Saturday 31 January 2015

Mixed race children - the future of the world


ART (assisted reproductive technique) clinic statistics in India reveals that more and more Caucasians are demanding Indian egg donors instead of their own race, resulting in babies of mixed race.

Culturally, we have evolved a lot in the last century. Many walls were broken (Berlin wall was definitely a big one) including that of religion, race, economy, color, nationality etc. Now a days, we are getting to see lot of colored people among Americans, Europeans and Australians.

This definitely means that humans have imbibed to accept other fellow humans as equals, even though they look or behave different.

It was fascinating for me to apprehend from a Caucasian traveler that, out of all the countries he had visited, Iran was one of the best places. (He had visited almost every single country in the world!) It suddenly dawned on me, how biased I was about the Middle Eastern countries.

The number of highly successful people from mixed origin is pretty long. To name a few, it includes American President Barack Obama (African American), great golf player Tiger Woods (African, American, Chinese, Thai and Dutch inheritance!), renowned super model Naomi Campbell (African , Jamaican and Asian inheritance), Formula one champion Lewis Hamilton, Actor Keanu Reeves (English, Irish, Portuguese, Hawaii and Chinese apparently lineage in him) and Artist Sean Paul ,(Jewish, African , English and Chinese mix of genes !)   




Many British studies  published  proves that mixed race children are more attractive and successful. Scientifically, we all know that mixed breed gives better outcome in plant and animal kingdom. Inbreeding always leads to exaggeration of the faulty genes leading to their expression and many diseases are common in such races including infertility and repeated miscarriages. Due to this occurrence, some races are nearly extinct or have become a minority. 
http://bangaloreivf.blogspot.ae/2014/08/marriage-among-relatives-increases_5.html

This phenomenon was proved in a research where pheromones were tested on college students. The girls were reportedly more attracted to the pheromones of those guys, who had the genetic composition which was more distinct than their own.

So it is time we start looking for partners or donors from different race, in case we are expecting smart kids. I sincerely hope that mixing of religions and races might just stop all the religious fanaticism prevalent today.




Dr. Anita Mani
Infertility Specialist at Gift IVF Centre
anitadane@gmail.com

Dr. Anita Mani is a renowned infertility specialist in south India with 15 years experience in ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology). Dr. Anita has successfully set up ART hospitals in Cochin and Bangalore,  along with her spouse  Dr. S Mani. She completed MRCOG, from Royal College of Obstetrician and Gynaecologist  London, DFFP from  ART Warwick university and  worked in UK for 5 years. Dr. Anitha believes in scientific and ethical practice and is currently the director of Gift Gyno IVF centre Cochin and  Bangalore.  Apart from advanced laparoscopic surgeries, she is also an expert in various ART techniques including IVF, IUI, ICSI , donor egg / sperm. Her proficiency is in genetic abnormalities and high risk pregnancies.

Friday 30 January 2015

Infertility and marital discordance - life story of a patient



It is very unfortunate and tragic that, even in this modern day and age; marriages are broken and shattered by the pressure from family and society  due to infertility.






Recently I met my old patient and it was heart breaking to listen to her story. Six years back when I met her, she was struggling to conceive and we had treated her successfully. The couple had a love marriage and I could instantly sense the love and chemistry between them.  Unfortunately her pregnancy ended up in preterm delivery at 29 weeks and consequently her baby died. I could not meet her after the incident,  as they were located very far.

When I met her recently, I was shocked to know the string of events which followed the baby’s death. Invariably all the family members put the blame on the woman. I was surprised to know that, the family actually analyzed the situation and looked for a solution with the help of astrology (jyothishm). The recommendation was that, the horoscope ( jathakom ) of the husband and wife did not match which resulted in the baby’s death. The worst part was that, they even predicted that the husband will die, if he continued in the marriage and divorce was suggested. Friends and relatives made sure that their happy marriage was mercilessly crushed.
           
I still remember the chemistry between them. They were a lovely couple, so happy together, they did not really need a child to make them happy, both were very creative , talented and unique individuals. Divorce created lots of problems for both the individuals, she had to take antidepressants, he became a drunkard and the career of both was affected badly. The ex- husband is facing financial issues and drinking problems now.

When we ponder on this issue, from the superstitions what did the family gain? What did the society gain ? Do you think that the families or parents that make such decisions are good for the society? 

The reason for the sub-fertility was that the sperms were subnormal, so the actual medical reason is far from the truth. The cause of preterm delivery and neonatal death must have been semen abnormality. It has nothing to do with mismatch / jathakom or religion. But the superstitions shattered the life of two happy individuals. I feel that society and family should stop interfering in the life of couples, who are unable to have a baby. "PLEASE LEAVE THEM ALONE". 

It is not a must that you should have your own baby to have a fulfilling life, many couple chooses to live happily without planning kids. Consider finding happiness in looking after other children, there are so many unfortunate children around us who are thirsting for parental love. Adoption is always a great option.

Above all, it is the basic human right to make their own decisions when it comes to building a family.  (women and men have equal rights) You have to be strong enough to say, "I WILL MAKE MY OWN DECISIONS IN MY LIFE". Whether you are single, Gay, heterosexual or homosexual couples, every  single human should have the basic human right to decide how they should live, without  interference from society.







