnancy while pursuing fertility and acupuncture, the accurate placing and insertion of needles at certain points is important. A qualified acupuncturist would know how to avoid vital points to protect the pregnancy you have worked so long to achieve. You should inform the acupuncturist that you could be pregnant.
Fertility and Acupuncture: Scientific Evidence
Scientific research has shown that acupuncture for fertility can increase fertility in many cases. When women have in vitro fertilization and receive acupuncture, they are also less likely to miscarry. Multiple studies have demonstrated this particular fertility and acupuncture advantage. The practitioners of acupuncture for fertility will explain its effectiveness in increased fertility as being the result of the “qi,” or life force, that brings the body’s systems into balance.. Many doctors and scientists, however, believe that acupuncture can increase blood flow and the distribution of hormones to vital organs, thus increasing a woman’s fertility. The sense of relaxation after acupuncture is thought to help, as well.
If you are interested in exploring the possibilities of fertility and acupuncture to increase fertility, then visit the certified fertility acupuncturists at Fifth Avenue Fertility Acupuncture. You can learn about how this ancient art can help you conceive. Visit their website at http://www.fifthavenueacupuncture.com for more details.
March 9th, 2012
Often referred as “baby blues”, Postpartum Depression (PPD) is experienced in some degrees by more than 50 percent of women giving birth. This type of depression can last for some time, which may vary between a few weeks to a few months.Causes behind Postpartum Depression
The body of women goes through immense hormonal changes after pregnancy and child birth and this is one of the biggest reasons behind postpartum depression. Other reason behind postpartum depression in a new mother is lack of proper sleep, as the baby is always crying and hence requires non-stop attention.
What You Can Notice During Postpartum Depression?
The period of Postpartum Depression is characterized by rapid changes in hormones of a female body. The progesterone and the estrogen levels fall dramatically within 48 hours and these gonadal steroids are very much involved in causing the depression in women.
If you are suffering from postpartum depression, you may experience difficulty in sleeping, lack the desire of eating, feel hopeless and depressed all the time. There are many ways with which you can deal your postpartum depression, but beware that the symptoms of this depression state come and go for some time.
How to Deal With Postpartum Depression Symptoms?
Sleep As Much As Possible
The first and foremost way to deal with your postpartum depression symptoms is to get sleep as much you can. This may be difficult for you, especially if you are breastfeeding throughout the whole night. Due to this, your sleep may get interrupted for every two to three hours. The best way to cope with this is to breastfeed your baby lying in your bed so that you can get some rest while breastfeeding. It is ideal for you to take naps during the daytime, as every bit of rest results in rejuvenating and energising your body.
Nourish Your Body with Proper Food
Since you just gave birth and you are breastfeeding your baby, you need to nourish your body with good and proper foods. You should have snacks all throughout the day. Always have some vegetables in your diet especially a few carrots, as they keep you energised. Remember that a poor appetite leads to increase of depression and fatigue in your body.
Stay With Family and Friends
Again, you should always be in the midst of good friends and your family. This is because having people around you can contribute in changing your mood. You get the much needed outlet to express your feelings and thoughts. This automatically reduces the chances of you getting depressed. It is recommended that in an event of postpartum depression, you keep yourself surrounded with things helping you to feel good.
Such goods things may be candles lit in your bedroom, have some soft music being played or have pictures containing happy memories of your life. These things can boost you with happy energy and make you feel good.
Apart from these, postpartum depression can also be dealt by doing significant amount of exercise, as it increases your metabolism rate. This improves the frame of your mind and health. You can also go for a walk to 10 minutes in the morning, as it can help both your body and mind.
About the Author
September 28th, 2009
In our society, abstaining from alcohol can be difficult, especially during parties and family celebrations. But women who are pregnant or even just trying to get pregnant should stay away from alcohol entirely.
For the woman who is dependent upon or an abuser of this legal drug, it may be impossible to abstain from drinking without first undergoing effective treatment. Pregnant women with alcoholism should join an alcohol abuse rehabilitation program and be checked closely by a health care provider during their entire pregnancy.
