Infertility and pregnancy loss

وَلَا يَزَالُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ فِي مِرۡيَةࣲ مِّنۡهُ حَتَّىٰ تَأۡتِيَهُمُ ٱلسَّاعَةُ بَغۡتَةً أَوۡ يَأۡتِيَهُمۡ عَذَابُ يَوۡمٍ عَقِيمٍ

The disbelievers will remain in doubt about it until the Hour suddenly overpowers them or until torment descends on them on a Day devoid of all hope

أَوۡ يُزَوِّجُهُمۡ ذُكۡرَانࣰ ا وَإِنَٰثࣰ اۖ وَيَجۡعَلُ مَن يَشَآءُ عَقِيمًاۚ إِنَّهُۥ عَلِيمࣱ قَدِيرࣱ‏

male to whoever He will, or both male and female, and He makes whoever He will barren: He is all knowing and all powerful

فَأَقۡبَلَتِ ٱمۡرَأَتُهُۥ فِي صَرَّةࣲ فَصَكَّتۡ وَجۡهَهَا وَقَالَتۡ عَجُوزٌ عَقِيمࣱ‏

His wife then entered with a loud cry, struck her face, and said, ‘A barren old woman?’

وَفِي عَادٍ إِذۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا عَلَيۡهِمُ ٱلرِّيحَ ٱلۡعَقِيمَ

There is another sign in the Ad: We sent the life-destroying wind against them

۞وَعِندَهُۥ مَفَاتِحُ ٱلۡغَيۡبِ لَا يَعۡلَمُهَآ إِلَّا هُوَۚ وَيَعۡلَمُ مَا فِي ٱلۡبَرِّ وَٱلۡبَحۡرِۚ وَمَا تَسۡقُطُ مِن وَرَقَةٍ إِلَّا يَعۡلَمُهَا وَلَا حَبَّةࣲ فِي ظُلُمَٰتِ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَلَا رَطۡبࣲ وَلَا يَابِسٍ إِلَّا فِي كِتَٰبࣲ مُّبِينࣲ‏

He has the keys to the unseen: no one knows them but Him. He knows all that is in the land and sea. No leaf falls without His knowledge, nor is there a single grain in the darkness of the earth, or anything, fresh or withered, that is not written in a clear Record

وَلَمَّا سُقِطَ فِيٓ أَيۡدِيهِمۡ وَرَأَوۡاْ أَنَّهُمۡ قَدۡ ضَلُّواْ قَالُواْ لَئِن لَّمۡ يَرۡحَمۡنَا رَبُّنَا وَيَغۡفِرۡ لَنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلۡخَٰسِرِينَ

When, with much wringing of hands, they perceived that they were doing wrong, they said, ‘If our Lord does not have mercy and forgive us, we shall be the losers.’

And those who disbelieve will not cease to be in doubt of it that is the Qur’ān — because of what Satan had cast onto the tongue of the Prophet s and what had thereafter been nullified — until the Hour comes upon them unawares that is the Hour of their death or of resurrection comes upon them suddenly or there come upon them the chastisement of a day of desolation ‘aqīm namely the day of Badr which held nothing of good for disbelievers much like a sterile wind rīh ‘aqīm that bears no good; or it means the Day of Resurrection referred to as ‘desolate’ because thereafter there will be no more night.

Or He combines them that is to say or He makes them males and females; and He makes whomever He will infertile such that she is unable to conceive or he cannot have a child. Surely He is Knower of what He creates Powerful in bringing about whatever He will.

Then his wife Sarah came forward clamouring shouting fī sarratin is a circumstantial qualifier that is to say she came shouting and smote slapped her face and said ‘A barren old woman!’ who has never given birth to a child aged ninety-nine with Abraham being one hundred years old; or alternatively he was a hundred and twenty years old and she was ninety years old.

And those who disbelieved, will not cease to be in doubt about it until the Hour comes suddenly upon them, or there comes to them the torment of Yawm 'Aqim (55)The sovereignty on that Day will be that of Allah. He will judge between them. So those who believed and did righteous good deeds will be in Gardens of Delight (56)And those who disbelieved and denied Our Ayat, for them will be a humiliating torment (in Hell)(57) The Disbelievers will remain in Doubt and Confusion Allah tells us that the disbelievers will remain in doubt concerning this Qur'an. This was the view of Ibn Jurayj and was the view favored by Ibn Jarir. حَتَّىٰ تَأْتِيَهُمُ السَّاعَةُ بَغْتَةً (until the Hour comes suddenly upon them,) Mujahid said: "By surprise." Qatadah said: بَغْتَةً (suddenly) means, the command of Allah will catch the people unaware. Allah never seizes a people except when they are intoxicate

