Fertility Road Issue 07

EUROPE'S NO.1 FERTILITY MAGAZINE 

ISSUE 07 | AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2011 £3.95/€4.95 

YOUR PATH TO PARENTHOOD 

WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COM 

T R AV E L F E AT U R E 

• ROMANTIC EASTERN EUROPEAN ESCAPES • 

IVF AND 

BEYOND 

Emma Cannon's 

top tips to stay 

fit for fertility 

THE IVF 

POSTCODE 

LOTTERY 

is the NHS 

IVF selection 

process fair? 

Nicole Kidman 

On the joys of 

motherhood 

ISSUE 07 


MALE FERTILITY EGG DONATION - SOUTH AFRICA ZITA WEST Q&A

Thinking 

about 

starting 

a family? 

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Visit Pregnacare.com/conception for tips and advice when trying for a baby. 

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FERTILITY ROAD 

CONTENTS 

In this issue... 

26 

15 

TR 

DD 

15 EASTERN EUROPE ESCAPES 

FK 

32 

YO 

We have three getaways that are close to home, won’t break 

the bank and are sure to give you that well earned break! 

EX 

TD 

GU 

TR 

DD 

EX 

TD 

TD 

EX 

PE ML 

46 

PO 

SY 

FK 

YO 

PO 

PO 

LS 

SY 

SY 

TD 

NE SO 

EX 

GU 

PE ML 

NE SO 

46 THE IVF POSTCODE LOTTERY 

Sarah Johnson retells her story about her mission to change 

the rules regarding IVF on the NHS. 

LS 

LS 

NE SO 

PO 

SY 

NE 

22 HOW TO SWIM IN THE FAST LANE 

Fertility pioneer Dr. Silber discusses various male infertility 

issues and what can be achieved via treatment. 

26 FERTILITY HAS NEVER BEEN EASY FOR ME 

Nicole Kidman talks openly about her fertility journey, her 

problems she encountered, and the latest edition to her family. 

32 IVF AND BEYOND 

Fertility expert and bestselling author, Emma Cannon, 

shows us how a positive mind and a healthy body can 

really improve your chances at conceiving. 

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: 

FERTILITY ROAD SCIENCE 

Our experts look at the science behind Egg Freezing and 

Egg Donation and give jargon-free explanations on both. 

FERTILITY ROAD GUIDES 

Emma Cannon's top tips for eating well during pregnancy 

including two great recipes to help you boost your energy. 

SAME SEX PARENTING 

California based clinic, Fertility Miracles tells us some 

real-life stories of same sex couples who overcame all the 

odds after experiencing various pitfalls to become parents. 

www.fertilityroad.com 

03







CONTRIBUTORS 

Introducing the Fertility Road panel of journalists and experts… 


ISSUE 07 AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2011 




Nicole Kidman 


motherhood 

ISSUE 07 – AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2011 

Group Publisher: 

Jeff Crockett 

Managing Editor: 

Giorgio Severi 

Business Advisor: 

Alessandro Severi 

Contributors: 

Emma Cannon, Jenny Currie, Elena Dumitriu, 

Sophy Grimshaw, Sarah Johnson, Dr. Sandeep 

Mane, Karen Roeb, Dr. Sherman Silber, 

Dr. Alan Thornhill, Zita West 

Art Editor: 

Damian Browning 

Interim Sales Manager: 

Ms. J Watson 

European Sales: 

Susan Calatayud, Pier Minole 

Accounts Manager: 

Tania Simmonds 

Legal Advisor: 

W Burson & Co. 

Client Liason Officer: 

Debbie Hanson 

Printed by: 

Buxton Press 

Advertising Enquiries: 

sales@fertilityroad.com 

Contact details: 

Fertility Road Magazine 

Suite 318, Building 50, 

Argyll Road, London SE18 6PP 

Tel: 020 3556 3767 

Email: info@fertilityroad.com 



IVF AND 

BEYOND 

Emma Cannon's 



THE IVF 

POSTCODE 

LOTTERY 

is the NHS 

IVF selection 

process fair? 

MALE FERTILITY EGG DONATION - SOUTH AFRICA ZITA WEST Q&A 

Follow us on Twitter 

www.twitter.com/fertilityroad 

Welcome to the latest copy of Fertility Road. 

In this issue we bring you a great interview with 

Nicole Kidman and her fertility journey having 

adopted two children, conceived naturally and 

recently added a new baby born via surrogacy. 

We also have a great article from bestselling 

author and fertility expert Emma Cannon on how to stay fit and how 

positive thinking really can make all the difference when trying to 

conceive. Sarah Johnson talks to us about her mission to change the 

criteria governing IVF on the NHS and Dr. Sherman Silber discusses 

issues relating to male infertility. Finally we hear from Kylie and 

Nathan in a letter from the heart from down under. 

So until next time – kick back, relax and enjoy our magazine... Giorgio 

OUR WRITERS... 

OUR FERTILITY EXPERT... 

Emma Cannon practises complementary therapies and acupuncture 

and specialises in fertility and women’s health; gynaecology, IVF 

support, conception, pregnancy and postnatal care. She believes that 

for advanced fertility issues Western medicine is often necessary but 

where the problem is unknown, natural methods are more appropriate. 

OUR FERTILITY ABROAD EXPERT... 

Elena Dumitriu has 8 years of third party reproduction experience 

surrounding egg donation and surrogacy at Fertility Miracles, a 

division of the American Fertility Institute, located in Beverly Hills, 

California. Elena brings her experience to international prospective 

parents looking to visit the States for their fertility journey. 

OUR SURROGACY EXPERT... 

Jenny Currie is the founder and owner of a dynamic egg donor agency, 

baby2mom, in South Africa. The website, www.baby2mom.co.za was 

founded in 2007. Benefits include affordable egg donor services, 

immediate free access to detailed profiles of hundreds of egg donors 

and experienced guidance. 

Dr. Sandeep Mane is Consultant in Reproductive Medicine and Surgery at The 

Origin International Infertility Center in Mumbai. He is the first Indian doctor to 

become the Director of the Surgical Skills course at the Royal College of 

Obstetricians & Gynaecologists in London. 

Sophy Grimshaw is an entertainment, lifestyle and travel journalist based in 

London. She edits Hotline magazine for Virgin and is a freelance writer. Her 

interviewees have included Duran Duran, Mark Ronson, Rufus Wainwright, Kim 

Cattral, Jamie Oliver... and everyone from Peter Andre to Peter Tatchell. 

Dr. Sherman Silber M.D is a renowned pioneer in microsurgery and infertility and 

is considered one of the world’s leading authorities on fertility treatments. He is 

the author of three medical textbooks, five best-selling books, and has published 

more than 200 scientific papers on human infertility and reproduction. 

