The development of in vitro fertilization (IVF) can be traced back to the moment when doctors first began thinking scientifically about the causes of what was then referred to as “sterility.” Previously infertility was considered a divine rather than a medical matter, and the inability to have children was considered either a judgement or a trial from God. At the turn of the 19th century, as science began gain ground in modern thought, doctors began to reconsider whether they could intervene in matters of infertility.
The embryo transfer procedure is the final step of the IVF process. You have been through the weeks of medications, the monitoring, and the egg retrieval, and the resulting embryos have been cultured in the lab for three to six days until they are ready to be transferred to your uterus. If your embryos were frozen, either to give your body a rest before transfer or because they were left over from an earlier cycle, they will be carefully thawed before the procedure.
The struggle with infertility can be a crushing emotional experience for many people. Feelings of shame, fear, anger, and depression are common. Although you may know intellectually that infertility is nobody’s fault, the sense of failure at something that is “supposed to be” so basic and natural can be overwhelming.
Getting confirmation that you are pregnant is a life-changing moment for any woman. For someone who has been through IVF, it is especially poignant and powerful. It’s quite likely that you have been longing for this positive pregnancy test for many years, and when it finally arrives, the emotion may be overwhelming.
An in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle is all about hope, often after years of hopelessness. Careful optimism is important to get you through, but it is even more vital to be fully informed and prepared as you enter the process.
Side effects and complications in IVF are usually mild, but they can be upsetting if you are not expecting them, and in rare situations they may be medically dangerous. Understanding all the possible side effects will help you cope with any that might arise, and will let you look out for any serious problems so that you can get help.
Early menopause is a frightening concept for women who are struggling to conceive a baby. There is bad information about early menopause floating around online, causing needless anxiety to patients looking for answers. This article will give you the facts and dispel the myths, so that you can relax and feel prepared to discuss your options with your fertility specialist.
Three weeks down. Three more to go. The chemotherapy and radiation treatments had begun to take their toll. Life slowly drained from my once strong and vibrant body.
Going through fertility treatment can be a lonely time for many patients. Conceiving a child with the help of assisted reproductive technology (ART) is not uncommon these days, but it’s still very possible to feel that you are the only person you know that is dealing with infertility. It may seem like a minor thing, but learning that celebrities are going through the same experience can be secretly comforting for some people. With television, the internet, and social media, we feel more connected to celebrities than ever before, and when they open up about their personal struggles around fertility, it gives us hope. Here are just a few big names who have used ART to build their families.
Deciding on an approach to fertility treatment with your doctor is a careful process, weighing up diagnoses, potential side-effects, and your best chances for success. Once you have settled on IVF as the way forward, there are a few more decisions to make. There are several different IVF protocols currently utilized which use different medications, dosages and timings.
Two types of IVF cycles that you may be exploring are natural cycle IVF and stimulated IVF (also known as conventional IVF). There are pros and cons to both, and your fertility team will be able to help you understand which may be better for your specific case. As always, education is a powerful ally as you go through treatment. This overview will help you feel prepared to confidently discuss your options with your doctor.
Peter:
Epilogue comes from the Greek word epilogus meaning the conclusion of a speech. Jenn is going to hate this, but I am Greek and I will be telling our boys all the time what words have Greek origins (just like Gus Portokalos in My Big Fat Greek Wedding). It will drive the twins crazy too, but such is life with a Greek Dad. Opa!
