The germ of new life

The world-famous photographer Lennart Nilsson has presented mankind a unique project that depicts in details germ of new life. These are 23 photos that show step by step process of the germ and development of a baby. It took Mr. Nilsson 10 years to record embryo’s evolution with the help of photo, from its conception to birth.

Photographer has received international recognition in 1965. Then one of the popular American magazines published 16 pages with Nilsson’s photos where he pictured a human embryo. Thereafter these photos were also published in all well-known magazines of Europe and brought their author a world fame.

Since early childhood not cars and toy soldiers were favorite toys of Lennart Nilsson but microscope and camera. Nilsson wanted to show the world all the beauty of human body not in a classic form but on a cellular level.

First pictures of the human embryo Nielson has made in 1957 but their quality left much to be desired, so the master decided not to show them to the public. Subsequently photographer got a cystoscope - a medical device that allows to examine the bladder from the inside. It allowed Nilsson to make the most accurate and colorful pictures. Master attached camera and a light guide to the cystoscope and made thousands of pictures of baby's life inside the womb.

In such a way a unique project by Lennart Nilsson was born with the help of which photographer was able to show the world the mystery of the origin of human life.

Sperm cell being in uterine tube is moving opposite to egg cell

Egg cell

Sperm-egg collision

One of 200 million sperm cells search into the egg

Sperm cell in cut. Tip of sperm cell contains all genetic material

In a week embryo reaches a womb sliding down Fallopian tube

In one more week embryo fastens to womb’s mucosa

22^nd day of embryo’s development. Gray matter is a future cerebrum

Reaching the 18^th day embryo’s heart starts beating

 28^th day after  fertilization

5 weeks, length is 9 mm, face with spaces for mouse, nostrils and eyes is already can be seen 

40 days. External embryo’s cells mixing with womb’s upside create placenta

8 weeks

10 weeks. Blepharons is already half-opened. In some days they will be formed in full

10 weeks. Baby starts using hands to examine his environment

16 weeks

It can be seen blood - vessels through the thin skin

18 weeks. Baby is able to perceive sounds of outside world

19 weeks

20 weeks. Length is about 20 cm. Hair starts growing on the head

24 weeks

6 months

36 weeks. In a month baby will draw the first breath.

 http://www.lennartnilsson.com/

Fresh donor eggs make for success!

Embryo freezing is a unique opportunity for women to postpone pregnancy indefinitely and give birth to a biological child in later years. Freezing oocytes woman has no need to worry about medical or social difficulties in her life. That is to say, woman buy the so-called "guarantor of age” freezing own biological material. But the question now arises of whether clinics provide a guarantee conducting IVF programs using frozen oocytes. That is an important issue that must be thought of. It will be less complicated and cheaper if doctors use frozen eggs during IVF procedure. But if at all people think about oocytes cryopreservation being 20 - 35 years old. Today there are a lot of women who start a family only after 30 when probability of pregnancy is greatly reduced. In such cases, egg donation steps into the breach. Thus, Spanish “Bernabeu Institute” is the leader of egg donation in Europe. It is also one of the largest banks of oocytes and sperm in Spain which sells clinics for reproductive medicine frozen cells. Despite popularity of cells freezing experts and statistics makes people wonder.

Female germ cells are large and contain water. So after their cooling (in particular, freezing) crystals are formed and distort integrity of gametes. As a result, due to cell homeostasis disturbance most part of biological material cannot be used for fertilization. Also there can be cells’ defects which are not visible during transplantation. Such degeneration of genetic material can significantly affect health condition of children in future.

Chairman of American community of Reproductive Medicine states: "Although analysis of literature shows that cryopreservation technique is effective for women who need it for medical reasons we cannot use it widely to plan pregnancy".

