Fertility Road Magazine Issue 1

MALE FERTILITY ZITA WEST EXCLUSIVE MISSPENT YOUTH
ISSUE 01 | SPRING 2010 £3.95/€4.95EUROPE'S NO.1 FERTILITY MAGAZINE
WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COMYOUR PATH TO PARENTHOOD
TRAVELLING FOR
TREATMENT:
The World's Best Clinics
AGED TO PERFECTION?
How To Know When
The Time Is Right
5
GREAT
GUIDES
USEFUL GUIDES
ONEATING,EXER
CISE,ACUPUNCTU
RE,LAW,FINANCE
Nancy Sorrell
“Motherhood is my
raison d’être” ISSUE 01 WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COM
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04 fertility road | spring
FERTILITY ROAD
CONTRIBUTORSIntroducing the Fertility Road team...
ISSUEONE-SPRING2010
Group Publishers:
Jeff Crockett, Ginny Garrick, Giorgio Severi
Managing Director:
Alex Gordon
Managing Editor:
James Evans
Contributors:
Kelly Rose Bradford, Carrie Dunn,
Andy Greeves, Sarah Hart, Siobhan O’Neill,
Johanna Payton, Zita West, Jani White
Art Editor:
Damian Browning
Sales Manager:
Daisy Chadwick
European Sales:
Anastasia Horsen, Frederica Martinez,
Toby Price, Katie Putricks
Client Liason Officer:
Tracy Carter
Reprographics:
KFR Pre-Press
Printed by:
ACORN printing
Cover image:
Dan Kennedy / Celebrity Pictures
Advertising Enquiries:
sales@fertilityroad.com
Contact details:
Fertility Road Magazine
Suite 318, Building 50,
Argyll Road, London SE18 6PP
Tel: 020 8316 8923
Email: info@fertilityroad.com
www.fertilityroad.com
MALE FERTILITY ZITA WEST EXCLUSIVE MISSPENT YOUTH
ISSUE 01 | SPRING 2010 £3.95/€4.95EUROPE'S NO.1 FERTILITY MAGAZINE
WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COMYOUR PATH TO PARENTHOOD
TRAVELLING FOR
TREATMENT:
The World's Best Clinics
AGED TO PERFECTION?
How To Know When
The Time Is Right
5
GREAT
GUIDES
USEFUL GUIDES
ONEATING,EXER
CISE,ACUPUNCTU
RE,LAW,FINANCE
Nancy Sorrell
“Motherhood is my
raison d’être” ISSUE 01 WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COM
Neither this publication nor its contents constitute an explicit endorsement by Vibration Media, or by LRN Media, 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 Vibration Media or LRN Media. This publication is not intended to be exhaustive. While every effort has been
made to ensure accuracy, neither Vibraton Media nor LRN Media shall 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 Vibration Media unless otherwise stated. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited.
Welcome to Fertility Road magazine, Europe's leading title dedicated
to providing all the information you need in your dreams of starting
a family. From detailed features on clinics, health and psychology,
to practical guides looking at finance, law and alternative remedies,
our aim is to offer a platform on which you, the reader, can build your
fertility dreams. Enjoy the magazine... James Evans, Managing Editor
OUR EXPERT...
Zita West is a renowned expert in her field, having successfully assisted
thousands of couples through the trials and challenges of conception.
Zita writes exclusively for Fertility Road, answering an array of reader
questions and concerns, imparting the kind of knowledge that sees her
regarded as the UK’s leading light in pregnancy and fertility.
Kelly Rose Bradford is a writer for the Daily Mail and Daily Express, and a
specialist in parenting and family matters. A huge fan of babies, home-birthing
and cloth nappies, she does not however weave lentils or hug trees. Kelly is
mum to seven-year-old William.
Carrie Dunn is a freelance journalist who has written for publications including
The Times, The Guardian, The Independent, Cosmopolitan and Pregnancy Baby
and You. When she’s not writing, she will be found at the theatre, at the
cricket, or playing World of Warcraft!
Siobhan O’Neill is a mum to five-year-old Una and 11-month Aoife. As a writer
she specialises in features about parenting, health and nutrition. As a mum she
specialises in cuddles, snotty noses and messy dinner times. She has written on
the rollercoaster that is parenthood and pre-parenthood for a variety of titles.
Johanna Payton is a journalist, author and broadcaster who has been writing
about fertility, pregnancy and parenting since her son, Eliott, was born six years
ago. Her features have been published everywhere from Grazia to Maternity &
Infant magazines. She has conducted interviews whilst changing nappies!
Sarah Hart is a former editor of Pregnancy & Birth and acting editor of Mother
& Baby magazines. She has also been editor of Mothercare magazine and
Boots Parenting Club writing across a vast range of topics, from conception to
schooling! She lives in London with her husband and daughter.
Andy Greeves is based in Dorset and works as Marketing & PR Officer for
the Bournemouth-based Anglo-European College of Chiropractic. His interest
in fertility issues stems from his mother Janet, who is alternative medicine
practitioner, so Andy has heard many happy pregnancy stories as a result!
OUR WRITERS...
p.04_05_fertility_road.indd 04 04/05/2010 11:20

05www.fertilityroad.com
CONTENTSIn this issue...
12 THE TIME IS NOW?
Choosing the right moment to start your family
18 MAN IN THE MIRROR
What men say about fertility, and what they don’t…
24 NANCY SORRELL
Fertility Road’s exclusive interview with the model, actress,
loving mother, and wife of iconic comedian Vic Reeves
31 ON THE FERTILITY ROAD
Travelling for treatment – the positives and the pitfalls
40 SENDING IN THE VICE SQUAD
The real effects of a misspent youth revealed
44 EXPERT WITNESS: ZITA WEST
The UK’s leading fertility expert answers your questions
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
FERTILITY ROAD GUIDES:
Eating, Exercise, Acupuncture, Finance, Law
SCIENCE:
The latest lab developments
LIFEFORCE:
Win six sessions with LifeForce Intuitive Counsellor Jules
Williams, plus get your hands on their exclusive fertility app
BOOKS:
Zita West, Alan Beer, Kate Brian and Katrina Logan all reviewed
LETTER FROM THE HEART:
Pixette, from Cardiff, shares her brave story
12
40 58
24

I
n a recent surprise announcement
Natalie Cassidy – the Strictly Come
Dancing star who played Sonia in
EastEnders – told OK! magazine that
she was three months pregnant expecting
her first baby with boyfriend Adam Cottrell.
The actress, whose baby is due in Sep-
tember, told the magazine that she had
concerns about her ability to conceive
quickly because she has PCOS – Polycystic
Ovarian Syndrome. Fortunately however,
Natalie and Adam struck gold first time.
“I wanted children so much, it was a
worry. I came off my contraception in
November but I never thought I’d get
pregnant that quickly!” said Natalie who
was 12 weeks pregnant in March.
PCOS was little mentioned until 2001
when Posh Spice Victoria Beckham
announced she suffered with it. Following
the birth of her first son Brooklyn in 1999,
Victoria experienced radical weight loss
which was the subject of much speculation
in the press. However in an interview she
talked about how her weight was affected
by PCOS.
“I had polycystic ovaries before I had
Brooklyn, which made me put on weight
and gave me bad skin,” she said. “After
Brooklyn was born I lost a lot of weight.
From being Podgy Spice pre-Brooklyn I
had become Skeletal Spice. What upset me
was that I ate like any normal person, but I
lost weight. The same happened to my
mum and my sister after they had a baby.”
GPs diagnosed something called post-
pregnancy metabolism. “They just said it’s
something that can happen after you’ve
had a baby. But I was upset about how I
looked,” she said.
So suddenly PCOS was big news, but
Victoria had done millions of women in
Britain a favour. As the press began writing
about the symptoms of PCOS, women
everywhere realised this was something
they were affected by and – if they were
trying for a baby – could do something to
help their bodies cope with.
It’s estimated that one in five women in
Britain have polycystic ovaries, and that
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome affects about
10% of women. If a scan reveals more than
about 10 harmless cysts per ovary, doctors
may say you have polycystic ovaries. It
can affect fertility because women with
polycystic ovaries often have irregular,
infrequent periods as ovulation is obstructed
by the cysts. It is one of the main causes of
fertility problems in women.
Other symptoms of PCOS can include
weight gain, acne, or hair disturbance,
such as thinning, loss, or even facial hair
growth. This is due to raised levels of the
male hormone testosterone. Women may
also suffer with depression and mood
changes. Symptoms usually begin in the
20s but many may not realise PCOS is a
factor until they have trouble conceiving.
Later in life women may be at risk of
developing Type 2 diabetes or raised
cholesterol. This is down to weight gain
because the PCOS affects the way your
body processes carbohydrates and impairs
insulin production. Healthy eating, a low
carb or Glycemic Index diet and weight loss
is one of the best ways to combat PCOS
and return periods to a more regular pattern,
but there are other treatments that can
help which your GP can discuss with you.
If you have PCOS you’re certainly not
alone and Victoria Beckham and Natalie
Cassidy are not the first or last celebrities
to announce they have the condition.
Coronation Street star Kym Marsh has
talked about how the condition affected
her time with the band Hear’Say, and
pregnancy success story Jools Oliver is
another sufferer.
“Even when I was 17, I thought there
might be a problem and that I’d have
trouble conceiving because my periods
were irregular,” she said. When Jools and
husband Jamie struggled to conceive she
Natalie
Cassidy
PCOS
YOU’RE
WORTH
IT
FERTILITY ROAD
CELEB NEWSFertility news amongst the flashbulbs
Kym
M
arsh

