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A Patient’s Side of Things: How AZCREI Walked with Us Through Our Infertility Journey

importblogger on June 27, 2019

Shelise and Jessica are having twins! “Our son is ready for his brother,” Jessica gushed. “He’s not excited for his sister, but he’s excited for his brother.”

The couple came all the way from El Paso, Tex., to work with Dr. Gelety and our team at Arizona Center for Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility. We asked them to share their experience and their journey to grow their family with us.

When Shelise and Jessica decided they wanted to grow their family—Jessica has three children already, while the twins will be Shelise’s first (and second)—they began looking online for fertility doctors in their area. The couple talked to a few centers over the phone, but none gave them the confidence AZCREI did. Shelise said, “Dr. Gelety had great reviews, so we just went for it and went in for a consultation.”

At first, Shelise and Jessica were apprehensive about the whole process. “We hadn’t done any research before going into it,” Shelise said. “But he gave us the whole breakdown—like Bill Nye the Science Guy—at our first consultation, and it was amazing.”

Dr. Gelety’s knowledge and experience made the women feel comfortable. They said they could tell he knew what he was talking about, which made them eager to start the process. Jessica said, “Our first thought after the consultation was, ‘How soon can we start?’”

Early on, the couple decided Shelise would transfer eggs to Jessica, and Jessica would carry the baby, making Shelise the biological mother and Jessica the birth mother. At first, they weren’t sure if this would be possible, but at their consultation, Dr. Gelety told them it was a completely viable option—and very common among same-sex female couples. He explained the extra steps they’d need to take, such as the egg retrieval, transfer, and IVF procedures, and they began the process. 

“We had to wait until our next cycle,” Shelise said. “They timed the first three cycles, and then from there we started with the Lupron [hormone therapy shot].”

The couple achieved a successful pregnancy with the first round and is due in August 2019.

Shelise and Jessica had both hoped for twins. Dr. Gelety told them that during the IVF procedure, he would place two embryos into Jessica’s womb to make having twins a real possibility. Placing two embryos also gave them a higher probability of success in general. So, when both took, it was a special surprise!

Since Shelise and Jessica are living in El Paso, their visits to AZCREI were limited. Once they were finished with the IVF procedure, the couple relied on their doctor back home for lab results and monitoring. As soon as Dr. Gelety would receive the results from the lab in Texas, he would review them and give them a call with notes and information the very next day.

The two also note that Dr. Gelety, as well as Heather and Emily, were all readily available to answer questions and calls. “Their communication was great,” Jessica said. “Because we’re so far away, I felt like, they were as hands-on as they could be.”

When Shelise and Jessica were out of town in San Antonio, Jessica realized she needed a refill on medication. Being from out of town, the pharmacy in San Antonio wasn’t willing to fill it for her. She called Dr. Gelety to ask for advice on what to do, and he ended up calling the pharmacy directly to confirm the prescription, so she could get what she needed without missing any dosages.

It was those moments of our team taking the extra initiative to go above and beyond for them that made the entire process stress free. “We’d tell everyone to go to Dr. Gelety,” Shelise said. “He’ll take care of you.”

…

Just as we helped Shelise and Jessica grow their family and experience the love and joy that comes with being a parent, we can help you. To schedule your consultation at AZCREI and begin your journey, visit us online or call (520) 326-0001.

5 Ways to Get Support as You Struggle with Infertility

importblogger on May 29, 2019

The infertility journey can be extremely difficult. Every person copes with the stress in a different way, but it’s important to know there is no “right” way to deal with the anxiety, depression, and other emotions that are related to infertility.

At Arizona Center for Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, our mission is to help our patients overcome their infertility issues and have a healthy, happy baby. It’s not always a straight path to pregnancy, though. We always come up with a plan for testing and treatments, but there are sometimes twists, turns, and bumps that don’t allow every single procedure to be successful. During the infertility treatment process, it’s important to make sure you have the support you need to keep going. Here are five ways to find that support.