There are clinics that conduct IVF programs using only fresh eggs, and what is the most crucially, give a guarantee of a positive program’s outcome. Use of fresh eggs is the key to success!  Statistics speaks volumes:

Only one conclusion can be seen after reading various forums and communicating with patients who have gone through IVF with donor eggs. It’s better to apply to clinics that conduct programs using only fresh oocytes, guarantee successful pregnancy and full refund in the case of procedure’s failure. One can find such medical centers in Ukraine, Romania and Bulgaria. In these countries IVF with donor eggs will cost you about 10 thousand euro. Russia, Greece and Spain offer such procedure at the cost of 20,000 euro, USA - 50-100 thousand euro. Paying this money you receive medical program, 100% guarantee of its successful outcome and refund in the case of failure.

Measure of efficiency and performance bond are the first indicators patient pays attention to visiting medical institution. If clinic refunds the overall value of the program in the case of failure it means clinic is interested in successful fertilization no less than client. Therefore such medical centers use the latest techniques and modern equipment.

Word-of-mouth advertising is one of the best sources of information in such case. Friends who have already visited any clinic can share their impressions about the quality of services and pricing. Well, if you have no such friends, thematic forums will always come to the aid. People who chat with each other using Internet forums will gladly write up about their positive and negative experience, comparison and results of the programs.

http://newseurope.info/?p=37165

Ten years of doleful

When I was 28 years old I went through a serious surgery during which doctors had to dissect my ovarium out. Medical workers warned me of the consequences in future, in particular infertility. I had no choice in the matter because we did not think about fertility at that moment but how to save my life. Being 30 years old my husband and I gave thought to child. Having known my diagnosis we understood that I can bear a child only with the help of donor eggs and IVF program. Therefore, we gave a second thought to reproductive medical programs, studied all information and chose the country where we can take advantage of ART. India is one of the well postered among such countries. Price for donation program is rather handsome in addition we wanted to see tourist India. So my husband and I packed our bags and flew to South Asia. We chose Akanksha reproductive medicine clinic that is in Anand city. There we were met by a friendly, pleasant woman - clinic director Nyah Patel. She told us that all their donors are faith worthy - none of them smoke, drink alcohol or take drugs. Medical program takes place under doctors’ control and in accordance with all norms. Be that as it may, but all donors there are of Hindu race. We have nothing against people of other nationalities but still we wanted child to be like us, as far as possible in this case. We have taken note of the Indian clinic and decided to look for another one. Spain, “Dexeus-Salud de la mujer” clinic in Barcelona was a second enter we opted for. Visiting Spanish center we were impressed with the high level of organization and services quality. Having got to know all programs’ proposals and conditions we signed the contract. After medical examinations (tests, ultrasound and semen analysis) we have chosen a suitable donor and began stimulation. I took hormonal drugs during more than a month. Program was conducted with the use of frozen oocytes. Embryo transfer did not last long but was rather painful. Unfortunately, the result was negative – I was not pregnant. Doctors explained that it happens so because not all are lucky to become pregnant on the first try. As a result, they twisted our arm and we agreed for another two IVF attempts in their clinic. It should be noted that during this time we have spent a lot of money. We had to pay separately for each IVF attempt. In addition, expenses for accommodation, meal, transfer, some medicines and flight was also shouldered as a burden. But it is not the most important thing, because our dream was so long-awaited child. After three attempts in Spain we have not reached our goal. After we came back home we talked to those who also went through donation program. In addition we studied information about eggs cryopreservation and realized that the problem was just in freeze. Process of cryopreservation of genetic material adversely affects its quality that’s why very often the result is negative. Having already some experience and being taught from own mistakes we continued our search for the ideal clinic. Russia was our next attempt to find happiness. In the Russian Federation doctors use fresh eggs and argue that " you will not go back home without successful pregnancy". Russia was a distant and unknown country for us - rumors of its underdevelopment and poor service walked over Internet networks and forums nevertheless we decided to take a chance. Level of service fades in comparison with possible parenthood. Having arrived in St. Petersburg, “AVA-Peter” reproductive medicine clinic, we did not see high European standards but it was quite good. Our doctor, obstetrician-gynecologist Stambulova Olga, listened to our history, studied all medical records, conducted a number of tests and said: "Do not worry my dear, we will try our best and everything will be ok!" We man up, psyched us up for success and started new treatment in Russia. Egg donor and I were stimulated in order to synchronize our menstrual cycles. Again and again I took hormonal drugs, felt bad but had a firm belief in good result. After embryos transfer my husband prayed with bated breath. But ... that attempt was not successful as well. We were a bit disappointed and downhearted. All these torments, clinics in different countries and numerous failed attempts had been lasting for ten years. During this time I had took an incredible amount of hormonal medicines, went through a lot of medical tests and, frankly speaking, I was tired mentally and physically. And one day we saw an advertising of reproductive medicine clinic BioTexCom. Centre offered unimaginable conditions and 100% guarantee of success. Medical package includes meeting at the airport, transfer, accommodation, meal and medical program with a certain number of attempts. All these are included in a fixed sum for the program. We paid not a penny more. Weighing all the "pros" and "cons" my husband said me: "I love you and want to raise our own children. So I'm with you and together we will go through all difficulties". So we went to Ukrainian capital, Kiev. Center for human reproduction BioTexCom. We felt that everything will turn out good just having left the airport. We were met by a clinic’s driver –friendly, polite man stood with a sign where our surname was written. He helped us with the luggage and conducted to the car. When he brought us to the clinic a pretty lady met us on the doorstep - she charted with us before our arrival and was our manager-translator during the program. She led us to the clinic, offered coffee and we got to know each other better. She spoke English very well and we had no problems communicating. Then we visited a doctor, Elena Mozgova. She talked to us and conducted ultrasound investigation. The doctor told me that they conduct programs using exclusively fresh oocytes, apply best practices and have a high deliverable. She added that we were not the first ones in BioTexCom clinic who came after unsuccessful attempts made abroad. Further there were a standard procedure of stimulation, which I already knew by heart and embryo transfer. In Ukraine, during preparation for the program, I took such medicines as Progesterone, Oksiprogesteron, Proginova, Utrozhestan and various vitamin complexes. It is important to take into account the fact that all medicines were given to me in the clinic and I did not pay extra for them. In BioTexCom center doctors calculate the perfect day for transferring and use the highest quality biological material. Well, let alone all these details, as result tells louder than words - after the first attempt I finally got pregnant! We were as happy as a pig in mud! We could hardly believe that our dream came true – I was pregnant and we were waiting for our long-awaited child. I will not go into details concerning the level of services and country as a whole. Yes, Ukraine is not a country with European level, but people there are very kind and friendly. And doctors of BioTexCom are really professionals and sometimes work wonders using modern technologies and unique techniques.