went for a check-up. “I was quite quickly
diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome,
which meant that I wasn’t ovulating each
month like normal,” she said.
Jools ended up taking the fertility drug
Clomid to help her get pregnant but
struggled with side effects. However she
and Jamie have recently announced she
is expecting their fourth child, so PCOS
certainly needn’t mean a small family.
Struggling with fertility issues can be a
lonely time – especially if your friends
and family seem to fall pregnant with ease.
So it’s often encouraging to hear other
people’s fertility success stories and there
are many celebrities who are eager to share
their fertility experiences.
EastEnders actress Jo Joyner, who plays
Tanya Branning, gave birth to twins in
December last year and has been happy
to talk about her IVF experiences. Like
thousands of couples Jo and her husband
Neil Madden had tried unsuccessfully for
years to get pregnant. When they went
to see doctors they were given the news
many people dread – that Jo may never be
able to have children naturally.
“It was very scary when we were first
told,” Jo revealed recently. “It was like our
world had fallen apart around us. It is very
scary and quite saddening. You kind of
have a mourning period for the route you
thought you might take,” admitted Jo.
“All the natural things you take for granted.
So you just have to kind of go, all right,
that’s not our way.”
Jo and Neil tried IVF and finally fell
pregnant with twins after doctors used
a pioneering technique called ICSI or
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection, where a
single sperm is injected directly into the egg.
After four years of trying, Jo - who is 31
- and Neil were overjoyed to meet their
beautiful twins Edie and Freddie who were
born by Caesarean section. Three months
later Jo took the twins on to ITV show This
Morning to tell her story. “We’re very lucky.
It’s a miracle really,” she said.
And she explained why she was so keen
to share her experiences. “When we first
found out we were going to have IVF I was
constantly searching through the press and
the media. I could only find scientific
stuff,” she said. “I really wanted to hear
positive news. I just really wanted some-
one to go, ‘It’s all right. It doesn’t mean
you’ll never have kids. It is possible.’”
Now Jo hopes that her story will
encourage other couples who are worried
about the potentially
difficult fertility journey
they’re facing.
Thesedaysthere’san‘app’foreverything.
iPhonefanswillknowtheirapplications–
orapps-canhelpthemgetagoodnight’s
sleep,findtheirnearestTescoandplay
guitariftheysodesire.
But one happy Scottish couple were
delighted when their iPhone app helped
them conceive. After four years struggling
to get pregnant Lena Bryce downloaded
the Menstrual Calendar application after
husband Dudley bought her an iPhone for
her birthday. The free application told her
when her most fertile time was and two
months later she was pregnant.
When Lena gave birth to daughter Lola
in January, Dudley said, “That phone was
the best present I ever gave Lena. I’m
absolutely over the moon. It was hard
seeing other people have children. We
were desperate to be parents.”
Lena and Dudley had begun to think
IVF or adoption would be the only way
they could have children so were surprised
and delighted when the free app helped
them. “We’re young, fit and healthy and
just expected everything would be fine,
so it began to weigh a bit heavily on us,”
Lena explained.
Little Lola was born on the exact day
the app predicted and is at home doing
well with her overjoyed parents.
Free Menstrual Calendar is available to
download from www.FertilityFriend.com
AND
FINALLY...
JoolsO
l
iver
©KevorkDjansezian/GettyImages

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NEW MALE HOME
FERTILITY TEST
DEVELOPED
Scientists in Holland have developed a new
male fertility test, which can accurately
measure sperm levels in a simple home kit.
Researchers at the University of Twente’s
MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology hope the
Fertility Chip will prove an important break-
through in the pre-scanning of male fertility.
While ‘over the counter’ male fertility tests have been available in the UK since
2006, they can only give a simple ‘above or below’ sperm count reading. The com-
puter chip inside the device enables an accurate spermatozoa reading to be given.
Testing for sperm levels is currently a complex process, requiring stringent pre-test
preparations and a specialised laboratory. Tests often have to be repeated between
two and five times to ensure accuracy. With a third of cases of infertility in the UK
due to the male partner, the need for a fast and efficient testing method is clear.
The fertility chip, the brainchild of Loes Segerink, is able to count spermatozoa
concentration. The normal amount of spermatozoa for fertility is around the 20
million mark per millilitre of ejaculation. The chip works by measuring the change in
electrical resistance as sperm flows through it to give an indication of spermatozoa
levels. White blood cell levels are also recorded, which is important to give an idea
of sperm quality. The next step before this device is able to be brought to market
is to see if the chip can measure movement and shape of spermatozoa, two other
factors vital in fertility criteria.
FERTILITY
FAUX PAS
Some classic old wives’ tales
in terms of determining the
sex of your baby, passed down
through generations, and
generally rubbished by science!:
FOR A BOY: Have intercourse
on odd days of the month,
have intercourse when standing,
sleep on the left of your husband,
point your head to the north
during intercourse.
FOR A GIRL: Have intercourse
in the afternoon, climax first
and think pink, have intercourse
during a full moon, eat chocolate.
NEWS
FERTILITY ROAD
The latest developments from the fertility worldv
Danish mum, Stinne Holm Bergholdt, 32,
has created medical history after giving
birth to a second child after an ovary
transplant operation.
Bergholdt was diagnosed with Ewing’s
sarcoma, a form of bone cancer, in 2004.
She feared the chemotherapy treatment
required to recover from such a disease
would leave her infertile and decided to
freeze a part of her right ovary – a process
known as Cryopreservation.
After eight months of cancer treatment
and a year of recovery, doctors re-implant-
ed 20% of the ovary. In September 2008,
Bergholdt gave birth to her first daughter,
Aviaja, through in-vitro fertilisation. Her
second daughter, Lucca, was born a year
later through natural conception.
The case has recently been reported in
the medical journal Human Reproduction
and her doctor, Professor Claus Yding
Andersen, has heralded the technique
behind Bergholdt’s remarkable tale.
“These results support cryopreservation
of ovarian tissue as a valid method of
fertility preservation,” comments Andersen.
“We should encourage the development
of this technique as a clinical procedure for
girls and young women facing treatment
that could damage their ovaries.”
Bergholdt is understandably delighted
with what she has described as “a miracle”.
“Myself and my partner had an appoint-
ment at the fertility outpatient clinic to
talk about the possibility of a second baby
but it turned out I was already pregnant
– naturally,” she said.
“It was a very nice surprise to find
out that my body was now functioning
normally and that we were having a baby
without needing to go through the fertility
treatment. It was indeed a miracle.”
Danish mum becomes first to give
birth twice after ovary transplant
CHILD’S PLAY
Toys, gadgets, gizmos...
Preparing for that arrival means stocking
up with must-have items, and Sophie The
Giraffe is certainly an early-learning essential.
The world-renowned rubber teether is
simply iconic, almost 50-years-old, and
designed to stimulate as much as it soothes.
Adored by a host of celebrity babies (and
their mothers!), we’ve got 10 to give away.
Simply email your name and address to
competitions@fertilityroad.com – winners
to be drawn at random on August 1.
p.09_10_fertility_road_news_v2.indd 09 30/04/2010 11:38

©DanCharity/TheSun
New release of
life for over 55s?
It has been revealed that six women over the age of 55, including
two women aged 58 plus, are set to receive in-vitro fertilization (IVF)
treatment at the London Women’s Clinic.
Sue Tollefsen (pictured with daughter Freya), 59, gave birth to her
first child aged 57 at a Moscow-based clinic and is among those women
being considered for treatment. If her treatment goes ahead, she will
become the oldest woman in the UK to have an IVF baby.
The news comes amid growing debate over the age at which
women should be allowed to receive fertility treatment. A recent BBC
documentary caused controversy when it was revealed that doctors
at the London Women’s Clinic were holding consultations with women
aged 50 plus.
Age restrictions on IVF in the United Kingdom were officially
withdrawn in 2005, though many fertility clinics and hospitals set age
limits of their own. The NHS does not give treatment to women over
40 and most private clinics do not provide IVF for women over 50.
The oldest known birth mother in the world is Omkari Panwar, who
delivered twins at the age of 70 in India in November 2008.
A decision on whether treatment is to be given to the six patients
at the London Women’s Clinic is expected shortly.
A new study published in the journal Human
Reproduction suggests women who undergo
fertility treatment are four times more likely
to have a stillborn baby than those who
conceive naturally.
While the risks of giving birth to a still-
born child after IVF treatment have long
been known, this is the first time a study has
been able to show the scale of baby deaths.
The study, carried out by Dr Kirsten
Wisborg, involved more than 20,000 singleton
pregnancies in the Danish city of Aarhus
between 1989 and 2006. Of the 20,166 first-
time singleton mums, 4% of them conceived
through IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection
(ICSI) – a procedure in which the sperm is
injected into the egg.
Out of the mothers who conceived
naturally, there were 86 stillbirths – giving an
overall risk of 4.3 per thousand pregnancies.
Findings showed that the risk of stillbirths
was significantly higher amongst the mothers
who had undergone IVF or ICSI, at 16.2
per thousand.
Despite the worrying findings, Dr Wisborg
has been quick to point out that the risk
of stillbirth is still “very low” after IVF or
ICSI treatment.
“We do not know whether the increased
risk is due to the fertility treatment or to
factors pertaining to couples who undergo
IVF or ICSI,” she added in an interview with
The Guardian.
Stillbirth study results revealed
THE
NAME GAME
TOP FIVE BABY NAMES!
GIRLS: OLIVIA, RUBY,
EMILY, GRACE, LILY
BOYS: JACK, HARRY,
ALFIE, THOMAS,
OLIVER
NEWS
FERTILITY ROAD
The latest developments from the fertility worldv
20-24
YEAR-OLD WOMEN:
BIRTH RATE
13% in 1973
VS
7% in 2008
30-34
YEAR-OLD WOMEN:
BIRTH RATE
6% in 1973
VS
11% in 2008
*Office For National Statistics
FERTILITY:
THE
MODERN
AGE ©ZsoltNyulaszi/iStockphoto.com
p.09_10_fertility_road_news_v2.indd 10 30/04/2010 11:41

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FEATURE | the time is now?
Kelly Rose Bradford examines
the factors behind what can amount to
the biggest deliberation of them all...
©AlexRodavlas/iStockphoto.com

