How to select your IVF specialist

By Dr. Shweta Goswami

Searching foran IVF specialist is such a big task as there are numerous IVF doctors availainle across the world. Also, not to mention discussing an issue like infertility which is quite a social taboo even in this day and age is also such a big question itself. Today, as an infertility expert let me help you out explaining about the traits one should look out for in an IVF specialist.

Let us consider below points while selecting your IVF Expert:

1. An IVF Expert should answers all your questions and doesn’t dismiss them as being trivial. Believes the only stupid question is the one you don’t ask. Responds to your email (usually within 24 hours) and doesn’t force you to come in for every little problem.

2. An IVF Expert should be fully staffed, with a full-time experienced embryologist, so he/she does not have to depend upon external experts.

3. An IVF Expert must respect you and treats you like an intelligent adult. He/She should not talk down to you and does his/her best to educate you, so you have realistic expectations of your IVF treatment.

4. An IVF Expert must be open and transparent and provides clear documentation of all your IVF treatment, including photos of your embryos.

5. An IVF Expert must clear about the costs incurred for the treatment and provides a receipt for 100% of your payments.

6. An IVF Expert must has a high success rate because the lab and

Can I smoke while trying for a baby?

By Dr. Shweta Goswami

We make many lifestyle changes while trying to have a baby like by limiting the coffee or alcohol intake But not all changes are equally easy to make. Caffeine, for example, is addictive, it has nicotine. If you are a smoker, you probably already know that you should stop smoking during your pregnancy, but can you smoke while trying to conceive? Many surveys and researches have been conducted in the past which says that women who smoke are 60 percent more likely to ne infertile as compare to nonsmokers.

Cigarettes smoking affects your fertility in major way. Following are the ill effects of smoking:

• smoking may affect different stages of reproduction, including hormone production and embryo transport
• smoking may affect ovarian reserve and the quality and quantity of the eggs.
• smokers may also have a lower

Trying to have a baby but unsuccessful? What’s your next step should be?

By Dr. Shweta Goswami 

I have seen many cases in my career as an IVF Expert where over 10% of reproductive-age couples are unable to conceive even after a year of trying. There are many possible reasons for this, including issues with the male’s sperm, the woman’s ovulation, hormonal issues; from being very underweight or very overweight, or from thyroid, cervical or uterine problems, or blocked fallopian tubes. 

What to do if unsuccessful.? 

The first step to identify possible issues contributing to a couple’s inability to conceive. Both man and her woman should undergo a physical exam depending on the risks identified, further testing is done to specifically identify the limiting conditions. This may include testing to examine the male’s sperm (amount, motility, etc.), evaluation of the female’s anatomy (for example a hysterosalpingogram, ultrasound, and/or other tests) and evaluation of the women’s ability to ovulate (possibly including hormonal testing and/or other tests). 

In fact out of 100% nearly 30% of all infertility cases, the cause is attributed to a problem in the male, 30% of cases, the cause is attributed in female and 30% to both male and female factors and rest 10% is unknown. 

The main cause of infertility is the 

• abnormalities in sperm of males which includes low sperm production or immobile sperm. 
• tubal issues in the woman account for another third, ovulation issues for about 15 percent, and
• other issues or no explanation identified in the rest. 

What treatment to go for when the cause is identified? 

Once a cause is identified, a specific care plan can be developed. This may include treatment for the male partner (or even consideration of using sperm donation), medical treatment of the woman to help increase ovulation (including weight

What you should know about Ovarian Cancer?

By Dr. Shweta Goswami 

Ovarian cancer - the cancer of ovaries has been known as a ‘silent killer' in the past because it's hard to diagnose. 

Its symptoms are:

• persistent tummy or pelvic pain  
• increased tummy size or persistent bloating – not bloating that comes and goes 
• Difficulty eating and feeling full quickly.  

Some women may also experience other symptoms like: 

•  the need to wee more frequently,  
• changes in bowel habit,  
• extreme fatigue or pain.  

If you have these symptoms more than 12 times in a month, you should seriously consider going to see your doctor. 

According to the American Cancer Society about 1 in 75 women will get ovarian cancer in her lifetime, but young women are rarely affected. The risk escalates starting at age 63, 

Diagnosis of Ovarian cancer: 

It is often diagnosed at a late stage. Ovarian cancer is frequently diagnosed when the cancer is already at an advanced stage and women often delay seeking help. This may be because the woman thinks her symptoms are due to menopause or confused with other common stomach and digestive complaints. Doctors also often initially suspect less serious

Prepare yourself for IVF Treatment

By Dr. Shweta Goswami 

Before the beginning of IVF treatment everyone has this question in mind; how do I prepare myself for this? So, here is your answer. Today in this blog I will mention few tips on how to prepare oneself for the IVF treatment. 

