Conceiving through IVF

IVF stands for In Vitro Fertilization and is a method of artificial insemination that dramatically increases the chances of pregnancy. It is one of the assisted reproductive technologies methods used as fertility treatment across the world where other methods have had drastic results.
In simpler terms, a man's sperm is inserted in woman's egg using controlled laboratory environment to proceed with fertilization. These embryos are then carefully put back into the mother's uterus after 4 to 5 days of fertilization in incubator with hope that the embryo would grow in a full baby. The embryo transfer process needs to be carefully done in order for successful fertilization in the mother's womb.

There are many reasons why IVF is conducted:

1. Poor sperm quality - Males having poor sperm quality are unable to achievefertilization and increase the chances of conception with their female partners. This male factor infertility explains why people move towards IVF.

2. Hindrance between the egg & the sperm - Many times it happens that even though sperm quality and quantity is sufficient enough, the hindrance in between the lining of uterus and male's sperms often reduce the chances of fertilization. This calls for the assisted reproductive technology method known as IVF. In order to find out any possible hindrance, medical procedures like Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis are conducted and female's body gets completely examined for any signs or evidence of possible damage. This is done so that the embryologist can better understand the body and proceed with fertilization.

3. Fallopian tube problems - This is a female factor infertility, in which fallopian tubes either get blocked, or damaged making it complicated and stressful for the embryo to travel to the uterus.

The first successful IVF baby was born at 11:47 PM on 25th July, 1978 at Oldham General Hospital, Oldham, England. Her name is Louise Brown and as of today she is a perfectly healthy, average looking lady at the age of 33. At birth, she weighed 2.68 KG which is considered to be in normal birth weight range.

IVF is a very successful medical procedure but you should go ahead with it after getting consultation from a medical expert. This would act as your best guide to achieve successful conception.

Circumcision in Newborn babies

Circumcision is the removal of the foreskin that covers the tip of the penis. After circumcision, the tip of the penis becomes visible. Pain medicine or an anesthetic cream is used on the base of your baby’s penis for pain relief. A sucrose pacifier may also be given to your baby for pain relief. Your baby may have some mild pain during and after surgery which may last for days or weeks depending on baby’s skin. The decision to circumcise your baby should be determined by you. Most people and medical practitioners detest circumcision but individual, religious and cultural differences have greater role to play here. If your religious background or culture does not permit it, you may have to play a long with it.
Side Effect/Risk of Circumcision procedure include:
• Infection• Bleeding• Pain• Injury to penisHowever, these risks are small. The complication rate is less than 2 percent. Serious complications are very rare (one in 500 circumcised newborns)
Caring for the Circumcised Penis
-Apply petroleum jelly after cleaning your baby -Always clean the penis at least three times daily or during diaper change -Administer pain relief -As much as possible try not to wear diaper if you notice your baby cries more when he is wearing diaper, it is possible the diaper rubs against the penis which causes him pain .


“The World Health Organization (WHO; 2007), the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS; 2007), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC; 2008) state that evidence indicates male circumcision significantly reduces the risk of HIV acquisition by men during penile-vaginal sex, but also state that circumcision only provides partial protection and should be considered only in conjunction with other proven prevention measures”- Wikipedia.

Teething In Babies (Care and Remedies)

Teething is the process by which an infant’s teeth sequentially appear by breaking through the gums. Teething may start as early as three months or as late, in some cases, as twelve months. The typical time frame for new teeth to appear is somewhere between six and nine months.
The level of pain a child can bear differs from one baby to another. The sore and swell that is associated with emerging of teeth is responsible for the pain, restlessness, constant cry, sleeplessness irritability, fever etc babies often experience.

Some of the signs or symptoms that a baby has entered the teething stage will be actions that are noticeable. They may chew on their fingers or toys to help relieve pressure on their gums. Babies might refuse to eat or drink due to the pain. Symptoms will generally fade on their own, but a doctor should be notified if they worsen or are persistent. Teething may cause signs and symptoms in the mouth and gums, but it doesn't cause problems elsewhere in the body.


Pulling on the ears is another sign of pain; the pain in the mouth throbs throughout the baby's head so they pull their ears believing that it will provide relief. Mild rash can develop around the mouth due to skin irritation that is caused because of excessive drooling or dribbling.

Before treating a baby for teething, it is important to know what is causing the baby to be upset. Rubbing a finger gently along the baby’s gums in search for swollen ridges or the feel of a tooth below the gums is one way to be certain. If unsure, it is recommended that the child be seen by a doctor before treatment is administered.

Infants chew on objects to aid in the teething process. This can be dangerous if the baby is allowed to chew on objects which are small enough to be swallowed or which could break while being chewed and cause choking Teething rings (ring for an infant to bite on while teething) and other toys, called teethers, are often designed with textures that will appeal to an infant during teething as they rub it against their gums, they feel relieved of the hunting pain.

In cases where the infant is in obvious pain, some doctors recommend the use of anti-inflammatory or child-safe pain-relief treatments. Some infants gain relief from chewing on cold objects. Dentists recommend brushing infants' teeth as soon as they appear. It is not advisable to wait for the teething process to be complete. Dentists may recommend against the use of fluoride toothpaste during teething.

