Posts Tagged ‘Appointment’
Friday, December 2nd, 2011
When couples show up at our clinic for their first appointment regarding fertility treatments, they bring a united front. They hold hands. They look at each other lovingly, excitedly. They are hopeful for the future they are working toward together.
Although undergoing fertility treatments is in itself a testament to the strength and future of a partnership, the actual process can emotionally wear down even the strongest couple. It is a strenuous process that can sometimes include setbacks, frustrations and fears. It’s difficult for partners to put into words their own fears because they don’t want to let down their partner.
It’s important to focus on this truth, that undergoing fertility treatments can bond you in ways you never dreamed possible. It has the ability to bolster your relationship and allow you to discover new strengths about each other. The key to making that happen is communication. Don’t be afraid to express to your partner your concerns, your doubts, your fears and most especially your hopes and dreams. Talk about what is happening to both of you, regardless of which one of you is undergoing the physical treatment at the moment. Remember that this is a journey you are both on together. Don’t lose sight of that!
Is Fertility Treatment Right For You?
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Tags: Appointment, Communication, Couples, Discover, Doubts, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, Dr. Munavi, Express, Fears, Fertility Treatment, Fertility Treatments, Focus, Frustrations, Hopes And Dreams, Journey, Nbsp, PA Infertility, Partnership, Reading, Relationship, Reproductive Science Institute of Suburban Philadelphia, Rsi, Setbacks, Testament, Truth, United Front, Wyomissing
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Monday, November 28th, 2011
If you’re new to the world of fertility treatments or are just beginning your research into it, chances are you’re being inundated with acronyms, some of which you may not know. Here’s a big one that you’ll see often — ART. Assisted Reproductive Technology is nothing like the art you did in grade school, but it is an art form in its own right, one where science and technology work together to create a masterpiece — human life.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ART refers to fertility treatments that involve the handling of both eggs and sperm. This can include procedures in which eggs are surgically removed from a woman’s ovaries, combined with sperm in the laboratory, and returned to the woman’s body (in-vitro fertilization) or donated to another woman. ART does not include treatments in which only sperm are handled, such as intrauterine insemination or artificial insemination, or procedures in which a woman takes medicine only to stimulate egg production.
Since 1981, ART has been used in the United States to assist women in their quests to become pregnant. According to the CDC, today more than 1 percent of all infants born in the U.S. were conceived using ART. Are you interested in ART helping to create your own masterpiece? Contact us for an appointment to discuss your options.
Is Fertility Treatment Right For You?
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Tags: Appointment, ART, Art Form, Artificial Insemination, Assisted Reproductive Technology, Cdc, Centers For Disease Control, Centers For Disease Control And Prevention, Disease Control And Prevention, Egg Production, Eggs, Fertility Treatment, Fertility Treatments, in vitro fertilization, Intrauterine Insemination, Masterpiece, Medicine, Science And Technology, Technology Work, Using Art, Vitro Fertilization, Woman Art
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Monday, October 31st, 2011
As we’ve noted here before, up to a third of all cases of infertility between couples can be attributed to male infertility factors. But how much do you really know about this condition?
To help you understand male infertility a little better, we’ve amassed a series of statistics and facts:
• In the United States, around 6 percent of men aged teen to midlife have fertility difficulties. Outside of the United States, especially in developing countries, that figure can be significantly higher.
• Up to 71 percent of males who are diagnosed as infertile have infections, many of which are caused by untreated sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like chlamydia.
• Up to 90 percent of male infertility causes can be traced back to low sperm count. (Again, that low sperm count can be the result of many different issues, including an undiagnosed STD.)
• One in 25 males has a low sperm count. (This may or may not lead to male infertility, as the determining factor is whether or not the sperm are healthy and viable.)
• Blood tests and semen analysis are the most popular ways to determine the cause of male infertility.
• Some sources suggest that male infertility may be more prevalent than female infertility, although this hypothesis is heavily debated in the fertility specialist community.
If you’re interested in learning more about male infertility and you’re in the Philadelphia or Wyomissing, PA areas, please contact the Reproductive Science Institute today for an appointment. We’d be happy to discuss and evaluate your unique situation.
