News

Boost for Fertility

Sun, 06 Feb 2011 17:22:00 GMT

Men may improve their fertility with antioxidant supplements, according to a study of 964 couples. The chances of conceiving were four times greater when men used antioxidant supplements. The Australian and New Zealand researchers said up to 80 pe cent of male sub-fertility cases were due to oxidative stresson sperm and supplements significantly increased the pregnancy rate of couples under going assisted reproduction techniques. The antioxidants used included vitamens E and C, caroteniods, ubiquinol and the micronutrients folate and zinc.

Quoted from the Sunday Mail (QLD), 30-01-2011

Becoming a father again post-vasectomy is on the increase

Sun, 06 Feb 2011 11:09:00 GMT

The demand for In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) services from couples where the male has previously undergone a vasectomy now accounts for a growing number of patients at a Gold Coast Fertility practice.

Fertility Specialist Dr Andrew Davidson said up to 15 per cent of the couples he now sees want to have a baby post-vasectomy.

“It is usually a situation where they are in a second marriage and they would now like to have a baby between the two of them,” he said.

Alan and Mandy Lippiat are typical of this scenario, they both had three children each to their first spouses and thought that would be it for them. Like many men Alan chose to have a vasectomy while married to his first partner.

Since marrying two and a half years ago Alan and Mandy have been keen to have a baby.

The couple started considering having another baby when they were living in Bathurst and after relocating to the Gold Coast two years ago they sought recommendations and secured the help of Dr Davidson at City Fertility Centre.

Alan’s vasectomy took place six years ago so he chose not to have a reversal as the success rates of this reduce considerably after two years. Instead, Alan and Mandy opted for IVF and Alan underwent a sperm extraction technique which surgically extracts the sperm from the testis.

“We knew we had the option of trying to have a baby with the help of IVF as we had friends in Bathurst who have gone through the same thing,” said Mandy.

It took three IVF attempts over six months for Mandy and Alan to fall pregnant but their determination was rewarded on 15 April this year with the birth of a beautiful baby boy Hudson Jack Lippiat.

Mandy had a trouble-free pregnancy with Hudson and said he is very happy and content and even starting sleeping through the night at eight weeks!

Mandy said her three children who live with them love Hudson to bits.

“The help my other children who are now 9, 11 and 13 years old can give me is amazing.”

“We feel so blessed to have Hudson in our lives,” said Mandy.

The Lippiat family has now relocated to Pottsville, so Alan can be closer to his work in Ballina and spend more time helping out with Hudson and the other children.

City Fertility Centre regularly holds free information seminars on all aspects of fertility visit www.cityfertility.com.au for further information.

City Fertility Centre Gold Coast: Robina Town Centre, Robina; John Flynn Medical Centre, Tugun; Benowa Medical Centre, Benowa.
Other clinic locations – Brisbane City, Brisbane Southside and Melbourne
Ph: 1300 859 116
www.cityfertility.com.au

Local expert says healthy lifestyle important for fertility success

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 04:14:00 GMT

Local expert says healthy lifestyle important for fertility success
With a report released recently stating the birth rate of IVF babies has nearly doubled since 2004, a local fertility specialist offers some tips on increasing fertility success.

The report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare says the number of babies born using assisted reproductive technologies (ART) has increased by 45 per cent between 2004 to 2008 in Australia and New Zealand. In 2008 this resulted in 11,500 babies born through ART with the average age of women using their own eggs being 36 years.

Dr Davidson who consults from the City Fertility Centre’s Gold Coast clinics said whether you are trying to conceive naturally or with the help of ART, a healthy lifestyle is recommended prior to and during pregnancy in order to maximise your chances of success and give your baby the best start in life.

Here are Dr Davidson’s tips for fertility for Gold Coast couples:

• Eat a health balanced diet with adequate protein, carbohydrate and fibre
• Maintain fitness and help keep your weight under control, aim to undertake moderate exercise for an average of 30 minutes, three times a week
• Take folic acid for three months prior and for the first three months of pregnancy
• Restrict alcohol intake
• Stop smoking and any drug use
• Check medications/supplement intake with your doctor
• Limit caffeine intake.

Dr Davidson said that 12 per cent of primary infertility is linked to women being markedly overweight or underweight and that improving your Body Mass Index (BMI) can improve your hormonal levels and ovulation.

“But it is not only the women who need to be healthy, as nutrition and health have a direct effect on sperm so it is important for both partners to consider changes to their lifestyles if necessary,” he said.

City Fertility Centre’s overall success rates in recent months have been significantly above the industry standard of 41.6% (clinical pregnancies per IVF cycle).

“In recent months they have been as high as 55 per cent for clinical pregnancies per embryo transfer cycle across the board including all ages,” he said.

www.cityfertility.com.au

One year of helping create little miracles like Jessica

Sun, 06 Feb 2011 16:56:00 GMT

Although only four weeks old Jessica Ebert helped City Fertility Centre Southside celebrate its first birthday this week.

Southside parents Megan and Ben Ebert underwent two In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) cycles and one Frozen Embryo Transfer at the centre before their successful pregnancy with Jessica.

Megan said after a year of no success conceiving on their own they were delighted with the help they received from Dr Peter Fung at the centre.

Dr Rolf Weissenberger, Clinical Director for City Fertility Centre Southside said since opening a year ago the number of new patients needing assistance had continued to grow.

“We now have five fertility specialists and three associate doctors consulting from our Southside clinic,” he said

Dr Weissenberger said City Fertility Centre’s overall success rates in recent months have been significantly above the industry standard of 41.6% (clinical pregnancies per IVF cycle).

“In recent months they have been as high as 55 per cent for clinical pregnancies per embryo transfer cycle across the board including all ages,” he said.

Dr Weissenberger said that while City Fertility’s success rates were very good it was important for couples to be aware of the many factors that influence a couples chances of success.

“Every couple’s circumstances are unique and we therefore tailor a unique treatment plan to suit them,” he said.

Last year more than 10,000 babies were born following Assisted Reproductive Treatment in Australia and New Zealand.

City Fertility Centre regularly holds free information seminars providing further detailed information on all aspects of fertility. Visit www.cityfertility.com.au for further information.

City Fertility Centre Southside is located at Level 1, 309 Mains Road Sunnybank 1800 483 483

Other clinic locations – Brisbane City, Capalaba, Chermside, Gold Coast, Melbourne
www.cityfertility.com.au