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Dry Fruits for Babies - When to Introduce and Health Benefits
In addition to breast milk or formula milk, you will want to introduce certain solid foods to your baby once he is ready for solids. But being a new mom, of course, you will think twice (as you should) before introducing any new food to him. As babies have tiny tummies and a delicate digestive system, they don't eat much, and that's why it is important that whatever food they are given is nutritious and safe for them. Dry fruits are a healthy option as they contain a lot of nutrients, but before including them in your baby's diet, you will need to keep certain things in mind. Read on to know whether dry fruits are safe for babies or not and if yes, when you can introduce them.
What Are Dry or Dried Fruits?
Dried fruits are basically fresh fruits that are dried up. Fresh fruits are dehydrated (their water content is removed) either by conventional sun-drying method or by using dehydrators. But the nutritional content of these fruits remains the same even after dehydration. Dry fruits are popular as they can be stored for much longer than fresh fruits.
Are Dry Fruits Safe for Infants?
Yes, dried or dry fruits are safe for babies and infants and can offer them tons of nutrients. You can give dried fruits (in the powdered form, of course) to your baby once he is ready for solids. But make sure that you do not opt for dry fruits that are coated with sugar as they can give way to cavities and tooth decay. Furthermore, when introducing dried fruits to your baby, make sure you powder them nicely or dice them into bite-sized pieces to avoid any choking hazards. You can soak them in water to soften them before giving to your baby. This will assist in better absorption of nutrients. And while giving almonds to your little one, peel their skin to avoid any irritation to your baby’s throat.
When to Give Dry Fruits to Babies
If you are planning to introduce dried fruits in your baby's diet, the ideal time would be between 7 and 9 months of age. By this time, you will have already introduced finger foods and other soft foods to him. It is around this time, you can slowly add dried fruits in his diet too. Since dry fruits are heavy on the digestive system, it is best that you give your baby some time to get used to other light solid foods firsts before giving him dry fruits.
You will also need to consider the possibility of allergies. Some babies are allergic to some nuts and dry fruits. So try the 3-day rule and look for signs for allergy in your baby. If you notice any signs of allergy in him after introducing a particular dried fruit, stop giving it immediately.
Health Benefits of Dried Fruits for a Child
Dry fruits offer a host of benefits to babies that can help them grow and develop properly. Mentioned below are some benefits of dry fruits for a child.
1. Prevent Anaemia
Dried fruits are a rich source of iron, hence, they promote haemoglobin levels in the blood. And good haemoglobin levels prevents the risk of anaemia in babies.
2. Provide Energy
Dry fruits, being a rich source of fibre, protein, zinc, iron, and other minerals, can provide your baby with energy. Including dried fruits in your baby's diet will keep them energetic and healthy.
3. Prevent Constipation
Dry fruits contain a good amount of fibre which will aid bowel movement in babies and help prevent constipation.
4. Promote Digestive Health
Dried fruits contain a lot of probiotics or good bacteria which can keep your baby's digestive system healthy. Probiotics will help develop the digestive system of your baby and also aid in the digestion of food.
5. Promote Bone and Eye Health
Dry fruits are rich in Vitamin A and calcium. Vitamin A can strengthen and help maintain a healthy vision in your baby and calcium can aid in the development and maintenance of his bones.
6. Aid Brain Development
The omega-3 fatty acids present in dry fruits and nuts like walnuts can help in the brain development of babies.
7. Prevent Damage to the DNA
As your baby begins eating more and more, free radicals will get created in his body which can cause harm to his DNA. These free radicals are also known to cause cancer. The antioxidants in dry fruits can prevent this from happening.
How to Make Dry Fruit Powder for Babies
If you want to make dry fruit powder for your babies, we are here to help. Mentioned below are the ingredients required to make dry fruit powder and the recipe to make it.
Ingredients
Almonds - 100 grams
Pistachios - 100 grams
Cashew nuts - 100 grams
Saffron strands - ½ tsp
Nutmeg powder - 1 tsp
Turmeric powder - ½ tsp
How to Make
Dry roast the cashew nuts, pistachios, and almonds.
In a separate pan roast the saffron strands until they turn a little darker in colour.
Take the dry roasted dried fruits in a mixer pot and add the saffron strands to it, then powder them. Add the nutmeg powder and turmeric powder in the end, and mix well.
The powder you get will not be very dry as the dry fruits have oil content in them. To prevent a lot of oil seeping into the powder, avoid grinding for too long.
You can store this powder in the refrigerator in an airtight container for over a month.
Delicious Dry Fruit Recipes for Your Baby
Here are some simple recipes that you can try to incorporate dry fruits into your baby’s diet.
1. Dry Fruit Milkshake
The best way to give dry fruits is to powder them and make a delicious dry fruit milkshake.
Ingredients
Almonds - 6
Cashews - 6
Pistachios - 6
Figs - 2
Raisins - 6
Dates - 4
A few saffron strands
Honey or jaggery - 2 tbsp (optional)
Cardamom powder - 1/4 tsp
Milk - 3 cups (boiled and cooled)
Recipe
Soak all the dried fruits in some warm water for about 30 minutes. You can also soak some saffron strands in about a teaspoon of milk and keep it aside.
