Stress Impacts Fertility : Mind – Body Connection

1.    Sometimes life is stressful, but your home shouldn't be. Your home should be your sanctuary. It should be the one place you're able to relax and unwind after a long day. It's easy to create a stress-free home, and we have some tips to help you create your very own relaxing oasis.

2.    Decorate the foyer or entryway with lighting and fur­niture you love. Since these are the first things you'll see when you walk into your home, it's important to buy home decor items that will brighten your mood and make your happy.

3.     Fill your home with soft, relaxing light. Table lamps, floor lamps, and pendant lighting are just a few light fix­tures that provide soft light that will instantly relax a room.

4.    Steer clear of unsightly messes by keeping things like old newspapers and mail neatly organized.

5.    Create space in a room by donating unneeded furniture to your local good will store. Creating space is a way to remove clutter, and can help you relax.

6. One of the easiest ways to create a relaxing environ­ment is decorating with plants and flowers. Simply set­ting a vase full of flowers on the kitchen table can create a relaxed feeling.

The mind-body connection recognizes the reality that the mind and body are intimately and ultimately linked as one. There is absolutely no separation. What is thought or felt always resonates throughout the body moment by moment through a bio-chemical re­action. This reaction is either life and health enhancing or defeating. It has also been verified that each emotion has a distinct biochemical signature that affects mental and physical health and wellness. Medi­tation, deep breathing exercises, re­laxation techniques and directed, guided imagery can boost the im­mune system, alter blood pressure, decrease pain, and help with prob­lems such as infertility. Infertility isn't always the result of Physical illness or dysfunction. Sometimes, lifestyle factors can play an important role in determining a couple's fertility. Mental health is one lifestyle factor that is of particu­lar concern when it comes to fertil­ity. Many couples struggle with severe stress, depression, and emo­tional concerns as they deal with fertility issues. These emotional problems can have just as severe an effect on fertility as any physical problem. If you are trying to con­ceive, take stock of your mental health and work to minimize the success in your life. You will be amazed with the results!

HOW STRESS IMPACTS FERTILITY

It is important to understand fertility holistically. In addition to treat­ing the various physical etiologies of infertility, we must take into account the effects of stress and anxiety. Your mind and body work together, not separately. Therefore your thoughts live a direct effect on your physiol­ogy. When you are experiencing stress, your brain releases stress hor­mones.

These stress hormones function in many ways. One of the stress hormones, conrtisol has been documented to interfere with the release of the reproductive hormones. GnRH (gonadatropin releasing hormone), LH (luteinizing hormone), FSH (follicle stimulating hormone), estrogen, and progesterone. In fact, severe enough stress can completely inhibit the reproductive system. Cortisol levels have also been linked to very early pregnancy loss. Recent research tells us that stress boosts levels of stress hormones such as Cortisol, which inhibits the body's main sex hormones GnRH (go­nadotropin releasing hormone) and subsequently suppresses ovulation, sexual activity and sperm count. GnRH is responsible for the release of Luteinizing hormones and folli­cle-stimulating hormones by the pi­tuitary, the suppression of testosterone, estrogens, and sexual behavior.

For this reason, it has been found extremely helpful when treating in­fertility, to include mind-body con­nections and strategies which help to alleviate the stress response that sets off a cascade of hormonal re­sponses which may inhibit fertility. Chronic stress may cause lack of li­bido as well as a decrease in general fertility. This has become such a common issue that they have cre­ated a name for it Stress Induced Re­productive Dysfunction.

RELATIONSHIP AND INFERTILITY

If you are experiencing infertility, you may find that your struggles are really impacting your personal rela­tionship with your partner. The rollercoaster of emotions caused by infertility can put extreme stress on any partnership, making it difficult to relate to one another, talk to each other, and lean on one another for support. Many couples feel that in­fertility negatively affects their rela­tionship in a number of ways. It may also cause extreme personal stress, which can only impact fur­ther on your infertility. When you are struggling with infertility, it is important to learn how to manage your stress and emotions in order to maintain your partnership and en­hance your fertility. Many couples find it difficult to ex­press their true feelings and emo­tions. This can be especially troublesome when faced with the very real possibility that you may not conceive. However, if you do not learn to express your emotions, you may actually be further reducing your fertility. Research over the past decade has illustrated that emotions and stress have a dramatic impact on our body's functions. Emotions can make us feel sick, tired, ener­getic, or weak. Similarly, emotions and stress can also impact our hor­mone levels, influencing our fertil­ity.