Sarah Johnson has been kind enough to share her personal ongoing quest 

on becoming a mum and how she is working tirelessly to change the rules 

surrounding the NHS criteria to be a valid candidate for IVF. Please visit and 

sign her petition to make a change at www.gopetition.com/petition/43913.html 


05

Innovative concept of private 

fertility care on Harley Street 

Fertility Plus offers a bespoke complete fertility service from the 

Harley Street consultation rooms. We are ethical and unique as we 

offer a FIXED PRICE package for a full range of fertility investigations 

and treatments to couples, same sex-couples and single women. 

Our packages include: 

• IVF at £5750 all inclusive of medications 

• Mild IVF at £5050 all inclusive of medications 

• ICSI at £6450 all inclusive of medications 

We offer: 

• One-on-one consultant led care 

• To beat the open wallet policy of Harley Street so that you 

know what you are getting for the money you invest 

• Extensive experience of cutting edge technology 

Please visit our website for further details and information 

www.fertilityplus.org.uk


NEWS 

The latest developments from the fertility world 

CAFFEINE HINDERS 

FALLING PREGNANT 

The study was conducted at the University Of Nevada School of Medicine 

and consisted of testing the fertility of laboratory mice when exposed to 

caffeine. Sean Ward, professor of physiology and cell biology at the university, 

found that the chemical, most often found in coffee, affected the ability of the 

Fallopian tubes to move the egg towards being fertilised. 

Specifically the team found that the “contraction” method of the tubes that 

slowly move the egg toward the oncoming sperm was being reduced and 

stopped by the presence of caffeine. 

“This finding goes a long way towards explaining why drinking caffeinated drinks 

can reduce a woman’s chance of becoming pregnant,” said Ward, “this provides 

an intriguing explanation as to why women with high caffeine consumption often 

take longer to conceive than women who do not consume caffeine.” 

Professor Ward also noted the importance of this discovery for finding more 

effective ways for women to become pregnant, as well as avoid and help women 

be treated for things like inflammation or sexually-transmitted diseases. 

Would-be-mum, Sarah Johnson, who has been battling to change 

the rules on who is eligible for IVF on the NHS has started her own 

petition. Please go to page 46 for more info on how you can help. 

SEYCHELLES 

GIFT FOR 

ROYAL 

COUPLE 

Prince William and his new wife Kate Middleton were 

presented with an aphrodisiacal fruit by foreign 

minister Jean-Paul Adam to mark the end of their 

honeymoon. The young pair ended their romantic 

holiday with a special ceremony during which they 

were handed the ‘world’s most erotic fruit’ - the 

Coco de Mer coconut, and had to be granted a 

special licence to bring the love nut, which looks a lot 

like a pair of female buttocks, back home to the UK. 

The fruit, which can weigh up to 30kg when fully 

grown, was given to the couple on behalf of Seychelles 

President James Michel at the ceremony on the main 

island. This rare fruit grows only in the Vallée de Mai 

nature reserve on Praslin Island and is regarded on 

the island as a powerful aphrodisiac and revered as 

a fertility symbol. 

RAPPER BEE CAUSES FERTILITY BUZZ 

Early Bird Catches the Sperm is the latest YouTube 

Gen X – targeted anthem of married Rappers in the 

US. With lyrics such as “Runnin’ home to get down - 

No matter where we are in town” and “Stayin’ outta’ 

the hot tub - So my sperm count won’t go down,” 

turns this hip hop dance into a comedic lament 

addressing middle-age infertility and the desire for 

having children. The video concludes by promoting 

FertilityLifelines.com, a website in the US for the 

fertility treatment drug Gonal-f. 


07


NEWS 

The latest developments from the fertility world 

HOW FAST IS YOUR 

CLOCK TICKING? 

Scientists have recently discovered a new method that can help women 

know if their biological clock is ticking, and find out whether they are 

likely to have an earlier menopause and should not delay trying to 

conceive, or whether their fertile life will end later. For the first time, a 

team of Scottish researchers have found how levels of a hormone, which 

can reveal how many eggs a woman has remaining, change throughout 

her reproductive life. 

The discovery will allow women to compare their own hormone levels 

with the average for their age to see whether they should be concerned 

about their future fertility and will be able to indicate whether they are 

likely to have an early or later menopause, allowing they know whether 

they have to try for a baby sooner rather than later. 

LOTTERY 

TO OFFER 

£25,000 

IVF AS 

PRIZE 

A controversial lottery, offering £25,000 worth of IVF treatment as a 

prize, has been given the go ahead. The Gambling Commission has 

licensed To Hatch, a UK charity offering fertility advice, to sell tickets 

to win fertility treatment in a monthly draw. Winners will receive 

IVF treatment in a choice of one of five top fertility clinics as well as 

accommodation and other expenses incurred as part of the treatment. 

EATING 

DISORDERS 

CAN HARM 

WOMEN’S 

FERTILITY 

Women with eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, 

may take a bit longer to get pregnant than other women, a 

new study has found. U.K. researchers asked 11,088 pregnant 

women to complete questionnaires at 12 and 18 weeks of 

gestation. Of those women, 171 had anorexia at some point in 

their lives, 199 had bulimia, and another 82 had experienced 

both conditions. A larger proportion of the women with the 

eating disorders took more than six months to conceive 

compared to those with no history of eating disorders. 

However, women with eating disorders weren’t more likely 

to take longer than 12 months to conceive, the investigators 

found. Women with anorexia or bulimia were more than twice 

as likely to have received treatment or help to get pregnant. 

The study also found that 41.5 percent of women with anorexia 

said their pregnancy was unplanned, compared with 28.6 

percent of women in the general population. This suggests 

that women with anorexia may underestimate their chances of 

conceiving, the researchers concluded. 

“This research highlights that there are risks to fertility 

associated with eating disorders. However, the high rates of 

unplanned pregnancies in women with a history of anorexia 

suggest that women may be underestimating their chances of 

conceiving,” said lead author Abigail Easter, from the Institute 

of Psychiatry at King’s College London. 

08 fertility road | august - september


FERTILITY FINDS 

The latest gadgets, gismos, applications and supplements… 

Dr. IVF iPhone App 

Dr. IVF is a new, one of a kind, 3-D medical application that has been developed 

for Doctors, future parents and couples who want to explore the world of IVF. 

With the touch of a finger, couples can witness the magic of IVF and discover 

the world of fertility as they have never seen it before. 

Gynaecologists and embryologists are able to demonstrate 

medical procedures, like ICSI and IVF, and create a unique and 

special approach for supporting their patients. 

Clinics also have the ability to write texts and advice which you 

will receive along with all the clinics information including location, 

contact details and website details via the app, thus creating a 

new interactive dimension between doctors and their patients. 

PRODUCT 

OF THE 

MONTH 

Free from iTunes or visit www.drivfapp.com 

BeeFertile 

- Natural fertility supplement 

BeeFertile is designed to enhance fertility 

and support your reproductive functions. 

The all-natural, non-prescription formula 

combines scientifically-validated herbal 

ingredients, essential vitamins, bee pollen, 

honey and Royal Jelly. BeeFertile for 

Women helps promote a proper hormonal 

balance, which is critical to ensuring that 

regular ovulation, maturation of the 

ovarian follicle, and healthy development 

of reproductive tissues in the uterus occur. 

