Tuesday, June 26, 2012

IVF and ICSI at North Cyprus IVF




In Vitro Fertilization is commonly referred to as IVF. IVF is the process of fertilization by manually combining an egg and sperm in a laboratory dish. When the IVF procedure is successful, the process is combined with a procedure known as embryo transfer, which is used to physically place the embryo in the uterus.

At North Cyprus IVF Center, In Vitro Fertilization requires a five step program which includes:

1- Monitoring and stimulating the development of healthy eggs in the ovaries: This is done through a process called ovulation induction where fertility medications are prescribed to control the timing of the egg ripening and to increase the chances of multiple egg growth. Since majority of our patients come from abroad, we prepare a well-charted protocol of treatment so that the medication can be taken without travelling to Cyprus. This way, the initial preparation process takes place in patient’s country of origin, shortening the time they are required to spend in Cyprus. We provide prescription for IVF medication for those who are unable to purchase them without a script. With advancements in technology, prescriptions we give can be used at websites like ivfmeds and patients can conveniently purchase their meds online. These medicines are easy to administer and we give you a very detailed chart on how to use them. This way, you are only expected to spend 7-8 days in Cyprus.

2- Retrieving the eggs: Once the eggs are developed through the first step, they are retrieved through a minor surgical procedure which uses ultrasound imaging to guide a hollow needle through the pelvic cavity. Sedation and local anesthesia are provided to remove any discomfort that you might experience. The eggs are removed from the ovaries using the hollow needle, which is called follicular aspiration.

3- Obtaining the sperm sample: This is usually done through ejaculation. Once the sperm is obtained, it is prepared for fertilization.

4- Fertilizing the eggs with the sperm: In a process called insemination, the sperm and eggs are placed in incubators located in the laboratory which enables fertilization to occur. In some cases where fertilization is suspected to be low, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) may be used. The fertilized eggs are monitored for about three days until they become embryos grown enough to be transferred.

5- Embryo Transfer: The transfer process involves a speculum which is inserted into the vagina to expose the cervix. A predetermined number of embryos are suspended in fluid and gently placed through a catheter into the womb. This process is often guided by ultrasound. About 10-12 days after the transfer, a blood test and potentially an ultrasound will be used to determine if pregnancy has occurred.

At North Cyprus IVF, we provide low cost and affordable IVF treatment at a cost which is substantially below the cost of treatment in the U.S. and in Europe. Our reduced costs are a direct result of the volume of patients we serve and the high-tech equipment we use which substantially reduce human mistakes and allow us to be cost efficient. We are proud of our high success rates for all IVF, egg and sperm donation IVF and gender selection IVF treatments. For a quote, please send us a message using the contact form.

ICSI (Intracytoplasmic sperm injection) may be recommended when there is a reason to suspect that achieving fertilization may be difficult, even when the IVF procedures are used. ICSI is most often used with couples who are dealing with male infertility factors. Male infertility factors can include any of the following problems: low sperm counts, poor motility or movement of the sperm, poor sperm quality, or sperm that lack the ability to penetrate an egg.

At North Cyprus IVF, there are basically five simple steps to ICSI which include the following:

1. The mature egg is held with a specialized pipette.

2. A very delicate, sharp, and hollow needle is used to immobilize and pick up a single sperm.

3. This needle is then carefully inserted through the shell of the egg and into the cytoplasm of the egg.

4. The sperm is injected into the cytoplasm, and the needle is carefully removed.

5. The eggs are checked the following day for evidence of normal fertilization.

Once the steps of ICSI are complete and fertilization is successful, the embryo transfer procedure is used to physically place the embryo in the woman's uterus. Then it is a matter of watching for early pregnancy symptoms. The fertility specialist may use a blood test or ultrasound to determine if implantation and pregnancy has occurred.

Overall, ICSI is a procedure we follow in cases where we suspect the sperm count or motility or the sperm quality will not be sufficient to fertilize the eggs on its own, therefore, we assist the sperm in fertilizing the eggs. At Cyprus Fertility Clinic, we use ICSI as a standard procedure, hence, it does not cost anything extra on top of the low cost IVF program.


