The Science of Multiple Births

Does it seem like more people than ever are giving birth to multiples? How likely are you to have twins, triplets, or even quadruplets? What raises your chance of giving birth to more than one child at once? How much do you know about the science behind multiples?

If you’ve noticed more families with multiples recently, you’re not imagining things. In the United States, about 1 in every 250 births is a multiple, a more than 75 percent increase since 1980. About 90 percent of those multiples are twins, which may be best because the risks associated with pregnancy grow with every additional child involved.

Why the steep increase in multiple births? There are many factors at play. First, the average maternal age is increasing. In 1980, the birth rate for women between ages 40 and 44 was only 3.9 births per 1000 women, but by 2003 that rate had climbed to 8.7 births per 1000 women. Women over 30 are more likely to release more than one egg during their reproductive cycles, so an older average maternal age means more multiple births.

Fertility treatments are another factor. Infertility is common in the U.S., with about 13 percent of couples pursuing treatment to help. A recent study indicated a 10-fold rise in the conception of twins following fertility treatments. The rate varies based on the type of treatment: in vitro fertilization (IVF) increases the likelihood, as does medication that stimulates a woman’s follicles, causing her to produce more eggs.

Family history plays a role, as well. If the woman has a family history of twins, she’s slightly more likely to conceive twins naturally. Women who are non-identical twins have twins in about 1 birth out of every 60. If the father is a non-identical twin, the rate is about 1 in 125 births.

Is having multiples desirable? There are many complications with births that involve multiple babies. Prematurity, low birth weight, and stillbirth are all risks of a twin pregnancy, as are disabilities at birth and congenital health conditions like autism and cerebral palsy. For the mother, the risk of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and cesarean section are increased when she’s carrying more than one baby, and she’s more likely to have to go on bed rest during the pregnancy. Still, having more than one child at once is very exciting, and can be a fun experience for a family.

If you’re struggling with infertility or considering a vasectomy reversal, the Center for Vasectomy Reversal is here to help. Under the direction of Dr. Joshua Green, our team provides state-of-the-art treatment for men who need a reversal of their vasectomy or have other concerns about their fertility. Whether you’re ready to schedule a procedure or just want to learn more, you can contact us through our website, or call 941-894-6428 to arrange a free consultation.

How to Introduce your Children to Different Cultures

With technology making the world ever smaller, in some ways we’re more connected with other cultures than ever before in history. At the same time, divisive sentiments abound, filling headlines and causing many parents to wonder how to protect their children from hateful attitudes while making them culturally empathetic. In an ideal world, we’d all be able to travel globally with our kids, but for most of us, that’s not actually our reality. Fortunately, we’ve got some tips for exposing your children to other cultures and fostering a sense of empathy and understanding.

• Use books and other media to explore the world. Books can help kids develop a sense of their own identity, and they’re also great for teaching about other countries, cultures, and religions. Read books and watch movies, television shows, and videos together, learning about people around the world, and diverse cultures here in our own nation.
• Encourage curiosity. It’s embarrassing when a child asks you something loudly about another person’s appearance or clothing in public, but it’s important to answer their questions, normalizing the fact that there are many different types of people in the world. Research other countries and cultures, and visit restaurants, cultural events, and festivals representing different ethnicities and cultural heritages. Talk about religious holidays around the world, and learn about how other cultures celebrate them.
• Find ways to spend time with different types of people. There’s a good chance that you know someone with a different heritage or religious background than yours. Talking to your kids about these differences, while giving them opportunities to become comfortable with a wide range of people, will help them become comfortable with diversity.
• Introduce your child to other languages. Sing songs that feature words in other languages, find opportunities to point out foreign words on signs and in reading materials, and let your kids watch educational programming that incorporates other languages.
• Celebrate differences and recognize commonality. As adults, we often try not to “see” differences. Little children, however, are very interested in what makes people different and what they have in common. Teach your kids to celebrate the differences while encouraging empathy by finding common ground.
• Set a good example. Your child’s best role model is you, so if you don’t feel like you know enough about different cultures, find ways to educate yourself. Making sure your reactions to people from other cultures are positive and compassionate will go along way toward fostering empathy in your children.

