Preconception sex selection may have once seemed like a far-fetched concept but it is now a commonplace reality. The term refers to any procedure which attempts to influence the sex of offspring before pregnancy. There are several methods currently in use, each with their own success rates, pros and cons. A clear look at all of your options will allow you to decide whether preconception sex selection is right for your family.
"..shots, shots shots shots, EVERYBODY!"
No, this isn't the LMFAO song featuring Lil Jon. It's the fertility treatment anthem. And no, we aren't at Tao Beach at the Venetian. We're at the Roxbury. No, not that Roxbury.
Many young women worry that their biological clock is counting down and feel increasing pressure to have a baby before time runs out. It is true that waiting longer has risks. There is no technology in the world which can completely stop the march of time, but thanks to cutting-edge fertility medicine, we are now able to press “pause” on some of time’s consequences. The main age-related fertility problems are associated with the way a woman’s egg quality and quantity decreases as she gets older, but thanks to the development of specialized cryo-vitrification (flash freezing) techniques, we can now preserve a woman’s eggs without damaging them, and store them for up to 10 years without affecting their quality. There are as many reasons to consider fertility preservation as there are women considering the procedure, but no matter what your circumstances it pays to understand your options.
Jenn:
Once we decided to go with an egg donor we had to find one. Dr. G and his staff recommended an agency called Growing Generations so we went home and I immediately got on my computer and logged in. This is where it got kind of strange for me. Am I really going to a website to pick out the woman whose eggs I'm going to be using to have a baby?!
So many variables go into a successful IVF cycle, and as fertility experts, we are constantly working to create the optimum environment for fetilization in our lab. The goal is to recreate, as far as possible, the conditions inside the human body. Factors such as the culture medium, temperature, light, and air quality are well studied and understood, but they may only be the beginning. One fertility clinic in Spain has tried a novel approach, and the results of their study are astounding. They have discovered that playing music in the incubator may significantly improve fertilization rates.
Sometimes this feels like an unrelenting Groundhog Day of injections, blood work and disappointment. And yet, we fight on like Marine recruits during the Crucible in basic training. Like Diana Nyad swimming from Havana, Cuba to Key West, Florida. We have to keep going.
Embryo transfer is the final step of the IVF process, where the embryos which were fertilized in the laboratory are placed into your uterus by your doctor. It is a very quick and simple procedure, which doesn’t require anesthetic, and for many patients it is the most exciting and hopeful moment in what can be a long and demanding process. Either fresh or frozen embryos may be transferred, and you may be wondering which option is best for you. There are some significant differences, and you may be surprised to learn that using previously frozen embryos may offer a higher chance of success for some women. Let us walk you through the pros and cons of both approaches.
In the world of fertility, it takes the efforts of more than just one person to complete a successful journey. The very nature of fertility requires the combination of two reproductive cells in order to form life. And for anyone who has struggled with conceiving and has required the help of assisted reproduction, they know that it’s not just their physician who is paramount to their success, but an array of supporting characters. From nurses, embryologists, and ultrasound techs, to pharmacies, financial counselors and support groups, it doesn’t just take one person to create a life; it takes a village.
Can what you eat affect your fertility? There is no such thing as a medically proven “fertility diet,” but you can help to lay the groundwork for a healthy pregnancy by paying close attention to your nutrition. Studies have shown that physical fitness can make a difference in IVF outcomes. Both obesity and a too-low body weight can have adverse effects on your fertility and may reduce the success of IVF cycles. While there are many circumstances which can contribute to body weight and health, a good diet is an excellent first step. If you are already at a healthy weight, paying attention to your diet can ensure that you’re getting all of the vital nutrients you need to carry a pregnancy. It is also an exceptional way to offer yourself some care and nurturing as you go through a process which can be emotionally and physically demanding.