For success rates with IVF-ICSI, please see our Success Rates link.




www.donasyon.net 
www.lowcostivf.net 
www.northcyprusivf.com 
www.gender-selection-ivf.co.uk 
www.egg-donor-ivf.co.uk

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Talk about Success Rates!


Talk about Success Rates!

It is important to remember that every single IVF patient is individual and different.

Realistic success rates for treatment can only be provided after the individual couple has been evaluated closely.

Our success rates are based clinical pregnancies with a 3 embryo transfer.
Unfotunately since we have many patients from abroad, it is often hard to keep track of each one. It is common for International patients to lose touch once the treatment is complete and they have returned to their home country. 

Of course we are always available to answer any of your questions pre and post treatment.

There are several reasons for failed attempts and here are a few of them:

embryo arrest
tubal disease
low sperm count/ sperm defects
reduced endometrial receptivity
embryonic defects
thin endometrium
immunological factors
genetic abnormalities
endometriosis 
hydrosalpinge
thrombophilia
difficult embryo transfer
high estradiol levels
poor ovarian response


Quote from the San Diego Fertility Center : 
Another problem with infertility treatment success statistics is the way in which they are reported. Should we report pregnancies based on each attempted cycle or overall success after 3 months or 6 months of infertility treatment? Should "success" be defined as a (+) pregnancy test or a live born child delivered 9 months later? Even the fertility experts can't agree and the organizations that collate success rates have changed their definitions over time. The most commonly reported success rate is a "clinical pregnancy"

Since this is a medical procedure unfortunately there is no way of knowing in advance what the reason for failure could be.

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions, comments or concerns you might have at info@northcyprusivf.net




www.donasyon.net
www.lowcostivf.net
www.northcyprusivf.com
www.gender-selection-ivf.co.uk
www.egg-donor-ivf.co.uk

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Quick Review

Some more great news from our patients! 


Dear Ahmet & team

I am delighted to inform you that I am pregnant.  I have just had my 12 week scan and all is good.  I wanted to wait until i did the 12 week scan so that we can be sure of the good news.

Thank you very much for all your help.

I will keep in touch and hopefully be able to give you further good news in another 6 months.

With best wishes,



S.C - United Kingdom


www.donasyon.net 
www.lowcostivf.net 
www.northcyprusivf.com 
www.gender-selection-ivf.co.uk 
www.egg-donor-ivf.co.uk

Friday, June 15, 2012

Egg Quality



Many women do not realize the importance of egg quality when dealing with infertility. It is a factor that can effect the results and outcome of the IVF process.

The finite reserve of eggs in a woman are released during ovulation and can be fertilized to produce a child. Unfortunately, having a large number of eggs does not  mean that you will fall pregnant. The quality of those eggs are more important in the eventual development of an embryo.

In order for an embryo to develop,  the eggs need to have the correct chromosomes and the ability to fertilize with the sperm.  If the eggs do not have the proper chromosomes, it is not possible to achieve a successful pregnancy.

The female eggs contain mitochondria which is the energy in the eggs that allow it to split for fertilization. With age, the mitochondria produce less energy and stop the egg from dividing.

Apart from age, factors such as smoking, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and endometriosis can also have an effect on egg quality.

FSH testing is generally used to measure the quality of the eggs and a high level might indicate poor egg quality.

Please contact us for further information.




www.donasyon.net
www.lowcostivf.net
www.northcyprusivf.com
www.gender-selection-ivf.co.uk
www.egg-donor-ivf.co.uk

Monday, June 11, 2012

Short FAQ about Post IVF Treatment

Question : 


I just wanted to double check that I will be taking 2 x Progynova twice a day and Crinone Gel twice a day, plus the Pregnacare and junior aspirin once a day until we are at the 12 week mark. Once we get past the first trimester do we just stop the Progynova (Estradiol Valerate)  and Crinone Gel or do a gradual wind down? And carry on with the Pregnacare and junior aspirin throughout my pregnancy?  


Answer : 


Please keep taking the same dose of medication until week 11 and for the final week, go down in dose of Progynova and the gel and stop altogether on week 12. You will keep using baby aspirin and Pregnacare until week 36, a few weeks before delivery.