Is Fertility Treatment Right For You?
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Tags: Appointment, Blood Tests, Chlamydia, Couples, Developing Countries, Diseases, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, female infertility, fertility specialist, Fertility Treatment, Hypothesis, Infertility, Infertility Causes, Low Sperm Count, Male Infertility, Pa Areas, PA Infertility, Philadelphia, Philadelphia Infertility, Reproductive Science Institute, Rsi, Statistics, United States, Wyomissing, Wyomissing Pa
Posted in Male Infertility | 1 Comment »
Friday, October 14th, 2011
Some people call them fertility vacations. Others don’t give them names at all. But if you’re thinking of traveling out of the country to get fertility treatments, it’s important to remain cautious.
This isn’t to suggest that foreign doctors and hospitals cannot solve fertility issues. However, there are several concerns about going abroad for your fertility treatment needs. Consider the following:
- It may be difficult to find credible information about a fertility specialist, especially if he or she speaks a foreign language that you do not understand.
- If there are complications while you’re overseas, how will you deal with issues like needing to stay in that country longer than you anticipate?
- What kind of repercussions do you have legally if something goes wrong with the reproductive techniques they decide to use?
- How can you be assured that you’re getting the fertility treatments that you deserve?
- Many countries do not have the same medical hygiene standards as those in the United States. Will you risk your health?
- How long can you conceivably stay in a foreign country from a social, job-related or financial perspective if something goes amiss and you need to remain?
- How will you verify the credentials of your fertility specialist?
This is one of the reasons we highly recommended looking nationally for the best fertility specialist you can. That way, you can be less concerned with all the associated issues that traveling to another country can create.
Of course, if you’re located in or near the Philadelphia or Reading, Pennsylvania, areas, we welcome you to make an appointment with The Reproductive Health Institute (RSI).
Is Fertility Treatment Right For You?
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Tags: Appointment, Credentials, Doctors, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, Fertility Issues, fertility specialist, Fertility Treatment, Fertility Treatments, Foreign Language, Health Institute, Hospitals, Hygiene Standards, Nbsp, PA Infertility, Pennsylvania Areas, Perspective, Philadelphia, Reading Pennsylvania, Repercussions, Reproductive Health, Reproductive Science Institute, Rsi, Vacations
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Wednesday, October 5th, 2011
It’s no secret that fertility treatments can elicit a host of emotional responses from the individuals and couples involved. That’s why it’s such a smart idea to really plan for the ways to deal with your feelings ahead of time.
Even if you are the most optimistic person in the world, it can be challenging to stay positive, especially if fertility treatments are proceeding slower than you’d like or if the options presented to you are not what you expected.
As you proceed with your investigation into the right fertility treatments for your situation, why not take the following factors into consideration?
1. Set up an appointment with a counselor.
Many therapists and counselors specialize in helping those who are undergoing fertility treatments. They can give you feedback on your (very normal) emotions as well as providing you with ways to get through difficult times.
2. Don’t define yourself by your infertility.
Many people fall into the emotional trap of thinking of themselves only in terms of their infertility. Remember that you are someone who has a lot to offer, and are not simply a man or woman who is having issues conceiving.
3. Be open about the way you feel.
Females and males who are undergoing fertility treatments can sometimes “shut down”, essentially pretending that their emotions aren’t happening or, alternatively, aren’t important. But they most certainly are!
4. Plan fun activities.
Don’t worry about fertility treatments 24/7! Start planning some fun activities to do alone and with your partner. Go out to eat, head for a hike in the woods, take a walk along the water… and reconnect with yourself and your relationship in a way that doesn’t have to do with pregnancy.
5. Stay on top of your emotions.
Finally, it’s critical to remain “on top” of your emotions. You may even want to start a journal so you can track how you’re feeling on a daily or weekly basis. This will help you achieve a stronger sense of confidence and poise throughout your fertility treatments.
Is Fertility Treatment Right For You?