 

At AZCREI

We look at our team as the first level of support as a couple struggles with infertility. In this case, our principle role is educational support; we help patients by answering their questions and explaining the causes of and treatments for infertility. Some of our patients look at the process as a personal journey, and would rather have their questions and concerns addressed in private, with us, than in a public support group. We find that if they are well-informed and know what to expect, their stress is relieved and they can focus on next steps.

 

Family and Friends

Infertility can be isolating. Couples and women will often keep their struggles a secret from their family and friends for fear of embarrassment or disappointment. We understand that this is a personal choice, but we do encourage patients who are willing to have open conversations with their loved ones. They may not completely understand your experience, but they can offer empathy and understanding.

 

Resources from RESOLVE

One resource we almost always recommend to patients who are struggling emotionally with infertility is RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association. The organization provides free infertility support groups in more than 200 communities. Any support group, whether through RESOLVE or another organization, can help you feel less isolated since you’ll be surrounded by other people who are going through the same challenges. They also give you the freedom to express your feelings in a safe, judgement-free environment. RESOLVE also offers online resources about treatment, coping strategies, and third-party pregnancy and adoption options.

 

Online Communities

Similar to RESOLVE, online communities, blogs, and forums can be helpful finding people and other women who are also grappling with infertility. This can be beneficial if you aren’t comfortable discussing your personal journey face-to-face. There are many women who write about and record their own struggle with infertility online in the form of blogs and podcasts. A simple search will yield hundreds of results; you’ll likely find someone who has a very similar story and situation as you.

 

Real, Relatable Books

The problem with the media’s (TV, movies, most books) portrayal of infertility, is that it’s often neatly packaged and tied with a bow. Rarely do you find relatable stories that really embody the struggle and complexity that comes with infertility. Here are three books, all memoirs, that may help you feel less alone and more hopeful about your own journey.

  • Becoming by Michelle Obama is penned by the former First Lady and gives a personal account of her struggles with miscarriage, infertility, and IVF.
  • The Argonauts by Maggie Nelson explores the challenges she faced while starting a family as a woman in a same-sex relationshipr.
  • We’re Going to Need More Wine by Gabrielle Union is more lighthearted than most infertility-related books; in it she discusses her ongoing battle with infertility and pregnancy loss, and how, ultimately, surrogacy was the right choice for her.

 

The most important thing when it comes to infertility support is understanding that you’re not alone in the ups and downs of this journey. Our team at AZCREI wants to be there for you and offer you support every step of the way. To find out more about our treatment process or to schedule a visit, contact us online or by calling (520) 326-0001.

How to Know When It’s Time to Consider Using an Egg Donor

importblogger on April 30, 2019

Every person’s journey to pregnancy and a baby will look different. Some couples are able to conceive naturally without a problem, others may need to go through hormone stimulation or in vitro fertilization. For some women, using an egg donor to achieve a pregnancy will be the best option.

Using an egg donor allows a woman to experience the joys of pregnancy and give birth to her own baby. At Arizona Center for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, we try to give women and couples as many treatment options as possible, and sometimes we do recommend using donor eggs to achieve a pregnancy. The procedure isn’t for everyone, since there are some emotional aspects that should be taken into consideration, but it can be a great solution for women who continue to struggle with infertility.

The use of donor eggs is becoming more common, especially with women who are over 40 years of age. In 2010, about 11% of all assisted reproduction techniques used donor eggs.

When you come to AZCREI for your initial consultation, Dr. Gelety will work with you to map out a treatment plan that you’re comfortable with; fairly often, it will include looking into egg donation as an option somewhere down the line. Here’s how to know if you are a candidate for donor eggs and when it’s time to consider moving forward with the treatment.

 

Who May Benefit from Donor Eggs

If you’re still struggling with infertility after several rounds of IVF, you may want to begin considering using donor eggs. Some conditions can prevent or hinder your ability to conceive, even after trying other infertility treatments.

One of the most common issues when it comes to fertility is age at the time a woman attempts to conceive. The average age of menopause for a woman in the U.S. is 61.5 years old, but some women experience it before turning 40. Women’s reproductive lives are limited, and there comes a point (menopause) when you’ll run out of eggs. Your eggs cannot be replaced once your reserve has been depleted. The quality of your eggs also begins to drop off as you age, so even if you do have eggs remaining, they may not be strong or healthy enough for a viable pregnancy. In these cases, if you have not already frozen your own eggs, using a donor egg may be the only solution.