WORDS |KELLY ROSE BRADFORD
W
hen is the right time to have a baby? Is there a
definitive answer? Should finance and career be
the deciding factors over age, relationship status,
or health and fitness? Is it wiser to have a baby in
your late teens when your energy levels are supposedly at their
peak and you’ve youth and vitality on your side, or is being an
older mum with life experience and perhaps more financial stability
beneficial? Or is there, in reality, never a ‘perfect’ time other than
when feels right for you? Our cross section of mums would suggest
the latter may be the nearest thing to the truth...
The Teen Mum
Britain’s high rate of teen pregnancy and birth makes for perpetual
news stories and ‘shock’ statistics, despite the government’s own
data typifying an overall trend towards later childbearing. Since
1971, the average age of mothers at childbirth in England and
Wales has increased by three years from 26.2 to 29.1, and over the
past decade, the average age of women at the birth of their first
child has risen by one-and-a-half years to reach 27.1. Teenage
pregnancies though, have also increased, with figures released in
2009 showing a rise for the first time in five years, with conception
rates among girls increasing from 40.9 per 1,000 in 2006 for those
aged 15-17, to 41.9 per 1,000 in 2007.
Jo has two children, her first pregnancy was unexpected at 17,
her second planned at 24. She is now 31 and has no regrets over
being a young mum.
“I had my first baby when I was just 17, and it isn’t something I’d
particularly wish on my own daughters, but on reflection it has
worked out very well for me. I now have a 14-year-old who some-
times gets mistaken for my sister, and because I am still young
enough to remember being a teenager, I feel much more able to
empathise with her. As a result we have a very close relationship,
and she feels able to share her problems with me quite openly.”
But some aspects of pregnancy came as quite a shock to Jo
– particularly the lasting effect it had on her physically:
“My first pregnancy really left its legacy – I am covered in stretch
marks all over my body. I was always under the illusion that young
skin was stretchy and supple, but apparently that doesn’t equal no
stretch marks! My stomach, waist and hips are seriously scarred.
“I can’t say I particularly enjoyed being pregnant, either. First
time round I was sick a lot - pretty much after every meal for the
first four months. The second time I was actually only sick half a
dozen times, but felt a hideous nausea throughout and was per-
manently exhausted. I was commuting two hours a day to work,
and by the time I got home in the evening I would be shattered,
with a pounding headache. Being so young, I didn’t have any »
I chose to have kids at 27 and
30, and it proved a huge novelty
amongst my friends at the time –
most of them are just trying now
in their late 30s. We hadn’t had
a chance to develop a lifestyle
before we had kids so didn’t
have so much to miss when
they were little. PATRICIA, 40
MUMS’ WORDSORWOWOOROWOWS’S’ WW’ W SSSSDSSSORRDDDSSRDDDDSSRDMMMM MS’MUMMSMSUMUMUMMUMUU
©RosemarieGearhart/iStockphoto.com

Burdica Biomed Ltd.
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The only thing about natural conception is
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conceive - a time when many OTC lubricants should be avoided due to their
adverse pH or presence of ingredients detrimental to sperm.
Zestica fertility utilises Hyaluronic Acid (HA), the same proven
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vaginal mucosa and plays an important role in sperm motility and
sperm selection and therefore successful conception.
Zestica fertility has also been shown to improve the motility of
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Zestica fertility with its light and non-sticky texture is exactly
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greatly improve birth rate per embryo transferred
minimize the incidence of miscarriage and birth
defects caused by chromosome irregularity
reduce the incidence of multiple pregnancies
whilst maintaining a high live birth rate
Array CGH for IVF was pioneered at CARE,
who remain at the forefront of this technology
p014 ADS.indd 1 29/04/2010 11:53

real pregnancy problems though – and clearly I am quite fertile -
with my second baby, I came off the pill and was pregnant a
month later, before I’d really even got used to the idea of trying.”
Having devoted her late teens and twenties to pregnancy and
babies, Jo feels in some ways that she is now ‘over’ motherhood:
“Being single at the moment, I haven’t given a lot of thought to
a third baby. Part of me would really like to do it again, if just to
correct all the mistakes I feel I made first and second time around,
and to do it all with a more ‘grown-up’ hat on. And then I think
of the exhaustion of pregnancy, those awful early months with a
newborn and no sleep, and I don’t think I could face it again.
When I was younger I had a lot more energy and enthusiasm. I
almost feel now like I am coming out the other side of parent-
hood - I’ve been a parent for nearly 15 years now - and I’m not
sure I could start again. I would never say never though. I’m still
young and who knows where my life might be five, or even 10
years from now?”
The Motherhood Delayers
Throughout the 1990s, ‘having it all’ almost become the phrase
with which to parody the working mum – the woman who had
her career and her kids. But for all those who skipped
effortlessly from birthing pool to boardroom,
there was another breed emerging – the
motherhood delayers – those who made
sure their life and careers were in good
order before embracing pregnancy.
Lindsay, now 40, delayed mother-
hood in favour of a career until her
30th birthday, when Mother Nature
and the tick of her biological clock
took over.
“I never wanted to have kids in my
20s, not at all. My 20s were for study,
my career, having fun, going to parties.
I got married at 24, and my husband had two
children from a previous relationship whom
I adored, so in a way I got to have my cake
and eat it whatever. I was a part-time parent
to two great kids without having to sacrifice
my time or my job – it was wonderful!
“But I never ruled out having my own babies. I always figured
that one day I would, and that day came when I was 30 and my
hormones kicked in. I suddenly realised that I desperately want-
ed a baby. One of my elder sisters who was childless by choice
told me just to ignore the feelings and they would go away!
I knew in my heart though that it was more than just hormonal:
I really wanted a baby.”
After much consultation with her husband, Lindsay finally felt
ready to begin trying to conceive at the age of 33.
“By the time I was 33 I knew for sure that having a baby really,
really mattered to me, so we started trying. I thought I’d just
get pregnant, you know? But it didn’t happen. A year went by
and still nothing. Two years passed. I wanted us to go and get tested
but my husband was really reluctant. Even though
he said that he was up for starting a family,
it either had to just happen or it wasn’t
meant to be.
Someone once told me that
if you wait until you can afford to
have children you will never have
them. We kept that in mind and
it is so true. JULIE, 29
»
©LevDolgatshjov/iStockphoto.com

“This was rather heartbreaking for me, worrying that maybe I was
missing out on a baby for something that actually could be quite
insignificant and easily fixable. But I’d never know. I went once to
the doctor who was really unhelpful and very condescending -
along the lines of ‘well if your husband won’t get tested too there’s
really not any point’. I was too embarrassed to go again.
“Finally after nearly five years of trying for a baby, my husband
was made redundant. It was the final straw. I just threw up my
hands and said ‘right, that’s it. I give up. This just is never going to
happen.’ Then I almost immediately fell pregnant. But I knew in
my heart that something was wrong. I went for the 12-week scan
and sure enough, it was a ‘missed’ miscarriage. The baby had
probably died around the five or six-week mark but it was still
‘there’. I was devastated, thinking, ‘well this is it, that took five
years and now I’m 37. I don’t really have another five years.’ How-
ever, miraculously, I got pregnant again almost straight away and
had my baby boy, Daniel, a month after my 38th birthday. Just
hours after the birth, my husband sat holding his new son in his
hands. He looked up at me and said: ‘Let’s have another one!’”
The Multi-Decade Mum
You’d assume those who eschew the 2.4 children trend and add to
their families throughout their fertile lives would have the ‘what
age is best?’ debate neatly sewn up. Not so - Jackie, now 37, had
her first baby at 29, then three more in her 30s. Her last baby was
born last year when she was 36 – but she now wishes she’d begun
motherhood earlier:
“I was 29 when I had my first baby. Now that I have four, I
really wish I had had them earlier and not listened to the negative
comments about how hard it is as a young mum. For some reason,
when I was younger there was a part of me that felt I would never
be able to have kids – a lack of confidence I guess. We had friends
who’d had fertility problems and we lived through that with them,
so we never took anything for granted. Our first baby took two
attempts, but the others all happened immediately! With my last
baby, I was hugely aware that 35 was somehow the ‘cut off’ point,
but again, I had no problems.”
“Despite wishing I had started my family earlier, having my
babies was actually the best career move I have ever made -
having the children gave me the kick I needed to get out of office
life and do what I had always wanted to do in starting my own
business. I didn’t want to leave my children with childminders so
knew I just had to get on with it and get the work in.”
I think that the best age to
have a baby is the age you’re at
when you have one! My family
is all terribly fecund, so it came
as a huge shock when I found
that I didn’t get pregnant at the
drop of the hat. In fact it took five
years. So instead of having my
family in my early 30s I didn’t get
started until my late 30s. LISA, 39
©EvelinElmest/iStockphoto.com

W
omen are born with around 1 million eggs in
their ovaries, yet by the time puberty kicks in,
this has already dwindled to around 300,000,
and, amazingly, only about 300 are released
over the course of a woman’s fertile years. As a woman ages, the
egg quality ages too, making them less viable for successful and
healthy fertilisation.
Teens...
With youth on your side, your late teens and early twenties are
biologically the ideal time to have a baby, but many women
will still be in education or in the early stages of a career, so
practically, and financially, the timing isn’t always right, even if
the biology is...
Twenties...
With the average age for first time birth for women in the
UK being 27, the late 20s are seemingly the ideal time to
become pregnant. However, although these years are generally
considered the time at which a woman reaches her fertile peak,
studies by scientists at the National Institute of Environmental
Health Sciences in North Carolina, and the University of Padua
in Italy, have indicated that female fertility actually
declines before the age of 30.
Thirties...
Egg deterioration increases the likelihood of fertility
issues in your 30s, and doctors acknowledge that
women of 35 and over should seek advice
sooner rather than later if they are experiencing
problems conceiving. Despite this, studies show that
the highest fertility rates in England and Wales are
attributed to women in their 30s. (Office for National
Statistics research, England and Wales: 112.3 live births
per 1,000 women aged 30 to 34.)
Forties...
The risk of miscarriage and foetal abnormalities
increases with age, and the deterioration of egg quality
is rapid throughout the forties – however, many
women will still fall pregnant. Concern should
centre around maintaining the pregnancy and
foetal health.
Beyond...
Many fertility clinics in the UK treat women into their 50s using
stored embryos or donor eggs. The Human Fertilisation and
Embryology Authority (HFEA) states patients can now store their
embryos until they have reached 55. Although there is no official
upper age limit for IVF, clinics do have to justify their treatment
– with the interest of the baby being priority.
The chances are...
Good general health and fitness, along with a sensible diet,
minimal alcohol intake and a smoke-free environment are all
the obvious pointers for becoming pregnant and maintaining a
healthy and hassle-free pregnancy, but what else can a woman do
to increase her fertility and chances of conception?
Have more sex - sounds obvious, but as a woman only has a
few fertile days each month, the more sex you have, the more
chances you have of conceiving.
Relax - Scientists at Emory University, in Atlanta, Georgia,
discovered that women with high levels of the stress hormone
cortisol stopped ovulating and were therefore unable to conceive.
Watch your weight - being underweight or overweight can
disrupt ovulation and your menstrual cycle.
Check your partner’s undies - tight pants are not conducive
to healthy sperm – overheating can lower sperm production, so
go for loose fitting boxers over posing pouches!
AGE AND
FERTILITY
THE
FACTS
©RosemarieGearhart/iStockphoto.com

