Each month we host a free, live online seminar where patients can ask the physicians of Fertility Solutions questions about infertility. The seminar for March was about ‘Preconceptual Counseling: Optimizing Natural Fertility’. Topics change monthly, with our last two seminars focusing on Ask an Embryologist and Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis. View the live Q & A chat below:
Preconceptual Counseling: Lifestyle Changes & Fertility
(03/14/2012)
7:02
Welcome to Fertility Solutions Live Chat. Today’s topic is Preconceptual Counseling: Optimizing Fertility.
Wednesday March 14, 2012 7:02
7:03
Wednesday March 14, 2012 7:03
7:03
Here is a link to a PDF document from the American Society of Reproductive Medicine called “Optimizing Natural Fertility.
Wednesday March 14, 2012 7:03
7:04
Click on the following link.
Wednesday March 14, 2012 7:04
7:04
Wednesday March 14, 2012 7:04
7:05
Does any one have any questions?
Did you realize that by using an ovulation predictor kit, you may not necessarily shorten the time to conception? When do you think is the most fertile period of your cycle?
Wednesday March 14, 2012 7:05
7:07
When is the most fertile time of the cycle?
the day of ovulation
( 0% )
the day after ovulation
( 0% )
1-3 days before ovulation
( 50% )
on the 14th day of the cycle
( 50% )
Wednesday March 14, 2012 7:07
7:09
The correct answer is 1-3 days before ovulation. If you wait to have intercourse until after seeing a color change with the ovulation predictor stick, you may be missing the fertile window.
Wednesday March 14, 2012 7:09
7:09
[Comment From Sara Sara : ]
Hello. My name is Sara and I am 37 yrs old and my husband is 37. We just got finished seeing a fertility urologist because my husband had a spinal cord injury and he is unable to ejaculate. nothing comes out at all. All his levels came out good. So next before the urologist can operate on him to retrieve the sperm we have to make sure I am able to carry a baby. Do I go through this facility or can I see my OBGYN?
Wednesday March 14, 2012 7:09 Sara
7:13
Thank you Sara for your question. Of course you can come to our fertility center (Fertility Solutions, offices in Dedham, Providence, Woburn and other satellites) to do the fertility evaluation but if you feel would like to do the initial testing with your OBGYN, you can certainly ask her/him if she is willing to do the basic testing. This might consist of blood testing for ovarian reserve and other hormones, a baseline Ultrasound to measure antral follicle, and some type of uterine cavity evaluation such as a saline ultrasound or HSG.
Of course, you will still need to see a fertility specialist because you may need IVF and ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) in order to achieve a pregnancy.
Wednesday March 14, 2012 7:13
7:13
[Comment From rabia rabia : ]
How much exercise or what form of exercise is best when trying to conceive? Especially if going through IVF? Thanks.
Wednesday March 14, 2012 7:13 rabia
7:17
Thank you Rabia. Your question actually has two parts. What type of exercise is best when trying to conceive naturally and how might recommendations change if you are going through IVF.
Exercise should be a part of everyone’s healthy lifestyle. In moderation, aerobic exercise should not cause any changes in the menstrual cycle. However, if you run very long distances, or are very lean, very intensive exercise could cause menstrual irregularities or an inadequate luteal phase.
If you are undergoing IVF treatment, we usually recommend no vigorous exercise after embryo transfer, and if you are at risk for ovarian hyperstimulation, we may ask you to refrain from exercise altogether.
Wednesday March 14, 2012 7:17
7:17
[Comment From Sara Sara : ]
Thank you for answering my question. What is the difference between IVF & ICSI? Is the cost the same or different?
Wednesday March 14, 2012 7:17 Sara
7:20
The term IVF is usually used to describe the entire process of taking fertility hormones to stimulate the ovaries, then aspirating the eggs from the ovary under sedation and fertilizing the eggs in the laboratory. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection or ICSI refers to the technique of injecting a single sperm into a single egg for the purpose of fertilizing the egg.
