Vitamin E essential for improving fertility among men

By Dr. Shobha Gupta 

Infertility is a common problem now. Although women are to be blamed for that almost every time but in fact more than half of cases men are also equally responsible for the infertility. No one knows that what the exact cause of infertility is. Lifestyle plays a vital role in our fertility issues. For example what we take inside our body directly impacts on fertility if we drink alcohol or smoke regularly it badly affects our fertility.  

Studies have shown that certain nutrients if we consume on a regular basis can directly impact the sperm quality in men and can ultimately results in improved pregnancy rates. Many times it is said that low levels of Vitamin E can cause impotence in men. Lack of vitamin E also causes low sex drive and infertility. So, in a way vitamin E is considered as very important nutrient for men. Vitamin E acts as a anti oxidant protecting cell membranes from oxidative damage.  

In a study conducted in USA, men undergoing IVF treatment who have been given vitamin E have shown better fertilization rates which suggest that the antioxidant activity of vitamin E makes the sperm more fertile. Vitamin E is known to enhance sperm health & motility. All the antioxidants have proven abilities to boost sperm quality.  

Taking vitamin E supplements or changing your diet to incorporate foods rich in vitamin E can help improving sperm quality and increasing its motility. The best food sources of Vitamin E are dark leafy vegetables, tomatoes, almonds, broccoli, kiwi, fish and sunflower seeds.  

Not only in men but in women also, it is known to improve the quality of cervical mucus, which betters the chances of implantation of the fertilized eggs. It is also known to reduce the chances of miscarriage. Please do consult your IVF Expert for the vitamin E diet that should be included in your treatment schedule.   

Tips for pregnant women this Holi

The Hindu

By Dr. Shobha Gupta 

Earlier colors was made up of herbs and flowers but as time passes chemicals, dyes have replaced this tradition and now a day’s people play holi with chemically treated colors. Some colors are even carcinogenic. So, it is very important for a pregnant or lactating mother to simply stay away from colors. 

Not only colors; bhang is also the one such tradition associated with holi. Rang and bhang are the two things which completes the festival. But bhang’s overdose can lead to serious health complications. Bhang is an intoxicant which makes you feel drowsy and sleepy. Consumption of bhang can result in high bp, increased heart rate, it can also affect foetus, nervous system and brain. It is very important for a pregnant woman not to play holi at all; stay indoors or even if you want to step out then go with your trusted elders around. 

Also as we know that these days holi colors are made up of chemicals. Some colors are even carcinogenic. So, lactating mothers should practice same caution as pregnant women. Use of these colors where lead is present by a pregnant woman may result in pre mature birth, low weight birth and miscarriage or abortion. It can also affect the nervous and reproductive system Pregnant women have reduced immunity levels and are, therefore, more prone to illnesses and infections, and their skin is more sensitive as well. Therefore, reaction to colors that one may have is very dangerous. Chemical colors have harmful health effects on the baby through breast milk. 

So, lactating mothers should practice same caution as pregnant women. You can have homemade colors which can be made by using turmeric, roli (sindoor), boiled beetroot and onions. Tradition, if it must be followed, can be respected by placing a sandalwood or saffron tikaa on the baby's forehead. 

Also do apply a thick petroleum jelly moisturizer on the skin and oil on the hair before started playing holi. Washing oneself properly is especially important for lactating mothers who otherwisrisk their baby ingesting colors. 

So, take precautions and enjoy the festival of colors. Happy Holi to all from the Team Mother’s Lap IVF.

Related article Beware of toxic colours this Holi "Dr Shobha Gupta"

Har Ghar Goonje Kilkari: a free health checkup camp on the occasion of International Women Day

Har Ghar Goonje Kilkari free health check up camp

By Dr. Shobha Gupta  

“A woman’s gift to another woman”. Mother’s Lap IVF Centre has organized a free health checkup camp on the occasion of International Women Day. 

The camp will include free checkups, consultation and counseling for various mothers suffering from stress and infertility (after first baby). Also, the basic investigations if needed will be provided at a concessional rate.  

This camp is conducted with the only objective to help women know their level of infertility and stress and opt for the right treatment. It will be a pleasure for us to do as many free checkups as possible. This is our gift to women on their special day.  

Apart from this we are also giving free counseling sessions on stress management to all the women. Stress has become a part of our lives today especially in metro cities; stress has been emerged as a major culprit for infertility.  

The camp will be on from 7 March to 11 March 2016 at 47 Harsh Vihar Pitampura, New Delhi. 

Wishing all the women out there, a very Happy Women’s Day. You are precious. Enjoy your day ladies!

