Genetic Screenings for enhancing success of IVF

When an individual or couple is considering starting a family, a helpful tool can be taking a universal carrier screening test. These tests look at a large list of common genetic conditions through a blood or saliva sample. The test looks to see whether there are changes in an individual’s DNA that increase the chance of having a child with that genetic condition. Most individuals are carriers for a handful of genetic conditions, even if there is no family history.

Carriers are not expected to have any significant health risks. If both parents are carriers for the same condition, there is a 1 in 4, or 25% chance of having a child with the condition. These test results can help individuals, or couples, make the right choice for them when it comes to starting their family.

What is Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)?

As per AMRI Hospitals “When a parent or parents carry a mutation that puts them at risk for having a child with a hereditary disorder, preimplantation testing of embryos can diagnose an embryo as affected or unaffected and embryos which do not carry the affected gene can be selected for transfer and this process is called PGD".

It can significantly reduce the chances of having an affected child. It is typically done on patients who have no difficulty conceiving. Many couples know that they are at risk due to a family member with the disease, but some patients may be silent carriers. Preconception carrier screening can help identify patients and couples at risk for having a baby with a common genetic syndrome.

What is Preimplantation Genetic Screening (PGS or CCS)?

Preimplantation Genetic Screening is different from PGD because it is done on patients who do not carry a known disease-causing mutation, but wish to reduce their chances of chromosomal imbalance which could lead to miscarriage or a baby with an extra or missing chromosome, such as Down’s syndrome. As women age, their eggs are at higher risk of carrying a missing or extra chromosome. 

Preimplantation genetic screening of embryos can include all 24 chromosomes and is, therefore, sometimes referred to as comprehensive chromosome screening (CCS).
PGS can be performed in conjunction with a standard IVF cycle in any couple, but is typically considered in patients where the female partner is over 35 years of age. An additional benefit of PGS is that in improves our ability to choose the healthier embryos in a cohort, achieving a high success rate with a single embryo transfer and reducing the risks of twin pregnancies.

Symptoms, Types & Risk Factors of Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian Cancer, the fifth most common cause of cancer deaths in women, is severe a type of medical condition which begins in the ovaries. It is mainly caused due to an abnormal and uncontrollable growth of cells in the ovary, explain gynaecologists at AMRI Hospital, one of the best maternity hospitals in Kolkata.

Who is at the risk of ovarian cancer?

Although ovarian cancer can affect women of any age, it is mostly common in those over the age of 50. Every woman, on an average suffers from 1.38% risk of suffering from ovarian cancer in her lifetime.

Studies show that ovarian cancer usually goes undetected until it spreads within the pelvis and abdomen. It becomes difficult to treat this disease in the latter stage, as it progresses rapidly with time, warn gynaecologists at AMRI Hospitals. Timely detection and treatment of ovarian cancer in the initial stage makes it more likely to be treated successfully.

What are the types of ovarian cancers?

• Ovarian low malignant potential tumor (OLMPT)
• Germ cell tumors
• Sex cord-stromal tumors
• Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC)
• What are the symptoms of ovarian cancer?
• Constant pain or cramps in the belly or back
• Unusual bleeding from the vagina, queasiness and bloating
• Eating disorders or abnormal fullness after eating
• Changes in appetite (often a loss of appetite)
• Exhaustion, constipation and issues related to digestion
• Irregular menstrual cycle
• Heartburn and back pain
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• An increased urge to urinate
• Increase in the abdominal girth

The severity of ovarian cancer makes it important to keep a check on the symptoms of the disease, and undergo a timely treatment in order to combat it.

What increases the risk of developing ovarian cancer?

• Genes/family history of ovarian cancer
• Excessive weight
• The use of certain fertility drugs or hormone therapies
• Inability to conceive
• Endometriosis
• Inherited mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes

Easy Ways New Moms Can Stay Healthy

Everyone plans for a healthy pregnancy and birth. But a needy newborn can quickly sap the time and energy Mommy has for self-care. Health is, however, a worthy priority for new moms. A happy, healthy mom makes for a happy, healthy kid.

Read on for 10 simple ways to get your health and sense of well-being back on track.

Be Realistic

1. Make the Most of Nap Time

Getting your baby to nap is an accomplishment—make the most of it! Get a DVD or go online to do a 30-minute workout, head into the kitchen and prep healthy snacks and meals, take a long, steamy shower, or, if you feel the pull of the pillow, lie down yourself for some well-deserved rest.

2. Be Realistic

Your house is a mess. So what? You have more important things to do, like getting rest, starting up an exercise routine, and, of course, caring for your baby.  So set reasonable, attainable goals, bring your expectations down to earth, and put your energy elsewhere.

3. Be Mindful of Your Lower Back

Relaxin, the hormone stretches your ligaments in preparation for birth, stays in your body for five months after your give birth. That’s tough on your lower back, which needs to get back to its natural alignment after being pulled forward by your pregnant belly. Protect it by alternating which hip you hold your baby on, looking in a mirror to make sure you’re not over-arching your lower back when standing, and practicing gentle stretches that will help your ligaments come together in a way that supports the heavy lifting you’ll be doing as your baby grows.

4. Ask for Help

To make time for self-care, arrange a babysitting swap with friends, or ask a trusted family member to watch your baby while you get exercise or sleep. Sometimes, though, friend or family help can come with strings attached. If that’s the case, hire a babysitter or join a gym that has a certified child care facility. And always visit your doctor or hospital during pregnancy.

