Miscellaneous Flashcards
What are the different types of assisted conception?
IUI - Intrauterine insemination
IVF - In vitro fertilisation
ICSI - Intracytoplasmic sperm injection
Donated sperm
Donated eggs or embryos
Surrogacy
In people with mild infertility, mild endometriosis or unexplained infertility how long until they are offered assissted conception?
2 years
What are the basic investigations for when a couple can’t concieve?
Semen analysis
Serum progesterone 7 days prior to expected next period. For a typical 28 day cycle, this is done on day 21.
What are the causes for infetility?
male factor 30%
unexplained 20%
ovulation failure 20%
tubal damage 15%
other causes 15%
What do the different levels of progesterone mean?
< 16 nmol/l
Repeat, if consistently low refer to specialist
16 - 30 nmol/l
Repeat
> 30 nmol/l
Indicates ovulation
What is intrauterine insemination (IUI)?
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a fertility treatment where sperm are placed directly into a woman’s uterus.
When is IUI used?
- unexplained infertility
- mild endometriosis
- issues with the cervix or cervical mucus
- low sperm count
- decreased sperm motility
- issues with ejaculation or erection
- same-sex couples wishing to conceive
- a single woman wishing to conceive
- a couple wanting to avoid passing on a genetic defect from the male partner to the child
How does IUI work?
What medications can be used to stimulate the release of an egg?
IUI is a relatively painless and noninvasive procedure. IUI is sometimes done in what is called the “natural cycle,” which means no medications are given. A woman ovulates naturally and has the sperm placed at a doctor’s office around the time of ovulation.
Medications such as clomiphene citrate (Clomid), hCG (human Chorionic Gonadotropin), and FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) may be used to prompt the ovaries to mature and release an egg or multiple eggs.
What factors affect the success rate of IUI?
age
underlying infertility diagnosis
whether fertility drugs are used
other underlying fertility concerns
What are the risks with IUI?
Small risk of infection
Possibility of overstimulation of the eggs
What is in vitro fertilisation?
IVF is the process by which eggs are removed from your ovaries and mixed with sperm in a laboratory culture dish. Fertilisation takes place in this dish, “in vitro”, which means “in glass”.
Who will benefit from IVF?
IVF is likely to be recommended for the following fertility problems:
- If you have blocked or damaged fallopian tubes
- If your partner has a minor problem with his sperm. Major problems are better treated using ICSI.
- If you have tried fertility drugs, such as clomifene, or another fertility treatment such as IUI, without success.
- If you have been trying to conceive for at least two years and a cause hasn’t been found.
How is IVF done?
Fertility drugs - develop mature eggs for fertilisation, done by taking GnRH
Hormone injections - stimulate ovaries to release a greater number of eggs than normal, ovulation induction, done by taking FSH and LH
Egg retrieval and sperm collection
Fertilisation and embryo transfer
What are the complications associated with IVF?
- Multiple birth
- Side-effects from th fertility drugs
- Increased risk of ectopic pregnancy
- Slighty higher risk of being born with a birth defect
What are the chances of success with IVF?
30%
What is intracytoplasmic sperm injection?
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) can be used as part of an in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment to help you and your partner conceive a child
ICSI only needs one sperm, which is injected directly into the egg. The fertilised egg (embryo) is then transferred to your womb (uterus)
When is ICSI used?
- A very low sperm count.
- A high percentage of abnormally shaped or slow sperm.
- Sperm that does not show in the fresh sample but can be collected from the testicles.
- Problems with getting an erection and ejaculating, due to spinal cord injuries or diabetes, for example.
- A need to use frozen sperm that is not of the best quality.
- A need to test the embryos to avoid passing on a genetic abnormality.
What are the procedures called to extract sperm?
Percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA)
Testicular sperm aspiration (TESA)
What is the process of ICSI?
Same as IVF
What is the success rate of ICSI?
45%
What is donor conception?
Donor conception means having a baby using donated sperm, or donated eggs or embryos.
At what age can the child find out about the donor?
What type of identificaiton data can you find out?