If you’re you want to have children but struggle with infertility, the Center for Vasectomy Reversal is here to help. Under the direction of Dr. Joshua Green, our team provides state-of-the-art treatment for men who need a reversal of their vasectomy or have other concerns about their fertility. Whether you’re ready to schedule a procedure or just want to learn more, you can contact us through our website, or call 941-894-6428 to arrange a free consultation.

How to Make the Most of Family Dinner

As parents, most of us want to instill in our children the character attributes and soft skills they need to become successful adults. What does that mean to you and how can you put it into practice? Kids need perseverance, resilience, the understanding that failures and setbacks are part of the learning process, and a can-do attitude are all necessary attributes if you want your child to succeed. Of course, there are many factors that influence a child’s development, from personality and their environment, but parents have a large impact on how their kids react to the situations they face in their lives. Would it surprise you to learn that you can instill some of these positive character traits during ordinary activities like family dinner?

• Give kids more responsibilities. At dinnertime, involve them in meal prep, let them take on increasingly challenging tasks, and don’t be afraid to let them make mistakes. Making mistakes is part of learning and growing; by the time your children leave your house they need to know how to cook an entire meal, and the way they’ll learn is by trying and sometimes failing when they’re young.
  • Little kids can set the table.
  • As they grow, involve them in meal planning.
  • Let your older kids be responsible for one dish, then graduate them into cooking one meal, then one meal each week.
  • Don’t forget to involve children in the clean-up, as well.
• At dinner, discuss your day. Don’t hesitate to share stories of your own failures, setbacks, and disappointments, because it will help your kids gain perspective about how to use difficult experiences as opportunities to learn and grow. You don’t have to share your deepest regrets, but acknowledging your small mistakes and modeling a positive attitude as you overcome them will set a good example for your children.
• Play games with your kids. During dinner, try silly challenges, like eating while balancing paper plates on your heads. Play guessing games, twenty questions, or concentration ABCs. After dinner, if you have time, you can linger at the table (after you’ve all cleared it together) with a favorite board game. By playing games with your children, you give them opportunities to “fail safely” and learn from the experience.

If you’re ready to start a family and are considering a vasectomy reversal, the Center for Vasectomy Reversal is here to help. Under the direction of Dr. Joshua Green, our team provides state-of-the-art treatment for men who need a reversal of their vasectomy or have other concerns about their fertility. We accept major credit cards as well as cash and checks, and offer a payment plan for those who are unable to pay the entire fee at the time of surgery. Whether you’re ready to schedule a procedure or just want to learn more, you can contact us through our website, or call 941-894-6428 to arrange a free consultation.

Best Books for New Dads

Becoming a dad is often equal parts exciting and terrifying. What’s in store for you? What do you need to do during the pregnancy and birth? What will your role be in your new little one’s babyhood? Why did you think this was a good idea?! Relax, it’s all going to be fine, and it was a very good idea. We’ve even got a list of helpful books to help you navigate the unfamiliar parts.