To Allah belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. He creates what He wills. He bestows female upon whom He wills, and bestows male upon whom He wills (49)Or He bestows both males and females, and He renders barren whom He wills. Verily, He is the All-Knower and is Able (to do all things)(50) Allah tells us that He is the Creator, Sovereign and Controller of the heavens and the earth. Whatever he wills happens, and whatever He does not will does not happen. He gives to whomsoever He wills and withholds from whomsoever he wills; none can withhold what He gives, and none can give what He withholds, and He creates whatever He wills. يَهَبُ لِمَنْ يَشَاءُ إِنَاثًا (He bestows female upon whom He wills.) means, He gives them daughters only. Al-Baghawi said, "And among them (those who were given daughters only) was Lut, peace be upon him." وَيَهَبُ لِمَنْ يَشَاءُ الذُّكُورَ (and b

Has the story reached you, of the honored guests of Ibrahim (24)When they came in to him and said: "Salaman!" He answered: "Salamun" and said: "You are a people unknown to me. (25)Then he turned to his household, and brought out a roasted calf (26)And placed it before them (saying): "Will you not eat? (27)Then he conceived fear of them (when they ate not). They said: "Fear not." And they gave him glad tidings of a son having knowledge (28)Then his wife came forward with a loud voice; she smote her face, and said: "A barren old woman! (29)They said: "Even so says your Lord. Verily, He is the All-Wise, the All-Knower. (30) The Guests of the Prophet Ibrahim We mentioned this story before in Surah Hud and Al-Hijr. Allah said, هَلْ أَتَاكَ حَدِيثُ ضَيْفِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ الْمُكْرَمِينَ (Has the story reached you, of the honored guests of Ibrahim), whom Ibrahim honored and who, فَقَالُوا سَلَ

حَدَّثَنَا مَحْمُودُ بْنُ غَيْلاَنَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو أَحْمَدَ الزُّبَيْرِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ عُمَارَةَ بْنِ عُمَيْرٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ، قَالَ خَرَجْنَا مَعَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَنَحْنُ شَبَابٌ لاَ نَقْدِرُ عَلَى شَيْءٍ فَقَالَ ‏ "‏ يَا مَعْشَرَ الشَّبَابِ عَلَيْكُمْ بِالْبَاءَةِ فَإِنَّهُ أَغَضُّ لِلْبَصَرِ وَأَحْصَنُ لِلْفَرْجِ فَمَنْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ مِنْكُمُ الْبَاءَةَ فَعَلَيْهِ بِالصَّوْمِ فَإِنَّ الصَّوْمَ لَهُ وِجَاءٌ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ ‏.‏ حَدَّثَنَا الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ الْخَلاَّلُ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ نُمَيْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا الأَعْمَشُ، عَنْ عُمَارَةَ، نَحْوَهُ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى وَقَدْ رَوَى غَيْرُ، وَاحِدٍ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، بِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ مِثْلَ هَذَا ‏.‏ وَرَوَى أَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ، وَالْمُحَارِبِيُّ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، عَنْ عَلْقَمَةَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم نَحْوَهُ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى كِلاَهُمَا صَحِيحٌ ‏.‏

Abdullah bin Mas'ud narrated:"We went with Allah's Messenger, while we were young men who had nothing. He said: 'O young men! You should marry, for indeed it helps in lowering the gaze and protecting the private parts. Whoever among you is not able to marry, then let him fast, for indeed fasting will diminish his sexual desire

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو هِشَامٍ الرِّفَاعِيُّ، وَزَيْدُ بْنُ أَخْزَمَ الطَّائِيُّ، وَإِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ الْبَصْرِيُّ، قَالُوا حَدَّثَنَا مُعَاذُ بْنُ هِشَامٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنِ الْحَسَنِ، عَنْ سَمُرَةَ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم نَهَى عَنِ التَّبَتُّلِ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى وَزَادَ زَيْدُ بْنُ أَخْزَمَ فِي حَدِيثِهِ وَقَرَأَ قَتَادَةُ ‏:‏ ‏(‏ولقدْ أَرْسَلْنا رُسُلاً مِنْ قَبْلِكَ وَجَعَلْنَا لَهُمْ أَزْوَاجًا وَذُرِّيَّةً ‏)‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنْ سَعْدٍ وَأَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ وَعَائِشَةَ وَابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى حَدِيثُ سَمُرَةَ حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ غَرِيبٌ ‏.‏ وَرَوَى الأَشْعَثُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الْمَلِكِ هَذَا الْحَدِيثَ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ عَنْ سَعْدِ بْنِ هِشَامٍ عَنْ عَائِشَةَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم نَحْوَهُ ‏.‏ وَيُقَالُ كِلاَ الْحَدِيثَيْنِ صَحِيحٌ ‏.‏