Also available for men and couples, each 

kit contains a three month supply of 

supplements and a Jar of Royal Jelly 

Mixture to optimise reproductive health. 

Eternal Skincare - Aloe Super 

Hydrating Moisturiser 

All mothers-to-be know the importance 

of keeping their skin well moisturised. 

Although stretch marks are never totally 

preventable, using a good quality, rich 

body moisturiser can help minimise them 

as much as possible. Aloe Super Hydrating 

Moisturiser contains a high proportion of 

organically grown Aloe Leaf Juice, well 

known for its skin repairing qualities. 

Free from parabens and other harmful 

stabilisers, this luxurious moisturiser 

contains natural ingredients, such as 

calendula oil and Shea butter. The result 

is a gentle moisturiser ideal for expectant 

mums and babies. 

Yes ® Baby 

- Fertility friendly lubricant 

A pure and natural two part lubricant 

for couples trying to conceive – the first 

part of the Yes Baby dual system, with 

seven pre-filled applicators containing 

sperm-friendly organic lubricant, is used 

during the woman’s most fertile period 

to support conception and allows for 

more pleasurable intercourse. The second 

part includes three pre-filled applicators 

containing vagina-friendly lubricant that 

restores the vagina to its natural post 

ovulation pH. This essential rebalancing 

of the pH ensures a healthy environment 

for the implantation of the egg, and 

protects against vaginal infections. 

Prices from £95 for 3 month supply 

www.beefertile.com 

Prices from £30 for 225ml 

www.eternalskincare.com 

Prices from £19.99 

www.yesyesyes.org 



EVENTS 

Alternative Families Show 

Saturday 17th September / 10am - 5pm 

- Grand Connaught Rooms, London 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

www.alternativefamiliesshow.com 

Get expert 

fertility 

information 

and support 

online with 

Boots WebMD 

Let us support 

you in taking the 

first step. 

Visit Visit www.bootswebmd.com 

and and search search ‘fertility’. ‘fertility’. 

The Fertility World Show 

22 - 23 October - NEC Birmingham 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

www.fertility-world.co.uk 

feel good 

feel good

: 

:

FERTILITY ROAD | DuoFertility 

FERTILITY ROAD | |DuoFertility 

2011 is proving especially newsworthy for 

DuoFertility. Not only are the company 

about to announce an important milestone 

in pregnancy numbers has been reached, 

FERTILITY 

DEVICE AS 

EFFECTIVE 

AS IVF 

the revolutionary, high-tech fertility monitor 

starred on BBC’s Britain’s Next Big Thing. 

DUOFERTILITY 

CELEBRATES 

150 

The fertility monitor with expert 

support to help you get pregnant 

PREGNANCIES 

T 

naturally, 

 

and avoid invasive medical 

procedures such as IVF. 

A 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each pregnancy is an important milestone 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy DuoFertility users... 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is DuoFertility right for you? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DuoFertility is is now available from Boots 

or direct from the DuoFertility website. 

For more information please visit 

www.duofertility.com 

Two FREE Pregnancy Tests for Fertility Road readers Visit www.duofertility.com/FertRd for more details 

Two FREE Pregnancy Tests for Fertility Road readers Visit www.duofertility.com/FertRd for more details 

14 fertility road | august - september 

12 fertility road | may - june 

1. Better than IVF? Pregnancy rates of the DuoFertility programme over six cycles 

*Terms and conditions apply, see web site for details 

of use. Chausiaux O et al. World Association of Reproductive Medicine 2010. 

*Terms and conditions apply, see web site for details

FEATURE | eastern europe escapes 

WORDS | GIORGIO SEVERI 

EASTERN EUROPE 

ESCAPES 

We all know that relaxing and 

getting away from everyday stress 

can really help with conceiving, 

but travelling far sometimes is just 

not possible. Here are a few ideas 

of mini getaways which are close to 

home that won’t break the budget. 

Ljubljana / Slovenia 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Learn More: www.hotel-toplice.com / +386 4 206 60 00 » 


15


Prague / Czech Republic 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Learn More: www.palaishotel.cz / +420 234 634 111 


The Zita West 

Clinic 

The The Zita West Clinic is is the the 

UK’s largest integrated 

clinic for for reproductive 

health, combining 

the the latest medical 

thinking with expert 

complementary treatments. 

Each year, our our specialist team of of doctors, 

midwives, nutritional therapists and and 

complementary practitioners help help hundreds 

of of couples to to get get pregnant, both both naturally and and 

through assisted means - - most of of whom have tried 

previously for for months and and years without success. 

We We also also help help many more, who who are are going through IVF, IVF, to to 

improve their chances of of success through expert preparation 

and and support. 

Fertility, conception, pregnancy and and birth are are whole-body 

events and and an an integrated approach to to preparing for for them can, can, 

we we believe, pay pay dividends, helping to to improve not not just just your your 

fertility, but but your your pregnancy and and the the long long term health and and 

potential of of your your baby too. too. 

How we can help: 

Just Just decided to to try? try? 

Boost your your fertility and and improve your your pregnancy 

Want to to know how how fertile you you are? are? 

Take Take our our tailor-made fertility MOT MOT 

Finding it it difficult to to get get pregnant? 

Identify and and help help resolve your your problem 

Planning on on having IVF? IVF? 

Help Help increase your your chances of of success 

If If IVF IVF fails fails 

Help Help with with next next steps. How How to to move on on 

Suffering from recurrent miscarriage? 

Help Help to to find find a way a way through 

Services we we offer: 

Gynaecology Nutrition Counselling 

Midwifery Acupuncture Massage 

Embryology Hypnotherapy Fitness 

1 in 10 

Get expert 

women in the UK live 

fertility with PCOS, it’s the 

information 

leading cause of 

infertility in women 

and support 

online with 

Boots WebMD 



first step. 

Do you have any of the following? 

irregular periods 


and and search search weight ‘fertility’. ‘fertility’. problems 

acne and oily skin 

mood swings 

hair loss 

excess hair 

If you do, then you could have Polycystic Ovary 

Syndrome (PCOS), and should make an 

appointment to talk to your GP 

Verity is the UK charity for women with PCOS, 

for more information and support: 

www.verity-pcos.org.uk 

Zita Zita West Clinics Ltd Ltd 

37 37 Manchester Street, London W1U W1U 7LJ 7LJ 

Tel Tel 0207 0207 224 224 0017 0017 Fax Fax 0207 0207 224 224 0062 

www.zitawest.com 

TO TO MAKE AN AN APPOINTMENT: 020 7224 0017 

blog.verity-pcos. 

org.uk 

twitter.com/ 

veritypcos 

facebook.com/ 

veritypcos 

youtube.com/ 

veritypcos 

Charity No.1097599 | Company No. 04404798 

verity-pcos.org. 

uk/forum 

feel good 

feel good


Riga, Latvia 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Learn More: www.grandpalaceriga.com / +371 6704 4000 


19


CELEB NEWS 

Fertility news amongst the flashbulbs 

WORDS | SOPHY GRIMSHAW 

A-LIST 

FAMILY 

MATTERS 

© Denis Makarenko / Dreamstime.com 

Angelina and brood have been doing 

a spot of globetrotting with hubby 

Brad as he films his latest movie. 

