One of the most effective ways to treat infertility is in vitro fertilization (IVF). IVF has helped thousands of couples and individuals from all over the world have healthy children of their own when previously it seemed like there may be no hope of conceiving.

You may be wondering if in vitro fertilization would be right for you. While it’s hard to give definitive answers, because only a doctor can properly diagnose you and tell you if IVF is a good solution, having the basic facts is important. If you’re struggling to conceive or you’re ready to plan your family, here is what you should know about in vitro fertilization.

What is IVF?

During an IVF procedure, fertilization occurs in the laboratory rather than in the typical biological fashion. The woman will receive hormone treatments to prepare for the procedure. These hormone treatments will stimulate the ovaries to bring eggs to maturation for the next part of the process. When ready, the eggs will be removed. This is a minor surgical procedure. Once removed, the eggs will be fertilized with the sperm of the male partner or that of a donor to create an embryo. From there, the embryo is then placed in the uterus and the pregnancy continues like it normally would.

How does IVF work?

In vitro fertilization is an appropriate fertility solution for a variety of scenarios where certain life circumstances or medical conditions are making achieving pregnancy difficult. The goal is to bypass the issue that is making conceiving difficult with medical assistance. During IVF, an embryo is placed directly into the woman’s uterus to go through with the pregnancy. This allows you to overcome complications that may have arisen from fallopian tube blockage or damage, ovulation disorders, ovarian failure endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and tubal ligation. IVF can also assist when the fertility issue lies with the quality of the sperm. It can help circumvent issues stemming from impaired sperm function or production.

Of course, success rates are always on the minds of hopeful parents. So, it’s important to put some things in perspective. The overall success rate of in vitro fertilization is 30-40% when talking about women under the age of 35. This success rate does diminish with age and your overall health will also be a factor in how high the chance of a successful pregnancy is. Also consider, that while 30-40% may seem like a low number, when compared to the chances of naturally getting pregnant during any month cycle the numbers aren’t all that dissimilar.

Ideal for same sex couples

IVF is the primary fertility treatment for same sex couples. It has allowed many couples to have biological children of their own by using a combination of one partner’s sperm or egg and a donor to complete the process. When dealing with IVF as a solution for a male couple, there will also be a need for a surrogate to carry out the pregnancy. You’ll discuss the entire process with your doctor, who will help you navigate any additional steps needed.

Conclusion

Having difficulty getting pregnant can be an emotionally trying time. Any kind of family planning period can bring many questions and anxiousness about what the next step should be. That’s why it’s so important to speak to a medical professional if you’re having difficulty or you’re not sure what the next step is. At Global Fertility & Genetics, we’ve helped couples and individuals from New York and all over the world reach their dream of starting a family. If you’d like to know more about IVF and if it’s right for you, contact us today. Our team is here to provide you with the information and care you need.

Infertility is a relatively common problem that affects 12-18% of all couples in the United States. Experts attribute one-third of all fertility problems to female factors, one-third to male factors, and one-third to either unknown factors or a combination of male and female factors.

For women, infertility is often linked to hormonal abnormalities leading to ovulation problems and can even be the result of chronic stress and poor dietary habits, especially when associated with being underweight.

Many of the women we see here at Global Fertility & Genetics in Midtown East, New York are surprised to learn that being overweight or underweight can also dramatically influence their ability to become pregnant.

If you’ve been trying unsuccessfully to become pregnant, and you suspect that your body weight may be part of the problem, read on to learn how weight affects fertility, and what you can do about it.   

Body weight and fertility

It may be harder to conceive if you’re significantly overweight or underweight, because both conditions can interfere with normal ovulation, or the monthly release of an egg from one of your ovaries.  

Besides causing anovulation, obesity can also negatively affect quality of eggs and their capability to normally fertilize by semen. As a 2017 study published in Systems Biology in Reproductive Medicine notes, “obesity appears to negatively influence female reproductive function at multiple levels of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis, and also at the level of embryo development and the endometrium.”

It’s also generally acknowledged that obesity increases the chance of miscarriage.

In women who underwent in-vitro-fertilization (IVF) treatment, being obese lowered their pregnancy success rate: “Obese women who undergo… IVF using autologous oocytes have reduced clinical intrauterine pregnancy rates, increased miscarriage rates, and lower live birth rates compared to their normal-weight peers, after controlling for age.”

Your body fat helps control the release of leptin, a hormone that affects not only appetite and metabolism, but also reproduction. If you don’t consume enough calories, or if you don’t have enough fat stores to support a pregnancy, leptin plays a role in decreasing fertility.

Moreover, a low body weight caused by significant weight loss, “especially when associated with strenuous physical activity and/or heightened cortisol secretion in women, causes hypothalamic dysfunction, with decreased GnRH pulsatility and impaired gonadotropin secretion, subsequently leading to arrested follicle development, oligo-anovulation and prolonged amenorrhea.” Oligo-anovulation is ovulation that occurs less than six times per year, and prolonged amenorrhea refers to extended periods of time with no menstrual period.

The body mass index gauge

Body mass index (BMI) is a quick, easy way to assess your level of body fat and get a better understanding of where you need to be to optimize your chances of conceiving and maintaining a healthy pregnancy.

Your BMI, which is calculated with a simple formula that uses your height and weight, is an indicator of fat levels, but not a direct measure of body fat.

You’re considered underweight if your BMI is less than 18.5, overweight if your BMI is between 25 and 29.9, and obese if you have a BMI of 30 or higher.

By this standard, a woman who is 5’9” tall is considered underweight if she weighs 124 pounds or less, overweight if she weighs more than 169 pounds, and obese if she weighs 203 pounds or more.

Although having a healthy body weight — or a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 — is ideal for conception and carrying pregnancy, you don’t necessarily need to gain or lose a substantial amount of weight from your baseline to increase your chances of having a baby.

Reaching a healthy body weight

If you’re overweight or obese, simply losing 5-10% of your body weight can be enough to put conception and a healthy pregnancy within reach.

Fortunately, the best strategies for achieving a healthy pre-pregnancy body weight are the same strategies you should use to stay healthy throughout your pregnancy to give your baby a healthy head-start.

Physical activity should be a part of most, if not all, days of the week. That may mean you take a short walk after each meal, swim at the local pool, find a fitness class you’d like to attend, or start a workout program with a trainer. In addition to helping you shed excess pounds, regular exercise will also increase your strength, energy, and stamina — all of which are invaluable during labor and delivery.

Use smaller plates to help reduce portion sizes, and opt for a whole-foods diet that includes plenty of vegetables, fruit, whole grains, nuts and seeds, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Swap sugary drinks (and alcohol) for water, and limit the amount of fast food, processed food, and sugar-rich food you consume.

If you’re underweight, you’ll still want to find time for regular physical activity. You’ll also want to swap out any unhealthy foods and beverages for healthier options.

Most underweight women only need to gain a few pounds to optimize their chances of becoming pregnant. To gain weight in a way that supports optimal health, fill your plate with whole foods, and increase your portions at every meal. Try making healthy fats — including nuts and seeds, olive oil, avocado, and salmon — a part of most meals.

And remember, whether you’re trying to lose weight or gain a few pounds, the team at Global Fertility & Genetics in New York City is always ready to help.