Because alcohol use appears to be the most harmful during the first three months of pregnancy, serious harm can occur to the fetus before a woman even knows she is expecting. Few are even aware of the possible consequences of their drinking to the developing child, known as fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS).
Fetal alcohol exposure is the leading known cause of mental retardation in the Western world. In the U.S., FAS occurs as often as or even more frequently than Downs Syndrome or Spinal Bifida. Symptoms of FAS can include the following:
 * Slowed intrauterine growth
 * Poor growth in the fetus and newborn
 * Possible failure to thrive after birth
 * Delayed development and signs of mild-to-moderate mental retardation, with the average IQ in the mid 60s
* Irregularities of the face, including small head and upper jaw; a short, upturned nose; smooth groove in the upper lip; smooth and thin upper lip; narrow, small eyes with large folds above the eye; heart defects; abnormal joints in the hands and feet; tremors in the newborn; agitation and crying
* Abnormalities of the skeleton
Any woman who is pregnant should avoid consuming alcohol throughout her entire pregnancy, as permanent birth defects can occur during each of the trimesters. It is unknown whether the timing or any specific amount of alcohol consumption is safe for the developing baby. Alcohol crosses the placental barrier and can cause physical, mental, and behavioral problems that can persist for a lifetime.
Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can be the first sign of possible fetal alcohol damage. Infant ECG and echocardiogram are able to detect problems such as a heart murmur or other heart structural defects. Ultrasound of the fetus can show delayed intrauterine growth.
The primary effect of FAS is permanent central nervous system damage, especially to the brain. The resulting under-formed or malformed brain structures can create an array of primary cognitive and functional disabilities. Among them are poor memory, attention deficits, impulsive behavior, and poor cause-and-effect reasoning. Since the brain develops during the entire pregnancy, the risk of brain damage exists during each trimester. Mental health problems and drug addiction are secondary disabilities that can manifest themselves later in life and be due to FAS.
Many women are unfamiliar with the potential, permanent consequences of drinking while pregnant. The lifetime medical and social costs of each child born with FAS are estimated as just under a million U.S. dollars. The social costs to the family are inestimable. All women who go off their birth control in order to conceive are advised to drink NO alcohol (and take no harmful drugs). It may be difficult to stop drinking, but it is the best way to give a baby the best possible health and start in life.
Sources: Wikipedia and other Internet health-related articles    Â
May 26th, 2008
Some women in their 40s can still get pregnant without assistance from fertility clinics. That’s good news for those who have postponed motherhood, but for women who have completed their family, continuing fertility can be problematic. Today, the Pill and the IUD (intra-uterine devices) are both considered good options for some women in their fourth decade. These two methods are much safer than, for example, in the 1960s and 1970s. In the past, most women over age 40 underwent a tubal ligation (a fallopian tube-tying procedure), or relied on condoms or vasectomy with their male partner.
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Sterilization is now easier for women, thanks to a non-surgical method of tubal treatment called Essure. The new technique was approved by the U.S. government in 2002. No cutting of the abdomen or tying of the tubes is involved. Instead, the doctor works through the cervix, using a thin tube to insert small devices into the ends of the fallopian tubes. These “plugs†in about three months produce scarring to block the woman’s tubes, thus preventing ovulated eggs from reaching the uterus.
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Women over 40 should continue to use birth control until well into menopause. This age group has been shown to have high abortion rates, similar to those of adolescents. Under certain conditions, the Pill is now safe for “older†women. The dosage of estrogen in today’s Pill is greatly reduced and considered by many physicians to be a good alternative for lean, healthy women over 40. The Pill has other benefits besides contraception for appropriate women. It can help to control irregular menstrual bleeding and hot flashes, reduce hip fractures and cases of ovarian cancer. Yet, some physicians urge caution even in lean and healthy women who are approaching menopause.