Please be sure to have your prescription before leaving the clinic and email us if you have any further questions.


www.donasyon.net 
www.lowcostivf.net 
www.northcyprusivf.com 
www.gender-selection-ivf.co.uk 
www.egg-donor-ivf.co.uk

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Recent Testimonial - North Cyprus IVF Center

Here is another short testimonial from a recent tandem cycle patient:

Hello Deedee,

Sorry I have been very busy at work because of the Queens Jubilee so
haven't had a chance to reply.
I am delighted to say that I have a positive pregnancy
test. I know it is early days but thank you so much for all your help.
I will certainly recommend you to anyone I know who is in the same
position. The clinic was fantastic.



Do you have Angies emails address at the clinic as I need a couple of
bits of information from her for my doctor and I would also like to let
her know and send my thanks.


My thanks and best wishes

T and P, United Kingdom


Please feel free to contact us for further information.


www.donasyon.net 
www.lowcostivf.net 
www.northcyprusivf.com 
www.gender-selection-ivf.co.uk 
www.egg-donor-ivf.co.uk

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Patient Review - North Cyprus IVF Center

Here is yet another review from one of our patients:


Hi,

I am so happy to let you know that we had our pregnancy blood test result yesterday and it's a positive!
We are over the moon, yet still cautious and hope the next 10 weeks will go smoothly.

I just wanted to double check that I will be taking 2 x Progynova twice a day and Crinone gel twice a day, plus the Pregnacare and junior aspirin once a day until we are the 12 week mark. Once we get past the first trimester do we just stop the Progynova and Crinone or do a gradual wind down? And carry on with the Pregnacare and junior aspirin throughout my pregnancy?  

If you can also pass on our heartfelt thanks to Drs Savas and Idil, as well as yourself, Angie and the nurses- everyone was so fantastic during our time there and we also enjoyed visiting your country.
Please let me know about the meds. 

With all our best wishes and gratitude.

L & B, United Kingdom


Please contact us for further information. 


www.donasyon.net 
www.lowcostivf.net 
www.northcyprusivf.com 
www.gender-selection-ivf.co.uk 
www.egg-donor-ivf.co.uk

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

British Channel 4 Documentary on Multiples and IVF Abroad

Dragonfly is a factual BAFTA-award winning independent production company, our programmes include Extreme A&E, One Born Every Minute and The Family.

Channel 4 have commissioned us to make a new one-off documentary about multiple births. The aim is to show viewers what it is like to have a multiple birth, by focusing on the human and medical stories of parents. We also hope to give an understanding of the complexities of multiple births and highlight the specialist work of the healthcare professionals who work with multiples cases.  In practice, this means filming the journeys of women, babies and families at a number of maternity units in the UK.

We are very keen to speak to British mums expecting multiples who have had IVF abroad and ended up falling pregnant with more than one baby!

Please see below with regards to the brief from Channel 4.

C4 DOCUMENTARY ON MULTIPLE BIRTHS and IVF

Dragonfly, the TV production company behind the award-winning series One Born Every Minute are making a new Channel 4 documentary following parents expecting multiples.


We are keen to speak to mothers who are expecting multiples who have had IVF abroad and ended up falling pregnant with more than one baby! We also hope to give an understanding of the complexities of multiple births and highlight the specialist work of the healthcare professionals who work with multiples cases.  In practice, this means filming the journeys of women, babies and families at a number of maternity units in the UK.


If you’re interested in capturing and sharing your amazing journey of becoming a parent, we would love to hear from you.



To find out more about taking part, please get in touch:

sophie.waldron@dragonfly.tv





www.donasyon.net 
www.lowcostivf.net 
www.northcyprusivf.com 
www.gender-selection-ivf.co.uk 
www.egg-donor-ivf.co.uk

Saturday, May 26, 2012

More Reviews


A few more reviews from our patients: 
The clinic is very neat and clean and staff is very friendly, there were no language issues as dr idil and angie are well english spoken girls, dr savas is very focused. All our query and questions were answered , things were different but nothing that i can critisize really, i loved cyprus and its people who always have a smile and didnt make us feel differnt but most of all i loved food. We actually are thinking of buying property there , we loved it so much . I would recomand it allll my family and friends.

