What happens once that much longed for pregnancy occurs. An overview of what patients can expect, when are patients referred back to their ob/gyn, and if precautions need to be taken.
A discussion of the latest developments in Reproductive Medicine. Topics include diagnosis, medications, treatments, and research that are improving family building options.
with Jill Bachman LCSW, ACSW licensed therapist. Ms. Bachman will discuss strategies to deal with what can be an extremely difficult time for those dealing with infertility. Where to find support, with organizations such as RESOLVE (The National Infertility Association), will also be included.
with Victoria Ferrara, Esq., an expert in assisted reproduction technology law. Ms. Ferrara will provide an overview of the legal rights and standing of intended parents, surrogates, egg and sperm donors. Contracts, pre-birth orders and birth certificates will also be discussed.
with guest Stan Honig, MD. Dr. Honig is an urologist that specializes in male fertility disorders, in addition to general urology. Topics include what male conditions impact fertility, the importance of an accurate semen analysis and what is measured, and different treatment options.
A frank discussion with the Shaun Williams, MD. How to create a treatment plan, how to best communicate with the physician, nurses, and administrative staff, as well as what makes a "good patient" will be included.
with Cindy Lawrence, LAc, MAOM. An overview of acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Acupressure, Chinese pharmacology, moxibustion, healing diet, and Qigong exercise will be discussed. The principles of qi, balance, and the meridian system will also be included.
An inside view provided by an egg donor. The discussion will include the screening process, the medical procedures, and what motivates a donor to give the gift of life.
with Christina Shannon, ND. Dr. Shannon will provide an overview of how diet affects fertility. Discussion of foods that may hinder fertility, as well as those that can improve conception will be discussed.
What you can do to maximize your chances to achieve a pregnancy naturally once you are ready to start to build your family. The new technology and the options it affords will be discussed.
Landmark legislation in Connecticut requires most insurance companies to provide coverage of infertility diagnosis and treatment. An insurance benefits expert will be on hand to answer questions to optimize coverage.
Approximately one in five couples will experience unexplained infertility despite completing a full infertility work-up. How is unexplained infertility diagnosed and what are the treatment steps.
A discussion of when egg donation and surrogacy make sense. Topics also include how to choose a donor/surrogate. Discussion will also include IVF with Gestational Surrogacy and Donor Egg with Gestational Surrogacy.
What is the process, when should it be considered, how to select a surrogate, and other complex issues are reviewed. Discussion will also include IVF with Gestational Surrogacy and Donor Egg with Gestational Surrogacy.
The hustle and bustle of the child centered Holidays with their focus on family for the over 7 million individuals experiencing infertility in the United States can be extremely painful. Coping skills, as well as practical and holistic strategies, will be reviewed.
A review of egg freezing using oocyte vitrification, a new advanced technology designed to help extend human fertility, for patients who are at risk for losing their ovarian function (prior to chemotherapy, for example) or for those who wish to "bank" their younger eggs for future use.
Premature ovarian failure is the cessation of ovarian function prior to the age of 40. Egg donation offers family building options to these patients, in addition to those that aren't producing healthy eggs, carriers of genetic diseases, those who repeatedly miscarry, and oncology patients. Discussion will also include how to choose an egg donor.
Approximately 2-3% of all babies are born with some type of birth defect or genetic condition. Genetic counseling offers tests to assess the risks for passing on those genetic diseases, and strategies to prevent those problems, and maximize a woman's chance of having a healthy baby. Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) utilizes embryo biopsy to evaluate the chromosomes of the embryos created through in vitro fertilization (IVF), and screens them for the most common abnormalities associated with infertility and miscarriage.
Topics include what male conditions impact fertility, the importance of an accurate semen analysis and what is measured, and different treatment options.
Miscarriage can be a terrible loss for any couple, but when it happens more than once, it can be devastating. Proper diagnosis and treatment often leads to a successful pregnancy. The causes of both conditions, accurate diagnosis, and treatment options will be reviewed.
This segment will include an overview of the process (administration and monitoring of medications, retrieval, fertilization and laboratory culture of eggs, and the growth and eventual transfer of human embryos into the uterus). When to proceed with this treatment is also discussed.
An overview of these medical conditions, their impact on fertility, and treatment options. Endometriosis is where tissue that looks and acts like the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus in other areas. Some of the symptoms of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) include multiple cysts on the ovaries, irregular or absent menses, elevated insulin levels, insulin resistance, or diabetes, and high blood pressure.
A discussion of the medical risks for this group, the optimal time to seek assistance if not able to get pregnant, as well as treatment and testing options.