Some insurances cover both IVF and ICSI, others may require certain medical conditions (ie. very low sperm count or motility) before they will cover the technique known as ICSI.
Every clinic is different in what they charge for IVF, ICSI and embryo freezing. Our clinic offers a single rate for IVF (including ICSI) for self pay patients.
Wednesday March 14, 2012 7:20
7:22
Here is another quiz regarding caffeine intake during pregnancy and during the preconception time period. Most people realize that smoking and drinking alcohol will impair fertility, but are not aware of the data regarding caffeine. Remember that sodas and other beverages also contain caffeine.
Wednesday March 14, 2012 7:22
7:23
How much caffeine is safe during pregnancy? (and preconception)
6-8 cups of coffee
( 0% )
3-4 cups of coffee
( 0% )
1-2 cups of coffee
( 100% )
It doesn’t matter
( 0% )
Wednesday March 14, 2012 7:23
7:25
Having an abnormal pap smear from HPV will not affect the chances of success for IVF, but if you have moderate ro severe changes, we would recommend getting that treated before trying to get pregnant
Wednesday March 14, 2012 7:25
7:25
Not sure if my poll was posted, let me try again.
Wednesday March 14, 2012 7:25
7:26
How much caffeine is safe during pregnancy?
6-8 cups
( 0% )
3-4 cups
( 0% )
1-2 cups
( 100% )
It doesn’t matter at all
( 0% )
Wednesday March 14, 2012 7:26
7:27
The answer is 1-2 cups of coffee or less than 200 mg a day of caffeine. More than 200 mg may increase the risk of miscarriage and more than 400-500 mg will decrease the chances of fertility.
Wednesday March 14, 2012 7:27
7:29
Being very overweight and being underweight can also lower the chances of pregnancy and increase the risk of miscarriage.
Wednesday March 14, 2012 7:29
7:29
[Comment From rabia rabia : ]
Is there some food or drink that we should be avoiding when trying to conceive? (Other than caffeine, alcohol, smoking…)
Wednesday March 14, 2012 7:29 rabia
7:31
Generally I tell my patients to avoid fish that have high levels of mercury (swordfish, tile fish, mackerel and shark) but fish oil is actually very healthy for pregnancy. As well, it is important to get enough folic acid. A regular vitamin will provide at least 400 mcg and most prenatal vitamins 800 mcg to 1000 mcg (1 mg) but people with a history of neural tube defects will need to increase the folate to 4 mg.
Wednesday March 14, 2012 7:31
7:32
Also, you should avoid processed meat products which are very high in sodium and contain nitrates and nitrates. Having a diet that is very low in red meat will lower your risk of heart disease.
Wednesday March 14, 2012 7:32
7:32
[Comment From Sara Sara : ]
Are you able to go back to work right away once the IVF or ICSI procedure has taken place.
Wednesday March 14, 2012 7:32 Sara
7:33
Most patients are able to go to work the day after the IVF procedure, but there may be some exceptions. On the day of the egg retrieval and the day of the embryo transfer, we recommend staying home from work.
Wednesday March 14, 2012 7:33
7:34
I’ll take one more question about nutrition or preconception before we end for the night.
Wednesday March 14, 2012 7:34
7:36
Vitamins (particularly the antioxidants), folate and zinc are also important for sperm function. There is some data that there is a nutritional impact on sperm as well. Don’t forget that men should also have a healthy lifestyle. Smoking, obesity and excessive alcohol can also impair fertility in men. Caffeine does not seem to have as much an impact on sperm, but it can’t be healthy to consume several cups of caffeine a day.
Wednesday March 14, 2012 7:36
7:38
Thank you so much for joing our live chat.
The next live chat topic will be on FIBROIDS, held on Wednesday April 11th at 7 pm. The live chats are always on the 2nd Wednesday of the month.
Any questions, please call 781-326-2451 to make an appointment or email [email protected]
Wednesday March 14, 2012 7:38
11:36