Qatadah narrated from Al-Hasan, from Samurah that:The Prophet prohibited celibacy

وَحَدَّثَنَاهُ قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ يَعْنِي الدَّرَاوَرْدِيَّ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدُ بْنُ مَخْلَدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ بِلاَلٍ، جَمِيعًا بِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ ‏.‏

This hadith has been narrated by Sulaiman b. Bilal with the same chain of transmitters

وَحَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرٍ، وَعُثْمَانُ، ابْنَا أَبِي شَيْبَةَ ح وَحَدَّثَنِي عَمْرٌو النَّاقِدُ، قَالُوا جَمِيعًا حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو خَالِدٍ الأَحْمَرُ، عَنْ يَزِيدَ بْنِ كَيْسَانَ، عَنْ أَبِي حَازِمٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ لَقِّنُوا مَوْتَاكُمْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:Exhort to recite" There is no god but Allah" to those of you who are dying

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بِشْرٍ، بَكْرُ بْنُ خَلَفٍ وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْحَمِيدِ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ حَكِيمِ بْنِ أَفْلَحَ، عَنْ أَبِي مَسْعُودٍ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ قَالَ ‏ "‏ لِلْمُسْلِمِ عَلَى الْمُسْلِمِ أَرْبَعُ خِلاَلٍ يُشَمِّتُهُ إِذَا عَطَسَ وَيُجِيبُهُ إِذَا دَعَاهُ وَيَشْهَدُهُ إِذَا مَاتَ وَيَعُودُهُ إِذَا مَرِضَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

It was narrated from Abu Mas’ud that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:“The Muslim has four things due from the Muslim: He should answer [by saying Yarhamuk-Allah (may Allah have mercy on you)] to him if he sneezes (and says Al-Hamdulillah); he should accept his invitation if he invites him; he should attend his funeral if he dies; and he should visit him if he falls sick.”

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بِشْرٍ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ ‏ "‏ خَمْسٌ مِنْ حَقِّ الْمُسْلِمِ عَلَى الْمُسْلِمِ رَدُّ التَّحِيَّةِ وَإِجَابَةُ الدَّعْوَةِ وَشُهُودُ الْجِنَازَةِ وَعِيَادَةُ الْمَرِيضِ وَتَشْمِيتُ الْعَاطِسِ إِذَا حَمِدَ اللَّهَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:“Five are the rights of the Muslim: Returning his greeting, accepting his invitation; attending his funeral; visiting the sick; and answering (saying Yarhamuk-Allah) to the one who sneezes, if he praises Allah (says Al-Hamdu Lillah).”

وقال سري السقطى : من ادعى باطن علم ينقضه ظاهر حكم فهو غالط

وقال بشر ما سألت أحدا قط شيئا إلا سريا السقطى لأنه قد صح عندي زهده في الدنيا فهو يفرح بخروج الشيء من يده ويتبرم ببقائه عنده فأكون عونا له على ما يحب

وقال سرى السقطي رحمه الله آه على لقمة ليس على الله فيها تبعة ولا لمخلوق فيها منة

فيكره ذلك والسقط ينبغي أن يسمى

وكان سرى السقطي يقول للصوفية إذا خرج الشتاء فقد خرج أذار وأورقت الأشجار وطاب الإنتشار فانتشروا

وقال السري السقطي: إنى لأنظر كل يوم إلى أنفى مخافة أن يكون قد اسود وجهي.