A 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kate Silverton 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve not yet been able to relax and 

enjoy myself 100 per cent. As any motherto-be 

will know, pregnancy is an incredibly 

vulnerable and precarious time, you can 

never speak to soon. - Kate Silverton 


© DFree / Shutterstock.com 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

According to Vanity Fair magazine, the Royal newlyweds 

may be embarking on parenthood sooner rather than 

later, due to their special request for fertility boosting 

Brussels sprouts whilst on honeymoon. 

It’s a brute, IVF, and all depends on 

the age of the woman. Your eggs get old. 

I’m completely in love with the idea of 

fatherhood but as for more children we’ll 

have to see what happens. We’re just very 

lucky and grateful to have Gaia. - Greg Wise 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


21

FEATURE | male infertility 

HOW TO 

SWIM IN 

THE FAST 

LANE 


WORDS | DR. SHERMAN SILBER 

Male infertility is one of the most confused – and confusing! 

– fields of medicine argues Dr Sherman J Silber MD. Here, the 

American doctor, a pioneer in the field of infertility treatment, 

sheds some light on its common causes and treatments 

T 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating on veins – in vain 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Azoospermia and vasectomy reversal 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Azoospermia explained 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

» 


23

FEATURE | male infertility 

Dr. Silber believes that in some cases a 

lot of time is wasted trying to improve 

a man’s sperm counts, when in fact 

time is better spent on fertilising an 

egg with the already existing sperm. 

I recently saw a couple who had gone 

through ten IVF cycles with retrieval 

sperm for congenital absence of the vas, 

at a reputable IVF clinic, with over 20 

embryos transferred but no pregnancy. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chromosome woes 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A final thought 

 

 

 

 

Dr Sherman J. Silber, M.D, of the Infertility Center of Saint Louis, 

Missouri, helped to pioneer several “miracle” infertility treatments, 

for both men and women, that are today common place. The views 

expressed in this feature are those of Dr Silber. For more, see his 

website at www.infertile.com 


B-Daddy 

® 

 

 

B-Daddy ® 

B-Daddy ® ® 

 

 

 

 

 

B-Daddy ® 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Approximately 

50% of cases of 

male infertility are 

linked to problems 

with sperm 

quality 

 

Pharma Nord (UK) Ltd, Telford Court, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2DB. Reg. Number 2278389.

FEATURE | celebrity 

One of Australia’s best-loved exports, Oscar winning 

actor Nicole Kidman struggled for years to conceive. 

She is now a proud mother of four – thanks to adoption, 

gestational surrogacy, and a bit of luck. She tells Fertility 

Road about her “rollercoaster ride” with fertility 

L 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

» 


WORDS | SOPHY GRIMSHAW 


27


In Rabbit Hole, Nicole portrays a mother distraught 

at the loss of her child after a car accident. She say 

about the role “Love and losing someone are themes 

that I’ve been attracted to all my career.” 

Anyone that’s been in the 

place of wanting a child knows the 

disappointment, the pain and the 

loss that you go through, trying. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

» 


FERTILITY ROAD


QUICKFIRE 

QUIZ 

How would you describe your personality? 

“I’m emotional and highly strong. If something upsets me, it 

really upsets me. If something makes me angry, I get really 

angry. But it’s all up-front. I’m also loyal, and I hope I’m fun.” 

What do you owe your parents? 

“The greatest thing my parents did was give me a social 

conscience. I was raised by a feminist mother. I’d like [my 

kids] to have a very strong social conscience. There are 

different ways that we can all go and do our bit, whether 

we’re a celebrity or whatever our skill is.” 

How long do you take to get ready to go out? 

“I get ready in five minutes. I’m not a mirror person. But I like 

to look healthy. It’s important to me to take care of my health. 

Maybe that comes from my Mum having breast cancer. So 

my desire is to stay agile. I want to be able to run and walk and 

hike. I love being outdoors and I feel caged if I can’t get out.” 

What’s your favourite item of clothing? 

“I collect vintage clothes. I’m obsessed with lace and 1940’s florals.” 

Are you a romantic? 

“Hopelessly so. I watch Gone With the Wind every year. I’m still 

devastated that Scarlett can’t love Rhett. You feel like shaking her.” 

Tell us something we don’t know about you. 

“I’m allergic to strawberries.” 

© Helga Esteb / Shutterstock.com 

I’m not in the thick of Hollywood any 

longer. My marriage is my priority. We 

have a very special, quiet life together. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rabbit Hole is now available on DVD 


It’s not surprising, you may need a little help. 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

No one knows better than we do what it’s like to be in your shoes. The Reproductive Medicine 

Group has spent the past three decades helping countless infertility couples begin their families 

No Our one team knows of board better certified than we specialty do what physicians it’s like to trained be your at top shoes. medical The schools Reproductive including Medicine 

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Our interventions team of The board to Reproductive the certified most advanced specialty Medicine technologies, physicians Group trained has we’ll spent help at top you the medical take past the schools three next step decades including on the 

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interventions to the most advanced technologies, we’ll help you take the next step on the 

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Our team of board certified specialty physicians trained at top medical schools in 

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interventions to the most advanced technologies, we’ll help you take the next st 

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For more information, please contact 

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FEATURE | ivf and beyond 

Emma Cannon, fertility expert and author 

of the Baby Making Bible takes time out 

to explain how keeping fit and healthy 

can improve your chances of conceiving. 


WORDS | EMMA CANNON 

I 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your Vital Qi 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Make sure you are well rested and calm and that you don’t 

have too much stress around you. This is not a time to build 

a new extension; keep things simple. 

• Remember that fertility is a receptive act; it’s not necessarily 

about achieving by doing but by being. 

• Avoid overwork, but likewise avoid being under-active. Qi 

needs a nice balance of activity to keep a nice flow going. 

• Cut out stimulants like alcohol, caffeine and smoking. 

• Try to be a ‘free and easy wanderer’ as we say in Chinese 

medicine. Teaching yourself to relax is an essential tool for 

life – and also for parenthood. 

• Sleep is so important. Lack of sleep, like too much stress or 

overwork can deplete the Qi. Feeling tired all the time is a 

classic complaint I see in clinic and so it’s important to allow 

yourself to wind down in the evening, not eat too late and 

ideally go to bed nice and early. 

• Good exercises for fertility include Qigong, swimming, 

yoga, walking and Pilates. 

SCIENCE 

STATS!! 

Eat Well, Eat Light 

 

 

• Eat foods that are in season. 

• Eat slowly to aid digestion. 