• Pregnancy for Dads-To-Be: This book by Adam Carpenter focuses solely on dads, helping men learn everything they need to know about pregnancy and how to be a supportive partner. It takes you through the nine-month process, teaching things like the development of the baby, what to do before the baby arrives, and how to be there for your partner during pregnancy, labor, and after the birth. It also provides helpful tips on adjusting your lifestyle before the baby gets here, to avoid the shock of doing it all at once after the birth.
• Commando Dad: This book by Neil Sinclair, a real-life commando, is a basic training manual for fatherhood. It’s got clear and logical advice on things like preparing your “base camp” and dealing with “minor combat injuries.” It’s a great reference book, packed with easily accessible knowledge.
• Fatherhood- The Truth: Marcus Berkmann wrote this book in 2005, when there weren’t very many new dad books out there. It doesn’t shy away from topics like the misery of night feeding and the likelihood of projectile vomiting as it takes you through that crucial time between conception and the first birthday.
• The Expectant Dad’s Survival Guide: Covering pregnancy and the early weeks of babyhood, this survival guide by Rob Kemp includes expert advice and firsthand accounts. It covers all the bases and offers a range of expert views.
• Babies and Toddlers for Men: Mark Woods has an original and witty way of providing practical advice, and this book covers birth to three years in a way that’s funny yet useful. It offers tips on looking after your child while supporting the child’s mother as well, and there is a companion book, Babies and Toddlers for Men- 101 Tips, which breaks it all down into manageable chunks.

If you’re ready to start a family, the Center for Vasectomy Reversal is here to help. Under the direction of Dr. Joshua Green, our team provides state-of-the-art treatment for men who need a reversal of their vasectomy or have other concerns about their fertility. We accept major credit cards as well as cash and checks, and offer a payment plan for those who are unable to pay the entire fee at the time of surgery. Whether you’re ready to schedule a procedure or just want to learn more, you can contact us through our website, or call 941-894-6428 to arrange a free consultation.

New Research about Infertility is Promising

One in eight couples has trouble conceiving. Do you know how many of the cases are caused by unexplained male infertility? Nearly a quarter. For years, scientists have known that infertility can be linked to sperm that fail to throw out histones from DNA during development, but the reasons for this failure and how it happens is unclear. Now, however, that lack of clarity may be changing.

Promising new research out of Penn Medicine is showing the precise location of the retained histones and the key gene that regulates them. Researchers have also created a mouse model with a mutated version of the gene. This allows investigators to track the defects in sperm, starting with the early stages of sperm development and going through fertilization. This research could lead us to a better understanding of infertility in men, and how epigenetic mutations are passed to future generations.

What does it mean, when sperm fail to evict histones?  Histones are the main proteins in chromatin. Their function is to package DNA and turn genes on and off. Healthy sperm lose about 90-95 percent of these proteins, replacing them with protamines, smaller proteins able to pack DNA into tiny sperm. When a man has unexplained infertility, the problem is often with retained histones. The sperm count can be normal, the sperm have normal motility, and yet because the histones are in the wrong location, the couple has trouble conceiving.

Until now, research has produced conflicting results about where these histones are located. Because of the confusion of discrepant data, the burden of assisted-reproductive technologies has continued to fall on women. Even if the male has the issue, the female partner goes through hormone injections and procedures to promote a higher fertility rate.

Imagine, then, if scientists were able to use epigenetic therapies to change the levels of histones and protamines in men. With this new research, scientists are better able to closely study the mechanisms behind a mutated sperm’s trajectory, which opens the door to potential therapeutic treatments. Epigenetic drugs are already being used to treat cancer and other diseases. With a clearer understanding of how a man’s epigenome affects conception and embryonic development, we have the potential to alter sperm, so these new studies may lead to a breakthrough infertility treatment.

If you’re struggling with infertility or considering a vasectomy reversal, the Center for Vasectomy Reversal is here to help. Under the direction of Dr. Joshua Green, our team provides state-of-the-art treatment for men who need a reversal of their vasectomy or have other concerns about their fertility. We accept major credit cards as well as cash and checks, and offer a payment plan for those who are unable to pay the entire fee at the time of surgery. Whether you’re ready to schedule a procedure or just want to learn more, you can contact us through our website, or call 941-894-6428 to arrange a free consultation.

Items for Your New Dad Survival Kit

If you’re about to become a new dad, you might be nervous and excited about this upcoming life change. Help ease your transition into fatherhood by stocking your new dad survival kit with these eight items. 