1. First of all start an exercise routine as exercising and remaining active is not just good for fertility health but also for the overall body. It opens up the muscles and makes them flexible. Furthermore, it regulates blood flow

 in the body. This makes the body much more responsive to medications given during the treatment. 

2. You can also try your hand at Yoga. It may sound same like exercise for some people but yoga is much more than just something that improves the flexibility and stamina of the body. It calms the mind and creates an emotional balance amongst the people who do it. It harmonizes the whole body and lots regular practice prevents the person from the maximum amounts of diseases also, it also strengthens the immunity system. 

3. Eat a good fertility diet. What you eat is directly affects your overall wellbeing. It is very important for a woman to eat a healthy holistic diet to enhance the fertility. For example - Vitamin C is very important to women undergoing IVF as

Every woman should know these 4 things

By Dr. Shweta Goswami 

Being a Gynecologist and IVF specialist it is my duty to inform all the women I know about few things. No matter what if you are a student, a housewife, a working professional, a mother or a grandmother, you should get informed about these below mentioned things. 

1. PCOS and PCOD: 

Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome and Poly Cystic Ovarian Disease are the disease both associated with ovaries; ovaries are the very important part of women’s reproductive body. PCOS is an endocrine system disorder in which woman’s levels of sex hormones estrogen and progesterone gets out of balance. This leads to growth of ovarian cysts. PCOD is a condition developed by the hormonal imbalance, which lead to collection of mature eggs in the ovary, as they cannot be discharged. These also become cysts and some of the cysts lead to more cysts and this cycle goes on. One of the causes would be insulin diet; hormonal disturbances or stress that leads to PCOD. 

Symptoms:    

• you  have irregular menstrual cycle or prolonged cycles (beyond 35 days or so)   
• increased growth of hair on the face, chest, stomach, back, thumbs, or toes   
• your skin is breaking out or you get acne, oily skin, or you are getting dandruff   
• you have gained extra weight around your tummy   
• darkening of skin around your neck  

  

  DNA

2. POF: 

Premature ovarian failure refers to a loss of normal function of your ovaries before the age of 40. If your ovaries fail, they don't produce normal amounts of the hormone estrogen or release eggs regularly. In simple words, you get menopause before the age of 40. 

Symptoms:          

• Vaginal dryness 
• Hot flashes 
• Mood swings 
• Lack of sleep 
• Reduced sex drive 

3. Thyroid: 

Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough of certain important hormones. For women, there is

When to go for fertility treatment?

By Dr. Shweta Goswami   

Infertility or unable to conceive is a common problem in today’s modernized society. Today, fertility treatment is a gift of modern science which has helped millions of couples across the globe to conceive.   

Often the question arises when should we seek for fertility treatment? Consider following points if:   

• You haven’t conceived even after having one-year of regular unprotected sex, see a fertility specialist  
• You are under 35 who find it difficult getting pregnant after having regular unprotected intercourse for a year must seek medical help.   
• You are over 35 and having difficulty conceiving after having six months of regular unprotected sex must opt for fertility treatments.   
• You are having irregular menstrual and ovulation patterns poses a high risk for infertility. If you are going through these issues, then it is highly recommended to see a fertility specialist to increase your chances of getting pregnant.  
• Either of the partners has been

Fertility over 40, what’s the secret?

By Dr. Shweta Goswami 

Age is one such issue which tops the list if you want to become pregnant because you can’t do anything about it. There’s no medicine, no cure for old age and the disabilities that come with it. The only thing you can do is plan your future well and make the best of today. The ideal age for pregnancy is the mid-to-late 20s. If you want to wait, then you can push that limit to 35. After 35, the chances of a successful pregnancy start declining. 

IVF, for so long considered the only hope for women who are unable to fall pregnant on their own but I believe that IVF isn't the only answer for women wanting to get pregnant. 

There are other options too and that many could find their fertility better boosted through acupuncture, making simple lifestyle changes and, actually, just having more sex. I've known many patients who wanted to go for IVF treatment and aren't regularly having sex. Often people are looking for every possible option not but sex. Physical intimacy between couples is of utmost importance. They've created a joyless life for themselves and they're doing endless yoga or furiously

Eat good Eat right for your fertility

By Dr. Shweta Goswami 

I have earlier also talked about the fertility diet but it's not only what you eat for your fertility, but how you eat too is also important. Too many of us are eating too late in the day or when we go to bed at night, we're meant to digest our day, not our dinner. Our lifestyle and health do not support fertility, particularly when we are waiting longer to get pregnant. It is very important to remember that the preparation of food itself is a bit like alchemy. 