• Try not to study, read or work while eating. In Chinese medicine 

the stomach digests both food and thought so it struggles to 

do both at the same time! 

• Eat a good breakfast like porridge. 

• Drink plenty of water, but only when you are thirsty. 

IVF Store Cupboard 

 

 

• Plenty of leafy green vegetables 

• Dandelion, Nettle & Green tea 

• Oily fish, which contain plenty of essential fatty acids 

• Nuts and seeds for snacks, high in protein and good fats 

• Tofu 

• Beans and pulses 

• A good supply of chicken stock 

• Drink plenty of water but from glass bottled or filtered rather 

than from plastic bottles 

• Ginger is the perfect tonic as it aids digestion, settles the 

stomach, reduces nausea, boosts energy and soothes 

premenstrual cramps 

Supplements 

• Chlorella or spirulina (these are algae – high in vegetable protein) 

• EPA (essential fatty acids) 

• Folic acid 

• Royal jelly is a good Qi tonic 

• Omega 3 

• Whey protein 

Recent medical trial results published 

in the journal, Fertility and Sterility, 

show that 52% of the women in the 

study who were receiving IVF treatment 

AND a 10-week stress management programme had become 

pregnant after at least 5 mind/body sessions, compared 

with 20% who were receiving IVF treatment alone. 

Eat well, take time to relax, 

sleep well and worry less. Put 

your health and your fertility 

fi rst, instead of work or other 

people’s demands. 

» 


33

Daily Ritual 

 

 

 

 

 

• When you wake up, have a glass of hot water with half a lemon 

squeezed in to help your liver, which has a big job ahead. 

• Spend 10-15 minutes doing some very gentle yoga exercises. 

• Eat a warming breakfast of porridge or oatmeal with some 

chopped dried dates, prunes or berries for sweetness. 

• Make yourself a mid-morning protein drink 

Milk and IVF 

 

 

 

 

Mid morning protein drink 

Simply whiz all the following ingredients together. You can make 

this first thing and take to work with you or make on the spot for the 

perfect mid-morning snack. 

• 25g whey protein (Solgar is a good one or any powder you can 

buy from health-food shops) 

• 8 fl oz Rice Dream 

• A handful of almonds 

• A handful of oats 

• 1 teaspoon EPA (such as Biotics Bio-Oil) 

• A few frozen berries, defrosted 

 

Is the mind on board? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Have a warming lunch of soup. If you fancy a salad have with 

some soup too and watercress and beetroot are especially good. 

• Drink nettle tea throughout the day – it’s incredibly nourishing. 

• Go for a stroll after lunch, even if you can only spare 10 minutes. 

• Late afternoon or after work have some simple soup made 

with chicken stock (or vegetable for vegetarians), carrot and 

pointy cabbage. 

• In the evening practice some positive thinking. Have a nice, 

relaxing bath with a few drops of grapefruit essential oil after 

an early supper and try to get to bed by 10p.m. 

Heart and Womb exercise 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acupuncture during IVF 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Prague Fertility Centre 

Infertility treatment in the Czech Republic 

PFC is specialized in treatment of women over 40’s using the most advanced ART methods: 

IVF: in-vitro fertilisation, ICSI: intracytoplasmic sperm injection, PGD/PGS, blastocyst culture, 

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– you receive a video report of your embryo development 

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Milady Horakove 386/63, 17000 Prague 7, Czech Rep. • Tel: +420 233 311 974 • GSM: +420 725 122 077 

www.pragueivf.com 

info@pragueivf.cz

Q&A | zita west 

EXPERT 

WITNESS 

WITH 

ZITA WEST 

Once again, our leading fertility expert 

Zita West has taken the time to answer 

questions sent in by readers through the 

Fertility Road website. If you would like 

Zita’s advice on a fertility matter, please 

email in to info@fertilityroad.com 

Q 

I 

start IVF shortly and wanted to know if acupuncture 

will help improve my chances of a successful treatment 

cycle. I read an article recently from British 

Fertility Society that says that acupuncture has no effect on 

success when undergoing IVF treatment, is this correct? 

 

A 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


37

Q&A | zita west 

Q 

I 

lived a pretty hectic youth and am now totally 

paranoid that I may have harmed myself. This is the 

reason I have been putting off starting a family, 

in case the worst thing happens and I can’t fall pregnant. I 

realise it sounds irrational but I can’t shake the fear and, with 

a responsible and busy job, it has been an easy thing to 

postpone. Am I being unnecessarily nervous? 

 

A 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q 

I have been pregnant through IVF before but 

miscarried, and my husband and I decided to take a 

break from the physical and emotional stress. Now 

we’re back in the consultation process and I’m finding the 

strain twice as difficult as before. What’s more, my husband 

desperately wants a son as we already have two daughters by 

natural birth, and this just feels like added pressure. How can 

I relax through this, and is it common for the second time to 

be so much more difficult? 

 

A 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q 

I 

have always been overweight and after my first 

failed IVF cycle (when only four eggs were retrieved), 

I was told in pretty blunt terms that my weight was 

having a detrimental effect on my ability to fall pregnant, and 

that even if I did achieve pregnancy, miscarriage would be 

much more likely as well. This brutal diagnosis has hit me 

hard and I have started to shed some pounds, but am still 

about five stone heavier than I should be. We now want to 

restart the process. Should I wait until I have lost more weight? 

It is becoming harder to lose it. 

 

A 

 

 

 

 

 

Zita West has given specialist fertility 

and pregnancy advice for over 25 years, as 

a midwife, an acupuncturist, a nutritional 

advisor and as an author and consultant. 

She has also written numerous books on fertility 

and pregnancy, with her latest title - Zita West’s 

Guide to Fertility and Assisted Conception - now available. 

For more information on Zita, her London clinic or books, 

visit www.zitawest.com 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q 

My 

MORE 

ABOUT 

ZITA 

WEST 

wife is embarrassed to admit to our respective 

families that we are undergoing IVF when really we 

could do with all the unconditional love and support 

they will offer us. How can I get her to open up and be honest 

about this turn in our lives? 

 

A 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


SCIENCE | selenium & Q10 

NEW 

HOPE FOR 

CHILDLESS 

COUPLES 

Couples who are unable to 

conceive may be helped with 

a nutritional supplement that 

supports the production of 

healthy and well-functioning 

sperm cells 

O 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Protecting the payload 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fuel for the trip 

 

 

Selenium protects the DNA 

against being damaged. If a man 

lacks selenium in his diet, it could 

help explain why his sperm has 

DNA fragmentation. A selenium 

supplement can help to correct 

the problem. 

