Assisted reproduction method

pies-bebe

Nothing can make us happier

, , 0

Nothing makes us happier than if you write to tell us that you are going to have a baby and that we have helped you…Imagine how we feel, especially in these sad and uncertain times. How proud we are of you: so strong and so full of love.

We want to share Sonia and Audrey testimonial. As they do, we also hope that their testimonial can help other couples.

Hello girls,

Hello girls,

We would like to thank you for your valuable advice, your kindness and above all your kindness.

Today we are four and a half months pregnant. I’m waiting for a little girl, Timea and without your support it wouldn’t have been so nice and simple. Even if it was not easy. We need a first miscarriage which really destroyed us but which at the same time gave us the strength to fight back and start over.

Many thanks to lesmaternity, you are exceptional. We hope that our testimony might help other couples.

See you soon, have a nice day you two.

Sonia and Audrey. Bordeaux. France.




seguridadsocia

Are you eligible to claim fertility treatments on Social Security?

, , 0

According to the National Statistics Institute (INE) the average age in Spain of women who have their first child is 30,9 (differing from 25,2 in 1975). Women are delaying motherhood more and more and this makes their ovarian reserve decrease in quantity and quality. Therefore, it’s common now that they are turning to fertility treatments to achieve their motherhood goals.

Spain is at the top of its game on fertility treatments since the existing law allows for anonymous sperm donation and also doesn’t set an age limit for the procedures. If you decide to go through the process in a private clinic, that is. However, if you must claim it on social security then there is an age limit.

Since 2019 lesbians now have the right to claim fertility treatments on Social Security ever since the amendment to the Royal Decree 1030/2006. In August Murcia lifted the ban and now all women (single or in a lesbian couple) in any Spanish region can undergo treatments such as artificial insemination or IVF with donor sperm. The ROPA method is still only available at private clinics.

These are some of the requirements that will allow you to claim fertility treatments on social security:

1. Age limit for the procedure: Though there is no legal age limit for childbearing, the healthcare system does set one to be eligible. The limit for women is 40 and for men it is 55. If the woman turns 40 while she’s on the waiting list (which can be from 6 months to 2 years), she will no longer be eligible.

2. The couple can’t have existing children together: except if the child has a serious chronic condition.

3. Attempts (cycles): how many times you can try depends on the region you are in but generally:

  • three cycles of IVF (regardless of if you’re using your eggs or egg donation). Egg donation procedures are not covered by Social Security.
  • artificial insemination can be done six times with donor sperm.

This all depends on the region you are undergoing these procedures. For instance, in some regions, if the first attempt is unsuccessful then the woman would have to get back on the waiting list. If the woman is not pregnant at the end of the cycles she is then unable to apply again for fertility treatment through the Social Security System. This is also the case if she did get pregnant.

There might be more region-specific criteria.

4. Trouble conceiving: you need medical documentation that indicates fertility treatments are needed. 

5. Pre-existing diseases in patients: if you have a serious condition that might be passed down to the children then this will be a problem when claiming these procedures on Social Security.

Though considerably more expensive, private clinics don’t have any of these limitations. The only criteria are to be of legal age and to be physically healthy, that way you don’t risk the mother or the child’s life.

.

mamá-bebé

What you should know before having kids

, , , 0

Yes, your life will change. You will change.

Are you ready for the ride of your life? If you are pregnant or haven’t been a mother yet, then what we are about to discuss will become second nature to you very soon. Here are some things you should know before becoming a mother.

Your body will change

Even after the birth you will most likely still be wearing maternity clothes. It will take some time to get back into those high waisted jeans…

Be proud of your body! It birthed a child and its completely normal that it’s not the same as before. Take time to recover from your pregnancy and childbirth, enjoy time with your baby. There will be plenty of time to get back in those jeans.

Ask for help, but don’t believe what everyone says

Always ask for help when you need it remember you will be exhausted and defeated. Don’t feel guilty, no one expects you to do it all yourself. Talk to your partner, family, doctor, and friends, don’t let the anxiety of it all take over. Remember: you are also important.

Your relationship with your partner will change

You’ll wish you bought a bigger bed instead of a crib. At times you’ll be jealous of your partner, of their free time, of how they’re not pulling their weight…there’ll be less sex…and if there is it’ll be very quiet…

Keep communicating with them.

Sleep

It’s natural that you’ll try to get a lot of things done while the baby is sleeping but don’t forget you need sleep too.

It hurts a lot

Childbirth, stitches and breastfeeding it all hurts.

Breastfeed if you want and can but don’t stress yourself over it. All feeding options are good feeding options.