Causes of male infertility

By Dr. Shobha Gupta

Many a time’s infertility is considered as female’s problem .This is the most prevalent of all myths having to do with infertility, and if a couple is unable to have a child, the woman is thought to be "barren." In fact, according to Resolve, a national infertility advocacy organization in the USA, men and women are about equally responsible when it comes to infertility.  In reality, 40% of infertility is due to female factors, 40% due to male factors and 20% due to both but let’s have a look at some causes of male infertility too:

1. Alcohol consumption: Drinking alcohol can lower testosterone levels, cause erectile dysfunction and decrease sperm production. Liver disease caused by excessive drinking also may lead to fertility problems.
2. Occupation or job: There are certain occupations can increase your risk of infertility, including those associated with desk jobs or extended use of computers or video display monitors, shift work, and work-related stress. Working on laptops while placing them on your laps is hugely associated with infertility in men as the heat caused by them often reduced sperm motility and sperm DNA fragmentation
3. Tobacco or smoking: Men who smoke may have a lower sperm count than do those who don’t smoke. Secondhand smoke also may affect male fertility. Nicotine and other harmful chemicals in cigarettes interfere with the body’s ability to produce healthy sperm count.
4. Wearing too-tight trousers or skinny jeans: Yes wearing tight inner wears or jeans could seriously damage your health. It can cut off circulation and cause nerve damage, swelling of the ankles and feet and fertility problems. Tight pants or skinny jeans do in fact damage the testicles; even low sperm count and can cause infertility in men. But that’s not all. Wearing skinny jeans is associated with many negative consequences

How to Deal with infertility?

By Dr. Shobha Gupta

If you're having a hard time coping with infertility, you're not alone. Infertility is indeed has become a challenge that requires personal change in order to meet the demands of the process.To be precise infertility means that you are unable to conceive despite of 1 year of trying for a baby. Although infertility feels like the greatest challenge that can't be overcome, those who reached out to us prepared the belief that there is always a hope. I have personally experienced that many women have said, “The more I realized that infertility changed my life, the more it made me take steps to change my life but coping with infertility is really a tough job”.

There is a lot to manage when you are trying to get pregnant and dealing with infertility issues. The most difficult could be the emotional ups and downs that inbuilt in the process. People around you can be insensitive and terrible in their comments. Social situations, like a baby shower or seeing moms with babies are extremely painful. Many women feel betrayed by their body and the injustice of the whole thing. They keep blaming themselves for such situations.

Last but not least, the common question; “What have I done that causes me infertility?” But we have to understand that sedentary lifestyle

Ten do’s and don’ts during IVF treatment

By Dr Shobha Gupta

When a couple chooses IVF for conception, it affects both the partners physically and emotionally. While the chance of conceiving during the first cycle of treatment highly depends on the reproductive health and other psychological factors, there are a few things that you can do to improve your chances of conceiving.

1. Prepare yourself for IVF: Note the date when your period starts, the number of days it lasts, and anything else regarding your menstrual cycle (at least for three months before starting the treatment). This can help your doctor chart your treatment. It could prove to be helpful if you experience any problems in conceiving. It can also be valuable in pinpointing the date of conception–and consequently your due date.
2. Avoid Stress: Try not to stress and be positive. avoid making major life changes such as moving to a new house or starting a new job the same time you’re going through the IVF process. As High stress levels are known to reduce fertility in both men and women and compromise the outcome of an IVF cycle.
3. Try Acupuncture: Acupuncture may be beneficial to women who are undergoing the IVF process when performed within one day of the embryo transfer as it helps in implantation and aids the process of conception.
4. Eat right: A few months before your IVF, begin eating a fertility diet. Getting nutritious foods is vital for producing healthy eggs and promoting implantation of the embryo. Continue eating a well balanced diet.Your diet should consist of 4-6 small meals each day and each should consist of some complex carbohydrate(such as brown rice or quinoa) interspread with fresh fruits and vegetables. For a fertility diet read here..
5. Stay hydrated always: Some women during IVF process suffer from OHSS (Ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome) so drink

Laughter is the best infertility medicine

By Dr. Shobha Gupta

It is tested and proven that Laughter is the best medicine for many different reasons. Anything that gets you laughing is good for your mind and your body. Voluntary laughter provides the same physiological and psychological benefits as spontaneous laughter. Stress & depression are known to be factors affecting infertility in both men & women. Laughter or humour therapy reduces stress, pain, depression, anxiety & tension caused due to infertility and it releases the endorphins which are also known as happy hormones which further improves fertility.

A recent study has been conducted in UK which says that Laughter may increase probability of IVF pregnancy. Researchers have found out that pregnancy rate almost doubled when a 'medical clown' visited the clinic after embryo transfer. 36 percent of women who were entertained just after the embryos were transferred fell pregnant

Egg freezing: the new wave in family planning

By Dr. Shobha Gupta

Hindustan Times - HT Cafe

There is no iota of doubt that the field of medicine has gained much appreciation and came up with advance technologies to combat infertility through IVF (in vitreo fertilization) which is very very common now. Frozen eggs also has gained popularity since few years and especially when in a 2014 tech conglomerates Apple and Facebook announced that they will pay the bill of egg freezing process of their female employees. They took the decision to attract more female employees and maintain their retention rates so they may have prolonged careers (news piece published by The Guardian, UK)

Freezing eggs means preserving your eggs in specialized laboratories of IVF centre. As you age the quality of eggs starts declining. Women can have their own eggs froze and can use whenever they plan family. Storing your eggs may enable you to use them for treatment in the future.

It benefits specifically the older women: Let’s say a couple has a baby through IVF and the couple froze some of the eggs for future use. When she returns in a few years for an frozen egg transfer for her second baby, her ovaries and eggs will have aged and her fertility will have statistically