Posts Tagged ‘Fertility Treatments’
Wednesday, September 21st, 2011
Giuliana and Bill Rancic haven’t been shy about seeking fertility treatments. In fact, after two rounds of IVF, they declared not quite a year ago that they would wait to attempt a third. However, it seems that they made the choice to try sooner than they thought.
The couple has now announced that they’ll be going to their fertility specialist for another IVF fertility treatment in the coming weeks. As they’ve noted to the press, the impetus for their decision was a statement by their physician that Giuliana was in a good position egg-wise for another attempt.
Though we don’t always talk about Hollywood duos who are undergoing fertility treatments, we have kept up with the Rancics. As a team, they are a positive force for getting a true picture out about what it’s like to go through the process of working with trained reproductive specialists to attempt to conceive.
The Rancics also seem to be excellent at putting the experience in perspective and focusing on the end goal – having a child. In fact, despite Giuliana’s good-natured grumbling, she’s incredibly optimistic. She’s even noted that if she had twins, she’d still go for more fertility treatments if it were a possibility, just to have additional babies.
In the end, the Rancics seem to have chosen a fertility specialist they trust, which is probably one of the reasons they have remained so upbeat. If you’re interested in finding out about whether or not fertility treatments are right for you, contact the Reproductive Science Institute with locations in Chesterbrook and Wyomissing PA to set up a consultation.
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Tags: Babies, Bill Rancic, Chesterbrook, Consultation, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, Duos, Egg, fertility specialist, Fertility Treatment, Fertility Treatments, Giuliana, Giuliana Rancic IVF, Hollywood, Hollywood News, Impetus, IVF treatment, Nbsp, Perspective, Philadelphia Infertility, Reading PA Infertility, Reproductive Science Institute, Reproductive Specialists, Twins, Wyomissing Pa, Wyomissing PA Infertility
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Friday, September 16th, 2011
For couples undergoing fertility treatments, deciding when, whether and/or with whom to share their journey can be difficult. Yet an interesting study from the University of Iowa has revealed that it may end in a socially, scientifically predictable decision.
The study looked at couples who had been through fertility treatments and evaluated the people with whom they talked about their experiences. The findings, published in the Journal of Applied Communication Research as well as the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships were definitely interesting:
When the woman was the person with the fertility issue, the couple tended to tell a great deal of people, including their family and friends. However, when the man had the fertility problems, the couple was less likely to talk about it.
The study’s authors used their data to make a conclusion that social mores surrounding expectations of males and females in western culture may have something to do with their reactions and actions. For instance, they suggested that women might be under pressure to explain why they didn’t have children by a certain age; consequently, they would be justifying their childless statuses. For men, this stigma wasn’t quite as strong; in fact, they might be hesitant to say they were undergoing fertility treatments for fear of it adversely affecting the way they were perceived by those around them.
Of course, these results are based on conjecture and every partnership is unique. Plus, there are many factors involved in the “to tell or not to tell” decision. However, the University of Iowa research has given way for further dialogue and investigation to be held on the topic.
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Tags: Certain Age, Conjecture, Couples, Dialogue, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, Family And Friends, Fertility Issue, Fertility Problems, Fertility Treatment, Fertility Treatments, Iowa Research, Journal Of Applied Communication Research, Journey, Males And Females, Nbsp, Personal Relationships, Philadelphia PA Infertility, Reproductive Science Institute of Suburban Philadelphia, Rsi, Social Mores, Statuses, Stigma, University Of Iowa, Western Culture, Wyomissing PA Infertility
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Wednesday, September 7th, 2011
For couples undergoing fertility treatments, stressors can sometimes seem quite overwhelming. On one hand, any change in a partnership can be challenging, but on the other, infertility shouldn’t lead to the dissolution of a relationship.
To help you keep your commitment strong throughout fertility treatments, we’ve come up with seven suggestions. Feel free to leave a comment if you have others that have worked for you!
1. Don’t make infertility the “center stage” of your relationship. If all you do is talk about not being able to conceive, it will overtake your time together.
2. Make plenty of time to be together as a couple. Go to the movies, take a walk in the park, stay overnight in a nice hotel… doing so will strengthen your bond and help rejuvenate you both.
3. Spend time apart with friends. Everyone needs and deserves some space. Making plans to hang out with people other than your significant other will help you recharge.
4. Talk about your emotions as you’re undergoing fertility treatments. It’s important not to make fertility treatments the “elephant in the room”. Be open about your feelings and you’ll reap the rewards.
5. Go to a counselor if the strain becomes too great. Don’t allow your relationship to simply become more and more strained. If it’s gotten to a serious point, seek out help. (Often, your fertility specialist can assist you in getting a referral.)
