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04Feb

Fertility Assessment as the first step towards your pregnancy dream

  Are you ready for your pregnancy journey? If you have been actively trying to conceive but to no avail after 6 months or 1 year of unprotected sexual intercourse, a fertility assessment with a fertility specialist is required. An exact diagnosis is important for finding the right treatment options to achieve your dream. Fertility assessment is the best way to know whether you’re infertile. What is Fertility Assessment? Fertility Assessment is an assessment that helps to investigate the reason behind your difficulty in conceiving. Through the process of your fertility assessment, you will undergo a series of tests to evaluate your reproductive health. This includes an assessment on both husband and wife: A visit to a Fertility Specialist Centre will start with:
  • Semen analysis to find the parameter of the sperm quality and quantity
  • A pelvic vagina scan to find the overall condition of the egg reserve
  • An abdominal scan to find out the overall condition of the womb, indications of fibroid, cysts, PCOS or endometriosis.
  • A need to do a further investigation such as HSG to investigate blocked fallopian tubes.
  • Blood test
Once the assessment has been completed, our fertility specialist will discuss with you the available treatment options that can help you to conceive. Who and when should go for Fertility Assessment? Fertility Assessment is recommended for people who have been trying to conceive naturally for more than 12 months if they are under 38 or have been trying to conceive for longer than 6 months if they are over 38. It is also recommended for anyone who has already had a miscarriage, diagnosis of fertility issues, such PCOS, or has been advised by their doctor to do further investigations. Other issues that should trigger your attention include;
  • irregular periods
  • repeated miscarriages
  • thyroid problems
  • cystic fibrosis
  • problems getting an erection
  • problems ejaculating
Where Should you go for Fertility Assessment? There are many reputable IVF centre that you may go for a fertility assessment. At Alpha IVF we provide fertility assessment for their patients. Patients will have a consultation with the doctor whereby the doctor will discuss with you your medical history, expectations that you have and during this time, take the opportunity to ask questions that you have prepared to fully benefit from this visit. Based on the assessment reports, the doctor will then discuss with you the treatment options appropriate for you, weighing the pros and cons, advantages and disadvantages, benefits and risks, and success rates for each option. The consultation will typically last between 20 to 40 minutes or longer for more complex cases. How is infertility treated? Making an appointment to see a fertility specialist may seem like a big step. Considering that their many misconceptions associated with fertility issues, we know how difficult it is for couples to take the first step in crossing that bridge. Treatment for infertility can include a combination of lifestyle changes, medicine, hormone therapy, and surgical procedures. However, two of the most common fertility treatments are intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF). With the advanced technologies deployed in assisted reproductive treatment, IVF success rates have climbed to a high 80 over for the last decade compared to 15 over when it was first started.  
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02Feb

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in IVF

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in IVF Alpha IVF is the first centre in Malaysia to offer AI-Enhanced Embryo Selection System to increase IVF success rates and shorten patient’s time to pregnancy. In the tradition of firsts, we at Alpha IVF are committed to put our patients and their fertility needs as our 1st priority. With this latest technology, the most viable embryo that is most likely to lead to pregnancy can be selected during the first embryo transfer. AI can choose the very best embryo for transfer This powerful AI identifies an embryo’s complex morphological features that constitute a healthy embryo, which is often invisible to the human eye, and tells us which embryo is the best and that is most likely to lead to a pregnancy. AI will score each embryo based on its implantation potential. The higher the score, the better the chance of successful implantation. Using deep learning, this revolutionary technology is far more precise and unbiased compared to the conventional embryo grading system. AI is fully automated, non-invasive, and affordable. What are the benefits of AI in IVF?
  • It helps shorten the time to pregnancy
  • It helps reduce the number of IVF cycles that may be needed
  • For multiple embryos, it helps to identify the best embryo for the first embryo transfer
  • Reduces IVF trauma
   
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20Jan

SMART IVF PLAN 2021

SMART IVF Program is a full regime IVF that is tailored for women with a good prognosis, age 38 and below. Meaning your reproductive system can benefit from this SMART IVF program at your current time.

Hence you need to do the fertility assessment before the Doctor can decide if this program is suitable for you. It involves a series of injections, egg pick up procedure, culturing in the lab to get you a good blastocyst, and a fresh embryo transfer procedure.

The package price includes all items as per below.

  • Stimulation drugs
  • Egg pick up procedure
  • Culturing in the lab to get you a good blastocyst
  • The fresh embryo transfer procedure
  • Doctor’s fee
  • Luteal support and Pregnancy test on day 10

The first assessment is not included in this package. It costs around RM 600-700 in which you and your husband will be assessed on :

  1. Semen analysis on husband to check count and quality of the sperm
  2. Abdominal scan
  3. Pelvic Ultrasound scan to check on your egg counts
  4. Pelvic floor examination.
  5. Doctor’s consultation fee

If you present a good prognosis for this program then you can go ahead by taking the medicine back to standby. Instruction on how and when to start the program will be given. However, there are Terms & Conditions Apply.

