Fertility Road Issue 15

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THE WORLD'S NO.1 FERTILITY MAGAZINE
ISSUE 15 | JUNE - JULY 2013 £3.95/€4.95
YOUR PATH TO PARENTHOOD
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INFORMATION
OVERLOAD
a guide to the
online world
of fertility
FINE
TUNING
YOUR
FERTILITY
how to optimise
your chances
of conceiving
Sofia Vergara
The Modern
ISSUE 15 WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COM
Family at Forty
LETTER FROM THE HEART NUTRITION FERTILITY APP ROUND-UP

Thinking
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nutritional support when trying for a baby including vitamin B12, plus 400mcg folic acid
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Visit Pregnacare.com/conception for tips and advice when trying for a baby.
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F E R T I L I T Y R O A D J U N E - J U L Y 2 0 1 3
ISSUE 15 CONTENTS
12 18
12
30 37
12 THE MODERN FAMILY AT FORTY
We fi nd out what steps Emmy-winning star Sofia Vergara has
already taken to preserve her fertility and her impending plans
to expand her family with the help of a surrogate.
18 WORLD WIDE WEB OF FERTILITY
In a time where we turn to the web for everything, we discuss how being
online can help you understand infertility in its own unique language.
24 OPTIMISING YOUR FERTILITY
Fertility Expert and best selling author, Emma Cannon, discusses
what you can do to optimise your fertility and how to make the
most of your opportunities of conceiving naturally.
30 AND BREATHE...
Fitness expert Lucy Miller reveals some of her top tips to relax,
de-stress, and what you can do to get the most out of your fertility.
43 FERTILITY APP ROUNDUP
We have found some of the best fertility assisting apps available for
download on your phone, tablet or PC aimed at assisting you on your
path to parenthood.
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
NEWS, VIEWS AND REVIEWS
All the latest news, reviews, events and celebrity gossip, keeping
you up-to-date with what’s going on in the world of fertility.
NUTRITION – FERTILITY FRIENDLY FISH
Nutritional Guru, Annabel Karmel shares some of her delicious fi sh
recipes full of the right vitamins to boost and enhance your chances.
LETTER FROM THE HEART
Kayla shares her story about how with the help of an egg donor, she
was able to achieve her lifelong dream of having her very own family.
JUNE - JULY 2013 | WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COM |
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ISSUE 15 | JUNE - JULY 2013 £3.95/€4.95
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ISSUE 15 JUNE - JULY 2013
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THE WORLD'S NO.1 FERTILITY MAGAZINE
YOUR PATH TO PARENTHOOD
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FINE
TUNING
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FERTILITY
how to optimise
your chances
of conceiving
Sofia Vergara
The Modern
Family at Forty
LETTER FROM THE HEART NUTRITION FERTILITY APP ROUND-UP
ISSUE 15 WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COM
Welcome to Issue 15 of Fertility Road.
In this issue of Fertility Road we find out all about
the Columbian model and actress, Sofia Vergara,
star of ABC’s comedy series Modern Family, who
after a brief battle with thyroid cancer, decided to take a
proactive approach to preserving her fertility by freezing her eggs with
the ultimate goal of conceiving a future baby with the help a surrogate.
Health and fitness expert Lucy Miller gives us some of her top tips
to unwind and relax, and at the same time maximising your chances of
conceiving, and we have found some great apps available on iTunes
and android aimed at helping you better understand your most fertile
times and providing assistance on your path to parenthood.
Also in this issue, Annabel Karmel cooks up some of her delicious
fish recipes full of fertility boosting properties that can be enjoyed by
the whole family, and finally we hear from Kayla in South Africa who
shares her story of how IVF and egg donation was what she needed
to have the family she had always dreamed of since a little girl.
So why not kick back, relax and enjoy our magazine....Giorgio
OUR WRITERS...
OUR FERTILITY EXPERT...
Emma Cannon practises complementary therapies and acupuncture
and specialises in fertility and women’s health; gynaecology, IVF support,
conception, pregnancy and postnatal care. She is Director of Emma
Cannon Ltd and author of The Baby-Making Bible, You and Your Bump and
her new book, Emma Cannon's Total Fertility. www.emmacannon.co.uk
Annabel Karmel is a nutritional expert, author and mum-of-three who works
tirelessly to promote better education and greater awareness of what foods can
help with a successful conception and pregnancy, and is on a mission to help women
better prepare themselves for motherhood simply by watching what they eat.
Louisa Ghevaert is internationally recognised as a leading expert in UK fertility
and parenting law. Her expertise covers international and UK surrogacy, donor
conception, co-parenting, embryo storage and testing, children and parenting.
She is a partner with Porter Dodson, www.porterdodsonfertility.com.
Lucy Miller is a personal trainer, nutritionist, children's fitness specialist and
freelance journalist. She was previously the Nutrition and Fitness Editor at Men’s
Fitness before working at Health & Fitness as their Fitness Editor. She loves nothing
more than looking after her body and helping others to reach their goals too.
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05

F E R T I L I T Y R O A D
N E W S , V I E W S & R E V I E W S
OVER
SUCCESSES
THANKS TO
DUO FERTILITY
istening to your body could boost your
chances of conceiving naturally. Assisted
Natural Conception (otherwise known as
ANC) is a treatment programme specifically
for couples with significant fertility
challenges. By reading the body’s subtle signs and signals
and providing expert fertility support around the clock,
ANC can boost your chances of achieving pregnancy by
as much as 300% - that’s a dramatic three-fold increase.
The leading ANC provider is DuoFertility which has an
impressive track record comparable to the country’s
leading IVF clinics, and they have just recently celebrated over 650
DuoFertility pregnancies.
One couple, Barbara and Mike, turned to DuoFertility after
experiencing neonatal death and a subsequent ectopic pregnancy
which resulted in the loss of one of Barbara’s fallopian tubes. “We’d
had so many odds stacked against us before finding DuoFertility.
It seemed to be the final piece in the puzzle. We never expected
DuoFertility to work so quickly, let alone twice! We now have two
beautiful boys with great thanks to
the DuoFertility team.”
Many couples opt for Assisted
Natural Conception after several
failed IVF cycles only to find that,
with some help from DuoFertility,
they are able to conceive naturally
after all. Carolynn had been
through two failed IVF cycles.
“DuoFertility is non-invasive and
much less heart breaking than IVF.
I honestly believe I would not be a mummy now if it had not been
for the DuoFertility team.” Helping couples who have struggled with
fertility challenges for years get pregnant is an incredibly
rewarding experience,” says Dr Oriane Chausiaux, DuoFertility’s
leading fertility specialist and co-founder of the company. “It’s
particularly special when women who believed they could not
conceive naturally find that, with some help from DuoFertility, they
can in fact get pregnant. We care deeply about what we do and so
we carefully screen prospective customers to ensure we never sell
our product to people we can’t help – for example, couples where
the sperm count is exceptionally low or where ovulation does not
take place. Having gone through this screening process, we can
typically help 90% of couples who are trying to get pregnant
improve their chances dramatically, and 40% of couples facing IVF.”
DuoFertility has set up an online service which evaluates
whether couples are suitable for an Assisted Natural Conception
treatment programme.
To find out more about DuoFertility and to see whether ANC could
help you get pregnant naturally and at a fraction of the cost of
IVF please visit www.duofertility.com/suitability
06 | WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COM | JUNE - JULY 2013

A Caring Approach
to Egg Donation
Physician-recommended Beverly Hills Egg Donation continues
to be one of the most highly regarded egg donor agencies
in the industry.
Our “one agency fee until you’re pregnant policy“, in-person
donor screenings and weekly cycle updates have made us one
of the most successful egg donation agencies in the world.
All ethnicities
Well screened
donors
Doctor
recommended
Specialized
assistance
for international
clients
Professionals providing personal
care to clients – worldwide
To learn more, visit www.bhed.com
or call us at US (310) 601-3132.

F E R T I L I T Y R O A D
N E W S , V I E W S & R E V I E W S
CELEBRITY
FERTILITY
OPTIONS
COUNTRY AND POP SINGER, LEANN RIMES, IS THE LATEST
celebrity to speak out about IVF, surrogacy and adoption. LeAnn
married Eddie Cibrian in 2011 and his children Mason, 9, and
Jake, 6, live with the couple part-time, LeAnn has said she is ready
to expand when the time is right.
“As a couple we have a lot on our plates, but whenever I talk
about kids, I’m like, ‘Let’s have one!’ I have a lot of work to do now
but I’m totally ready if it happens.”
Timing aside, Leanne, who turned 30 last year, is realistic
about her dreams of being a mother. “It took my mother 12 years
to have me” she told People Magazine “I hope I don’t have that
issue but if I do, then a surrogate is something I’ve thought about,”
she says. “Eddie and I have also talked about adopting. My capacity
to love a child doesn’t stop at my own eggs, obviously!”
“Eddie is an amazing father and I love my stepsons.’ but adds
it would be nice to mix things up a bit when it comes time for a
new arrival. “Testosterone is all around here so I need a little girl!”
.
THE GLOBAL POPULATION IS PROJECTED TO SOAR TO ALMOST 11,000,000,000 BY 2100.
Recent research by the
University of Washington believes fertility rates in Africa, where the population is expected to quadruple and
the changes in life expectancies around the world are predicted to contribute to the population boom.
A new US surrogacy advocacy charity focused
on providing financial grants to those who
are unable to afford the process has started
recently. Surrogacy Together’s mission is to
share inspiring stories about the surrogacy
community through their photo campaign
“What Surrogacy Means to Me”. They will
be in London on June 30th so if you share
a surrogacy story or you just want to show
your support, visit their website for details
and hopefully we will see you there.
W W W . S U R R O G A C Y T O G E T H E R . C O M
BOOK REVIEW
BREAKING
THE SILENCE
Two little boys, lost and unloved.
One foster carer determined to make
a difference. By Casey Watson
FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR COMES A TRUE
story of two deeply troubled boys both in need of a loving home.
Written by Casey Watson, who has been foster caring for over 14
years, it tells of two 9-year-olds, Jenson and Georgie, who is autistic,
and their struggles to get along. Despite Casey’s best efforts, her
innate love for the children is tested as she starts to question if she
can handle the two at the same time, but over time the boys form
an unlikely bond - could this be the solution to all of their troubles?
Available from Amazon.co.uk
08 | WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COM | JUNE - JULY 2013