Once he or she reaches 16, your child will have access to identifying information about their genetic donor. He or she will also be able to find out if she has any donor siblings.
Non-identifiable data
Identifiable data
What networks are available for doners?
Donor conception network - gorup of couples concieved by donor
British Infertility Counselling Association
National Gamete Donation Trust
Fertility Network UK
What are important factors to consider when thinking about donor conception?
Mental health status
How to cope when the baby is older
Strain on relationship
What is donor insemination?
Donor insemination (DI) is the process of conceiving a baby using donated sperm. Many people who use DI are same-sex female couples or women who want to conceive without a partner.
What are the reasons for using sperm insemination?
- If you’re in a same-sex relationship and want to conceive.
- If you’re a single woman
- A low sperm count OR no sperm, or sperm that is unlikely to result in conception.
- A known genetic disorder or infection that may be passed on to your baby.
- A severe rhesus problem
How does a parent become legal guardian of the child?
f you’re married or in a civil partnership, your partner will automatically become the legal father
If you’re in a relationship, but not married or in a civil partnership, your partner needs to give consent to be the legal parent
The legal situation for a man who wants to donate sperm and be involved in co-parenting the child can be more complex
How is donor isemination carried out?
Donated sperm is commonly used as part of an intrauterine insemination (IUI) procedure. Or it can be used for in vitro fertilisation (IVF) if necessary. During donor-IUI, your doctor places a concentrated dose of the donated sperm in your womb (uterus) when you’re ovulating.
What are the advantages of using sperm donor?
- Screen for diseases
- Screened for lots of infections
- Man who donates sperm has no legal rights over the child
What is egg and embryo donation?
Egg and embryo donation are ways to help you conceive, using donors.
Egg donation is when eggs from another woman are fertilised with your partner’s sperm in a laboratory. The resulting embryos are then transferred to your womb (uterus).
When is egg and embryo donation used?
f you have no ovaries, produce low-quality eggs, or no eggs at all.
If you and your partner have been unsuccessful with other treatments, such as IVF.
If you’re at risk of passing on an inherited disorder or chromosomal abnormality.
You and your partner are unlikely to conceive using your own eggs and/or sperm for fertility treatment.
You’re single and have gone through the menopause.
How does egg and embryo donation work?
Egg donors are women who are not receiving fertility treatment themselves, but who choose to donate their eggs to help other women, or a particular woman they know.
Egg sharers are women undergoing fertility treatment, who donate some of their eggs as part of their IVF cycle.
How is egg and embryo donation done?
Embryo donation
Egg donation - need to sync their cycles
What are some disadvantages of egg and embryo donation?
more likely to develop pre-eclampsia
What is surrogacy?
Surrogacy is when another woman carries and gives birth to a child for you. Though it can be an emotionally intense and legally complex arrangement, it is growing in popularity with couples, as a way of having children.
Why choose surrogacy?
You have had recurrent miscarriages.
You have a condition that makes pregnancy and birth dangerous.
You’ve had a hysterectomy or you have a serious uterine abnormality.
Fertility treatments such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF) haven’t been successful.
What are the different types of surrogacy?
Straight surrogacy
A surrogate mum typically conceives after being artificially inseminated though IUI with the intended dad’s sperm. This can be done through a fertility clinic. This is called partial, straight, or traditional surrogacy because the surrogate’s eggs and womb are used.
Host surrogacy
A surrogate mum carries a donated embryo to term. This is called full, host, or gestational surrogacy because the woman has no genetic connection to the baby. The embryo is conceived through IVF or ICSI. This means the baby can be:
Who is in charge of surrogacy?
Surrogacy arrangements are not regulated by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. They are usually set up through agencies or by private arrangement with a friend or family member. You can meet potential surrogate mums and access support through unregulated, not-for-profit organisations such as:
Brilliant Beginnings
Childlessness Overcome Through Surrogacy (COTS)
Surrogacy UK
What are the disadvantages to surrogacy?
Mental health
Expensive
What are the names for the different progesterone only pills?
