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Well, we are pregnant. This we know.

That written, is it a singleton or a starting five in there? We transferred two embryos. That means the math can go a lot of ways. Two can equal one. Two can equal two or three or four. With my first Beta test being 760 most people wouldn't put their money on a singleton.

Good health and physical fitness are natural assets for any woman undergoing In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatment. Studies have shown that a healthy BMI has a positive effect on IVF success. When you are doing everything you can in your quest to have a baby, you want to maximize your chances, so it’s natural to wonder if exercise should be a part of your IVF routine. You may be surprised to learn that the answer is not an unqualified yes. Consulting with your doctor is the best way to determine what level of activity you should pursue during your cycle, but current research suggests that patients going through IVF should keep their exercise habits in a low-impact zone.

A member of the SCRC team remembers her introduction to and recaps her relationship with SCRC patients Jenn and Peter:

When I first met Peter, I immediately knew that I was in the company of what is referred to as "good people." His laid back demeanor and warm personality make him very easy to connect with. We were brought in contact to work on a project for Southern California Reproductive Center and not long after meeting, Peter shared with me how he came in contact with the clinic.

When a couple is struggling with infertility, the most urgent question on their minds is why. Infertility as a diagnosis is determined by the length of time you have been attempting to get pregnant. Primary infertility is diagnosed when a couple has failed to conceive after a year of unprotected sex. Secondary infertility is diagnosed when a couple is unable to conceive again after previously having one or two children.

Peter:

You are going to need your community supporting you. Share and ask for support when you need it. In our case we've had some amazing love and support throughout this journey from amazing friends and family. For example, my sister, KayMaria, has been a rock for us. Her love and understanding and strength and listening, well, let's just say she is a miracle in my/our life. She wanted to write something for our blog. I'll let her take it from here.

Fertility treatment can be a stressful process for patients, one which brings up all sorts of fears: how will treatment affect their relationship? How will they afford the treatment? Will the cycle be successful? What are the long term consequences of fertility medications on a woman’s health? A massive new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) has laid to rest one major concern for women undergoing IVF. After years of speculation and suspicion, the study found that IVF is not linked to an increased risk of breast cancer.

In hindsight maybe we should have just skipped the first round of IVF altogether. Maybe we should have just saved the money and heartache and gone the egg donor route right away. Or adopted. Or rescued a lot of dogs. Or moved to Greece and opened a cafe in Santorini.

As fertility medicine has matured and advanced over the years, researchers and physicians have developed sophisticated tools and techniques to help patients achieve their ultimate goal: a healthy baby. One such tool is preimplantation genetic diagnosis, also known as PGD. When used in conjunction with IVF, PGD can reduce or eliminate the risk of certain genetic diseases. It can also greatly increase some patients’ chances of a successful pregnancy, especially in cases where the patient has suffered a series of unexplained miscarriages. Understanding how PGD works, why it is used, and what it has to offer will help you decide whether it is an option you would like to pursue with your fertility doctor.

If you got pregnant naturally you are not in this club. You are one of what we call the "lucky ones." You will never really know what it's like to walk in our shoes. We do appreciate all of your love and support though, but until you've gone through it, well, you just can't know.