ESHRE Endorses Egg Freezing : ASRM Lifts Experimental Label From Egg Freezing

The American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) have endorsed oocyte freezing as a standard and safe procedure in  2012. ASRM  issued a new report on 22 October, 2012 stating that in young patients egg freezing techniques have been shown to produce pregnancy rates, leading to the birth of healthy babies, comparable to IVF cycles using fresh eggs. After much work and deliberation by fertility experts, who reviewed the world literature on the effectiveness and safety of egg freezing and, most importantly, on the desired outcome: healthy babies, egg freezing is can now be used in routine practice. More studies are being published regarding this age range, and all is reassuring.

 

APPLICATION:

Egg freezing could provide a viable alternative source for couples needing donor eggs to build their families. In addition, among the medical indications for its use are fertility preservation for patients who may be left infertile following medical treatments for other diseases  (viz., cancer),  some genetic conditions, or IVF treatment interrupted by the unexpected inability to obtain sperm.

 

REASON FOR CAUTION:

The Committee points out that the age of the woman at the time of egg freezing is a very important factor. “Success rates with oocyte cryopreservation appear to decline with maternal age consistent with the clinical experience with fresh oocytes.”  ASRM did not encourage egg freezing for “social reasons,” such as a delay in childbearing as, although the technical procedure of egg freezing is safe, we do not have enough long-term data about babies born to women using eggs frozen when they are older than 35. Citing a lack of data on safety, efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and potential emotional risks, the report states, “Marketing this technology for the purpose of deferring childbearing may give women false hope and encourage women to delay childbearing. Patients who wish to pursue this technology should be carefully counseled.”

 

ROTUNDA EGG FREEZING PROGRAM:

Rotunda is now offering oocyte cryopreservation as part of its ART services  using the latest cutting edge Cryotec vitrification technique. We also have initiated donor egg bank. We have achieved comparable success rates with frozen donor oocytes  to fresh donor oocytes.

The excellent survival rates, embryo development and pregnancy rates have given a tremendous new hope to young cancer women. These young cancer patients can now dream of becoming a mother one day in future when they are cured of their disease.

Faith, Love & God

Here’s an uplifting little story for you! This dog was born on Christmas Eve in the year 2002. He was born with  only 2 legs – He of course could not walk when he was born. Even his mother did not want him. His first owner also did not think that he could survive and he was thinking of ‘putting him to sleep’. But then, his present owner, Jude Stringfellow, met him and wanted to take care of him. She became determined to teach and train this little dog to walk by himself. She named him ‘Faith’. In the beginning, she put Faith on a surfboard to let him feel the movement. Later she used peanut butter on a spoon as a lure and reward for him for standing up and jumping around. Even the other dog at home encouraged him to walk. Amazingly, only after 6 months, like a miracle, Faith learned to balance on his hind legs and to jump to move forward. After further training in the snow, he could now walk like a human being.Faith loves to walk around now. No matter where he goes, he attracts people to him.He is fast becoming famous on the international scene and has appeared on various newspapers and TV shows.There is now a book entitled ‘With a Little Faith’ being published about him. He was even considered to appear in one of Harry Potter movies. His present owner Jude Stringfellow has given up her teaching post and plans to take him around the world to preach that even without a perfect body, one can have a perfect soul. In life there are always undesirable things, so in order to feel better you just need to look at life from another direction. I hope this message will bring fresh new ways of thinking to everyone and that everyone will appreciate and be thankful for each & every beautiful day. ‘Faith’ is the continual demonstration of the strength and wonder of life. A small request: All you are asked to do is keep this story circulating. God Bless You & Yours and God Bless all of God’s creatures!

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A Ferring Pharma invited Italian Speaker Maligning An Indian Doctor at The End Of His Talk!