L.
Dubai, UAE

We heard about the clinic after a failed ivf treatment at a well known English clinic, which was lovely with high tec everything, but also a high tec price!! A friend told us about North Cyprus IVF clinic as she had TWO friends pregnant from their treatment there, one with twins and one with triplets! We decided after much deliberation to try the clinic and I'm soooo glad we did as our twins are due in April.We tried 5 years to start our family. The clinic seemed a bit dated after our treatment in the UK, however the staff were always helpful and our results as far as I'm concerned speak for themselves. We never thought that I'd get pregnant and I'm sure that by combining the ivf with being abroad (we treated it as a holiday!) made all the difference. We will never be able to thank all the staff enough for making our dreams come true.

T.B
London, UK


The fantastic communication started from you! And then the clinic staff were brilliant. Any questions were answered in full. They were honest about the possible outcomes but very reasuring. AND it worked. I have a lovely 8 month old baby. I will be doing this again next summer if i can get the money together. They are professional and very experienced. Thank you so so much.

D.S
Oxford, UK


The clinic were professional and friendly. The decor of the clinic is a bit chintzy which is not what we expected but the places that matter like the operating theatre were stare of art. The staff were friendly and although not many speak Enflish those that did were fluent and helpful. Overall I was very very impressed and would recommend them As I have been, to anyone who needs treatment. We had IVF using our own eggs and sperm and achieved our highest fertility rate we have ever had and my TRIPLETS are now 10 months old.

London, UK








www.donasyon.net 
www.lowcostivf.net 
www.northcyprusivf.com 
www.gender-selection-ivf.co.uk 
www.egg-donor-ivf.co.uk

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Gender (Sex) Selection in the UK

Gender selection in the United Kingdom is prohibited by law, therefore, UK patients are not able to choose the gender of their babies for family balancing purposes within the UK. However, UK patients are able to travel abroad for this treatment option.

Given the difficulty of traveling for great lenghts of time for the working people, we have established links with IVF specialists, and scan clinics in the UK, so that our patients can have their preliminary work performed in the UK and then travel to Cyprus for only about a week. This way, our patients feel more comfortable receiving pre-treatment with a local doctor under our supervision and only travel for a short period of time to finalize their treatments.

Having this option, UK patients are able to take advantage of IVF technologies in Cyprus without compromising the legal issues associated with gender selection treatment.



www.donasyon.net 
www.lowcostivf.net 
www.northcyprusivf.com 
www.gender-selection-ivf.co.uk 
www.egg-donor-ivf.co.uk

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Teşekkür Notu

Klinikten ve elamanlarindan cok memnun kaldik. Savas Bey, Idil hanim, hemsire hanimlar (Zeliha, Nigar ve adini hatirlayamadigin diger iki hemsire), finansdaki gorevli hanim, Niyazi Bey her konuda yardimci oldular. Savas Bey cok iyi bir ekiple calisiyor. Lutfen tesekkurlerimizi hepsine iletin (embriyolog dahil).


G.K. United Kingdom


www.donasyon.net
www.lowcostivf.net
www.northcyprusivf.com
www.gender-selection-ivf.co.uk
www.egg-donor-ivf.co.uk

Monday, May 21, 2012

Tips for IVF Success

Even though each IVF treatment is different in itself, there are a number of measures that can be taken in order to maximize your chances of success. In some cases, things that might sound small could make a world of difference in IVF treatment. So let’s be on the safe side and do our part:

1- INITIAL SCAN: Have an ultrasound scan at your gynecologist’s office. This is to make sure there are no fibroids, polyps or free fluids in the uterus that could jeopardize your chances of success. Also, women who are not undergoing egg donor IVF treatment should make sure there are no cysts in the ovaries that could potentially affect their egg count/quality.

2- INVESTIGATION: If you have previously had repeated miscarriages (with or without IVF), it makes sense to investigate the cause. In most cases where women have repeated miscarriages, there is a genetic reason behind it. Some gene mutations affect your blood circulation and cause you to have a miscarriage (especially up to 12 weeks). These genetic tests include testing for mutations in MTHFR C677T, MTHFR A1298C, Factor V Leiden (G1691A), Factor II (G20210A), and PAI I 4G/5G. Similarly, women with repeated IVF failures should seek further investigation.