Sometimes, medical treatments such as chemotherapy can lead to early menopause or ruin the health of a woman’s eggs. Once she goes through treatments, if she’s in otherwise good health, donor eggs would still allow her to become pregnant and carry a child.

Donor eggs can also be used to prevent the transmission of genetic conditions or diseases that may be passed from a mother to her offspring.

Same sex male couples and single men who want to become parents will need to use donor eggs (and a surrogate) in order to have a child.

 

Process Behind Egg Donation

The process behind using an egg donor to achieve a pregnancy is relatively simple.

You get to choose your egg donor—this can be a friend or family member, or an anonymous donor. Every donor is screened to ensure that she is healthy and doesn’t have any problems that could potentially be an issue for the pregnancy or baby.

From there, the process is very similar to IVF treatments. After you’ve chosen your donor, our team will follow you through your cycle, and when the egg is fertilized, you’ll come into the office for implantation—a procedure that feels comparable to a pap smear. Once you become pregnant, we’ll schedule a few more appointments with you to make sure everything is going smoothly, and then you’ll be able to see your obstetrician for the remainder of your pregnancy.

Our team offers support, care, and guidance throughout your pregnancy journey. Whether you choose to use an egg donor or not, we want you to feel comfortable coming to us with any of your questions or concerns. To make an appointment and learn about your options when it comes to egg donation, visit AZCREI online or call us at 520-326-0001.

A Patient’s Side of Things: How AZCREI Helped Us Have a Baby

importblogger on March 27, 2019

At Arizona Center for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, we recognize that every patient has their own story. While infertility is a struggle they all share, their plan, solution, and path to having a baby are all unique.

No matter what the issue might be, we realize that a patient’s wishes and comfort need to come first. That’s why Dr. Gelety and the rest of our team take the time to understand each patient’s unique needs and situation before working with them to create a plan. We always give our patients a say in the process and allow them to take control of their own journey.

We asked one of our patients Kylelynne Austad and her husband, Jonathan, to share their experience with us.

After getting married, Jonathan encouraged her to visit a gynecologist because she was 19 and had never had a regular menstrual cycle. Toward the end of her first appointment, they told her she had polycystic ovarian syndrome. “I didn’t really know what that was,” she says. “After I got home, I researched it and found out I might not be able to have children, or it could be extremely hard to have children.”

Kylelynne’s doctors had never talked to her about infertility treatments. She says they pushed the subject aside. “I think knowing from them that I couldn’t have a child made me want to try,” she says.

Meeting Dr. Gelety and the AZCREI Team

She started looking for resources that could help her, and Arizona Center for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility was the very first place that came up in her search. She clicked and scheduled her first appointment.

“When we came in, he just sat down and was very straightforward,” Kylelynne recalls. “He was very informative and extremely helpful, and we got the ball rolling from there.”

During the first appointment, Dr. Gelety shared pictures and demonstrations and walked them through the possibilities, tests, procedures, and plans. Both Kylelynne and Jonathan say that the way Dr. Gelety presented everything was very comforting. “We just felt that we could trust him from the very get-go,” Kylelynne says.

Finding Comfort and a Feeling of Hope

When they started the process, Jonathan says he had mixed emotions. Neither he nor Kylelynne had ever gone through the infertility treatments before and didn’t know what to expect. But after the first appointment with Dr. Gelety, they both felt a sense of hope and possibility.

The information Dr. Gelety was able to provide Kylelynne and Jonathan helped them along the process.

“It was like he could predict what would happen next,” Kylelynne remembers. “He predicted we were going to have a Christmas miracle, and she ended up being born in the month of December. For him to be able to talk with confidence like that, made us feel so much more confident in him.”

The rest of the team were also very helpful throughout Kylelynne and Jonathan’s journey, especially when things got tough.