Welcome to the world of pee and poo

Wet wipes will save your life, there’s nothing having one handy can’t solve. You will transition from a person who used to find burps and poos disgusting to… someone who looks forward to them…

Try and relax as much as you can

Don’t let anyone compare you or your baby to anyone else and don’t let people’s comments get to you, think about you and your family.

Instagram is not real life

It’s much better than that!

mequetrefes_4

Fertility treatments

, , 0

Whether you’re single or in a relationship there are several treatments you can consider when it comes to assisted reproduction. You must talk to your doctor before making any medical decisions.

Artificial insemination (AI).

This is the preferred method for women who plan on being single parents and don’t have any fertility issues. It involves inseminating the woman with donor sperm during her fertile window.  The procedure can be done with or without ovarian stimulation. 

In-vitro fertilisation (IVF) with donor sperm.

IVF is recommended when artificial insemination has failed before or when there are issues with the fallopian tubes. IVF is also the basis of the ROPA method (aimed at female couples) where the fertilised eggs of one partner are implanted in the other.

The eggs obtained through ovarian stimulation are fertilised by donor sperm or through ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) when sperm is injected directly into the egg. The embryo is transferred into the uterus 2 to 5 days after the ovarian puncture. The rest are frozen.

ROPA Method
This is an ideal choice for lesbian couples. Also called “double maternity”, one is the biological mother (she provides the egg) and the other is the expectant mother (she gets the eggs implanted and gets pregnant).

Egg or embryo freezing.

Through this method, you may flash freeze and store your eggs to use them at a later date.

This option is for women who which to delay motherhood past the age of 35 to 40 or for those who must have medical procedures that might negatively affect their eggs (surgery or chemotherapy).

Treatment rates

ROPA or IVF: 4970€

Artificial insemination: 765€

You can get a 5% discount on any treatment if you book through LesMaternity

*Regular price, rates might change depending on the needs of each patient. For a personal quote please contact our team directly.

Do you want to be a mother? Tell us your story. J

alimentos_sanos_embarazada

Can some foods improve or reduce ovulation?

0

It’s important to have a balanced diet rich in vitamins and antioxidants. This will help prevent fertility problems or even increase the chances of a successful in-vitro fertilisation process. Furthermore, you should also avoid being overweight. Maintaining a healthy diet during pregnancy is also important and therefore some foods should be avoided to ensure the health of both the baby and the mother.

Types of food you should include in your diet

  • Fruits and vegetables: you should eat plenty of fruit and vegetables salads. Red, green or yellow fruit and vegetables are higher in antioxidants so focus on those.  Remember to clean and wash the fruit or vegetables before eating them and whenever possible consume them raw or nearly raw so that they don’t lose nutrients.
  • Carbohydrates made from whole meal flours (unrefined) such as whole wheat, oat or rye bread, white pasta or rice. The refining process can adversely affect your blood sugar and alter your fertility.
  • Iron-rich foods: fish or seafood such as sardines or mussels, vegetables such as asparagus, broad beans or lentils. These can help you avoid anaemia during and after your pregnancy.
  • Fish: due to its high concentration of Omega 3s the are very beneficial. Some examples of Omega 3 rich fish with low mercury levels are: prawns, trout or salmon.  Flax seeds are also rich in Omega 3s.

Vitamin supplements can also be added to your diet, but always under medical advice.

What types of food should be avoided?

 

Avoid eating the following during ovulation and pregnancy.

  • Unpasteurised dairy such as soft or uncured cheeses: they can contain listeria, a very harmful bacteria for pregnant or ovulating women.
  • Raw or underdone meat: avoid processed meats such as raw or smoked meats
  • Fish with high levels of mercury: though most fish indeed have a high concentration of Omega 3s, some also have higher levels of mercury which should be avoided such as, swordfish and mackerel. Also, raw fish in dishes such as sushi should be avoided.
  • Cold cuts
  • Unwashed fruit and vegetables
  • Alcohol and caffeine: both of these can affect your fertility and harm the fetus. Therefore, it is advised to avoid alcohol completely and only consume caffeine in moderation.
donaciondesemen

Is the anonymous nature of sperm and egg donation coming to an end?

0

There is a worldwide trend that favours the right of children who were conceived by assisted reproduction to discover the identity of their sperm and egg donor which is prevailing over the donor’s right to anonymity. There are currently 20 countries around the world where these types of donations are not anonymous or where they have a more flexible system (donation can be anonymous or not).

In 2014 half of Europe’s egg donors were from Spain. According to The Spanish Fertility Society (SEF) sperm donations are used in more than 30% of assisted reproduction treatments.