Key facts about surrogate motherhood

Surrogate motherhood is among the latest in a long list of roles being outsourced to India, where rent-a-womb services are far cheaper than in the West.

Here are some key facts about surrogate motherhood:

WHAT IS SURROGATE MOTHERHOOD?

- The term surrogate' means 'substitute'.

- A surrogate mother is a woman who carries a child for infertile couples, or others unable to conceive their own baby.

HOW IS IT DONE?

- In traditional surrogacy the surrogate mother is artificially inseminated with the sperm of the intended father or sperm from a donor.

- In gestational surrogacy an already-fertilized embryo from the biological parents' or donors is transferred to the womb of the surrogate mother.

GLOBAL PICTURE:

- Surrogate motherhood is illegal in Italy, banned for commercial purposes in Australia, Spain and China, and is allowed with restrictions in the United States, France and Germany.

- India is currently framing new regulations.

ETHICAL ISSUES:

- Protecting the rights of surrogate mothers from being exploited, defining the rights of children born from surrogacy, and stopping commercialization of surrogacy are key issues.

BOOMING BUSINESS IN INDIA:

- Surrogate mothers in developed countries can charge between $20,000 and $30,000.

- Fertility clinics in India charge around $10,000 for the procedure, including the payment to the surrogate mother.

LEGAL DIFFERENCES:

- Indian medical guidelines allow doctors to implant five embryos into a surrogate mother. In Britain the maximum is two, while many European countries are moving toward a single embryo.

- India's current laws allow the surrogate mother to sign away her rights to the baby as soon as its delivered.