Follow us @FertilityRoad
to help you on your path to
parenthood and for all the
latest fertility related news,
views and reviews :) #hope
#inspiration #ttc #IVF
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THE
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F E R T I L I T Y R O A D
N E W S , V I E W S & R E V I E W S
HOLY
MACKEREL
CONSIDERED TO BE ONE OF THE HEALTHIEST FISH
for human consumption, mackerel has just put been
back on the “fish to eat” list following growing concerns
were dispelled that the fish was an endangered species
after being overfished in the north-east Atlantic Ocean.
This is great news for women (and men) who are
looking to improve their fertility naturally. As an oily
fish, mackerel, along with salmon and sardines, is one of
the best sources of essential fatty acids (EFAs) omega-3
and omega-6, which play an important role in regulating
reproductive functioning, improving blood flow and
enhancing sperm quality and mobility.
For some ideas on how you can include more fish in
your diet, why not try one of Annabel Karmel’s delicious
recipes on page 37, coupled with a healthy portion of
green vegetables such as kale or spinach, to really boost
your and your partner’s fertility.
KILTS
KIND
EVA
BY EEVA
A BABY GIRL HAS BEEN BORN IN GLASGOW THANKS
to Eeva, the progressive early embryo viability assessment
technique we featured in our news section in our
last issue. The program uses time-lapse imaging to monitor
embryos while they are being incubated. The procedure
took place at the Glasgow Centre for Reproductive
Medicine (GCRM) which is the first clinic in Scotland to
offer the system. The centre’s medical director, Dr Marco
Gaudoin, said: “This is the biggest development in IVF
over the last five years. There’s no question about that.”
The delighted parents have named their little girl Eva,
but they have insisted she was not named after the
IVF treatment, just a happy coincidence!
For more information please visit Eevaivf.com/fr
TO
SPERM
MEN WHO WANT TO INCREASE THEIR
chances of becoming a dad should consider
wearing a kilt, without underwear. Although
yet to be proven in a scientific trial, new
research, published in the Scottish Medical
Journal could provide men with solution
to their poor quality sperm. Dr. Erwin
Kompanje, who wrote the review, said
‘Testicles need to be three degrees celsius
lower than body temperature so it is
understood that Kilt wearing likely produces
an ideal physiological scrotal environment,
which in turn helps maintain normal
scrotal temperature, which is known to be
beneficial for robust sperm production and
good sperm quality. So Gents, embrace
those Celtic roots and don some tartan!
10 | WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COM | JUNE - JULY 2013

The Zita West
Clinic
Are you looking for information
FOOTSTEPS
on infertility or would you like
to meet others on their path to
parenthood, then become a fan
FOR FERTILITY
and LIKE our Facebook page
The The Zita West Clinic is is the the
UK’s largest integrated
clinic for for reproductive
health, combining
the the latest medical
thinking with expert
complementary treatments.
The desire for a
child is one of life’s
Each year, our our specialist team of of doctors,
midwives, nutritional therapists and and
complementary practitioners help help hundreds
of of couples driving to to get get pregnant, both both forces
naturally and and
through assisted means - - most of of whom have tried
previously CRGH has for for been months assisting and and years couples without with success. specialist
We We advice also also help help and many treatment more, who who for are are over going twenty through years,
FRENCH IVF, IVF, to to
improve obtaining their outstanding chances of of success results, through which expert place preparation us
and and as leaders support. amongst fertility clinics in the UK.
Fertility, At CRGH conception, we provide pregnancy environment and and birth are are where whole-body you
events will feel and and comfortable, an an integrated relaxed approach and to to supported preparing for for by them our can, can,
we we experienced believe, REGULAR pay pay team dividends, READERS of staff, OF helping FERTILITY and to we to improve tailor ROAD every not WILL not just detail just REMEMBER your your of
fertility, your treatment but but your your pregnancy to and and the the long long term health and and
DECLINE
suit your individual circumstances,
potential a of charity of your your set baby up too. by too. sisters Holly Bryant and Laurel Sheppard,
giving you the very best chance of success.
a few months ago in issue 12 we featured Footsteps for Fertility,
who wanted to raise awareness of infertility and help secure
How WHY USE we CRGH?
can help:
grants for those who are unable to afford treatment.
Well we have an exciting update! Serena and Travis
• Just • Just Pre-implantation decided to to try? try? Genetic Diagnosis
• Boost State your your of the fertility Art and Laboratory and improve your Techniques
your pregnancy
• Phenomenal Success Rates
• • Want to to know how how fertile you you are? are?
• Individual Treatment Regimen
Take Take our still our cannot tailor-made believe fertility it sometimes.” MOT MOT
• Donor Egg and Sperm Banks
• • Finding 7-day-a-week it it difficult Service to to get get pregnant?
• Identify Centrally and and help Located help resolve your your problem
• • Planning on on having IVF? IVF?
Mackerell, who won a round of IVF in a raffle last September,
have announced they are expecting triplets after a four year
struggle to conceive. Expressing her delight, Serena, 29, who is
nine weeks pregnant told Desert News “I never expected this... I
The charity staged the 5k run last September with a post-race
raffle. Only 47 couples with infertility issues entered and the
remaining 950 participants were friends and family members.
Each A RECENT entrant STUDY was required REVEALING to pay a A $35 SIGNIFICANT entry fee which DECLINE secured IN
them a spot in the race and a raffle ticket. In total 5 lucky
Help Help sperm
increase
concentration
your your chances
among
of of French
success
men should be considered a
health couples warning, were awarded and could cycles be of linked IVF. Along to environmental with the Mackerells, factors,
• If IVF say Brian fails its and writers. Ramsi The Stoker paper, of Holladay, published Utah, in also the had journal their Human names
Help Help with Reproduction, drawn with next next and just steps. calculated last How How month to to the move the results couple on on after announced comparing they will 26,600 be
The New
samples welcoming Wing
from a son, France’s whom national they expect register to arrive on IVF. in August 2013.
• If IVF fails
and join our community.
VISIT AND LIKE US AT:
FACEBOOK.COM/FERTILITYROADMAG
• • Eastman Suffering Dental from Hospital
recurrent miscarriage?
Help 256 Help Gray’s to to find Inn find Road a way a way through
London WC1X LD
Are you looking for information
t. Services 020 7837 2905 we we offer: on infertility or would you like
t. 020 7837 3675
• • Gynaecology • • Nutrition to meet • • others Counselling on their path to
f. 020 7278 5152
parenthood, then become a fan
• • e. Midwifery info@crgh.co.uk • • Acupuncture • • Massage
and LIKE our Facebook page
• • Embryology a truer representation • • Hypnotherapy and of join wider • • our Fitness population community. as a whole.
The samples, taken from 126 assisted reproduction technology
centres in France, between 1989 to 2005 were all from men whose
partners had chosen IVF because either their fallopian tubes were
blocked or missing, and the man’s sperm was not considered an
issue in any of these cases. This latter point is important because
many male fertility studies have, over the years, solely analysed
men with pre-existing fertility problems which should this study
VISIT AND LIKE US AT:
FACEBOOK.COM/FERTILITYROADMAG
The researchers note that as far as they know, this is the
See us at THE FERTILITY SHOW / STAND 13
Nov 4th & 5th 2011, Olympia, London
Zita Zita West Clinics Ltd Ltd
37 37 Manchester Street, London W1U W1U 7LJ 7LJ
Tel Tel 0207 0207 224 224 0017 0017 Fax Fax 0207 0207 224 224 0062
www.zitawest.com
first study to find a “severe and general decrease in sperm
concentration and morphology at the scale of a whole country
over a substantial period”, urging that:”This constitutes a serious
www.crgh.co.uk
public health warning.”
SPERM
COUNTS
TO TO MAKE AN AN APPOINTMENT: 020 7224 0017
1 in 10
Get expert
women in the UK live
fertility with PCOS, it’s the
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infertility in women
and support
online with
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Do you have any of the following?
irregular periods
Visit Visit www.bootswebmd.com
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acne and oily skin
mood swings
hair loss
excess hair
If you do, then you could have Polycystic Ovary
Syndrome (PCOS), and should make an
appointment to talk to your GP
Verity is the UK charity for women with PCOS,
for more information and support:
www.verity-pcos.org.uk
blog.verity-pcos.
org.uk
twitter.com/
veritypcos
facebook.com/
veritypcos
youtube.com/
veritypcos
Charity No.1097599 | Company No. 04404798
verity-pcos.org.
uk/forum
feel good
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F E R T I L I T Y R O A D
C E L E B R I T Y S P O T L I G H T
Columbian-born Sofia Vergara has
become the latest celebrity to shine
a spotlight on surrogacy, the star of
ABC’s Emmy-winning comedy series
Modern Family, who already has
a 20 year old natural born son, was
reported to be expecting a second
child with her fiancé Nick Loeb and
that the couple had enlisted a close
friend as a gestational surrogate.
espite quashing the initial surrogacy
rumours during a revealing interview with
Cosmopolitan in April this year, Sofia, 40,
confirmed that she and Nick did have plans
to conceive and that she had already taken
steps to preserve her fertility. Sofia also revealed that, like
thousands of couples worldwide, she and Nick would ultimately
be turning to a surrogate to help expand their family..
Single mum in showbiz
Whilst she may be the glamorous lead actress of a primetime
Emmy Award-winning sitcom with a millionaire fiancé, Sofia’s
fertility journey is not unlike that of many ordinary people. Sofia
began her showbiz career as a twenty-something single mum,
having given birth to her son, Manolo, now aged 20. A selfprofessed
workaholic, Sofia relocated from her hometown
Barranquilla, where she attended a bilingual Spanish and English
the
speaking school, to Columbia’s capital, Bogota. In Bogota, her
brief modelling career propelled Sofia into the limelight when
she secured a job co-hosting Columbian travel show, Fuera de
serie. The show was hugely popular in the Latin-American
market, making Sofia a star there. The shows’ syndication to the
Univision television network, which broadcasts throughout the
Spanish-speaking world, similarly brought Sofia to the attention
of North American audiences too.
Modern
Family expansion on hold
After her contract with Columbian television expired, Sofia
decamped to Miami, Florida, with Manolo, her sister and their
mother. There, Sofia’s relentless work schedule, including a
successful modelling and blossoming acting career meant that
expanding her family was, for many years, put on hold. »
Family
at
Forty
»
12 | WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COM | JUNE - JULY 2013

JUNE - JULY 2013 | WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COM |
13

F E R T I L I T Y R O A D
C E L E B R I T Y S P O T L I G H T
Although known primarily for playing Gloria in ABC
series Modern Family, Sofia has appeared in over
20 movies including 2011 3D blockbuster The Smurfs
(below) and as Madame Desdemona (right) in upcoming
film Machete Kills directed by Robert Rodriguez.
»
That was until she met her fiancé, Nick Loeb, the multimillionaire
television producer and son of a former US ambassador.
Nick, who is three years Sofia’s junior, has no children of his own
and is reportedly keen to start a family. However, Sofia made it
clear during an interview with Cosmopolitan earlier this year that
she is not yet ready to take this step and she quashed internet
rumours that she and Nick were already expecting a child and
explained that it may be another five years before this happens.
The ageing modern family
Sofia’s situation is familiar to an increasing number of people
as the demands of modern life dictate that professional responsibilities
and career aspirations stave-off thoughts of children and
family. Trends show that many couples are ‘settling-down’ much
later than was previously the case.
According to recent figures released by the Office for National
Statistics, the average age for a woman’s first pregnancy has
increased significantly since the late 1960s, with a majority of
women in the UK now giving birth to their first child aged twenty
nine. In the last decade alone the number of children born
to women in the UK in their forties has doubled, although a
significant proportion of these women will have conceived with
donor eggs as their own eggs were no longer medically viable.
In countries like Sweden and Denmark there have been stateled
incentives to try and encourage earlier childbirth, although
women are still putting off motherhood. As such, we are likely to
see a generation of high achieving women who by age 45 will have
struggled to become a mother or remain childless.
Delayed parenthood trends are partly explained by greater
economic independence enjoyed by women since the 1960s.
Medical advancements in pre and post-birth health care have
also greatly improved the viability of later-in-life pregnancies,
enabling women to mitigate the increased medical complications
“
As a consequence of treatment for thyroid
cancer, Sofia was left unable to carry a
future pregnancy herself and as such, has
publicly confirmed that when the time comes,
she will seek the help of a surrogate. ”
that accompany these. Nevertheless, medical complications remain
and the inevitable tick of a woman’s biological clock is an
inescapable reality. Put simply, you cannot Botox your ovaries;
not even if you are a celebrity like Sofia Vergara.
Fertility preservation: egg freezing
As such, with one eye on the future, Sofia took steps to preserve
her fertility earlier this year, when she underwent several cycles
of egg collection at a Los Angeles fertility clinic with the intention
of freezing her eggs for future use. It was these appointments,
Sofia explained in an interview with Vogue magazine, which led to
speculation that she and Nick were expecting a child together.
Whilst egg freezing during a women’s natural reproductive life
can help preserve healthy eggs for future use, it does carry risks.
Deferred parenthood can create a significant age gap between
parent and child and a greater proportion of single children with the
likelihood that this pattern will repeat itself in subsequent generations.
‘Social’ egg freezing is not covered by the NHS in the UK and it
can be prohibitively expensive for younger women, battling to get
on the housing ladder, earn a living and establish themselves financially,
costing around £3,000+. Sofia’s willingness to speak publicly
about her decision to freeze her eggs will no doubt raise awareness,
but it will inevitably remain beyond the reach of many women.
Cancer, recovery and surrogacy
In 2000, just as her US career began to take off, Sofia was
diagnosed with thyroid cancer. With the support of her family, an
operation to remove her thyroid and iodine radiation therapy, Sofia
made a full recovery. Any symptoms of hypothyroidism are now
controlled by her daily medication. However, as a consequence,
Sofia was left unable to carry a future pregnancy herself and as
such, has publicly confirmed that when the time comes, she and
Nick will seek the help of a surrogate.
»
14 | WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COM | JUNE - JULY 2013

