Here are some frequently asked questions you might have while waiting for your result.

What if I am spotting?
If you start to have vaginal spotting, don’t panic. It is possible to be pregnant and spot as well.

Does it mean I’m pregnant if I have symptoms?
Remember that some of the early physical signs of pregnancy: breast tenderness, bloating, tiredness and stomach upset can also be caused by
the drugs you may be taking, such as progesterone. Symptoms of pregnancy can come and go in some woman. You may feel very pregnant one day and feel nothing the next day. You can’t depend on your body to tell you if you are pregnant; you have to wait for the test.

Do I need to stay off my feet? Can I exercise?
Dr Stokes at Coastal IVF will instruct you regarding activity especially if you had an IVF cycle. In any case only do moderate exercise – avoid step aerobics and exercise that elevate your body temperature and pulse rate excessively.

Are there any foods I should avoid?
Eating sensibly and avoiding too much processed food and limiting alcohol intake is highly recommended.

Should I avoid intercourse?
Unless you are spotting, intercourse is fine. However, discuss this with Dr Stokes if you have had a history of miscarriage or are facing a high-risk
pregnancy.

Will the cramps and twinges that may be a result of progesterone ruin my chances for implantation?
No this is just a side effect of the progesterone and does not impact implantation.

I’m thinking of using a home pregnancy test before my blood pregnancy test. Will it be accurate?
The most accurate test is the blood test. If you had a hCG shot you must wait at least 12 days to get an accurate result with a pregnancy test.
Testing any earlier could give a false positive result.

What symptoms should I be aware of, and should I contact my doctor if I have?
If you have any of the following symptoms:
– a fever;
– bright red vaginal bleeding;
– abdominal, pelvic, neck or leg pain;
– feeling faint or extremely dizzy and weak,

then call Dr Stokes at the Sunshine Coast, Coastal IVF office.
They could indicate an infection or tubal pregnancy, which need medical attention.

We know the two week wait can be a tense one. So try as best you can to relax and enjoy the process.
If you have any questions or concerns, call our offices any time to discuss your concerns with a caring team member!

US researchers from Harvard University recruited 189 young men aged between 18 to 22, questioned them about their exercise, diet and TV habits and asked them to provide a sperm sample.

Men in the top quarter of TV-watchers — those who watched for 20 hours or more — had a 44-percent lower sperm count than those who watched least, meaning they said they watched ‘none or almost none’.
Another big factor was exercise, according to the study. Men who exercised for 15 or more hours weekly at a ‘moderate to vigorous’ rate had a 73-percent higher sperm count than those who exercised less than five hours per week.
Though none of the sperm levels were so low that the man would have been unable to father a child.

Semen quality appears to have declined over several decades, according to studies conducted in several countries.

It is unclear why this has happened, but scientists suspect that sedentary lifestyles may warm the scrotum and affect semen concentrations.
Physical inactivity has also been linked to increased levels of oxidative stress, in which rogue oxygen compounds degrade cells.

Previous studies into physical activity and semen quality have focussed on elite athletes, such as professional marathon runners and cyclists.
“We were able to examine a range of physical activity that is more relevant to men in the general population,” said Jorge Charravo, assistant professor of nutrition and epidemiology at Harvard School of Public Health, Massachusetts.

The study was limited by the relatively small number of volunteers and the fact that only a single sperm sample was provided, the authors acknowledged.

If you or your partner have any concerns about male infertilty, you should see your GP for a referral to see Dr Stokes at Coastal IVF.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/health-21326810

We found this great article from Kasey Edwards who is the author of Thirty-Something and The Clock is Ticking: What Happens When You Can No Longer Ignore The Baby Issue (Random House) www.kaseyedwards.com.

Your marriage is also likely to take a battering in the process.