Birth Injury During Delivery

Birth injuries happen to a baby immediately following or during the time of their delivery. Quite a few different things can cause a birth injury. Some of the causes are natural whereas others are due to medical malpractice or negligence. In any case, it is a devastating situation for both the child as well as his or her parents.One of the most common kinds of birth injury is a brain injury. A brain injury that occurs while the baby is being born is often caused by either bleeding on the brain or it is due to a lack of oxygen.One type of widely known brain injury that happens to newborns is Cerebral Palsy. This condition is the result of damage that occurred to the child's cerebrum, which is a very important part of their brain. If a child is struck with Cerebral Palsy then the baby will not have as much ability as a normal child to control his or her movements. And their mental capacity may be limited as well.

Branchial Plexus is another common type of birth injury. This brain injury is actually caused by Shoulder Dystocia. This happens when the baby's shoulders get stuck in its mother's pelvis. Because the baby's neck is strained in this situation the nerves between the shoulder and the neck can get damaged. Fortunately these are treatable injuries. Although Cerebral Palsy and Brachial Plexus are the two most widely known and most common types of birth injuries, there are other situations that can happen during childbirth that can cause ongoing problems.

For example, if forceps are being used to assist in the delivery, then the baby could experience bruising on his brain or scalp, or bleeding underneath his scalp and/or inside his skull.If the mother has a Type B Streptococcus virus it can be passed to her baby. Although it's harmless to the mom, it can be incredibly dangerous to a newborn child. If it is detected then it may be treated with high doses of antibiotics that are given to the mom both before as well as after the baby has been delivered.

Also, some babies have a difficult time passing through the mother's birth canal. And when that happens they could experience clavicle fractures.If a baby has suffered from a significant birth injury it could result in a life altering situation. In such cases ongoing medical attention can be quite very urgent and expensive.

Ovulation

When your doctor determines you're not ovulating normally, fertility drugs can help. The most common choice is clomiphene citrate, better known by the brand names Clomid and Serophene. This drug is relatively inexpensive and effective. About half of women who take clomiphene will get pregnant, usually within three cycles. By causing the release of more than one egg at a time, Clomid increases the chances of multiple births.

FACTS ABOUT OVULATION

· An egg lives 12-24 hours after leaving the ovary
· Normally only one egg is released each time of ovulation
· Ovulation can be affected by stress, illness or disruption of normal routines
· Some women may experience some light blood spotting during ovulation
· Implantation of a fertilized egg normally takes place 6-12 days after ovulation
· Each woman is born with millions of immature eggs that are awaiting ovulation to begin
· A menstrual period can occur even if ovulation has not occurred
· Ovulation can occur even if a menstrual period has not occurred
· Some women can feel a bit of pain or aching near the ovaries during ovulation called mittelschmerz, which means "middle pain" in German
· If an egg is not fertilized, it disintegrates and is absorbed into the uterine lining.

Cesarean Birth – When it cannot be avoided

Cesarean birth is the surgical delivery of your baby through a cut that is made at your lower belly .It is also known as cesarean section or C-section. It is usually done when there is serious medical issue that is inevitable.

Most times reasons for cesarean birth is known even before labour sets in while sometimes it is the dangers a doctor foresees during labour that tells if there would be need for cesarean section.

Reasons for cesarean section before labour begins

1)A baby has defects that would get worse if vaginal birth is used to deliver him.

2)A mother has health issue that will make vaginal birth difficult. For instance:

-if you have genital herpes infection or STD that is severe, your baby may be infected during virginal child birth.

-If you have heart problem that may get worse if you go through the stress of labour.

-If you have HIV/AIDS, it would be most noble to have cesarean birth.

Reasons for cesarean section during labour

1)The baby’s position is breeched. A baby is meant to have his head down into the birth canal during normal birth but when his bottom comes first or he lies sideways, it becomes difficult to safely deliver him.

2) When the baby’s head is not channeling into the birth pelvis.

3) If the umbilical cord is coming before the baby through the cervix.

Why cesarean is not safe

Vaginal birth remains the best birth option because it is safer and less expensive.

1)Existence of pain after weeks or months after child birth

2) Increased risk of having infection.

3)It is difficult taking care of baby after birth.

4)It poses risk for subsequent pregnancy if not managed well.

How cesarean birth is performed in the theatre

Before the cesarean section, below your belly will be shaved to make space for the cut (incision). You will be given antacid to reduce acid level in your stomach and a fetal monitor will be used to check the heart of your baby.

You will be taken to the surgery room right there you will be given anesthesia to kill pain, it make the lower part of of your body numb. Trembling, and drop in the blood pressure and vomiting are common or associated with anesthesia injection which could be spinal or epidural anesthesia. A catheter is connected to your bladder to drain urine, then your belly is washed with antiseptic to make it germ free.

Your belly is covered with a surgical sheet with whole that centers on the spot where the incision will be made. The doctors will cut the portion in your belly that has been washed and sterilized. Two incisions will be made the first is on your skin and second on the uterus, you may not feel pain while the surgery is going on but may feel pressure and pulling. The doctor brings out the baby and sucks out mucus and fluids out of his mouth and nose, then cuts the cord. The placenta is removed and the incision on your belly and uterus is closed back.

After cesarean section, if you are strong enough, the doctor gives you your baby to cuddle and establish bond with him. You will be moved to special care unit where you will be monitored and given anesthesia when necessary to relieve pain.