Getting Pregnant Is Easy: Facts Vs Myths

I have been at work since morning but there was nothing much to do. Perhaps I should have thought about this earlier, took leave earlier and start my IVF cycle earlier. Well what is past is past. Let's not think about it. Let's look ahead. But you know sometimes you just can't help but think. If I had gone for the treatment earlier, would I have been pregnant earlier. If I had gone straight to IVF instead of IUI, would it have bear us fruits sooner and save us alot of money.

Well let's not think about it and move on. Was doing some reading online since I was free.And found the following article. By the way, the one in italics are my own comments.

Many misperceptions surround the subjects of conception and fertility, in large part due to the fact that these topics aren’t generally discussed among friends and family, and many people don’t even bring them up with their doctors. The following are some common myths about fertility and the facts that may surprise you.

Myth: Getting pregnant is easy.

Fact: While it may appear some women can get pregnant easily, the fact is one in eight couples in the United States will experience problems with fertility.

What about in Singapore. What is the statistics like? I tried searching but no conclusive results.

Myth: Lots of women are waiting until their 40s to start a family, so I have plenty of time.

Fact: While news abounds about celebrities having children well into their 40s, some of these women may actually be using donor eggs, or even surrogate carriers. The truth of the matter is the longer you wait to try to become pregnant, the slimmer your chances of conceiving. Fertility begins to decline for women at age 27 and dramatically declines by the age of 35. After age 40, women who do become pregnant face a 50 percent chance of miscarriage, so the earlier a couple seeks a fertility evaluation, the better able they’ll be to take steps to conceive.

In Singapore, I guess this is pretty untrue. There are of course cases where women think about career first and family later but I don't think it reach a stage where they wait till they are 40 to start a family. Look at me... I was 24 when I started trying to conceive actively but I am still unsuccessful. I am currently 27, turning 28 next year. According to results fertility begins to decline at age 27 so I guess it was a good decision on my part to start IVF this year.

Myth: If you have a regular period, you can conceive.

Fact: A woman’s fertility can be impacted even though there are no disruptions with her menstrual cycle. A period does not necessarily mean that a woman is ovulating or releasing an egg. A couple should speak to their physician if they are under the age of 35 and have been attempting to conceive for one year without success. If the couple is over the age of 35, they should seek treatment if they have been trying to conceive without success for six months.

So NOT true. I have regular periods. My period is on the dot. 28 days and AF will appear on the 29th day. But here I am 4 years down the road of TTC with no results.

Myth: A couple’s fertility problems are caused by the woman.

Fact: This is one of the most commonly believed fertility myths. In fact, fertility problems can be attributed to the man 35 percent of the time and to the woman 35 percent. In 20 percent of cases, it is a combined man/woman problem and in 10 percent of cases the problem is unexplained. Should they suspect problems, both the man and the woman should undergo a full fertility evaluation.

In my case, Dr diagnosed it as male factors. So guys out there, please do not just blame the ladies. You can be responsible for your current situation too. Just go with your wife for the check up.

Myth: Home remedies, such as taking cough syrup, can help you get pregnant.

Fact: It is never a good idea to self-medicate based on these kinds of legends. There is no proof, either in clinical or observational studies, that these products have any effect on fertility. Talking to your doctor about your options to become pregnant is the best way to help you conceive.

Tried and tested... Maybe others have succeeded but not in my case. I mean maybe the situations are different in all cases.

Myth: An OB/Gyn specializes in fertility and can provide all of the services needed to treat fertility problems.

Fact: When a couple experiences trouble getting pregnant, they should first speak with the woman’s OB/Gyn about their concerns. While most OB/Gyns do not have a specialty in fertility, they will be able to answer a couple’s basic questions and some may offer limited services to treat fertility problems. However, when these preliminary tests and treatments do not resolve a fertility problem, an OB/Gyn may refer the couple to a specialist, known as a reproductive endocrinologist (RE). REs have special training and equipment that enable them to provide the treatment and attention needed for couples facing fertility issues.

I went straight to a gynae. Here once you mention that you have been trying actively for more than a year and yet have not conceive, they will take in your case and not oush you away. You just need to overcome the original barrier. The shame etc. You can't feel ashame to get help if you want to achieve your dream.