Try these simple tips for preparing your food and the results will certainly follow : 

1. Try to make your dishes mainly plant-based, with a little high-quality meat included in your weekly diet. Cook mainly with second-pressed olive oil and use cold-pressed oils to add to food after cooking 

2.  Don't forget your nuts, vegetables and pulses for healthy fibre and limit sugar. 

3.  Remember your bones. Broth is nourishing and soothing to the digestion and has a reputation as a traditional healing food. Fertile contains a recipe for

Tips for breastfeeding after an IVF delivery

By Dr. Shweta Goswami 

Breastfeeding is a natural process and it comes to mothers naturally. In many cases after delivery the mother’s body undergoes a lot of changes that makes breastfeeding little difficult especially if you had cesarean delivery. But this not at all means that you should give up on breastfeeding. Stress, hormonal imbalances and fatigue are very normal for a new mother and some mothers even face post partum depression that can interfere with breast milk production.

Please consider the following tip that helps in overcoming issues with breastfeeding: 

1. Address stress from your life – First of all stop feeling too much stressed. Though it is very normal to feel stressed out after delivery especially if it’s your first baby. But stress at this time could hamper breastfeeding. Remember, a stressful mother will often find it difficult to lactate or even help the baby latch on correctly. Practice deep breathing or take bath in your tub feel the water and try to do everything that keeps you calm and relaxed. 

2. Eat right foods - It is very important for you to eat right and good foods whatever you eat directly influences your breast milk production so try to have a balanced diet, stay hydrated and drink lots of fluids. All these things help to boost milk production and help a mother get on with breastfeeding. 

3. Take small breaks from breastfeeding - . If your child keeps on suckling frequently, production of milk could be hampered though suckling helps to

5 most important things you should know about IVF Treatment

By Dr. Shweta Goswami 

As we know infertility means when you are unable to concive naturally despite of one year of trying. As you age your fertility levels will decline plus there are many lifestyle factors that affects your fertility and then you opt for IVF treatment to conceive. So, here are few things that you should know about IVF: 

1. When women's and men’s fertility really starts to drop: 

First and foremost you should know about the time when a woman's fertility starts to drop dramatically i.e from the age of 30 onwards. Diminishing egg numbers along with diminishing egg quality is one issue. A simple blood test, known as AMH, will tell a woman if she has a normal number of eggs for her age but tells us little about the quality of the eggs remaining. 

On the other hand, men's fertility can also reduce with age. While women are born with all the eggs they will ever have, men are continually producing new sperm. However, as men age, the quality of the genes in their sperm deteriorates.  

2. Success rate of IVF treatment: 

There are ‘N’ number of fertility clinics and infertility specialists in the world and many have achieved the highest success rates in IVF in the world. However, an individual couple's chance of success depends on a number of factors such as the cause of infertility, age and lifestyle. As a general guide, there is a 60 to 70 percent chance of conception per IVF treatment if aged under 30. This goes down to a 20 percent chance for your first IVF treatment over the age of 40. 

3. Cost factor:

Infertility is increasing at a fast paced and IVF is becoming a common option for all. So, as a result IVF has become more affordable in India than in other developed countries. It is just 1/5th of the costs outside India with success rate at par with the world. 

4. Risks involved: 

IVF has been around for more than 30 years. It is a very safe procedure, with no long-term risks to mother or child. The most serious medical complication is

Dealing with infertility

By Dr. Shweta Goswami 

We are living in a society where barrenness ia a taboo. In today’s era also people look down to such women who cannot bear a child in their womb. No matter how society as a whole we are progressing there are many issues which needs to be dealt carefully and one such issue is infertility. Today, we talk about on how to deal with infertility. It is very normal thing these days as there are many lifestyle factors that affects ones fertility be it a male or a female. But without losing our self confidence we need to deal with it.  

So, here are few tips that may help you to get through it: 

1. Love your body  

No matter what God has given you beautiful body. Self-care is utmost important things that you can do Just nurture and love your body. Diet and exercise can be a great way to take control and give your body what it needs. From taking a long hot water shower bath to treating yourself to lovely food, to pampering yourself with a spa etc just do that. 