A randomized clinical trial to determine optimal infertility treatment in older couples: the Forty and Over Treatment Trial (FORT-T).: Objective: To determine the optimal infertility therapy for women at the end of their reproductive potential. Design: Randomized clinical trial. Setting: Academic medical centers and private infertility center in a state with mandated insurance coverage. Patient(s): Couples with ≥ 6 months of unexplained infertility; female partner aged 38-42 years. Intervention(s): Randomized to treatment with two cycles of clomiphene citrate (CC) and intrauterine insemination (IUI), follicle stimulating hormon

The clinical effectiveness of the Mind/Body Program for Infertility on wellbeing and assisted reproduction outcomes: a randomized controlled trial in search for active ingredients.: Study question: Does the Mind/Body Program for Infertility (MBPI) perform better, due to certain distinctive elements, than a partly matched support group in improving the wellbeing and medically assisted reproduction (MAR) outcomes of women with elevated distress levels in a clinical setting? Summary answer: While robust enhancements occurred in the wellbeing overall, the cognitive behavioural and formalized stress management elements of the MBPI allowed a significantly stronger improvement in

Men's grief following pregnancy loss and neonatal loss: a systematic review and emerging theoretical model.: Background: Emotional distress following pregnancy loss and neonatal loss is common, with enduring grief occurring for many parents. However, little is known about men's grief, since the majority of existing literature and subsequent bereavement care guidelines have focused on women. To develop a comprehensive understanding of men's grief, this systematic review sought to summarise and appraise the literature focusing on men's grief following pregnancy loss and neonatal loss. Methods: A systemat

The effects of psychosocial interventions on the mental health, pregnancy rates, and marital function of infertile couples undergoing in vitro fertilization: a systematic review.: Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of psychosocial interventions on the mental health, pregnancy rates, and marital function of infertile couples undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF), as determined through RCT studies. Methods: Using the electronic databases PubMed, EMBase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PsycInfo, and CAJ, a systematic literature search was conducted in July 2015. MeSH terms, key words, and free words such as "infertility," "fertilization in vitro," "psy

Stress, distress and outcome of assisted reproductive technology (ART): a meta-analysis.: Background: A number of studies have investigated the relationship between psychological factors such as stress and distress (measured as anxiety and depression) and outcomes of assisted reproductive technology (ART). The results, however, are inconsistent, and the strength of any associations remains to be clarified. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the results of studies reporting on the associations between stress, anxiety, and depression and ART outcomes. Methods: Prospe

The impact of occupational shift work and working hours during pregnancy on health outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.: Backgroud: An increasing number of original studies suggest that exposure to shift work and long working hours during pregnancy could be associated with the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, but the results remain conflicting and inconclusive. Objective: To examine the influences of shift work and longer working hours during pregnancy on maternal and fetal health outcomes. Data sources: Five electronic databases and 3 gray literature sources were searched up to March 15, 2019. Methods of study

Ovarian stimulation in young adult cancer survivors on targeted cancer therapies.

Objective: To describe a clinical approach to and outcomes of IVF in reproductive-aged cancer survivors receiving targeted cancer therapies. Design: Case report. Setting: Not applicable. Patient(s): The first case is of a female patient with metastatic lung cancer receiving long-term crizotinib, an anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitor. The second case is of a female patient with metastatic colon cancer receiving long-term denosumab, a RANKL antibody. Both patients presented desiring fertility. Intervention(s): In vitro fertilization. Main outcome measure(s): Live birth and embryo banking. Result(s): The potential impact of targeted therapy on oocytes and pregnancy was investigated via literature review and pharmaceutical company inquiries. After oncologic, fertility, and psychological counseling, both survivors underwent ovarian stimulation, IVF, and preimplantation genetic screening. On…

matched on Fertilization in Vitro (mesh), Infertility, Female (mesh)

Environmental pollutants: genetic damage and epigenetic changes in male germ cells.

About a quarter of the human diseases occurs for exposure to air pollution. The male reproductive system, and especially spermatogenesis, seems to be particularly sensitive. As result, male infertility is increasing in industrial countries becoming a top priority for public health. In addition to psychological distress and economic constraints, poorer semen quality may have trans-generational effects including congenital malformations in the offspring and predispose to later onset adult diseases. Genetic and epigenetic alterations are involved in the failure of spermatogenesis. In this paper, we reviewed the major evidences of the effects of air pollutants on male infertility as well as the role of sperm DNA damage and epigenetic changes in affecting spermatogenesis. A better knowledge on the effects of air contaminants on the molecular mechanisms leading to infertility is of huge import…

matched on Infertility (keyword), Infertility, Male (mesh), infertility (text)

Biomarkers of ovarian response: current and future applications.