Myth: If you stop worrying and just relax, you’ll get pregnant.

Fact: Fertility problems are often medical in nature and can be treated. The associated stress is a result - not a cause - of these problems. While reducing the stress associated with fertility problems may improve your overall quality of life, it does not mean that you will conceive if you “just relax.” Talk to your doctor about ways to incorporate stress reduction into your fertility treatment plan to make the process easier on you and your partner.

Relax??? Hahaha very funny. First of all with family and relatives asking every month whether you have conceived..how to be relax? Even if you do get a chance to be relax, if the sperms and eggs are not meeting, no fertilisation will take place, no babies are gonna appear.

The best way to debunk common misperceptions and learn the facts on fertility and conception is to talk to your doctor and educate yourself through trusted sources, such as www.fertilityjourney.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Day 11 - 15 - Fertile Period = Baby Dancing

Since I am not down for any Fertility Treatment this month, we have to leave it to nature. Leaving it to nature means we have to work super doubly hard. At the same time, we have to put a little more trust in God's plan for us. Not that we have not been trusting Him. It is just that sometimes, our trust in Him is tested. Some months worse than others.

This week marks our Fertile Period. So yeah... Baby Dancing on the way. Seriously speaking, I am actually looking forward to it ( not that I don't look forward to it before). But this is a little special. You know why? Becoz the need for a positive outcome is not really there coz we know our situation and we know what is possible and what is not. Usually Fertile Period means Baby Making means Stressful Time Scheduling. But this month, we can plan for perhaps something more romantic... Something to remind us of our honeymoon times. Hmmmm.... Long weekend coming next week. Moreover, school is coming to an end and there is not so much work. So less stress.

What shall we do??? Suggestion my friends??? Perhaps a short getaway for the 2 of us will do us good especially before the IVF procedure.

Facts and Myths on Low Sperm Count

Many myths surrounding male fertility included ‘if you have more sex, you will exhaust your sperm supply’ or ‘if men masturbate, they will have less sperm’. This is not true. The frequency of sex or number of times a man ejaculates does not decrease the amount of sperm, or sperm count. In fact, a man may lose all sensations and sexual functions due to a spinal cord injury but he still has a normal sperm count.

One myth that hubby seems to like is that 'man with low sperm count should restrict the number of times they have sex. this is to give time for them to replenish the sperm.' In fact men with low sperm count should have as much sex as possible so as to ensure that as much sperms are projected into the uterus.

Other myths:

‘Rear entry position has better chances to get your partner pregnant’ - The position you select holds no ground on the ability to conceive. Positions merely add variety and better stimulation for the deed.

‘You can’t impregnate your partner if you have a low sperm count’ - This is contrary to popular believe as a low sperm count may have better quality sperms adequate for the final stage – getting through the egg. Some men with higher sperm counts may not fertilize an egg. Possibly the sperms may be found to have two heads or two tails; even a sperm that’s got a big head.

‘If a couple still hasn’t got a kid, the woman’s infertile' - You would have probably heard this more than often when couples can’t conceive. It is sometimes the man that is infertile. 30 percent of couples seeking help, at least 30 couples have a problem and its due to male causes for sub-fertility.

‘viagra increases sperm count’ - Viagra does not increase sperm count but helps a man maintain or get an erection.

'traditional Chinese medicine, Qigong and TongKat Ali makes a man more potent’ - Traditional Chinese medicine and other Asian fertility enhancing herbs may boost male fertility but may not be a complimentary treatment for some people.

‘the bigger your penis, the more sperms’ - Size of the penis has nothing to do with sperm count or fertility. (Hmmm... but I guess I know what it has to do with... Heheheh....)


IMPORTANT!!!
‘wear your pants too tight and you will kill the sperms' - This one is not a myth, so it is true. Temperature affects the sperm’s well being and it thrives in an environment that’s between 74 – 77 degrees cooler than our body temperature. Sperm motility declines when the environment is not conducive. Men in tropical climate, compared to their male counterparts in cooler climates, have a lower sperm count on average. A normal count is about 20 million sperms or more.

