A checklist for making the most of your consultation Making an appointment with an infertility specialist is an exciting step on your road to parenthood. However, the anticipation of what will happen can also feel stressful, which is why preparation can be key to making this first visit as successful as possible. Before contacting us, it is understandable that many couples hope their inability to conceive will go away with each passing month. But if the months turn into more than a year, now is the time for action and scheduling a consultation. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine, the...
The Perfect Gift for Those Struggling to Conceive
If you are a supportive friend or family member who wants to give a meaningful gift to your loved one who is coping with infertility, then we have some suggestions for you. Stop giving advice Chances are your friends experiencing infertility have done their homework. They have researched the Internet to find information about the causes and treatment of infertility as well as to learn about clinics, doctors and the latest advances. We know you mean well, but unless you work in the infertility field or have experienced infertility yourself, you should refrain from dispensing medical guidance. Your gal pals...
The Perfect Gift for Those Struggling to Conceive
If you are a supportive friend or family member who wants to give a meaningful gift to your loved one who is coping with infertility, then we have some suggestions for you. Stop giving advice Chances are your friends experiencing infertility have done their homework. They have researched the Internet to find information about the causes and treatment of infertility as well as to learn about clinics, doctors and the latest advances. We know you mean well, but unless you work in the infertility field or have experienced infertility yourself, you should refrain from dispensing medical guidance. Your gal pals...
Preparing for Your First Visit with an Infertility Specialist
A checklist for making the most of your consultation Making an appointment with an infertility specialist is an exciting step on your road to parenthood. However, the anticipation of what will happen can also feel stressful, which is why preparation can be key to making this first visit as successful as possible. Before contacting us, it is understandable that many couples hope their inability to conceive will go away with each passing month. But if the months turn into more than a year, now is the time for action and scheduling a consultation. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine, the...
Thanksgiving Thanks
Let’s be thankful for these fertility advances When you’re struggling to conceive, the holidays can be an emotional roller coaster as you try to find joy in a season that is heavily focused on children. For many would-be parents, this time of year can symbolize all they don’t have. But let’s remember that Thanksgiving also is a time to give thanks and to be grateful for what we do have. For the infertility community, there is much to celebrate. Eight million babies strong Experts estimate that approximately eight million babies have been born as the result of IVF...
Employers and Fertility Benefits
Is your employer part of this growing wave? In 2017, Starbucks was making news, but not for its coffee. It was grabbing headlines because the coffee maker offers in vitro fertilization (IVF) benefits to its employees, including part-time ones. Starbucks is one of the most well-known corporate leaders providing coverage for family building. It is leading a growing human resources trend that is especially popular among high-tech corporations and in the banking industry. Assistance varies, but can include infertility treatment/in vitro fertilization, surrogacy and adoption subsidies of varying amounts and may or may not come with restrictions. Generosity depends upon...
Embryo Definitions
What are the differences between euploid, aneuploid and mosaic embryos? Infertility patients and their doctors are always looking for ways to achieve successful in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. Many physicians recommend preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) to test a patient’s embryos, especially if the embryology laboratory has created multiple ones. PGS is one of the most effective ways to find the best embryos for transfer. PGS, using high-resolution next-generation sequencing, analyzes which embryos are healthy and which are not by examining the outer layer of their cells. Euploid embryos Embryologists are looking for euploid embryos; chromosomally normal with 46 chromosomes in...
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Can fertility treatment help prevent some types of breast cancer? This October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, let’s celebrate the good news about breast cancer survival. Early detection and better treatment protocols mean women are living longer after receiving the diagnosis, and many are being cured. Additionally, more women are taking advantage of fertility preservation options so they have the chance to lead full and productive lives as parents. There are many reasons to be optimistic about the future for the one in eight females affected by breast cancer, including that IVF technology can play a crucial role in preventing...
Celebrities Spreading Awareness By Getting Real About PCOS
September is PCOS Awareness Month and an excellent opportunity to spread awareness about the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of this common female reproductive disorder. PCOS, which stands for polycystic ovary syndrome, affects five to ten percent of women from the beginning of menstruation through menopause. If left untreated, PCOS can have long-term health repercussions throughout a woman’s life, including increasing her risk of developing cardiovascular disease, reproductive cancers, diabetes, and depression. PCOS is a common, but misunderstood disease. Experts estimate that up to 50% of women are not diagnosed correctly with it. Many women do not learn they have PCOS...