I am using this platform so that my Message goes to the Fertility Professionals across the globe.This is with reference to a Conference we are organizing in September 2012 – The World Congress on Ovulation induction & Ovarian Stimulation Protocols (WOOSP2012). About a month ago, I received a call from Dr Ashok Alate, the Managing director of Ferring India saying he had received a letter from Mr Marco Filicori saying Dr Allahbadia had “copied” his Conference and that he was very upset and that such a conference cannot be held in India. I explained to Dr Alate that there is no copyright or patent on Conferences. Mr Filicori’s conferences are on Ovulation Induction and held in Italy and our Indian meeting is on Ovulation Induction & Ovarian Stimulation Protocols. I further explained that if there is any legal disposition, Mr Filicori could write to me directly & I will respond. I am organizing a meeting with 50 confirmed International Faculty who have volunteered their time so that this important topic can be discussed threadbare in India for an Indian audience. Last night, as part of Ferring India’s roadshow, Mr Filicori delivered a lecture at Hyderabad and at the end of his lecture launched a personal attack on me maligning me for having “copied” his Meeting and requested the audience to boycott WOOSP2012! And today I learnt that this well rehearsed abusive diatribe was repeated at their Bangalore meeting as well before a neutered Ferring Pharma staff in attendance. I am shocked and appalled that the Multinational pharma company allowed a speaker to use an academic platform to malign and abuse an Indian doctor in front of an Indian audience. I have written to Ferring India asking them to reign in their abusive “guest” and not allow personal animosities on their academic platforms. This could happen to any of us. I will write to the Italian Fertility Society & ESHRE & Ferring International to ensure that this man is censured. I will write to Fertility Associations the world over describing what has happened in India. I had a twinge of sadness when I realized not one doctor in the audience at Hyderabad or Bangalore stood up for me and stopped Mr Filicori when he raved and ranted about me being unethical. I am heartened now that over 2 dozen of our colleagues in India have spoken out against Ferring India & Mr Filicori’s disgraceful behavior on Facebook. I need support from my own colleagues In India if they think I’m right for standing up for my own pride & for India. I have approached both our National organizations: Federation of Obstetric & Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI) with a membership of 25,000+ members & the Indian Society For Assisted Reproduction (ISAR) with a Membership base of 2000+ to support me and write strongly to Ferring India. The correct response from the FOGSI President Dr PK Shah & past-President Dr CN Purandare has affirmed my faith in our Ob-Gyn Fraternity. FOGSI has sent a message to Ferring India that unless it leashes such abusive speakers on their sponsored academic platforms, FOGSI will boycott Ferring from all its conferences & activities!

” If you imagine it, you can achieve it. If you dream it, you can become it.” – William Arthur Ward. One of our patient’s sucess story in his own words

My fatherhood story

From the age of 20 I know I will become a parent, but time past faster than I felt and I was over 40 still a single man with no clue how I am making my biggest dream come true. And it happened a few years ago I came to read in a local newspaper about a gay couple becoming parents to a child getting help by a surrogate via Rotunda.

 It took me more than 2 years before I got the courage to send a mail to Rotunda and on the second mail my angel on earth wrote me. It was Dr Goral who later I understood is going to be the most meaningful person ever for me. She personally was the doctor and embryologist who got my embryos created through egg donation and she personally was the doctor who selected and put back the perfect embryos in my surrogate’s womb.

But this I will tell later. Before I want to tell about how afraid I was to begin the path. I am a single man, living alone in Israel. I don’t have any will changing my status. The only thing ever I wanted was a family! My family! and at the age of 43 I finally said to myself that I can’t wait no more and I sent the first mail to Rotunda. Till that stage it was the most difficult thing I did. No one can understand how much courage I needed and if not the feeling that this is what GOD has wishing for me I would not have become a father. My first try did not succeed. It took me 6 more months and good words from Dr Goral to start 1 more time. Got 1 more flight to Mumbai and again sat in Rotunda while the egg donation and 2 days later getting  embryos back in my surrogate.12 days later Dr Goral sent me the best mail till then telling me there is a pregrancy.

8 months later I became the happiest man living on earth! I am a father of a daughter and a son.

 My twins are 1 year and almost 4 months now. The boy is running for almost 2 month and the girl is making her first steps now. There is no happiness bigger than my happiness! No argument about it. Thank God for allowing me to be a father to my twins and thank Gods angel on earth (Dr Goral).

For anyone reading this blog I wish to explain: You need to stand on your legs and want the impossible! It is possible, just decide you want it. Rotunda knows how to make our biggest dream come true. God is great. Thank you Rotunda and more than anyone thank you Dr Goral & Dr Allahbadia.