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If a woman over 40 is significantly overweight, has high blood pressure or diabetes, the Pill would not be a good option. For them, the chances of dangerous blood clots rise sharply. Middle-aged women who are obese, who smoke, have migraine headaches or other identified risk factors might instead consider IUDs or progestin-only treatments termed “mini-pills.†Although higher breast cancer rates have been found in older women taking estrogen-progestin pills to control menopausal symptoms, women 35 and older taking oral contraceptives have not shown an increase in breast cancers.
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Another birth control product called Implanon, FDA-approved in 2006, is a matchstick-sized plastic rod that is implanted under the skin of the upper arm. Implanon is similar to the earlier Norplant and can last up to three years.
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Today’s IUDs are safer and more effective than those used by women in the 1970s. The earlier Dalkon Shield version resulted in a number of serious medical problems due to its defective design. A large class-action lawsuit was filed and millions in payouts were made over the years. American women and their physicians are again considering the IUD as a simple and effective method of birth control.
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Women should discuss with their OB-GYN physician their preferences for contraception, the appropriateness for their age group and their individual health risks. New options in birth control methods and technologies greatly reduce the risk of an unwanted pregnancy.
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San Francisco Chronicle, Mike Stobbe, AP story, April 5, 2008
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23954260/Â
April 8th, 2008
Although still very small, the risk of dying in childbirth is rising in the U.S. Between 2003 and 2004, maternal mortality rates rose from 12 deaths in 100,000 live births to 13 in 100,000 (Fewer than 600 American women giving birth in 2004 died in the process.) Infant mortality is actually more common than death of the mother. In 2004, the rate of infant deaths was 679 per 100,000.
Compared to a century ago, when about 1 in every 100 live births resulted in the mother’s death, the small rise may seem insignificant. But, with our modern technology and outstanding medical care, we should be concerned that the maternal mortality rate has risen at all.
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Looking at possible causes for deaths related to childbirth, three factors may be at least partially responsible:Â the rising rates of Caesarean-section births (now accounting for about 29% of all births); increasing maternal obesity, and more women giving birth in their late 30s and into their 40s.
Today, C-section births are far higher than what public heath experts consider appropriate. As with other surgeries, Caesarean births carry risks from anesthesia, infection, and blood clots. Mothers with several previous C-sections may also be at risk of excessive bleeding or blood vessel blockages.
Women who are heavier can develop diabetes and other complications. In addition, they may have excess tissue. Generally, their babies are larger, making a vaginal birth more difficult. This factor, in turn, can lead to more C-sections.
More women are waiting longer to have their babies than even a few decades ago. Risks of complications to mother and baby are greater to a woman in her late-30s and 40s.
Studies show than at least 40% of maternal deaths could have been prevented had quality of care been better. Sometimes, despite excellent prenatal care and a healthy pregnancy, the mother dies for no apparent reason.Â
The woman’s race and economic status may also be factors. Maternal deaths are at least three times higher for Black women than for white women. Because they often do not get adequate prenatal care, Black women are more susceptible to complications such as high blood pressure.
Getting risk factor – especially diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure – under control before becoming pregnant and obtaining good prenatal care will help to ensure a healthy outcome for both mother and baby.
Source:Â Â Yahoo News
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August 26th, 2007
Several decades ago, doctors routinely told their pregnant patients to gain about 25 pounds but no more than 35 pounds. Today, however, more expectant mothers may already be overweight or obese before conceiving. In these instances, weight gain guidelines should be reduced.
According to the March of Dimes, carrying too much weight while pregnant increases risks to mother and baby. These complications can include birth defects, problems with labor and delivery, death of the fetus, or delivery of very large babies. Overweight mothers are also more likely to produce babies who are too heavy as toddlers.
Setting appropriate pregnancy weight gain guidelines can be aided by referring to the woman’s body mass index (BMI) at the time she conceives. BMI is a combination of height and weight. Women with a “normal†body mass index are still encouraged to gain between 25 and 35 pounds. Women who are especially thin may be encouraged to gain up to 40 pounds. For those with a higher BMI (over 26), 15 pounds of weight gain may be more appropriate.