3- VITAMINS: It is important that your take essential vitamins and nutrients prior to and during pregnancy. A supplement such as “pregnacare” includes Folic Acid, B6, B12 and Zinc supplements, which are proven to reduce the likelihood of a miscarriage and support healthy development of your baby. It makes sense to start using such a supplement at least a few weeks prior to your embryo transfer stage. Vitamin C taken at certain doses has also proved effective in increasing egg quality according to various clinical studies.

4- HORMONE TESTING: For women undergoing IVF treatment using their own eggs, it is important that certain hormone tests are done prior to using any IVF medication. These hormone tests include:
FSH, LH, Estradiol Prolactine and TSH. For women over 35, AMH test will also be an important consideration. Based on these hormone test results, we will be able to assess your ovarian reserves and egg quality. Also, it these results will be important in identifying your treatment protocol and the dose of medication that needs to be administered.

5- IVF FAILURES: For patients who have had several failed IVF attempts, with no history of pregnancy, it makes sense to have an endometrial biopsy around days 18-21 of menstrual period. An endometrial biopsy will tell whether there is any condition that might prevent implantation and a successful pregnancy. There are also other infections that need to be checked for in this case.

6- INFECTIOUS DISEASES: Prior to embryo transfer, it is vital that certain infectious disease tests are done on both parents. The purpose of these tests is to make sure the newborn does not receive any infection from his/her parents. Some of these test are routine tests, which most of you do not have, such as Anti-HIV, Anti-HCV. These can be done at our clinic prior to embryo transfer. However, some other test results, such ac CMV IgG and Chlamidia might require the use of antibiotics for a certain amount of time prior to emrbyo transfer, therefore, it is important for the female patient to have tested for CMV IgG and Chlamidia once the IVF decision has been made.

7- AVOID STRESS: One of the biggest enemies of IVF treatment is stress. Avoid stress as much as you can when going through IVF treatment. You can take up yoga classes, or join the gym or start a book club, anything that will help you avoid stress will add a couple of percentages to your chances of success.





www.donasyon.net 
www.lowcostivf.net 
www.northcyprusivf.com 
www.gender-selection-ivf.co.uk 
www.egg-donor-ivf.co.uk

Friday, May 18, 2012

Male Infertility Problems




 Infertility in men is most often caused by:

1- Problems making sperm, which means producing too few sperm or none at all
2- Problems with the sperm's ability to reach the egg and fertilize it, which could be the case where abnormal sperm shape or structure prevent it from moving correctly

Sometimes a man is born with the problems that affect his sperm. Other times problems start later in life due to illness or injury. For example, cystic fibrosis often causes infertility in men. The number and quality of a man's sperm can also be affected by his overall health and lifestyle. Some things that may reduce sperm number and/or quality include:

- alcohol
- drugs
- environmental toxins, including pesticides and lead
- smoking cigarettes
- health problems
- medicines
-radiation treatment and chemotherapy for cancer
-age

In some cases, even if sperm production is not sufficient enough to produce sperm through ejaculation, minor surgical procedures like TESA and MESA can be used to retrieve the sperm. In the cases where the sperm is unable to reach and fertilize the egg, ICSI is used for assisted fertilization. In other cases where no sperm can be found or the quality is exceptionally low, using donor sperm becomes the only alternative.

Semen Analysis

With the aid of a semen analysis, sperm can  be categorized in the following groups:
Azoospermia: Nearly or no live sperm cells in semen
Oligospermia: Low count of live sperm cells
Asthenospermia: Low motility
Terathospermia: Low morphology
Fertile: No problems with count, motility or morphology
Sub-Fertile: Slight male factor infertility.





www.donasyon.net 
www.lowcostivf.net 
www.northcyprusivf.com 
www.gender-selection-ivf.co.uk 
www.egg-donor-ivf.co.uk

Monday, May 14, 2012

Gender Selection in North Cyprus


New technologies are now allowing some couples to choose the sex of their child before pregnancy. Many couples wish to have a child of a particular sex in order to prevent certain medical illness or to help balance their families.

PGD is one of the most successful methods when it comes to gender selection. This is a complex procedure that involves the creation of embryos that are then analyzed for cell structure and DNA. Embryos are created in a laboratory and allowed to divide. After three or four days, one cell from each dividing embryo is removed and analyzed for DNA and genetic material. Once the sex of the embryos are determined, only those embryos of the desired sex are implanted into the mother’s uterus through IVF. PGD is highly successful, giving you a 99% chance of having a child of the desired gender.