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Tags: Appointment, Counselor, Counselors, Couples, Difficult Times, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, Emotional Responses, emotions, Feelings, Females, Fertility Treatments, Fun Activities, Infertility, Many People, Optimistic Person, Partner, Philadelphia Infertility, Pregnancy, Reading PA Infertility, Relationship, Reproductive Science Institute, Rsi, Smart Idea, Stay On Top, Worry, Wyomissing PA Infertility
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Friday, May 20th, 2011
According to a variety of rather shocking statistics, a good many married Americans are engaged in infidelity. But could their cheating be driving infertility? Perhaps, especially if they are engaging in unprotected sex with one or more partners.
More so than the emotional and psychological outcomes of infidelity, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) could severely affect a man or woman’s ability to have children naturally. Unfortunately, STDs aren’t easily spotted.
Many STDs, including Chlamydia and gonorrhea, are running rampant in the United States. Yet it’s not uncommon for them to have zero warning signs. This means an affair that took place years ago could have a lasting affect on both individuals’ fertility rates well into the future.
If you are one of the up to half of all married persons who has engaged in infidelity and is now trying (unsuccessfully) to have a child with your partner, it’s important to get tested for an STD. Many STDs can be cured (or at least controlled), but only if they’re diagnosed… and the earlier, the better.
Contact a fertility clinic like RSI to schedule an appointment and find out if you may be an STD carrier. Beyond infertility consequences, it’s important for you to know for the sake of your health.
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Tags: Abraham Munabi, Appointment, Cheating, Chlamydia, Consequences, Dr. Munabi, Facebook, fertility clinic, fertility rates, Gonorrhea, Infertility, Infidelity, Psychological Outcomes, Reproductive Science Institute, Rsi, Sake, sexually transmitted diseases, Shocking Statistics, Std, STDs, Twitter, Unprotected Sex, Warning Signs
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Wednesday, April 13th, 2011
You want to go to a reproductive health specialist and discuss fertility problems you and your partner have had. But whenever you bring up the subject, he becomes defensive and refuses to attend even an exploratory meeting with a physician… let alone hear you out.
What gives?
For many men, especially those who were raised in families where infertility and reproductive health were “verboten” issues, discussing topics like this can be extremely difficult. And for other men, there can be an overwhelming fear that they might be facing male infertility.
What many men simply don’t realize is that male infertility is quite common. In fact, just as many fertility problems can be caused by male infertility factors as female infertility factors! But that can be little relief for the wife or partner of the man who won’t even discuss going to a doctor.
If you’re with someone who finds the male infertility discussion difficult, there are a few routes you can take.
First, you can make an appointment on your own to see a reproductive health specialist who can assist you in getting some information.
Next, you can get in touch with a counselor who might be able to give you advice on broaching the subject of male infertility.
Finally, you may just have to be patient but direct. If you both want children and you haven’t conceived naturally (though you’ve been having sexual intercourse regularly and without protection) in a 6-12 month period, there’s something amiss. That could be the bare fact that gets him to attend an appointment in the hopes of getting one step closer to a solution.
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Tags: Appointment, Counselor, female infertility, Fertility Problems, Having Sexual Intercourse, Health Specialist, Infertility, Male Infertility, Many Men, Overwhelming Fear, Reproductive Health, Reproductive Science Insitiute, Rsi
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Wednesday, March 16th, 2011
Today, we’re dispelling three myths about fertility based on fertility information (or should we say MISinformation) widely available (unfortunately) via the World Wide Web. Check yesterday’s blog post for the first part of this two-part series.
Myth #3: If You Adopt, You’ll Get Pregnant
Again, this is one of those “old wives tales” that would be nice if it were true. But it’s really just anecdotal and has no bearing in science. Has this happened for some couples? Absolutely. Has it not happened for others? Of course. So to make the assumption is to set yourself up for disappointment.
Myth #4: I Can Buy Fertility Drugs on My Own
Please don’t go online and buy “fertility boosting” drugs from unknown sources!
First of all, you don’t have any idea what these drugs contain. (Some are harmless, some are not… but the majority are NOT what you think you’re buying.) Secondly, if you haven’t been to a reproductive health specialist, you should not try to diagnose your infertility. And finally, you will be wasting your money and potentially losing precious time.