First Response dps .indd 2 04/05/2010 11:33

First Response dps .indd 3 04/05/2010 11:33

FEATURE | male fertility
Think that your man is obsessed with
work? Think again. If a recent survey
is to be believed, it’s probable that the
thought occupying his mind is whether
or not he’s able to father children.
MAN MIRRORIN
THE
Y
es, men are more concerned about quality of their sperm than
the quality of their career trajectory – and 14 per cent of them
rate their fertility as their number one priority in life.
So it’s unsurprising that when a problem is found with a
man’s fertility, the news can affect him deeply.
But if you find yourself in a similar situation with your partner, don’t
expect to be able to second-guess his reaction – there is no textbook
response to this kind of news.
“Nobody wants to find a problem, and reactions range from being
shocked and upset to relief that a cause of the infertility has been
identified,” says Emma Cannon, founder of Harley Street practice
A Healthy Conception.
Though a diagnosis of infertility is difficult for anyone to deal with,
she thinks that women tend to cope better with the news simply because
they decide to take an active part in dealing with their condition.
“As a rule, but by no means in all couples, women find diagnosis of a
problem in themselves easier to manage and accept than men do.
Women are generally better at making positive changes to improve
their fertility; I think it is fair to say that they are more motivated.”
©SeanPrior/Fotolia.com
p.20_23_fertility_road NEW.indd 20 30/04/2010 09:23

www.fertilityroad.com 21
WORDS |CARRIE DUNN
It’s easy to conclude that a diagnosis of
infertility affects a man’s concept of his
own masculinity which in turn affects his
behaviour – and quite often this seems to
be the case.
“I think for some men the semen analysis
is a ‘measure of manhood’ and therefore it
can be a real setback if it is poor,” agrees
Cannon. “Interestingly, women often report
that they would rather the problem had
been with them as emotionally the situa-
tion would have been easier to deal with.”
“This kind of news will have a big impact
on any man,” concurs psychologist Trudy
Hill from the Susie Ambrose Clinic, “and
many studies have shown that involuntary
childlessness in men has a big impact on
mental health, self-esteem and many other
areas. Masculinity and fertility are linked
equally as much as femininity and fertility;
they are linked by our biology, by our nature
and through the concept of evolution and
sexual selection as we select the mate most
likely to give us healthy children and be
able to care or provide well for them. They
are also linked through our society, through
our media and our social norms.”
No wonder there is still, unbelievably, such
a stigma around male infertility. Women
with conditions preventing them from
conceiving are likely to discuss their
endometriosis or fibroids or polycystic
ovaries with their friends and get sympathy;
men with a low sperm count won’t confide
in their friends because of all the laddish
jokes they’ve swapped concerning poking
fun at others ‘firing blanks’ in the past. And
yet men can suffer terrible psychological
pressure after their diagnosis, and need
support and understanding.
Mark (not his real name) agrees. “I feel
worthless for not being able to get the job
done the natural way,” he says. “I feel like
we have to go through all these procedures
because I’m not man enough.”
Jane found her husband reacting in a
similar way. “He definitely feels he’s less of
a man because he’s unable to have children,”
she says. “He feels as though he has let
me down, even though of course he hasn’t,
and even if I’d known about our fertility
problem before we got married, I still
wouldn’t have done anything differently.”
If your man is horribly hurt by the
diagnosis, you’re bound to want to talk to
him about it, particularly to reassure him
that you still love him and wouldn’t change
him for anyone in the world – but broaching
that tricky topic is probably easier said
than done.
“Men are less at ease with discussing
emotions,” says Hill bluntly. “Men and
women, while equal, are still very far
apart. Not only has our biology evolved
differently but we have also been social-
ised differently. From a biology viewpoint,
some would go as far as to say that men
are actually less comfortable having strong
emotions than women full-stop, let alone
discussing them. Some research, for example,
shows that men’s immune systems »

Babystart 1pp.indd 1 13/04/2010 14:45

FEATURE | male fertility
and cardiovascular systems take longer
to recover when experiencing extreme
emotion than a woman’s does. That is to
say, men have health consequences when
exposing themselves to severe emotion.”
If that’s true, then it’s no wonder men
may find it difficult to discuss their feelings
on infertility.
Hill sees an evolutionary basis to men’s
unease with emotional issues:
“Discussing emotions is not something
that is hard-wired into the male psychology
the way it is with females,” she says.
“We can guess this from evolution – the
man feeling upset, angry, scared and
wanting to sit and talk about it will have
been less efficient at hunting successfully if
he was unable to turn his emotions off and
get on with the task at hand. We can also
now, with modern-day technology, confirm
this by looking at brain functioning. There
is some evidence to suggest that male and
female brains are wired differently. In men,
emotions are compartmentalised into a
particular area and are usually linked to
action–notcommunicationcentres.Inwoman
the boundaries are much less obvious and
activity as a reaction to emotion can be
seen in many centres and is usually linked
with communication. So when a woman is
under emotional stress she usually likes to
talk about it; when a man is under emo-
tional stress he likes to stop talking and
find ways to start ‘doing’.”
Kelly has a husband who refuses to
discuss how he feels about his diagnosis of
infertility, or even put potential courses of
action that might improve their chances of
conception into practice. “He just doesn’t
feel the need to talk about it, for whatever
reason,” she explains. “He relies on the doctor’s
opinion for everything involving his health
anyway, so I’ve had to be the proactive one
when it comes to our infertility too.”
Sarah has a similar problem with her
partner, so she avoids talking to him about
it unless he specifically raises the subject.
“I don’t want to make him feel worse and
talk about babies and infertility rarely,
even though I think about it all the time,”
she confesses. “When he brings it up we
discuss it, but not usually any other time.”
So how should women in the same situ-
ation as Kelly and Sarah deal with their
need to communicate?
“Never use the word ‘should’ – don’t use
it to attack your partner about lifestyle
issues,” advises Cannon. “Try to let him
come round to things in his own time with-
out trying to fix it for him. Conclusions
that he makes himself will have more
meaning.”
It sounds surprising, but Hill also reveals:
“Many men struggle facing up to infertility
and in many couples the women opt to tell
the outside world the problem is theirs.”
That might not be the best option for
you, but it’s completely understandable
that you might feel you want to protect
your man’s wounded pride as part of your
effort to fix as much as you can for him.
If your partner still isn’t keen on sharing
how he’s feeling, Hill recommends Sarah’s
strategy of leaving him to it for the time
being – hard though it may be for you.
“The best thing you can do is to understand
his desire to keep quiet and give him some
space,” she says. “Then when you do talk it
through the emotion will be slightly less raw.
In addition, a good opening will be to try and
talk from a practical angle to start with.”
That means looking at those possible
lifestyle options that could improve your
chances of conception, and talking them
through – but remembering not to push
your opinions on him too strongly, which
may come across as unhelpful nagging.
“The extent to which a man is affected
will depend usually on how in control of
the situation he feels,” concludes Hill.
“Remember, much of infertility is not
absolute and there are things that the man
can do to improve the situation. When he
is told this he feels more in control. When
we feel in control we feel less stressed –
and we cope better.”
Much of infertility is not absolute and there
are things that the man can do to improve
the situation. When he is told this he feels
more in control. When we feel in control we
feel less stressed – and we cope better.
©SeanPrior/Fotolia.com

FEATURE | celebrity
She’s a model, an actress, a TV presenter and, most recognisably,
the female other half of comedy connoisseur Vic Reeves. But more
than that, Nancy Sorrell is a mum; someone who has overcome
the pain and frustration of fertility battles – experiences that she
shares in an exclusive interview with Fertility Road.
WORDS |ANDY GREEVES
‘‘
©DavidVenni/CelebrityPictures
B
eing a Mum is fantastic... there’s no other word
for it,” smiles Nancy Sorrell. “It has been an
experience that has transformed who I thought
I was, and has made me reassess a lot of my life,
and how I think about things. It is a humbling thing, but
one that requires so much presence, and given the struggles
that we went through, I believe the delight is even greater.”
And Vic Reeves’ glamorous wife has every reason to be
delighted. The continuing joys of parenthood reinvent with
every passing day, challenges that Nancy now feels she
can’t imagine being without.
But, soon after her marriage to Reeves in January 2003,
there was a time when the couple feared they might never
experience the thrill of bringing up their own children.
Nancy discovered that she had a fertility problem which
would prevent her from conceiving naturally – the diagnosis
was blunt and severe.
Yet, armed with the confidence and level-headedness
that has prompted a career in its own right – and not only
via the association with one of the country’s best-loved
entertainers – the 35-year-old Essex-born model refused to
allow the devastation to envelop a household of positivity
and ambition. Leaning heavily on support from Vic (real
name Jim Moir) the couple began to investigate alternative
measures, and almost immediately, a painful situation
began to change.
“We got married and had been trying to have a baby from
2003 onwards. After a year or so of nothing – and although
it’s the last thing you want to have to admit – the realisation
soon developed that something was wrong.
“You’re in a bit of a daze when that happens. There’s so
much uncertainty, fear, even regret, but ultimately you need
to clear your mind of anything that you don’t know as fact,
and just look at the reality of what you have in front of you,
and what information you can find.
“As a first stop we went to see our local GP here in
Canterbury. Dr Davies initially suggested we tried folic acid
along with the drug Clomid, renowned the world over for
improving your chances of conceiving.
“Leaving the surgery you feel as if you have a new
opportunity, something that will stack the odds back in
your favour. Of course, when that too fails, the gathering
clouds become even darker and more terrifying.”
The next diagnosis for Nancy and Jim was IVF treatment.
“If I’m honest, I’d never even considered it in the past.
I suppose there is a feeling of IVF being something that
happens to other people. When you find that you are that
person it’s frightening, but if you can stay positive, it actually
becomes something very exciting at the same time. Both
Jim and I wanted a baby very much and there was never
any doubt that we would try IVF to achieve that, or any-
thing else for that matter.
“To this day, it remains something of a mystery as to why
Jim and I couldn’t conceive naturally. We had a number of
tests, both sperm and ovary, which came back as normal. Of
course, that’s not always a definite as far as getting pregnant
goes, but we found that the sooner we moved on from the
‘why not’ and into the ‘how’ we were in a much better place.
“Even when we were trying (and failing) to get pregnant,
I tried not to become too concerned. It’s just not in my
nature. I guess I never viewed it as being the final answer in
terms of us having children because I wanted them so much
and so did Jim. IVF was just the next phase, that’s how I
learned to see it.”
The couple ventured to the Chaucer Clinic in Canterbury,
a private fertility practise regarded as one of the leading
centres in Kent. There, they learned about the true science
behind IVF treatment, and the perceived path ahead.
“Everything was explained in layman’s terms; you need that
or the science and psychology behind the whole thing is »
p24_28_fertility_road NEW.indd 24 29/04/2010 18:14