Oriah (meaning the light of God) – my daughter

Yehonathan (meaning God gave) –  my son &

 Me- Yehoshua / Joshua (meaning God will save)

Email: joshua40@walla.com

‘Mother’ and ‘Father’ designations changing on U.S. passport applications

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has ordered the State Department to change wording on passports; “mother” and “father” will be removed from U.S. passport applications and replaced with “mother or parent 1” and “father or parent 2”, the Department says. An explanation on the State Department website noted: “These improvements are being made to provide a gender neutral description of a child’s parents and in recognition of different types of families.” The State Department said the gender-neutral passport applications will be rolled out in February.

Gay rights groups are applauding the decision.

“Changing the term mother and father to the more global term of parent allows many different types of families to be able to go and apply for a passport for their child without feeling like the government doesn’t recognize their family,” said Jennifer Chrisler, executive director of Family Equality Council.

FEC lobbied the government for several years to remove the words from passport applications.

“Our government needs to recognize that the family structure is changing,” Chrisler said. “The best thing that we can do is support people who are raising kids in loving, stable families.”

 

Lavasa:My Appeal to the Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India, New Delhi

January 3^rd, 2011

To,

Shri Bharat Bhushan

Director

Government of India

Ministry of Environment & Forests

Paryavaran Bhavan

CGO Complex, Lodhi Road

New Delhi – 110 003

Dear Shri Bharat Bhushan,

The object of government in peace and in war is not the glory of rulers or of races, but the happiness of the common man.

– Lord William Beveridge (1879 – 1963)

25^th November 2010 was one of the saddest days of my life when the MOEF using its powers brought work at Lavasa to a standstill. Lavasa was to be a benchmark for future Indian cities – the world would not consider Indian infrastructure companies & Indian architecture as third-world any longer. This was to be the showcase of Indian environment planning & city-planning for the world. I am a fertility physician & have done my bit in bringing India on the world-map (see http://www.iwannagetpregnant.in). I am one of the National experts appointed by the Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi to formulate National Assisted Reproductive Technology Guidelines, which are now with the Law Ministry about to be presented in Parliament. I felt proud that we could now showcase India to the world and am planning my retirement at Lavasa. I have also volunteered my services for treating the local tribals & the poor villagers in the area. I am keen to drive the Reproductive Medical Tourism Program at the Apollo Lavasa Hospital and make it an Asian hub for ART treatments.

I started visiting Lavasa about four years ago and have seen the city take shape. I have seen the care with which the city-planners have developed the present-form of the city taking care of the natural habitat. Only when I was mentally convinced that this is truly an environment-friendly, nature friendly & socially responsible city did I buy a home in Lavasa, which I intended to move in by March 2011. I have invested my life’s savings to buy this home in Lavasa. It took me years to save for a home and it was quite a blow to have my dreams crushed with a dictatorial order.

As a fellow Indian, you should be proud of this city. I have traveled widely across India lecturing in almost all corners of our country. I have never seen such inclusive development in any other city. I want you to visit Lavasa & see what exemplary work has been done here. The government of Maharashtra should be lauded for their vision. This project brings roads, electricity, revenues, jobs & a sense of National pride to this previously “backward” area. As a Gynecologist interacting with locals, I have heard horror stories of women dying in childbirth & babies stuck in the birth-canal & being taken on make-shift stretchers over 8-24 hours down to Pune. The infrastructure & roads developed here because of this project have made these 6-year-old horror stories obsolete. Today, the poor have an OPD at a tertiary hospital at Lavasa. Today, you have locals with Tata-Sky dishes on every house in the surrounding villages. Today, you have no unemployment in this region. This is Lavasa. This is the truth.

I am witness to the massive tree-replantation measures, hydro-seeding to prevent slope erosions & conservation of local flora and fauna through such diverse measures as pisciculture & aviculture. As a responsible medical practitioner, I have seen the trouble the Lavasa environment team has taken to grow Ayurvedic plants in and around the region to keep our medical heritage alive.