6. Eat well and exercise, even if you don’t feel like it. The healthier you are inside and out, the easier it will be to handle anything that comes your way. (And working out can be yet another “to do” item you can enjoy together!)
7. Take it day by day. When times are a bit challenging, it’s sometimes helpful to remember that “this too shall pass”. Each day is another opportunity to learn, grow and love.
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Tags: Center Stage, Counselor, Couples, Dissolution, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, Elephant, emotions, Feelings, fertility specialist, Fertility Treatment, Fertility Treatments, Great Don, Infertility, Nice Hotel, Partnership, Philadelphia Infertility, Plenty Of Time, Reading PA Infertility, Referral, Relationship Help, Reproductive Science Institute of Suburban Philadelphia, Rewards, Rsi, Stressors, Walk In The Park, Wyomissing Infertility
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Wednesday, August 31st, 2011
For many couples, dealing with infertility can put so much of an emotional strain on their partnership that sex becomes difficult. Not only does this make getting pregnant naturally even more of a challenge, but it begins to erode some of the bond that they have every right to share.
Some of the more common feelings men and women sometimes have toward their sex lives during infertility include:
Fear – One or both may wonder “what happens if this doesn’t produce a baby… again?”
Anger – It’s not unusual for partners to be angry; after all, they didn’t “choose” infertility.
Frustration – This can lead to problems in the bedroom, especially with performance.
Depression – This culprit can make “getting in the mood” – or staying in a lovemaking mood – thorny.
Sadness – It’s tough to have sexual intercourse when you’re upset.
The good news, though, is that many couples going through sex worries during infertility get through this phase. Some of the best ways to overcome the negative emotions associated with conception woes can be:
- Talking about your feelings openly. It’s easier to deal with facts when they are out in the open.
- Making sex special and not just robotic. There’s no reason intercourse shouldn’t be romantic, even if it’s “scheduled” to take advantage of fertile times.
- Touching one another intimately even when you don’t plan on having sex soon. This can operate as mental foreplay so when you are in the bedroom, you feel more into the moment.
Remember that, above all else, infertility is no one’s “fault”. Talk to your infertility specialist, like the experts at the Reproductive Science Institute (RSI) outside of Philadelphia, for more ideas on how to keep your partnership strong during fertility treatments and fertility-related issues.
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Tags: Couples Sex, Culprit, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, Emotional Strain, Fertile Times, Fertility Treatment, Fertility Treatments, Foreplay, Having Sex, Infertility, Infertility Specialist, Negative Emotions, PA Infertility, Philadelphia Infertility, Reading, Reproductive Science Institute, Rsi, Sadness, Sex Couples, Sex Life, Sex Lives, sexual intercourse, Woes, Worries, Wyomissing
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Monday, August 22nd, 2011
As one of the Philadelphia area’s premiere fertility clinics, The Reproductive Science Institute (RSI) tries to keep you informed and up to date about all things related to fertility treatments, infertility and similar topic areas.
This week, we’d like to share some of the fertility “buzz” from around the Interwaves. As always, if you’d like to discuss your specific situation, please contact our offices to schedule an appointment.
Belfast: A new fertility test from Lewis Fertility Testing is being marketed across the UK and Ireland, as well as the rest of the world. Backed by Ulster Bank, the fertility test claims to provide couples with faster ways to discover whether or not they are fertile. With the test, men and women would have the opportunity to know earlier whether or not it would be a smart idea to contact a fertility specialist.
New York: Could male hormones (androgens) be the key to successful fertility treatments in women? Researchers are studying whether a combination of specific male hormones and FSH may in fact boost a female’s fertility ability, especially in patients who suffer from PCOS.
Internet: The Journal of Reproductive Medicine has printed a piece suggesting that women with infertility may in fact often also have undiagnosed celiac disease. This is re-fueling the chicken-versus-egg debate between celiac disease and infertility. Some scientists say the two have little in common, others say one may feed the other. In the study, the authors noted: “Women with unexplained infertility are at increased risk of having undiagnosed celiac disease, which may be a potentially modifiable (and treatable) risk factor.”
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Tags: Abraham Munabi, Celiac Disease, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, Female Fertility, Fertility Clinics, fertility specialist, Fertility Test, Fertility Testing, Fertility Treatment, Fertility Treatments, Infertility, Journal Of Reproductive Medicine, Male Hormones, pa fertility clinic, PA Infertility, Pcos, Philadelphia Area, Reading, Reproductive Science Institute, Rhonda Hearns, Risk Factor, Rsi, Smart Idea, Test Men, Topic Areas, Treatment News, Unexplained Infertility, Wyomissing
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Friday, August 19th, 2011
If you’ve been to a fertility specialist like the Philadelphia region’s Reproductive Science Institute (RSI), you may have been introduced to the procedure known as blastocyst embryo transfers or “blast transfers”, for short.