Dr. Anita Mani
Infertility Specialist at Gift IVF Centre
anitadane@gmail.com
bangaloreivf.blogspot.in

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Dr. Anita Mani is a renowned infertility specialist in south India with 15 years experience in ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology). Dr. Anita has successfully set up ART hospitals in Cochin and Bangalore,  along with her spouse  Dr. S Mani. She completed MRCOG, from Royal College of Obstetrician and Gynaecologist  London, DFFP from  ART Warwick university and  worked in UK for 5 years. Dr. Anitha believes in scientific and ethical practice and is currently the director of Gift Gyno IVF centre Cochin and  Bangalore.  Apart from advanced laparoscopic surgeries, she is also an expert in various ART techniques including IVF, IUI, ICSI , donor egg / sperm. Her proficiency is in genetic abnormalities and high risk pregnancies.

Friday 9 January 2015

Physiological and psychological benefits of regular sexual intercourse

I often hear couple saying  that "we are planning for pregnancy, so we are having a sexual relationship" This is often after years of marriage, really shocking! You might think I am joking, but this is what I hear from a lot of patients during my practice in India. Although India is the country of" Kamasutra" this is the reality.

If you think that the only benefit of sex is to have children, then  you are mistaken. Making love regularly has lots of benefits other than procreation. 




The probability of pregnancy declines considerably if you try to have intercourse only for conceiving by counting days of ovulation.

Sex play a pivotal role in the psychological and physiological well-being of human beings.

Sex can not only improve your cardiovascular fitness, strength, flexibility, and balance, it also takes care  of emotional health.

Regular sexual intercourse makes you sleep well, relieve stress and burn calories.

A recent study says that men who have sex more than twice a week, have a lesser risk of getting a heart attack, than men who have sex less than once a month. 

It will also Increase your immunity and makes your body stronger against illnesses like the common cold and fever. 

In today's world of extreme stress, sex   acts as a great stress buster, relaxing your body and mind. It is a vital factor for a happy and peaceful married life.

When you have an orgasm, the level of the hormone oxytocin increases many times. This endorphin actually reduces aches and pains, so it can act as painkiller too.

Sex can even promote longevity in men. During an orgasm, a hormone called dehydroepiandrosterone is released. This improves immunity, repairs tissue and keeps the skin healthy. 

The heart rate increases when you have sex, fresh blood is supplied to your organs and cells. This increased blood circulation will help in removing toxins and removes tiredness.

Vigorous making out improves overall fitness. This is an excellent way to lose the flab and extra weight and will help you keep in shape. Regular sex will do wonders to your waistline. Half an hour of lovemaking burns more than 80 calories. 

In men, the hormone testosterone is what makes them more passionate. Not only will it make you feel way better in bed, but it also improves your muscles and bones, keeps your heart healthy and keeps a check on your cholesterol.  In women, on the other hand, the hormone oestrogen protects them against heart disease and osteoporosis.




Dr. Anita Mani
Infertility Specialist at Gift IVF Centre
anitadane@gmail.com
bangaloreivf.blogspot.in

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Dr. Anita Mani is a renowned infertility specialist in south India with 15 years experience in ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology). Dr. Anita has successfully set up ART hospitals in Cochin and Bangalore,  along with her spouse  Dr. S Mani. She completed MRCOG, from Royal College of Obstetrician and Gynaecologist  London, DFFP from  ART Warwick university and  worked in UK for 5 years. Dr. Anitha believes in scientific and ethical practice and is currently the director of Gift Gyno IVF centre Cochin and  Bangalore.  Apart from advanced laparoscopic surgeries, she is also an expert in various ART techniques including IVF, IUI, ICSI, donor egg / sperm. Her proficiency is in genetic abnormalities and high risk pregnancies.

Wednesday 7 January 2015

Men Beware Of Laptops !! Laptop Can Reduce Your Fertility






Are you unmarried? Are you planning to be a father? If the answer is yes to any of the above questions then avoid using laptop on your lap, so that your chances for fatherhood is not pushed down. Taking care of small things in everyday life will ensure that you steer clear of many health issues.

Numerous studies conducted worldwide have undoubtedly proven the fact that men working constantly in above normal heat conditions face infertility issues. Heat can affect the quality of the semen adversely, resulting in failure to start a family.

Regular users of the laptop should be alerted that excessive use of laptop is determinant in causing male infertility. When the laptop is placed on the lap close to the scrotum, even for a short period of fifteen minutes, it will cause an increase in the scrotum temperature considerably, causing the sperm quality to deteriorate. Internal operating temperatures of Laptops can cross more than 70°C.

Appropriate scrotal temperature should be maintained for the normal production of sperm. In recent times there has been an enormous increase in number of male infertility cases. Reduction of sperm production has now become a common complication faced by a large number of male population. This can be correlated to the substantial increase in the use of laptop. Frequent use of Sauna or hot tubs is also not prudent as this can also elevate testicular temperature.

 Key to the problem : it will be judicious on part of men to place the laptop on a table or desktop rather than on their lap and avoid exposing your body to high temperature for long duration.

Dr. Anita Mani
Infertility Specialist at Gift IVF Centre
anitadane@gmail.com

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Dr. Anita Mani is a renowned infertility specialist in south India with 15 years experience in ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology). Dr. Anita has successfully set up ART hospitals in Cochin and Bangalore,  along with her spouse  Dr. S Mani. She completed MRCOG, from Royal College of Obstetrician and Gynaecologist  London, DFFP from  ART Warwick university and  worked in UK for 5 years. Dr. Anitha believes in scientific and ethical practice and is currently the director of Gift Gyno IVF centre Cochin and  Bangalore.  Apart from advanced laparoscopic surgeries, she is also an expert in various ART techniques including IVF, IUI, ICSI , donor egg / sperm. Her proficiency is in genetic abnormalities and high risk pregnancies.