Blend the soaked dry fruits and the saffron along with honey and one cup of milk.
Once it reaches a smooth consistency, add another two cups of milk and blend it again.
Once it is thoroughly blended, you can give it to your baby.
2. Baby Cereal With Dry Fruit Puree
This simple breakfast recipe can add more flavour to your baby's regular breakfast cereal.
Ingredients
Bananas - 1
Apricots - 2
Peaches - 2
Applesauce - 1/2 cup
Prunes - 2
Baby cereal (as required)
Milk - 3 cups
Images show coarse nuts and dry fruits. Be sure to blend them properly to prevent your baby from choking on them.
Recipe
Puree the fruits, dry fruits, and applesauce together.
You can make the consistency of the puree thinner by adding some milk into it.
Pour this over baby cereal and serve.
Dry fruits are packed with nutrients that are beneficial for your baby. Introducing them to your little one at the right time and in the right way can allow him to enjoy the flavour and the health benefits of dry fruits thoroughly. However, consult your baby's paediatrician before introducing them to your baby's diet. If the doctor gives a go-ahead, introduce one dry fruit at a time and watch out for allergies in your baby. Read more
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3 Months Old Baby Activities
3 months might not seem to be too long, but it is definitely long enough for your newborn to grow into a bigger, more alert child. By this time, your child might be settling into a sleep pattern and developing in terms of her interaction with the world- this is sure to give you a much-needed respite from the constant fussing and fretting over the child.
Games can help your baby develop its skills further, and improve the way it interacts with the world. 3 months might seem like too young an age to start playing games, but is that it is never too early for development. So let us take a look at a few 3-month-old baby development activities which can help your child in a great manner.
What Skills are Expected to Develop in a 3 Month-Old Child?
As a parent, there are a few things you can expect from your child at the age of 3 months. Some of these are given below.
Your child will be able to reach out and grasp things, but for a brief amount of time.
The neck and back muscles of the baby start to strengthen around this time, so this would be a great period to start laying the child on his tummy.
Your child will be able to communicate in babble and baby talk, and also laugh and smile at your actions.
Learning takes place, and your child follows toys and people when they move around. They will also be able to understand if their mother has left the room.
You can start laying the groundwork for the vocabulary of the child by talking to them as much as possible.
Fine Motor Activities for 3-Month-Old Babies
These games help your child develop her motor skills, in a fun manner.
Make your baby lie on her back and place or hold toys at a position out of her reach. Make her reach for the toy.
Try action songs with your child, and make her do the actions as much as possible. Clapping and pat-a-cake are great alternatives, too.
Give your child clean toys which she can hold and mouth as she pleases. This increases her grip strength and improves her motor skills. However, remember to give her something that is large enough so that choking never happens.
Gross Motor Activities for Three Months Baby
Gross motor activities at this age help the child strengthen the muscles of her neck and back. Tummy time is something that should be started now, under the supervision of the mother.
You can encourage her to support her own head at this age, in a simple manner. Place the child on your lap with her back and neck supported well, and encourage your child to look at you by making funny noises.
Tummy time can be carried out by placing the baby on her tummy and keeping toys just out of her reach. You can even lie down face-to-face with your child, and encourage her to lift her face and look up at you.
Change her positions as much as you can, frequently. You can place her on her belly for some time, then make her lie on her back, or sit well supported for a few minutes. This will pique her curiosity, as she has a different view of the world around her always. Also, remember to talk to her about this as much as possible.
Communicating and Imitating Activities for 3-Month-Old Infants
After motor skills, you must also set aside time for play activities for 3-month-old babies just to improve her communication skills.
Help your child look around the room, by calling out her name from different positions around the room. Remember to praise her or snuggle her if she looks at you after you have called.
Try to make your child imitate the sounds you make. You can start this game by imitating the child yourself, and smile when she looks up curiously at you. This will help her understand she can communicate with her mother using her voice.
At this age, your child has already started to develop her language skills. So always talk to her and paint a picture with words, so that she hears a range of words and tries to place those sounds with what they are seeing.
Learning Activities
Learning activities at this age stimulate the brain of your child and help it develop well over time.
Encourage her to follow something she sees as it moves, using toys. You can place the child on her tummy on the floor, and roll a ball to see if she follows its track with her eyes. You can always use a rattle to get her interest if she does not seem to mind you at first.
In order to help your child understand her name, say it as much as possible around her. You can even sing songs with her name so that she understands that it has some meaning with regard to her. Her name will be one of the first words she understands.
Change your tone as much as possible, so that emotions are communicated using the tone of your voice. You can modulate your voice while you sing lullabies to her.
Let her learn her surroundings through touch, and provide lots of different textures for your child to explore. Everyday surfaces inside the home are good enough to start with, so encourage her to feel cushions, wood floors and carpets first.