“It wasn’t super stressful, but there were times when Kylelynne would get emotional about not being pregnant after taking the pills on schedule and doing the right things,” Jonathan says. “We just had to keep trying, month after month.”

When the couple was feeling frustrated or uncertain, they always had a say in how they wanted to move forward. “He always gave us an Option A and an Option B, and sometimes an Option C, just depending on the situation,” Kylelynne says.

The two say there were a couple times Dr. Gelety even went out of his way to save them money. After five months of trying, when they still hadn’t conceived, Kylelynne says she was getting impatient and wanted to move onto IUI, which insurance wouldn’t cover. Dr. Gelety encouraged them to try one more cycle with just the medication. “He was telling me, let’s just try it one more time, and if not, I can let you guys reconsider that,” she says. “He was just very considerate.”

Having a Baby and Retaking the Journey

The very next appointment after deciding to try the medication for one more round, Kylelynne found out she was pregnant. Just over a year after giving birth, Kylelynne came back to AZCREI and is now is pregnant with her second child.

“I would say, just trust—trust the process, trust Dr. Gelety, trust the people working with him,” Kylelynne advises. “Because, good news or bad news, they’re there to comfort you and they’re also there to celebrate with you. That’s what they’ve shown us through both processes, actually.”

“I think just going through the entire process, and knowing that there’s always going to be that light at the end of the tunnel, regardless of how long it takes—six months to a year, or two years—Gelety knows what he’s doing,” Jonathan says.

“We know that if we want to have a third kid, if we decide that, then this is where we’d come back again,” Kylelynne shares. “It’s definitely a place of hope for us.”

…

Just as we helped Kylelynne and Jonathan grow their family and experience the love and joy that comes with being a parent, we can help you. To schedule your consultation at AZCREI and begin your journey, visit us online or call (520) 326-0001.

Patient Profile: How We Helped One Woman Overcome PCOS to Have a Baby

importblogger on February 27, 2019

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common hormonal abnormalities in young women. It sometimes manifests as weight gain and excessive hair growth and will usually result in irregular menstrual cycles—which can lead to infertility.

Women are typically diagnosed with PCOS as teenagers and will begin taking a form of birth control to help them regulate their cycles. When they go off the birth control to try to get pregnant, their cycle becomes irregular again and infertility becomes an issue.

One woman, diagnosed with PCOS, came into the Arizona Center for Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, after she and her partner had difficulty achieving a pregnancy. Here’s how our team helped them solve their problem and have a baby.

Our Initial Consultation

This patient came into our center when she realized her periods had become irregular once she went off birth control. Having been diagnosed with PCOS as a teen, she knew this was the potential issue and didn’t wait more than a few months before making an appointment for a consultation.

We knew what the diagnosis was likely to be, and we immediately started having her prepare for pregnancy—taking prenatal vitamins, monitoring her caffeine intake, and eating more nutritious foods.

Identifying the Problem

A common problem with PCOS is that it is oftentimes misdiagnosed. If a patient is having irregular menstrual cycles or having difficulty getting pregnant, and maybe they’ve gained weight, their OB/GYN will typically assume it’s PCOS because it is such a common condition. However, when we’re dealing with infertility, we want to make sure that is the actual cause, because there are other issues that can interfere with ovulation and seem like PCOS, such as thyroid problems or even excessive stress. The types of medication we use to induce normal ovulation for women with PCOS often do not work if that isn’t the correct diagnosis.

It’s important to have the correct diagnosis so the treatment can be effective. When patients come to us, we ask for their medical history, perform examinations to check their ovaries, and conduct hormonal tests to confirm the diagnosis is in fact PCOS.

Once we determined the results with this patient, we explained how the principal problem is that her cycles were irregular and her ovulation wasn’t occurring regularly. The reason isn’t because the ovaries don’t contain eggs, but rather, the ovaries are resistant to the hormonal signals telling them to release the eggs. Then we talked about the treatments to help remedy the issue and regulate her cycle.

Achieving a Successful Pregnancy

When we made the diagnosis, we put the patient on medication to treat the underlying hormonal problem and induce ovulation. Along with the process, we also made sure to check for any other potential problems (with the fallopian tubes, uterus, etc.) and with her partner to ensure nothing else would prevent pregnancy.