F E R T I L I T Y R O A D
C E L E B R I T Y S P O T L I G H T
»
Despite its long media association with the rich and famous (stars
including Nicole Kidman, Elizabeth Banks, Elton John and Sarah-Jessica
Parker have all become parents through surrogacy in recent years),
surrogacy is an increasingly popular family building alternative for
many infertile and same-sex couples and cancer survivors.
In early 2013, some elements of the Hollywood press took those
pregnancy rumours even further, claiming that Sofia had, in fact,
turned to a close friend to act as surrogate. When Sofia set the record
straight during her interview with Vogue, she did, however, reveal that
her hope is to pursue an altruistic surrogacy arrangement when the
time comes involving a close friend or relative. Their chosen surrogate
would then presumably be implanted with an embryo comprising
Nick’s sperm and Sofia’s frozen egg.
Altruistic and commercial surrogacy
For many couples who lack a willing friend or family member to act
as a surrogate for them, an alternative option is to commission a
commercial surrogacy arrangement. Unlike an altruistic arrangement,
where the strength of the relationship between the surrogate and
intended parents is often born through friendship or family ties with
no element of financial compensation, a commercial arrangement can
be legally binding, contractually based and involve a commercial
financial exchange between intended parents and their surrogate.
In the UK, there is a public policy restriction in law against
commercial surrogacy and surrogacy is a restricted legal practice.
However, elsewhere in the world, the legal position can be very
different. As a result, surrogacy can create a complex web of legal
and logistical issues which need careful management.
Surrogacy law
Celebrity endorsement of surrogacy by stars like Sofia Vergara has
contributed to the marked increase in the number of British couples
commissioning commercial surrogacy arrangements abroad over
the last few years. Recent statistics indicate that the number of
applications by British intended parents for parental orders (the legal
remedy for surrogacy in the UK) following a surrogacy arrangement,
including places like India, the Ukraine and the United States has
increased by almost two hundred percent over the last fifteen years.
Nevertheless, for British couples who commission a commercial
arrangement abroad, their legal position concerning their surrogateborn
child remains the same as it would be with a domestic
altruistic arrangement, irrespective of the laws governing surrogacy
in their chosen foreign destination. That is because UK law is ‘extraterritorial’
and as such foreign birth certificates naming intended
parents as parents are not automatically recognised in the UK. This
often creates complex international conflicts of law.
UK law dictates that the birth mother is always the legal mother,
regardless of biology. Were Nick and Sofia ordinarily governed by law
in the UK, despite their surrogate having been implanted with an
embryo that is biologically theirs, their surrogate would automatically
become legal mother to their child at birth. Furthermore, if Nick and
Sofia’s surrogate were married, UK law dictates that their surrogate’s
husband would become legal father, even though he has no biological
connection to the child.
In such circumstances, a parental order is required in the UK. A
parental order transfers legal parenthood from the surrogate and
her husband, if she is married, to the intended parents. This legal
remedy effectively extinguishes the legal status of the surrogate and
provides the intended parents (in this case Nick and Sofia), with all
the rights, responsibilities and legal privileges of natural parents.
However, the granting of a parental order in the UK is subject to
strict legal criteria and intended parents must take care to meet the
legal requirements at the outset otherwise this can create very
serious legal and practical problems in practice.
Put together, it means that intended parents like Nick and Sofia,
must be well versed in the legal complexities of surrogacy law in both
their country of origin and, if pursuing an international surrogacy
arrangement, the laws of their destination country. Most importantly,
assisted conception through surrogacy takes considerable planning. In
freezing her eggs five years before any plans for a child, Sofia is taking
a proactive approach to her own family building.
Final thoughts
Sofia’s determination to succeed in her career, go it alone as a single
mum, become a cancer survivor and a parent again in her forties
means her life experience overlaps with many people around the
globe. Her celebrity status brings her own fertility journey into focus
and her willingness to speak frankly about her decision to freeze her
eggs and conceive via surrogacy gives much food for thought.
Louisa Ghevaert is a leading expert in UK fertility, surrogacy, parenting
and family law, a prominent author and media commentator and
a passionate supporter of parents, children and families. She is a
partner with Porter Dodson LLP www.porterdodsonfertility.com
JUNE - JULY 2013 | WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COM |
17

F E R T I L I T Y R O A D
W O R L D W I D E W E B O F F E R T I L I T Y
WORLDWIDE WEB
OF FERTILITY
18 | WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COM | JUNE - JULY 2013

In an age where we turn to the
internet to garner information on
any topic, we discuss how the World
Wide Web can help you do your
homework on your fertility, find
valuable support and comfort from
others around the world in free online
forums and ask questions you
need answered, all from the privacy
of your own living room.
Translation: “Oh my God, my darling husband and I did the deed
*
last night because when I peed on a test stick, my Clearblue
Fertility Monitor told me I was at the peak of my fertility - the
luteinising hormone surge was super strong, but I don’t think I’ve
ovulated - this morning I’m still at a typical pre-ovulation
temperature of 97.3F and I’ve still got tons of highly fertile egg
white cervical mucus. How am I going to get my husband to have
sex again tonight? And I’m so worried about my luteal [postovulatory]
phase being so short last cycle - do you think I have a
chance of a big fat positive pregnancy test this month? Good luck
with the baby-making, everyone!”
OMG, DH and I DTD last night cos my I POAS
and CBFM was on PK - the LH surge was
super-strong - but I don’t think I’ve O’d -
this AM my temp’s still 97.3 and I’ve still
got tons of EWCM. How’m I gonna get DH to BD again
tonight? And I’m so worried about my LP only being 8
days last cycle - do you think I have a chance of a BFP
this month? Babydust!’
*
If you know exactly what this means - and perhaps you’ve even
got a response in mind - chances are you’ve spent time on an
online fertility forum.
From fertilityfriend.com to peeonastick.com, twoweekwait.
com, babyandbump.com and of course fertilityroad.com, the rise
of fertility discussion forums on the internet has created a vast
new world in which women trying for a baby are charting their
fertility signs online, sharing information and trying to support
one another, all talking in the language of fertility. As any poster
on a fertility chatroom knows, nothing is ever ‘TMI’. Posters tell
one another things their partners and closest friends don’t know.
Take, for instance, in-gender.com, a site for women aiming to
‘sway’ for a girl or boy, who use the forum to debate DIY
techniques. On the ‘extreme swaying’ board, a woman asked
recently: “Can I add a calcium citrate tab to lime douche? Has
anyone ever tried this?” Half-an-hour later, the first of 16 replies
came: “I was doing this but you have to let it sit in the lime until it
is completely dissolved. Also the pH of the solution will go up
after adding the calcium so you have to adjust it accordingly. I
found using the liquid calcium was much better though.”
We’re living through an information revolution when it
comes to fertility. This means that women trying to conceive
are increasingly like walking, talking reproductive biology
textbooks, sharing in-depth knowledge gleaned from the
internet on, for example, the signs of low and high oestrogen
and progesterone. After all, with GP appointments lasting just
10 minutes and long waiting lists or high costs to see
specialists, who wouldn’t turn to the internet?
“Trying to conceive can be an extreme emotional
rollercoaster, with the highs each month of ‘this could be it’ and
the lows of ‘it didn’t work,’” says 44-year-old publicist Katrina
Power of her struggle to conceive her second child. “Talking on a
forum with other people in similar circumstances can be a
sanity saver, as you support one another, provide advice, share
tips and delight in each other’s success stories. It has the
advantage of being anonymous, and means you can be
completely honest about what you’re going through, without
sharing too much with real life friends.”
Justine Roberts, co-founder of mumsnet.com, agrees. “Our
TTC (trying to conceive) discussion boards are one of the
busiest parts of Mumsnet. Out there in the real world, it can be
hard to find people who are in the same situation as you but,
each month on Mumsnet, a new load of people aiming for a
BFP (big fat positive) join a discussion thread together and find
somewhere safe and supportive to vent their frustrations,
sharing at the same time information about what’s worked for
them during the ups and downs of trying to have a baby.”
On fertility site message boards, women have posted
signatures which express their desperation to conceive, perhaps
even at a certain time and a certain gender (‘swaying for blue
JUNE - JULY 2013 | WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COM |
19

