Barbecues, fireworks, parades, and parties are all ways we celebrate our nation’s independence on July 4. This year, however, let’s think of Independence Day in a slightly different way. Let’s focus on how men and women of reproductive age can declare their “independence” from future fertility worries! Here are five suggestions for gaining more control over your path to parenthood. Though there are no assurances with baby making, some current planning could pay off in the long term. Know your risk factors Are you predisposed to infertility? For example, do fibroids, endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) run in your...
Caffeine and Fertility Treatment
Do caffeine and fertility treatment mix? Coffee, tea, soda and energy drinks are eye-openers that many of us depend upon to get through the day. But couples who are trying to conceive may wish to cut the caffeine, as years of research support the idea that caffeine and fertility treatment aren’t a great mix. The perks of giving up coffee: caffeine and fertility treatment Caffeine stimulates the nervous system, which is why so many people reach for a cup of joe first thing in the morning. But, it also causes an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, and can...
How Weight Affects Fertility
Weight Matters Can Signal Problems for Your Fertility Weight is a sensitive subject, especially for women. Aside from how weight affects physical appearance and self-esteem, an unhealthy weight can impact a woman’s fertility, how she responds to treatment, the course of her pregnancy and the health of her child. An unhealthy weight means being either being overweight or underweight. What is considered a healthy weight? Clinicians use the Body Mass Index (BMI) to determine whether someone is underweight, overweight or ‘normal.’ BMI is measured by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by the square of the person’s height in meters....
Weighty Matters Can Signal Problems for Your Fertility
Weight is a sensitive subject, especially for women. Aside from how weight affects physical appearance and self-esteem, an unhealthy weight can impact a woman’s fertility, how she responds to treatment, the course of her pregnancy and the health of her child. An unhealthy weight means being either overweight or underweight. What is considered a healthy weight? Clinicians use the Body Mass Index (BMI) to determine whether someone is underweight, overweight or “normal.” BMI is measured by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by the square of the person’s height in meters. The normal range for a BMI is between 18.5...
Want to Look into Your Fertility Crystal Ball?
Have you ever wanted to look into a crystal ball to get a sneak peek at your fertility future? Your local infertility doctor may not be clairvoyant, but he or she can assess your fertility potential, especially if having children is important to you. The following tests can help fertility providers determine the current status of your baby-making potential. All are relatively inexpensive as well as easy to administer, and the results can serve as a barometer of your ovarian reserve or egg supply. Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Test The follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) test measures the amount of FSH...
Guys: Are You Producing Enough Sperm?
Many reasons for a lower than normal sperm count Infertility is an equal opportunity medical condition. This means there is a 40 to 50% chance that prospective dads who seek our help will have an infertility problem, with low sperm production being one of the main culprits. Getting this diagnosis can be very shocking for men. After all, they probably have been producing what they think are normal and plentiful ejaculations. They may not realize that abundant semen does not indicate a normal sperm count. The sperm production journeyFirst, let’s look at how sperm is made. It takes approximately 72...
Celebrities and Surrogacy
You’ve probably seen their stories reported in popular magazines and websites. When celebrities choose to publicize their surrogacy journeys, people listen. This spreads awareness and gives the public a greater understanding of the challenges of family building for both same sex and heterosexual celebrities who want to have babies–just like the rest of us! Turning to Surrogacy Regardless of their fame, prospective parents may need to use the services of a surrogate mother, also known as a gestational carrier, for a variety of medical and social reasons. Intended mothers may have been born without a uterus, have a uterine structural...
Preparing For Mother’s Day 2018
Getting your body ready for a baby Are you hoping to become pregnant by Mother’s Day 2018? If you and your partner have made the life-changing decision to try to have a baby, here are some steps you should take in 2017 to ensure you will be receiving a Mother’s Day card and flowers in the future. Schedule an appointment with your primary care physician It is important to know if you have any pre-existing medical conditions, such as diabetes or hypertension, which might affect your pregnancy or those influencing fertility, including sexually transmitted diseases or a thyroid condition. Also,...
Mother’s Day Preconception Planning
Getting your body ready for a baby Are you hoping to become pregnant by Mother’s Day 2018? If you and your partner have made the life-changing decision to try to have a baby, here are some steps you should take in 2017 to ensure you will be receiving a Mother’s Day card and flowers in the future. Schedule an appointment with your primary care physician It is important to know if you have any pre-existing medical conditions, such as diabetes or hypertension, which might affect your pregnancy or those influencing fertility, including sexually transmitted diseases or a thyroid condition. Also...
A Millennial Woman’s Guide to Egg Freezing
To freeze or not to freeze? That is a question many millennial women are asking themselves. Should they freeze time and their biological clock by undergoing oocyte cryopreservation, the medical term for egg freezing, or will Mr. Right come along before their fertility is reduced? At HRC Fertility, we are seeing an increased interest in “social” egg freezing as the technique becomes more popular and improves in effectiveness. Some employers, such as Google and Facebook, have even begun offering this benefit, realizing their female employees want more reproductive choices. Though there is no “one size fits all” answer, the women...