FEATURE | celebrity

so great that it can really affect how you
think about things. We went on from there.”
That confidence and level-headedness is
something that Nancy holds as true to her-
self. Even when describing the subsequent two years of
IVF treatment that she undertook between 2003 and 2005,
Nancy maintains a sense of humour, a smiling brilliance, and
a ‘glass half-full’ approach. It’s not an attitude that many can
maintain, but she is a firm believer that positivity of mind
equals positivity of body.
And on May 25, 2006, the couple welcomed twins Elizabeth
and Nell into the world.
“The birth itself was surprisingly straightforward and I
loved my girls straightaway. Jim and I were ecstatic at the
birth of our two bundles of joy. The girls were a healthy
weight with Elizabeth weighing 5lb 8oz and Nell at 5lb 3oz. I
remember Jim jokingly telling the press we were going to call
the twins Simon and Garfunkel or Batman and Robin!
“Away from the flashbulbs it felt like I had come full circle.
To anyone going through full IVF it can be a torturous ride.
You just have to picture your end result and stick to that
positive thought.
“There are so many emotions. I certainly didn’t feel ashamed
or guilty, this wasn’t my fault, it was just something Jim and I
had to deal with. It was something we would have preferred
to have kept to ourselves, but a newspaper took a picture of
Jim and I entering the fertility clinic and our story became
public knowledge. At first, I was a little bit uncomfortable
with that, but I soon came to thinking that I was experiencing
something lots of couples go through, and to be able to talk
publically about it was and still is a very positive thing.
“I’m not for one second pretending I can say anything that
isn’t already out there, but so much of this is about empathy
and support, and there are many negative emotions concerned
with fertility that I feel passionately about banishing.
“It surprises me that in some quarters there is still a great deal
of stigma attached to fertility problems and IVF. That’s so
negative. Why hide a problem or feel ashamed when there
are things you can do to help yourself?
“There is so much information out there – I started the IVF
process in 2003, by which time I felt like a mini-expert on the
subject. I think that’s a great thing about the communication
channels we have open to us these days – it’s no longer some-
thing that, metaphorically, only happens behind closed doors.
“That’s not to say that there weren’t episodes during the IVF
process when I wasn’t scared – on the contrary, injecting my-
self for the first time was pretty daunting, as I’d never been
near a needle before. I had to inject into my leg and I cringed
The birth itself was surprisingly
straightforward and I loved my girls
straightaway. Jim and I were ecstatic at
the birth of our two bundles of joy.
FEATURE | celebrity
©DavidVenni/CelebrityPictures
Nancy with girls Lizzy and Nelly (above), while
the happy family – including husband Vic Reeves
– enjoy time posing for the camera (far right)

at just the thought of that to begin with. I was determined to
do the injection myself though rather than Jim as I thought ‘I
am quite capable’.
“It took me a few goes – I was frightened, yes, but you
have to focus on the end result. I soon became confident at
doing it; it became routine – I just got on with it.
“There were scares along the way, too, of course. One night,
Jim and I were at an event in London and I didn’t have part of
my kit to do the injection. I panicked, I was crying, fretting.
Could one night of forgetfulness scupper our whole plans?
Luckily, I was able to call the Chaucer Clinic who reassured me
everything would be okay. If you miss one injection, especially
towards the end of a cycle, you will usually be fine, but it
proved to me that you can never take what you are doing lightly.
You are dealing with the creation of a new life – two, in my
case – and when you think you have relaxed into a process your
security can be swept from beneath you.
“Throughout the whole IVF process, I was filled with the
thought that I had been given a great opportunity that wouldn’t
have existed a few decades ago – a second chance, in a way.
Not everybody comes through the IVF process with a baby at
the end of it – I was lucky that it worked for me and for that I
feel so fortunate.”
And husband Vic, the super-cool, devastatingly deadpan
comedian – did he retain that long-established public persona?
“Jim was fantastic throughout the whole experience. Obviously
he is different away from the cameras anyway, but he was totally
down to earth, supportive, and everything I would have expected
of a great husband. It means so much to have that support – there
should really be no-one else you need turn to.
“He used to keep my spirits up and every time there was a
positive sign, he’d say ‘this is working like clockwork’. I suppose it
did work like clockwork. I’m very lucky in the sense that if you
could have a perfect IVF patient, I was it – there were never any
complications, not even side-effects from the treatment which
I was told I might experience.”
And what of that memorable moment when the couple
discovered that the IVF had been successful?
“When you are going through IVF, you are not meant to do a
pregnancy test until a certain date in the procedure. I couldn’t wait
though and did mine earlier than I should have.
“To see that cross on the pregnancy kit is one of the best sights
anyone desperate to have children will ever see. We were
running round our room screaming! I honestly couldn’t believe it – I
remember scratching and tapping the test to make sure it had
definitely worked!
“One difficult choice we had to make during the IVF cycle was
knowing how many eggs to return to my body. I had two eggs
removed initially and there remain many different points of
opinion on the subject. I had to consider that if I put two eggs
back, I could lose both at the same time. If I only put one back, I
could have lost it and the opportunity for the other egg to have
been fertilised. After a day of agonising, we decided to insert
both eggs back as Jim and I felt it gave us the best chance.
Amazingly they both took and we could have even had triplets
at one stage. I was having a 4D ultrasound scan when I found
out that I was going to be having twins. I came over a bit shaky
and went ‘oh dear, oh dear’ but course I was delighted.”
And now, the couple’s two girls are approaching their
fourth birthdays. Nancy, who has modelled extensively in the
fashion world for the likes of M&S, Next, Ann Summers and
Pampers, admits that she could never picture a time when
she would be thinking about buying school uniforms and
making packed lunches.
©NancySorrell
»

FEATURE | celebrity
“You can never imagine what will be like,
but it is the excitement of the unknown
that keeps you going. I have two girls with
very different personalities – Nelly is very
funny and quite mad, a bit like her dad.
Lizzy is a bit more scatterbrained like me. I
think that works in a way!
“Nelly did the most amazing drawing of
a flower the other day. She’s certainly
following in her fathers’ footsteps as the
artistic one in the household. Jim’s got
some art due to appear in the Saatchi Gal-
lery this June and Nelly’s flower wouldn’t
look out of place there. Lizzy on the other hand drew a picture
of some hair! I found that hilarious – I can imagine myself
drawing something random like that when I was young.”
So what of Nancy’s advice to couples either thinking of or
already in the early stages of IVF treatment? Hers is a public
story, played out at times in front of journalists’ notepads and
seductive photoshoots, but despite all of that, she believes that
self-control and inner strength are the most important things:
“I would say that staying calm throughout the IVF treat-
ment process is the most vital thing. I know that’s easier said
than done but I think the fact I stayed cool and collected
through what was, despite the smiles, an incredibly emotional
and trying experience, helped massively. If absolutely nothing
else, it certainly enables you to take on board all the information
you are presented with. And that’s one of the most important
things, because you’re stepping into a whole new world.
“If you have the money, I would recommend doing the IVF
treatment privately. That’s not to knock the NHS, but I advise
that because you avoid the waiting lists when you go private.
I was so desperate to go ahead with the IVF treatment that it
seemed money well spent.
“I think I’m right in saying that the NHS funds just 600 IVF
treatments per million women in the country, which means you
could be waiting a long time if you go down the conventional
route. With one in seven couples in the UK affected by fertility
problems, you’d think there would be greater provision. The
information is out there when it comes to infertility, but not the
funding. Other places, Scandinavia in particular, support far
more couples with this than we do in the UK. That should change.”
Gradually relaxing back into the public eye, celebrity
demands combined with motherhood certainly haven’t calmed
Nancy’s desire to play her part in helping others:
“Through all of the elation I can never forget those couples
who aren’t as fortunate... after all, we felt that might be us,
for a long while.”
“I’m glad I can use the experience to advise other couples
who find themselves in the same position as Jim and I did
five years ago. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you
come from, as mothers and prospective parents we are all in
this together, and if something I have done or said could help
just one person, well... that’s a great feeling.”
“I am involved too with a great charity too called Tommy’s,
which funds medical research into miscarriage, stillbirth and
premature birth. I take a hands-on role as an ambassador for
them, meeting mums or mums-to-be. I always feel sentimental
and close to tears when I hear some of the stories from those
who come along, but I try to stay strong for them.
“Another thing I love is being a member of ‘Twins Club’ in
Ashford, Kent. It is somewhere where parents as their twins
can go to get support and meet other adults and children –
it’s quite surreal seeing lots of twins and mums all in one
room, that’s for sure! There are lots of these places around
the country and they are invaluable. It’s strange because for
couples who have been through fertility problems they may
feel that giving birth is the end of the ride. It is in one sense,
but it is also the start of a much bigger one!
“As far as work goes at the moment, I’m just waiting and
seeing what happens rather than actively pursuing anything.
Right now, I’m loving being a mum and given what Jim and I
have been through, work isn’t top of my agenda. This is what
I’ve always dreamed of and I am going to continue enjoying
this experience. It’s my raison d’etre.”
It doesn’t matter who you are or
where you come from, as mothers and
prospective parents we are all in this
together, and if something I have done
or said could help just one person,
well... that’s a great feeling.
©DanKennedy/Next/TheSun

p029 ADS.indd 1 29/04/2010 16:51

NEED AN EGG DONOR?
WAITING TOO LONG?
For more information, please contact us:
Tel: +353 1 299 3920 Email: donorprogrammes@sims.ie Web: www.eggdonation.ie
Sims IVF, Rosemount Hall, Dundrum Road, Dundrum, Dublin 14, Ireland.
I R E L A N D
SIMS Clinic 1pp.indd 1 13/04/2010 14:52