Within my friendship circle I know of two relationships that didn’t survive the anxiety, disappointments and mood swings that come with IVF. Even years later many of the women I spoke with were unable to discuss the effect of IVF on their relationships without anger and tears. So large is the toll that IVF takes on relationships that writer Amy Klein recently wondered if it would be easier to ride the infertility roller-coaster without a partner. Writing in the New York Times, Klein reasoned that at least she could wallow in her sorrows without having to worry about how her emotions were affecting her husband.

“I looked at him and realised it’s not only about me. I am not alone. And even though sometimes I wish I could be like [a friend doing IVF alone] and drown in my sorrows, I am now responsible for…our marriage.”

Based on the collective experience of my IVF buddies and me, here are some tips on how to reduce the collateral damage to your relationship during your IVF journey.

1. Let go of the reasons why you need to do IVF You can’t walk through the door of an IVF clinic without a head full of ‘What ifs’.
   What if you’d settled down earlier? What if you started trying for children last year instead of going on that holiday? What if you gained weight/lost weight/didn’t have that abortion/drank less/did more yoga/took fewer drugs in your youth? None of these questions, or their answers, are helpful. In fact, they can be downright destructive — particularly if the reason you need to do IVF is because of a problem with the bloke’s swimmers or plumbing. It’s hard for men to watch their partner vomiting, injecting herself with hormones, and having everything from pessaries to strangers’ hands shoved up her vagina. But it’s even harder for men to know that they are the reason she has to do it. As one friend said, “He was the one with the problem, but I had to be the patient.” Looking forward rather than back can spare both of you additional guilt and resentment.
2. Don’t set unreasonable privacy constraints.
   When I was going through IVF I didn’t want to talk about it. I needed to. Sharing the ups and downs of my treatment with my friends, family, neighbours and the package delivery guy from Australia Post was a sort of therapy I couldn’t have done without. Most women I know who’ve been through IVF have felt the same. However, many of them have been sworn to secrecy by partners who feel ashamed and embarrassed by infertility. I can’t tell you how many conversations I’ve had that have started with, “Don’t tell my husband that I told you…” Infertility is an emotional and sensitive topic, particularly for men because our society equates virility with masculinity. There are also a whole host of religious, cultural and professional reasons why people prefer to keep IVF a secret. But it’s unreasonable to add the burden of secrecy to the already difficult process. If secrecy is important then compromise and work out one or two people the talker in the relationship is allowed to share the journey with.
3. Knowing when to stop
   The heartbreak of IVF is that you can spend years putting yourself through hell and still not get a baby. In our very first IVF briefing session we were told that men were often more reluctant than women to start IVF, but they were also more reluctant to stop. One of my friends did 11 unsuccessful IVF cycles over three years. She wanted to stop after two years because she was exhausted from the endless medical treatment but her husband wanted to keep going. Years later, she is still angry at her husband for the extra year of her life she put on hold because of his wishes. Yes, it takes both of you to make a baby. But when it comes to IVF, it’s hardly equal. The bloke comes in a jar and the woman gets turned into a science experiment. When the woman decides it’s time to stop, it’s time to stop.
4. Note to men: You’re needed, even when you’re not
   In a physical sense, all that’s required for men to make an IVF baby is about 5 minutes and half-decent aim. You might think that once you’ve got your specimen in your specimen jar, your job is done. Wrong! Your partner needs you to support her emotionally every step of the way. She needs to feel like this is an equal priority for both of you and not something she has to deal with on her own. This means you need to attend as many appointments as possible, even after several failed cycles and the novelty has worn off. If she has to go to them then you should too. If you don’t attend the blood tests then at the very least call afterwards to find out how it went and let her know that you are just as invested in the results as she is. And when she’s tired, devastated and angry and just needs to lie on the couch and cry, don’t add to the burden by getting frustrated with her and telling her to buck up. Make her a cup of tea, give her a hug and tell her you appreciate what she is doing for you, your family and your future.
5. Note to women: If your partner isn’t going to support you emotionally then find someone who will
   In an ideal world, men will read tip 4 on this list and say to themselves, “Well duh! Do you think I’m an unfeeling ogre?”. But for some reason your husband may not be willing or able to provide the emotional support you need. Rather than spending the entire time disappointed and angry with him, it might be worth accepting his emotional repertoire and enlisting a different person, such as a friend, sister or mother, to provide what your husband cannot. This might be why, as Amy Klein speculated, it may be easier to go through IVF without a partner. Single-mothers-by-choice choose a support person who is up for the job. If your partner isn’t giving you what you need, perhaps you should too.