Cognitive Development Activities for 3 Months Old
Cognitive Development activities for your child also help improve her cognitive skills and have a direct impact on her intelligence and personality as she grows up.
Read as much as possible to your child. Start with picture books, so that she can see what you are trying to convey to her. Children will love looking at the colourful images in front of them while hearing your contrasting voice.
Talk to her about anything and everything- you can start by telling your child about how your day was. Make sure to vary your tone a lot, and maintain a lot of eye contact with her while you speak to her.
Place mirrors around her in which she can see an image of herself. She might be too young to understand that the images are a reflection of herself, but she is sure to love the person in the mirror who is constantly moving and waving her arms.
Give your child toys that make lots of varying noises. This will help her understand the cause and effect of hitting particular noises, and she is sure to love the pleasant sounds that come out of the toys as she plays with them.
Show your child that different items make different noises when you touch or hit them. You can use items which have contrasting sounds, like a rattle or a bell and a drum. Your child will be able to understand the differences between various objects and their sounds soon enough.
Provide new textures for him that she can not only touch but can also mouth. This also helps her understand some of the differences between various objects when she sees them.
Sensory Activities
Sensory activities for your child aim to improve her five senses and the ways in which she uses them.
To start with, you can hang something very colourful above her crib. It should also move around with the wind so that it is possible for your child to follow the colours easily with her eyes. This does a great job of providing visual stimulation.
Get your child get used to the sense of touch, by gently touching and tickling her. She will understand the importance of touch soon, as she giggles because of your touch.
To improve her sense of skin, it is important that there is a lot of skin-to-skin contact between the child and her parent.
To help the baby develop her listening skills, sing lots of songs to her. You should also talk to her constantly, and call her name out as much as possible. This also helps her develop her vocabulary skills as time passes.
In the mirrors present around her, tap the image and say the name of the baby aloud. As time passes, she will be able to understand the girl in the mirror is herself.
Touch different parts of the child and say ‘beep’ out loud. Your baby might start watching the movement of your hand and begin to anticipate your touch before it happens.
Contrary to popular belief, you should not encourage your child to sleep as much as possible. Even at an age as young as 3 months, your baby might be starting to understand the world around her in a limited manner. This is the time when her brain and muscles start to develop quicker, so it is extremely important that you stimulate both her senses and her motor skills. The activities of 3 month-old baby boys and girls might seem extremely incoherent to you, but that is just your baby trying to explore the world around her using her senses. It has been found that such games and activities have a direct impact on the intelligence of your child when she grows up- therefore, it is never too early to start playing development games!
Also Read:
3 Months Old Baby Milestones
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20 Weeks Pregnant with Twins or Multiples
You made it! You are now officially at the 50% mark of carrying your babies. With a 20-week twin foetus present in your womb all safe and sound, the happiness and excitement would be infectious to everyone. Most women tend to be at their best behaviour and feel ecstatic around this time, while an unlucky few might still be battling the bouts of nausea. The good news is that all of it will pretty much come to an end because more important things are on their way. And these are not merely related to your own body, but also for the babies who will see some of the most significant changes in their own body in the coming months.
The Growth of the Babies At 20 Weeks
The 20th week of pregnancy holds immense importance for babies for their development, as well as for doctors since it provides a massive load of information about your kids, helping them make the right medical decisions.
One of the largest internal developments that your children have is the development of the ability to know how one flavour is different from the other. They might not be able to identify or pin it down to a specific one conclusively, but they can taste the difference. Around this week, babies start consuming the amniotic fluid, through which they get their nutrition. This fluid tends to change its taste based on what you’ve had in your meals. Most of the times the taste borders on sweet and resembles the same flavour as that of your breastmilk. Combined with the reflexive tendency to suck on their thumbs when they drink the fluid, this is the first nudging of the evolutionary process to learn to breastfeed.
The triplets or twins residing inside your womb are now beginning to form their own biological gender identities. Male babies will have developed a small penis while their scrotal sacs will start descending to form the testicles. This process is pretty gradual since the scrotum needs to finish growing entirely for the testes to descend in them. Similarly, female babies will have developed their ovaries inside, with more than 5 million eggs already formed inside it, which tends to reduce by the time they emerge out into the real world. Similarly, her uterus also approaches completion while her vaginal canal initiates its growth in this week, creating a miraculous companionship inside you.
What is The Size of the Babies
Most babies tend to grow by around an extra centimetre from the last week, coming to about 15 to 16 centimetres, when measured from their head to their butt. Their weight also increases by approximately 40-60 grams, which might be less for multiples. In any case, your little ones would now be as large as a small banana in this week.
Common Bodily Changes
The completion of nearly half the pregnancy journey begins to put the body in a good sense of calm and stability. That being said, certain typical signs can affect the body’s behaviour much more intensely, than its physical appearance.