F E R T I L I T Y R O A D
W O R L D W I D E W E B O F F E R T I L I T Y
»
in September 2011’) or their memories
of babies lost in miscarriage (‘Jay: 10 weeks
in my womb; forever in my heart’). They
have cartoon ‘tickers’ which show other
posters where they are in their cycle: the
30 days might be illustrated by a long,
winding road, and the point they are at by
an egg hatching, or a cradle.
It’s a strange new world, light years
away from the whispered conversations
women had only a generation ago when,
without the internet, infertility was
something discussed discretely with
your doctor and closest friends, and
there were only a few books to guide
you. On fertilityfriend.com, each woman’s
cycle graphs are added to a vast ‘chart
gallery’ where women can ‘overlay’ their
own chart with others’, or search for
others who have similar charts to them
(right down to intercourse pattern and
pre and post ovulatory temperatures)
and got pregnant.
In real life, these women reveal
themselvesto be lawyers, doctors, army
wives, teachers, engineers, policewomen
and stay at home mothers, living in
America, England, Europe, Africa, the
Middle East - all of them sharing an
“
insatiable hunger for knowledge about their
It’s
own reproductive abilities and pregnancy
chances. It’s a fascinating all-female world,
and close friendships often arise.
And frequently, the advice on fertility
sites goes much further than that given by
scientists. Take the site peeonastick.com.
A ‘comprehensive collection of home
pregnancy test and ovulation predictor
test information and images’, this diehard
site catalogues the sensitivity of
tests (officially versus anecdotally), has
a wealth of unbelievably detailed information
on how tests work scientifically,
which goes far beyond what manufacturers
think women need to know, and even publishes random experiments
the author has done, for example, using breast milk instead
of urine on a pregnancy test.
It’s surely the best of times for any woman wanting to know
more about fertility, but could there also be a risk of information
overload and old wives’ tales? Online posters hotly debate the
possible fertility benefits of everything from drinking grapefruit
juice to increase cervical mucus, to using an ‘instead cup’ to hold
semen close to the cervix. But who can you trust?
There’s very little advice available online from appropriately
qualified doctors, and even when you do take the trouble to sift
through all the sites written by amateurs to find those written by
medical professionals, the information you find often conflicts
with that from another site.
surely the best of times for any woman
wanting to know more about fertility, but
could there also be a risk of information
overload and old wives’ tales? Online posters
hotly debate the possible fertility benefits
of everything from drinking grapefruit
juice to increase cervical mucus, to using
an ‘instead cup’ to hold semen close to the
cervix. But who can you trust?
Too much ‘fertility surfing’ can also lead to an unhelpful level
of preoccupation that takes over hours of the day, every day.
Surrounded by online friends who are equally obsessed, it’s easy
to lose your sense of perspective to a point where if someone
asks you what day it is, your first thought is ‘seven dpo [days post
ovulation]’.
Jane’s story (not her real name) illustrates both sides of the
coin. She and her partner were trying artificial insemination at
home. “It didn’t cross my mind at first to ask my GP how to do it,”
she says – “I was too embarrassed!”
It was much easier to search for information online - she
found some encouraging success stories and bought a kit
containing some syringes, sample pots and instructions. It was
only after three months of unsuccessfully following the
»
20 | WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COM | JUNE - JULY 2013

need an Afro Caribbean egg there is no time limit on how long you can wait.
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BFC 225x169_Layout 1 18/07/2012 13:16 Page 1
The team at Barbados Fertility Centre are dedicated to helping you realise your dream
of having a family, please visit our stand at The Fertility Show, to be held at Olympia,
London on Nov 3 & 4, here you will meet Dionne Holmes our IVF Donor/Recipient
Coordinator and can find out more about our donor egg programme that has no
waiting list even for Afro Caribbean eggs.
BFC 225x169_Layout 1 18/07/2012 13:16 Page 1
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F E R T I L I T Y R O A D
W O R L D W I D E W E B O F F E R T I L I T Y
FERTILITY
ON THE
WEB
We’ve toured around the web
to showcase some more of the
best websites out there offering
advice on all matters of fertility:
WWW.FERTILITYZONE.CO.UK
A great friendly fertility community with a
comprehensive list of fertility related topics
including male infertility and UK Clinics to
chat to other users about, and its free to join.
“
The internet can give us in-depth fertility
education from others who have been there
- often far more practical than impersonal
advice in a book, and with an eye-opening
international perspective. ”
»
instructions that Jane found the courage to ask her GP if this could really work - and
he explained that the instructions in the kit were incorrect.
“The kit had advised us to leave the semen to liquefy for 20 minutes in a sample pot
before inserting it, but the GP stressed that as sperm die quickly, it should be kept warm
and inserted as quickly as possible. He was completely matter of fact and supportive
and even demonstrated how to release the syringe properly”, says Jane.
Following the doctor’s advice, she and her partner conceived on her next fertile cycle.
But the internet did also prove invaluable to her. At the last minute, she asked some
fellow posters on a home insemination board who had conceived that way some
questions: how long to leave the syringe in for, whether to orgasm after insemination,
whether to lie on her back or turn over? Their candid answers, Jane feels, also helped
her achieve success - and precisely what had worked for others was something her GP
could not have told her.
The internet can give us in-depth fertility education from others who have been
there - often far more practical than impersonal advice in a book, and with an eyeopening
international perspective. But equally, when we take advice from a site on
the worldwide web, we are entrusting our health to strangers, many of whom are
completely misinformed, and none of whom know our health or bear any
responsibility towards us.
The consequences, if you are desperate enough to follow a medically unqualified
person’s advice to try a certain pill or potion, for example, can potentially be extremely
dangerous. On balance, it is always advisable to take professional, personalised medical
advice over that on any website, which is likely to be overly generalised, out-of-date, or
simply inaccurate. The information and opinions on websites suggest certain things are
‘normal’ and others not, which can be very frightening, whereas a doctor will often
dismiss these fears as irrelevant. Most of the time, the doctor is right, but - and here’s
what’s good about the worldwide web of fertility - there are also times when people who
have been in your shoes really do know best.
WWW.FERTILITYFRIENDS.CO.UK
Known as the leading infertility forum in the
UK, they have members at every stage of their
parenting journey. A fantastic resource for
answers to all your fertility related questions.
WWW.RESOLVE.ORG
A national support group based in the US
offering up to date information on all family
building options for men and women who are
experiencing infertility and other issues.
WWW.WEBMD.BOOTS.COM
This website brings you UK specific, GP
reviewed information. Covering all manner
of health issues, they also have a great section
dedicate to infertility - definitely worth a visit!
WWW.HFEA.GOV.UK
A statutory body in England that regulates
and inspects all UK fertility clinics, this site
offers free and impartial advice to help you
choose the right treatment centre for you.
WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COM
Well you didn’t think we wouldn’t mention
our website. Newly designed and packed to
the rafters with even more useful information,
helping you on your path to parenthood.
JUNE - JULY 2013 | WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COM |
23

F E R T I L I T Y R O A D
O P T I M I S E Y O U R F E R T I L I T Y
FINE TUNE
YOUR
FERTILITY
If, like most of us, you have drunk from
the cup of life, occasionally burnt the
candle at both ends and stayed up to
see the sun rise on more than one
occasion, then a little refining and
fine-tuning may be of great benefit.
our current health and fertility is made up of several factors: the
genes you inherited from your parents; illnesses, STDs, accidents
and lifestyle choices. Surprisingly your emotional picture and environmental
factors play a massive part in the quality of your fertility.
Menstrual cycle awareness
Our menstrual cycles tell us so much about our fertility, and our general
wellbeing too. It’s not something we tend to talk about, other than to complain
of irritability, pain or exhaustion at certain times of the month. Through diet
and lifestyle you can address these more negative signs, and by building an
awareness of your cycle you can get to know your fertility health, i.e. if and
when you are ovulating, whether you have a regular cycle with the ebb and flow
of hormones needed for successful conception and implantation. Keeping a
fertility diary is the first step to building this awareness.
Gynaecological health awareness
Engaging in your gynaecological health is essential for fertility and for your
overall health. If, for example, there is a history of fibroids in your family, it is a
good idea to talk to your doctor sooner rather than later so that they can keep
an eye on things and keep you up to date on your medical options. Likewise, it is
good to be aware of conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS),
fibroids or ovarian cysts, premature ovarian failure, Asherman’s syndrome and
endometriosis, as these are conditions that can affect fertility but equally can
be helped a great deal through treatment or in some cases diet and lifestyle.
»
ASK
YOUR
MUM
The women in your family are a huge
resource of information that can offer
an opportunity to optimize your fertility.
Here are some good questions to ask:
What age was your mum when she had you?
In terms of inherited constitution, the younger
your mum was when she had you, the better
for your inherited fertility potential.
Did she have gynaecological issues such
as fibroids or endometriosis?
There is evidence of some hereditary
predisposition to certain conditions.
Did she go through early menopause?
This is an important consideration when it
comes to age and fertility, your ovarian reserve.
24 | WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COM |
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F E R T I L I T Y R O A D
O P T I M I S E Y O U R F E R T I L I T Y
The impact of STDs
One of the most common causes of female fertility problems is
blockages in or damage to the Fallopian tubes. An untreated
chlamydia infection, for example, can develop into pelvic
inflammatory disease, blocking the Fallopian tubes. It is
therefore crucial to take very good care of your sexual health
and seek medical help if there is any chance that you may have
picked up an infection. Sexually active people should be
regularly screened for both bacteria infections and STDs.
Chlamydia, which is estimated to affect up to 10 per cent of
sexually active people, is considered to be the STD with the
greatest risk to fertility. Gonorrhea is also associated with risks
to fertility. Up to 25 per cent of women who suffer from this
disease will develop PID as a result.
The Fertile Mind
It is now understood that stress may affect ovulation, and in
my own experience I often see how emotions can affect a
patient’s fertility journey. In my book, Total Fertility, I identify
five different personality types and how each will tend to be
affected positively and negatively by their state of mind. The key
is to nurture whatever helps to keep you balanced, whether that
is meditation or making sure you spend time with friends. It’s an
essential part of optimizing your fertility.
Creating a fertility-friendly environment
Avoid plastic bottles and cellophane, as they can leak oestrogenmimicking
chemicals. Never let a plastic bottle of water heat up
in the car before drinking, and whenever possible use filtered
water instead, or drink from a glass bottle.
I recommend natural cleaning products to reduce the
chemicals in your immediate environment. Natural, parabenfree
beauty products are a good idea too, as are aluminium-free
deodorants rather than antiperspirants. Avoid talcum powder
when trying to conceive as it can travel up the Fallopian tubes
and affect the ovaries.
Feminine hygiene products are often perfumed and can
upset the delicate pH balance of the genital area, so check these
carefully and don’t use regular soap directly on the genitals.
Vaginal lubricants are often hostile to sperm − something
worth making sure you are aware of!
Fertility in the Kitchen
There is now evidence to suggest that being either extremely
over or underweight may have a detrimental effect on fertility.
If you eat as many natural and seasonal foods as possible, you
will be going a long way towards maintaining a healthy, fertilityfriendly
diet. Try not to worry too much about what you eat; it
is important that you feel good about what you digest. So as
long as your diet is generally healthy, don’t beat yourself up about
the occasional indulgence. Don’t obsess about food or be too
controlling about what you consume.
Enjoy rich foods like meat or dairy, but in moderation.Include
plenty of vegetables, beans and legumes, oily fish and grains.
Steer clear of eating too much sugar, especially in its refined
state, as it interferes with the body’s natural balance and has an
ageing effect. Avoid stimulants like alcohol and coffee, especially
in the first half of your cycle. The odd one is fine for most
people − ‘on high days and holidays’ as my mum says.
Eat regularly and do not skip meals. Do not flood the digestion:
don’t drink lots of fluids with your meal. Keep liquid, especially
cold drinks, to a minimum; instead take most of your liquids
away from mealtimes.
Eat mostly cooked foods and avoid eating cold food straight
out of the fridge. The digestion likes food that is warm and
cooked, particularly in cold and damp climates like the UK.
At work, eat your food away from your desk and try to walk
around the block or at least get some fresh air after eating.
Do not argue or discuss contentious issues while you eat; it
knots up the stomach and slows down digestion.
In the Gym
Good exercise is an important building block for fertility and
pregnancy. Numerous studies confirm that many aspects of our
health can improve through correct exercise and that a lack of
exercise can be a cause of disease. So is all exercise good – is it
as simple as that? Well, not quite, as not all exercise is equal.
Research shows that for some women the body may not have
enough energy to support both hard workouts and getting
pregnant. A woman who wants to conceive may need to shift
her focus away from striving for a red-carpet body if her
ultimate aim is to be pregnant.
It is vital to try to develop your own wisdom about when
your body needs to move, and when it needs to rest and
recuperate. So if you go to workout classes, for example, work at
your own pace. When we sweat too much we may lose precious
fluids (Yin) vital to our fertility. Men need to sweat because they
do not have a menstrual cycle through which they can lose
excess heat or toxins. Get to know what forms of exercise feel
like they put energy into your tank and which are depleting. The
best exercises for fertility include Yoga, Qi Gong and Pilates.
To conceive these days, it takes a lot more than knowing about
the birds and the bees, in fact it’s about understanding how
making small changes in your lifestyle can dramatically enhance
and improve your chances of a healthy pregnancy.
Emma Cannon is the author of The Baby-Making Bible, You and
Your Bump and her new book, Emma Cannon's Total Fertility (see
below) and has her own clinic in London specialising in fertility, ivf
support and pregnancy. For more info visit www.emmacannon.co.uk
EMMA CANNON'S
TOTAL FERTILITY:
HOW TO UNDERSTAND,
OPTIMIZE AND PRESERVE
YOUR FERTILITY
Emma's latest book is an essential
guide aimed at any woman who is
actively trying, or thinking about
trying, to conceive, helping her take
charge of her health and her fertility.
With fertility being one of the major health and wellbeing issues
for the modern woman, this book offers clear, warm and supportive
advice to assist and support her on her fertility journey.
Published by Pan MacMillan, available at Amazon.co.uk
26 | WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COM |
JUNE - JULY 2013