With our increasing appreciation that simply maximizing oocyte yield for all patients is no longer an appropriate stimulation strategy and that age alone cannot accurately predict ovarian response, there has been an explosion in the literature regarding the utility of biomarkers to predict and individualize treatment strategies. Antral follicle count (AFC) and antimüllerian hormone (AMH) have begun to dominate the clinical scene, and although frequently pitted against each other as alternatives, both may contribute and indeed be synergistic. Their underlying technologies are continuing to develop rapidly and overcome the standardization issues that have limited their development to date. In the context of in vitro fertilization (IVF), their linear relationship with oocyte yield and thereby extremes of ovarian response has led to improved pretreatment patient counseling, individualization…

matched on Fertilization in Vitro (mesh), Infertility, Female (mesh)

Infertility psychological distress in women undergoing assisted reproductive treatment: A grounded theory study.

Background: While there exists an ample body of research in international contexts focused on the characterization and quantification of infertility psychological distress, the level of scholarly scrutiny directed towards this phenomenon within the context of China remains scant. Aims and objectives: To investigate the formation and developmental processes of psychological distress associated with infertility and infertility treatment among women within the Chinese cultural context and to construct a theoretical framework that elucidates this phenomenon. Design: Qualitative approach with grounded theory methodology. Methods: This study was conducted within the reproductive medicine department of a tertiary-level hospital located in central China from May to August 2023. Twenty-seven women who experienced infertility and underwent assisted reproductive treatment (ART) were interviewed. Th…

matched on Infertility (mesh), Infertility, Female (mesh), Reproductive Techniques, Assisted (mesh), infertility (text)

The relations between marital quality, social support, social acceptance and coping strategies among the infertile Iranian couples.

Objective: Researchers aimed to assess marital quality among the infertile couples undergoing assistive reproductive treatments and their coping strategies, social support and social acceptance. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 133 infertile couples undergoing assisted reproductive treatments were assessed for marital satisfaction, conflict resolution and marital communication, and coping strategies, using a self-report questionnaire. Also, the level of perceived social support and social acceptance as moderator variables were measured. Data were analyzed using independent t test, Pearson correlation coefficient, and linear regressions, after adjusting for age, cause of infertility and the duration of infertility. Results: No significant difference was found in the use of various coping strategies between couples. The correlation for marital satisfaction, marital communication and co…

matched on Infertility (mesh), Infertility, Female (mesh), Reproductive Techniques, Assisted (mesh), infertility (text)

Prior pregnancy loss and sleep experience during subsequent pregnancy.

Objective: To describe sleep characteristics in the third trimester of pregnancy for women who had a prior pregnancy loss compared to women with no history of loss. Design: Descriptive comparison of baseline data prior to randomization for a clinical trial. Setting: Participants' homes. Participants: Eligible women recruited from childbirth education classes during third trimester were over 18 years old, in partnered relationships, spoke English, did not work nightshift or have a diagnosed sleep disorder, and had no current complications or prior pregnancy loss (n = 140). Women with prior miscarriage or stillbirth were offered enrollment in an ancillary study (n = 20). Measurements: Sleep was assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and wrist actigraphy. Other measures included relationship satisfaction, perceived stress, and depressive symptoms. For this analysis, only th…

matched on Abortion, Spontaneous (mesh), Stillbirth (keyword), miscarriage (text), pregnancy loss (text)

The Gender Gap in the Diagnostic-Therapeutic Journey of the Infertile Couple.

Medical procreation impairs both the biological and psychological lives of couples. However, male and female attitudes to infertility are different and require a different approach during the IVF journey. Thus, the gender impact assessment (GIA) method was used to analyse original studies present in the literature. We found some gender-related differences and, subsequently, possible outcomes of intervention to improve healthy reproduction management and prevent infertility. In particular, it became apparent that there was the need for an in-depth male infertility assessment and a gender-specific follow-up.

matched on Reproductive Techniques, Assisted (mesh), Infertility, Male (mesh), infertility (text)

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection for male infertility and consequences for offspring.

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) has become the most commonly used method of fertilization in assisted reproductive technology. The primary reasons for its popularity stem from its effectiveness, the standardization of the procedure, which means that it can easily be incorporated into the routine practice of fertility centres worldwide, and the fact that it can be used to treat virtually all forms of infertility. ICSI is the clear method of choice for overcoming untreatable severe male factor infertility, but its (over)use in other male and non-male factor infertility scenarios is not evidence-based. Despite all efforts to increase ICSI efficacy and safety through the application of advanced sperm retrieval and cryopreservation techniques, as well as methods for selecting sperm with better chromatin integrity, the overall pregnancy rates from infertile men remain suboptimal. Treat…

matched on Pregnancy Rate (mesh), Infertility, Male (mesh), infertility (text)

The Role of Physical Activity in Preconception, Pregnancy and Postpartum Health.