FEATURE | on the fertility road
F
ertility treatment can be a stressful business. Being
assessed and tested, dashing to and from clinic appoint-
ments, sitting impatiently on a waiting list; few aspects
of the experience are relaxing. So why are increasing
numbers of British people complicating matters further by travel-
ling abroad for treatment?
In 2009, information from the ﬁrst study of so-called ‘fertility
tourism’ around Europe was released. The research, which looked
at 44 European clinics, revealed that hundreds of people travel
abroad from Britain for fertility treatment every month. Another
survey of over 300 British patients, conducted online by Infertility
Network UK, found that 76 per cent of couples needing fertility
treatment would consider going abroad and that 88 per cent
of those who had already been overseas were happy with
their treatment.
There are many reasons why people decide to travel. Unlike
other medical treatment undertaken overseas, it’s not always a
case of cutting costs (although IVF is half the price in parts of
Southern and Eastern Europe). Some women travel because they
are over 40, and do not qualify for IVF on the NHS. Couples
requiring donor eggs, or sperm, may also seek help abroad,
where donor recruitment has different regulations and shorter
waiting lists.
“Lots of people choose to go abroad because they simply can’t
access the treatment they want in this country,” says Susan Seenan
from Infertility Network UK. “Until the donor situation changes
here it is right that they should have that choice.
“The world has become a smaller place. A few years ago people
wouldn’t have dreamed of going abroad, but travelling for
medical treatment is more common in general, and much more
affordable, so it’s becoming a popular option.”
Dr Sue Ingamells, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist
at Southampton’s Wessex Fertility Clinic, says that people go
abroad for very different reasons. “Some countries are deﬁnitely
perceived to be more of a bargain than the UK,” she says, “but
when single women are travelling for fertility treatment, they
might choose to go to a country such as the USA, where more
information is provided about donors.
ON THE
FERTILITY
ROAD
Johanna Payton assesses the increasing number of
UK-based couples travelling away from home in order
to realise their dreams of starting a family…
WORDS |JOHANNA PAYTON
»
©MartinPurmensky/iStockphoto.com

“Although the availability of donors abroad is the most popular
reason, some people do want to have a holiday at the same time
as treatment. It can help them relax and give them a sense of
privacy; they can book a holiday from work as normal and don’t
necessarily have to tell everyone at their workplace that they’re
going for fertility treatment.”
There are other motivating factors for some couples. While
British women can have a maximum of two embryos implanted
in the UK due to the risk of multiple pregnancy, this number is higher
in other countries. Some women may feel that gives them a
higher chance of success. Medically assisted
sex selection for non-medical reasons is also
banned in the UK, so couples may turn to
clinics in countries where gender selection is
permitted if they are desperate for a son, or
daughter. In some countries, the upper age
limit for patients is far higher than even
private clinics in the UK.
It’s perhaps no surprise then, that when we read about ‘fertility
tourism’ in the press it is often accompanied by sensational head-
lines. Elizabeth Adeney, 66, made the front pages in 2009 when she
became Britain’s oldest mother after undergoing fertility treatment
in the Ukraine, for example. But for most couples, a simple dream of
becoming parents is at stake, and if travelling for treatment increases
their chances, packing a suitcase isn’t such a big deal.
For some people, this could mean travelling within the UK and
the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) pro-
vides a ‘Choose a Fertility Clinic’ service, so prospective patients
and donors can find a registered clinic that best suits their needs.
“If couples can’t get donor treatment locally,” says Susan Seenan,
“other areas of the country may have a better supply of donors.
If they need specific medical treatment, they might find an expert
somewhere in the UK.”
When travelling abroad, the process of choosing a clinic is
more complex. Doing lots of research, and bearing all the potential
pitfalls in mind before you book your flight, is a must. The HFEA
says that clinics in other countries may, or may not, be regulated
to local standards which vary hugely from country to country.
How success is calculated may be different, making it hard
to compare overseas clinics with treatment centres in the UK.
Confidentiality and the safeguarding of information may also be
subject to different rules and regulations.
“Find out as much as you can before you travel so your choice is
informed,” advises Susan Seenan. “A clinic might boast amazing
statistics, but you need to feel comfortable there, confident and
relaxed enough to ask all your questions. Fertility treatment is
stressful enough without adding additional anxiety.
“Visit the clinic if you can and you’ll know if it feels right. You’ll
also need to ask yourself if you’re happy to be out there on
your own, without friends and family on hand for support. Some
couples find it easier that way, but everyone is different. Make
sure that any language barriers are going to be addressed and talk
For most couples, a simple dream
of becoming parents is at stake, so
packing a suitcase isn’t such a big deal.

to people on forums who have been through the experience, to get
a sense of what it’s going to be like.”
Sue Ingamells also urges people to think about the commit-
ments and risks they may be taking if they travel abroad. “One
woman I met was supposed to be travelling abroad for her
embryo transfer during the winter,” she says. “Her ﬂight was
cancelled due to the snow and she was devastated.
“Travelling at short notice can also prove too much for some.
Even if you get there on time, there are other serious concerns.
Although clinics abroad may offer multiple embryo transfer,
the risks of multiple pregnancies cannot be underestimated for
women in their 40s, and while mistakes can happen in the UK,
depending on where you travel you may have no guarantee that
the right sperm will be matched with the right egg.”
Although there are pitfalls, careful consideration of your options
can lead to a positive experience abroad. Sue Ingamells says that
some UK fertility clinics now provide a ‘link service’ to bridge the
gap between home and the clinic abroad where their patients are
receiving treatment, and the HFEA provides extensive advice
about travelling for treatment on its website.
Whatever your reasons for going abroad for fertility treatment,
talking to as many people as possible whilst making your decision
is a smart move. The community of ‘fertility tourists’ is expanding
in the UK, so there is no need to feel isolated if you’re considering
joining them – and with the right preparation and research, you
might even add your name to the growing list of success stories.
CASE STUDY:DYUDTUDYUDUDTUSTSTTUST DYY:Y::Y:CCCC E SCASEEE SASESEASACAAS
‘Travelling to Spain for treatment
was the best thing we ever did’
Nicola Dawson, 36, and husband Nigel, 42, travelled to the IVI
Clinic in Barcelona for donor treatment. They are now the proud
parents of 17-month-old twin daughters, Hannah and Mia.
“Our fertility treatment started in 2004. Nigel had a low sperm
count, and after three unsuccessful cycles of IVF, the quality
The Dawson family
»

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p034 ADS.indd 1 30/04/2010 13:03

Fertility clinics are situated all over the
country – and the globe. No one clinic is
right for every couple and you need to do
your own research, ideally visiting a clinic
before deciding which is best for you.
•International options
If you want to combine a holiday with your
treatment, the Barbados Fertility Centre
has state-of-the-art facilities and a
beautiful setting.
www.barbadosivf.org/clinic
Nadiya Repo, Ukraine are one of Eastern
Europe’s biggest clinics, responsible for
1,500 cycles in 2008 and, in total of 1,300
births following ART treatment, including
sex selection. www.ivf.com.ua/en
The European Fertility Institute in
Madrid, Spain, exclusively studies and
treats reproductive disorders.
www.iefertilidad.com/eng
The Red Rock Fertility Center in Las Vegas
is described as a “boutique-styled clinic
specialising in personalised physician care”.
www.lasvegasfertility.com
The Origin Fertility are based in India,
promising a highly competitive price with
what many find to be a memorable trip to
Asia. www.theoriginfertility.com
The Stork Klinik in Copenhagen, Denmark
which, in particular, specialises in providing
fertility solutions for single and lesbian
women, though does also cater for
heterosexual couples. www.storkklinik.dk
North Cyprus Fertility is a new but forward-
thinking clinic based in Famagusta. Opened in
2005, they are regarded as modern pioneers
of fertility in the Eastern Mediterranean.
www.cyprusivf.com
On the south-west coast of Norway,
Scanhealth is 15 minutes from Haugesund
Airport - which is a one-and-a-half hour
flight from Stansted or Edinburgh.
www.scan-health.co.uk
Over the last recorded three-year period,
the independent EmBIO Clinic in Greece
boasted a 56% success rate for women
37 years or younger. www.ivf-embryo.gr
Avaclinic are an experienced and well-
regarded clinic, offering six different bases
across Europe, in Finland (2), Russia,
Portugal, Latvia and Azerbaijan.
www.avaclinic.com
The Ceram clinic in Marbella, Spain, is perfect
for the short hop, located close to Malaga
airport and providing an easily accessible
option for busy couples, in warm surroundings.
www.ceram.es
Cardone & Associates Reproductive
Medicine in Massachusetts offer all the
trimmings of the US experience, and with
it potentially a truly life-defining trip.
www.cardonerepromed.com
•Closer to Home
Care Fertility has clinics across the country,
with main bases in Manchester, Sheffield,
Northampton and Nottingham, plus seven
satellite clinics.
www.carefertility.com
The Harley Street Clinic in London can
rightly boast that its name is a byword
for excellence, although its spread of
specialisms shouldn’t ever detract from
the precision of its craft.
www.theharleystreetclinic.com
Finally, SIMS were responsible for the first
donor gamete programme in Ireland as well
as being the first practitioners of blastocyst
culture and transfer, and are based in Dublin.
www.sims.ie
•Further information:
www.infertilitynetworkuk.com
www.hfea.gov.uk/fertility-clinics-
treatment-abroad
15GREAT
CLINICS
of my eggs was also in doubt. Our healthcare team
suspected I was heading into an early menopause.
The treatment left us physically and emotionally
exhausted and although we desperately wanted
children, we needed a break. We spent 18 months look-
ing at our options. Although we knew we’d make great
adoptive parents, factors outside our control meant it
wasn’t an option for us. We were interested in using
donor eggs, but waiting lists in the UK were very long.
We had a consultation at the Lister clinic in London to talk through
our options and they suggested travelling abroad, where waiting
lists can be shorter.
We chose Spain because it has a long history of fertility treat-
ment and a seemingly ethical donor recruitment programme.
Barcelona appealed to us because it was a city we had always
wanted to visit, and it made sense to be somewhere nice when
putting ourselves through a stressful medical treatment.
We had our first consultation in August 2007, and after assessment
they recommended using donor sperm and donor eggs. Because
we’d considered adoption, we’d got our heads around having
children that weren’t ours genetically, so the idea of double
donation seemed like absolutely the right thing to do.
The clinic went to great lengths to find donors who were a close
match for us genetically, in terms of blood group, eye colour and
all our physical characteristics. Just five weeks later, they found a
successful match and in January 2008, I went back to Barcelona for
embryo transfer. On February 1 I did a pregnancy test. It was
positive and we were ecstatic. A scan 19 days later confirmed a
twin pregnancy; Nigel is a twin and my brother has twins, so
If you make an educated decision
about travelling, you are much less
likely to get ripped off, or rush into
a detrimental situation.
»
p031_036_Fertility_Spring10 NEW.indd 35 05/05/2010 09:14