- The Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) estimates that the reproductive business could be a $6 billion-a-year industry soon.

Sources: Reuters

Miscarriage

How often do miscarriages occur?

About 15 to 20 percent of all pregnancies end in miscarriage. Most of them occur in the first 13 weeks, or first trimester.

Does age affect miscarriage rates?

For women in their 20s and early 30s, the chance of miscarriage is about 15 percent. At 35 the chance of miscarrying rises to one in four, and at 40 the miscarriage rate is close to one in three.

What causes miscarriages?

Most early pregnancy losses are due to genetics and cannot be prevented. But losing a pregnancy doesn't mean that anything is wrong with a woman's health or that she can't have more children. Ninety percent of women who have one miscarriage go on to have a healthy pregnancy. Despite the fact that recurrent miscarriages may increase the risk of future pregnancy losses, even women who have had three or more miscarriages in a row may have a good chance of carrying the next pregnancy to term. However, these recurrent miscarriages may be an indication of problems that require medical help.

What are the symptoms of miscarriage?

·         Vaginal bleeding that may be preceded by a brownish discharge

·         Cramps in the pelvic area

·         Tissue or blood clots passing from the vagina

·         A decrease in the usual signs of early pregnancy, such as nausea and breast tenderness

·         Pain in the lower back or abdomen

What are the warning signs of miscarriage?

·         Spotting or bleeding without pain

·         Heavy bleeding with severe abdominal pain

·         A gush of fluid from your vagina but no pain or bleeding

What will the doctor want to know?

Your doctor will ask you to describe your symptoms. She'll also want to know whether or not you've passed tissue out of your vagina. If you have passed tissue, save it in a sterile container for later examination.

How will my doctor be able to confirm a miscarriage?

Your doctor will give you an internal pelvic examination. This will determine the size of your uterus and reveal whether your cervix is open. An ultrasound will be performed to confirm whether or not your baby still has a heartbeat.

You will also have a blood test to check your hormone levels; decreases in pregnancy hormone levels may indicate that you've miscarried.

Can miscarriages be prevented?

A miscarriage that is about to occur usually can't be prevented. But you might be able to decrease your chances of miscarrying by taking good care of yourself early in your pregnancy and not smoking, drinking, or taking drugs. If you've had several miscarriages in a row, your doctor may recommend genetic testing to see whether you or your partner carry any chromosomal abnormalities that affect the egg or sperm.

Your doctor may also give you instructions to reduce your risk of miscarriage. These can include putting your feet up for the day, avoiding intercourse for a short period of time, or avoiding some forms of exercise.

What happens if I do miscarry?

After a miscarriage, any remaining tissue may be removed by dilation and curettage (D&C). This procedure involves dilating the cervix and gently scraping the tissue from the lining of the uterus.

You can expect spotting and some discomfort for a few days. However, call your doctor if you experience heavy bleeding, fever, chills, or severe pain — these can be signs of an infection. Your doctor will probably want to see you again in a few weeks to check your recovery.

It is generally recommended that women not try to get pregnant for three months after a miscarriage.

I've had several miscarriages. What does this mean for my current pregnancy?

If you have had repeated miscarriages, future pregnancies should be planned, diagnosed early, and monitored carefully.

Get a complete medical work up before you try to get pregnant again and try to have the cause of your earlier miscarriages diagnosed and treated by your doctor.

As soon as you think you're pregnant, seek prenatal care. The sooner you can receive any care you need, the more likely that you will delivery a healthy, full-term baby.

Don't forget to follow your doctor's instructions. She can instruct you on keeping you and your fetus healthy.

(Sources: American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists)

How does radiation exposure affect unborn babies?

Not all types of radiation are created equal. This means that depending on its origin, radiation can be fairly benign or incredibly malignant. Many natural sources exist, such as sunlight, rocks, soil and food. There are also plenty of human-derived emitters, such as airport security screeners, medical procedures like X-rays, cell phones and nuclear weapons.

