According to two separate studies presented at a fertility conference of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology in Barcelona, in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and the freezing of embryos does not increase babies’ chances of birth defects or any other medical problems. In fact, scientists have discovered babies born from embryos that are frozen, thawed and then implanted had higher birth weights than babies born from fresh embryos and they were also less likely to be premature.

One study examined over 120 babies born following in-vitro fertilization. These babies were compared to 90 babies born to parents who had fertility problems, but spontaneously conceived while awaiting fertility treatment, as well as 450 babies naturally conceived. This Danish study was done by Dr. Karin Middelburg, of the University Medical Center Groningen in the Netherlands and colleagues. The researchers assessed babies’ brain development after their first six months of life. “When a child is wired right in the brain, he is able to show a wide range of different movements,” said Dr. Middelburg. The results: IVF babies moved just as well as the babies who were born spontaneously to parents awaiting fertility treatments. When the IVF babies were compared to babies naturally conceived in the general population, there were also no difference in abnormal movements. This shows IVF is not the cause of early development problems, according to Dr. Middelburg.

The other Danish study presented at the fertility conference looked at more than 19,000 babies total. Approximately 12,000 of the babies had been born from frozen embryos between 1995 and 2006, while approximately 17,800 of the babies had been born from fresh embryos. The results of this study showed fewer babies born from frozen embryos were admitted to neonatal care units, but the researchers said this was most likely due to a higher rate of multiple births that occur from fresh embryos. Also, pregnancies tended to last slightly longer after a frozen embryo transfer.

Additionally, the study concluded babies born from frozen embryos weighed more at birth than babies born after a fresh embryo transfer; an average of 200 grams bigger! But, this may be because, “Only the very top quality embryos survive the freezing and thawing process,” said Dr. Anja Pinborg, who led the research. Dr. Pinborg continued, “If our results continue to be positive, FER (frozen embryo replacement) can be accepted as a completely safe procedure, which can be used even more frequently than it is currently.”

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Actress/former model Rebecca Romijn, 35, and her actor husband, Jerry O’Connell, 34, are on their way to becoming the proud parents of twins, both of whom are girls, according to reports. The expectant parents were actively trying to start a family and they made it no secret. It wasn’t long ago when Jerry, who is best known for his role in the movie Stand By Me, announced, “We’re trying to get pregnant. It would be amazing if it happened.” He was also quoted for saying that trying for a baby has been, “a lot of fun.”

With all the recent twin pregnancy news and celebrity twin births, you might think fertility drugs are becoming a new trend in Hollywood. Reports claim Rebecca and Jerry’s baby girls were conceived without the help of fertility drugs or IVF. The truth is, many celebrity moms of twins are in their 30s and 40s. Women who wait until later in life to conceive have a much greater chance of having multiples than if they conceived while in their 20s. This is because of hormonal changes that cause more than one egg to be produced each menstrual cycle. Therefore, the majority of twin babies born from moms over 35 are fraternal; meaning two separate eggs were fertilized.

No exact due date for the babies has been released yet, but according to reports they are due this winter; quite possibly December. These will be the first children for the Ugly Betty star and her husband, who starred on Crossing Jordan as Detective Woody Hoyt. Rebecca and Jerry celebrated their first wedding anniversary this past July. Rebecca was previously married to actor John Stamos for nearly 7 years, but they have no children together.

Congrats Rebecca and Jerry, on your exciting double-blessing news!

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Singer/fashion designer Gwen Stefani, 38, and her musician husband Gavin Rossdale, welcomed a second son into their family at 12:46 pm on Thursday, August 21st. The couple’s newest little rocker was born into the world in Los Angeles, California at Cedars Sinai Medical Center. Gwen and Gavin named their new son Zuma Nesta Rock Rossdale. No, that’s not a typo. His middle name, Nesta, is reportedly in reference to Bob Marley’s middle name. Baby Zuma was delivered via C-section and weighed 8.5 lbs.

On GwenStefani.com, a rep for Gwen posted the announcement starting out with, “Kingston, Gwen and Gavin Rossdale welcomed the newest member of their family- Zuma Nesta Rock Rossdale”, adding, “Mother, baby and family are all happy and healthy.”

Gwen, of No Doubt and designer of the L.A.M.B and Harajuku Lovers fashion lines, and Gavin, who is best known for being the lead singer and guitarist for the band Bush, didn’t get the chance to make their own pregnancy announcement, but it was Gavin’s father, Douglas, who confirmed the pregnancy news back in January. Zuma joins proud big brother Kingston James McGregor (2). Gavin has a teenage daughter, Daisy, from a previous relationship.

Congratulations Stefani-Rossdale families on the birth of baby Zuma!

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!