Questions About
Your Fertility?
We Have Answers.
About Boston IVF
A global leader in cutting-edge fertility treatments, Boston
IVF compassionately assists individuals and couples achieve
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babies born since 1986 and each of our physicians on staff
at Harvard Medical School, we are one of America’s most
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Cutting Edge Treatments
Our new Frozen Donor Egg Program allows for patients
to perform a cycle within 1-2 months! Donors have already
been screened and completed their egg retrieval. Their eggs
have been frozen and are ready to be selected, so you can
cycle at a time that works best for you.
Other Services Include:
• IVF with Donor Egg
• Gender Selection
• Same Sex Couple Options • Fertility Preservation
• Gestational Carriers
• Array CGH (superior to PGD)
Your Personal Doctor
Each of our physicians are Clinical
Instructors at Harvard Medical
School and are fully dedicated to
helping patients achieve their dream of starting a family!
International Concierge Service
Our physicians are personally available to all of our patients
via phone, email and Skype to help answer their questions
and guide their treatment in a highly compassionate manner.
In addition to direct access, our international “concierge”
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Receive answers quickly via Skype and
telephone consultations with our physicians!
Our monthly online chats at bostonivf.com
offer direct access to the country’s
most experienced fertility experts!
Since 1986, Rhonda’s been a great
option for those with questions about
their fertility. Contact her by calling
001 781-434-6500 or by visiting
www.bostonivf.com/AskRhonda
888.300.BIVF (2483) www.bostonivf.com
Over 25 Years and More than 50,000 Babies.
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No matter
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We welcome international patients. Take your
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The Fertility Center of Las Vegas (FCLV) has been dedicated to providing the highest level
of reproductive care for more than two decades. Dr. Bruce Shapiro & Dr. Said Daneshmand
work tirelessly to offer effective, individualized care for male and female-factor infertility.
The doctors’ commitment to advancing the science of Reproductive Endocrinology and
Infertility (REI) has won international acclaim. Their peer-reviewed studies and papers
have brought worldwide recognition. For more information please visit our website.
TheFertilityCenterLV.com or call +001.702.254.1777

F E R T I L I T Y R O A D
T O P T I P S T O D E - S T R E S S
30 | WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COM | JUNE - JULY 2013

Many say that conception is all about unwinding and enjoying
the ride, but often that is much easier said than done! Why
not try some of our top tips to relax and de-stress and at the
same time help boost your chances of falling pregnant.
and
Brea
a athe
...
a ...
ou’re ready for a baby and you’re doing
your best to make it happen - but even
when you’re doing everything right, it's
still a waiting game, which can make you
go slightly crazy! So how can you make
the whole conception process less stressful, more fun
and maybe even a little faster?
YOGA
Lots of people think of yoga as stretching or twisting
the body into various impossible-looking pretzel shapes.
But research shows that yoga is much more than that.
A recent study in the Journal of Alternative and
Complementary Medicine found that just 60 minutes
of doing yoga can dramatically increase the levels of
GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid) in the brain, which
has a generally calming, anti-anxiety effect, while US
Doctors found that fertility patients who practiced yoga
specifically tailored to reduce stress could increase their
fertility by as much as 35 percent. Also data from the
Massachusetts General Hospital found that 55 percent
of infertility patients became pregnant (and had a baby)
within one year of participating in regular yoga practice,
which is pretty cool, right?
Yoga is great for calming the mind and helping to
melt away the emotional stress that can come with
the path to parenthood, so get yourself signed up to a
local class or invest in a DVD, which you can do at home
when it suits you best. We love Gaiam’s Beginning Yoga
with Chrissy Carter (amazon.co.uk, £12.99)
DATE NIGHT
Take time out with your partner and have a proper
night out. Forget about conceiving for one night and
“recreate the passion from when you first started to see
each,” says mind therapist, Tim Martin.
Go to a club, have a drink or nice meal and laugh
with one another. Laughing makes you feel good, with
researchers showing that it can relieve physical tension
and stress, and leave your muscles feeling relaxed for
up to 45 minutes after. It’s true – laughter really is the
best medicine.
AND MOVE…
Walking, swimming, cycling, or other moderate exercise
may take the edge off stress, plus it has its additional
advantages too. It’s thought that overweight women
who lose around 5 percent of their body weight can
increase their blood flow to the womb by as much as
19 percent. This improved circulation can then help
trigger the egg release from the ovaries and help an
embryo implant in the womb.
Higher-energy workouts like running or jogging can
also stimulate the release of feel-good endorphins,
but beware, don’t do too much; exercising when you
are already stressed, can make matters worse, since
exertion triggers the release of cortisol, which can then
interfere with your hormones.
“If you don’t feel any different after exercising, and
haven’t broken into a sweat or come away feeling
energized, than you haven’t done enough. On the other
hand, if you feel exhausted and drained after, then you
have done too much,” says Fertility Expert, Dr Zhai
(zhaiclinic.com). Listen to your body.
SLEEP
It may sound obvious but when you are tired, every
problem feels so much worse than it actually is!
Make sure you get around seven to nine hours a night
and if you’re having trouble switching off, spray some
lavender on your pillow to relieve stress as well as
anxiety and nervous tension. »
JUNE - JULY 2013 | WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COM |
31

F E R T I L I T Y R O A D
T O P T I P S T O D E - S T R E S S
“
Research shows that massages
can significantly reduce stress levels,
help detoxify the body, while boosting
circulation to all those vital organs
– reproductive ones included. ”
HYPNOTHERAPY
“Stress is also known as natures birth control and can have a big
effect on your fertility,” says hypnotherapist and fertility expert,
Marisa Peer (tryingtogetpregnant.co.uk). Stress hormones affect
the hypothalamus (brain), pituitary glands and reproductive organs,
and women who are under stress, tend to over-produce the
reproductive hormone prolactin, which can interfere with ovulation.
“Hypnotherapy teaches you to let go of any emotional blocks
or worries you about fertility issues, whilst calming the mind
and helping it to release feel good hormones,” explains Peer.
“When we control our thoughts anything is possible, so in
hypnotherapy I will put a client into a responsive state of mind
so they can become more receptive to my positive suggestions.
Once your mind says yes to something the body will follow,
so calming the mind is a great first step to de-stressing and
getting you off the emotional rollercoaster.”
You can use hypnotherapy in the comfort of your own home
too. Marisa sells CDs that you can listen to before bed and so
does Zita West (zitawest.co.uk) and Natural Hypnotherapy
(natalhypnotherapy.co.uk). If you want to try to calm your mind
without a CD, then, Marisa suggests you play relaxing music,
close your eyes and visualize your healthy womb, with healthy
eggs. “Tell yourself you are super fertile with strong eggs and
healthy hormones and that you are able to sail through
pregnancy and are blooming with health.” Take time out every
day to reassure yourself and the rest will follow.
ACUPUNCTURE
Having needles stuck into you, may not seem like the most
relaxing idea on the planet, but acupuncture is well known for
its calming effects and has also been found to be effective when
undergoing IVF treatment.
“Acupuncture is really effective in helping to restore your body
to function normally again,” says Dr Zhai. “Stress interrupts the
smooth flow of energy throughout the body causing ‘blockages,’
which create tension or pain in the body. By targeting specific
acupuncture points that are blocked, we are able to clear and
heal the area that is causing you stress.”
Don’t worry, the needles are extremely fine so you will
hardly feel them, plus once they’re in, you then have no excuse,
not to lie there and relax.
Many people have used acupuncture to help their bodies to
find balance and healing, and swear by its abilities to help bring
their bodies back into good health. There are also studies
proving that acupuncture given with embryo transfer improves
rates of pregnancy and live birth among women undergoing IVF.
TAKE A BREAK
Holidays are one of the best ways to relax and escape your daily
worries. Find an activity or a place that you and your partner
both enjoy and book that trip. This can also be a great time to try
to conceive because you will be in a stress-free and relaxing
environment away from all the concerns of your daily life. See
box at the end of the article for suggestions.
RUB A DUB-DUB
Find a good masseuse and take advantage of their skills by
scheduling weekly appointments that will help you ease
tension and relieve stress. Not only will you leave the therapy
room feeling pampered, but you should also walk out relaxed
and stress-free. In fact, research shows that massages can
significantly reduce stress levels, help detoxify the body, while
boosting circulation to all those vital organs – reproductive
ones included.
32 | WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COM |
JUNE - JULY 2013

Fertility Plus offers a bespoke complete fertility service in the heart
of London. We are ethical and unique as we offer a fixed price
package for a full range of infertility investigations and fertility
treatments to couples, same sex-couples and single women.
We offer the following
fertility treatments:
ovulation induction
intra-uterine insemination (IUI)
using partner’s sperm
intra-uterine insemination (IUI)
using sperm donor
in-vitro fertilisation (IVF)
intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
sperm freezing
surgical sperm recovery
egg freezing
egg donation
surrogacy
embryo donation
for detailed information please visit our website
www.fertilityplus.org.uk