2. Give yourself time 

Take each day as if it’s today only. It is a cliché that ‘time heals’, take each day as it comes and try not to beat yourself up. Manage your work home time equally and do what the time needs at a particular given hour. 

3. Do not get over emotional 

It is completely ok if you feel a loss for sometime but hanging to such a loss for a longer period of time is not good. Today thanks to the technology we have so many options to

Your Lifestyle may be the cause of your infertility

By Dr. Shweta Goswami 

There is an old saying that “Good practices reap good results and bad practices reap bad results”. Here in the process of your parenthood your lifestyle choices plays a pivotal role which decides your fertility levels. If you have opted whole life the good choices then results will be good and vice versa. Modern day habits like easy reach to junk food, no physical activity, and sedentary lifestyle can reduce your chances of conceiving children. This is especially true in this time and age, where couples prefer to have babies late (in their mid 30s). In such a scenario, lifestyle choices become even more important. 

Here in my post, let’s throw some light on the various factors that can negatively affect your fertility levels. 

First and foremost your Age: 

Age is one such issue which tops the list because you can’t do anything about it. There’s no medicine, no cure for old age and the disabilities that come with it. The only thing you can do is plan your future well and make the best of today. The ideal age for pregnancy is the mid-to-late 20s. If you want to wait, then you can push that limit to 35. After 35, the chances of a successful pregnancy starts declining. 

Smoking, a lifestyle choice: 

Smoking has been associated with infertility in both male and female partners. It’s also known to cause many other problems in women, such as increased rate of

Vitamin E improves fertility among men

By Dr. Shweta Goswami 

Infertility is a common problem now. No one knows that what the exact cause of infertility is. Lifestyle plays a vital role in our fertility issues. For example what we take inside our body directly impacts on fertility if we drink alcohol or smoke regularly it badly affects our fertility. 

Studies have shown that certain nutrients if we consume on a regular basis can directly impact the sperm quality in men and can ultimately results in improved pregnancy rates. Many times it is said that low levels of Vitamin E can cause impotence in men. Lack of vitamin E also causes low sex drive and infertility. So, in a way vitamin E is considered as very important nutrient for men. Vitamin E acts as a anti oxidant protecting cell membranes from oxidative damage. 

In a study conducted in USA, men undergoing IVF treatment who have been given vitamin E have shown better fertilization rates which suggest that the antioxidant activity of vitamin E makes the sperm more fertile. Vitamin E is known to

All you need to know about Surrogacy

By Dr. Shweta Goswami 

Surrogacy is now a well explored and accepted form of starting a family that people are turning to. Surrogacy simply means a biological or non biological mother carrying the child of another woman for full nine months. 

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) data says that approximately 2,000 babies are born every year through commercial surrogacy. Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) figures claim that surrogacy is a $2.3 billion industry in India, because it is largely unregulated and cheap. 

These days awareness about surrogacy is increasing. People who would have never thought that they would be able to become proud parents are finally getting chance to be. 

Surrogacy is advised to those who have either no or a malformed uterus, uterus damaged due to infection/ tumor, and where the uterus is removed for some clinical process. Surrogacy is also for those couples intending to be parents but where the woman is having repeated miscarriages. 

In IVF surrogacy or gestational surrogacy a pregnancy is created by the egg and sperm of the parent couple. The surrogate is just a carrier and is not genetically related to the child. While the procedure costs Rs. 15 lakhs or upwards, a surrogate earns Rs. 5-6 lakh and is paid Rs. 9-10,000 per month during the pregnancy. 

Surrogacy is a legal deal between a couple and an individual and a third party to carry their baby to term. There may be many reasons why couples opt for surrogacy; it may be a missing uterus, multiple pregnancy losses, or failed in vitro fertilization attempts. So, now the couple can have their own biological baby by hiring a surrogate. 

Sometimes a family member or friend offers to be a surrogate. This can deeply reduce the cost of surrogacy. However, because not everyone knows

Some Do’s and Don’ts during IVF treatment

By Dr. Shweta Goswami 

In Vitreo fertilization (IVF) is a blessing for infertile couples and indeed IVF trend has picked up in India from quite a while now.  When a couple chooses IVF for conception, it affects both the partners physically and emotionally.  There are a few things that you need to keep in mind to improve your chances of conception. 

1. First of all de-stress yourself; be calm and composed think positive.  Also avoid making major life changes such as moving to a new house or starting a new job the same time you’re going through the IVF process. As High stress levels are known to reduce fertility in both men and women and compromise the outcome of an IVF cycle. 

2. Take good care of yourself; It’s very hard to combine your job with an IVF treatment. Don’t stop living. Don’t put everything on hold for your big dream. The impact will be massive. 