There are a number of infertility re­treats based on the premise that the condition of the mind can greatly in­fluence physical fertility. These re­treats aim to restore or boost fertility by helping you to calm your mind and deal with your emotions. Activi­ties may include, a recent study illus­trates that mind-body infertility retreats significantly reduce the anxi­ety levels of women undergoing IVF and similar therapies. Though the study did not correlate the relationship between the mind-body retreats and subsequent IVF success rates, it has been shown in previous studies that women with lower anxiety rates have an in­creased chance of fertility treatment success.

You may also want to consider cre­ating a mind-body retreat within your own home in which you can escape to when you feel yourself be­coming overly stressed. Check out these great tips on redecorating your home for ideas on how you can create your relaxation oasis.

DEALING WITH INFERTILITY

If you are interested in trying differ­ent ways to boost your fertility, con­sider techniques to help control your emotional stress and improve your psychological wellbeing. When combined with stress busters, your traditional fertility treatments, mind-body connection guidelines can be highly successful and help to solidify relationships while enhanc­ing your overall enjoyment of life.

Dr. Mrs. Neeraj Pahlajani

Obstetrician & IVF Specialist

(MS, DNB, FMAS, DRM - Germany)

Pahlajani Test Tube Baby Centre

(Mata Laxmi Nursing Home)

Anupam Nagar, Near T.V. Tower, Raipur (Chhattisgarh) India

Phone:  +91- 771- 4052967, +91- 771- 4053285

Mobile:  +91- 9300511044, +91- 9329630455

Email - contact@raipurivf.com, sameerp5000@hotmail.com

Visit Our Websites

www.raipurivf.com , www.lowcostivfindia.com , www.pahlajanipregnancycare.com

Some Fertility Enhancing Foodstuff for Men and Women

            You're not the only one who needs to eat right in order to conceive. Your man's diet can affect his fertility, too. Help him learn which fertility foods he needs — and which baby-busting foods he should zero. Nearly 40% of all fertility problems are related with men. In fact, there’s research showing that there are specific fertility foods your guy can add to his diet to help increase your odds of conceiving the baby of your dreams. And there are other foods that can actually impair your partner’s fertility. Find out which foods your man should add to his menu and which ones to take off the table. Fertility of a man can be hindered or delayed because of certain health issues or age. Nutritionally balanced diet has a key role not only in over all health, but also in fertility. Some researches have shown that the quality of the sperm and low sperm counts are directly connected to improper eating habits. Men who have low intake of fruits and veggies are more likely to suffer from this problem. Men should add these fertility foods in their diet to increase their odds or conceiving a baby.

FERTILIY FOODSTUFF FOR MEN

OYSTERS:  There’s a reason these slimy suckers are known as aphrodisiacs. Because of their zinc content, oysters help increase the production of sperm and testosterone key baby-making ingredients. If your guy simply can’t swallow this slippery seafood, he can also find zinc (though not as much of it) in fertility foods such as beef, poultry, dairy, nuts, eggs, whole grains, and beans. Or he can get zinc from a daily multivitamin, which he should be taking any way to make sure he and his little swimmers are as healthy as can be.

GARLIC: Garlic is a sexual super food that contains selenium and vitamin B6 in great amount. An antioxidant mineral, selenium prevents sperm damage and boost your sexual virility while vita­min B6 helps to fortify the immune system and regulate hormones. Gar­lic is an excellent source of allicin, which increases the blood flow to the sexual organs and thus enables perfect erections. Enjoy its benefits by sprinkling chopped garlic on your favorite foods.

FRUITS AND VEGETABLES: The antioxidants found in fruits and veggies (like the dried fruits, cranberries, and collard greens your man can munch on) help protect sperm from cellular damage and keep them strong and speedy just what they need to race through the Fallopian tubes and fertilize the egg. Find vitamin A  which is important in preventing sluggish sperm  in fertility foods such as leafy greens, carrots, red peppers, and apricots, to name a few. Get vitamin C which is critical to sperms’ motility and viability in orange juice, tomatoes, grapefruit, and broccoli, among other foods. And get vitamin E which helps keep sperm vital from vegetable oils. Fruits and veggies such as leafy greens, beans, and most fruits contain folic acid a B vitamin with antioxidant properties that’s crucial for keeping sperm free of chromosomal abnormalities. What if you’re looking for one power veggie to make a staple in your sweetie’s diet? Serve up a sweet potato. It’s packed with all of the nutrients above vitamins A, C, E.