Next time you hear someone say that if you don’t wash your scrotum, your sperm will eat its way out of it and die, you know that its not exactly untrue but a little misinterpreted. Your scrotum just need to be cool to keep those little ‘dudes’ happy to encourage motility, count and quality. So guys what are you waiting for, let your ‘balls’ hang out for that breath of fresh cooling air!

Lucrin and Subcut Puregon Injection

Since I am not down for Fertility Treatment this month, I took the opportunity to do some reading first. There are some blogs that I am currently following closely. Very nice reads they have there. I think I might have mentioned before that me and needles are never good friends. The thought of having to do blood tests and self injection makes me cringe. Starting the IVF cycle next month makes me want to find out more about the daily injections coz some have said that it can be quite painful at certain stages.

Ovarian Stimulation
Under normal circumstances, most women produce only one egg each month. The chances of pregnancy are increased if more than one egg is fertilised and replaced. To increase the number of eggs, hormone injections (hormones to cause “down-regulation”, eg Buserilin, Lucrin; then FSH hormone to increase numbers of eggs developed, eg Gonal F) are administered daily. The most commonly used regime involves daily injections of Buserelin or Lucrin, usually commencing 21 days after your period starts (called the “down-regulation” regime). This hormone is first given to control your cycle by preventing your own hormones from disturbing egg production during the programme.

Women may come to the Clinic every day for their injections, but as the needles used are very small, most women find it easier to learn how to give the injections themselves at home, or get their husbands to do it. This has the advantage that it saves you from coming to the hospital every day. After two weeks of these injections, your response is monitored by a blood test and ultrasound scan. If these show you have responded to the Buserelin or Lucrin injections and the scan shows no abnormalities, a second hormone FSH is added, called Gonal F. This is designed to stimulate the ovaries to produce many eggs. The exact dose of the Gonal F injections may be varied according to your response, but the nurse and doctors will decide and let you know of any changes.

That's not my picture by the way. Borrowed from the net. Can't show my stomach. Hubby will kill me for doing that.

Next stage once, my period arrive is the injection of puregon. I believe this is something similar to what I have injected during my IUI cycle.

Yes I hate needles but if this is the only way for me to get pregnant. So be it. I will put my fears all aside and be strong for my future (not sure when in the future) babies.

I Have Support

I am not sure if anyone of you have had this feeling before. A feeling that your husband don't really understand your need to have a child/children. Well when we first got married, we never really thought that we will be one of the statistics. When we still didnt conceive after 1 year, we went to our gynae for a little help. Wasn't really serious then. Just thought that perhaps we are one of those that needs a little more nudge. 1 year turns to 2 and now 4 years down the road we are still travelling along this long lonely road (so I thought). That is until I accidentally stumble upon a portal for women in Singapore who are some like me have been trying but to no avail. In this portal I seek solace knowing that I am not alone.

Okay as my first line has says it. I am starting to feel as if my hubby is not as interested as I am in my seek of having our own kids. I have been doing some reading yet he has just been pretty quiet. He doesn't even ask me the details of the procedure that we are embarking in. Am I just being paranoid? Or are all men like that? They show like they don't care but they actually do...

At some point in the beginning I did feel that my hubby was partly to blame for me still not being pregnant. The results says it all. But after calming myself and thinking it through, it takes two to tango. Anyway, when I first got married I remember saying that we will be together in health and in sickness, in good times and bad. I guess this is the bad time that was mentioned. I no longer blame my husband for our situation. It just that I just feel lonely when he behaves like he don't care.

It doesn't help when every single year when we go visiting for the festive season, my relatives and his will be asking why we are still a twosome and he does nothing but smiles. Help me please!!! I am tired of answering their never ending questions. It will definitely help if you can offer some of your sense of humour.

But since I found this portal, I am a happier person. I am able to clarify my doubts, get encouragement, meet people who are in the cycle or have moved on into the next phase of the cycle. I am happy that I have support.

A burn in the pocket...

Yesterday was my first appointment at KKH. Hubby took leave and went with me. We left at around 9.30am and slowly made our way to KKH. Took the train. It was nice to spend time with hubby, chatting on the train. We reached our destination at around 10.30am. Registered, height and weight and blood pressure was taken. My blood pressure had to be taken thrice coz the first two times was damn high (1st - 169, then 145). At last it read, 119. The nurse who took my blood pressure was very nice and caring. What a good start. Then we waited for our turn to meet Dr Sadhana.