F E R T I L I T Y R O A D
T O P T I P S T O D E - S T R E S S
EAT RIGHT
“Stress can be a major contributing factor to infertility as it
will affect hormonal balance, constrict blood vessels, lead to
weight gain, disrupt digestion and impact energy levels,” says
Neema Savvides, Nutritional Therapist with the Harley Street
Fertility Clinic. “Certain foods can exacerbate these problems, like
caffeine, sugar, alcohol and processed foods, as they rob the body
of fertility boosting nutrients, like magnesium and B vitamins.”
The good news is, there are many foods that can counteract
this and improve your fertility and mood. Turkey, for instance is
packed with tryptophan, an amino acid that helps boost the happy
hormone, serotonin. It’s also rich in zinc, which can improve the
maturity and health of a woman’s eggs.
Other foods that can help put a smile on your face is oily
fish, like salmon and mackerel, probiotic yoghurt, which thanks
to its bacteria can help ward off depression, and bananas,
which are also full of tryptophan and contain potassium and
vitamin B6, which can help regulate your hormones.
SUPP UP
Sometimes we don’t get enough of the right nutrients from
food, which is where supplements can come in. B-vitamins for
instance can quickly be depleted with chronic stress, and low
levels of this essential vitamin can then lead to stress-related
symptoms like depression, low energy and anxiety. It’s a vicious
circle! Nature’s Best B-100 complex (naturesbest.co.uk) is an
ideal one-a-day, coated tablet to take during a stressful period,
helping the body to produce the ‘happy hormone’ serotonin.
5HTP can also naturally lift your mood. Also know as
5-Hydroxytryptophan, it’s a substance naturally produced in the
body from tryptophan, an amino acid which is found in small
amounts from foods like poultry, seafood, milk, cheese, nuts and
sunflower seeds. As always, speak to your GP before taking any
supplements, especially if you are taking any other medication.
OIL UP
“Stress has been shown to have a very significant effect on
hormone balance and aromatherapy massage and aromatic
baths can all play their part in helping alleviate stress and
tension,” says Natural Health Expert, Joannah Metcalfe.
Why not ask your partner to give you a massage using
essential oils? It’s a great way of stimulating your mood, while
getting nice and cosy with your partner without the stress of
making babies. You could also enjoy a nice relaxing bath using
one cup of Dead Sea Salt, then before jumping in adding two
drops of Rose, two drops of Frankincense, two drops of Neroli
and four of Geranium, which are all shown to help counteract
the effects of stress and induce relaxation.
GET AWAY
Sometimes, you just need to get away from it all,
and these luxury breaks could be all you need to get
you in that positive baby-making mind-set again.
WHATLEY MANOR
This endearing spa in the heart of the Cotswold is luxurious,
calming and utterly relaxing. Its extensive spa facilities include
a hydrotherapy pool, salt scrub showers, thermal cabins and
serial mud chambers, while the wave dream sensory rooms and
a tepidarium feature heated stone recliners, perfect for getting
lost in your positive thoughts. There is a cinema room too –
ideal for re-inventing a romantic date night.
www.whatleymanor.com
SIMPLY HEALING
This ultimate fertility-enhancing break will leave you feeling
positive and vibrant. Over the course of five days, you will live
on nothing but health-boosting fruit and vegetable juices and
broth, which not only helps detoxify your liver but will give you
a boost of all the vitamins and minerals you need to conceive
a healthy baby. During your stay, you will also be pampered
with daily massages, a hypnotherapy session, reflexology and
meditation sessions.
www.simplyhealingcentre.com.
CHAMPNEYS, TRING
Not only will you be in a relaxed environment with good
food and an abundance of treatments to choose from, but at
Champneys, you can also take advantage of their ‘3 in 1 de-stress
programme,’ which includes a Tui Na acupressure massage,
acupuncture and hypnotherapy.
www.champneys.com
Of course, everyone reacts to stress in different ways, but by
following these easy steps you could reduce your stress levels,
bring more harmony in your life and put you on an easier path to
being a proud parent. It’s time to step away from the stress and get
some balance. You’re body and mind will thank you for it.
Lucy is a personal trainer, nutritionist and kid's fitness specialist.
She was previously the Nutrition and Fitness Editor at Men’s Fitness
before working at Health & Fitness as their Fitness Editor. She
loves nothing more than looking after her body and helping others
to reach their goals too. Find out more at www.lucymiller.me.uk
34 | WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COM |
JUNE - JULY 2013

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F E R T I L I T Y R O A D
N U T R I T I O N
fertility
friendly
fish
Nutritional Guru,
Annabel Karmel
shares three of her
favourite delicious
fish recipes packed
full of essential
fertility boosting
vitamins, minerals,
protein and oils.
ish has always been one of my favourite foods and
I'm always surprised how little some people cook fish
at home because it’s actually one of the easiest foods
to cook and one of the quickest. A small 100g portion
of fish provides half the recommended daily protein
requirement. Oily fish like salmon, tuna and sardines are especially
good to eat during pregnancy as they contain essential fatty acids
which are important for the development of a baby’s brain, nervous
system and sight especially during the last three months of pregnancy.
Tinned tuna is a good source of protein but it does not contain the
valuable omega-3 oils that are found in oily fish. »
RECIPE
ON PAGE
39
JUNE - JULY 2013 | WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COM |
37

F E R T I L I T Y R O A D
N U T R I T I O N
HIGH IN
PROTEIN
SMOKED HADDOCK
FLORENTINE
Iron plays a vital role in conceiving and while in your pregnancy, so it
is important to eat iron-rich foods regularly to avoid deficiencies.
Red meats are a great source of iron but people often forget that
certain fish, like haddock, is also rich in this essential vitamin. It is an
important component of the mother's and baby's red blood cells and
is also required for placental development. If your iron stores are
low, try to avoid dairy products and tea and coffee - they will all
block iron absorption. This recipe also includes spinach another iron
boosting super food.
METHOD:
1. Preheat the oven to 180F / 200C /Gas Mark 6
2. Melt the knob of butter in a saucepan. Add the onion, simmer for 5
minutes until soft. Fry the spinach in a frying pan until wilted and
drain, then add to the onion, Season well.
3. To make the sauce – melt the 20g of butter in a saucepan. Add the
plain flour and mix together over the hear. Blend in the milk, stir
until thickened. Season and add the parmesan and mustard. Add
2 tablespoons of the sauce to the spinach. Put the haddock on
aboard. Slice each fillet in half widthways. Spoon the spInach on
top of 2 pieces then put the top fillets on top of the spinach so they
are sandwiched together.
INGREDIENTS:
• A knob of butter
• 1 onion, finely diced
• 150g baby spinach, washed
• 20g butter
• 20g flour
• 200ml milk
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 35g gruyere, grated
• 35g parmesan, grated
• 2 tbsp fresh breadcrumbs
• Paprika
• 2 x 150g loins of undyed
smoked haddock, skinned
4. Place in a shallow ovenproof dish. Pour over the remaining sauce
and sprinkle with breadcrumbs and gruyere cheese and a little
paprika.
5. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until golden and bubbling. Leave to
stand for 5 minutes before serving..
Makes 2 Portions
38 | WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COM | JUNE - JULY 2013

STICKY TUNA
AND RIBBON
NOODLES
SHOWN
ON PAGE
37
This Asian style recipe perfectly complements the texture and
flavour of fresh lightly cooked tuna with its blend of mirin, sweet
chilli sauce, honey, soy sauce and rice wine vinegar.
Find out when you are
at your most fertile.
Ingredients:
Sauce
• 2 tbsp mirin
• 2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp rice wine vinegar
Noodles
• 1 tbsp sunflower oil
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• Half tsp grated fresh ginger
• 1 large carrot, cut into matchsticks / ribbons
• Half red pepper – cut into matchsticks
• 50g baby corn – cut into 4 lengthways
• Half courgette cut into matchsticks/ribbons
• 2 fat spring onions, thinly sliced
• 75g medium Chinese noodles prepared following the
packet instructions (or use 150g ready to use noodles)
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce
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Tuna
• 1 tbsp sunflower oil
• 2 x 125g tuna steaks approx 1.5cm thick
Method:
1. Mix together the mirin, chilli sauce, honey, soy sauce and
vinegar for the tuna and set aside.
Porter 2. Heat Dodson’s 1 tbsp of Fertility sunflower and oil Parenting a wok, add Law garlic team and ginger provides and
bespoke sizzle cutting for 30 seconds, edge legal then help add carrot, and solutions pepper and to baby people corn
across and the stir UK fry and for 2 abroad. minutes. Add We the can courgette help create, and spring support onion
and stir fry for one minute. Add the noodles, soy sauce and
and protect your much wanted family no matter where in
the world
chilli sauce
you are
and
based.
stir fry for 2 minutes until everything is hot.
Set the wok aside while you cook the tuna.
The Team is headed by Louisa Ghevaert.
3. To cook the tuna put the teaspoon of oil in a non stick frying
Internationally recognised as a leading
expert in UK fertility, surrogacy, parenting
and children law, Louisa has pioneered the
practice of fertility and parenting law in the
UK. Her expertise covers international and UK
surrogacy, donor conception, co-parenting,
embryo storage, children and parenting, and
gay and lesbian parenting.
pan and put over a high heat until searing hot. Add the tuna and
cook for about one and a half minutes on each side or until
cooked through, then transfer to a plate.
4. Turn the heat down and add the mirin mix to the pan. Boil for
1 to 2 minutes until syrupy. Remove from the heat and cool
slightly, then return the tuna and turn to coat in the sauce.
5. Divide the noodles between plates. Serve with the tuna (which
you can cut into slices) and spoon over the remaining glaze
from the pan.
Contact Louisa Ghevaert
Makes 2 Portions Telephone: +44 (0)207 222 1244
Not suitable for freezing Email: louisa.ghevaert@porterdodson.co.uk
@LouisaGhevaert
www.porterdodsonfertility.com
We offer the latest
testing for male
infertility
The human desire to have children is at
the heart of our being. If couples find it
hard to get pregnant, it can be one of the
most distressing times of their lives.
www.lewisfertilitytesting.com
info@lewisfertilitytesting.com Tel: +44 (0)28 9063 3987

F E R T I L I T Y R O A D
N U T R I T I O N
SALMON & PEA KEDGEREE
This is a great recipe because it provides essential omega-3 fats and
low GI foods. Omega-3, found in oil-rich fish such as salmon, is essential
during pregnancy and breastfeeding because they are a major component
of brain development. Basmati and peas are both low GI foods, meaning
carbohydrates are slowly released and therefore fuel the body for longer.
INGREDIENTS:
• 2 tbsp korma curry paste
• 200g basmati rice
• 150g frozen peas
• 500g skinless salmon fillet
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
TO SERVE (Optional)
• 1 tbsp sunflower oil
• 2 tbsp chopped coriander
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced • 4 tbsp toasted flaked almonds
METHOD:
1. Cook the rice according to the packet instructions. Drain and spread
out on a plate and cool slightly.
2. Put the salmon in a microwaveable dish with 4 tbsp water and 1 tbsp
lemon juice plus a little salt and pepper. Cover, leaving a steam vent
and cook for 2 to 4 minutes or until just cooked through. Transfer to a
plate and flake into large chunks. Save the cooking liquid.
EATING FOR TWO
BY ANNABEL KARMEL
These 3 recipes are all taken
from Annabel's latest book,
Eating for Two, which is a
complete guide to nutrition
during pregnancy and beyond.
The book assists expectant
mothers throughout each
stage of their pregnancy,
offering tips and advice on
what to eat and what to avoid. Included are the best foods to
promote conception, ideas to avoid morning sickness and
nutrition to combat sleeplessness, anaemia and heartburn.
Annabel steers readers on a healthy and nutritional journey
during pregnancy and even suggests meals to make and
freeze ready for when baby arrives.
Eating for Two by Annabel Karmel, published by Ebury Press
is available at Amazon.co.uk, RRP £12.99
3. Alternatively you can poach the salmon in a saucepan in fish stock.
4. Heat the oil in a large frying pan or wok and sauté the onion for 8 to
10 minutes until golden. Stir in the curry paste and cook for one
minute, then remove from the heat and stir in the rice. Season with
salt and pepper and stir in the remaining juice and 1 tbsp of the
salmon cooking liquid. Gently fold in the fish, transfer to containers or
oven and freeze proof dish. Cool as quickly as possible. Then, stir in
the peas, cover and freeze.
Makes 4 Portions
LOW
IN FAT
40 | WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COM | JUNE - JULY 2013

