Infertility – risks and solutions

There is no doubt that the heartache caused by infertility is incomparable. It is at this stage that couples turn to assisted reproduction.

However, recent studies have shown worrying connections with birth defects, so after considering these studies let’s have a look at the possible lifestyle changes that could be made to help couples who feel they will never succeed in having a child.

Babies born as a result of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) are up to two times more likely to have birth defects than those born naturally, according to a study from France.

This study, the largest of its kind so far, considered 15,000 children conceived through assisted reproductive technology (ART), which includes IVF and ICSI (intracyto-plasmic sperm injection).

Clinical geneticist Geraldine Viot, who led the study, found major congenital malformation in 4.24 per cent of children, as against two to three per cent reported in the general population.

This higher rate of birth defects was due to an excess of heart disease and malformations involving the urinary tract and reproductive organs.

This is not the first time birth defects have been linked to ART, although more research is required on the subject. Previous studies have reported a rate of major malformations as high as 11 per cent.

Viot feels that in many cases couples are not informed of this risk and is calling for all fertility clinics to routinely warn parents of the dangers.

One recent study presented some connections with autism, while the UK’s Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (www.hfea.gov.uk) says that, on average, one in four IVF pregnancies are a multiple pregnancy which increases the chances of stillbirths, neonatal deaths and disability in the children born.

Babies are also more likely to be born prematurely and, therefore, are underweight when born. This, in turn, can lead to visual impairment and cerebral palsy.

On a positive note, it is worth looking at the lifestyle changes which could be tried beforehand; these can boost fertility and pregnancy. Incidentally, these lifestyle changes apply to couples, not just women.

The obvious one is to eat well, to raise the levels of fertility hormones, eating a high quality protein diet with varied whole foods. This includes lots of fresh vegetables, fruits and drinking only filtered or glass bottled water.

Avoiding processed foods, alcohol and any other stimulants is vital. Leading on from this, being overweight or underweight can contribute to infertility.

Regarding smoking, a British study of more than 17,000 women found that the more cigarettes a woman smokes per day, the less likely she is to conceive. In addition, even moderate alcohol consumption can contribute to infertility. Moderate is fewer than five drinks per week. A point to consider – this is pre-conception, not while pregnant.

Many women stop drinking when pregnant, however the damage is done if women have been drinking up to the time when the decision is made to try for a baby.

The risk of endometriosis is around 50 per cent higher in women with any amount of alcohol intake compared with those who don’t drink. Caffeine needs to be limited. In 104 healthy women trying for a baby, those who consumed a cup of coffee, or more, each day were half as likely to become pregnant as women who drank less, or no coffee at all.

In fact, if you consider what else contains caffeine, such as tea, cola, chocolate, and add all these up, you could be consuming huge amounts of caffeine. In addition, caffeine appears to enhance the negative effects of alcohol.

It is worth checking out any allergies, as food allergies such as coeliac disease may also play a part in infertility. A case study showed that a woman with coeliac disease, who had been trying for a baby, was put on a gluten-free diet. Eight months later she conceived.

Stress rears its ugly head even in infertile couples. They tend to be more stressed than fertile couples, which suggests that stress may have adverse effects on reproductive health. This suggests that relaxation techniques such as meditation and yoga may well be beneficial to couples.

Nutritional deficiencies can also be associated with infertility. Studies by Stephen Davies of the Biolab Medical Unit in London showed that a magnesium deficiency is associated with female infertility, increased miscarriage rates and increased incidences of premature birth and low birth-weight babies.

After four months of treatment, the women who took part in the study all conceived within the following eight months and gave birth to normal healthy babies.

Six other women who had not shown a normalisation of magnesium levels after four months of treatment, did so after a further two months of magnesium and selenium supplementation.

In men, low levels of zinc have been linked to poor sperm quality and subsequent infertility.

There are many other natural suggestions I could include. The British charity Foresight, the Association for the Promotion of Preconceptual Care, have achieved an impressive success rate. More details are available from www.foresight-preconception.org.uk.

kathryn@maltanet.net