CASHEW NUTS: Some researches have shown that only a short term deficiencies of zinc can affect testos­terone levels and decrease sperm volume. Cashew nuts are rich source of zinc, as essential mineral for a ro­bust body as well as for fertility in both men and women. Also, they are believed to increase testosterone levels. So, include handful of cashew nuts in your daily diet.

BANANA: Another sexual super food, banana is a rich source of magnesium, vitamin B1, vitamin A, vitamin C, and protein, which are re­quired to improve and stimulate the production of more sperm. This fruit is also rich in vitamin B and Brome­lain, which are powerful sexual hor­mone regulators that can help to enhance sexual virility. Try to in­clude banana in your daily diet. You can also prepare banana shake and smoothie to enjoy its benefits.

AVOCADO: Avocados contain a healthy dose of vitamin E that boosts sperm motility and assists the sperm to infiltrate the egg. Also, avocados are high in folic acid and vitamin B6 which help to regulate sexual hormone function that con­secutively helps to optimize sexual health. The best way to add avoca­dos in diet is adding a few slices of it to your salad or your sandwich. You can also take it along with other fruits and veggies.

ASPARAGUS: Asparagus is a great vegetable that believed to raise the sperm count. In the medieval era, this vegetable was widely used to treat infertility. Asparagus also con­tains vitamin C in good amount, which help to increase sperm motil­ity and viability. The best way of tak­ing this lovely vegetable is asparagus salads. You can also try it with other veggies for a mouthwatering treat and a steamy sitting with your part­ner thereafter.

TOMATOES: Many men who struggle with infertility have low levels of lycopene, as per Ovulation-Calculator. Tomatoes are rich source of antioxi­dant carotenoid lycopene, which in­crease the sperm count and motility. Also, this antioxidant is essential for keeping the sperm healthy. Consum­ing lycopene rich foods help to ensure the healthy sperm. So, you must in­clude this juicy veggie on your diet. Other good sources of lycopene in­clude watermelon, pink grapefruit, tomato juice, tomato sauce and ketchup.

APPLE: Apple is believed to be a well nutritionally balanced fruit. When apple is consumed in vinaigrette form i.e. a fruit cider vinegar, it is considered to do wonders. Daily consumption of apple surely in­creases the sperm count naturally. Some experts recommend that the results are quite nerve-wracking.

PUMPKIN SEEDS: Pumpkin seeds are also high in zinc, which is the most important mineral that in­creases testosterone levels and sperm count. When coming to fertil­ity, a high sperm count is a key fac­tor. Pumpkin seeds are also packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which mo­tivate blood flow to sexual organs and enhance sexual function. Have at least one zinc-rich food daily when you are trying to get your part­ner pregnant.

OYSTERS: Oysters are also a great source of zinc, which is needed to formulate the outer layer and tail of the sperm. Nutritionists consider that just 15mg of oysters a day can help to repair sperm that have been injured by chemicals engrossed from the environment. If you can't afford or digest oysters, then you will find plenty of zinc in nuts, beans, seeds and eggs.

POMEGRANATE: Drinking pome­granate juice can raise sperm count and help to make healthier sperm. Pomegranate juice also decreases the blood levels of malondialdehyde, which affects sperm produc­tion and also helps in erectile dysfunction. Juice of pomegranate may help to manage erectile dys­function, sperm concentration, sperm motility, augmented sperm cell density, and reduce abnormal sperm

FERTILIY FOODSTUFF FOR WOMEN

You probably know that eating a nutritious diet and living a healthy lifestyle (which includes exercising, keeping your weight under control, and cutting back on alcohol, among other things) is a great way to up your odds of conceiving and prime your body for pregnancy. And if you’re already taking those steps, you can give yourself a pat on the back or the belly. What you may not know, however, is that researchers have found that beyond eating a generally healthy diet, there are some foods (fertility foods, if you will) that may be particularly helpful when trying to conceive. What’s more, there are some not-so-healthy foods that may be especially harmful to your conception efforts. Keep in mind, though, that research into fertility-boosting foods is still in its infancy, and for every study showing a link between, say, berries and conception, there’s another to question the claim. So while there is no one food that will guarantee pregnancy, there are definitely some foods you should you dig into (they’re good for you, and that’s a good enough reason) and other foods you should ditch.