This fall both the Spanish Bioethics Committee and The Spanish Fertility Society will discuss this matter. Though it seems that the former is against anonymity whereas the latter is leaning towards it.

If this new law is considered, then they will also have to decide whether or not it should be done retroactively. If so, this would disrupt the use of cryopreserved gametes and embryos to consult their donors. 

There are arguments on both sides:

In favour

DNA technology and Big Data make it impossible to guarantee that the donor can remain anonymous. It’s estimated that in 2 years more than 100 million people will have added their profile to one of the main genetic data banks.  Our genetic information includes our family genetic make-up since everyone gets 50% of their DNA from their biological mother and 50% from their biological father.

  • However, knowing the donor’s genetic information does not mean that they will have any legal responsibility in the matter. It does not make them a father or a mother
  • Eventually, the mindset about anonymity changes and this type of donation becomes just another way of creating a family.

Against

  • It will decrease the number of donors

Like it happened in other countries where the donation has stopped being anonymous, donor numbers will decrease at first. Such are the cases of Portugal (where the Constitutional court decided this last year) and the UK. However, after some time had passed it did seem to bounce back and increase again if anything with a different type of donor (older and more sympathetic). 

Anonymous donation has worked well in Spain.

  • The system in Spain is somewhat flexible

If there is a real need such as there is a serious illness, the child is in danger or a valid legal reason then the donor will be contacted.

  • The lack of anonymity could push people to look for treatment in other countries in the so-called “fertility tourism”.
problemas-fertilidad

Fertility issues

, 0

So, you’ve decided to become a mother. This is a time-consuming decision but once you make it all you want to do is meet your beautiful baby. But what if you don’t get pregnant right away? This is where the fear and doubts start, what if you can’t have children? Are you too old? This is, without a doubt, one of the most stressful situations you will ever experience.

That’s why, in the case of lesbian couples, deciding who will have the baby is one of the most important factors in order to increase your chances of a successful pregnancy. It’s also important that you undergo the different fertility tests that will measure ovarian reserve and the condition of the uterus and Fallopian tubes.

What factors affect fertility?

Hormonal issues

The way that hormone levels fluctuate can affect fertility. Anovulation is when the ovaries are not producing or maturing any eggs. It can be very difficult to get pregnant during early menopause. Another common fertility issue is polycysic ovary syndrome (PCOS) which is when the ovaries have multipe cysts. This commonly occurs when the ovaries or adrenal glands produce more male hormones than usual. A sign of having ovulation issues is when periods are irregular or scarce.

Issues with the Fallopian tubes or the uterus

Some conditions such as myomas which are anomalous growths in the uterine lining or endometriosis which causes endometrial tissue to grow outside the uterus can block the Fallopian tubes which in turn would make it impossible for a fertilised egg to properly attach.

Other factors

Drugs, alcohol and tobacco consumption can also affect fertility. It can also cause early menopause, miscarriages, and early labour. Weight issues (such as over or underweight) can affect the menstrual cycle and therefore reduce your chances of pregnancy.

After 35 fertility decreases considerably and so does the quality of your eggs, so age is a factor as well.

Some unknown factors: emotional infertility

There’s a lot of pressure both internal and external during your fertility journey. Your friends and family might start to ask a lot of questions which makes you feel even more pressure. Then if your first try doesn’t work out you start feeling guilty and upset that perhaps you waited too long to decide to start a family. This pressure and guilt can “block” your possibility of becoming pregnant. 

Eventually, this creates anxiety, low self-esteem, guilt, sadness, insomnia, decrease appetite and it obviously affects your relationship with your partner.

Specialists recommend:

  • Don’t let the treatment affect your daily lives.
  • Try to separate it from that which surrounds you (family and friends) to avoid them (unknowingly) adding undue stress to the situation.
  • Keep the lines of communication open with your partner, tell them how you feel and don’t isolate yourself.

Since the process is long and difficult a lot of people give up due to the anxiety and stress it generates. In fact, it’s the number one cause of stopping treatment. If it gets to be too much for you, don’t hesitate in getting counselling.

This journey is long and difficult, but you shouldn’t give up. Just because the first attempt didn’t work out doesn’t mean that it won’t happen at all. The reward is amazing!

Want to know more? Contact us

lesmaternity-foto-clínica

How to choose a fertility clinic

0

Once you’ve decided to start ‘project baby’, what’s the first step? How do you choose a fertility clinic?

