In the past, the rationale behind bed rest stemmed from a lack of complete understanding about the embryo implantation process. The concern was that any movement might dislodge the delicate embryo from the uterine lining. However,advancements in IVF technology and a growing body of research have shed new light on this topic. It’s important to note that more research is needed to definitively determine the optimal level of activity after embryo transfer. However, the current evidence suggests that strict bed rest is not necessary, and may even be detrimental.

Scientists in Osaka, Japan investigated whether bed rest after an embryo transfer is beneficial to the patient and if it affected the clinical pregnancy rates.

They found that routine bed rest after an embryo transfer appeared to have detrimental effect to the clinical outcomes such as clinical pregnancy, embryo implantation rate and miscarriage rate. There was a higher clinical pregnancy rate, implantation rate and a lower miscarriage rate for patients who did not have bed rest after an embryo transfer. The trends were observed regardless of the stage of development of the embryo and irrespective of uterine positioning.

Here’s what you can do as a patient:

• Discuss with your doctor: Talk openly with your fertility specialist about the latest research on bed rest. They can provide personalised guidance based on your specific situation and medical history.
• Focus on light activity: Instead of bed rest, prioritize light activity and gentle walking throughout the day. This can improve circulation and potentially promote implantation.
• Listen to your body: While some activity is encouraged, pay attention to your body’s signals. Avoid strenuous exercise or activities that cause discomfort.
• Manage stress: The two-week wait after embryo transfer can be a stressful time. Focus on relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga to manage stress levels.

By staying informed about the latest research and working with your doctor to create a personalised plan, you can optimise your chances of a successful embryo transfer and a healthy pregnancy.

The post How bed rest after embryo transfer may affect implantation appeared first on Fertility First.

Italian scientists presented an interim analysis of a randomised trial, looking at vitamin D levels and how supplementation can affect clinical pregnancy rates. Although the sample size wasn’t large enough to find a difference in clinical pregnancy rate per cycle, it showed a significantly higher rate in good quality embryos produced by women who took a vitamin D supplement.

Japanese scientists focused their research on the effect vitamin D has on unbalanced maternal immune tolerance, which can result in implantation failure and miscarriage. They found that sufficient vitamin D levels in women could potentially prevent maternal immune rejection of the embryo, resulting in a successful pregnancy.

Fertility First has recognised the importance of sufficient vitamin D levels in both our male and female patients trying to conceive. Our clinic has routinely tested the vitamin D levels in all our patients as part of our preliminary assessment and has been doing so for over 10 years.

Foods that are rich sources of vitamin D include fatty fish such as tuna and salmon, cheese, egg yolks and orange juice.

The post Vitamin D supplementation and Assisted Reproductive Technology appeared first on Fertility First.

Although CMV infections in adults and children are mostly asymptomatic and harmless, the virus can be lethal to the developing foetus. Similarly, the Zika virus can cause severe birth defects including microcephaly and a spectrum of congenital malformations and is spread by mosquitoes.

A study presented at ESHRE this week has focused primarily on viral proteins in chorionic villi from first trimester placentas and found that both viruses target the cytotrophoblasts, and cells that prevent the spread of pathogens from mother to foetus. By crossing the uterine-placental barrier and targeting these cells, the viruses are able to infect the growing foetus, which ultimately results in severe birth defects.

These recent studies have provided a novel strategy to help strengthen the natural protection and reduce virus transmission at the uterine-placental interface.

Fertility First ensures all its patients are tested for Zika and CMV. To find out how Fertility First can help, contact the clinic today.

The post Zika Virus and Cytomegalovirus in the first trimester appeared first on Fertility First.

Previous research has shown that poor maternal diet at the time of conception in mice models can have long-term detrimental effects on the future offspring, effects that range from cardiometabolic to neurological diseases.

The results of the study have indicated that embryonic tissue will actually change its pattern of development in response to diet. The rodent models used in these studies have provided evidence that supports the theory that the developmental disorders of adults can be traced back to maternal-embryonic interactions prior to implantation such as diet.

The post Can the maternal diet influence preimplantation embryo development? appeared first on Fertility First.

Researchers from the University of Edinburgh and Copenhagen University Hospital in Denmark presented data that showed that exposure to analgesics such as ibuprofen during early stages of pregnancy had a detrimental affect on the developing foetus’ ovarian germ cells.

Earlier studies had previously suggested that there was a possible link between the analgesic and foetal ovarian development, and now recent research presented at the conference has provided an even greater insight into this area of study.

The post Is it ok to have exposure to ibuprofen during pregnancy? appeared first on Fertility First.

Researchers conducted a cohort study, looking at 965 male patients undergoing fertility treatment from October 2015 to December 2016, taking into account potential negative influences on semen quality such as cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, environmental and occupational exposure, physical activity, and medications.

The study found that cigarette smoking not only negatively influences semen volume and total count, but also increases the amount of DNA fragmentation in the sperm. High levels of DNA fragmentation have been strongly associated with early pregnancy loss, increased miscarriage rate, poor embryo development and abnormalities in the offspring.

The cohort study revealed that alcohol consumption negatively impacted total sperm count along with fertilisation rate and blastocyst development.

The research presented by the Brazilian scientists confirms why it’s so important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, especially when trying to conceive. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of tests such as the TUNEL assay that provides crucial information about the quality of the DNA inside the sperm.

The post Paternal factors effecting semen quality appeared first on Fertility First.

Fertility First will be there to discover the techniques and technologies helping to make pregnancies possible for all patients, and throughout the week, we’ll be bringing you some of the amazing developments we’re hearing about at the time.

With ESHRE focused on research and science, Fertility First will provide as much information about what is happening in the reproductive world for every day of the week. In time, we hope this can help all our patients achieve their dreams.

For all the news, be sure to visit our website daily as we bring ESHRE’s information as it happens.

The post ESHRE begins appeared first on Fertility First.