After waiting for about 30 minutes, we were called in. Dr Sadhana greeted us with a smile. She put me at ease. We started talking, she started asking why we decided on IVF and many other question. Then come the news. She needs me to go for the saline sonogram first. That needs to be done in the first 10 days of my next cycle. That means I cant start on my IVF cycle as planned. I got upset. Tears just flowed. After discussing further, she said if I am really on a time schedule, perhaps she can do the short antagonist cycle for me but the success rate is not as high as the long protocol. She then send me to have my ultrasound. It was the longest ultra sound I had. The person who did my ultrasound cant make out something... I did ask whether there was anything wrong. She just smiled and kept quiet. A while later she called for a doctor to be in. The more uneasy I became. The doctor came and said something about that being the cysts and that one is the follicles and the rest is hazy to me right now. Hey I am awake you know. Pls explain it to me. Arghhh!!!! So frustrating.

After the ultrasound, made my way back to the clinic. Dr was out for a meeting so I went to the IVF centre to discuss with the nurse about my program, the payments etc. So many forms to sign. Felt like I was buying a house all over again. After discussing with the nurse, she said I cant start my IVF cycle next month coz during the period that I am down for ER or ET, the clinic is closed so she asked me to start in my December cycle. With that, me and hubby decide since we are starting one cycle later, I was going for the saline sonogram first on my 10th day of the next cycle. On the 2nd or 3rd day of my next cycle I am going for my hormonal blood test.

So I guess that is it for the time being. Nothing much happening this month. Or maybe perhaps it could happen naturally. Hahaha... I am allowed to dream aren't I?

Did I mention that that one visit to the doctor has burn a huge hole in my pocket. It cost about $400 plus for all the blood test, $120 for my ultrasounds and $80 for my con sultation with the Dr. Gosh... I guess God knows what he was doing when he makes my next cycle falls during the time the clinic is close. He wants to give me and hubby a time for a breather.

Tomorrow is THE day

Tomorrow is gonna be my first appointment at KKH. I will be meeting with my choice of doctor -Dr Sadhana. I am seriously not sure what to expect. But after reading the post by the many ladies on the portal, I have many questions for the doctor. But the most important is whether I can start on my oral prescription on Day 21 of my cycle so that I can have my Egg Retrieval as well as Embryo Transfer latest by mid November.

I am going to take one thing at a time. First will be to collect my doctor's report from Dr Chen. I will need the report for my appointment tomorrow. After that it will be the trip to KKH tomorrow. I am really praying for the best. I have checked my Medisave. It is more than enough to help me go through the cycle.

I will write more after my appointment tomorrow. I have lots of things to do tomorrow. After the KKH appointment, will be going down to HDB to settle our lumsum payment for the house... Okay no more worries. I have more important thing to think about. Our embarkation!!!!

AF came as expected

Today, 10th of October 2008, as usual, AF came as expected. I was anticipating it actually. I have come to a point where I am not upset anymore. I just want to move on and get myself ready for the next cycle. Don't blame me. It has been 4 years.

With the appointment set, I am ready for Friday. My UPA leave has also been approved. Thank Allah for his blessings. Is this His way of telling me that He approves of what I am doing? I hope so. I believe everything will go well. Insya Allah. I will be back after my appointment on Friday. I will let you know of the outcome and decisions.

Today in history

After waiting for almost 2 years since our IUI procedure, I have finally made the decision on OUR behalf. I can't wait anymore. Remember my first time schedule was supposed to be in June. But because of financial constraints I decide to wait until after hari raya. Then when I found out that a fellow blogger was already pregnant from the procedure (she did twice by the way) I was just thinking isn't it very expensive to do the procedure? Doestn't it cost almost $10000 every cycle? So I decide to read again... And guess what?

E) How much does it cost to complete one cycle?

It costs about $8, 000 - $10, 000 to complete one cycle of IVF.

F) How much can I claim from Medisave?

Both husband and wife can claim up to $6000, $5000 and
$4000 from Medisave for their first, second and third cycles
respectively.