 

 

 

 

 

How B-Daddy works 

 

 

SelenoPrecise® 

 

 

 


Coenzyme Q10 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The importance of selenium and 

coenzyme Q10 for normal male fertility 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

B-Daddy is available over-the-counter from pharmacies and 

health-food shops in Great Britain. To find out more about how 

to maximise your chances of a successful pregnancy, please 

call FREE on 0800 591 756, or visit the B-Daddy website at 

www.b-daddy.org

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FEATURE | same sex parenting 

WORDS | ELENA DUMITRIU AND KAREN ROEB 

MIRACLE 

STORIES 

Elena Dumitriu and Karen Roeb 

from Fertility Miracles relive 

some of the stories they have 

encountered whilst working 

alongside same sex couples 

to achieve their dreams 

T 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

» 


43

FEATURE | same sex parenting 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carlo and Sergio are waiting for two 

little miracle boys, which are set to arrive 

around Christmas. What an amazing gift to 

be received around the holiday time! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


THE HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN FOUNDATION 

Family Project 

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dramatically improves the way key institutions serve our families with its three main initiatives: 

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A comprehensive, LGBT-inclusive approach to addressing family diversity, gender 

stereotyping and bullying in elementary school environments. 

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Establishes the "gold standard" for healthcare institutions regarding policy and 

practice with LGBT families. 

ALL CHILDREN – ALL FAMILIES: 

Provides innovative resources and training to help foster care and adoption agencies 

welcome and support LGBT families. 

Visit the Human Rights Campaign website at WWW.HRC.ORG/FAMILY 

for more information.

PO 

TD 

FEATURE | ivf postcode lottery 

THE IVF 

LS 

LS 

PO 

YO 

TD 

SY 

EX 

POSTCODE 

LOTTERY 

NE SO 

LS 

SY 

TR 

TD 

DD 

EX 

TR 

FK 

YO 

NE SO 

More than 70% of NHS trusts and care providers are ignoring official 

guidance on offering infertile couples three chances at IVF, according 

to a report by an all-party group of MPs. Some primary care trusts have 

stopped offering IVF altogether. Others are placing tough restrictions 

on who can qualify. Sarah Johnson tells Fertility Road her story. 

TR 

DD 

PE ML 

TR 

DD 

GU 

FK 

YO 

EX 

SY 

GU 

PE ML 

FK 

PE 

YO 

I 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SO 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NE 

PE 


PO 

WORDS | SARAH JOHNSON 

TR 

DD 

GU 

ML 

ML 

EX 

TD 

DD 

FK 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TR 

YO 

FK 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YO 

GU 

PE ML 

GU 

PE ML 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On occasions inside I am heartbroken, 

devastated and sometimes suicidal about 

the whole situation as why shouldn’t I have 

the ability to hold my own child and do all 

the things that a mother should. 

SY 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

» 

NE 


47

treatment option? 

Are you going 

round and 

round 

trying 

in 

circles 

IVF 

right 

the 

find 

to 

Do you feel like nobody understands what you are going through? Well now you are on the right track, as you have found Barbados Fertility Centre, 

a centre of excellence for IVF located on the tranquil and beautiful Caribbean island of Barbados. The natural beauty of the island forces you to unwind 

while the experts handle your treatment. Barbados Fertility Centre has been awarded the gold seal of approval from JCI International, the US based 

health care accreditation body so you can rest assured that our patient safety standards and operating procedures have passed stringent tests. You 

will also be pleased to learn that our treatment costs are a lot lower than private treatment in the UK and we can start scheduling your treatment straight 

away with no waiting lists. If you still need convincing that you need to talk to Barbados Fertility Centre then you you will be delighted to know that we 

achieved 71% pregnancy rate using Blastocyst on women under 35 in 2009. We pride ourselves on individualised patient care and use the latest in 

cutting edge technology that is not widely available in the UK to give every patient their best possible chance of success. So stop going round in circles 

and let the international team at Barbados Fertility Centre take over. 

For further information please call our IVF Nurse Co-ordinator on 001 246 435 7467 or go to our website www.barbadosivf.org 

Organization Accredited 

by Joint Commission International 

You could be wrong; so wrong about conception challenges, 

about the right remedies and the possibilities at your disposal. 

At Nordica Fertility Centre, Lagos we see a child as the 

greatest gift that life can bestow; it brings the most 

exquisite joy that one will ever know. 

That’s why we help couples believe, conceive, and deliver 

this great gift. All you may ever say is ‘thank you’ as you 

break down in tears of pure joy at the sight of your baby 

We are Nordica Fertility Centre, Lagos. 

 

 

Contact Details: 

• 106 / 108 Norman Williams Street, Ikoyi, Lagos. 

Tel: 01-4617023-4, 01-4610858, 08037360870, 

08030778074, 0808NORDICA, Fax: 01-4610858. 

• 6, Turton Street, Off Commercial Ave, Sabo-Yaba, 

Lagos. Tel: 01-7913537, 01-7744893 

• 5 Erhuvwu Club Street, Off Summit Road, by Havilla 

Hotels Asaba, Delta State. Tel: 056-871371 

email: info@nordicalagos.org 

web: www.nordicalagos.org

FEATURE | ivf postcode lottery 

SIGN THE 

PETITION! 

I decided to start this petition to 

include the whole of the United 

Kingdom and campaign for woman 

like myself that have been refused 

and penalised with 1. Not meeting IVF 

criteria and 2. The Post Code Lottery. 

My Goal is to get the Health Ministers, 

Government and Primary Care Trusts 

to change their views and the way 

they make their decisions on which 

postcode should be allowed treatment. 

The Criteria needs to be addressed and 

cases assessed individually so that 

everyone has the chance to become 

a parent and not just a statistic. 

To sign the petition please visit 

www.gopetition.com and search 

Change the Rules on IVF and 

Stop the Postcode Lottery 

or visit 

gopetition.com/petition/43913.html 

It is a proven fact that fertility declines 

with age so why doesn’t anybody do 

something about it while childless 

couples are still young enough. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


49

International Egg Donor 

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Get expert 

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first step. 


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www.fertility-miracles.com 

Fertility Miracles is a member of the American Society for Reproductive 

Medicine and the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology. 

All consultations are free and confidential Copyright 2011 © Fertility Miracles 

feel good 

feel good

FEATURE | egg donation 

WORDS | JENNY CURRIE 

Our resident egg donation expert, Jenny Currie, explains everything 

there is to know when considering traveling abroad for fertility 

treatment, the laws and the different types of programs available. 

EGG 

DONATION 

SOUTH 

AFRICAN 

STYLE 

E 

 

 

 

 

 

Established egg donor processes 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Legal egg donation programs 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

South African egg donation 

is established and experienced. 

Accordingly, a tried and trusted 

process exists in the best 

interests of all parties. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


51

FEATURE | egg donation 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Affordable Egg Donation 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Egg Donation Database 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Availability of Egg Donors 

 

 

 

Generally egg donors are 

young healthy women who 

have heard of the plight of 

infertile people and want to 

make a difference in their lives. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Easy egg donation 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Personalised egg donation 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Professional egg donor services 

 

 

 

 

Egg donor support 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Established egg donation 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From the Strength 

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We work closely with the most successful IVF Clinics 

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Egg Donation Agency 

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More information on egg donation in South Africa can be 

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professional personalised online egg donor services through 

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diet solutions 

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therapist/13548 

 

 

 

A sanctuary for people with difficulties conceiving, Bourn Hall 

Clinic made history by being first to offer IVF. Over 10,000 

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Individual Treatment 

We offer bespoke fertility treatment to 

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Hall every patient’s journey is unique 

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We have two dedicated fertility 

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Visit our web site for open days 

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• Verified UK Pharmacy with over 20 Years of Experience 

• Save money on your IVF treatment with our competitive prices 

• Dedicated IVF Pharmacy with Fast and Reliable service 

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Visit us at The Fertility Show on 4th and 5th November at the Olympia, London


GUIDES/DIET 

DIET 

Helping you plan for every stage of your journey... 