DAIRY: Dairy is rich in calcium, a nutrient that’s essential not just for bone health but also for reproductive health. So it pays to bone up on dairy (includes milk, yogurt, and cheese) when you’re trying to conceive. While you’re donning a milk mustache, try a full-fat one once a day particularly if you have ovulation issues: Some researchers think that one serving of whole milk (or even full-fat ice cream) can decrease the risk of ovulatory infertility. But remember that just one serving of full-fat dairy a day is all you need. Any more than that will just pack on pounds (and hinder your trying to conceive efforts). Not down with dairy? You can also find calcium in other fertility foods such as leafy greens, canned salmon with bones, tofu, almonds, and fortified juices. Aim for about 1,000 mg of calcium daily. And keep up the calcium quotient when you get pregnant since it’s crucial for the development of your baby-to-be bones and teeth.

LEAN PROTEIN: Animal protein such as lean turkey, chicken, and beef are chock-full of iron. And studies show that there’s a link between iron and fertility: Women who have enough iron have a higher fertility rate than women who are deficient in the nutrient. So pump up your intake of lean animal protein to about two servings a day but make sure to stay away from the high-fat variety and avoid more than three daily servings since research shows that too much protein (even lean protein) can decrease fertility. In fact, consider swapping out one serving of animal protein for a serving of plant protein, in such fertility foods as beans, tofu, or quinoa. If you’re not eating any animal protein, you may want to make sure your prenatal vitamin has iron.

COMPLEX CARBOHYDRATES: Eating complex carbohydrates (whole grains, beans, vegetables, and fruits) as opposed to refined carbohydrates (like white bread, white rice, or sugary snacks) may increase fertility. How? Digesting refined carbs causes an increase in blood sugar and insulin in the body — and increased insulin levels can disrupt reproductive hormones and interfere with the menstrual cycle (and who wants a messed up cycle when trying to conceive?). Complex carbs, on the other hand, take longer to digest and don’t cause spikes in insulin levels. What’s more, complex carbs may even promote regular ovulation. Another bonus to eating complex carbs like whole grains? They contain multiple nutrients, including folic acid, which increases fertility and decreases the incidence of neural-tube defects in a fetus, which can occur early in pregnancy — even before you know you’ve got a baby on board. Of course, when it comes to folic acid, more is better, so choose a prenatal vitamin with that has at least 400 mcg.

FATTY FISH: The omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish such as salmon, sardines, and herring have some big, fat fertility-boosting benefits. They may help to regulate reproductive hormones, increase blood flow to reproductive organs, and relieve stress (stress has been shown to be a surefire fertility buster). What if you’re not a fan of fish? You can get omega-3 fatty acids from other fertility foods such as flaxseed, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, and enriched eggs. You can also talk with your health-care practitioner about supplementing with omega-3s.

WILD YAMS: Some experts think that this Thanksgiving staple contains a substance that may help stimulate ovulation. In fact, populations that eat a lot of wild yams have a high rate of twins. When it comes to fertility foods, this one may have double the effect!

BERRIES: Blueberries and raspberries are particularly packed with antioxidants, which help prevent damage and aging to your body’s cells and this includes cells in your reproductive system namely, your eggs. So a diet that’s rich in berries may help keep your eggs healthy and increase their shelf life.

OYSTERS: The oyster is famous for being an aphrodisiac and for good reason it contains zinc, which is crucial for conception. Zinc deficiency can disrupt the menstrual cycle and slow the production of good-quality eggs. What if you simply can’t swallow the idea of swallowing this fertility food? You can find zinc though less of it in such fertility foods as beef, poultry, dairy, nuts, eggs, whole grains, and legumes. Or you can get zinc from your prenatal vitamin.