Gender Selection IVF works very much like the IVF procedures explained in the “IVF” section under “Our Services”. However, the embryos that are formed using the IVF procedures undergo genetic testing known as PGD before they are transferred into the uterus. Therefore, in gender selection IVF, the five step IVF procedure requires a sixth step, which comes right before the embryo transfer step.

North Cyprus Fertility Clinic offers low cost, high success Gender (sex) selection IVF by using state of the art technology in fertility treatment and a team of experts. Our genetics laboratory employs a biogenetical engineer, two PhD embryologists and a lab assistant. We are the very first IVF clinic with two separate IVF laboratories and its own research center.

North Cyprus IVF is now the second location in the world to offer Microsort for gender selection.
Microsort is a technology that sorts sperm into X and Y chromosomes prior to fertilizing the eggs, thus, allowing you to have more male or female embryos after fertilization. Microsort coupled with PGD for gender selection will offer dramatically high chances of success compared to PGD alone.
We have started taking applications for our Microsort program. We will be offering microsort starting in July. However, due to the large volume of demand for this procedure, we will be having a waiting list. The sooner you apply, the sooner you have a chance of being admitted into our microsort program. The following are the three types of alternative gender selection methods we are able to offer through microsort.

IUI + Microsort for Gender Selection:
This is the least invasive gender selection method. Female partner is prescribed a mild dose of medication for ovulation induction so that multiple eggs are produced in the ovaries. Male partner's sperm is sorted via the microsort technology into those that produce boy and girl offsprings. The sorted sperm is injected into the uterus when the eggs are matured and ready for fertilization. This gender selection method is about 90% accurate for female offsprings and 75% accurate for male offsprings. Since eggs are not retrieved from the ovaries, there is no way of biopsying and genetically testing the embryos for sex with 100% accuracy. IUI is usually recommended for women in their 20s as the patient may be required to undergo a series of IUI procedures until pregnancy can be achieved. Success rates with IUI vary between 5-30% depending on the age of the female partner.

IVF + Microsort for Gender Selection:
This treatment method is very much like conventional IVF apart from the fact that male partner's sperm is sorted into those that produce male and female offsprings through the microsort procedure. The microsort sperm is used to fertilize the eggs that are retrieved from the female partner's ovaries at the end of the ovulation induction process. The eggs are fertilized in a laboratory environment and are placed in an incubator until they reach a certain level of development and are then transferred into the uterus for implantation. The medication used in IVF treatment is slightly different from the IUI protocol. Patients who are in their late 20s or in their 30s are often advised to go straight for IVF treatment rather than IUI for higher chances of success.

IVF + Microsort + PGD for Gender Selection:
This is the most effective and most accurate gender selection method. All the steps involved in this treatment are exactly the same as in IVF + Microsort. The only difference is, once the embryos reach a certain level of development (usually 8-cell stage), they are biopsied for genetic screening and gender selection. Even though microsort provides an accuracy of 75-90%, subjecting the embryos to PGD testing makes sure accuracy level goes up to 99.9%. Apart from identifying the sex of the embryos, PGD testing also allows to screen for certain genetic disorders. Through this method, only embryos that are of desired sex and also free of genetic disorders are transferred into the uterus. This way, the patients are not only able to select the sex of their offspring, but can also make sure that the offspring does not possess the most prevalent genetic diseases.





www.donasyon.net 
www.lowcostivf.net 
www.northcyprusivf.com 
www.gender-selection-ivf.co.uk 
www.egg-donor-ivf.co.uk

Saturday, May 5, 2012

MISCARRIAGE INVESTIGATION


Miscarriage is defined as pregnancy loss before 24 completed weeks of pregnancy. The occurrence of a miscarriage is a tragic loss for a couple trying to have a child and can be associated with significant psychological problems for the woman, their partner and family. Miscarriage is usually a single occurrence, and often followed by successful pregnancy. Recurrent miscarriage is defined as the loss of three or more consecutive pregnancies. Even after 3 consecutive losses, the chance of a successful pregnancy is over 60%. Most miscarriage occurs within the first 14 weeks of pregnancies. Maternal age and previous number of miscarriages are independent risk factors for a further miscarriage. There could be several reasons for repeated - recurrent miscarriages.