WORDS | EMMA CANNON 

EAT 

HEALTHY! 

Fertility guru and bestselling author, 

Emma Cannon shares some delicious 

recipes designed to keep you healthy 

and boost your energy. 

F 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Eat well, eat light – little and often and don’t skip meals 

• Eat seasonal foods 

• Eat slowly and chew properly to aid digestion 

• Don’t eat late at night 

• Eat organic food where possible 

• In Chinese medicine the stomach digests both thought and food 

– so try not to watch TV, study or read while you are eating as 

this will take energy away from the food being digested efficiently 

• Always eat a good breakfast if you can 

• Drink when you feel thirsty – don’t flood your system 

in the quest for 8 glasses a day 

• Eat warming foods; spices such as pumpkin, squash, 

chicken, ginger and black beans. 

• Eat more cooked foods and less raw 

• Avoid pungent foods and overly spicy foods 

• Understand your cravings 

www.fertilityroad.com 55

GUIDES | diet 

AUBERGINE & POMEGRANATE SALAD 

WITH LEMON TAHINI DRESSING 

Serves 4 

Ingredients for the tahini: 

• 180g sesame seeds 

• 60ml walnut oil 

• ¹/ ³ tsp sea salt 

ROASTED ONION AND GARLIC JAM 

 

These quantities make about a jar full and can be doubled or tripled. 

Ingredients: 

• 2 medium red onions, diced 

• 1 medium yellow onion, diced 

• 10–15 medium garlic cloves, peeled and cut in half 

• 60ml olive oil 

• 60ml red wine 

• 60ml balsamic vinegar 

• 1–2 tsp brown sugar (optional, depending on taste 

and sweetness of the balsamic you are using) 

• 2 tsp dried rosemary, or 2 fresh sprigs, 3 or 4 inches in length 

• 1 ½ tsp Malden salt 

• ½ tsp ground cinnamon 

• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional) 

• Juice of half a juicy lemon, or a whole less juicy lemon 

Directions: 

1. Preheat the oven to 220 degrees C (420 degrees F). 

2. Using a medium sized Dutch boiler, or casserole with a lid, add the 

olive oil, red wine, balsamic vinegar (sugar if using), rosemary, salt, 

cinnamon and pepper flakes (if using). Add the onions and place 

in the oven, covered, for 30 minutes. 

3. Remove from the oven, add the garlic and squeeze over the 

lemon juice and replace in the oven, uncovered, for another hour. 

4. Give it a good stir and make sure there is enough liquid – it should 

still be quite runny. If not add ¼ – ½ a cup of water. Try to make 

sure all the pieces get covered with liquid, so they don’t dry out. 

Replace, uncovered, in the oven for another 15 minutes. 

5. Repeat the step above – it should be reducing and getting thicker. 

6. After 15 minutes repeat this process again – this time taste for 

seasoning, stir it well and check the consistency – it should be 

getting quite jammy now. With the back of the spoon lightly crush 

the garlic pieces and stir them in, then replace the lid and put it 

back in the oven for the last 30 minutes, covered. 

Ingredients for the dressing: 

• 80ml olive oil 

• 80ml lemon juice 

• 80g tahini 

• ¹/ ³ tsp sea salt 

• ¹/ ³ tsp cayenne pepper 

Ingredients for the salad: 

• 1 medium-large aubergine 

• 1 medium-large pomegranate 

• 1 small bunch coriander – just the leaves 

Directions: 

1. Pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees C (350 F). 

2. Spread the sesame seeds in a thin layer on a baking sheet and bake 

for 10 minutes, until golden brown. Remove from the oven and set 

aside to cool. When cool, blend in a high-speed blender with ¹/ ³ 

teaspoon salt, slowly adding the walnut oil, until you have a smooth 

paste. This makes double the amount needed for the recipe. 

3. Pre-heat the oven to 200–210 degrees C (400–425 F). 

4. Slice the aubergine into 1cm thick slices and lay them out flat on 

one or two oven dishes. Drizzle each piece with olive oil and grind 

some black pepper over them. Turn them over and repeat this 

process, then turn them another couple of times and drizzle with 

more oil, so it’s nicely absorbed. 

5. Bake for 45 minutes, turning 3 or 4 times during cooking, so that 

each piece gets well browned. Remove from the oven and set 

aside to cool. 

6. De-seed the pomegranate and set aside. 

7. Blend the lemon juice, olive oil, and tahini with ¹/ ³ teaspoon salt, 

¹/ ³ teaspoon cayenne pepper and 2 tablespoons of water until 

emulsified. (This makes double the amount of dressing needed. 

The remainder can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container 

for a week or so.) 

8. When the aubergine slices have cooled, place them on a serving 

dish and sprinkle with the pomegranate seeds and cilantro leaves. 

Slice the feta thinly and dot pieces all over the salad. Spoon the 

dressing over the top and serve immediately 

7. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. If you used fresh rosemary 

sprigs remove them now 

Roasted Onion and Garlic Jam can be served warm, room temperature, 

or cold, with meats or vegetables, as a relish with bread and 

cheese, or as the filling for a simple tart. It will keep in an airtight 

container in the fridge for up to a month. 


treatment option? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are you going 

round and 

round 

trying 

in 

circles 

IVF 

right 

the 

find 

to 

Do you feel like nobody understands what you are going through? Well now you are on the right track, as you have found Barbados Fertility Centre, 

a centre of excellence for IVF located on the tranquil and beautiful Caribbean island of Barbados. The natural beauty of the island forces you to unwind 

while the experts handle your treatment. Barbados Fertility Centre has been awarded the gold seal of approval from JCI International, the US based 

health care accreditation body so you can rest assured that our patient safety standards and operating procedures have passed stringent tests. You 

will also be pleased to learn that our treatment costs are a lot lower than private treatment in the UK and we can start scheduling your treatment straight 

away with no waiting lists. If you still need convincing that you need to talk to Barbados Fertility Centre then you you will be delighted to know that we 

achieved 71% pregnancy rate using Blastocyst on women under 35 in 2009. We pride ourselves on individualised patient care and use the latest in 

cutting edge technology that is not widely available in the UK to give every patient their best possible chance of success. So stop going round in circles 

and let the international team at Barbados Fertility Centre take over. 

