Center for Reproductive and Fetal Medicine

CHOCOLATE CONSUMPTION DURING PREGNANCY (PART TWO)

CHOCOLATE CONSUMPTION DURING PREGNANCY (PART TWO)

Consumption of chocolate during pregnancy (part two)

 

Both low and high flavanol chocolate
can have benefits for the fetus.

 

The researchers recorded 129 expectant mothers who was between 11-14 weeks pregnant.

Expectant mothers were selected to consume 30 g of chocolate low or high in flavanol daily for 12 weeks. The team found that there were no differences in preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, the placental weight and birth weight between the 2 chocolate groups-low and high flavanol.

However, the researchers found a significant improvement in its Doppler pulse uterine artery in both groups, suggesting that both low and high flavonolol chocolate can benefit her fetal development.

This improvement was much larger than usual in the general population, the group notes.

"This study shows that chocolate could have positive impact on fetal development and placenta and that the effects of chocolate not due exclusively and directly "We can not assume the overall effect of chocolate on the risk of preeclampsia from the results of our study, because we did not have a group of women who did not take chocolate," says one of the researchers.

However, previous epidemiological studies suggest that the consumption dark chocolate during pregnancy could help improving placental function and in reducing preeclampsia, the head of research added.

He added that the next step for the team is conduct a large randomized controlled trial, in order to better determine if chocolate intake among pregnant mothers can reduce the risk of preeclampsia and other hypertensive disorders associated with pregnancy.

 

 

* The content on this blog is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health care providers with questions you may have about medical conditions.

Center for Reproductive and Fetal Medicine

Effective doctor-patient communication is vital to providing high-quality health care. Any communication regarding your medical profile (getting results, instructions, answering questions, concerns) will be done directly with the doctor. This means no midwife or secretary will interrupt your conversations. Instead, if you call with any concerns, they will be there right away to address your needs. Contact us by calling 694 649 8771 or by completing the relevant Contact Form.

Dr. Alexandros Traianos

NEED MORE INFORMATION?

Call (+30) 2310 277 032 or visit the Frequently Asked Questions

This site uses cookies to ensure you have the best experience on our site.

SELECT SERVICE *
SELECT DAY AND TIME *
FULL NAME *
e-mail *
COMMENTS
PHONE *
en_GBEN

FREQUENT QUESTIONS

The association of IVF drugs with cancer risk is a major concern for women enrolled in these programs. But the plethora of bibliographic reports collected from credible scientific studies and published in reputable medical journals worldwide are reassuring and do not confirm this concern.

Of course not. In about a third of cases, infertility is due to the woman (female factor), while in a third of cases, it is due to the man (male factor). The remaining one-third is due to both (both men and women) or even to unknown factors.

The quantity and quality of a man's sperm can be affected by his health and lifestyle. Some factors that can reduce the quantity and / or quality of sperm are:

  • the alcohol
  • drugs
  • environmental toxins, including pesticides and lead
  • smoking
  • health problems
  • medicines
  • radiotherapy and chemotherapy
  • the age

Success rates vary at each IVF Center. Very important factors are also the age of the woman, the levels of her hormones and of course the sperm of the husband. Rates generally range from 45% or slightly higher for women up to 35 years old.

Infertility is defined as the failure to conceive after one year (or 6 months, if it is a woman over 35) with normal, regular sexual intercourse. In other words, when a year passes without the woman becoming pregnant, the couple should consult their doctor to determine the cause of the pregnancy and then treat it. We must all, however, be aware and not forget that the age factor is the most critical for female fertility and that the individualized approach of each couple is the "golden key" that solves the problem.

The number of treatment cycles a woman can undergo is not specified. It is certain that in our country there are high level obstetricians-gynecologists and organized infertility treatment centers, which offer impeccable medical services at this level. If there are correct indications (eg ovaries that respond to stimulation therapy, good quality endometrium, etc.) the success rate -especially with the use of newer techniques and biotechnological drugs, which show increased bioactivity compared to conventional drugs from urine- totals approximately 65%-70% after 4 cycles of treatment.

At the Center for Reproductive Medicine of Dr. Traianos we offer egg / sperm cryopreservation services for those who have a personal or medical reason and need this service. We use the most modern vitrification technique in the freezing of sperm and eggs.

The collection of eggs takes 10-15 minutes, it is not painful, it is done under intoxication and after the end of the process you return to your activities.

In general, experts agree that the fact that a couple has already had a child can be considered evidence that there is no infertility problem in the first place. It is like a small test that has been done and proves that they "succeeded" at least once. On the other hand, we need to know that in the meantime things may have changed and a problem may have arisen (eg the man may have had some inflammation that affects the quality of his sperm or has mediated something that affects female fertility: an inflammation, a gynecological surgery, an abortion, etc.). In any case, if a reasonable period of time (one year) passes and a couple can not achieve a pregnancy, then he should with the help of his doctor investigate if there has been a problem that causes infertility.