Whether you’ve been a fitness enthusiast or a woman who has had a fit body usually, the onset of the pregnancy and the growing belly would feel extremely weird around this time. In the usual state, the muscles that are present in the abdominal region, generally termed as abs, are arranged in a specific order, even if they may or may not be visible under your tummy fat. But once the uterus starts pushing your belly outside and attempts to make space for itself in the abdominal region, the muscles also need to move around and rearrange themselves to suit the changed structure. Women who have been used to seeing their muscles might be in for a weird vision when they lie down and see their stomach. This rearrangement is never painful, but very few women usually speak about lower back pain as a result of it.
The uterus expansion does not merely shift the organs in the abdominal region. It also begins to affect the ones present in the upper areas of your torso. All of this shifting starts affecting your diaphragm as well as your lungs. This might not make itself felt physical, but its effect would be pretty evident once you exert yourself or partake in an activity that increases your heart rate. Most women tend to mention about times when they find themselves taking short breaths or failing to take a large deep breath the way they could take before. Thankfully, this does not cause any problem to the pregnant mother, but care does need to be taken to make sure you don’t push yourself harder as a result of it.
While most changes might make you feel like the 20th week of pregnancy would be revolving around coming to terms with some more bodily changes that are discomforting to you, one of the welcomed effects is a high-level of energy that revitalises your very core. With nausea levels falling and the excitement of holding your babies taking over you, this mid-pregnancy period would be one of the highly treasured ones in your life.
Symptoms Of Twin Pregnancy At 20 Weeks
None of the signs that you might witness when pregnant with triplets or multiple babies is anything out of the ordinary from what you might have seen in the previous weeks. Most of them are just repeated irritations or only remnants of the past.
Water retention, boosted circulation, pooling of blood, and the ever-expanding uterus will all result in swellings and cramps in numerous areas of the body. The typical ones are your feet and legs, along with your face in certain areas. As long as the swelling doesn’t seem out of the ordinary, it all seems to be safe. Similarly, any stress on the abdomen or the back will result in an ache, which can usually seem to go away once appropriately massaged.
The stomach and intestines work in tandem to properly digest your food and help synthesise its nutrition. Their functioning depends heavily on their proper location within the body, and the levels of various hormones that regulate their activities. In pregnancy, the hormone levels are all over the place. Therefore, indigestion, passing farts, and constipation will be ever-present for quite some time.
Another sign of worry for women might be the discharge that continues to occur from the vagina. While it might look weird, it is normal. On the contrary, it is a strong sign that your body is functioning appropriately. Any foul smell or an odd colour of the discharge could spell the presence of an infection.
Twin Pregnancy - Belly At 20 Weeks
Once you have reached the 20th week of your pregnancy, most doctors would start measuring how large your belly is, and then continue doing so. This becomes another parameter to track the progress of your pregnancy. The measurements are usually taken from the front of the belly starting from the navel, around to your pubic bone.
The uterus sinks further below in the abdominal region, with the belly continuing to grow steadily, with an increased curvature. In the presence of triplets or multiples, the pressure can get too taxing for you, which can be reduced by using a maternity belt for support.
Twin Pregnancy at 20 Weeks - Ultrasound
The ultrasound that your doctor conducts around this period is one of the most crucial ones on all fronts.
If you have had regular checkups, you would be quick to notice the extended duration this ultrasound scan will take. This is because your doctor would observe your babies in-depth to understand if there are any anomalies or defects visible in their growth.
Similarly, you would be able to see your babies in more detail as well as listen to their strong heartbeats.
What To Eat
Balanced nutrition needs to continue through this week as well. This is also an excellent time to shift from a typical meal-eating routine to a one that is focused more on grazing through food throughout the day. Boiled and steamed food items remain at the top of the list, along with any nutritional supplements. Make sure your cravings don’t get in the way of a healthy diet.
Pregnancy Care Tips
Though things are changing, your pregnancy requires only the necessary tips to take care of itself effectively.
Dos
Start signing up for childbirth classes and discussing your birthing plans.
Focus heavily on maintaining high iron levels in your nutrition.
Dont's
Avoid indulging in stressful thinking regarding the future of your children.
Don’t forget to pair good food with a healthy exercise regimen at the right time.
What You Need To Shop For
The mid-point of your pregnancy is a great time to indulge in some useful shopping. You can purchase necessities such as:
Decorative items for the child’s crib or nursery
Thermal clothes and boots if the due date is in winter
Being pregnant with twins at 20 weeks should put you in a position of happiness and confidence. You have safely got your babies this far and there’s just the same amount of time to go ahead. In no time, you will have the babies in your arms and your heart will be filled with joy about being a mother.
Previous Week: Twin Pregnancy Week 19
Next Week: Twin Pregnancy Week 21 Read more
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In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) for Infertility Treatment
IVF has come a long way from the days when it was first heralded as a medical miracle. The first IVF baby was born in 1978. Since then, according to the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology, a total of 5 million such births have bought joy to parents across the globe. Unfortunately, this has also created a scenario where many couples turn to this procedure without understanding its implications. Small, unsupervised clinics prey on this lack of knowledge, and non-specialist doctors sell themselves as “fertility experts”. An IVF procedure without proper adherence to the rules creates grave risks for the mother and the child. So let’s attempt to demystify this medical marvel and understand its basic concepts.