The rise in obesity and associated morbidity is currently one of our greatest public health challenges. Women represent a high risk group for weight gain with associated metabolic, cardiovascular, reproductive and psychological health impacts. Regular physical activity is fundamental for health and well-being with protective benefits across the spectrum of women's health. Preconception, pregnancy and the early postpartum period represent opportune windows to engage women in regular physical activity to optimize health and prevent weight gain with added potential to transfer behavior change more broadly to children and families. This review summarizes the current evidence for the role of physical activity for women in relation to preconception (infertility, assisted reproductive therapy, polycystic ovary syndrome, weight gain prevention and psychological well-being) pregnancy (prevention …

matched on Infertility, Female (mesh), Fertility (mesh), infertility (text)

Psychological and social aspects of infertility in men: an overview of the evidence and implications for psychologically informed clinical care and future research.

Research concerning the psychosocial aspects of infertility and infertility treatment focuses more often on women than men. The aim of this review was to synthesize the English-language evidence related to the psychological and social aspects of infertility in men and discuss the implications of these reports for clinical care and future research. A structured search identified 73 studies that reported data concerning the desire for fatherhood and the psychological and social aspects of diagnosis, assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment and unsuccessful treatment among men with fertility difficulties. The studies are diverse in conceptualisation, design, setting and data collection, but the findings were reasonably consistent. These studies indicated that fertile and infertile childless men of reproductive age have desires to experience parenthood that are similar to those of th…

matched on Reproductive Techniques, Assisted (mesh), Infertility, Male (mesh), infertility (text)

Effects of maternal sleep position on fetal and maternal heart rate patterns using overnight home fetal ECG recordings.

Objective: To assess the effects of maternal position on maternal and fetal heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV) in healthy late gestation pregnancies using non-invasive techniques during overnight studies. Methods: In an observational study of women between 34 and 36 weeks of pregnancy conducted from September 1, 2013, to March 31, 2014, at Columbia University Medical Center, New York, US, maternal and fetal ECG recordings and position monitoring were undertaken through the night in the woman's own home. These data were used for time domain analyses of fetal and maternal heart rate and HRV. Results: Forty-two women were recruited to the study which showed that maternal position affected maternal heart rate (MHR), with left side sleeping associated with lower heart rate (left vs right P=0.017, left vs supine P=0.027) and higher overall HRV (left vs right P=0.032). MHR showed signi…

matched on Stillbirth (keyword)

Psychosocial predictors of IVF success after one year: a follow-up study.

Objectives: There is growing evidence that psychosocial factors play an important role in the success of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF). The current study explored the impact of coping style, social support, self-compassion, parenthood motivation and relationship attachment as predictors of IVF success. Design: A follow-up survey of 305 women undergoing IVF who had initially been assessed one year earlier. Methods: Participants were assessed on measures of coping style, social support, self-compassion, parenthood motivation, relationship attachment and psychological distress and reassessed one year later in terms of the outcome of IVF. Results: Of these, 156 reported successful births while 149 had been unsuccessful. Of the 149 who had been unsuccessful, 66 were undertaking another cycle of IVF and 83 were not, although whether they had completely given up is not known. The significant pos…

matched on Infertility (mesh), Fertilization in Vitro (mesh), Pregnancy Rate (mesh)

Italian gay father families formed by surrogacy: Parenting, stigmatization, and children's psychological adjustment.

Forty Italian gay father families formed by surrogacy were compared with 40 Italian lesbian mother families formed by donor insemination, all with a child aged 3 to 9 years. Standardized interview, observational, and questionnaire measures of parenting quality, parent-child relationships, stigmatization, and children's adjustment were administered to parents, children, teachers, and a child psychiatrist. The only differences across family types indicated higher levels of stigmatization as reported by gay fathers. Externalizing and internalizing problems in both groups scored within the normal range. When family structure and processes were entered together as predictors of child adjustment, a hierarchical linear model analysis showed that factors associated with children's externalizing problems were the child's male gender, high stigmatization, and negative parenting; children's interna…

matched on Reproductive Techniques, Assisted (mesh)

Stillbirth in Low-Resource Settings.

Globally, 1.9 million late-gestation stillbirths occurred in 2023, 87% in low-income and middle-income countries, with sub-Saharan Africa bearing almost half the burden. Despite a global decline, progress is uneven and stalling in high-burden regions. Most are preventable but persist due to complex factors: biomedical causes (eg, hypertension and infection), societal determinants (eg, poverty, inequity, and low empowerment), and critical health system gaps limiting access to timely, high-quality antenatal, and intrapartum care. Ending preventable stillbirths requires urgent, intersectoral action: closing data gaps, strengthening health systems (especially skilled birth attendance and emergency care), addressing underlying social determinants, and providing supportive bereavement care.

matched on Stillbirth (mesh)

Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health After Stillbirth.

