What Is a Stillbirth? Could It Happen to Me?
Stillbirth, by definition, occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy. At that point chances are the mother has felt tiny flutters, kicks and movements indicating life. By 20 weeks and beyond most couples have seen the ultrasound images of their baby and often the images are much more vivid than earlier in pregnancy. They see […]
Does IVF Increase the Risk for Ovarian Cancer?
Ovarian stimulation is an important aspect of the overall treatment for infertility. The goal of ovarian stimulation is to harvest as many viable eggs as possible from a woman’s ovaries. By stimulating the ovaries to produce and mature a greater number of follicles/eggs, the odds of developing a healthy embryo for implantation, and thus a […]
Should I Consider Genetic Testing Even Without Fertility Issues?
When you dream of your future family you don’t necessarily envision any problems. Pregnancy comes easily, labor is a breeze and you deliver a healthy beautiful baby. For many couples that’s true. But, in the United States, one out of every 33 babies is born with a birth defect. Birth defects remain the leading cause […]
Minimal Stimulation IVF: Does Age Matter?
Minimal stimulation IVF uses less medication, and less invasive methods of getting that medication (fewer or no injections other than toward the end of the cycle) into the patient than traditional IVF. This method combines oral medications to stimulate ovulation, such as Clomid, with other meds, like gonadotropin, to encourage follicle development and support egg […]
What’s The Best Type of Sperm Donor Arrangement for You?
When you’re trying to conceive and need a sperm donor it can be hard to know just where to begin. Should you ask someone you know? Someone with a genetic tie to your partner? Or should you use an anonymous donor who has many of the traits you would like for your future child? There […]
What Resources Are Available to Me in Considering Surrogacy?
Finding out you’re unable to become pregnant and bear a child is a difficult place to be. Especially if you’ve yearned for the experience and hoped to become a mother one day. Once you wrap your head around the news the oft-used phrase “new normal” begins its echo and you look into other options for […]
How much is too much: Exercise and Fertility
Everyone knows being active and having a regular, healthy way to blow off steam is beneficial in many ways. Working out not only improves your physical health but aids in maintaining a positive attitude. Consistent exercise makes you stronger, more resilient and less likely to succumb to chronic conditions later in life. Exercise and a […]
Sleep and Fertility: Why Getting Those ZZZZ’s Are So Important
As you likely know, certain lifestyle factors can weigh on your ability to conceive. If you’re underweight or overweight, follow a poor diet, smoke, drink, abstain from physical activity and generally are in poor health you could be impacting your fertility in a negative way. But what about something as simple as sleep? Can sleep […]
Will Taking Birth Control Make it Harder to Get Pregnant?
It’s certainly one of life’s great ironies; when you’re at your most fertile you take steps to prevent pregnancy and when you are ready to start a family your fertility is beginning to wane. If you’re over 30 and it seems to be taking longer than you’d anticipated to conceive, you’re probably wondering if something […]
Interested in Genetic testing? Learn What is Involved In The Process
For mothers-to-be, even the most textbook pregnancy is fraught with worry. When you add infertility into the mix, it becomes a real rollercoaster of emotions. Will my age cause a concern? Will the baby be ok? Will they experience any health issues? And on and on. The unknown can cause plenty of sleepless nights and […]