Baby Race

Melinda Messenger is fronting LK's Baby Race where three couples are testing different fertility treatments - who has been the first to conceive?

One couple has undertaken IVF, one couple acupuncture and the other couple have attempted to reach their 'peak' nutritionally. But which ones have got pregnant? Sam and Nev are the lucky couple and they have done it purely through diet :

Nutritional therapist Yvonne Bishop-Weston from Foods for Life has been working on optimising Sam and Nev's health. In cases of unexplained infertility it has been found that assessing which nutrients the body is short of and supplying these has over an 80% success rate.

Sam and Nev's programme :

Following on from their nutritional assessment tests the keys areas which Sam and Nev had to change were-

• Increase their fruit and vegetables for antioxidants to protect the genetic material
• Have wholegrain rather than refined carbohydrates for B vitamins and minerals such as zinc for sperm and egg health
• Reduce meat and dairy as the saturated fats can hinder the use of essential fats in the body which are needed for sperm and egg health and to structurally build the baby's brain and nervous system
• Increase the essential fats from oily fish, nuts and seeds and their oils
• Balance their blood sugar levels to support hormonal health
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol as it may reduce fertility by 50%
• Follow a supplement programme including key fertility nutrients, antioxidants, hormonal support and essential fats

How their health and fertility improved

Sam had improved energy, skin, hair, nails and immunity as well as no more bloating or headaches. All symptoms that she is in better health and may have improved fertility.

Nev lost over 2 stone in weight, had a marked improvement in his energy, mood, concentration, memory and skin and had no more digestive issues such as burning and bloating. The number of normal sperm Nev was producing also more than doubled taking him out of the at risk category and 12% above the acceptable level.

The other couples used IVF and the others used acupuncture and are still in the race!

In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)

• The main IVF technique was developed in the 1970s, which involves giving the woman fertility drugs to stimulate egg production, and then surgically retrieving the eggs from the ovaries.  She is then given hormones to prepare her uterus for pregnancy, while the eggs are fertilised with the sperm in a laboratory.  The embryos are then transferred into the woman's uterus, and if all goes well a normal pregnancy is achieved.
• IVF procedures developed more recently include Intra-cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI).  This helps those men for whom the 'standard' IVF technique would fail, e.g. if their sperm are unable to penetrate the egg, to achieve pregnancy with their partner. 
• Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is an alternative procedure which involves the introduction of 'washed' sperm directly into the uterus to maximise the number of healthy sperm reaching the fallopian tubes and fertilising an egg. 
• Procedures such as sperm washing can also be carried out to only retrieve sperm strong and healthy enough for inclusion in IVF techniques.  This is particularly successful with men who have a low sperm count.
• Dr Adrian Lower is a consultant in obstetrics. He worked at St Barts hospital for eight years until three years ago and has had his own clinics since 1999. He currently practices at Harley Street.

Acupuncture

• Gerad Kite runs an acupuncture clinic but 80% of his work is fertility. Gerad's approach to treatment is very focused on helping the person discover their strengths and passions in life and therefore does not look for a symptom to justify coming for treatment.
• He will treat both the male and female in the couple who are trying to conceive. He will treat one person and a colleague will treat the other so they can be open and truthful to get the best result.
• Classical Five Element Acupuncture originated in China over 2000 years ago and has been passed down over time. At the heart of it is the belief that many physical ailments which people suffer from today are the product of emotional suffering as much as any physical cause.
• Diagnosis involves the identification of the patient's constitutional and emotional make-up, their weakness and their strength. At the initial consultation a patient will be asked about his or her main complaint and full health.