Conquer your biological clock at Victory ART

MANILA, Philippines - Been going to Obando but still not conceiving? It’s not the dance steps. Although there are many factors that determine the likelihood of pregnancy, studies show that one of the biggest stumbling blocks has to do with a woman’s biological clock.

According to multi-awarded and internationally-acclaimed Filipino obstetrician-gynecologist Dr. Gregorio Pastorfide, a favorite among local show business’s superstars, the incidence of pregnancy among women decreases as early as 25 years old. “Samples taken from natural populations suggest that overall fertility rates are four to eight-percent lower in women aged 25-29, 15 to 19-percent lower between 30 and 34, 26 to 46-percent lower in women aged 35 to 39 and as much as 95-percent lower between ages 40 and 45,” said Dr. Pastorfide at a recent medical conference funded by his clinic Victory ART and held at the Diamond Hotel in Manila.

Joining Dr. Pastorfide at the medical conference was resource speaker Dr. Suresh Kattera, an IVF scientific consultant. Dr. Kattera is also director of the Asia-Pacific School of Embryology and director of the SureLife Media Technologies in Singapore. 

Dr. Pastorfide adds that women older than 40 years, who try to conceive, do so with a high rate of spontaneous abortion. Factor in other causes of “infertility stress” such as pollution, stress, and increased use of oral contraceptives and we have more women today worrying if they will ever have the fulfilled life of a mother.

One option that couples having difficulty conceiving may avail themselves of is in vitro fertilization (IVF). The process involves removing egg cells from the woman’s ovaries so that sperm could fertilize them in a laboratory dish (hence, the term “in vitro,” with Latin root meaning “within the glass”). The fertilized egg or zygote is then transferred to the patient’s uterus to develop naturally. 

The Victory ART Laboratory offers IVF and other infertility treatments. Manned by an experienced and dedicated team of embryologists, nurses, and technicians who work closely with a group of supporting technicians, the lab has been giving hope to couples who have all but given up on the idea of having their own bundles of joy.  

Dr. Pastorfide, also the Victory ART Laboratory medical director, said that although these people could try adopting a child, “the primary intention of infertile women or couple is to reproduce with their own gametes. “The services offered at Victory ART Laboratory range from semen analysis and ultrasound-guided IUI to Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) and Assisted Hatching. All the procedures use state-of-the-art technology found in similar clinics in First World countries such as US and Australia. “But the first thing we do is conduct a thorough examination to see if pregnancy could be achieved through natural intercourse with fertility medication. The only time we recommend IVF is when all other attempts or methods have proven futile or when tests show it is impossible for a woman to conceive without assistance due to, say, damaged or missing fallopian tubes,” says Dr. Pastorfide.

Will having a baby the IVF-way cost an arm and a leg? Not so, says Dr. Pastorfide, pointing out that the most expensive treatment that yielded successful results was cheaper than a brand-new car.

All treatments are conducted in utmost privacy and confidentiality. Most lab results have a two-hour turn-around time. Victory ART in Manila, an affiliate of Victory ART Laboratory Hong Kong, is the first overseas IVF lab of the Victory Group. 

Victory ART Laboratory Philippines Inc. is located at Unit D-1, Medical Plaza Makati, Amorsolo and De la Rosa Sts., Legaspi Village, Makati City. For queries and to set an appointment, call 884-2290 to 92, 94; or e-mail victoryartlab@yahoo.com; or fax at 884-2293.