Health - Debunking infertility myths

Charu Amar

Busting common myths and shunning dreaded apprehensions, we explain the popular infertility treatments:

Intra Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)
This treatment has emerged as a God-sent therapy for infertile couples with about nearly 2,000 couples taking the IVF cycle annually in India itself. Doctors term it as very patient friendly therapy as it doesn't
hamper with a patient's routine activities. This treatment can be used for a multitude of infertility problems, including low/nil sperm count in men, nil egg count among women and unavailability of embryo or
uterus among women.

"In IVF, fertilisation occurs outside the womb. In vitro the egg is fertilised in a glass. The man's sperm and the woman's egg are fertilised in a laboratory dish and the resulting embryo is then transferred to the woman's uterus. Depending upon the kind of problem in both the sexes, various permutations and combinations of sperms, eggs, embryo etc. can be used to find the desired solution," informs Delhi-based infertility expert Dr. Sonia Malik.
1. In case of a low sperm count in a man, the donor's sperm can be fertilised with the wife's egg.
2. When the wife doesn't have eggs, another woman's eggs are fertilised with her husband's sperms and the resulting embryo is then transferred into the wife's uterus

Surrogation

An extension to IVF, this can be a solution when the woman has a damaged uterus or no uterus at all. As a result, the chance Infertility treatments simplified (Getty Images)

of a successful implantation of the embryo in the uterus is poor. In such a scenario, a third woman is introduced, whose uterus will be borrowed to nurture the embryo produced by IVF.

The embryo prepared by IVF using the semen and egg of the intended couple is transferred into the uterus of the third woman, who nurtures the embryo for nine months. This is popularly known as 'surrogating' and the woman whose embryo is used is called the 'surrogate mother.'

"Since the baby is formed inside another woman, the parents are usually apprehensive of 'the baby being their own'. Here the doctor should make them understand that since the embryo was formed from their own egg and semen, they are the genetic parents of the baby. Also, there should be a legal consent from both the parties going into this medical treaty. The surrogate mother should keep the baby as her own in this case. Apart from these ethical and legal concerns, this option is absolutely OK for childless couples," explains infertility expert Dr. Rita Bakshi.

Intra-Utrine Insemination
In this method, washed and concentrated semen from the husband or donor (in case the husband has a low or nil sperm count), is introduced directly into the uterus (womb) of the wife around the time of ovulation. Since the vagina and cervix are completely bypassed, this method of conception comes in handy if the woman complains of any vaginal and cervical hindrances. IUI is also be a boon for couples who are incapable of having intercourse due to disability, injury, or problems like premature ejaculation.

Reiki
The forceful healing powers of Reiki are emerging as another help available for childless couples. "In this process of transfer of energies, when healing powers shift from the hands to the problem area, unwanted blockages and deposits start melting at the cellular level and as a result circulation gets better by improving the functional capabilities," explains Reiki expert Dr. N.K Sharma, Reiki Healing Foundation.

This form of healing is best suited to clear the following conception hindrances: shrunken fallopian tube, weak uterus, hormonal imbalances, poor quality and quantity of semen. The positive results can be seen
in a matter of 30-40 days of the healing process. This form of treatment can be taken through self-help workshops, Reiki experts or distance healing/ telepathy.

Busting the myths
Myth #1: Infertility is incurable
"It is absolutely curable and there are many treatments available. If one Infertility treatments simplified (Getty Images)

didn't work for you, another will. Keep an open mind and a flexible approach," says Dr. Bakshi.

Myth #2: Infertility is a woman's problem.
"Infertility is a female problem in 35 per cent of the cases, a male problem in another 35 per cent, 20 per cent of the times it is a combined problem in couples and 10 per cent of cases have an exceptional and in unexplained causes During the infertility work up, both male and female should be properly evaluated," explains Dr. Hrishikesh Pai.

Myth # 3: IVF is risky and not a sure shot treatment.
The average live delivery rate for IVF is around 30-35 per cent per retrieval, which is much better than the 20 per cent chance that a reproductively healthy couple has of achieving a pregnancy and carrying it to term.

Myth # 4: Babies born after IVF or IUI treatment are weak or abnormal.
More than 1 million babies have been born by IVF treatment worldwide and abnormality in such babies is not more than those found in other babies.

There can be no better testimony than a mother who conceived
with the help of IVF, "I am happy to say that my baby has a stronger immunity than other babies. Not only this, even at the time of birth he was healthier than others," says, 25-year-old Shilpi Brar.

Myth # 5: These are artificial treatments and there is nothing natural about them.
It is not artificial, but assisted reproduction. The baby is fertilised with your semen and egg, only the place of fertilization changes. There are no developmental errors in the children born after these treatments.

Myth# 6: Using IVF or IUI means multiple births.
"IVF is associated with increased multiple births, but still most deliveries resulting from IVF are singletons. The incidence of multiple births with IVF is 10- 20%. New advances in reproductive medicine, such as ultrasound-guided embryo transfer, allow physicians to transfer the smallest number of embryos possible resulting in a lower risk of multiple births," explains Dr. Hrishikesh Pai.

Myth # 7: IVF leads to ovarian cancer.
Numerous studies show that the medications of IVF treatment are not associated with the risk of ovarian cancer. Not just this, apart from an extra cautious pregnancy there are no other side effects on the mother's body due to these infertility treatments.

Myth # 8: Reiki can cause premature labour pains to the expecting mother.
This is absolutely wrong. This therapy doesn't really harm anybody. Mothers may choose to stop Reiki treatments during the last trimester of pregnancy. But that's not mandatory as the positive energies of
Reiki have proven to be beneficial to both the baby and the mother at any point.

Before losing heart to treatments failing to do any good to you, remember that:
# Every act of conception doesn't lead to pregnancy, so keep trying, testing and be patient and realistic.
# Repetition of treatments might be required. No treatment is final. Be positive and don't lose hope.
# "Infertility or childlessness is a matter of perseverance and compliance to the treatment. There's no way losing heart till you hit the 'Aha' moment!" concludes Dr. Sonia Malik.