Myth #5: I’m Too Young to See a Fertility Doctor
If only more individuals and couples would come to reproductive health specialists EARLIER rather than later!
There’s no reason to feel that you’re not “old enough” to be infertile. If you’re under 35 and have been trying to get pregnant unsuccessfully for 6-12 months, make an appointment. You’ll never know until you ask questions!
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Tags: 12 Months, Appointment, Assumption, Bearing, Buy Drugs, Couples, Disappointment, Dr. Munabi, Fertility, Fertility Doctor, Fertility Drugs, Fertility Myths, Health Specialist, Infertility, Misinformation, Myth 3, Myths, Old Wives Tales, Online Drugs, Precious Time, Reproductive Health Specialists, Reproductive Science Institute, Rsi, Web Check, World Wide Web
Posted in Myths & Misconceptions | No Comments »
Friday, January 28th, 2011
Secondary infertility is a topic about which we at RSI are often asked. So we thought we’d put together a handy FAQ guide to help you understand this area of reproductive science.
1. What is secondary infertility?
Secondary infertility occurs when a woman or couple has been able to have one (or more) child naturally but finds herself/themselves unable to conceive again. Thus, they experience fertility issues a “second” time around.
2. Who is at risk for secondary infertility?
Secondary infertility can happen at any time, although the older the woman, the stronger the chances are that she will experience it. For instance, women over 35 who have had regular, unprotected sex for 6-12 months and have not gotten pregnant are usually considered to have problems with fertility.
3. Are there any psychological side effects to secondary infertility?
Secondary infertility can be extremely frustrating for couples; thus, it can take a toll on the marriage or relationship. Though all fertility issues can be troubling, parents of children who wish to have more can become particularly angry, disheartened or depressed when going through secondary infertility.
4. What are the causes of secondary infertility?
There are no specific causes to secondary infertility; truly, there can be a whole host of issues at stake. That’s why it’s important for the couple to go to a place like RSI to discover what’s really going on.
5. How many people have had secondary infertility?
Though there aren’t any exact ways to measure the couples who experience secondary infertility (as some do not reach out for assistance and are therefore untracked), it is estimated that at least one million couples in the United States are currently going through the condition.
If you would like to know more about secondary infertility for yourself, please schedule an appointment for a consultation with RSI.
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Tags: 12 Months, Appointment, Consultation, Couples, Disheartened, Fertility Issues, How Many People, Infertility, Marriage, One Million, Parents, Philadelphia Infertility, Psychological Side, Relationship Issues, Reproductive Science, Reproductive Science Institute, Risk, Rsi, Second Time, Secondary Infertility, Stake, United States, Unprotected Sex
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Friday, January 21st, 2011
Maybe you’ve re-married and you and/or your spouse have children from a prior relationship. Or perhaps you’re experiencing “secondary infertility” after having one or more kids naturally. Whatever the case may be, if you decide to choose a surrogate to help you have another child (or children), you’ll likely be asked plenty of questions from the kids already in the picture.
To help you have the conversation with them, we’ve designed a few ground rules to follow. These will enable you to avoid too much confusion or awkwardness as you move forward with your decision to use a surrogate.
Rules to Help You Explain Surrogacy to Your Current Children:
- Don’t lie. If you’ve decided to go with a surrogate, be honest about it.
- Be age-appropriate. If your children are young enough, they don’t really need to know the details. If they are older, they’ll require more information.
- Understand that they might not like your decision. Your children may be hesitant to embrace new siblings, regardless of whether you use a surrogate or not. Afford them the opportunity to express themselves without rebuke.
- Allow your children to process this information. Unless they’ve heard of surrogacy before, it might be an unknown and/or confusing idea. Give them time.
- If it seems to be appropriate given your circumstances, invite the child (or children) to come to a fertility appointment. (Be aware that it may not be a good idea for them to meet the surrogate; you will want to discuss that kind of approach with a counselor initially.)
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Tags: Appointment, Awkwardness, Circumstances, Confusion, Counselor, Current, Express, Fertility, Infertility, Opportunity, Relationship, Secondary Infertility, Siblings, Surrogate
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