Inika Health’s Post

The shaky reality of IVF – from a painful postcode lottery dictating your ability to have treatment on the NHS to the challenges of going through treatment while working – is something that you’ll be deeply familiar with, if you’ve ever taken that path. New data, though, has revealed another injustice at play, when it comes to the fertility intervention. There exist significant differences in the use and outcomes of fertility treatment over different ethnic groups. Though the average IVF birth rate per embryo transferred has increased across all groups, in 2020-21, Black patients between the ages of 18 and 37 had the lowest birth rates following the procedure, with Black patients aged 30-34 having an average birth rate of 23%, compared to 30% for mixed and white patients. Learn more via the link in bio! #fertility #inequalities #womenshealth https://lnkd.in/essUgrbE

Black women experience the lowest success rates for IVF in the NHS, they start treatment later, and they are being excluded altogether due to inaccurate metrics (like BMI). “BMI is being used to rule people out of fertility treatment, and yet it is an index that was developed through a Eurocentric lens. Black women are being told they are obese and too unhealthy for IVF using a measurement that doesn’t even work for their bodies.” NHS-funded IVF cycles among patients under 40 in heterosexual relationships were found to have decreased across all ethnic groups, but funding decreased the most among Black patients, from 60% in 2019 to 41% in 2021. I spoke to women who have been through it to try to understand the complex systemic failings. One case study tells me her NHS fertility journey was marred by poor communication, inaccuracies and even neglect: "It’s a trap because if you react then you’re seen as the ‘angry Black woman’, but the alternative is to not advocate for yourself. It’s really scary.” #Fertility #IVF #Racism #BlackWomen #Motherhood

In the US, 8.5% of women are infertile and 12% of women report using fertility services at some point. In Israel, 5% of 2019 births were IVF assisted; Japan pays 70% of the costs of advanced fertility treatments. This week's newsletter puts the Alabama IVF rulings in context. See https://lnkd.in/ePh7tCtN #ivf #lowfertility

Here’s An Inside Look At The Expensive IVF Journey

Check out this article I wrote about the recent IVF rulings! https://lnkd.in/grX7iiEd

Today, we recognize and celebrate the incredible advancements in reproductive medicine that have transformed the lives of many aspiring parents. World IVF Day is a special occasion to highlight the hope, innovation, and dedication behind in vitro fertilization (IVF). What is IVF? IVF is a medical procedure where eggs and sperm are combined outside the body in a laboratory. The resulting embryos are then transferred into the uterus, offering a chance for those facing fertility challenges to achieve their dream of parenthood. Why is IVF Important? Inclusivity: IVF provides an opportunity for individuals and couples with various fertility issues to become parents. Innovation: Continuous advancements in technology and techniques have significantly increased success rates. Support: From initial consultations to ongoing care, the support provided throughout the IVF journey is crucial for success and emotional well-being. Let’s #SochBadlo and Normalize IVF Today, let’s come together to break down myths and misconceptions surrounding IVF. Embracing this path to parenthood helps create a more supportive and understanding environment for those navigating their fertility journeys. To those considering IVF or currently undergoing treatment, remember: you are not alone. The path to parenthood through IVF is filled with hope and possibility, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Happy World IVF Day! 💫 #WorldIVFDay #IVF #Fertility #ReproductiveMedicine #Support #Hope

IVF Center in Cyprus Offers Parents a Dream Come True: Choosing Their Baby's Gender In the realm of assisted reproductive technology, IVF centers in Cyprus are offering prospective parents a remarkable choice: the ability to select their baby's gender. This groundbreaking option has sparked interest and debate, reshaping family planning possibilities. 1. Gender Selection Technology Advanced IVF techniques, such as Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT), enable couples to choose the gender of their embryos before implantation. 2. Medical and Ethical Considerations Cyprus maintains strict regulations and ethical guidelines, ensuring that gender selection is conducted responsibly and with informed consent. 3. International Appeal The IVF centers in Cyprus attract patients from around the world seeking gender selection due to the legal framework, expertise, and success rates. 4. Comprehensive Services Beyond gender selection, these centers offer comprehensive fertility treatments, personalized care, and support throughout the IVF journey. 5. Cultural Impact The ability to choose a baby's gender raises questions about societal attitudes, family dynamics, and the ethical implications of reproductive choices. IVF centers in Cyprus are pioneering advancements in reproductive medicine, offering hopeful parents unprecedented choices in family planning. As technology evolves, let's navigate these complex decisions with empathy, understanding, and respect for the diverse paths to parenthood. #IVFCenter #Cyprus #FertilityTreatments #PlacidWay #MedicalTourism

I am raging on so many levels about this. In addition to the indescribable stress for those in the midst of IVF treatment in Alabama and any other state that could follow, what else coming down the pike? With anti-abortion language and "personhood" definitions expanding into the fertility space, here are two more things I'm worried about... What happens with miscarriage?  The stress related to having a miscarriage already carries weight. Now, what happens when the idea of miscarriage carries equal weight? For those carrying or hoping to carry a zygote or blastocyst or (gasp!) a fetus, how will the worry of losing a pregnancy sit in their brain? The stressful thoughts swirling around potential legal consequences if/when fetal development goes wrong, if/when their body naturally rejects nonviable biological material. Will we see more cases like Brittany Watts even earlier in pregnancy?  What happens with birth control?  Most forms of birth control aim to prevent conception, either halting egg release or getting in the way of sperm finding the egg so, theoretically, they should be safe in this current whack-a-do interpretation of “personhood” as the combo of an egg+sperm. However, most forms of highly effective birth control can also mess with implantation because they thin the uterine lining (e.g. IUDs and any progestin-containing methods). If person = egg+sperm then actively preventing that blastocyst from burrowing itself into the endometrium could equal murder under these insane definitions.    So, yes, I am terrified of the implications of this one ruling in this one state. Please tell me I'm wrong. Seriously. Am I missing something? https://lnkd.in/gk7S4fKK

Since IFV has such a low success rate (roughly 50% for women under 35, and lower among women who are older), most patients choose to create many more embryos than they intend to implant. In fact, using CDC data, Catholic News Agency estimates that somewhere between a whopping 1.5 million and 1.8 million embryos created through IVF in 2021 alone were never born. Read the article: https://lnkd.in/eJJY2aiE #IVF #fertilityawareness