Oh... I See. I guess now I understands. Today being the 8th of October, I was actually expecting AF to come anytime soon. So I told hubby I am gonna call Dr Chen and tell her that I would be doing the IVF. When I made that phone call, I was told by the reception that Dr Chen does not do the procedure. My next step was to find out where that blogger went. But then again, it is a little far for me. So I resorted to of course the one that deem feasible... KKH.

I called their KKH IVF centre. I was greeted by this nice lady - Nora. She was wonderful. Explained what I need to know and of course clear my worries of the financial issues. If I remember correctly, I can even claim subsidy for $3000 thus not having to pay at all for the first cycle. After all that explanation... I called the appointment centre and made an appointment. Once again I guess Allah was on my side. Someone had cancelled and the earliest appointment with the female doctor of my choice is Dr Sandhana on the 17th of October. That's a weekday!!! I am working. I counted hubby is working too. But that's the earliest she have and after which she will not be available till November. Nope I am not waiting anymore. So I made the appointment even before consulting hubby. I believe he will understands and supports me on my decision.

So yes I am due for an appointment with KKH on Friday, 17th October 2008 (8th day of cycle). That will be a historical day I believe. As I was reading, I understand you can take the medicine on the 21st day of your current cycle. I want to find out whether it is possible for me to do that or do I have to wait till my next cycle before starting on my medication. No more testing, no more semen analysis. We know where our problem is, and we have spend so much on the testing with no results. So straight to the procedure PLEASE!!!. I am so excited of the possibilities... Counting down to Friday.

Wait!!! I am working! HOW??? MC or leave? Hmmm... decisions...decisions...

IVF - In Vitro Fertilisation

I was googling the various fertility treatment programme that is available in the market. Well must do our research first. Since we are gonna part with such a large sum of money. I really do not know what I am in for. The last time when I did the IUI, it was really just a blind effort on our side.

I was reading the IVF procedure conducted at TMC. I am considering of going there straight rather than to Dr Chen then to TMC. The procedure look easy enough but... at some stage it sounds painful. Do I have to remind you that I hate needles.

The IVF programme at Thomson is divided into 4 phases.

￭ Phase 0 The stage of ‘Preparation’ and spans 1 month. The first consultation is usually scheduled on one of cycle days 2-4 to assess the clinical situation and to allow final discussions and fine-tuning before embarking on the programme. A course of oral contraceptive pills (OCP) is usually prescribed to ensure hormonal stability as well as to facilitate scheduling of the IVF programme. Phase 0 may be omitted if certain conditions are fulfilled, whereupon couples can go straight into Phase 1.

￭ Phase 1 The stage of ‘Egg Growth’. You return on day 2 or 3 of the cycle following OCPs to ensure that all is ready to commence hormone treatment. Daily injections with hormones such as FSH, Cetrorelix and hCG are used to stimulate the growth of about 10 eggs. Pen injectors have simplified injections so that many patients are able to self-inject. Blood tests are rarely needed as you are assigned an IVF clinician who will perform all your scans and procedures. Phase 1 typically takes 10 to 14 days and ends when enough eggs are fully grown.

￭ Phase 2 The stage of ‘Procedures’. The first procedure is egg extraction or Oocyte Pick-up (OPU). OPU is typically a 10 – 20 minute procedure performed under a mild, short-acting anaesthetic. The presence of your husband is encouraged to provide emotional support. You are usually well enough to leave the Centre after 2 hours. The eggs in the meantime will be combined with your husband’s sperm in the laboratory. ICSI, where individual sperm is injected to each egg, is performed if the sperm count is very low. Otherwise the sperm and egg are allowed to fertilise naturally. The second procedure is Embryo Transfer (ET) where fertilised eggs are cultured for 3 days after which the ‘best’ 2 or 3 embryos are transferred back into your womb in a simple 10 minute procedure.

￭ Phase 3 The phase of ‘Womb Stabilisation’. Various hormones are administered for a 2 week spell to keep the womb stable until the pregnancy test.

Egg Extraction:

Embryo Transfer:

So after reading all those information, AM I READY??? Physically, emotionally and mentally perhaps. But financially there might be a little problem. We'll see how it goes in the next few months. Insya Allah if everything goes well, I might be embarking on our new journey very soon...