Video: In Vitro Fertilization IVF for Infertility
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixDOz7lYzWg
What is In Vitro Fertilisation?
Typically, in vitro fertilisation is a biological process that has been made to occur in a laboratory vessel, test tube or other in a controlled experimental setting. In simple terms, in vitro fertilization is a fertility treatment where sperm and eggs are combined in a laboratory to form embryos, and placed in the uterus through the cervix to enable conception of an IVF baby. Nowadays, IVF treatment is considered to be the most commonly used fertility treatment, accounting for more than 99 percent of assisted reproductive technology procedures.
IVF Treatment Procedure Step by Step
This revolutionary procedure is basically used to treat fertility or genetic problems and help in the conception of a child. You might also go for less invasive treatment options before attempting IVF. These include taking medications to increase production of eggs, or intrauterine insemination (a procedure in which sperm are placed directly in your uterus near the time of ovulation).
But if you are one of those couples who has failed to conceive after all other treatments and want to try IVF treatment, then you should be aware of the procedures you would be required to follow during the course of the treatment. First, you should know that the procedure is done using your own eggs and your partner's sperm. It may also involve eggs, sperm or embryos from an anonymous donor. There are cases where a gestational carrier - a woman who has an embryo implanted in her uterus - might also be used.
Before you proceed for IVF treatment, both partners will have to undergo the following screening tests:
1. Evaluation of Ovarian Reserve
In order to determine the quantity and quality of your eggs, you have to take certain tests determining the concentration of follicle-stimulating hormone, oestrogen and anti-mullerian hormone in your blood during the first few days of menstrual cycle. The tests may be combined with an ultrasound of ovaries to predict the ovaries’ response to the fertility medication.
2. Semen Analysis
Your partner might be asked to take a semen analysis test before starting the treatment. This test analyzes the health and viability of sperm, including the number, shape, and movement (or motility). Both of you might also have to take screening tests for infectious diseases, including HIV.
3. Uterine Cavity Exam
This test helps the doctor to examine your uterine cavity or the space inside of the uterus. A healthy uterine cavity is essential to conceive and maintain a pregnancy.
There are also some important points to consider as a couple, and discuss them with the doctor before taking the plunge to go through the IVF treatment cycle. Some of these things are:
4. Embryos for Transfer
Normally, the number of embryos that will be transferred during the treatment depends on the age and number of eggs retrieved. Since the rate of implantation is lower for older women (above 35 years of age), more embryos are usually transferred to increase the likelihood of conception. This happens except in cases where donor eggs are being used.
However, legislation in a few countries limits the number of embryos that can be transferred in one IVF cycle. This is because some studies indicate that implanting multiple embryos at one time can lead to complications for both mothers and babies, and increase the likelihood of multiple gestations. So you should discuss it with your doctor in depth and decide on the number of embryos to be transferred before the transfer procedure actually happens.
5. Multiple Pregnancies
You should also know that if more than one embryo is transferred to your uterus, the IVF treatment can lead to a multiple pregnancy. To avoid such a situation, in some cases, people opt for foetal reduction. This can help a woman minimise the chances of complications and give birth to a healthy baby. However, this could be a major decision with ethical, emotional and psychological consequences.
6. Extra Embryos
What do you do with the extra embryos during the treatment? You can choose to discard the unused embryos, but you should also know that they can be frozen and stored for future use. However, there is no assurance that all embryos will endure the freezing and thawing process. It is recommended to discuss this with the doctor and follow expert advice.
7. Other Issues
You also need to consider the chance of complications arising out of donor eggs, sperm or embryos from a gestational carrier. For this, you should consult a trained counsellor with expertise in donor issues who can thoroughly explain the legal rights of the donor. You also may need an attorney to file court papers to help you become legal parents of an implanted embryo.
How Does The In Vitro Fertilisation Process Work?
There are a number of stages that the couple has to pass through before being able to conceive. Let’s look at the procedure step-by-step to understand the complexities of the process.
1. Ovulation induction
This is the first phase of your treatment. If you're using your own eggs, then initially you will be treated with synthetic hormones to stimulate the ovaries for producing multiple eggs instead of a single egg that normally develops each month. It is important that multiple eggs are produced as some eggs might not fertilize or develop after fertilization.
For this the doctor could prescribe medication at different stages of the treatment:
Ovarian stimulation. For stimulation of the ovaries you are generally advised to take injections containing a follicle-stimulating hormone, a luteinizing hormone or a combination of both. This will help in producing more than one egg at a time.
Oocyte maturation. After the eggs are formed and follicles are ready for egg retrieval (this typically happens between eight to 14 days) you are prescribed medications to help the eggs mature.
Premature ovulation. You might even be asked to take medications that could prevent the body from releasing the developing eggs too soon.
Lining of your uterus. Another set of medications may be prescribed on the day of egg retrieval or at the time of embryo transfer. You are given progesterone supplements to prepare the lining of uterus, and make it receptive for implantation.