"We're all exposed to radiation on a daily basis," explains Kelly Classic, a radiation physicist at the Mayo Clinin, and public outreach coordinator for the Health Physics Society - noting that small amounts of radiation can be found in fertilizers, some soils, building materials and even bananas, because of their naturally occurring potassium. "It's something that we live with every day and so rarely question it."

All forms of radiation, whether from sunlight or a computer, operate on the electromagnetic scale - each with its own, varying frequency, wavelength and energy emitted. Depending on the amount of energy they have, the wavelengths can travel certain distances and penetrate certain objects. Longer wavelengths, like those used in cell phones, garage door transmitters and AM/FM radios, have lower energies and lack the ability to cause changes to atoms. People are exposed to low-intensity radiation throughout each day, giving it the name background radiation exposure. Most people in the U.S. are exposed to about 3 millisieverts (mSv) worth of natural radiation each year, an amount that is presumed harmless. The mSv is a measure of the amount of radiation absorbed by the human body.

It's when one adds higher intensity radiation to this everyday exposure that health concerns begin. As wavelengths become shorter, their energy intensity continues to increase until it becomes ionizing, or causes changes to the cellular structure of atoms. Ionizing radiation is the most powerful form of radiation is, and it can be used to produce electricity, treat cancer, take X-rays and sterilize medical instruments. Ionizing radiation is more worrisome, especially when unborn babies come into contact with it, since it can have serious health ramifications.

                                                                                                              (health.howstuffworks.com)

Ovulation Calendar Will Help to Get Pregnant

You can increase your chances of getting pregnant if you understand the ovulation process and how it fits into your monthly menstrual cycle. During each menstrual cycle, the endometrial tissue thickens to prepare the uterus for a possible pregnancy. Approximately midway through the cycle, ovulation occurs. Ovulation is the process by which an ovary produces and releases an egg. The egg develops in the ovary in a small, fluid-filled sac called a follicle. When the egg is mature this sac ruptures, releasing the egg from the ovary. The fingerlike projections on the nearby fallopian tube sweep the egg into the tube, where it begins to inch toward the uterus. If the egg is fertilized by a sperm, the fertilized egg moves to the uterus and becomes implanted in the rich uterine lining, where it grows for nine months.

If the egg does not become fertilized during ovulation (that is, if you do not become pregnant), the thickened endometrial tissue breaks down and passes, along with the unfertilized egg, out of the cervix, through the vagina, and out of the body as the menstrual discharge.

Ovulation - the time during a menstrual cycle when you may become pregnant - is regulated by a complex system of hormonal and chemical secretions from the ovaries, the hypothalamus (part of the brain), and the pituitary gland (the master gland that controls most hormonal secretions).

There are several ways to determine the optimal time to get pregnant. One way to recognize when ovulation is happening is to take your body temperature with a basal thermometer (a special thermometer that will show even slight changes in body temperature) before rising in the morning. In most women, the body temperature rises slightly soon after ovulation occurs each month and does not return to normal until the menstrual flow begins. This is the ideal time to become pregnant. Some women hoping to get pregnant keep track of their temperature on a calendar, as a pattern can emerge across several months.

Another way to figure out the best time to get pregnant is to create an ovulation calendar. Count 14 days forward from the first day of the last menstrual period in an average 28-day cycle. Count 15 days for a cycle that is normally 29 days, 16 days for a cycle that is normally 30 days long, and so on. However, this method is less accurate in determining the best time to get pregnant than the thermometer method because the length of the menstrual cycle can vary from month to month.

Some women feel abdominal cramps during ovulation, and so those women have an additional method of recognizing the best time of the cycle to try and get pregnant.

A sperm that has been released into the vagina as long as two days before the release of a ripe egg can still fertilize it. And an egg, once released, is capable of being fertilized for about two days. Because of this variability, there is a period of about four to ten days in each menstrual cycle during which a woman can become pregnant.

Creating an ovulation calendar by keeping track of your monthly cycle on a calendar will help you determine the length of your menstrual cycle, which will then allow you to figure out the approximate time that ovulation occurs. With a good timing and a little patience, you too can increase your chances of becoming pregnant.

(http://health.howstuffworks.com)