Page 110 - LCNL Diwali Magazine

RAGHUVANSHI 2023 - 2024 HAPPY DIWALI

Fertility - When it is the right time to try

for a baby?

How do we know when it is the right time to try for a baby? This fundamental question often plagues many of us. Clinic

Director and Embryologist of IVF London, Mr Alpesh Doshi with 30 years under his belt, says: “It’s a huge dilemma for
women who want to focus on their career or education. Often women face the conundrum between taking a break in their

career/education to pursue their familial plans.”

The stark truth of a women’s reproductive health is set in stone in that the women’s reproductive health starts to decline after
the age of 35 and the decline only accelerates as she nears 40. This can sometimes make IVF the only option with reduced

chances for patients who have left it later in life to embark on their fertility journey.

The buck doesn’t stop with women; men equally face challenges brought on by lifestyle choices, poor habits inculcated by a
demanding work life and stress that directly impact a man’s fertility. There are measures in place to help understand and assess

reproductive health.

A little investment of time allows one to gauge their reproductive health and helps give a realistic milestone in answering the
fundamental question ‘when to start a family?’ With infertility now affecting around one in six couples, one precaution, Alpesh

suggests, is to consider a ‘fertility wellness check’, where within a few hours, you have a pelvic scan, a blood test (AMH), Semen
Analysis and time with a consultant to understand where you place on the fertility scale and if there are any factors that need

addressing.

With this information at their disposal, further options can be considered such as egg freezing – an insurance policy that
potentially allows for greater freedom. Egg Freezing is a process that allows women the freedom of choosing the time at which

they wish to become mothers. A woman can freeze her eggs and at a later time of her choosing, decide to use them.

Another area in which there have been huge advances is Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD), used alongside in vitro
fertilisation (IVF) cycles for couples who have a known inherited condition in their family. We now have the technology to screen

embryos using genetic analysis to see if they are affected by genetic abnormalities. With this technology, couples can avoid
passing on genetically transmitted conditions to their child and to future generations.

Artificial Intelligence is a new and exciting avenue available at IVF London that allows their embryologists to choose the best

embryos for transfer.

Based in spacious, contemporary premises in Elstree, (with plenty of on-site parking), IVF London is a state-of-the-art, fully
equipped clinic, the first of its kind in the local area. It saves exhausting trips into central London at what can be a very stressful

time. The experts at IVF London ensure the journey to parenthood is informed, well thought out and comfortable. Whatever
the fertility issue, Alpesh and his team offer a compassionate comprehensive service, from initial investigations to cutting edge

solutions.

Alpesh Doshi - IVF London

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