In 2003, about 1 in 4 expectant women in the U.S. gained more than 40 pounds during their pregnancy, up from 1 in 5 in 1990. Many women are putting on 50 or 60 pounds with their pregnancies, which can cause complications such as gestational diabetes. Obstetricians point out that an obese woman already has stored nutrients and does not need much additional weight to provide for her developing baby.
Women would do well to get their weight under control before becoming pregnant. Once conception has occurred, eating a healthy diet and engaging in moderate exercise are important for both mother and developing child.
Source:Â CNN.com
August 17th, 2007
Results of recent studies have revived the controversy over circumcision in infants. The U.S. leads the way in holding to this practice, although in the past decade or so, the surgical procedure has declined. A 1999 survey of hospital records found circumcision rates varying widely by region — 81% in the Midwest, 66% in the Northeast, 64% in the South and 37% in the West.
In Europe, Asia, and Latin America, baby boys are not routinely circumcised, however Jewish and Muslim faiths traditionally subscribe to circumcision. Recent international studies have cast new light on the subject. Two trials held in Africa involving more than 7,500 men were stopped early because results showed that circumcised adult males had a 51% to 60% lower rate of contracting HIV, the AIDS virus, than their uncircumcised counterparts.
Researchers believe that the warm, moist area under foreskins of uncircumcised men can breed infections. Lifestyle and personal cleaning habits may have more impact on health, however, than the surgical removal of foreskin. In some areas of the world, clean water and soap may not be widely available, and in these areas, circumcision may make sense.
Doctors in the U.S. are split in their opinions on the potential benefits of circumcision. Those opposed believe that circumcision does unnecessary violence to the infant’s genitals, and that the decision should be left to the male in adulthood. Furthermore, they believe that removing a baby boy’s foreskin might diminish his sexual pleasure when he becomes sexually active.
Doctors who favor the procedure point out that studies over the years have shown circumcised males to have lower rates of urinary tract infections, penile cancer (a rare condition), and a variety of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Circumcised baby boys have fewer urinary tract infections and possibly other problems, but these can be treated with antibiotics or other strategies if needed.
Tradition, religion and philosophical beliefs will continue to be factors involved in the emotional choice involving circumcision. In the final analysis, it is up to the parents, guided by information from their baby’s doctor, to make the decision.
Whatever parents decide for their newborn sons will probably be fine, as there appear to be advantages and disadvantages either way. When in doubt, why not leave the penis intact and let the individual decide as an adult?
Source:Â MSNBC
March 5th, 2007
In the past, only pregnant women age 35 and older were given a test for Down syndrome, a complication that is more likely to occur in older women. The long-utilized procedure involved amniocentesis, in which samples of amniotic fluid were withdrawn by needle for lab testing. This invasive procedure, usually administered in the fourth month of pregnancy, carried some risk, including the potential loss of the fetus.
Today, a variety of less invasive tests are widely available. Some can detect in the first trimester of pregnancy any evidence of Down syndrome or other chromosomal defects in the developing fetus.
In late December 2006, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommended that every pregnant woman, regardless of age, be given a choice of tests for Down syndrome. Mothers-to-be can now have peace of mind without the ordeal of unnecessary amniocentesis. The new policy will also facilitate the detection of Down syndrome in mothers who would have gone unchecked under the “35-plus†guideline.
Age 35 was always an arbitrary threshold for testing pregnant women for Down syndrome, a condition in which an extra chromosome causes mental retardation. A baby with this condition is characteristically born with a broad, flat face and small head. Sometimes, serious heart defects are also present.
About one in 800 babies is born with Down syndrome. Down syndrome is more prevalent in pregnancies of women over 35. At age 25, the risk is about one in 1,200. By age 35, the chances are closer to one in 300. More Down syndrome babies are actually born to younger women than to older ones, as fewer women over 35 are still having babies.
The decision to do away with the previous age 35 guidelines was made because of the great improvement in screening tests. The January issue of the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology is publishing the new recommendations for testing of pregnant women.
Source:Â Oakland Tribune; Lauran Neergaard (from Associated Press story); Dec. 31, 2006
January 2nd, 2007
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