For further information please call our IVF Nurse Co-ordinator on 001 246 435 7467 or go to our website www.barbadosivf.org 

Organization Accredited 

by Joint Commission International

SCIENCE | egg freezing 

The 

Science of 

EGG 

FREEZING 

To patients and the public alike, egg freezing appears to be a recent advance 

in the dynamic world of reproductive medicine. In fact, the first baby 

following human egg freezing was reported a quarter of a century ago. 

U 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

58 fertility road | august – september






WORDS | DR. ALAN THORNHILL 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr Alan Thornhill is Scientific Director at The London Bridge 

Fertility, Gynaecology and Genetics Centre and is one of the 

UK’s leading specialists in diagnostic genetics. For further 

information please visit www.thebridgecentre.co.uk 

WANTED 

FREELNACE 

ADVERTISING 

SALES EXECUTIVE 

VIBRATION MEDIA 

KEY OBJECTIVES 

To sell display advertising from your home over or other 

location within one (or more, if required) of Vibration Media’s 

titles/projects. Working to volume and revenue targets, 

the role involves selling direct to clients and to advertising 

agencies. The role-handler is expected to working within 

the framework of targets and publishing deadlines, actively 

source new revenue streams, and positively represent both 

Vibration Media and it’s corresponding commercial brands 

at all times to build strong relationships. 

We are always looking for enthusiastic people to join us. 

If you feel that you can add to our success and want to be 

appreciated for your effort, send a CV and a brief overview of 

what you believe you can add to info@vibrationmedia.co.uk 

WWW.VIBRATIONMEDIA.CO.UK 






Nicole Kidman 


motherhood 


IVF AND 

BEYOND 

Emma Cannon's 



THE IVF 

POSTCODE 

LOTTERY 

is the NHS 

IVF selection 

process fair? 


ADVERTISE 

HERE! 

CALL US ON 

+44 (0)208 316 4323 

OR E-MAIL US AT 

ADVERTISING@FERTILITYROAD.COM

SCIENCE | egg donation 


WORDS | DR.SANDEEP MANE 

Dr. Mane, Fertility expert and owner of the Origin 

International Infertility Center in Mumbai explains 

the ins and outs of egg donation in India as well 

as the rights of donors and intended parents. 

E 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Selection Process: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Genetic Disorders 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Women who come forward 

to donate their eggs are often 

in financial need, but are also 

motivated to help others. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


61

READER STORY | letter from the heart 

In this issue’s Letter from the Heart, Kylie Eddy 

and her husband talk to Fertility Road about 

the highs and lows on their quest to make 

their dream of having a family come true. 

‘‘ 

LETTER 

FROM THE 

HEART: 

KYLIE’S 

STORY 

I 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our dream of a family 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Choices to be made 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finding the funds 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I felt quite down and I had a lot 

of anxiety but I stuck with it. We were 

going to have two embryos transferred 

this time no matter what the doctors 

said, it was my body and our lives! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


PensThatCommunicate_FertilyRoad_Advert-HalfPage:Layout 1 14/7/10 12:07 PM Page 1 


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SUBSCRIBE TO FERTILITY 

ROAD TODAY AND SAVE! 

Fertility Road is Europe’s number one fertility magazine, aimed at guiding women and men on the 

path to parenthood. Its lifestyle-feel is a breath of fresh air in an industry sometimes obsessed with 

science, and in each issue we offer you the stories behind top celebrity names, plus advice, information 

and stimulating features from some of the UK’s most accomplished fertility writers, tackling issues 

ranging from health, diet, finance and travel, through to law, exercise and same-sex parenting. 

We showcase the latest developments and present your heartfelt and often optimistic stories. 

SUBSCRIBE NOW! You can subscribe by emailing subscriptions@fertilityroad.com or by following 

the ‘Subscribe Now’ link online at www.fertilityroad.com. Alternatively cut out this form and send 

it in the post to the address listed, attaching a cheque or postal order for the relevant amount. 

Yes, I would like to subscribe to Fertility Road magazine 








motherhood 

Nicole Kidman 



ISSUE 07 WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COM 


IVF AND 

BEYOND 

Emma Cannon's 



THE IVF 

POSTCODE 

LOTTERY 

is the NHS 

IVF selection 

process fair? 

SUBSCRIBE 

TODAY 

3 issues for £10.35 6 issues for £18.30 p&p is free* 

Your Details: 

Name 

Address 

Mobile No 

Email 

Signature 

Date 

AND SAVE 

£££’s 

Post code 

To receive great offers, news, products and service information 

from Fertility Road, via email and SMS please tick this box 

 

Send subscriptions to: 

Fertility Road magazine, Suite 318, Building 50, Argyll Road, Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, London, SE18 6PP. 

64 fertility road | august - september 

*International subscriptions with incur a small shipping charge, please see www.FertilityRoad.com for details.


BOOKS 

Our review of the latest fertility titles… 

IVF: An Emotional 

Companion 

- Brigid Moss 

Out 1 September, £12.99 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Baby-Making Bible 

- Emma Cannon 

www.emmacannon.co.uk 

Out now, £11.99 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What to Expect Before 

You’re Expecting 

- Heidi Murkoff 

Out now, £8.99 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WIN! 

We have copies of the above titles to give away to 15 lucky winners, drawn at random. 

To enter, simply email your name and contact number to competitions@fertilityroad.com, 

stating your top two preferences of books. Entry closes on 20 September 2011. 


FERTILITY ROAD | 

not forgotten 

THE SLEEPING 

VENUS 

OF MALTA 

© Clive Vella / Visitmalta.com 

The religious devotion of the Maltese is 

no new phenomenon. There are so many 

prehistoric temples that some archaeologists 

believe that Malta was some sort of sacred 

island where different groups of people 

would come, perform their cult rituals and 

then leave to their respective places of 

origin afterwards. The principal deity who 

controlled the lives of these prehistoric clans 

was the so-called ‘goddess of fertility’. 

Statues and pottery statuettes of this 

deity have been found in numerous temples 

not only in Malta, but also in other places in 

the Mediterranean region. Fertility statues, 

like this one, serve both as a tribute to 

whatever fertility gods that the locals 

believe in, as well as often a mystical totem 

which helps the women of a given tribe 

to conceive and bear healthy children. 

While there are some women who become 

pregnant after rubbing these statues, 

obviously, there is no medical or scientific 

evidence to suggest that fertility statues 

really work. However, when trying to 

conceive, something like rubbing a fertility 

statue isn’t exactly harmful. It can help to 

increase your hope, help to relieve stress, 

and can even be a little bit of fun. 

Neither this publication nor its contents constitute an explicit endorsement by Vibration Media of the products or services mentioned in advertising or editorial content. The editorial content in this 

publication does not necessarily represent policies or recommendations of Vibration Media. This publication is not intended to be exhaustive. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, 

Vibration Media shall have any liability for errors or omissions. Readers who have questions should consult their healthcare providers or other competent sources of information and guidance. 

© All copyright Vibration Media unless otherwise stated. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. 


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Fertility Road Issue 07

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