Dr. Mrs. Neeraj Pahlajani

Obstetrician & IVF Specialist

(MS, DNB, FMAS, DRM - Germany)

Pahlajani Test Tube Baby Centre

(Mata Laxmi Nursing Home)

Anupam Nagar, Near T.V. Tower, Raipur (Chhattisgarh) India

Phone:  +91- 771- 4052967, +91- 771- 4053285

Mobile:  +91- 9300511044, +91- 9329630455

Email - contact@raipurivf.com, sameerp5000@hotmail.com

Visit Our Websites

www.raipurivf.com , www.lowcostivfindia.com , www.pahlajanipregnancycare.com

Low Cost IVF India: Cheapest Infertility Medical Tourism

Over the last two decades, the economic boom in India has led to the building of medical facilities & infrastructure that rival the very best that western medical care that the west has to offer. It seems like every country in the world promotes itself as a heaven for medical tourism, India is the only mainstream option that offers a comprehensive solution for any and all medical needs, and does this with the highest levels of service, facilities, and professional skills. Advantages for medical treatment in India include reduced costs, the availability of latest medical technologies, and a growing compliance on international quality standards, as well as the fact that foreigners are less likely to face a language barrier in India. The Indian government is taking steps to address infrastructure issues that hinder the country's growth in medical tourism. The government has removed visa restrictions on tourist visas that required a two-month gap between consecutive visits for people from Gulf countries which is likely to boost medical tourism. A visa-on-arrival scheme for tourists from select countries has been instituted which allows foreign nationals to stay in India for 30 days for medical reasons.

Medical tourism is a growing sector in India. India’s medical tourism sector is expected to experience an annual growth rate of 30%, making it a $2 billion industry by 2015 estimated 150,000 of these travels to India for low-priced healthcare procedures every year.

Low Cost IVF India, Raipur (Chhattisgarh - India) based enterprise for world-class Infertility treatment tourism facilitation services in India takes care to provide help you with the best of the overseas Infertility treatment  services. Our 21 years of Infertility treatment experience accompanied & satisfied with expertise in handling Infertility treatment around the national & International Patients. Our contented Patients interpret into maximum benefits for a well prearranged, well-versed, secure, relaxed and congenial care for you along with make sure prompt, efficient and effective communications. Low Cost IVF India remains to rigorous confidentiality practices ensure that all your medical records remain completely private and confidential at all times.

We offer you in getting best of the patient care information, assistance and services for your overseas Infertility treatment tour. There are hundreds of couples who have been labeled as infertile couple come to India, for IVF, IUI, ICSI surrogacy & other infertility related treatment here and enjoy for their rest of the lives. Low Cost IVF India is now offering not only in IVF, IUI and ICSI but in surrogacy and donor egg also with desired results that was never so affordable before. Unbelievably, you really save loads of money without compromising the results. We know the skillful hands practicing with latest instrument with most advanced technology and charges for laboratory, medicines, operating procedure and even your stay at hospital are cheaper as compared to that in other developed countries. Our infertility experts, qualified surrogate mothers or egg donors’ charges are very less as compared to western and European countries. There is nothing so touchy than to see a baby smile, this is possible and affordable now only in Low Cost IVF India - Raipur! (Low Cost IVF India - Pahlajani Test Tube Baby Centre)

Dr. Mrs. Neeraj Pahlajani

Obstetrician & IVF Specialist

(MS, DNB, FMAS, DRM - Germany)

MBBS - Lady Harding Medical College - New Delhi

MS - Obstetrics and Gynecology (PGI - Rohtak)

DNB - Obstetrics and Gynecology

FMAS - World Association of Laparoscopic Surgeons

DRM - Diploma in Reproductive Medicine (Germany)

Fellow in IVF & Embryology – (USA)

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Pahlajani Test Tube Baby Centre

(Mata Laxmi Nursing Home)

Anupam Nagar, Near T.V. Tower, Raipur (Chhattisgarh) India

Phone:  +91- 771- 4052967, +91- 771- 4053285 Mobile:  +91- 9300511044, +91- 9329630455

Email - contact@raipurivf.com, sameerp5000@hotmail.com

Visit Our Websites
Pahlajani Test Tube Baby Centre - Raipur
Low Cost IVF India - Pahlajani Test Tube Baby Centre
Pahlajani Critical Pregnancy Care Centre - Raipur

Vicky Donor Sparks Curiosity in Sperm Donation

Vicky Donor has really popularized sperm donation to the extent that young boys are now calling up fertility clinics to see how they can donate sperm and make a quick buck. Sperm donation is one of the many third party reproduction techniques. However, without doubt it’s the easiest and least troublesome though it can only be used when the male partner is infertile or for same-sex couples. If you think any male can pop into the clinic and donate his sperm, you’re wrong. There are a score of tests prospective donors have to undergo before they can donate sperm. There is a round of sperm analysis tests, which checks the sperm’s mobility, count, volume and other parameters.