Your body might take one to two weeks for ovarian stimulation before the eggs are retrieved. But during the course of medications, you will have to be checked every two to three days for blood hormone levels and get an ultrasound for measurements of ovaries. This helps to track the growth of the follicles - the fluid-filled sacs where eggs mature, and to determine if the eggs are ready for collection.
You should know that the IVF cycle at this stage may be cancelled for reasons such as an insufficient number of follicles developing, premature ovulation, or too many follicles creating a risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. If your cycle doesn’t progress for some reason, then the doctor might recommend changing medications or doses to support a better response in future cycles.
2. Egg extraction
After the follicles are ready, you are given a trigger shot - an injection that will help the eggs to mature fully and prepare them for fertilization. The eggs are ready for retrieval from 36 hours after the shot is given.
3. Transvaginal Ultrasound Aspiration
Before you undergo transvaginal ultrasound aspiration (the usual procedure of retrieving eggs), you will be first sedated through medication. Normally in this procedure an ultrasound probe is inserted into your vagina to identify follicles, which is then followed by a thin needle into an ultrasound guide to go through the vagina and into the follicles for retrieving the eggs.
The matured eggs collected are then kept in a nutritive liquid and incubated. Eggs that appear healthy and mature will be infused with sperm to create embryos.
4. Sperm Retrieval
Now it’s your partner turn, where he will be asked to provide a semen sample the same morning when egg retrieval is expected to be carried out. In rare cases, and methods such as testicular aspiration, the needle or surgical procedure is done to extract sperm directly from the testicle. The sperms are then separated from the semen fluid in the laboratory.
5. Fertilisation
Now your eggs will go through the most important phase - fertilisation. It can be carried out through two popular methods. The first is insemination, in which healthy sperm and mature eggs are mixed and incubated overnight. The other is intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) where a single healthy sperm is injected directly into each mature egg. ICSI is often used in cases when semen quality or number is an issue or if the fertilisation attempts during previous IVF cycles have not yielded fruitful results.
6. Embryo or Blastocyst Transfer
The next critical stage is at the three-day mark when some fertilised eggs will transform into multi-celled embryos. Within two more days, they further metamorphose into blastocysts. At this stage, they develop a fluid-filled cavity with tissues which will ultimately separate into the placenta and baby.
After you have passed through the above stages, you reach the stage where the embryo can be finally transferred into your womb. It is usually done after two to six days from egg retrieval. Here again, you will be given a mild sedative. However, the procedure is generally painless for the patient. The doctor will insert a long, thin, flexible tube called a catheter into your vagina, through the cervix and into your uterus. A syringe containing one or more embryos suspended in a fluid is attached to the end of the catheter. If successful, an embryo will implant in the lining of your uterus in around six to 10 days after egg retrieval.
Why is Fertility Treatment Good for You?
If you have been trying to conceive for a couple of years now, and your efforts have gone in vain, then it’s time you consider IVF treatment. Even those who have not been able to conceive because of problems such as ovulation or egg quality, blocked fallopian tubes, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, unexplained infertility and more can take the treatment. It is one of the best medical procedures available today, which can help you get pregnant and carry your own baby to full term. In fact, it is offered as the primary treatment to treat infertility in women who have crossed over 40 years of age. If your partner has problems with low sperm count, or if you are using donor eggs to become pregnant, then this is one of the best treatments at hand.
What is IVF Treatment for Pregnancy?
IVF has become one of the popular treatments for couples with fertility issues or genetic problems. Both partners can take the treatment depending on the problems diagnosed and go on to become a parent.
How does IVF help in Treating a Woman?
It is important to determine the cause of fertility problems in a woman before the treatment can begin. In some cases, the reason or cause could be completely unknown. Find out some of the causes of infertility problems in women and their treatment:
1. Ovulation Issues
If you have problems with ovulation and have been detected with polycystic ovary syndrome then some medications would be prescribed to stimulate your ovaries to release eggs or for treating PCOS.
2. Unexplained Infertility
If any treatment has failed to determine the cause of infertility so far then you may be treated with medications such as Clomiphene, hormone injections, etc.
3. Blocked/Damaged Fallopian Tubes or Fibroids
In the case of a blocked or damaged fallopian tubes, treatment may include tubal surgery. If mild to moderate endometriosis has been detected as the primary reason for infertility, then the treatment would include laparoscopic surgery to remove the endometrial tissue growth. Endometriosis is the result of the implantation and growth of the uterine tissue outside the uterus. This affects the function of the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. You could also have uterine fibroids, which are benign tumours in the wall of the uterus, and could be interfering with implantation of the fertilised egg.
How Does IVF Help in Treating a Man?
In men, belowaverage sperm count, weak movement of sperm, or abnormalities in sperm size and shape can pose a challenge for the sperm to fertilise an egg. If such problems are found, you could be recommended to try insemination first wherein your sperms will be collected, and then concentrated to raise the number of healthy sperm required for insemination.
How Long Does It Take to Get Pregnant through IVF?