Find Out About Our Support Services For Patients.

At Coastal IVF we’re dedicated to full care and supporting our patients through the entire journey.

Source: http://www.dailylife.com.au/life-and-love/love,-sex-and-relationships/how-to-ivfproof-your-marriage-20131119-2xsfp.html

Most couples want to plan when they have children and, most of the time, fertility control is about preventing pregnancy. But what if you want a child, and conception doesn’t happen?

Most people think they will conceive almost immediately when they cease contraception. In reality, 10-15% of couples experience infertility. (Infertility is defined as an inability to conceive after 12 months of regular unprotected intercourse). Few couples are prepared when the problem happens to them.

In a couple with normal fertility, there’s a 20% chance of falling pregnant each month. After 2 years, 94% will be pregnant and the average time to pregnancy is 4 months.

Conception is a very complicated process and many things can make it difficult without it being impossible.

• If a mild factor is present that decreases the chance of conception by only 20%, and 60% will be pregnant in one year with a mean time to pregnancy of 2 years.
• Should there be two mild factors, the pregnancy rate falls to 1% per month, 17% will be pregnant in 2 years and the mean time to pregnancy is 7 years.
• If we take three mild factors, not an uncommon situation for a woman in her mid-30’s, then there is a pregnancy rate of 0.15% per month with 3.7% being pregnant in 2 years and a mean time to pregnancy of 40 years!
• Another crucial factor is the duration of the infertility. If a couple have not conceived in 3 years, then their chance of conceiving falls from the original rate of 20% per month to only 4.6% per month.

If you suspect you may have an infertility problem, it is much better to seek advice sooner rather than later, it could be something very simple, for example is intercourse being appropriately timed? Do work commitments mean your partner is away during the fertile time?

The Oocyte (egg) is only viable for 24 to 48 hours, so it is important to understand when you are most fertile. If all good advice has been followed with no result in 6 to 12 months then seek help sooner rather than later; call us at Coastal IVF and make an appointment to discuss your concerns.

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/science/slab/fertilty/story.htm

Investigation and Treatment Options

The investigation of infertility usually involves both partners and both should attend the interview. In the history of the infertile couple, questions relating to general health, medications, lifestyle and reproductive health are asked.

In females the menstrual history is important. Investigations may include evaluating the hormonal profile and testing to identify if cycling is occurring, to assist in this a tracking cycle may be carried out. Another way to identify a cause of infertility may include an ultrasound being performed. However a diagnostic laparoscopy is considered the gold standard for tubal function and pelvic health assessment. This is where the surgeon looks into the pelvis with a camera and make sure no adhesions, endometriosis, or other abnormality is present.

The male investigations may involve blood tests for things such as hormonal levels and other possible causes. A semen analysis may be performed in addition to counting and visualising the sperm. Other tests of sperm function may be done – such as determining the presence or absence of anti-sperm anti-bodies and trying to ascertain their fertilising potential.

Assisted Reproductive Techniques

Causes for the infertility can be found in a high proportion of couples. If there is a cervical problem or an ovulatory problem, or if the sperm are not mobile, an intra-uterine insemination can be performed. If ovulation is a problem, tablets or injections to induce ovulation may accompany this. Stimulation of the ovaries may also be combined simply with timed intercourse. If this is not successful after a variable number of tries the couple may proceed to more sophisticated techniques.