having twins ourselves seemed completely normal. Given that
they wouldn’t be ours biologically, the fact that they would always
have a genetic link to each other was also very special.
My pregnancy was healthy, although I was sick as a dog in the
first trimester and ended up the size of a house! The clinic
in Spain stayed in touch with us, and they were always there to
provide advice, even when I worried about little things – like all
first time mums do.
The girls were born via Caesarian section in
September 2008. I’ve been blown away by how
fantastic it is being a mum and the girls mean
everything to us. They are so lovely, and we are
a very happy family.
I have absolutely no regrets. If I could change
anything, I’d like the girls to have access to
medical information about the donors, so they’d
have a sense of genetic identity. Spain has a
policy of donor anonymity which was one of the
drawbacks we had to face when we decided
to go abroad.
We had a brilliant experience, but we did lots
of research and came to terms with life-changing
decisions before we even set foot on a plane. If
you make an educated decision about travelling,
you are much less likely to get ripped off, or rush
into a detrimental situation. It’s easy to get carried away when
you find out overseas clinics have short waiting lists for donors,
or that some are relatively inexpensive, but you need to consider
how other legal and ethical consequences will affect you, and
more importantly, your children. The implications of going to
another country are far reaching, but by thinking everything
through and making informed choices, many people can achieve
their dream.’
Hannah and Mia Dawson
Thinking of having a baby?
Finding it difficult to get pregnant?
Looking for some answers?
Since opening in 1999, the StorkKlinik offers inseminations
to heterosexual couples, same sex couples and single women,
to whom insemination is a possible solution to childlessness.
We have no waiting time, when your paperwork is complete,
you can be inseminated. By your next ovulation, you may
choose to be inseminated with so-called open donor sperm
or anonymous donor sperm with no waiting time.
We have great knowledge of the special process it is to follow
a fertility treatment and our experienced team will provide
a holistic program of care.
It is important that your insemination becomes a caring
and personal experience that you can think back on with joy.
Therefore we have created different surroundings, so that you
can feel comfortable. We are accredited by the EU Tissue Directive.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE TEAM AND COSTS PLEASE VISIT WWW.STORKKLINIK.DK
A different Fertility Clinic in Copenhagen, Denmark.

W
hen issues of infertility occur,
we might think of the woman
first for the cause. But male
infertility is as often behind a
couple’s conception problems, and some studies
have shown it can account for between a third
and almost 50% of infertility cases.
Sperm quality can be to blame. Low sperm
count, poor sperm motility, or poorly shaped
sperm can prevent conception and it’s why male
fertility issues are usually examined before
checking the woman.
Although the causes of sperm problems might
be complex, it is also true that men can be
less likely to maintain a healthier lifestyle. By
improving this - especially their diet - men can
go a long way to improving sperm health. Men
with low sperm counts are often shown to have
low fructose levels – the sugar associated with
fruit and vegetable consumption. Fructose is
important because it provides energy for the
sperm to survive and travel to the ova.
Poor quality study
Couples desperate to conceive and struggling
with the implications of medical fertility treat-
ment may look for ‘natural’ solutions instead.
But online they could encounter an oft repeated study that suggests
diet supplements can have a dramatic effect on fertility.
Many websites refer to a 1992 study by the University of Surrey
that appeared to suggest that couples taking a diet supplement
went on to have an 80% conception success rate. This report has
since been highlighted by the NHS as being based on “very low
quality research”. Because there was no control group in the
study against which to balance the findings the NHS say, “it is not
possible to determine whether the Foresight programme was effective
or whether there were other variables which influenced the
numbers of pregnancy outcomes.” They say the study was “very
poorly designed” and in fact the authors of the report themselves
drew no conclusions which could point to the supplements or
other factors playing a role in the pregnancy success rates.
Nevertheless it is true that a healthy eating regime is important
and may go a long way toward improving sperm health and quality.
Of course, it’s boring thinking about healthy eating, but it is one
of the easiest changes anyone can make to improve their chances
of conceiving, and improvements can be fast and dramatic.
Zinc and folates
Zinc is the key nutrient for healthy sperm and any balanced diet
should include it as men are frequently zinc deficient. Don’t go
overboard because high zinc levels can also present problems, but
ideally around 15mg a day is about right. Zinc-rich foods include
dark chicken meat, baked beans and lean minced beef.
Serving sizes are:
Chicken (dark meat) 85g = 2.4mg
Baked Beans 170g = 3.6mg
Minced beef (lean) 85g = 4.5mg
Like women, a diet rich in folates is also important. They’re in dark
green vegetables like cabbage, sprouts and broccoli. Beans, jacket
potatoes and dried apricots are also good, but careful cooking is
needed to ensure the vitamins aren’t destroyed.
If you smoke, you should really try to stop, but if you can’t,
increase your vitamin C intake because nicotine reduces absorption
and vitamin C is essential as it can’t be stored in the body. Further-
more, it helps release iron into the blood stream.
Small amounts of alcohol are okay, but too much is very bad for
sperm. It reduces testosterone levels and can lead to lower sperm
counts and a higher incidence of abnormal sperm. Drugs are a
big no-no. Cannabis, for instance, has been linked with sperm
abnormalities.
However, on the plus side, if you love coffee you may be okay
keeping up the caffeine habit. Some studies have suggested men
who drink coffee may have increased sperm motility, but if you are
a high caffeine consumer and have been shown to have a low
sperm count you should try cutting the caffeine and getting
re-tested to see if that makes a difference.
You (and your potential offspring) really are what you eat.
GUIDES/DIET
FERTILITY ROAD
Helping you plan for every stage of your journey...p
©EzgiKocahan/iStockphoto.com
p.37_fertility_road_diets.indd 37 29/04/2010 09:58

DestinationHealth
www.destinationhealth.co.uk
Visit Destination Health on
26th & 27th June at London Olympia
and meet with fertility clinics
from around the world.
In Vitro Fertilisation
Egg Donation
Embryo Donation
ICSI
TESE
Artiﬁcial Insemination
Assisted Hatching
Egg Freezing
Surrogacy
Sperm Donation
Fertility clinics exhibiting at Destination Health will
be offering the following services at up to 74% less
than UK prices.
The Health & Medical Tourism Show
26 - 27 June 2010, London Olympia
With just one visit you will have the opportunity to:
Compare prices and services of the clinics exhibiting at the show
Get free advice and help from fertility experts
Attend free seminars about all aspects of fertility treatment
To ﬁnd out more about the show and book your free tickets visit:
www.destinationhealth.co.uk
Are you considering
going abroad for
fertility treatment?
Save
£12
Registerfor
FREE
ENTRY
Save up to
74%
What’s important?
Folate
Why? Helps prevent neural tube defects in your developing
baby. Foods: A 400mcg daily folic acid supplement, leafy
green veg, beans and citrus fruits.
Iron
Why? Boots your iron stores to prepare for increased iron
needs during pregnancy. Foods: Red meat, pulses, dried
fruits and leafy green vegetables.
Vitamin C
Why? Improves iron absorption in your stomach and boosts
immunity. Foods: Citrus fruits, kiwi fruits, berries, peppers
and leafy green vegetables.
Calcium
Why? Essential for your baby’s development and helps to
protects mother’s bones. Foods: Dairy, leafy green veg, dried
fruit, sesame seeds, beans and chickpeas.
Alcohol
Cutting it out will boost fertility, remove any alcohol related
risks when you do get pregnant and limit your intake of
“empty” calories for a healthy weight.
Top foods to eat to
boost your fertility!
A healthy weight and well-balanced diet for both
men and women before you conceive will boost
your fertility, ensure you are at the best of your
health during pregnancy and make sure that you
have the energy you will need when your baby
finally arrives.
Laura McLoughlin,
Tesco Diets Nutritionist
Special Offer for Fertility Readers! 2 weeks
extra free*
If you are looking to follow a healthy, balanced diet, we offer 16
personalised diet plans and support from nutritionists to help
you every step of the way. To find out more and get 2 weeks
extra free go to www.tescodiets.com/fertility today.
*10 weeks for the price of 8 at a cost of £2.99 per week. To avail of this offer you must go
through www.tescodiets.com/fertility
p038 ADS.indd 1 04/05/2010 11:38