The CMD’s dream is to set up a museum here that will depict the history, art, culture, medicine & heritage of the state of Maharashtra. Please do not get taken in by ‘professional” infrastructure-opposers & ”professional” anti-India” NGOs and movements. These individuals and NGOs only work to stop development & infrastructure in India. If this was not a democracy and it was China, they would be locked away for a lifetime and the keys thrown away. Be proud to be an Indian & help us re-start the city. I truly hope and pray that you can convince the Hon. Minister, MOEF to visit Lavasa once personally & interact with citizens of “Free India”. He will go down in the history books as hero for having seen the truth once he clears Lavasa from its present shackles of court-stays. This is the future India that the next generation will enjoy.

“The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit” – Nelson Henderson (1902-1976)

Jai Hind! Jai Maharashtra!

Thanking you,

Yours Sincerely,

Dr Gautam Nandkishore Allahbadia MD, DNB

Copy to:

1. Shri Jairam Ramesh

Minister of State (Independent Charge)

Ministry of Environment and Forests

Government of India

Ministry of Environment & Forests

Paryavaran Bhavan

CGO Complex, Lodhi Road

New Delhi – 110 003

Telephone:+91-11- 24360605, 24360570, 24360519

2. Shri Prithviraj Dajisaheb Chavan,

Chief Minister of Maharashtra;

Government of Maharashtra

Office of the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Mantralaya, Mumbai-

400032.

Tel. No. 22025151, 22025222, Fax 22029214,

PRO Cell : Fax : 22817068

3. Smt. Supriya Sule

Member of Parliament (Loksabha)

Address: 6, Janpath Road,New Delhi – 110 001,

Tels. (011) 23018870, 23018619 9820060033 (M)

Fax (011)23018609

2010 in review

The stats helper monkeys at WordPress.com mulled over how this blog did in 2010, and here’s a high level summary of its overall blog health:

The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads Wow.

Crunchy numbers

About 3 million people visit the Taj Mahal every year. This blog was viewed about 50,000 times in 2010. If it were the Taj Mahal, it would take about 6 days for that many people to see it.

 

In 2010, there were 7 new posts, growing the total archive of this blog to 212 posts. There were 21 pictures uploaded, taking up a total of 3mb. That’s about 2 pictures per month.

The busiest day of the year was July 21st with 1 views. The most popular post that day was The genetic miracle behind the double mixed-race twins.

Where did they come from?

The top referring sites in 2010 were beppegrillo.it, gordonkeith.wordpress.com, facebook.com, en.wordpress.com, and search.conduit.com.

Some visitors came searching, mostly for kylie hodgson, kimberley conrad, kylie hodgson twins, lavasa, and klinefelter’s syndrome.

Attractions in 2010

These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.

1

The genetic miracle behind the double mixed-race twins January 2009
3 comments

2

Klinefelter’s Syndrome September 2008
3 comments

3

India’s First Same-Sex Couple Surrogacy Success Story June 2008
4 comments

4

Male Infertility and Obesity September 2008
7 comments

5

Embryo Grading September 2008
2 comments

Mr Scot Wrighton, City Manager, Lavasa & the Chief Guest ET2010 delivering the Inaugural Address

Dr Shantabai Gulabchand Oration on Cross-Border Reproductive Tourism at the ET2010, Lavasa

Breaking News: Surrogacy not for married couples only – singles and gays will have legal rights to have surrogate babies

Single men, single women, gays and lesbians may soon get the legal sanction to undergo surrogacy in India.

The draft bill legalizing the surrogacy process in India has provided for Single parenthood by allowing “Unmarried Couples” and “Single Persons” from India and abroad to have children in India using ART procedures and surrogate mothers.

By conferring the right to have children on unmarried couples and single persons, the bill attempts to achieve several historic feats – legalizing commercial surrogacy, single parenthood, live-in relationships and entitling gays and lesbians to start families using surrogate mothers – at one go.

The bill proposes to set up a mechanism to regulate and supervise surrogacy in India.

The bill, with potential to rewrite the social landscape, may be tabled in the monsoon session of Parliament if the Union Cabinet clears it.

Read more about this on http://epaper.hindustantimes.com//artMailDisp.aspx?article=21_06_2010_001_020&typ=1&pub=264