• Diaper bag: Each parent should have their own diaper bag to make caring for the baby easy, no matter who takes a trip to the changing room. Masculine versions that resemble backpacks, tote bags, and messenger bags abound these days. Find leather, camo, and even sports-themed versions with all the compartments of a diaper bag without actually looking like one. 
• Baby wipes: Keep a supply in your diaper bag, of course, but don’t underestimate the many uses for baby wipes besides dabbing a messy bottom. As a new dad, you may quickly learn you can use baby wipes to clean your hands after filling the gas tank, mop up spills in the car, shine your shoes, clean remote controls, swab your keyboard, and more! Always keep a box on hand, both at home and in the car. 
• Hand sanitizer: Having a baby introduces a wide range of bodily fluids and messes into your life. While soap and water are best for washing up, hand sanitizer is useful on-the-go—especially if you run out of baby wipes. 
• Books on fatherhood: It’s normal to feel overwhelmed during the first few weeks of being a dad, but thoughtful advice from parenting books can help you get used to the new norm. 
• Headache medicine: Step one of dealing with a crying baby is to figure out what’s wrong. Once you meet his or her needs, the crying should stop. However, when a fussy baby gets the better of you, it’s okay to fight off headaches with over-the-counter pain relievers. 
• Activities for “me time”: You and your partner will likely want to spend quality time together while the baby is sleeping, but set aside some “me time” each day to help you unwind. Have some activities on hand that you can enjoy on your own, such as audiobooks, podcasts, videogames, and TV shows. 
• Earplugs: You shouldn’t always drown out the baby’s crying—after all, your partner needs help with nighttime feedings and diaper changes—but on nights when you really need some shut-eye, earplugs might be your best bet for sleeping through the night. 
• Coffee: Restless nights definitely call for morning coffee. Consider treating yourself to a new coffee maker or a fancy French press in anticipation of your baby’s arrival. 

If you’re considering reversing a vasectomy, fatherhood could be right around the corner. Discuss your options with Dr. Joshua Green at the Center for Vasectomy Reversal in Sarasota, FL. We can detail the reversal process and help you decide which surgical option may be right for you. Whether you’re ready to schedule your procedure, or you simply want to learn more, please schedule a free consultation with Dr. Green by calling us at 941.894.6428. 

How Men can Participate in Birth Control

Contraception is a major component of reproductive health, which is important to both men and women. Interestingly, according to a recent survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation, both men and women believe that women feel more responsible for children and that women have more influence on a couple’s decision to have children. Half of the men surveyed said they don’t know much about contraceptive options. Why would that be? Men certainly have a stake in contraception, because pregnancy leads to paternal responsibility.  

One reason men are not necessarily as involved as they should be in contraceptives is that reproductive health care services aren’t typically geared to men’s needs. Family planning services, whether at sexual health clinics, obstetricians’ offices, or hospitals, traditionally tend to focus on women. There’s not much funding for male services, and often a predominantly female staff will not have sufficient training to meet men’s needs. Of course, part of this is because women need prescriptions for contraceptives, while men can buy condoms over the counter. The only men who would typically involve their health care provider in their contraceptive choices are those who get vasectomies, and that is a one-time procedure.  

Would men be willing to play a greater role when it comes to birth control? That same survey indicated that two–thirds of men would be willing to take male birth control pills, nearly half would take Depo-Provera shots, and over a third would be interested in getting a Norplant if these options were available for me. This is significant, but until science catches up with the good intentions of men, how can they be more involved in birth control? 

As a start, men can educate themselves about contraception. There are websites with information about this topic, as well as reference books, so it’s easy to become informed. Men can also communicate with their partners, letting the women in their lives know that they’re interested in being more active participants in contraception and reproductive health.  

Some men choose a vasectomy as a way to take charge of contraception, but sometimes circumstances change and the need arises to restore fertility. If you’re considering a vasectomy reversal, the Center for Vasectomy Reversal is here to help. Under the direction of Dr. Joshua Green, our caring and skilled team provides state-of-the-art treatment for men who need a vasectomy reversal or have other concerns about their fertility. Whether you’re ready to schedule a procedure or just have questions and want to learn more, you can contact us through our website, or call 941-894-6428 to arrange a free consultation.  