www.porterdodsonfertility.com
The UK’s Leading Private
IVF Clinic
www.CRGH.co.uk
Based in the heart of London, the CRGH consistently delivers
one of the highest success rates in the UK.
• IVF, ICSI, IUI and PGD
• Natural Cycle IVF
• Embryoscope TM Imaging
• Egg Freezing
• Private and NHS Patients
Design: www.noir-sur-blanc.com Photos: © Leonid & Anna Dedukh - Fotolia.com
Open 7 days per week 0207 837 2905
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9/24/12 11:34 PM
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ADVERTISING DOES WORK!
YOU ARE READING THIS AREN’T YOU
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Porter Dodson’s Fertility and Parenting Law team provides
bespoke cutting edge legal help and solutions to people
across the UK and abroad. We can help create, support
and protect your much wanted family no matter where in
the world you are based.
The Team is headed by Louisa Ghevaert.
Internationally recognised as a leading
expert in UK fertility, surrogacy, parenting
and children law, Louisa has pioneered the
practice of fertility and parenting law in the
UK. Her expertise covers international and UK
surrogacy, donor conception, co-parenting,
embryo storage, children and parenting, and
gay and lesbian parenting.
Contact Louisa Ghevaert
Telephone: +44 (0)207 222 1244
Email: louisa.ghevaert@porterdodson.co.uk
@LouisaGhevaert
www.porterdodsonfertility.com
We offer the latest
testing for male
infertility
The human desire to have children is at
the heart of our being. If couples find it
hard to get pregnant, it can be one of the
most distressing times of their lives.
www.lewisfertilitytesting.com
info@lewisfertilitytesting.com Tel: +44 (0)28 9063 3987
FERTILITY ROAD
NOW AVAILABLE
ON ITUNES
The UK’s Leading Private
IVF Clinic
www.CRGH.co.uk
Based in the heart of London, the CRGH consistently delivers
one of the highest success rates in the UK.
• IVF, ICSI, IUI and PGD
• Natural Cycle IVF
• Embryoscope TM Imaging
• Egg Freezing
• Private and NHS Patients
Design: www.noir-sur-blanc.com Photos: © Leonid & Anna Dedukh - Fotolia.com
Open 7 days per week 0207 837 2905
HalfPageHoriz.indd 1
9/24/12 11:34 PM

F E R T I L I T Y R O A D
A P P R O U N D - U P
From colour coded calendars and
text reminders to selecting a clinic
and using the symptothermal
method, we review five innovative
apps created specifically towards
helping you better understand
your fertility and maximising
your chances of conceiving.
BARBADOS IVF
This app has been designed and developed
by the Barbados Fertility Centre, a world
renowned fertility centre with fantastic IVF
success rates and is the only assisted
reproduction app that has been created by an accredited fertility
clinic covering everything from ovulation calculations through to
a positive pregnancy test.
Features include; frequently asked fertility Q&A to help
support you and your attempts to conceive, and a comprehensive
glossary to help guide you through those complex terms and
medications that are commonly used with assisted reproduction.
They have also built in a fertility calendar which includes an
ovulation calculator and fertility cycle, but best of all, the app
will automatically sync all your information with the calendar
on your phone for easy management of your treatment,
ensuring you don’t miss any of your appointments.
FERTILITY FRIEND
Fertility Friend Mobile is an advanced and
comprehensive monitor of your period when
you’re trying to conceive naturally, providing
extensive and in-depth educational resources
to give you all the knowledge you need to feel prepared and
ready for conception.
This great app is fully integrated with the very popular
FertilityFriend.com website, with added benefits of an accurate
ovulation prediction and detection facility with no syncing or
uploading of data required.
Another nice touch is the colour coded fertility calendar
that allows you to track your menstrual cycle, ovulation and
prediction of your most fertile days just at a quick glance, and
finally, unlike many other fertility apps we researched, you
have the option to create a short pin code to protect your app
details from any unwanted attention.
JUNE - JULY 2013 | WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COM |
43

F E R T I L I T Y R O A D
A P P R O U N D - U P
THE
BEST OF
THE REST
Here are a few more of our
favourite and noteworthy apps to
help you on your journey and get
the most out of your fertility:
MY FERTILE FOOD
This app will inform you of all
the foods to eat and not to eat
for your fertility and allows
you to set goals and track your progress.
Eating certain foods can vastly improve your
general health and optimize conditions for
a healthy pregnancy. .
INFERTILITY SURVIVAL KIT
This app is a must have for anyone having a difficult time trying to
conceive or who is going through infertility diagnosis and treatment.
With a mission is to simplify infertility, this app offers some amazing
resources and tools to help you on your parenting journey.
Integrated in the app is the My Hopeful Journey fertility organiser, which directly links
up to a massive social media site allowing you to communicate with other subscribers
and there maybe the option to chat with fertility professionals in future updates.
The fertility organiser lets you manage all the day to day information you receive with
a built in task list, diary and a calendar which helps you manage appointments by sending
you text reminders just in case you forget.
IVY FERTILITY
Ivy Fertility is a simple but highly practical and useful resource for
those of you who are considering, or have already started fertility
treatment in the UK. Included in the app is a clinic finder, which
locates IVFclinics, based on your current location, displaying info
such as map links, contact details, opening hours and web address.
As well as the usual calendars, faq's and glossary, there is also a section that explores
treatment options and outlines a number of ways in which you and your partner can cope
with the problem of infertility with useful links throughout.
Another feature we think is great is the note taking facility, for you to add notes for
yourself so you can remember to ask any specific questions or queries you may have
when speaking about any treatments, it's easy to get a bit flustered and forget in the heat
of the moment, so make a note of it in IVY Fertility and that way it will be easier to remember.
KINDARA
Developed by a team of passionate women, doctors and fertility
professionals, and with over 100,000 downloads since it's 2012 launch
the app is a must for anyone who is thinking about starting a family.
By utilising the highly accurate symptothermal method of fertility
charting (tracking more than one fertility awareness method at the same time), Kindara
will help anyone on the road to becoming parents. With their simple interface and chart
displays, you will be able to see when you are most fertile, and by accessing their online
blog, you will be able to ‘ask an expert’ questions and get answers straight to your phone.
WHAT TO EXPECT
This Fertility Tracker can be your
partner in helping you conceive
by keeping tabs on your cycle
and help you pick up pointers to fast-track
fertilisation. This exciting new app from
Heidi Murkoff's "What to Expect Before
You're Expecting", the premiere source of
preconception information.
PCOS FOR FERTILITY
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
is the most common hormone
problem affecting women who
are in the fertile age group. This app will help
you understand what PCOS is, recognise the
signs and explains the treatments available
plus supplies loads of advice on how to
improve your fertility.
YOGA FOR FERTILITY
If you are a fan of yoga then
this fab video-app is for you.
Compiled by leading Yoga guru
and instructor Laura Hawes, each video will
show you specific poses to improve your
fertility along with a host of other ailments
helping you to relax and find your inner Zen.
IVF COST CALCULATOR
How much does IVF actually
cost? With a knowledgable and
thorough system to educate you
on the various factors that affect the price
of fertility treatment, this nifty app enables
you to create a customised estimate and be
financially better prepared for your initial
consultation at your chosen fertility clinic.
44 | WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COM |
JUNE - JULY 2013

It’s not surprising, you may need a little help.
They’re the biggest shoes you’ll
ever have to fill. fill.
It’s not surprising, you may need a little help.
It’s not surprising, you may need a little help.
Believe
Believe
Believe
Conceive
Conceive
Conceive
No one knows better than we do what it’s like to be in your shoes. The Reproductive Medicine
Group has spent the past three decades helping countless infertility couples begin their families.
No Our one team knows of board better certified than we specialty do what physicians it’s like to trained be your at top shoes. medical The schools Reproductive including Medicine
Group Harvard, has spent Johns No one the Hopkins, knows past three Duke better and decades UCLA than helping are we your do countless what best chance it’s infertility like to achieve to be couples in pregnancy. your begin shoes. From their basic families.
Our interventions team of The board to Reproductive the certified most advanced specialty Medicine technologies, physicians Group trained has we’ll spent help at top you the medical take past the schools three next step decades including on the
Harvard, greatest Johns journey Hopkins, of your Duke life. and UCLA are your best chance to achieve pregnancy. From basic
helping countless infertility couples begin their families. Our team
interventions to the most advanced technologies, we’ll help you take the next step on the
greatest The Reproductive of board
journey of your Medicine certified
life. Group specialty is Tampa physicians Bay’s exclusive trained fertility at clinic top medical offering the schools
Attain IVF including Refund Program. Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Duke and UCLA are your best
The Reproductive chance Medicine to achieve Group pregnancy. is Tampa Bay’s From exclusive basic interventions fertility clinic offering to the most the
Attain IVF Refund advanced Program. technologies, we’ll help you take the next step on the
greatest journey of your life.
INFERTILITY • REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY • IVF
No one knows better than we do what it’s like to be in your shoes. The Reproductiv
Group has spent the past three decades helping countless infertility couples begin
Our team of board certified specialty physicians trained at top medical schools incl
Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Duke and UCLA are your best chance to achieve pregnancy
interventions to the most advanced technologies, we’ll help you take the next step
greatest journey of your life.
The Reproductive Medicine Group is Tampa Bay’s exclusive fertility
Visit us at floridafertility.com INFERTILITY • or REPRODUCTIVE call 813.914.7304
clinic offering the Attain IVF Refund ENDOCRINOLOGY Program. • IVF
The Reproductive Medicine Group is Tampa Bay’s exclusive fertility clinic offering th
Attain IVF Refund Visit Program.
us at floridafertility.com or call 813.914.7304
RMG_046 ad 4.4375x7.25.indd 1 2/16/11
RMG_046 ad 4.4375x7.25.indd 1 2/16/1
INFERTILITY • REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY • IVF
Visit us at floridafertility.com or call 813.914.7304
Visit us at floridafertility.com or call 813.676.8861
For more information, please contact
www.pat.hincher@repromedgroup.net

F e r t i l i t y R o a d
I N T E L L I G E N T P R O F I L E
The Jinemed (Gynmed) group of Istanbul, Turkey was established
17 years ago as the first private clinic in Istanbul specialising in
IVF treatments. The clinic is well aware of difficulties that British
couples go through when it comes to infertility. Especially women
above 35 years of age that are affected by this situation.
Jinemed
women’s hospital
ince GPs must request several
tests for the couple, the NHS
system can only provide these
tests within long time intervals,
sometimes from 6-12 months.
Once the diagnosis is ready, the patient can
be referred to an NHS hospital for
reimbursement which takes yet more time.
During this process, patient’s fertility
success may diminish and this process also
causes negative impact on the couple’s
psychology. But of course a reimbursement
system is costless for the patient and such a
system would have such consequences.
However all GPs are doctors and they
surely inform patients to the short cut to
reach the highest possible chances for their
success in the treatment. This is not valid only for infertility
treatments but also for other treatments where time plays a
significant role. At this stage, GPs can inform patients about private
hospitals within the UK and abroad.
Jinemed of Istanbul, Turkey would like to work with GPs on this
matter to provide patients with an alternative option. It is sure that
not all patients are happy with the private treatments received in
the UK due to costs, limitations on the number of embryos.
At this stage, some patients would consider other solutions,
but it is not an easy decision for a patient to fly abroad and
actually compare centres. Although there are informative websites
on the net for IVF centres, the advice of GPs would have a greater
impact for patients to fly abroad. When their patients are happier
and get better pregnancy rates, GPs will be happier as well.
English patients can start their treatment with our partner
gynaecologists in the UK. This way, patients can stay only 7-10
days in Istanbul.
46 | WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COM | JUNE - JULY 2013

