Fertility Blogs

a blog by Kim Griffiths, May 15, 2013

May 12-18 is National Women’s Health Week, so now is the time to think about ways your health could impact your fertility and how you can optimize your chances of having a baby.

There are several unsuspecting health conditions that impact fertility and pregnancy. Conditions like diabetes, thyroid disease, autoimmune disease, and endocrine system hormone imbalances can contribute to infertility. All medical conditions should be discussed with your fertility doctor, and you should discuss any medications you may be taking to assess potential risks to fertility and pregnancy.

a blog by Helen Denise, CEO, Knowhen®, May 14, 2013

For some couples, conceiving a baby is as easy A-B-C, and as simple as 1-2-3. All Jackson 5 rhetoric aside, it is true that the vast majority of all couples trying to conceive will achieve success naturally. By naturally, we mean without the help of a fertility specialist. However, a staggering 10 percent of women trying to become pregnant will eventually be diagnosed with infertility. Doesn’t sound like much? When you consider that there are approximately 4 million births annually in the United States alone, 10 percent suddenly affects the lives of a lot of women.

a blog by Melinda Davis, May 12, 2013

This Sunday will be the first Mother’s Day I get to celebrate with a baby in my arms. I have dreamed of being a mom all of my life, and in some ways, it’s still hard to believe my dream has finally become a reality. I spent so many Mother’s Days trying to forget the day even existed. Going to church only resulted in fighting back tears as I watched baby dedications, and was constantly reminded that I still was not a mom...even after all of my efforts.

If you can relate, then I’m writing this for you. I have been in your shoes, and know how hard it is when the one thing you want more than anything in this world remains missing from your life. I have cried more tears than I can count, screamed at God in anger, begged God to fulfill my request, collapsed in my husband’s arms each month for years, and continually asked one question throughout it all...why me?

a blog by Laurence A. Jacobs, M.D., Fertility Centers of Illinois, May 10, 2013

In all medical fields, you will find there are many physicians who excel in their technical knowledge and skill. It is no different in reproductive endocrinology — there are many physicians who can quickly diagnose a fertility issue and successfully treat it either with surgery, medication or in vitro fertilization (IVF).

a blog by Jennifer A. Redmond, May 9, 2013

Dr. Evan Rosenbluth, a reproductive endocrinologist with Reproductive Science Center of the Bay Area has performed award-winning research studying non-invasive methods for determining embryo implantation potential. Biopsies - including preimplantation genetic screening or PGS - are invasive and can add can $5,000 to $6,000 to an IVF cycle, he says. Currently that is the best option for determining which embryos are chromosomally normal. His goal is to develop biopsy-free methods for selecting healthy embryos.

a blog by Kim Griffiths, May 7, 2013

On Wednesday, May 8th, 2013, members of the infertility community will join staff and volunteers of RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association on Capitol Hill where they will address important fertility issues and legislation with Members of Congress.

It is the goal of RESOLVE and the infertility community to raise awareness and that by voicing concerns about infertility treatment costs, tax credits, and insurance, legislators will vote favorably on laws that can benefit men and women struggling to build their families with fertility treatment and adoption.

a blog by Suzanne Rico, May 4, 2013

How does this sound? A room--quiet, comfortable and private-- earmarked for intended parents who need to bond with their just born, surrogate carried baby! This over-the-rainbow room didn't exist when I had my baby via surrogate five years ago, but it does now--the first of it's kind--at Saddleback Memorial Medical Center in Orange County, California.

a blog by Kim Griffiths, May 2, 2013

Scientists have discovered that variations in the coding of the gene for Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) may provide insight into the diagnosis and treatment of male and female infertility.

FSH is produced by the pituitary gland and sends appropriate signals for egg maturation in women and sperm production in men. FSH binds at receptors on cells in the ovaries, testes in a healthy menstrual or sperm production cycle. For women, having a high FSH level can impact ovarian reserve, hinder ovulation, and can reduce her chances of getting pregnant. For men, low FSH can impact sperm production and affect sperm quality or quantity.

a blog by Mylene Yao, M.D., CEO and Co-Founder, Univfy, Inc., April 29, 2013

You may find yourself at a crossroads in your infertility treatment and wishing for a crystal ball that can show you the future and point you down the right path. Should you try a first or second IVF? How likely are you to get pregnant with your own eggs? Should you consider the option of donor eggs?

a blog by Catherine Arizan, April 26, 2013

Beginning treatment for infertility can let loose a dam of information and emotions, all of which can be overwhelming and difficult to organize, let alone process. A word of advice from medical professionals: take it one step at a time.

a blog by Kim Griffiths, April 25, 2013

I remember getting a phone call from my OB-GYN informing me that my husband’s semen analysis results were abnormal. According to the Kruger strict scale, 4% morphology is normal, but my husband’s results came back at 2% normal morphology; 98% of his sperm were misshapen and therefore probably could not penetrate an egg. Combined with the fact that my body couldn’t get it together to ovulate, we were basically taking a shot in the dark and hoping for the improbable to happen.

I was scared, I was devastated, I felt alone. I didn’t know anyone who had been diagnosed with infertility and didn’t know where to turn. It felt so personal, yet I wanted someone to share with. My friends didn’t quite understand what I was feeling and although they meant well, comments like “It will happen when it is meant to happen” didn't change my outlook.

I scoured the internet for resources and realized there are other women and men out there going through infertility. I came to learn that 1 in 8 couples were struggling to build their families, a statistic that has since narrowed to 1 in 6 couples. You can easily name six couples off the top of your head, yet the hush-hush nature of infertility might prevent you from ever finding out that your sister, your best friend, or your cousin shares your grief.