It takes about four to six weeks to complete one cycle of IVF. Typically 12 days to two weeks after the procedure of egg retrieval is done, you will be asked to take blood tests for determining pregnancy.
What is The Success Rate of IVF?
For any couple who has decided to take the IVF-route to starting a family, the primary question is ‘how successful is IVF’. It is difficult to get a conclusive answer to this question as the success rate of the IVF treatment varies depending on various reasons including infertility and age. Younger women usually have healthier eggs and higher success rates. According to the recent study, the birth rates resulting from a single cycle of IVF using women's own eggs are about 30% to 40% for women aged 34 and younger. The rates decrease steadily once you cross 35 years of age. Besides embryo status, reproductive history, lifestyle factors such as smoking, and obesity are also factors contributing to the success of IVF.
Advantages or Disadvantages of In Vitro Fertilisation
There are always concerns whenever you have to undergo a medical procedure. So, anxiety before taking the IVF treatment is also natural. Hence it is important to understand the pros and cons before you proceed.
Pros of IVF?
Scientifically Proven and Popular: In vitro fertility treatment is the oldest assisted reproductive technology procedure, and has been validated by researchers through their extensive studies on the children conceived using this method.
Improved Procedures: Since its invention, there have been efforts by researchers to refine and improve the techniques. For instance, with genetic screening – called preimplantation genetic diagnosis or preimplantation genetic screening– you can ensure the foetus used during the treatment is free of known genetic markers.
Control: Due to its highly controlled, medically supervised procedure, IVF allows parents with strict demands on their time due to professional or personal commitments to select the timings of the baby’s conception and birth.
No Cancer Risks: Recent studies have proved that there is no relation between ovulation-inducing fertility medications and cancer. There were some concerns in early studies that linked the exposure to fertility drugs with a higher risk of ovarian cancer or other forms of cancers. However, these have now been proved wrong.
Cons of IVF?
Unsuccessful Cycle: Even after you have decided to go through the treatment, don’t pin all your hopes on it being successful. The success of the IVF treatment process is not guaranteed, and you might end up going through more than one cycle of treatment before getting the result.
Expensive Procedure: IVF is an expensive procedure in monetary terms. The best thing is to go ahead with a clear idea of all the costs attached to the treatment.
Lead to Stress: The whole process of testing and administering fertility medications can be emotionally and physically taxing, as you need to visit the doctor several times for the IVF cycle.
What are The Risks of IVF Treatment?
There are certain risks associated with the IVF treatment such as the following:
1. Multiple Pregnancies
If more than one embryo is placed in your uterus, then there are chances of having twins or more. Although this might seem ideal for some couples wanting to conceive twins, please also note that multiple foetuses increase the risk of miscarriage and other complications such as preterm labour.
2. Ectopic Pregnancy
You should be aware that the IVF procedure carries the risk of ectopic pregnancy. This is said to occur when the fertilized egg attaches itself to a place other than inside the uterus. Since the fallopian tubes cannot properly hold an embryo, the fertilized egg cannot develop properly. The risk of an ectopic pregnancy increases particularly in women with damaged fallopian tubes.
3. The Risk of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS)
OHSS can happen when a woman’s body shows a severe response to fertility drugs and produces too many eggs, leaving ovaries swollen and painful. In rare cases, it could also be life threatening, and the woman will require intensive monitoring.
4. Potential Risks for Baby
There is a belief that babies conceived through IVF may be more likely to be born prematurely or have a low birth weight. However, experts don’t have enough evidence to prove whether the risk stems from infertility issues such as age, or from the treatments.
Side Effects of IVF Treatment
The IVF treatment is not fully devoid of side effects. Expecting parents should be informed about the potential side effects caused by the treatment:
You may pass a small amount of clear or bloody fluid soon after the procedure. This happens due to swabbing of the cervix before the IVF embryo transfer.
You may have tender breasts due to high oestrogen levels, accompanied with mild bloating, cramping and constipation.
The use of injectable fertility drugs for ovulation induction can cause OHSS, in which the ovaries become swollen and painful. You may witness mild abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
What is The Cost of IVF Treatment?
IVF costs between Rs 60,000-Rs 1 lakh. It could go beyond that per cycle, including doctor’s fees, injections and medication costs. Since the chances of IVF working the first time are only about 46% in women under the age of 30 and only 12% in women between the ages of 40 and 43, the final cost will depend on the treatment program you chose and the items included in it.
How to Use IVF Calculator for Pregnancy?
There are many online IVF calculators that can help in calculating a due date more precisely in IVF. You can simply type in the information which could be the first day of the last menstrual period, the day of ovulation, egg retrieval, or insemination, the date of the 3-day embryo transfer, or the date of the 5-day embryo transfer.
Success Stories of IVF treatment
The assisted reproductive technology has helped many couples around the world to conceive and enjoy the precious gift of life. There are countless success stories to inspire couples looking to undertake the procedure and fulfil their long-time desire to have a child.