3 hour pills
Micronor
Noriday
Nogeston
Fumulen
12 hour pill
Cerazette (desogestrel)
What should you do when you are late for either the progesterone only pill or the combined pill?
POP
Less than 3 hours - no action required
Over 3 hours - take the misssed pill as soon as possible, take the next pill at usual time, also use condoms for 48 hours
Combined pill
Less than 12 hours - no action needed
Over 12 hours - take the misssed pill as soon as possible, take the next pill at usual time, also use condoms for 48 hours
WHAT IS OVARIAN HYPERSTIMULATION?
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome is an exaggerated response to excess hormones
Who is at particular risk of ovarian hyperstimulation in IVF?
PCOS
What are the symptoms of ovarian hyperstimulation?
- Abdo pain
- Ascites
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- High haematocrit
What medications can be used to conduct ovarian induction?
- Clomiphene citrate
- Raloxifene
- Letrozole
- Anastrozole
HOW FAST SHOULD A FETAL HEARTBEAT BE?
HOW MUCH SHOULD IT VARY?
Between 100 and 160
5-25 beats per minute
What is fetal tachycardia?
Heart rate above 140 bpm
How long should decreased variability in a fetus last?
Less than 40 minutes
What are the causes of fetal decreased variability?
Drugs
Benzodiazipenes
Opoids
Methyldopa
Fetal acidosis
Fetal tachycardia
Cogential heart abnormalities
Prematurity <28 weeks
What is the cause of early deceleration?
- Deceleration of the heart rate which commences with the onset of a contraction and returns to normal on completion of the contraction
- Usually an innocuous feature and indicates head compression
What is the cause of late deceleration?
Deceleration of the heart rate which lags the onset of a contraction and does not returns to normal until after 30 seconds following the end of the contraction
Indicates fetal distress e.g. asphyxia or placental insufficiency
What is the cause of baseline bradycardia?
Increased fetal vagal tone
Maternal beta-blocker use
At what weeks of pregnancy if movements are not felt is it concerning?
24 weeks
WHEN IS CERVICAL SMEAR TEST OFFERED?
25 to 64 years
What is the normal recall rate of smear test?
Every 3 years
What is the management of a negative hrHPV?
Return to normal recall, unless
The test of cure (TOC) pathway
Should be invited 6 months after treatment
The untreated CIN1 pathway
Follow-up for incompletely excised cervical glandular intraepithelial neoplasia
Follow-up for borderline changes in endocervical cells
What is the management of a postive hrHPV?
Samples are examined cytologically
- If the cytology is abnormal → colposcop
If the cytology is normal (i.e. hrHPV +ve but cytologically normal) the test is repeated at 12 months
- If the repeat test is now hrHPV -ve → return to normal recall
- If the repeat test is still hrHPV +ve and cytology still normal → further repeat test 12 months later:
- If hrHPV -ve at 24 months → return to normal recall
- If hrHPV +ve at 24 months → colposcopy
What is the managment of an inadequate hrHPV sample?
Repeat the sample within 3 months
If two consecutive inadequate samples then → colposcopy
What happens if a pregnant woman is called for a smear test?
Wait until at least 12 weeks after delivery
How often does a HIV patient need a repeat smear?
Every year
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF CONTRACEPTION?
Long-acting reversible contraception, such as the implant or intra uterine device (IUD)
Hormonal contraception, such the pill or the Depo Provera injection
Barrier methods, such as condoms
Emergency contraception
Fertility awareness
Permanent contraception, such as vasectomy and tubal ligation.
How long does the IUD, IUS and implant last?
IUD - 5-10 years
IUS - 3-5 years
Implant - 3 years
When should non-hormonal methods of conctraception be stopped <50 and >50?
<50
Stop contraception after 2 years of amenorrhoea
>50
Stop contraception after 1 year of amenorrhoea
How long does it take for each contraceptive to be effective?
Instant: IUD
2 days: POP
7 days: COC, injection, implant, IUS
When can hormonal contraceptives be taken after taking emergency contraception?
Immediately