It’s important to note that this process might take several months, so your doctor’s presence during it will be essential. He or she will be your right hand for the duration of this journey. Sometimes it’s difficult to get pregnant, so your doctor needs to be there every step of the way to help you fight through your doubts, frustrations and fears. 

Some factors to consider before you pick a clinic:

1.Quality and transparency: the clinic must be certified. The information provided by the clinic must be clear cut they should detail every procedure and treatment as well as what everything in the quote refers to (what’s included). This quote should also be final in order to avoid surprise charges later.

2.Professionalism: this one seems like an obvious one. Everyone that you encounter in the clinic will have a different area of expertise and it is important that they conduct themselves in the most professional manner in regard to their field.

3.Cutting edge Technology: ideally the best choice would be to put your trust in a clinic that uses the most advanced techniques and procedures.

4.Personal and ongoing care: it’s important that you’re comfortable with your care. The treatment should be tailor-made for you and your doctor should ideally always be the same. This way you can trust that you are being taken care of during this entire process, on any day without exception. And of course, it should be in your language, if it isn’t Spanish.

If you can, try and find these procedures near your location but if not you’re welcome here J Barcelona is a cutting-edge city with great advances in fertility treatments, very centred and inviting to all who wish to undergo these procedures.

All the aspects of a good fertility centre that we mentioned can be found at medium sized clinics. If you would like to know more or need help making a decision, don’t hesitate in getting in touch with us.

madre-soltera-blog

Single mother by choice

, , 0

You want to be a mum and are willing to do it alone? Here at Lesmaternity we think that’s great!  Though adopting is always an option, this post will focus on fertility treatments.

Some procedures to consider:

  • Insemination: AID (artificial insemination by donor) is the simplest method for women with a healthy reproductive system but who lack a male partner. Sperm from an anonymous donor is deposited in the uterine cavity during the patient’s fertile window. It can be done with or without ovarian stimulation.
  • In vitro fertilisation: this is when the egg and sperm are cultured together after ovarian stimulation occurs. This can also be done through ICSI where the sperm is individually selected and placed inside the egg. The resulting embryo is transferred to the uterus 2 to 5 days after the egg retrieval. The rest are frozen. IVF is recommended when artificial insemination has previously failed or when there is a problem with the fallopian tubes.

It’s important to note that all sperm donors are, by law, anonymous. It is the responsibility of the fertility clinic to keep the information about their identity confidential. The law also states that a child born as a result of fertility treatments from donated gametes is legally the son or daughter of the mother who had the procedure done.

Another way is to freeze your eggs. This is done through a method called cryopreservation, where your eggs are cryogenically frozen in order to be used at a later date. This is recommended for women who want to get pregnant later in life (after 35). Also, for those women who will undergo chemotherapy, radiotherapy or a surgical procedure that might adversely affect their ovaries.

Some help

Being a single mother is a brave choice, but it’s becoming a more common one now. In whatever situation you are in, being a mum is a huge responsibility. If possible, try to rely on your friends and family in order to create a support system. Relying on other women that are going through the same experience is very important. It might be very useful to get in touch with groups such as the Single Mothers by Choice Association.

Being a single parent is also expensive since you’re the sole income earner and some help would be appreciated. There are some types of employment, social and economic aids you are entitled to:
The Ministry of Health, Consumer Affairs and Social Welfare has a guide that explains all the benefits and family services available. The last one is from 2018 and you can download it here. We also encourage you to find out what other benefits are available for you in your community.

Fears

  • Will my child have trouble fitting in?

Nowadays there is more acceptance in schools of what the definition of a “family” is. Children think it’s completely normal. However, single parenting still has some barriers to break.

  • Will they need a male role model?

Male-female roles are not the norm anymore. Teaching your children inclusion, values, tolerance, and love is universal and can be learned from a single mother or in a natural way by family and friends.

  • When should I tell them?

If you feel confident, there’s no reason why you should wait. It is recommended to mention it before they are 7 years old.

  • Am I alone in this?

No, there are more and more women that decide to do this. Usually, the decision is fuelled by their biological clocks running out, but now there are also younger women taking this step.

If you’ve made up your mind, then you should go for it! The next step is choosing your fertility clinic. It’s important that you feel safe from the start, somewhere where they will answer all your question and help you overcome your fears. We recommend a medium-sized clinic, where they can offer you the cutting-edge technology of a big centre and the personalised treatment of a small one. If you want to talk to us about it, get in touch, we would love to have a chat with you. J

elección-clínica

“What sets our clinic apart from the rest is the personal treatment”

, , , , , , , , , 0

Once you’ve decided to start ‘project baby’, what’s the first step? How do you choose a fertility clinic?