The most common examples come from couples who have passed the age conventionally regarded as suitable for conceiving a child. IVF has provided solace by successfully impregnating a 58-year-old rural Indian woman, thus not only fulfilling her desire to experience motherhood, but also offering the social acceptance which is linked to motherhood in India.
In another case, Davina and Barry, a couple living in Boston, USA were trying to conceive for a while. They were driven to despair after multiple rounds of intrauterine insemination failed. IVF succeeded in this complicated case, and after successfully giving birth, the couple devoted themselves to the cause of helping couples facing infertility issues identify and address the issue in a timely manner.
IVF also came to the rescue of Ashley and Jon, a couple who conceived at the first attempt and went on to deliver healthy twins. They overcame Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome which was the main hurdle they faced on the route to becoming parents. PCOS has become a common reason for infertility among young women, and IVF can help address this.
So, don’t give up hopes of having your own baby before trying out the IVF procedure. It may just change your life and bring the much-needed happiness that you have been longing to experience for years now.
Also Read:
Caffeine and Fertility
Unexplained Infertility
Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer - Fertility Treatment Read more
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The Reason Tusshar Kapoor Decided To Become a Single Father Is The Sweetest Thing Ever!
Bringing a child into the world is a joy like no other, and a moment of eternal bliss for a couple. There is a subtle way a child transforms your life, changes you in ways you never thought possible, and even brings you closer to your partner. But sometimes, the longing for a child’s love in your life overpowers everything else – even the fact that you’ll be bringing him up alone. Something very much like this just happened with Tusshar Kapoor.
There is a new love in Tusshar Kapoor’s life – and he is cute, tiny and adorable! The unmarried actor just became a proud father to a baby boy through surrogacy using IVF. The little boy, whom he has named Laksshya, is the first grandchild in the household and needless to say, Grandpa Jeetendra, Grandma Shobha and Buaa Ektaa have been going berserk with happiness!
But why, we did wonder briefly, did Tusshar opt to become a single Dad? How does he plan to look after the baby, which is a mammoth task even for couples? The reason, which Tusshar explained at length, and his plans for the baby’s future, are both immensely heartwarming.
"I will be turning 40 in a few months. The paternal instincts in me have been overpowering my heart and mind for some time now. I feel that I am in the right stage of my life to be a single parent. Therefore, I am thrilled beyond words to have Laksshya, now the greatest source of joy in my life. I am thrilled to be a father!
My son looks exactly like me. So, it makes me very, very happy and I don't have words to express how excited or how joyous I am. I am the caretaker, me and my parents and Ekta. I have been learning for the last nine months. By the greatness of God and the excellent medical team (at Jaslok), parenthood is an option for many, who choose to be single parents.”
Source: http://indianexpress.com/
Thanks to advancing research in the field of assisted reproduction, becoming parents has now become a possibility for many couples who had previously given up hope. Many single men and women too are now open to single parenting. Challenging though it certainly is, the delight of bringing up a child makes you stronger and ready to face hurdles along the way! Before Tusshar, Bollywood Dads like Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan have also gone the surrogacy route, thus easing some of the fear and stigma that is still associated with the process. Read more
Dr Priyanka Kalra has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
15 hours ago
Q. i am 39 week of pregnant and having AFI level of 8 is this normal?and is delivery possible for me?
Dr Priyanka Kalra
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
7 hours ago
A. yes. better to show to specialist always as they get the correct diagnosis. try to avoid self and extra medication that will only complicate this and create more damage to the childdo ultrasound n necessary tests after consulting a specialist. without proper check up we can't advise or help you.. Avoid shirt cuts when it comes to health if mother n baby. ok.
Vandana Sharma has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
9 hours ago
Q. please tale me how much dengerous for may 7 days old baby and she was 2.9 kg.
Vandana Sharma
Nutritionist
7 hours ago
A. Hello mom the blood sugar level of baby is quite low , could say hypoglycemia as well .
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
7 hours ago
Q. hlw hospital bag main baby nd mom ke liye kiya kiya le jana chahiye???
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
7 hours ago
A. hospital bag mein baby ke essentials Deni hogi aap YouTube per dekh sakte hain. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
7 hours ago
Q. my last period was on 29 February 2024 according to which I am 8 weeks 4 days pregnant but my usg scan shows 7 weeks 3 days
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
6 hours ago
A. For this purpose I’d like to tell you plus -1 or two weeks is completely normal to be seen during ultrasound till the time doctor does not say anything in order of you need to worry about the don’t worry like I said this can be commonly seen in one plus or 2+ weeks or minus weeks is fine
Ashima Malhotra has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 5 months
6 hours ago
Q. Am craving to have a burger at McDonald’s. Am 15 week pregnant.
Is it safe to have
Ashima Malhotra
Mom of a 10 m old boy
5 hours ago
A. avoid it
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 6 months
5 hours ago
Q. It's my 12th week of pregnancy but last night I noticed some bleeding. So, my doctor prescribed Duphaston for 2 weeks. Is there anything to worry about? Please guide me.
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
5 hours ago
A. at present take rest and use medicines as advised by the doctor. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
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