The donor has to be between the ages of 21-45 and not suffer from HIV, hepatitis B and C, hypertension, diabetes, STDs and genetic disorders. The blood group and Rh status of the individual also needs to be noted. The tests are thorough and need to cover everything including height, weight, age, skin and eye colour, family medical history etc. A little background check including educational qualification and profession also takes place.

The movie ‘Vicky Donor’ is to be believed, one can live his life more than comfortably with his ‘sperm earnings’. However, in reality, the compensation part is in a moral grey area. Although the rules are pretty clear for financial compensation for a surrogate mother the rules for paying sperm donors isn’t very clear. According to guidelines by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), no remuneration can be paid for any form of donation, be it of kidneys, blood, or sperms. The only compensation that is paid is in the form of expenses incurred during and directly related (travelling expense, etc.) to sperm donation. However, various sperm banks have been known to approach donors directly and promise them certain amounts for successful donations.

An infertile couple can approach a fertility clinic where they are told their various options. These include the various assisted reproduction techniques and one of them is getting a sperm donor. There are various different ways to get sperm donors.  The traditional Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) procedure dictates that a sperm donor can only be approached through a sperm bank. The fertility clinic has to obtain sperm from appropriate banks though neither the clinic nor the couple should know the identity of the donor. However, it shall have the donor’s entire information like height, weight, skin colour, educational qualification, ethnicity, profession, etc.  The sperm is usually inseminated using various artificial reproduction techniques.

However, while the film has drawn enthusiastic donors, the absence of a regulatory mechanism is queering the pitch for many serious players in the business. "The business of sperm and egg donation, or surrogacy for that matter, is like playing football without goalposts,". Collecting and storing semen samples is expensive for companies like. These stipulate extensive medical testing of the donor besides the mandatory quarantining of semen samples in liquid nitrogen tanks at -196 degree Celsius for a minimum of six months before use.

Due to lack of stringent adherence to laws, fertility centers are known to approach donors directly although this is illegal. In addition, the internet has given couples another way to directly contact a sperm donor. There are various websites, which allow everyone to put up their information including intending parents, sperm donors, surrogate mothers and egg donor. These websites effectively take away any way to regulate the procedure. Couples who want a child can state their preferences and they can approach the donor after checking out his profile. The profile usually has all the information required for the parents to select a donor including pictures although there is no way to guarantee about the authenticity of the information involved. There are options to find donors in other countries as well and this has led to a sort of fertility tourism where women visit countries where sperm donation is permitted. Sperm donation laws vary all over the world, for example a single woman in India is allowed ART but it’s illegal in various countries so interested couples might travel to India where it is legal.

"The film's social message is significant because it is spurring people from many families to donate sperm. In genetic terms, it is an important development because this would lead to good progeny."

Vicky Donor as milestone cinema whose impact has gone far beyond anything to society, This at a time when lifestyle diseases and stress are causing diminished sperm counts and motility amid many men in their reproductive age. At least one half of the infertility cases referred to clinic is a consequence of the "male factor".  "50 per cent of infertile men are not producing any sperm cells at all. And the other half suffers from lowered sperm counts and low motility".

The absence of regulation has also attracted many unscrupulous players who cut costs by routinely forgoing even basic medical testing of donors or the obligatory quarantining of samples. "You cannot be careful enough,” recalling instances where patients had procured semen samples from local diagnostic laboratories that possess no facilities to wash or Cryo-preserve (freeze) sperm cells. Unlike in the Bollywood film where the protagonist makes a career out of selling his spermatozoa, it is not all that lucrative in the real world. However, refuses to pay anything but out-of-pocket expenses. "No one seems to remember that it is sperm donation,"

"The subject of sperm donation is no longer discussed in whispers. It is openly debated - an accepted option to help in a noble cause and earn some extra money," "The sample is taken and incubated for six-odd months. Tests for all infections are carried out to rule out infections like HIV. It is only after these formalities that the sample is used. Moreover, remuneration is also not all that handsome as the young may believe,"

 "Donating blood helps save a precious life. Egg Donation & Sperm donation would help create new life"

Medico-Legal Aspects of Reproduction and Surrogacy

This important blog describes the medical, ethical and legal aspects of reproduction in the context of recent medical advances, the control of fertility and the modern treatment of childlessness due to both male and female abnormality. Legal and moral issues arising from surrogacy are also discussed, as are the rights of the fetus – with particular attention being given to abortion, injury and treatment in uterus and experimentation. Medico-legal aspects of parenting include the dilemmas consequent upon the birth of a defective child and the provision of treatment for children.