Following stillbirth, profound grief is well-documented, and co-occurring mental health struggles are common. Distinguishing normal grief from mental health conditions is crucial yet difficult, especially when losses are traumatic. Strong social and emotional support promotes integration and adjustment, but stigma surrounding stillbirth often negatively impacts the degree of support families receive. Many bereaved parents prefer peer-based and animal-assisted supports over conventional clinical services, which may reflect gaps in clinician training in perinatal bereavement care. Accordingly, all professionals who interface with bereaved families should receive targeted education in evidence-informed communication, compassionate care, and community-based support.

matched on Stillbirth (mesh)

Small vulnerable newborns-big potential for impact.

Despite major achievements in child survival, the burden of neonatal mortality has remained high and even increased in some countries since 1990. Currently, most neonatal deaths are attributable to being born preterm, small for gestational age (SGA), or with low birthweight (LBW). Besides neonatal mortality, these conditions are associated with stillbirth and multiple morbidities, with short-term and long-term adverse consequences for the newborn, their families, and society, resulting in a major loss of human capital. Prevention of preterm birth, SGA, and LBW is thus critical for global child health and broader societal development. Progress has, however, been slow, largely because of the global community's failure to agree on the definition and magnitude of newborn vulnerability and best ways to address it, to frame the problem attractively, and to build a broad coalition of actors and…

matched on Stillbirth (mesh)

The psychological support for women who underwent a stillbirth during their pregnancy: the quality of midwifery care.

Purpose: This review aims to investigate the role of midwifery care in perinatal death. Specifically, it aims to investigate the type and implications in the clinical practice of psychological and psychiatric support interventions for women/couples. Methods: A scoping review was conducted following the PRISMA methodology. For this purpose, the following databases were queried: PubMed, APA PsycInfo, CINAHL Plus with Full Text, and ERIC, considering only studies published in the 2002-2022 time frame. Results: 14 studies were found to be eligible by the literature review. These researches were divided into 3 macro-topics representing the most crucial factors in influencing the quality of care: the healthcare setting, the experience and training of caregivers, and the experience of parents. Discussion: The healthcare figure who experiences such a tragic event most closely is the midwife. The…

matched on Stillbirth (mesh)

"Getting it right when it goes wrong - Effective bereavement care requires training of the whole maternity team".

Stillbirth or neonatal death is one of the most traumatic and distressing life experiences with negative psychosocial effects. Perinatal grief is natural and understandable, and, if not recognized and well supported, may lead to long-term harmful effects. Harm may also be caused to the other surviving siblings, families, and next generation. This can be helped by effective bereavement care. Bereavement care is an area of enormous needs, relatively untraveled road. Though the loss cannot be undone, but a negative impact can be minimized by compassionate supportive care. This chapter will focus on the need of a trained team for effective bereavement care. Principles of evidence-based best practices from the literature will be reviewed and translated into key practice implications. An emphasis is laid on a structured training involving the whole team. We hope this will help in day-to-day si…

matched on Stillbirth (mesh)

A review of findings from placental histology in cases of stillbirth following the amendment to the Coroner's Act.

Background: An amendment to the 1962 Coroner's Act in the Republic of Ireland mandated that all stillbirths and neonatal deaths were to be reported to the local coroner's office. In response to this, the bereavement team and department of anatomic pathology modified the pathway for placental examination following stillbirth and reporting deaths to the coroner. This paper is a review of the effect of this practice. Methods: This study is a review of all cases of stillbirths for 9 months following the amendment of the Coroner's Act. A descriptive, exploratory design was used involving a retrospective chart review. Results: Twenty-nine cases of stillbirth occurred during the study period. In cases where a placental examination was performed (n = 22), a cause of death was identified in the placenta or cord for seventeen (68%) of these cases. Seven cases had a consented autopsy with six cases…

matched on Stillbirth (mesh)

Perinatal Loss: The Impact on Maternal Mental Health.

