Genesis Fertility Clinic Blog
September 1, 2010New Textbook
This month a new textbook on reproductive surgery was published. It’s editors, Drs. Gomel and Brill, are well respected physicians and surgeons in reproduction and infertility. Dr. Gomel is a mentor of mine and practiced in BC for over 30 years. He is a pioneer in IVF, laparoscopy and infertility surgery. Many, many babies have been born thanks to Dr. Gomel.
The text, called “Reconstructive and Reproductive Surgery in Gynecology” had contributors from around the world. I co-authored a chapter on fibroids and fertility.
I mention the book it here to promote the book and, in a very small way, to recognize Dr. Gomel whose academic and clinical work has significantly impacted the health, fertility and well-being of thousands of us in BC. He continues this work today.
Respectfully,
Dr. Beth Taylor, MD, FRCSC
Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility
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August 30, 2010Baby Beat
A lot of people know Amy Beeman a morning radio DJ from the Beat 94.5 FM in Vancouver. She was my patient and conceived her twins by IVF. She discusses her fertility journey and recent delivery in her blog.
No patient confidentially is breached here – Amy mentioned that she came to Genesis and was my patient in her blog
It might be a fun read for those struggling like Amy did….
Congratulations to Amy and her husband and thanks for sharing your story!
Dr. Beth Taylor, MD, FRCSC
Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility
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August 30, 2010Baby Beat
A lot of people know Amy Beeman a morning radio DJ from the Beat 94.5 FM in Vancouver. She was my patient and conceived her twins by IVF. She discusses her fertility journey and recent delivery in her blog.
No patient confidentially is breached here – Amy mentioned that she came to Genesis and was my patient in her blog
It might be a fun read for those struggling like Amy did….
Congratulations to Amy and her husband and thanks for sharing your story!
Dr. Beth Taylor, MD, FRCSC
Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility
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August 25, 2010Dr. Kashyap
So, Dr. Kashyap has started at Genesis. She arrived from San Francisco last week.
She has already has an introduction to Vancouver as her car was towed last night. I told her she needs to do the Grouse Grind, eat at White Spot, swim in Kits pool, take the Canada Line and walk the SeaWall. Oh and she needs to be accosted by a squeegie kid and she’ll have had the full Vancouver introduction!
It’s great to have her at Genesis as she is sharing her experience at other IVF programs like Cornell and at UCSF. From these programs she is bringing tips and tricks to help improve pregnancy rates and our patient’s experience.
“To improve is to change. To be perfect is to change often” – Winston Churchill
We aren’t perfect but we are always tweaking protocols and procedures to improve. Bringing in a new, experienced doctor is a great way to continue in that direction.
Here’s hoping for more pregnancies and fewer car mishaps…..
Dr. Beth Taylor, MD, FRCSC
Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility
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August 24, 2010Australian Election
Australians are facing a hung parliament as their first female prime minister, Julia Gillard lost her parliamentary majority in Saturday’s election. I watched this election because of the campaign. The opposition’s campaign took issue not just with Ms. Gillard’s policies but for her lifestyle. It seems that women in power are often judged on their appearance and lifestyles. This was true when Ms. Gillard was running. The conservative leader, Tony Abbott, attacked Gillard for having “chosen not to have children” saying this made her unable to “understand the way parents think.”
His comments bother me. Firstly, it’s unknown whether Gillard chose not to have children or is infertile. If she is infertile Mr. Abbott’s comments must certainly hurt. Secondly, I believe having children is not a prerequisite for understanding the needs of families.
Ok, this is tangentially related to infertility but when I read the word “childless” in the newspaper I read on.
Dr. Beth Taylor, MD, FRCSC
Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility
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August 22, 2010More on stress
For some couples the trick to conceiving is reducing stress. Of course, if you have severe endometriosis, damaged tubes, poor sperm quality or quantity stress isn’t the whole story. Here’s an article referencing a study of stress hormones and pregnancy rates.
So, if you can cut down on stress through exercise, meditation, yoga, acupuncture, work-life changes it might just help.
Dr. Beth Taylor, MD, FRCSC
Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility
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August 3, 2010If at first you don't succeed...
A very relevant study out of the Netherlands was published in the July 2010 issue of Fertility & Sterility that assessed the time to a successful pregnancy after a miscarriage in infertile couples.
Of 5663 infertile couples who did not have blocked tubes or severe male factor infertility, 19% (1098) conceived on their own within the 12 months after testing. Of those who conceived 18% of them (199) miscarried. The study followed these couples who miscarried and asked “if you are infertile, but manage to conceive on your own, what is the chance you’ll conceive on your own again within the next 2 years?”
The answer is that these couples are quite likely to conceive: 46% will conceive within 12 months, 63% will conceive within 18 months and 70% will conceive within 2 years of the miscarriage. Most (91%) of the time when they conceived it was a successful pregnancy. The chances of success however were much lower if the woman was over age 36.
So, women under age 36 without a major infertility problem (i.e blocked tubes, severe male factor), who miscarry are very likely to have a successful pregnancy within the next 2 years.
This information should help reassure couples who miscarry. While miscarrying after months or years of trying to conceive is devastating, it can be a sign that success will follow. Patience, patience… most of us are short on this when it comes to infertility though.
Dr. Beth Taylor, MD, FRCSC
Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility
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August 1, 2010Some days are better than others
My family knows how many of my patients had positive pregnancy tests that day. No, I do not talk about patients at home, but they can tell by my mood. If most of my patient’s pregnancy tests that day were positive I am in a good mood. Not so if most were negative or a patient I was certain would conceive, didn’t. This job is a real rollercoaster.
While I am young I have done a few different jobs in the past – research assistant, computer lab tech, family medicine, and general ob/gyn. None of these jobs generated the highs or lows that fertility does. Only rarely in these jobs did I cry for a patient or customer or computer problem. Rarely did I squeal at a blood test result or thank God a patient reported being nauseous.
It’s a good job, no a great job. It would be even better if everyone had success. We are working on it…..
Enjoy the long weekend.
Beth Taylor, MD, FRCSC
Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility
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August 1, 2010Some days are better than others
My family knows how many of my patients had positive pregnancy tests that day. No, I do not talk about patients at home, but they can tell by my mood. If most of my patient’s pregnancy tests that day were positive I am in a good mood. Not so if most were negative or a patient I was certain would conceive, didn’t. This job is a real rollercoaster.
While I am young I have done a few different jobs in the past – research assistant, computer lab tech, family medicine, and general ob/gyn. None of these jobs generated the highs or lows that fertility does. Only rarely in these jobs did I cry for a patient or customer or computer problem. Rarely did I squeal at a blood test result or thank God a patient reported being nauseous.
It’s a good job, no a great job. It would be even better if everyone had success. We are working on it…..
Enjoy the long weekend.
Beth Taylor, MD, FRCSC
Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility
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July 20, 2010Quebec IVF Funding
As of August 5, 2010 the Quebec Provincial Health Plan will cover the cost, including medications, of three IVF cycles. There remains much to be sorted out, for example whether there will be an age limit, whether additional IVF cycles will be funded if a child is born from IVF, how will a wait list be managed?
While the details remain to be clarified, this is a very exciting and important opportunity for people in Quebec. We are watching closely and continue our efforts in BC to have IVF and other similar fertility treatments funded here, like they are in BC.
Stay tuned to see how things unfold in Quebec. Exciting times….
Dr. Beth Taylor, MD, FRCSC
Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility
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