If there are problems such as tubal obstruction and poor sperm numbers, this treatment may be the first line. Injectable drugs stimulate multiple ovulation and the Oocytes (eggs) are collected through the vaginal wall by aspiration. The embryologist assesses the egg quality and then the sperm is added (IVF). If fertilisation occurs, embryos are grown and then one embryo is transferred to the uterus. Excess embryos can then be frozen and then thawed and used for future frozen embryo transfer cycles, (FET) as required. The number of embryos to be transferred will vary according to the clinic and the age of the patient. The success rates of each treatment option will vary with the age of the woman, the clinic and the reason for the infertility.

In Summary…

Infertility is a surprisingly common condition, that can cause varying degrees of stress and heartache. Treatment for infertility can be simple and easily managed with the correct diagnosis and treatment. Give Dr Paul Stokes and his specialist team a call, and they will put you at ease and assist you in achieving your desired outcome.

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/science/slab/fertilty/story.htm

Whilst a viable egg can only be fertilized for around 24-hours, sperm can survive for days inside a woman’s body. Learning when you are most likely to conceive can prevent many of the common frustrations around trying to get pregnant. Most couples trying to conceive move through one or more of these three basic phases:

1. “We’re having a baby!!!!” We’re ready to get pregnant. Toss out the birth control and let’s see what happens…
2. Hmmm. After a few periods, the woman decides, “Well – that didn’t work, why aren’t I pregnant? Let’s start taking my basal body temperature, charting and planning around my cycle….”
3. Yikes! The couple begins to become disheartened. Nothing seems to be working and the calendar watching and charting is in over drive! You are propping your legs up against the wall after sex, and perhaps you have “lost that loving feeling”. It is probably time to start looking into the idea of assisted reproduction via IVF clinics to see if you are candidates.

If you’re trying to conceive, keep in mind that the “normal” period of time for most couples to conceive naturally is between 12-24 months. However, women under the age of 35 may want to speak with their fertility doctor after 12-months, and women 35 and older should discuss potential fertility issues with their doctor after 6-months, to schedule routine checkups and ensure that all is well before proceeding naturally.

When is my Most Fertile Time?

Most women have approximately a 28-day menstrual cycle. This cycle is counted from the first day of your period through the day before your next period begins. For an accurate average, it’s a good idea to track the days you’re on your period for 3 – 4 months. Many women have shorter or longer cycles, which shifts their “fertility window” by a few days.

1. Ovulation.

The first step to figuring out your fertility window is knowing when you ovulate. Once you’ve tracked your period for a few months, count backwards 12 days from the day you suspect your next period will begin. Mark this date on your calendar. Then count backwards another four days. This five day range is when your chances for conception are the highest.

2. Timing.

Keep in mind that sperm can live in a woman’s body for five to six days! That means you and your partner should begin having sex several days before you anticipate being fertile. The more viable sperm that are around when your egg comes cruising by, the more likely the chances are that a sperm will make contact with an egg. In order to maximize your chances of conception, Dr Stokes recommends having sex every other day (which means he should avoid ejaculation in the meantime) during this period.

3. Additional Signs.

If you’ve already narrowed down your fertility window, you can use a little extra effort to pinpoint additional signs.

1 – Ovulation Predictor Kit (OPK).

These kits are available at local pharmacies and are relatively accurate. They predict your ovulation based on the level of luteinizing hormone (LH) in your urine. OPKs can predict ovulation within 12-36 hours. Follow the kits’s exact instructions for optimal results.

2 – Discharge.

During ovulation, your body secretes a different kind of discharge. It’s clear, slippery, and likened to the consistency of egg whites. It helps to form a web which guides sperm to the bull’s eye. When you notice this discharge, it’s a good sign that you are ovulating.

3 – Physical Signs.

By following their body’s physiological signs and cues, most women are able to figure out when they are most fertile, and can use this information to conceive. Remember that it takes a few months to really learn your cycle so remaining positive will make the process as enjoyable as it should be.

Coastal IVF has been helping couples on the Sunshine Coast have babies for 26 years. With over 60 years of combined experience specialising in infertility between Dr Paul Stokes, the Clinical Director and Peter Jackson, the Director of Embryology of Coastal IVF, you will be in good hands.