UCLA Center for Reproductive Science, Health and Education on LinkedIn: Congratulations to Gabrielle Rinne on being selected as one of our 2024… (2024)

Today marks the beginning of National Infertility Awareness Week with RESOLVE. 🔸FACT: Infertility impacts 1 in every 6 people during their lifetime. 🔸This year, we're diving in with a renewed sense of purpose, fueled by the latest definition of infertility as defined by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). According to ASRM, infertility is no longer just a physical condition but encompasses the emotional, social, and economic toll it takes on individuals and couples striving to build their families. Infertility is defined as:🔸Inability to Achieve a Successful Pregnancy: This includes a patient’s medical history, sexual and reproductive history, age, physical findings, diagnostic testing, or any combination of these factors. 🔸Need for Medical Intervention: Infertility now also encompasses cases where medical intervention is required to achieve a successful pregnancy. This intervention may include the use of donor gametes or donor embryos, either for an individual or a partner. 🔸Timely Evaluation: For patients engaging in regular, unprotected intercourse without known reproductive issues, evaluation should begin at 12 months if the female partner is under 35 years old, and at 6 months in the female partner is 35 years or older. -----This new definition recognizes individuals and couples who experience infertility in many ways and are challenged by diverse sets of challenges. Let's unite to increase awareness, eliminate stigma, and share a message of empathy and understanding for everyone affected by infertility.-----Dedicated to Serving Surrogates & Donors ❤️💙-----#surrogatescorner#NIAW#remarkablestories#1in6#infertilityjourney

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View the recorded webinar:▶️ https://lnkd.in/enGCzEj3"The possible effect of antiseizure medication on the unborn child has implications for women and girls with the potential of pregnancy. Specifically, valproic acid (sodium valproate) is a commonly prescribed medication. However, its use in women and girls who want to or may become pregnant raises significant concerns due to the elevated risk of birth defects and developmental disorders in children exposed to the drug in utero. There is a 10% risk of foetal malformation and a 30 to 40% risk of neurodevelopmental difficulties in children born to women taking valproate through pregnancy. Recognizing these risks, WHO guidelines emphasize the importance of informed decision-making and careful management in this population. Our upcoming webinar with theWorld Health Organization (WHO)andInternational Bureau for Epilepsyaims to explore best practices and challenges in prescribing to women and girls with epilepsy, with a focus on mitigating risks and ensuring safety."💢 Register for a free webinar presented jointly by World Health Organization, International League Against Epilepsy and INTERNATIONAL BUREAU FOR EPILEPSY on 11 July: https://lnkd.in/eVqdeMHu#womenshealth #maternalhealth #neurology #epilepsyeducation 🧠

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Introducing RISE: We're thrilled to announce the launch of our new website for Recurrent pregnancy loss Investigation for Specific Etiologies (RISE).Did you know? Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), defined as two or more miscarriages, affects roughly 5% of couples globally. That's millions of families struggling with this heartbreaking experience.The Challenge: The causes of RPL remain largely unknown, making effective treatment a significant hurdle.Our Mission: RISE aims to unlock the genetic mysteries behind RPL through whole genome sequencing and advanced bioinformatics analyses. By pinpointing specific genetic variations, we hope to:- Uncover new causes of recurrent pregnancy loss.- Improve clinical care for couples experiencing RPL.Funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the RISE study is paving the way for a brighter future for couples facing recurrent pregnancy loss.Visit our website to learn more and join the conversation! https://lnkd.in/eMT8AkFN#recurrentpregnancyloss #pregnancyloss #miscarriage #geneticresearch #NIHfunded #RISE #helpingfamiliesP.S. Know someone struggling with RPL? Share this post to spread the word and offer hope!