  • Cannot choose the doctor.
  • Do not include any embryo freezing and maintenance fee 
  • No refund and no return of medicine upon commencement of the program

COST :

Payment occurs progressively :

For Women age 36 and below :

  • RM 8888 upon starting the program
  • RM 3000 upon egg pick up
  • RM 2000 upon Embryo Transfer

For Women age 37-38 :

  • RM 9888 upon starting the program
  • RM 3000 upon egg pick up
  • RM 2000 upon Embryo Transfer

At Alpha IVF our world-class IVF has achieved success rates of 82.9%, thrusting us amongst the top IVF centres worldwide. Together, we can help you build your dream family. It starts with a consultation and as an essential medical facility, we remain open throughout MCO. Call us at +603 6141 6166 or send a WhatsApp at 0125686290 to make an appointment.

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11Jan

ART Treatment processes and The Stories behind it

What Is Assisted reproductive technology (ART)? Assisted reproductive technology (ART) consists of procedures that involve the in vitro handling of both human oocytes and sperm, or of embryos, with the objective to achieve a pregnancy. Assisted reproductive technology (ART) objective is to treat a variety of causes of infertility by collecting gametes, creating embryos from these in the laboratory, and transferring the most viable embryo into the uterus. Sperm Preparation Before starting the IVF treatment cycle, a semen analysis should be performed according to the protocols described in the World Health Organization (WHO) manual (World Health Organization, 2010). The male patient will have his sperm examined via a sperm analysis test. This test helps to determine the health and viability of his sperm, the number, shape, and motility of the sperm, and other factors. The report will take about two hours to be generated. Patients are advised to abstain from any form of sperm release for about three to four days before their appointment. After collection, the sample should be delivered to the laboratory as soon as possible avoiding extreme temperatures. ICSI procedure Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) involves injecting a single sperm directly into an egg using pipettes with appropriate lumen size in order to prevent oocyte damage. The fertilized egg (embryo) is then transferred to the woman’s womb. The procedure for ICSI is similar to that of IVF, but instead of fertilization taking place in a dish, the embryologist selects sperm from the sample and a single sperm is injected directly into each egg. The whole process is done under microscopic visualization and manipulation. Before the sperm is injected into the egg, it is immobilized. The egg is held in place and the sperm is injected into the egg by puncturing a tiny hole in the zona pellucida of the egg using a microinjection needle. The needle will go through this hole and deliver the sperm into the cytoplasm. The tiny hole will seal by itself and recover. The injected eggs are checked the day after to see if fertilization has occurred. During ICSI, the following points are important: - Only mature oocytes should be injected. - Giant oocytes or oocytes with a very large polar body should not be injected. - Morphologically normal, motile sperm should be selected. Embryo culture and transfer An embryologist will closely monitor the developing fertilized egg or zygote. At 18 hours, the cell should contain two pronuclei, which means they contain genetic material from both partners. In another 24 hours, the embryologist will look for cell division. Embryos will be cultured for anywhere from two to five days before being transferred. On day 3, the embryo should be six to eight cells.  However, most laboratories will then opt for extended culture for 2 more days in order to allow the embryo to develop into a blastocyst.  In order for the embryo to develop beyond the 8 cells stage, it must be able to activate its own genes and produce its own proteins.  By thus proving its functionality, the later stage embryos now have a greater likelihood of implanting and developing into a viable fetus. Cryopreservation can be performed for gametes, embryos, and tissues. For cleavage-stage embryos and blastocysts, high success rates have been reported when using vitrification. However, for pronuclear and cleavage-stage embryos, good results can also be obtained using slow-freezing methods.   By: Dr  Haris Hamzah Consultant O&G & Fertility Specialist, Alpha IVF
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06Jan

SCIENTIFIC FINDING ON GETTING PREGNANT BEYOND 35!

Know Your Facts

Do you know most healthy women who get pregnant after age 35 and even into their 40s have healthy babies? However, that doesn't mean you shouldn't think about smart ways to make sure you and your baby stay as healthy as possible during your pregnancy.

The chances of getting pregnant decline as sharply once you hit 35 as you might have heard. As you age, your number of viable eggs goes down, and this generally starts happening more rapidly once you turn 35. Research has demonstrated that it is often more difficult but not impossible to conceive naturally after a certain age.

