Boston

A typical in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle requires hormone therapy to stimulate production of eggs, and daily blood tests to monitor hormone levels and a patient's response to therapy. These daily blood draws for up to seven days can be one of the most unpleasant parts of fertility treatment — leaving a woman feeling stressed and even a little bit like a voodoo doll.

But a Boston fertility clinic is eliminating that stress. Following two years of research, Boston IVF fertility doctors have developed the first needle-free saliva test that will replace the daily blood tests to monitor infertility treatment. They have proven that the hormone estradiol, traditionally measured in the blood, can also be accurately measured in saliva, which virtually eliminates the need for daily blood testing during a patient's treatment cycle.

Many patients undergoing an in vitro fertilization cycle don't follow their fertility doctor's orders, according to a new study by researcher Alice Domar at Boston IVF. The study was published in Fertility and Sterility.

Domar, the executive director of the Domar Center for Mind and Body Health at the Boston fertility clinic, found that women were not doing what fertility doctors recommended, such as reducing or eliminating exercise. Fertility doctors also typically tell patients to stop smoking, drinking and taking herbal supplements.

"I was surprised by the results since I had assumed that patients undergoing something as emotionally, physically and financially draining as IVF would want to follow their physician's recommendations to the letter," Domar says. It might well be that women feel that they need to change so much in their lives because of infertility that they can't give up every vice. Or they feel that the medications they are taking can compensate for anything which lifestyle habits might do. Whatever the reason, we need to figure out a better way to educate and support our patients so they maximize their chances of conceiving a healthy baby."

Boston IVF, Boston, MA, January 2012

FertilityAuthority is pleased to honor Boston fertility nurse Megan LeMien, RN, BSN as Fertility Nurse of the Month. LeMien is the IVF coordinator at Boston IVF, a fertility clinic with 12 locations throughout Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine and on Nantucket. In her role as IVF coordinator at the Waltham, MA, location, LeMien works directly with couples to guide them through the process of in vitro fertilization (IVF).

The patient who nominated her says: "Megan should win a nurse of the year award! We are currently in the middle of our two-week wait of our third IVF cycle. Megan truly listens to everything I have to say — from questions to concerns to just me rambling. She never makes me feel silly for asking questions. She is very caring and makes me feel a sense of comfort in the IVF process. She has patience that most nurses and doctors do not have. I never feel rushed when talking to her. It is great to know that I always have her to call if anything arises. She is extremely knowledgeable! Megan is the absolute BEST nurse!"