5. Write Out a Plan

New mom-hood can be hard on the short-term memory, so do yourself a favor and put pen to paper to map out your health program. Set goals for daily exercise, social time, quiet time, even hygiene, and use your calendar as a tool to keep yourself accountable and focused. “Children can get anxious and chaotic, and then moms get overwhelmed.” So when in doubt, write it out!

6. Plan Your Feedings, Too

Don’t get so caught up in your baby’s feeding schedule that you neglect your own; the Mayo Clinic advises 400 to 500 extra daily calories for breastfeeding mamas, and you want them to be nutritious and easy. When you have a few minutes, chop up crunchy, vitamin- and fiber-rich vegetables like carrots and celery, or pretzels and pita chips, and put them into individual baggies. When you get hungry, “fast food” will never have been so healthy!

7. Forgive Yourself

Let’s be real—you aren’t going to be able to stick to your self-care health plan every day. And that’s okay. Before you start down a guilt spiral, forgive yourself, and start fresh tomorrow.

8. Rest, Rest, Rest

Your body will recover from childbirth and your mind will feel more like your own—if you prioritize sleep and rest as part of your healthy routine. Never feel guilty about following the “sleep when your baby sleeps” adage, and set aside any social qualms about asking visitors to leave so you can snooze. Days and nights will be in their proper places soon enough, but for now, find rest wherever you can.

9. Boost Your Immune System

The last thing a new mom wants is to come down with a cold or other bug. Start by getting vaccinated against seasonal flu and making sure your TdaP vaccine is up to date to protect against whooping cough. Then, eat lots of lean proteins, dark greens, and antioxidant-rich foods like berries and apples for an immune boost. Keeping well-hydrated will also flush your system of toxins and keep you on a healthy path.

10. Share the Journey

New motherhood can be an isolating time, and there’s power in sharing the ups and downs with like-minded fellow travelers. There are health benefits as well—research shows that laughing with friends boosts immunity, and working out with a buddy has been shown to yield better results. So start a conversation with another mom at the mall or playground…chances are she’d love to set up a mommy play date!

Source Link: https://www.mom365.com

GYNAECOLOGY & OBSTETRICS

Obstetrics and gynecology are medical specialties that focus on two different aspects of the female reproductive system. At Virginia Beach OBGYN we provide care to women in all phases of their lives whether they are having a baby or are past menopause.

Obstetrics deals with the care of the pregnant women, the unborn baby, labor and delivery and the immediate period following childbirth. The obstetrician ensures that mother and child get the best prenatal care to ensure labor and delivery is accomplished without complications and that should intervention be needed, it is done quickly and safely.

Gynecology deals with any ailment concerning the reproductive organs; uterus, fallopian tubes, cervix, ovaries and vagina. A gynecologist may also treat related problems in the bowel, bladder and urinary system since these are closely related to female reproductive organs.

To be certified as an obstetrician or a gynecologist requires a minimum of 4 years residency training after attaining a general medical degree. The two specialties are closely related and most of these specialists provide care in both areas. This is why we see OB/GYN on the office door of these doctors. While 90% of gynecologists also deliver babies, obstetricians limit their practice to pregnancy and childbirth.

Obstetrics

Obstetrics specifically deals with the welfare of the pregnant woman and her baby. During pregnancy a number of complications can arise such as ectopic pregnancy, which is a condition where the embryo is in a fallopian tube, fetal distress caused by compression , problems with the placenta or high blood pressure which can be a forerunner of a serious illness called pre-eclampsia.

The obstetrician is trained in these and many other complications of childbirth and ensures both mother and baby are safely guided through all of the phases of pregnancy and childbirth. Whether the baby is delivered vaginally or through a planned or emergency caesarian section an obstetrician is trained to handle any change that is presented during the natural, but sometimes complex process of childbirth.

Following delivery, an obstetrician is focused on the health of the mother and child ensuring that both make the transition into routine daily life without the deadly complications that were commonplace a hundred years ago and unfortunately are still occurring in third world countries.

The medical specialty of obstetrics has made pregnancy and childbirth a life changing event to be embraced with confidence knowing that modern medicine has made the process safe and predictable.

Gynecology

While most gynecologists are also obstetricians, the field of gynecology focuses on all other aspects of a woman’s reproductive health from the onset of puberty through menopause and beyond.

Women see their gynecologist for their annual Pap test and pelvic exam. Other reasons a woman would see her gynecologist are for infections or any pain or discomfort in the uterus, genitals or breasts. Gynecologists also assist with infertility issues and contraception.

Gynecology diagnoses and treats diseases of the reproductive organs including cancer of the ovaries, uterus, cervix, vagina and fallopian tubes. A gynecologist also treats prolapse of the pelvic organs. This is a condition usually present in postmenopausal women with weakened pelvic muscles that cannot support the uterus or bladder properly.

Other diseases treated are yeast and bacterial infections, irregular and painful menstruation, painful intercourse and other diseases related to menopause which may require surgery.
Surgical procedures

Gynecology encompasses specific surgical procedures related to female reproductive organs. The most common procedures are:

• Tubal ligation – a permanent form of birth control
• Hysterectomy- removal of the uterus
• Oophorectomy – removal of the ovaries
• Salpingectomy – removal of the fallopian tubes
• Cone biopsy -remove precancerous cells in the cervix identified during a pap test

SOURCE: Virginia Beach Obgyn