Though blastocyst embryo transfers are not for every person or every couple, they can be advantageous.
Below is a list of some of the “pros” of undergoing blastocyst embryo transfers as opposed to some other methods of producing viable embryos for fertility treatments:
1. The blastocyst embryo transfer happens close to the time when an embryo would naturally “implant” in the woman’s body. Thus, it mimics nature, which can be a definite asset.
2. Fertility specialists select blastocyst embryo transfers using specific criteria. Consequently, success rate percentages tend to be relatively high.
3. Blastocyst embryo transfers have gained a tremendous amount of popularity, which means the process has been and continues to be state-of-the-art.
4. With blastocyst embryo transfers, patients can practically eliminate the concern over multiple pregnancies, which can be a deciding factor for many couples.
5. A smaller number of embryos are needed for the blastocyst embryo transfer process. (This dovetails with #4.)
6. Because the embryos are allowed to grow for 2-3 days longer than they would with other types of embryo transfers, there is a better chance for implantation.
Of course, there are “cons” to blastocyst embryo transfers as well. That’s why it’s important to discuss this procedure in depth with your preferred fertility specialist. Only then can you make the best, most informed decision for you and your partner.
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Tags: Better Chance, Blastocyst Embryo, Blastocyst Transfer, Couples, Definite Asset, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, Embryo Transfer, Embryo Transfers, Embryos, fertility specialist, Fertility Specialists, Fertility Treatment, Fertility Treatments, Implantation, Multiple Pregnancies, PA Infertility, Patient Appointment, Percentages, Philadelphia Infertility, Philadelphia Region, Reading, Reproductive Science Institute, State Of The Art, Success Rate, Wyomissing
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Wednesday, August 17th, 2011
Perhaps you’ve heard friends or relatives who have gone through fertility treatments rave about blastocyst embryo transfers. If so, you might be wondering whether it’s a good option for you and your partner to consider.
However, the truth is that not everyone (or every couple) is a good candidate for a blastocyst embryo transfer. Typically, fertility specialists relegate this procedure for patients with specific characteristics, conditions, desires etc.
Some of the following criteria are typical of patients for whom the blastocyst embryo transfer process is recommended:
1. Women for whom cleaved embryo transfers repeatedly have failed. (Cleaved embryo transfers are often a “first line” type of fertility treatment procedure.)
2. Couples who do not want to have extra embryos frozen (for whatever reason.)
3. Women who do not want to risk having multiple births or for whom multiple births are a significant possibility. (These women usually fall in the under age 35 category.) Objections can be related to religious preferences, social preferences, familial expectations, financial considerations, health issues/complications, etc.
4. A couple that is able to produce many embryos, giving fertility specialists the option of blastocyst embryo transfer.
If you still feel that you might wish to consider blastocyst embryo transfers, it’s time to talk with your fertility specialist. You need to make sure you are fully prepared for the procedure and understand all the potential risks as well as the possible rewards.
As a premiere fertility clinic in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, area, The Reproductive Science Institute of Suburban Philadelphia, P.C. (RSI) would be happy to engage you in a face-to-face discussion about blastocyst embryo transfers. Feel free to contact our offices today.
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Tags: Blastocyst Embryo, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, Embryo Transfer, Embryo Transfers, Embryos, Facebook, fertility clinic, fertility specialist, Fertility Specialists, Fertility Treatment, Fertility Treatments, Financial Considerations, Having Multiple Births, Health Issues, PA Infertility, Philadelphia Infertility, Philadelphia Pennsylvania Area, Reading, Reason 3, Religious Preferences, Reproductive Science Institute, Rsi, Social Preferences, Suburban Philadelphia, Wyomissing
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Monday, August 15th, 2011
If you’ve been investigating different types of fertility treatments, you may have come across the process known as blastocyst embryo transfer (sometimes referred to colloquially as “blast transfer”.)
The blastocyst embryo transfer procedure has been successfully used for decades; in fact, this was how the first “test tube baby” was conceived. However, it may seem a confusing process, so we at RSI, one of Philadelphia’s premiere fertility clinics, want to take the mystery out of the procedure.
First and foremost, it’s important to understand what a blastocyst is. As an embryo develops naturally, it sometimes becomes a collection of 100+ cells. This collection is referred to as a blastocyst and takes a little less than a week to reach this stage. The blastocyst has an outside (which will become the placenta) and an inside (which will become the fetus.)
Not all fertilized eggs become blastocysts; in fact, only about one fifth of them will reach this stage in nature, although some fertility specialists have been able to do better than that number in a clinical setting. They prefer to use blastocysts to do transfers, as they have a better chance of implanting than do other cells and thus producing a successful IVF treatment outcome.
