Jheni Osman - Conceivable

Contents

Each time I look at our two girls, I marvel at the complexity of their bodies and the fact that they were once just a sperm and an egg. Im not a religious person, but conception, birth and the development of any creature truly astounds me. The miracle of life.

Im eternally grateful to all the researchers around the world who have developed the science of IVF. Im also hugely grateful to Dr Chandra Kailasam for your expertise, which enabled us to have our two girls, and all the talented staff at the Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine (BCRM) at Southmead Hospital in Bristol.

Thank you also to all the patients who gave their time to be interviewed for this book, and all the experts: Nina Barnsley, Director of the Donor Conception Network (DCN); Prof. Jacky Boivin from the University of Cardiff; Dr Cesar Diaz-Garcia, Medical Director IVI London; Dr Chandra Kailasam, Consultant in Reproductive Medicine at the London Womens Clinic; Prof. Edzard Ernst, Emeritus Professor at the University of Exeter; Natalie Gamble, fertility lawyer, NGA Law; Wendy Martin, Fertility Therapist at the Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine (BCRM); Prof. Geeta Nargund, Medical Director, CREATE Fertility; Prof. Robert Norman from the University of Adelaide; Prof. Allan Pacey from the University of Sheffield; Barbara Scott, Chair of the Association of Reproductive Reflexologists; Prof. Richard Sharpe from the University of Edinburgh; and Paul Wilson, BCRM Head of Embryology and Andrology. Thank you also to the HFEA for your work confirming stats and providing sources.

A special thank you to Dr Valentine Akande, Dr Chandra Kailasam and Dr JV Chamary for your help and guidance with this book.

And, finally, thank you to my family particularly my amazing sister, Tamara, who supported us through the whole IVF process and is now the most incredible aunt, adored by her nieces. And to my husband, Max youre wonderful. Thank you for going on this IVF journey with me, surviving the whirlwind of bringing up our girls, and also supporting me to write this book. Without your support (and your sperm!), none of this would have been possible.

The field of reproduction and fertility treatment is developing rapidly. Techniques and the technology used are evolving at pace, and more people than ever seek specialist help in order to conceive.

In my years working as a gynaecologist and fertility specialist, Ive watched how fertility treatments have evolved and Ive been at the front line of new developments, offering patients the opportunity to enhance their prospects of having a child.

We recognise the profound effect the work we do can have in changing peoples lives, how important it is for them to have families, and we take this seriously. As such, helping in the creation of a life is one of the greatest things to be involved in. I am often humbled by the experience. Of course, in my job there are difficult moments, such as when patients are unable to have the longed-for baby in which they have invested so much time, financial resources, energy and emotion.

In my role as head of the Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine (BCRM), I see many patients who ask where they can find out more about IVF and all that it entails. Theres never been one book to guide them through the whole process, while explaining the science behind whats involved, and providing insight from patients and experts alike. Until now. This practical, warm, all-you-need-to-know science-based guide will help you to understand the process and pressures of IVF, and help make what can be a very challenging journey easier and, hopefully, successful.

Dr Valentine Akande, MBBS PhD MRCOG, Consultant Gynaecologist, Fertility Specialist and Reproductive Surgeon

If youre reading this book because youre struggling to have a baby, and youre thinking of having IVF, youre not alone. In the UK, around 3.5 million couples are finding it difficult to conceive, and thousands of fertility treatment cycles take place every year (over 74,000 cycles in 2018).

Its estimated that, to date, $25bn (19.10bn) has been generated globally from fertility services such as IVF and egg freezing. Its no wonder its big business. There are already more than 6 million people who were born via IVF. And one study even estimated that by the year 2100, 3 per cent of the worlds population may exist because of assisted reproductive technologies either theyll have been born through IVF themselves or be a descendant of an IVF baby.

IVF, ICSI, IUI, glue, hatching, scratch the fertility world can be overwhelming with its bizarre-sounding jargon and different acronyms for different treatments. If youre feeling bamboozled by stats, are suffering from information overload and weighed down by pharma-babble, then I hope this book will help you cut through the journal jargon and well-meaning blogs. And say goodbye to the lonely middle-of-the-night sessions browsing countless fertility sites, and lunch hours surreptitiously sifting through confusing, even contradictory, clinic leaflets. This guide is your IVF companion.

Jessica Hepburn, author of The Pursuit of Motherhood , 21 Miles and founder of Fertility Fest, says

People do not understand that around three-quarters of all treatment cycles fail. I think we need to get that out there so people are prepared that they might need to go through more than one round of treatment or it might not even work. There is not enough information about the success rates, and what decisions you might need to make and when.

First up, ).

Every person going through fertility treatment will have a different story and, hence, a slightly different journey. While writing this book, Ive tried to cover as many different experiences and demographics as possible to give you a comprehensive picture of what fertility treatment involves, whether youre a solo parent, same-sex couple, heterosexual couple, egg or sperm donor But I havent been able to cover every single base, so I hope you can excuse me for that otherwise this book would be way too long!

Trying to keep up with the latest fertility research or make sense of a new study on a fertility forum can lead to confusion about what to ask for at your clinic, or what treatments will have the best results. Ive investigated all the latest research and, using my experience as a science journalist, extracted the studies that I feel are comprehensive and backed up by other research. Of course, in any particular piece of research, its always worth bearing in mind that one factor that seems to have a beneficial effect may be influenced by other positive lifestyle changes that are not taken into account by that specific study. And there will always be one study that contradicts the vast body of evidence and grabs the tabloid headlines. But my job is to seek out the truth as best I can even if in reality there is no black-and-white answer but current research points to shades of grey.

As well as sharing my own IVF story, Ive spoken to numerous friends, colleagues and associates about their journeys. Ive also interviewed many experts from different fields involved in the fertility industry and been advised by Dr Valentine Akande, Medical Director at the Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine, and Dr Chandra Kailasam, Consultant at the London Womens Clinic. All their expertise and insights will hopefully be useful, so that you can choose the right path for you.