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It with great pleasure and gratitude that I share that my first ever first author research paper has now been officially published in the journal Women's Health. A very big yay moment in my PhD!! 😊 😊 😊 This research aims to support a patient-centred approach to the development of postpartum lifestyle interventions for postpartum women who have experienced cardiometabolic related pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy such as preeclampsia by understanding their wants, needs and preferences regarding their ideal intervention and what will best support them in long-term behaviour change. 🌻

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An important study reminds us that #PostpartumDepression (PPD) isn't just about shifting hormones, but research shows the considerable role of the immune system in PPD as well. Throughout each stage of pregnancy, the immune system is in a constant state of adaptation - from heightened inflammation in the first trimester to promote uterine contractions during labor. Scientists like Kathryn Lenz, associate professor of psychology at Ohio State University, highlight that pregnancy and the postnatal period could intensify a subtype of depression significantly influenced by these changes in immune activity. Current efforts are now focusing on finding biomarkers and developing tests for predicting PPD before symptom onset. Early detection could open opportunities for timely intervention with patients at risk and potentially provide more effective treatment strategies.Translating these scientific insights into clinical tools remains challenging yet promising. The evolving biological understanding of PPD affirms that feeling low during or post-pregnancy isn't a personal flaw but likely a complex interaction of biological factors.Remember, if you or a loved one is navigating the turbulent waters of pregnancy or postnatal depression, help is available. You are not alone.#PPDResearch #WomensHealth #BreakingStigma #MentalHealthMatters

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This study investigates associations between pelvic pain disorders and primary caesarean delivery for patients undergoing assisted reproductive technology treatment. Samantha Estevez, M.D., Caroline Gellman, Atoosa Ghofranian, Tamar Alkon-Meadows, Carlos Alberto Hernández Nieto MD, Dmitry Gounko, Joseph A. Lee, Alan B. Copperman, MD, FACOG, and Jenna Friedenthal present results that show infertility patients with symptoms or physical findings of pelvic pain had greater odds of primary CD compared to a matched control cohort. They also report that pelvic pain patients were also more likely to report a history of anxiety. Their results suggest that more broad and comprehensive assessment of pelvic pain symptoms among women of reproductive age prior to conception, as in patients undergoing infertility treatment, may aid in earlier identification of patients at increased risk for primary CD. With this information, providers can then assist patients in utilizing strategies to address their pelvic pain symptoms and associated comorbidities prior to conception or early in pregnancy.Subscribers can read the full paper from our in-press articles section now:https://lnkd.in/ebN_7pMY#PericonceptionPregnancyAndChildOutcomes #PelvicPain #Fertility #AssistedReproductiveTechnology #ART #ModeOfDelivery

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Our latest essay, "Advances in human reproductive biomarkers", has been published in Elsevier. Reproductive biomarkers play a crucial role in women's health, especially during pregnancy and childbirth, and the discovery and quantification of these biomarkers is of great clinical importance. In this essay, I review various methods for diagnosing reproductive biomarkers, including the latest advances in biosensor and nanosensor research. Check it out and let me know your thoughts!https://lnkd.in/dKm3dawb #reproductivehealth #biomarkers #nanotechnology #research #Elsevier #medicalresearch

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A new episode of our Reproductive Sciences podcast is live on Spotify! Listen now for an engaging conversation on a recent study titled "CHronic hypERtension and L-citRulline studY (CHERRY): an Early-Phase Randomised Controlled Trial in Pregnancy". This research explores L-citrulline supplementation in pregnant women with chronic hypertension and its effects on maternal health. Discover key findings on blood pressure, vascular biomarkers, and more in this groundbreaking discussion.https://lnkd.in/gS_zCBgi 🎧

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🧠 Did you know the maternal immune system plays a crucial role in the neurological development of offspring? Emerging research illuminates how maternal immune system activation, particularly inflammation during pregnancy, could significantly impact a child's brain health. Understanding and managing this immune activation is pivotal.👉 Listen to the entire Conversations for Health Podcast - Proactive Prenatal and Neurodevelopment Care with Dr. Ari Calhoun ➡️ https://brnw.ch/21wJA3m

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Down syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 21. Typically, humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes, but individuals with Down syndrome have an extra copy of chromosome 21, resulting in a total of 47 chromosomes instead of the usual 46.- This extra genetic material disrupts normal development, leading to characteristic physical features, intellectual disabilities, and sometimes, health issues.- Features may include a distinct facial appearance, developmental delays, poor muscle tone, heart defects, and other health problems.- The exact cause of the extra chromosome in Down syndrome is believed to occur randomly during the formation of reproductive cells or early in embryonic development, and it's not related to anything the parents did or didn't do during pregnancy.- However, the risk of having a child with Down syndrome increases with maternal age, especially for women over 35.Let's continue spreading awareness and support for individuals with Down syndrome! #DownSyndromeAwareness #SpecialEducation

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