Of course, there’s no guarantee that a blastocyst will implant. Even the most solid blastocyst embryo transfer doesn’t equate to a live birth. Yet it does increase the odds for parents-to-be.
If you’re interested in blastocyst embryo transfer, please contact RSI today for a consultation with one of our fertility specialists.
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Tags: Better Chance, Blastocyst Embryo, Blastocyst Transfer, Cells, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, Eggs, Embryo Transfer Procedure, Facebook, Fertility Clinics, Fertility Specialists, Fertility Treatment, Fertility Treatments, Fetus, First Test Tube Baby, IVF treatment, Live Birth, Odds, One Fifth, PA Infertility, Pennsylvania Infertility, Philadelphia Infertility, Placenta, Reading, Reproductive Science Institute of Suburban Philadlphia, Rsi, Test Tube Baby, Treatment Outcome, Wyomissing
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Friday, August 12th, 2011
If you’re accustomed to sipping a morning cup of coffee (or two… or more), you might not be happy to hear that some fertility specialists are suggesting that caffeine can be problematic for women undergoing fertility treatments.
This warning comes from a recent research study carried out in theUnited Statesat Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. During the study, it was noticed that caffeine appeared to reduce muscular activity in the fallopian tubes of mice. Unfortunately, the lessened muscular activity had an effect on the natural contractions that move ova (eggs). Thus, the ova could not make it to a prime location within the uterus in order to be fertilized.
Though the study hasn’t been conducted on humans, it’s having a huge impact thanks to the implications.
Of course, giving up that java isn’t easy, especially if you have a “Starbucks habit” like so many other Americans!
To assist you in your quest to prepare your body for fertility treatments by reducing or eliminating your caffeine intake, we’d like to share some tips that have worked for other females in your situation:
- If you’re accustomed to drinking a lot of caffeine, don’t stop “cold turkey”. Taper off gradually to avoid withdrawal.
- Don’t forget that more than a cup o’ joe contains caffeine! Soda, chocolate and coffee-flavored ice cream can pack a caffeinated wallop, too!
- If you find yourself missing your morning routine, switch to decaf. You’ll still get the benefit of having a mug of rich coffee.
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Tags: Caffeine Intake, Cold Turkey, Contractions, Cup Of Coffee, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, Fallopian Tubes, Females, Fertility Specialists, Fertility Treatment, Fertility Treatments, Habit, Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins University School, Johns Hopkins University School Of Medicine, Mice, Muscular Activity, PA Infertility, Patient Appointment, Philadelphia Infertility, Prime Location, Reading, Rich Coffee, School Of Medicine, Starbucks, Uterus, Wallop, Wyomissing, Wyomissing Infertility
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Wednesday, August 10th, 2011
You know you should eat well when undergoing fertility treatments, but do you know how to start and maintain a nutritionally sound diet?
It’s not always easy to know what to put into your body; after all, some people will claim one food is great, while another group will demonize it. However, there are some solid choices to potentially help boost your fertility treatment success. Here are three.
1. Pineapple, which containing bromelain.
The compound bromelain breaks down proteins and can only be found in a natural form by eating pineapple. Though the jury is out on exactly how bromelain helps women undergoing fertility treatments, it’s assumed that its anti-inflammatory properties play a huge role.
2. Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids.
Omega-3 fatty acids are great for overall health (they, like bromelain, have anti-inflammatory advantages) and can be found in walnuts, flax seeds, soybeans, tofu and oily fish.
3. Foods high in folic acid.
Folic acid has long been known to help with conception, as it assists in cell health. Choose lentils, okra, sunflower seeds, spinach, orange juice and much more (some foods are fortified with folic acid – check the labels) to get folic acid’s benefits.
Of course, regardless of whether or not your nutritional changes result in a pregnancy, you will be healthier overall. And this can help in other areas of your life, including stress reduction and ability to concentrate.
Foods and beverages to avoid during fertility treatments include:
- Alcohol
- Excessively fatty foods
- Artificial dyes and flavorings
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Tags: 3 Fatty Acids, Acid Folic, Artificial Dyes, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, Fatty Acids Omega, Fatty Foods, Fertility Treatment, Fertility Treatments, Flavorings, Flax Seeds, Foods And Beverages, Foods High In Omega 3 Fatty Acids, Lentils, Nutritional Changes, Oily Fish, Omega 3 Fatty Acids, Orange Juice, PA Infertility, Patient Appointment, Philadelphia Infertility, Reading, Sound Diet, Stress Reduction, Sunflower Seeds, Treatment Success, Wyomissing, Wyomissing Infertility
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