All states of India have slightly different ethical values relating to surrogate decision makers and advance directives. The commonly used names given to surrogates and their powers are state specific with some surrogates having the right to refuse medical treatment on behalf of the people who nominated them. Similarly a range of different advance directives are used across India.

Important medico-legal issues in relation to advance care planning include:

1. Whether a patient is competent to make certain decisions;

2. The legal status of written advance directives or any other statements that a patient makes about their wishes for future care;

3. The legal arrangements for formally appointing surrogate decision makers.

There is significant burden associated with the role of surrogate decision-maker. A systematic review examining how well surrogate decision-makers predicted the patient’s wishes showed that they were accurate in two thirds of the cases. It was suggested that “accuracy” may not be the only benefit which is important to patients when relying on patient-designated surrogates.

Relationships between health care providers and family members, and amongst the family members themselves, have a significant impact on those who participate in end of life decision making. An important area of potential conflict with surrogate decision-makers is in the care of critically children.

In regard to the role and use of surrogate decision-makers, there are significant differences between practices in different national health systems, based on how much focus there is on patient autonomy, the amount of formal reliance on surrogate decision-makers, and the extent to which medical predominance in decision-making is regarded as acceptable or as paternalistic. In some cultures family-centered decision-making is valued much more highly than patient autonomy.

The role of the surrogate decision-maker is to try to ensure that any decisions which are made about the patient’s care are consistent with what is known of the patient's own values and wishes, and they should adhere to any documented advance care plan. This may be difficult for family or friends who are dealing with their own impending loss. Surrogate decision-makers experience considerable stress in their role of supporting the patient. In order to perform this role they need a very supportive relationship with the health care providers caring for the patient, and adequate information.

While formal arrangements for proxy decision-making focus on named individuals who are appointed as surrogates, in practice many families make collective decisions. In some families, there can be resistance to disclosing diagnosis and prognosis to the patient, which makes advance care planning very difficult. Skilled and sensitive communication is required to deal with these conflicting perspectives, whilst at the same time ensuring that patients’ and families’ own values are respected.

Surrogacy: General Considerations & Guidelines for ART Clinics in India

1. Surrogacy by assisted conception should normally be considered only for patients for whom it would be physically or medically impossible / undesirable to carry a baby to term.

2. Payments to surrogate mothers should cover all genuine expenses associated with the pregnancy. Documentary evidence of the financial arrangement for surrogacy must be available. The ART centre should not be involved in this monetary aspect.

3. Advertisements regarding surrogacy should not be made by the ART clinic. The responsibility of finding a surrogate mother, through advertisement or otherwise, should rest with the couple, or a semen bank.

4. A surrogate mother should not be over 45 years of age. Before accepting a woman as a possible surrogate for a particular couple’s child, the ART clinic must ensure (and put on record) that the woman satisfies all the testable criteria to go through a successful full-term pregnancy.

5. A relative, a known person, as well as a person unknown to the couple may act as a surrogate mother for the couple. In the case of a relative acting as a surrogate, the relative should belong to the same generation as the women desiring the surrogate.

6. A prospective surrogate mother must be tested for HIV and shown to be sero-negative for this virus just before embryo transfer. She must also provide a written certificate that (a) she has not had a drug intravenously administered into her through a shared syringe, (b) she has not undergone blood transfusion; and (c) she and her husband (to the best of her/his knowledge) has had no extramarital relationship in the last six months. This is to ensure that the person would not come up with symptoms of HIV infection during the period of surrogacy. The prospective surrogate mother must also declare that she will not use drugs intravenously, and not undergo blood transfusion excepting of blood obtained through a certified blood bank.

7. No woman may act as a surrogate more than thrice in her lifetime.

8.  A child born through surrogacy must be adopted by the genetic (biological) parents unless they can establish through genetic (DNA) fingerprinting (of which the records will be maintained in the clinic) that the child is theirs.