» Here are some treatments
we offer for infertility:
IVF/ICSI
IVM, Mini IVF
Pre implantation genetic diagnosis
Microsurgical TESE
Egg Freezing
Ovarian Cortex Freezing
Blastocyst Transfer
Assisted Hatching
Embryo Freezing
Frozen Embryo Transfer
Co-Culture
Gynaecological Operations:
Myomectomy
Laparoscopy
Hysterescopy
Hysterectomy
Gynaecologic Urology Surgeries
MORE ABOUT JINEMED:
Jinemed’s president and head doctor is Professor. Dr.
Teksen Camlibel who is an American Board certified
Doctor. Prof. Camlibel is well-known doctor when it
comes to Gynaecology and infertility treatments in
Turkey who has established Gynaecology and Obstetrics
departments within A class hospitals in Istanbul,
including IVF treatments. Today Prof. Camlibel is one of
the few doctors in Turkey who has been able to establish
his own hospital and IVF group. Jinemed operates 2
branches in Istanbul-Turkey, 2 branches in Bursa Turkey,
2 branches in Erbil and Basra - Iraq, 1 branch in Sarajevo Bosnia and Herzegovina and 1 branch
in Baku Azerbaijcan, so there are a total of 8 branches of Jinemed Medical Group which can only
be reached via great experience, teamwork , technology and high success rates"
What do our British Patients say about Jinemed?
Patients find our facilities well organised, well clean, and luxurious. They underline the fact that
all of their questions are answered completely so that they feel more involved in the treatment.
Success rates of Jinemed are among top private IVF centres of Europe and USA which is also an
important reason for patients to consider Jinemed. Istanbul as a city is also becoming popular
for tourists to visit. All though fertility patients do no really consider this point important, at
least in different environment than their daily life inclines them towards a positive psychology.
Jinemed also arranges hotel accommodation and airport transfers for patients as well.
From the UK call: 020 3002 0759
JUNE - JULY 2013 | WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COM |
47

F E R T I L I T Y R O A D
L E T T E R F R O M T H E H E A R T
Kayla grew up always knowing that she wanted to have a family
of her own. Here, she shares how she overcame tragedy and
how with the use of an South African egg donor, she was able
to make her dreams finally come true.
Kayla’s
Story
was born and raised in Zambia and
my parents gave me a very good
childhood sending me to the best
schools. I loved school and studied
hard which paid off when I was made head
letter from
girl. I passed my exams with flying colours
and went on to university to study law. Ever
since I was a very little girl, it had always
been my dream to have a big family with a
loving and devoted husband.
Soon after leaving
the heart
University I met the
man of my dreams and we got married in
1990. Two years later I fell pregnant and I
gave birth to a beautiful boy. Parenthood
really suited us and we were really happy, but
not long after my son was born the doctors
found an obstruction in his intestines. He had
to be operated on to have it removed, but the
operation didn’t go according to plan. His
health deteriorated and at just 3 years old
he passed away. Naturally, my husband and I
were left devastated, clinging to each other
trying to make sense of it all.
Time crept by and we slowly came to
terms with our loss, but we had not given up
hope on trying for children, but I never fell
pregnant. In February 2001, while I was at
work, I started to feel an excruciating pain in
the left side of my abdomen and I was
quickly rushed to the hospital where they
ran some tests. After the results came back it was established that
I was suffering from an ectopic pregnancy, where a fertilised egg
had attached itself to the outside of my womb. Worse news was to
come when I was told that I would also have to have my left
fallopian tube removed due to cysts that had developed. It went
from bad to worse as I had to have my right fallopian tube in 2002
for the same reasons. Up until that point I kept thinking that I could,
and would, fall pregnant, after all I had already conceived naturally
with my son. But there I was, 36, both my fallopian tubes removed
and I was still childless. What hope was there for me? The dream I
had of having a big family seemed exactly that - a dream that would
never come true.
» Learning all about IVF
My husband and I spoke at length with our Doctor who told us that
even though I had no fallopian tubes, I could still conceive with the
help of IVF. At that time, we had only read about the ‘test tube baby’
phenomenon and we knew nothing about IVF or its success rates.
Neither of us had ever thought that this would be the way we could
possibly have our children and it took a couple of years before we
decided to go for our first round of IVF.
In 2005 we went to a clinic here in South Africa and started the
procedure, but unfortunately it didn’t work. I remember talking to the
doctor who told me that the reason why IVF didn’t work was because
of my age. I am fully aware that as women get older their chances
of conceiving naturally gets harder but I was friends with women
who were around my age that had fallen pregnant naturally. The
conversation really upset me and thought that if my Doctor was
thinking this way, what chance did I have of walking away from all of
this with a little baby.
Disclaimer: The names in this feature have been changed as the author
wishes to remain anonymous, image is for illustrative purposes only
48 | WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COM | JUNE - JULY 2013

“
Finding a donor is no easy task and we
spent a lot of time looking for the right one.
We were lucky to find a wonderful lady, but
laws in SA do not allow you to meet your donor
but working so closely with Jenny we really
» Taking the next step
We decided to try a different clinic and
after my eggs were examined, the Doctor
felt that they were actually of a good
enough quality to try IVF again. Desperate
for success, we started the procedure again.
Everything went well this time and I fell
pregnant almost straight away and in 2007
I gave birth to a beautiful healthy girl.
We took our daughter home, and I loved
being a mother, but in the back of my mind
I really felt that our daughter deserved to
have a brother or sister to grow up with so
we decided to try IVF one more time. In
2010 we went back to the same clinic and
did all the necessary tests, but when the
results came back we were told that due to
my age, my egg quality had deteriorated
and were advised against trying IVF. It was
then that we were told if we wanted to add
another baby to our family the best option
would be to find an egg donor.
Once again, we were thrown into a
world we knew nothing about, but this
time we started to thoroughly research
the internet and it wasn’t long before
we found baby2mom. We called to make
an appointment and spoke with Jenny
Currie whom we immediately got on with.
She took her time with us and really
understood what we had been through
already but I remember that initially my
husband was not sure about the process, so
Jenny found us some great counselling
where we were able to talk about our
concerns and what we were to expect from
the process.
Finding a donor is no easy task and we
spent a lot of time looking for the right one.
We were lucky and found a wonderful lady,
but the laws in South Africa do not allow
you to meet your donor but working so
closely with Jenny we really felt like she
knew what we looking for.
» Three’s a charm
It wasn’t long before I was back in the clinic,
having four embryos implanted and to our
amazement we were told that they all had
fertilised and it was looking like I would
have a quad pregnancy, but by the 12th
week one of the eggs disappeared which
left three. Luckily I had a stress free
pregnancy and in June 2012 I gave birth
two boys and a girl.
Throughout all the ups and down, I
couldn’t have done it without the support
of my husband. The African culture can be
very cruel on a married couple if they don’t
have children, automatically blaming the
wife, which obviously does not help, but
together we stayed strong and here we
are and life couldn’t be better. It wasn’t an
easy path to parenthood for us, but we got
there in the end, with the help of the
fantastic Doctors and of course Jenny who
ultimately made it all possible for us. Now,
when other couples struggling with their
fertility come to the clinic, the Doctors
often call on me to speak to them. It seems
to work well when they hear our story of
what we had to overcome to get where we
are now and how we were able to have the
family we always wanted.
For more information on professional egg
donation services in South Africa please
visit www.baby2mom.co.za
felt like she knew what we looking for. ” 49
JUNE - JULY 2013 | WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COM |

F E R T I L I T Y R O A D
N O T F O R G O T T E N
27 SEPTEMBER 1925
– 10 APRIL 2013
SIR ROBERT EDWARDS, WHOSE PIONEERING IVF TECHNIQUE HAS
helped bring more than 4 million children into the world, has
passed away aged 87 after a long illness.
In the late 1970s, Edwards and his colleague Dr Patrick
Steptoe became famous after developing the technique of in
vitro fertilisation, which resulted in the birth of Louise Brown,
(picture below with Edwards) the world’s first test tube baby, in
1978. Their work won them the gratitude of millions of people
around the globe. Edwards, who started his work on fertilisation
in 1955, won the Nobel Prize for physiology or medicine
in 2010 “for the development of in vitro fertilisation” and in
2011, five decades after he began experimenting with IVF,
he was knighted for “services to human reproductive biology”.
Mike Macnamee, chief executive of Bourn Hall, the clinic
that Steptoe and Edwards founded in 1980, said: “Bob Edwards
is one of the greatest scientists of our time. His main motivation
was his strong desire to help infertile couples to conceive
and his inspirational work in the early 60s led to a breakthrough
that has enhanced the lives of millions of people worldwide.”
For more information on Bourn Hall Clinic and the continuation
of Professor Edwards passion and enthusiasm in the field
of IVF please visit www.bourn-hall-clinic.co.uk
Neither this publication nor its contents constitute an explicit endorsement by Mack Media Group of the products or services mentioned in advertising or editorial content. The editorial content in this
publication does not necessarily represent policies or recommendations of Mack Media Group. This publication is not intended to be exhaustive. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy,
Mack Media Group shall not have any liability for errors or omissions. Readers who have questions should consult their healthcare providers or other competent sources of information and guidance.
© All copyright Mack Media Group unless otherwise stated. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited.
50 | WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COM | JUNE - JULY 2013

Chromosome
screening
Screening for aneuploidy in an IVF cycle
Screening for aneuploidy before embryo transfer
in IVF optimises the likelihood that embryos
with no identifiable genetic abnormalities are
transferred. This aims to improve the chance of
having a healthy baby, and a successful IVF cycle.
www.chromosome-screening.org
Why are chromosomes important?
Many IVF cycles can result in disappointment as embryos fail to implant. This may be explained
by having an incorrect amount of genetic material (known as chromosomes) in embryos being
transferred. Missing or extra chromosomes in embryos is called aneuploidy. Whilst some
aneuploid embryos can lead to the birth of a baby the majority of pregnancies with aneuploid
embryos result in miscarriages. With advancing age a woman’s risk of aneuploidy increases.
Clinicians believe this is the main reason why birth rates fall for women in their late thirties and
early forties.
Because we believe chromosomes are important in fertility we have created an educational
website designed as a resource for individuals who want to find out more about chromosome
screening. For further information go to www.chromosome-screening.org
website is sponsored by BlueGnome Ltd

Leaving our mark
for over 20 years.
We love memories, but more importantly we love
beginnings. We’ve been pioneering infertility treatment,
sperm and egg donation, and gestational surrogacy with
same sex couples for over 20 years. Under the leadership
of Dr. Gad Lavy, New England Fertility can help you begin
your family – and start your own memories.
Dr. Gad Levy will be speaking and providing free consultations at the “Men Having Babies” Conference, April 29 – May 1
in Catalonia, Spain. This conference is part of the LGBT Families 2nd Annual European Conference. Book your free
consultation now by emailing mwelch@nefertility.com. Skype consultations are also available.
Visit nefertility.com or call +001.203.325.3200
Conveniently located just north of New York City in Stamford, Connecticut.