Causes of miscarriage
There are several causes of miscarriage that have been identified. These include chromosomal abnormalities, gene defects, hormonal problems, infection, immunological, uterine abnormalities, chronic maternal illness and environmental hazards.

Blood clotting (thrombophilic) disorders Inherited thrombophilias include Factor V Leiden, Factor II(prothrombin gene) mutations in the gene that codes for MTHFR, an enzyme involved in folate metabolism.
If blood clots occur in the blood vessels of the placenta, the blood flow to the baby is decreased and this can lead to either second trimester miscarriage or, if the pregnancy proceeds, to the birth of a baby that is smaller than he or she ought to be. Women with these disorders are also at risk of developing high blood pressure later in pregnancy

Chromosomal abnormalities One-off pregnancy losses can occur when the cells of the placenta and the fetus contain an abnormal number of chromosomes. Mostly the extra chromosome or the deficient chromosome is not present in the parents: instead the abnormality occurs as mature eggs or (less often) sperm cells are formed just before they are released
The miscarriage happens by chance. In most cases, there is nothing wrong with the mother or father's health and miscarriage is not likely to occur again in a later pregnancy.

The uterus and miscarriage Several abnormalities of the uterus are commonly linked to repeated pregnancy loss. Most of them can be treated with surgery.

They include:

• Congenital abnormalities. These are defects present from birth. For instance, a woman may have a uterus that is divided into two sections by a wall of tissue (septate uterus).

• Uterine fibroids (leiomyomata). Uterine fibroids are benign growths (not cancer) made up of uterine muscle tissue.

• Incompetent cervix. An incompetent cervix is one that begins to widen and open too early, in the middle of pregnancy, without any sign of pain or labor. Incompetent cervix is not a cause for recurrent first trimester losses.


Hormonal disorders


1. Progesterone
Low levels of progesterone hormone are frequently found in women whose pregnancies are miscarrying.

However, low progesterone levels in early pregnancy reflect the fact that the pregnancy has not implanted successfully in the womb lining, rather than because the developing placenta is not producing enough progesterone to maintain the pregnancy. This is an important point - low progesterone is the effect not the cause of the miscarriage. This explains why giving women progesterone and/or hCG hormone injections in early pregnancy does not improve pregnancy outcome.

The exception to this is when we take advantage of the immunosuppressant effects of progesterone in women who are found to have immune problems.

2. Follicle Stimulating Hormone
Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) drives the ovary to start growing follicles. Unfortunately, some women with a history of pregnancy loss are also found to have high FSH levels because their ovaries have become prematurely menopausal. Although rare, this is obviously a very important problem to identify. If FSH levels are high, the appropriate next step is referral to a fertility specialist.

3. The uterine lining (the endometrium)
At the present time the only way of determining the response of the endometrium at the time of implantation is to sample it and look at the histological (microscopic) evidence of the state of the tissues. An endometrial biopsy can be performed towards the end of your cycle (approximately day 26). This biopsy is no more uncomfortable than undergoing a cervical smear test. However, in order to be able to obtain the most useful information from the biopsy, it is important to know exactly the time of ovulation.

4. Polycystic ovarian syndrome
A pelvic ultrasound scan shows that many women with recurrent miscarriage have polycystic ovaries (PCO). This is a common condition, found in 25% of all women, in which there are multiple small cysts within the ovary. These cysts are not dangerous and cannot be removed as they are within the ovary.
Polycystic ovaries can sometimes be associated with a number of hormonal imbalances such as increased production of LH and testosterone. A number of carefully designed studies have shown that neither PCO nor high LH levels are a cause for recurrent miscarriages.

Infections The role that vaginal infections may play in recurrent pregnancy loss is the subject of a new field of research.

Infection may well play a role in causing late pregnancy losses (14 weeks gestation) in a small number of women but it is unlikely to be important in causing early miscarriages.







www.donasyon.net 
www.lowcostivf.net 
www.northcyprusivf.com 
www.gender-selection-ivf.co.uk 
www.egg-donor-ivf.co.uk