Tag Archives: IVF
05.03.2012
Acupuncture and Infertility
R. Ian Hardy, M.D., Ph.D. Board-Certified Reproductive Endocrinologist, Medical Director
In 2002, a fertility center in Germany published “Influence of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in patients who undergo assisted reproductive therapy” (Fertil Steril 77(4):721-4). In this small study of 80 patients, those receiving acupuncture had a higher IVF pregnancy rate (42.5%) than those without acupuncture (26.3%). Since this publication, numerous studies have been published [...]
04.26.2012
Your IVF Protocol
Joseph A. Hill, III, M.D. Board-Certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
If you and your physician have decided that you need IVF, you will be given a protocol of your upcoming IVF cycle. A protocol is a schedule or blueprint of how your cycle will be done. It includes the medications you will be taking, the instructions on how to take these medications, and the procedures [...]
04.19.2012
Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy After Infertility Therapy
Joseph A. Hill, III, M.D. Board-Certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
I’ve waited so long to become pregnant and have been through so much. Now that I finally am, I’m as sick as a dog. Why is this happening to me? Don’t worry. Your body is not trying to reject the pregnancy that you have worked so hard to have. Nausea and vomiting is extremely common [...]
04.05.2012
Buyer Beware! A Patient’s Guide to Asking the Right Questions When Paying for Fertility Treatment
Brian E. Miller, Ph.D.
For many in the United States, advanced treatments for infertility (for example, In-Vitro Fertilization, or IVF) is not covered by their health insurance. This means that those needing advanced treatment have to pay for the related expenses “out of pocket” if they want to build their family. The cost of treatment can range from $10,000-20,000 (USD) and is often the [...]
03.29.2012
Mitochondria and Embryos
R. Ian Hardy, M.D., Ph.D. Board-Certified Reproductive Endocrinologist, Medical Director
Simplistically, think of mitochondria as an embryo’s battery. Embryos require energy to develop and divide. Mitochondria are intracellular organelles inside the oocyte (egg). The energy produced from the mitochondria is known as ATP, which serves an embryo’s source of fuel for growth and development. Male mitochondria derived from sperm do not survive after fertilization. Therefore [...]
03.08.2012
Advocating for Family Building in New Hampshire: Your Voice Matters!
Brian E. Miller, Ph.D.
In 1987, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts was the first state to mandate that certain infertility benefits be provided by insurance companies. Since then, fourteen additional States have passed legislation to offer or cover infertility treatment. However, the last State to mandate coverage for infertility services was CT in 2005 and there is currently no Federal [...]
12.29.2011
The Role of Tubal Reconstructive Surgery in the Era of IVF
Danielle Vitiello, Ph.D., M.D. Board-Eligible Reproductive Endocrinologist
Over the last few years, the ease, accessibility and efficacy of IVF has increased dramatically. The success of tubal reconstructive surgery has remained relatively stable although the invasiveness of the surgery decreases. Such divergence between IVF success and need for surgical involvement calls for a reassessment of a cost/risk to benefit ratio whether it may [...]
10.27.2011
RESOLVE of New England’s Annual Conference: Fertility Treatment, Donor Choices, and Adoption
R. Ian Hardy, M.D., Ph.D. Board-Certified Reproductive Endocrinologist, Medical Director
Resolve, a non-profit infertility patient support-group, will be holding their annual New England conference on Saturday, November 5th, in Marlborough, MA. Resolve provides patients with education, advocacy and support throughout the year; however, this annual conference is unique opportunity with more than 40 workshops and presentations from experts in the New England area. Lynette Scott, [...]
10.20.2011
Making Infertility Treatment More Affordable
Joseph A. Hill, III, M.D. Board-Certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Treatment of infertility, for example in-vitro fertilization (IVF), is expensive. How much you pay depends on whether you have insurance coverage for infertility services including IVF, the amount of your co-pay, and of your deductable. For those without insurance coverage, the prices charged for IVF services vary between regions of the country and even within the same city. According to the American Society for Reproductive [...]
10.06.2011
What About the Soil? Then Endometrium: An Unsung Hero
Danielle Vitiello, Ph.D., M.D. Board-Eligible Reproductive Endocrinologist
Much of our efforts in assisted reproductive technologies, namely IVF and IUI, is focused on cultivation of mature oocytes and generation of quality embryos. However, without a rich environment, these embryos cannot exist. This soil is the endometrium, the lining of the uterus that is prepared monthly and then quickly shed like an afterthought, if [...]
