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Alcohol reduces effectiveness of IVF for having a baby

Alcohol intake of even small amounts decreases the likelihood of pregnancy says a new Harvard medical study.

A new Harvard study of over 2,500 couples—quizzing them on their drinking habits before beginning IVF treatments—has shown that even small quantities of alcohol disrupt the effectiveness of the treatments.

Dr. Brooke Rossi led the study for the Harvard team, and after reviewing the data, the team found that both men and women that drank six or more units of alcohol a week “significantly reduced their likelihood of pregnancy.”

The study found that men who drank six or more units of alcohol a week reduced the effectiveness of IVF treatment by 14 percent while women who drank the same amount reduced their chance at motherhood by 18 percent.

“In general, women are told they should stop drinking when they are trying to achieve pregnancy,” Rossi said.

Dr. Rossi also reported that particularly strong effects were noted when women drank white wine and men drank beer. Women who drank one to nine units of white wine a week had a 23 percent increased chance of embryo implantation failure. Men who drank one beer on a daily basis contributed a 38 percent increased chance of embryo implantation failure.

Both the British Fertility Society and the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence already have developed guidelines directing women to discontinue alcohol use throughout the pregnancy.

“The link between alcohol and conception is an area where the evidence is not clear-cut. It may well be that couples who are already subfertile are more affected by alcohol that those who are perfectly fertile,” said Tony Rutherford, chairman of the British Fertility Society.

“If you are going to have IVF, my recommendation would be that it makes sense to avoid alcohol all together, from three months beforehand. This is further evidence to suggest that alcohol does have an impact and that those women who try for a baby should think about their lifestyle choices.”

“Eggs and sperm take at least three months to develop so women have got to stop smoking, reduce alcohol consumption or, if you are overweight, correct that weight, that far ahead if you want to maximize your chances of conception.”

         

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How To Predict How Popular Your Baby’s Name May Be In The Future

New research suggests that the quicker a baby name becomes more popular, the quicker they become out of date.

One example is the name Tricia, which was unheard of in the 1950s. It peaked in popularity during the 1970s, becoming the 144th top girl’s name. It then became unpopular just as rapidly, and is no longer in the top 1,000 girl’s names.

The results of the study carried out by Johah Berger from the University of Pennsylvania will be published on Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

“These are shifts where a new taste develops and it gradually expands and expands and expands. Because it is a fashion it eventually falls away and gets replaced by something else,” said Harvard sociologist Stanley Lieberson.

Berger’s study found that baby names that increased in popularity more slowly through time remained popular for longer.

Names which become fashionable quickly may just be a fad “Things that catch on really quickly might end up less popular overall because they have a shorter life cycle,” Berger added.

         

Pregnant Jennifer Hudson, Essence Magazine

Jennifer Hudson, the former American Idol contestant and Grammy and Oscar winner has a life that’s been very public and very turbulent. Rumors are now abound that she’s overjoyed to be pregnant.

Representatives of Hudson have denied rumors, however, two sources close to the actress and singer told Essence Magazine that she’s expecting her first child.

Engaged to Harvard law graduate David Otunga, who appeared on the reality show “I Love New York 2,” no date has been announced for their marriage.

Just last October tragedy struck Jennifer Hudson when her mother, brother and nephew were murdered in Chicago. Hudson’s estranged brother-in-law William Balfour was later charged with the killings.

Hudson returned to the stage on Feb. 1, singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the Super Bowl. A week later, she won her first Grammy Award for best R&B album.

Hudson is on tour through May 8 with Robin Thicke.

         

Ice cream to aid conception?

Ice Cream could help to conceive a baby. The latest research from the Harvard School of Public Health suggests you should eat plenty of ice cream and forget the low-fat dairy.

Scientists observed women who ate at least one serving of a high fat dairy food every day, they found that Ben and Jerry’s and Haagen Daaz lowered the risk of what’s called anovulatory infertility by 27%. On the other hand, women who ate two or more servings of low-fat dairy daily increased their risk of not ovulating, and being infertile, by 85%

Jorge Chavarro, MD, a research fellow at Harvard recommends that women trying to get pregnant; “Should consider changing low-fat dairy foods for high-fat dairy foods; for instance, by swapping skimmed milk for whole milk and eating ice cream, not low fat yogurt.”

He also identified the need for more research into ice cream and fertility.