Here are some reasons why there is declining pregnancy rate beyond 35 years old;

  • Increased Women Educational

Women who have more formal education tend to have fewer children.  In today’s world women who graduate, prefer to delay childbearing as they enter the workforce and find more opportunities for employment. This results in fewer children over their reproductive years. The social empowerment of women has been increasing through education hence the decrease in fertility rates.

  • Access to Contraception and Family Planning

Greater access to family planning correlates with lower total fertility rates. This is because family planning helps give women greater control over when to have children, how many children to have, and whether to have children at all. For some areas of the world, the sharpest declines in fertility rates have come from the introduction of safe, reliable access to contraception.

Here are some risk factors for pregnancy after 35 years olds:

  • Easy to develop high blood pressure during pregnancy.

Research suggests high blood pressure that develops during pregnancy is more common in older women. You need to carefully monitor your blood pressure and your baby's growth and development. You will need more frequent obstetric appointments and you might need to deliver before your due date to avoid complications.

  • C-section.

You tend to have a higher risk of pregnancy-related complications that might lead to a C-section delivery. An example of a complication is a condition in which the placenta blocks the cervix (placenta previa).

  • The risk of chromosome abnormalities is higher.

Babies born to older mothers have a higher risk of certain chromosome problems, such as Down syndrome.

  • The risk of pregnancy loss and miscarriage is higher.

Research suggests that the decrease in the quality of your eggs, combined with an increased risk of chronic medical conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes, could increase your risk of miscarriage. Ask your health care provider about monitoring your baby's well-being during the last weeks of pregnancy.

Trying To Conceive? Here Are Some Things That You Can Do?

Healthy Lifestyle

Whether you're thinking about getting pregnant or have already been trying, it's never too late to change your lifestyle choices. Starting healthy habits can help to improve your overall health and help to promote fertility in both you and your partner. It helps to put you on the road to parenthood. Here are some things that you can do to increase your chances of getting pregnant.

  • Eat right
  • Get your vitamins. Make sure to get plenty of folic acid and calcium
  • Stay hydrated
  • Proper prenatal care
  • Don't drink alcohol
  • Don't smoke

When should you ask for help?

If you’re over 35 and you’ve been trying to conceive for six months, you may not want to wait that long. In this age group, it's a good idea to seek fertility help after six months of trying without success, you should see a fertility specialist to find out more and what are the solutions available.

What Are The Treatments?

The treatment depends on the cause, so first, you'd want to look into why there's a problem. First, you and your partner need to go for fertility tests, which might include sperm tests, checks for sexually transmitted infections, ultrasound, transvaginal scan, and blood test if needed. There are 3 main types of fertility treatment:

  • Surgical procedures.
  • Assisted conception – including intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilisation (IVF)

If You Are Pregnant?

The first 8 weeks of your pregnancy are important to your baby's development. Early and regular prenatal care can boost your chances of having a safe pregnancy and a healthy baby. Prenatal care includes screenings, regular exams, pregnancy and childbirth education, and counselling and support. Getting prenatal care also provides extra protection for women over 35. It lets your doctor stay on top of health conditions that are more common among women who are older when they get pregnant. During prenatal visits, the doctor will check your blood pressure, test your urine for protein and sugar, and test your blood glucose levels. That lets them catch and treat problems early.

If you would like to get reassurance about the health of your unborn child, you may do Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) when you are at least 9 weeks pregnant. Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) is a non-invasive blood test that is safe for you and your baby. The test provides information about whether there is a high chance that your baby chromosome condition, such as Down Syndrome. It can provide an indication of your unborn baby's chromosomal condition which can help you decide whether to pursue the pregnancy.

According to the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART), the rate of fertility treatment success greatly decreases beyond the age of 40. The rate of live births (per egg retrieval) for women between the ages of 35 and 37 is 42%, and 26.6% for women ages 38 to 40. Don't put off seeking help because you think that fertility treatments can make up for the lost time. Fertility treatments become less successful as you age (unless you plan to use donor eggs). So hurry and book your appointment now.

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16Nov

What Is endometriosis?

 

Endometriosis is a disorder in which tissue similar to that which forms the lining of your uterus grows outside your uterine cavity. It is usually found in the lower abdomen or pelvis, but can also appear elsewhere in the body. The condition is often painful to varying degrees, though some patients may not have any symptoms at all. Women with endometriosis may report difficulty in becoming pregnant.

Common signs and symptoms of endometriosis include:

  • Painful periods. Known as dysmenorrhea, pelvic pain and cramping may begin before and extend several days into a menstrual period. You may also have pain in the lower back and abdomen.
  • Pain with intercourse. Pain during or after sex is common with endometriosis.
  • Painful bowel movements or urination. You are most likely to experience these symptoms during a menstrual period.
  • Excessive bleeding. You may experience occasional heavy menstrual periods or bleeding between periods.
  • Infertility. Endometriosis can be first diagnosed in women seeking treatment for infertility.
  • Other signs and symptoms. You may experience fatigue, diarrhoea, constipation, bloating or nausea, especially during menstrual periods.