Importance: Psychological reactions to perinatal loss, although often self-limited, may lead to significant psychological morbidities. Obstetrician-gynecologists and other maternal health providers play a key role in recognizing the range of psychological responses to perinatal loss and providing education, support, and treatment options to their patients. Objective: This review aims to define psychological reactions associated with perinatal loss, examine psychotherapy and psychopharmacologic treatments for psychiatric morbidities, discuss interpregnancy interval following perinatal loss, and highlight brief, psychological interventions that can be implemented by maternal health providers. Evidence acquisition: Search terms "perinatal loss psychology," "reproductive loss grief," "perinatal psychopharmacology," "psychopharmacology grief," and "interpregnancy interval" were utilized to se…

matched on Abortion, Spontaneous (mesh)

Understanding stillbirth stigma: A scoping literature review.

Background: The World Health Organization, and the 2011 and 2016 Lancet Stillbirth series as well as medical and scientific literature, have all called for stillbirth stigma to be reduced. However, few studies have explored or attempted to conceptualise the meaning of stigma in the context of stillbirth. Aim: To explore the current knowledge surrounding stillbirth stigma, specifically the extent, type and experiences of bereaved parents. Methods: A five-stage scoping review framework was utilised. A search of relevant databases (MedLine, EMBASE, PsychInfo, PsychArticles, and Ovid Emcare) was undertaken with several key words related to 'stillbirth' and 'stigma.' The reference lists of included studies were also searched. Findings: A total of 23 resources met the inclusion criteria for this review. A thematic analysis regarding how stigma was conceptualised and/or experienced within resul…

matched on Stillbirth (mesh)

Care following stillbirth in high-resource settings: Latest evidence, guidelines, and best practice points.

Third-trimester stillbirth affects approximately 2.6 million women worldwide each year. Although most stillbirths (98%) occur in low- and middle-income countries, most of the research on the impact of stillbirth and bereavement care has come from high-income countries. The impact of stillbirth ranges from stigma to disenfranchised grief, broken relationships, clinical depression, chronic pain, substance use, increased use of health services, employment difficulties, and debt. Appropriate bereavement care following a stillbirth is essential to minimise the negative socio-economic impact on parents and their families. This article presents the best practice points in stillbirth bereavement care, including taking an individualised and flexible approach. The latest published research, guidelines, and best practice points from high-income countries will be used and will highlight the gaps in …

matched on Stillbirth (mesh)

Stillbirths: recall to action in high-income countries.

Variation in stillbirth rates across high-income countries and large equity gaps within high-income countries persist. If all high-income countries achieved stillbirth rates equal to the best performing countries, 19,439 late gestation (28 weeks or more) stillbirths could have been avoided in 2015. The proportion of unexplained stillbirths is high and can be addressed through improvements in data collection, investigation, and classification, and with a better understanding of causal pathways. Substandard care contributes to 20-30% of all stillbirths and the contribution is even higher for late gestation intrapartum stillbirths. National perinatal mortality audit programmes need to be implemented in all high-income countries. The need to reduce stigma and fatalism related to stillbirth and to improve bereavement care are also clear, persisting priorities for action. In high-income countr…

matched on Stillbirth (mesh)

Every Newborn: progress, priorities, and potential beyond survival.

In this Series paper, we review trends since the 2005 Lancet Series on Neonatal Survival to inform acceleration of progress for newborn health post-2015. On the basis of multicountry analyses and multi-stakeholder consultations, we propose national targets for 2035 of no more than 10 stillbirths per 1000 total births, and no more than 10 neonatal deaths per 1000 livebirths, compatible with the under-5 mortality targets of no more than 20 per 1000 livebirths. We also give targets for 2030. Reduction of neonatal mortality has been slower than that for maternal and child (1-59 months) mortality, slowest in the highest burden countries, especially in Africa, and reduction is even slower for stillbirth rates. Birth is the time of highest risk, when more than 40% of maternal deaths (total about 290,000) and stillbirths or neonatal deaths (5·5 million) occur every year. These deaths happen rapi…

matched on Stillbirth (mesh)

Intrauterine growth restriction: new concepts in antenatal surveillance, diagnosis, and management.

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) remains one of the main challenges in maternity care. Improvements have to start from a better definition of IUGR, applying the concept of the fetal growth potential. Customized standards for fetal growth and birthweight improve the detection of IUGR by better distinction between physiological and pathological smallness and have led to internationally applicable norms. Such developments have resulted in new insights in the assessment of risk and surveillance during pregnancy. Serial fundal height measurement plotted on customized charts is a useful screening tool, whereas fetal biometry and Doppler flow are the mainstay for investigation and diagnosis of IUGR. Appropriate protocols based on available evidence as well as individualized clinical assessment are essential to ensure good management and timely delivery.

matched on Stillbirth (mesh)