3. Eat good amount of nutrients; before your IVF begin start eating fertility diet. Getting nutritious foods is vital for producing healthy eggs and promoting implantation of the embryo. Your diet should consist of 4-6 small meals each day and each should consist of some complex carbohydrate (such as brown rice or quinoa) interspread with fresh fruits and vegetables. For a fertility diet read here. 

4. Drink lots of fluids; Some women during IVF process suffer from OHSS (Ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome) so drink lots of fluids during this time. Drinking 3-5 liters of water per day can prevent OHSS in some cases. 

5. Stop consuming alcohol; Alcohol consumption, even in small amounts, can reduce a woman's chance of conceiving by more than 50%, so why take a chance. 

6. Communication

With IVF it’s possible

By Dr. Shweta Goswami 

Motherhood completes a woman; in fact it makes you a better person. Every married woman dreams of having own her baby but due to fast paced life and sedentary lifestyles these dreams seem to have taken a back seat and people are busy in building their careers. 

Many times we don’t know that small lifestyle issues severely affect our fertility and there by reduces the chances of conceiving naturally. Fast paced life, junk food, late working hours affect the fertility levels in both men and women thereby making you infertile. 

According to ICMR (Indian council of medical research) bulletin it is estimated that globally between 60-80 million couples suffer from infertility every year, of which probably between 15- 20 million are in India alone. 

The reason behind infertility are many few of them could be PCOS, sedentary lifestyle, eating junk food, depression, problematic womb, consumption of alcohol, smoking, stressful life, uterine problems, fallopian tube blockage, low sperm count, etc. The causes of infertility are present in both the genders. A woman cannot be blamed alone for this. 

But thanks to modern technology In Vitreo Fertilization or IVF technique, a woman can now enjoy motherhood with their own biological child even after crossing their puberty age. However, many do not know about the advanced treatment presented by the medical science 

The fertility of a woman starts declining after she crosses 27 and men fertility too starts dropping after 35. The chances of miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy or

Eat right to enhance fertility

By Dr. Shweta Goswami 

What you eat is directly affects your overall well being. It is very important for a woman to eat a healthy holistic diet to enhance the fertility. If you are planning for baby then your diet plays a very special role if you eat specialized fertility diet then it would enhance the egg and sperm quality and supports a healthy pregnancy.  

There are particular foods that may increase your fertility thereby enhancing the pregnancy success rates.  For example: Bananas are a great source of potassium, vitamin C, Vitamin B-6, Manganese, fiber and a range of other nutrients, which men need in order to maintain a strong sexual vitality. Also many studies have proved that bananas provide nutrients that can influence male fertility. Bananas are rich in Protein, Vitamins, Iron, Magnesium and Manganese which are essential for healthy sperm count in men. 

Apart from that starting your day with a bowl of oatmeal might be a course to successful conception because it has great cholesterol-lowering powers & regulates your blood pressure as well. It is well known that both high cholesterol & hypertension could affect fertility. Oats are a great source of many vital minerals and essential nutrients which are very good for a healthy fertility. They are rich in soluble fiber, protein, manganese, magnesium, zinc etc. which play a vital role in fertility enhancement. 

Diet is important for men too. Various studies have shown adverse effect of dairy products, especially those with high fat content and high carbohydrates

Stress declining fertility level among males

By Dr. Shweta Goswami 

Stress is the most over used term these days and there are numerous problems that stress causes like asthma, heart problems, constant headaches, obesity, depression and many more. Infertility is said to occur when a couple fails to conceive despite of one year of trying without any protection. Many researches in the past have shown the results that stress is the main factor that causes infertility in men.   

One of the very popular myth is that infertility is always a woman’s problem. In fact out of 100% nearly 30% of all infertility cases, the cause is attributed to a problem in the male, 30% of cases, the cause is attributed in female and 40% to both combined male and female factors . 

The main cause of male infertility is the abnormalities in sperm which includes low sperm production or immobile sperm. In addition to this one’s lifestyle plays a pivotal role in fertility levels. In today’s time stress is inevitably creeping into our lives and increasing cases of infertility globally. This has been scientifically established by comparing fertility levels of men in the older times compared to the present scenario with a definite increase in stress levels also on comparison.

Men with hectic jobs are at the highest risk of infertility especially those who works in night shifts are affected more as compared to men working in morning shifts as their biological clock is very badly disturbed. They sleep during the day and to keep themselves awake, they often smoke, which damages the system further. The stress at work place and sitting for long