S
tress is something couples struggling to conceive will
be very familiar with. That seemingly endless monthly
procession and the repeated disappointments, rituals
and routines; the tests and the constant wishing for a
baby. It all adds up to a very fretful lifestyle. And for those on the
IVF cycle, stress levels may be even higher.
And we’ve not yet even factored in the normal everyday
demands of life, work, money, family, friends and all of the other
countless pressures that we have on us.
Yet, of course, stress is not conducive to
conception. High adrenalin and blood
pressure levels associated with stress can
affect the hypothalamus – the gland in the
brain that controls emotions and appetite,
whilst also monitoring the hormones that
produce testosterone in men, and that
trigger egg release in women.
This is why a woman’s periods might be affected when she’s
going through a particularly stressful time – like moving house or
coping with bereavement. Ovulation and menstruation can be
delayed. That said, the body does have the ability to adjust and
adapt to continued stress, and periods may not be adversely
affected by, say, a stressful job.
Perhaps this stress effect accounts for the stories we all hear of
couples who gave up trying for a baby and then fell pregnant.
When the pressure is off the body relaxes, hormone levels return
to normal and the inevitable happens. It’s not easy though when
the ‘helpful’ advice amounting to “just relax and it will happen”
makes you want to scream!
All this aside, the stress, pressure and structured monthly rou-
tine hardly make for romance which is fairly essential for you and
your partner to get up close and personal.
So don’t take your stress out on each
other - you need another way to
burn off that adrenalin whilst bring-
ing your hormone levels under
control. And the best method is
obviously through exercise. Not only
will it help with the type of healthy
lifestyle so conducive to boosting
fertility, but it should help you feel
better about yourself as a whole.
Stress relieving exercise releases en-
dorphins into the bloodstream. These
are the body’s pleasure chemicals and
they can help you deal with anxiety
more easily. Regular exercise can also
help you sleep which is essential for
any healthy lifestyle. Repetitive and
rhythmic exercise is especially good for
switching off from thinking about the
things that worry you.
Many people find running to be a
great stress buster, but it is high impact and hard on the joints so
a good alternative is cycling. Boxercise and aerobics that get the
heart pumping are good for boosting endorphins, while weights
can help some people feel less tense. Be careful though, they can
also be quite tiring and you may not get that rejuvenating buzz
you feel after a good work out.
For something a little gentler, a swim can be good. Many
people find being in the water to be very relaxing. Being a
slower exercise it can be harder to switch off, so try to empty your
mind and focus simply on yourself and the swim.
If you like the idea of being around water, but are thinking
of something that raises a sweat you might like the rhythmic
exercise of rowing.
Finally, why not consider pilates or yoga? Not only are their
meditative qualities relaxing but some studies suggest that cer-
tain yoga poses can help boost fertility. Because it can increase
blood flow to targeted organs it can be especially good for women as
it heightens the receptivity of the womb to ova, and stimulates
ovulation. Some IVF clinics now run classes for couples and in
some cases it seems to have increased conception success rates.
As with anything, it’s a case of doing what feels right for you,
but some exercise, no matter what it is, is always better than
no exercise at all.
Stress relieving exercise releases
endorphins into the bloodstream. These are
the body’s pleasure chemicals and they can
help you deal with anxiety more easily.
GUIDES/EXERCISE
FERTILITY ROAD
Helping you plan for every stage of your journey...p
©TommL/iStockphoto.com
p.39_fertility_road_exercise.indd 39 29/04/2010 10:00

FEATURE | health
B
ig nights out, meals on the run and more
caffeine, nicotine or alcohol than is strictly
good for you (and that’s not even mentioning
illegal substances)… if this list brings back fond
memories of your student days or a ﬂat-share in your
20s, you’re probably not alone.
But now you’re settled down and trying for a family,
how much does any misspent youth affect your chances
of conceiving? And what extent should you worry
about any vices you may still have?
Here’s the lowdown on what you need to know.
The effects of smoking
If you used to smoke or haven’t given up yet then the
bad news is that, for women, smoking has an irreversible
effect on your eggs and ovary (egg) reserves.
Tarek El-Touhky, consultant in reproductive medicine
and surgery at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital in London,
explains. “Smoking is detrimental to egg quality and
quantity. If you are 30 and you smoke, your ovaries
may behave as if you are 40. It makes the likelihood of
responding to [fertility] treatment less.”
Anita O’Neill, group practice manager and consult-
ant midwife at the Zita West Clinic agrees: “Women
who smoke are at higher risk of an early menopause – in
other words, premature ageing of the ovaries.”
“In addition, women can’t undo any damage to their
egg supply,” says Anita. “But a man who may have been
smoking 10 years and who has sub-optimal sperm
levels can give up cigarettes and you will invariably see
an improvement.”
What’s more, it doesn’t matter if you smoke a little or
a lot. The effect is the same. “There’s no ‘safe’ smoking
level,” says Tarek. “You also need to look at things in
the wider perspective. For example, if a woman who
smokes conceives, the pregnancy is more likely to be
complicated.”
The upshot is if you haven’t yet packed in the habit,
make it your priority to quit now. Not only will it
boost your health generally, as a woman you’ll be
SENDING
IN THE
VICE
SQUAD?
Whether it’s smoking, drinking too much or a having bad diet,
most of us have been guilty of leading a less-than-perfect
lifestyle at some point. But how much do these bad habits
– past or present – affect your chances of getting pregnant?
©GinaSanders/Fotolia.com

A report, published in 2004 by the British
Medical Association entitled ‘Smoking
and Reproductive Life’, concluded that
smoking reduces fertility in both men
and women and highlighted that:
• substances present in cigarette smoke
are toxic to the testes and ovaries.
• women who smoke take longer to conceive:
among smokers, the chances of conceiving
are decreased by 10–40% per cycle.
• men who smoke have a lower sperm count
than non-smokers, and their semen contains
a higher proportion of malformed sperm.
• by-products of nicotine present in the
semen of smokers have been found
to reduce the motility of sperm, affecting
their normal swimming patterns, whilst
also damaging the genetic material in
sperm cells.
41
WORDS |SARAH HART
helping to limit any damage to your egg
supply, while men will see an immediate
improvement in the quality of their sperm.
The impact of alcohol
While the odd glass of wine as the can be
a great way to unwind after a hard week’s
work, if you’re trying for a baby, keeping tabs
on how much and how often you drink
could improve your chances of success.
A recent study (2009) of 2,500 US couples
by doctors at the Harvard Medical School
in Boston found that men and women who
drank six or more units of alcohol per week
(two strong pints of beer or two large
glasses of wine) “significantly reduced their
likelihood of pregnancy”. For women, it cut
their chances of getting pregnant by 18%.
The researchers also found that women
who had between one and nine units of
white wine a week had a 23% greater
chance of failed implantation of an IVF
embryo, while men who drank a beer
daily contributed to a 38% greater chance
of failed implantation.
So should you cut out booze altogether
if you’re trying? “Alcohol causes free
radical damage which is a big factor with
sperm in particular, but also eggs,” says
Anita. “Regular heavy drinking or binge
drinking can interfere with ovulation and
contributes to poor ovary reserves.
“There is no ‘known’ safe limit, so it’s
best to avoid it,” she continues. “But this is
hard if you’re trying to conceive naturally
– because it may, for example, take five
years to conceive. So in this instance it’s
about moderation. A glass of wine on a
Friday evening is fine, but women should
stick to four units a week (or below), and
six to eight units (or less) for men.”
As with smoking, men are in the lucky
camp. Simply stopping can immediately
improve the quantity and quality of sperm
levels. While for women, not just current
but past drinking may have contributed to
poor egg quality.
“Poor ovarian reserves is the single biggest
problem contributing to infertility,” says
Anita. But whatever you may or may not
have done in the past, her advice is to now
focus on the present and do all you can to
maintain the eggs you have left and try to
keep them in the best quality condition.
MEN WHO DRINK
A BEER DAILY HAVE
A 38% GREATER
CHANCE OF FAILED
IMPLANTATION.
MORE
REASONS
TO QUIT
SMOKING
2004 by the British
www.fertilityroad.com
©AlexPotemkin/iStockphoto.com
»

HARLEY STREET FERTILITY CENTRE
MAURITIUS
Why not enjoy the sunshine and
beautiful beaches in Mauritius while
having your fertility treatment in total
confidentiality?
Why pay more in Europe,when you can
have the same expertise and
technology including a 10-day holiday
in a tropical paradise?
The Centre is headed by Dr Rajat Goswamy,
FRCOG, who has been providing IVF
treatments since 1982 in UK and is renowned
for innovations in IVF,Ultrasound and Keyhole
surgery.He and his international team have
been providing fertility treatments on the
island since 2002.
The Centre takes great care in providing a high
standard of services using the latest
techniques,in a caring,relaxed and supportive
environment maintaining privacy and dignity.
The Centre provides a wide spectrum of Fertility
treatments including:
• IVF - In Vitro Fertilisation
• ICSI - Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection
• Assisted Hatching
• Testicular Sperm Extraction
• Aneuploidy screening
Success rates at the Centre for these treatments
have been consistently above 40 %
• Laparoscopic Surgery for Endometriosis
and Polycystic Ovaries (PCO)
• Hysteroscopic Surgery for fibroids,polyps,and
intra-uterine adhesions
These keyhole surgical procedures are performed at
Fortis Clinique Darné.
Pregnancy rates following these procedures match
those obtained with the artificial reproductive
techniques listed above.
For further information about us,and on treatment
packages which include hotel accommodation,visit
our website :www.harleystreetfertility.comw
re performr
copic
(P
y
urgery for
es (PCO
40 %
metriosis
ypcopic S
rine adhe
gical proce
h
erformed a
se procedures match
cial reproductive
nd on treatment
ccommodation,visit
formation
ch include hote
ww.harleystreetfertility.com
are
HAVE YOUR TREATMENT AND HOLIDAY ON A TROPICAL ISLAND!
Fertility Problems?
Having difficulty in conceiving?
Repeated IVF failures?
Harley Street Fertility Centre
Address : Georges Guibert Street Floréal
Telephone : (230) 686 2525 - Fax : (230) 697 85 72
Email : hsfcmauritius@intnet.mu
Harley Street 1pp .indd 1 21/04/2010 14:44

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Fertility Road Magazine Issue 1