What to Expect During Outpatient Surgery

A vasectomy reversal is an outpatient surgery. This means that the procedure doesn’t require an overnight stay in the hospital. Dr. Green asks his patients to arrive at the Surgery Center 90 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the operation. You’ll have the opportunity to ask any last minute questions you might have about the vasectomy reversal surgery, and you’ll discuss your options for anesthesia with the anesthesiologist. 

Once the anesthesia takes effect, you won’t be aware of anything until you wake up in the recovery room. You’ll be carefully monitored by the medical staff until you can be discharged. A responsible adult should be available to drive you home or to your hotel if you’re traveling from out of town. Expect to be groggy for the rest of the day, and plan to get plenty of rest. 

Patients of Dr. Green’s at the Center for Vasectomy Reversal benefit from close, personal attention, and specialized vasectomy expertise. Call (941) 894-6428 to request a consultation with Dr. Joshua Green in Sarasota.

Sleep and Your Baby: A Look at the First Three Months

Even if you’ve previously had children, bringing your baby home from the hospital represents a major transition in your life. Brush up on the basics of what to expect, like the sleeping habits of newborns. When you watch the featured video, you’ll learn that newborns sleep 16 to 17 hours per day. By four to six months, most babies will be sleeping through the night, and they’ll be awake more during the day. 

This video offers helpful tips for regulating your baby’s sleep schedule. Put your newborn down for a nap every two hours. If you wait until your baby is already overly tired and fussy, he or she will have a harder time falling asleep. 

At the Center for Vasectomy Reversal, we’re proud of all of the babies we’ve helped make possible over the years. When you’re ready to become a father, call Dr. Green at (941) 894-6428 to learn more about vasectomy reversals in Sarasota.

Get the Facts Behind Misconceptions About Vasectomy Reversals

There’s a lot of misinformation about vasectomy reversals. Sometimes, the myths about the procedure may make men hesitant to consult a vasectomy reversal surgeon about their options. This is unfortunate since the procedure is a fairly routine surgery with a high success rate. And because it’s an outpatient surgery, men often find it convenient to fit into their busy schedules. Get the truth about vasectomy reversals before you make your decision. 

Myth: Vasectomy reversals are linked to prostate cancer. 

There is a persistent myth that men who undergo a vasectomy reversal are at a higher risk of getting prostate cancer. This would be alarming if it was true, but fortunately, it’s not. Numerous studies have demonstrated that there is no association between vasectomy reversals and prostate cancer. 

Myth: Men stop producing sperm after a vasectomy. 

Before you undergo surgery, it’s helpful to brush up on the basics of anatomy so you understand exactly what’s going to happen. Sperm is produced in the testicles. The vas deferens is the tube that carries the sperm from the testicles through the penis. During a vasectomy, the vas deferens is surgically clipped. This prevents the sperm from traveling out of the body. However, the procedure doesn’t affect the testicles at all, which means men continue to produce the same amount of sperm that they normally would. This means that reconnecting the vas deferens can be all that’s needed to restore male fertility. 

Myth: Vasectomy reversals aren’t successful if it’s been too long. 

It’s true that surgeons see higher success rates in patients who have the reversal within a few years of having the original surgery. But waiting longer doesn’t actually affect the success rate all that much. Even if it’s been 10 or 20 years, a reversal can be a success. The most important factor is to choose a surgeon who specializes in this procedure, and who has a great deal of experience with it. 

Your best source of accurate, reliable information about the procedure is a vasectomy reversal surgeon. Talk to Dr. Joshua Green in Sarasota at the Center for Vasectomy Reversal and get the answers to your questions. New and current patients can reach us at (941) 894-6428.