We’ve interviewed Luis Zamora, a gynaecologist from Barcelona IVF, and here we share some of the things we discussed with him.

“Couples that get treated at our clinic always mention that our personalised treatment is what sets us apart from the rest”

How did Barcelona IVF come about?

Barcelona IVF was an initiative created by a group of professionals as an alternative to the larger fertility clinics in which their large turnover was hurting the doctor-patient relationship.

Our main goal was to focus on this relationship in order to provide a high-quality service to couples with fertility issues. So, we set our sights on being able to provide the most cutting-edge technology, as well as tailor-made treatment for our patients.

Couples who have to resort to this type of treatment are especially sensitive and, in many cases, have already gone through traumatic experiences, so they need to find a professional who can devote their time to solving their problems.

Barcelona IVF opened its doors in October 2010. Three years later couples who get treated in our clinic state that these factors distinguish us as the reason they chose our clinic in the first place.

Tell us about the Barcelona IVF team

The entire staff, including physicians, biologists, and assistants, have extensive experience in the field of assisted reproduction and have worked in a number of highly reputable centres.

In Barcelona IVF we offer our services in different languages such as English, French, Italian, German and Czech. We also have a Psychology department and a team of acupuncturists as additional services offered to all our patients.

Our goal is to offer a well-rounded service in order to cover all of our patient’s needs.

Can you explain the ROPA method: steps, tests, patient requirements (age, health, etc)

The ROPA method is the perfect procedure for lesbian couples because it allows both partners to share maternity. One of them will provide the egg while the other will be pregnant.

The one that provides the eggs must undergo the process of ovarian stimulation and puncture while the recipient must prepare her endometrium to receive the embryos.

The ROPA method is a type of in vitro fertilization, so it is recommended that this type of treatment be done as soon as possible since female fertility drops considerably after 38. It’s also favourable if the patient is in good mental and physical condition.

What’s the difference for lesbian couples between undergoing the ROPA method or a regular IVF treatment?

The ROPA method has an emotional aspect to it as it allows both women to share maternity (as one becomes pregnant and the other provides her eggs). This was impossible to do a few years back here in Spain.

Is there any danger in this process? (hormones, punctures, psychological issues, etc.)

In the ROPA method, the risks are the same as any regular IVF treatment. Most of them are related to the ovarian stimulation and puncture, such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome or bleeding after the puncture. However, these types of problems are rare since the procedures are carried out under strict controls.

Could there be any genetic incompatibility between the two women that would prevent the ROPA Method from being successful? How is the pregnant person and the donor chosen? Could the roles be switched if needed?

The decision of who will play which part in this procedure is generally determined by the couple themselves. We must adapt to their wishes and help them in order to have a successful pregnancy.

Sometimes, from the medical point of view, it might be advisable to reverse the roles. However, this is difficult for the couple to accept since each had already assumed a specific role.

How much experience does Barcelona IVF have with the ROPA method?

Barcelona IVF is a pioneer in the ROPA method and, through its collaboration with MHC Barcelona, aims to consolidate itself the leading centre for this type of treatment.

What are the advantages of undergoing fertility treatments with Barcelona IVF?

Through an agreement with MHC Barcelona, the specialised medical service for lesbian couples and single mothers, we can offer special rates (1st visit free and discounts on treatments offered. For more details visit: www.mhcbarcelona.com)

Why should we choose Barcelona IVF over other larger clinics available in Spain?

  1. Because we are an assisted reproduction clinic composed of a multidisciplinary team of gynaecologists, andrologists, biologists, anaesthesiologists and psychologists with extensive experience in fertility issues.
  2. Because we have a state-of-the-art in vitro fertilization (IVF) laboratory that allows us to increase pregnancy rates by using the best technology and the latest medical advances.
  3. Because we are a health centre approved by Catalunya’s Generalitat and our data is audited by them, which ensures our quality and transparency.
  4. Because we offer personalised service 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
  5. Because we guarantee that your treatment will be tailor-made for you and that you will always be seen by the same doctor.
  6. Because we can offer patient care in different languages, so that every couple is reassured throughout the assisted reproduction process.
  7. Because all the procedures are done in our premises. We have our own operating room and assisted reproduction laboratory.
  8. Because we don’t work with waiting lists.
  9. Because we deal with all the paperwork so that couples only have to focus on the procedure: clear-cut information and fixed quotes that include everything that is needed.
  10. Because Barcelona is a city that has direct flights to other major European cities.

Load More

Esta página utiliza cookies y otras tecnologías para poder mejorar la experiencia de navegación Más información.