How is endometriosis diagnosed?

Diagnosis of endometriosis is quite difficult since there is no single test for evaluation. The only way to confidently confirm the condition is by undergoing a surgical laparoscopy. This is a minimally invasive procedure whereby a thin, lighted tube containing a miniature camera is inserted through a small incision in the pelvic area. Other diagnostic strategies include pelvic examination, radiologic imaging with ultrasound or MRI.

Why is endometriosis associated with infertility?

Between 20% and 40% of women with infertility have endometriosis. The condition appears to impair fertility in two ways: by causing distortion of the fallopian tubes so that they are unable to pick up the egg after ovulation, and by creating inflammation that can adversely affect the function of the ovary, egg, fallopian tubes or uterus.

What can we do for you?

Endometriosis has no cure, but its symptoms can be managed, and you should consult your doctor or fertility specialist to decide which treatment would work best for you. Medical and surgical options are available to help reduce your symptoms and manage any potential complications. Your doctor may first try conservative treatments, such as birth control pills or gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists, before recommending surgery if your condition does not improve.

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20Oct

How do you know if you have PCOS?

What is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?
Affecting some 10 percent of women of reproductive age, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal imbalance that causes ovulation dysfunction in the ovaries. Abnormal hormone levels prevent follicles in the ovaries from growing and maturing to release egg cells. As a result, women with PCOS have an overabundance of egg follicles, which accumulate in the ovaries. PCOS can cause irregular or missed menstrual periods. This, in turn, can lead to an inability to get pregnant. Left untreated, the condition is among the most common causes of infertility in women.
Who can get PCOS?
PCOS can happen at any age after puberty. Women of all races are at risk of it, though no established prevalence among distinct ethnic groups has been shown. Your risk of PCOS may be higher if you have obesity, or if you have a mother, sister or aunt with PCOS.
What are the symptoms of PCOS? The most common PCOS symptoms are:
  • Irregular period
Lack of ovulation, known as anovulation, and hormonal imbalance prevent the uterine lining from shedding every month. Some women with PCOS get fewer than eight periods a year.
  • Infrequent bleeding
Bleeding can be heavier or lighter than normal as a consequence of anovulation.
  • Hair growth
Up to 70 percent of women with PCOS have unwanted hair growth on the face and body, including on the back, belly, or chest.
  • Acne
Excessive male hormones can make the skin oilier than usual and cause breakouts in areas such as the face, chest, and upper back.
  • Weight gain
More than half of women with PCOS are overweight or obese.
How to diagnose PCOS? Women with PCOS can have a wide range of symptoms. For formal diagnosis, a patient must have at least two of the following:
  1. Irregular menstruation
  2. High level of male hormones shown through a blood test
  3. Ovaries with multiple follicles detected by ultrasound
  PCOS and infertility
It is often believed that PCOS causes infertility. This is, in fact, incorrect, since PCOS is highly treatable. PCOS is a hormonal condition that interferes with the growth and release of eggs from the ovaries. Women with PCOS will usually take longer to get pregnant, often because they have irregular periods and do not ovulate every month
(more…)
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21Apr

Mosaic Embryos May Be Your New Hope To Have A Family Of Your Own.

Mosaic Embryos, to transfer or not to transfer?  Advances in the field of fertility treatment or Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) has gone through many leaps and bounds. Preimplantation Genetic Screening (PGS) or now better known as Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidies (PGT-A) has been used to improve the IVF outcome for couples with infertility. The test screens through the 23 pairs chromosomes of the embryos and identifies both normal and abnormal chromosomes in the embryos. Embryos that are tested to be normal are those that will be transferred due to its potential to establish into a successful pregnancy. (more…)
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13Apr

ALPHA IVF Virtual Clinic is now at your fingertips!

• Connect with our fertility specialists to address your queries about fertility / pregnancy related issues from the comfort of your own home via online consultation.

• A portion of each sessions' proceeds will go towards Covid-19 fund (Tabung Covid-19).

While you stay at home, we want to support you and partner's hopes in building a family.

Schedule a virtual consultation with us, where you can also seek out a second opinion from our specialists. At RM 60.00 per session, RM 20.00 will be donated to Tabung Covid-19 (Covid-19 Fund).

   

Register here by entering : AlphaVC, followed by your full name as per IC : http://www.wasap.my/60125686290 (Office Hours Only)

NOTE : ONLY AVAILABLE FOR OUR EXISTING PATIENTS.

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