It was relatively easy to correct the problem of PCOS using medication, and pregnancy followed fairly quickly.

However, it’s important to understand that, in general, once we correct the problem and the patient starts ovulating, there still isn’t a 100 percent chance of pregnancy within the first month of trying. After medication, patients have the same chance as anyone else when they go off birth control and try to get pregnant. Some may get pregnant on the very first try, and it may take three to four months for others. Ultimately, PCOS is extremely treatable, and there are usually very few issues after we’ve solved the problem.

Because our patient is diagnosed with PCOS, if she decides to have a second child, she will still have to come in for infertility treatments, because it is not a condition that will correct itself. We will need to induce ovulation again before she can have another successful pregnancy.

If you and your partner have been struggling to get pregnant and you suspect PCOS might be the cause, contact the AZCREI today by calling 520-326-0001 or by visiting us online. We look forward to the opportunity to help you grow your family and have a healthy, happy baby.

Meet the Team: Kayla Vidal

importblogger on December 7, 2018

As the lead medical assistant here at Arizona Center for Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, Kayla Vidal gets to walk with patients through every step of the infertility process. We call her Dr. Gelety’s right hand; she helps him with everything patients need while they’re seeking infertility treatments at our center.

 

Some days Kayla searches for the cheapest medication for patients and educates them on how to use it properly. Other days she may be aiding Dr. Gelety with procedures. There’s no typical or routine day in the office, but you can always find Kayla supporting our doctor, the rest of the team, and most importantly, our patients. She works closely with patients to make sure they’re comfortable during every step of the process, and in doing so, she builds special relationships and trust, which eases any concerns or questions they have. Here’s a little bit more on how she got her start at AZCREI and what she loves most about her job.

 

Finding Her Future at AZCREI

 

Kayla began working at AZCREI over two years ago. She always knew she wanted to work in the medical field, either with a gynecologist or somewhere that specialized in infertility, and when the externship she needed for school brought her to our clinic—that’s when she really fell in love with the field.

 

“I ended up doing my externship here, learning more about infertility,” Kayla says. “And that’s when I decided that I wanted to stay here and keep helping patients.”

 

Kayla is a certified medical assistant, but she says much of her education comes from the day-to-day duties she has on the job. Dr. Gelety and the rest of the “veterans” on our team took her under their wing and helped her find her future in working with patients who struggle with infertility.

 

Building Personal Relationships & Walking with You Through the Process

 

If there’s one thing Kayla has learned while working at AZCREI, it’s how difficult infertility is on patients’ emotions. She says a large part of what she does here is provide emotional support to each patient as they go through the treatment process. There’s a unique opportunity to establish relationships with patients since they typically visit the office once or twice a week for the few months while they’re being treated. Seeing them so frequently and being their emotional support helps them connect with patients on a deeper level.

 

“All of us here at the clinic have either been through it, or we’ve had someone very close to us go through it,” Kayla says. “So we really know what the patients are going through.”

 

Because the infertility process is so difficult, patients will often open up to Kayla and the rest of our team about problems that they’re having and what they’re going through emotionally. Sometimes she offers advice, but quite often, she’s there to listen.

 

The Greatest Reward of Working at AZCREI

 

Building relationships and seeing the joy a couple has once they become pregnant is the greatest reward for Kayla. When a couple comes back into AZCREI with their baby or when they send in photos of their newborn, it brings joy not just to her, but everyone in the office.

 

Helping patients overcome obstacles gives Kayla the opportunity to become close with them. She says that seeing them leave the office pregnant, after everything they went through together, is the best part of her job.

 

“Not only did we go through such a hard time with them, and have them here sitting and crying and telling us everything,” she shares. “But later they come in and they bring the baby, and it’s just amazing to be able to see what we helped them with and how happy they are with their baby now.”

 

 

No matter what infertility difficulties you may be facing, Kayla and the rest of our team at AZCREI are here to help you and walk with you through the process. Our only goal is to help you have a healthy, happy baby. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit us online or call 520-326-0001.

 

 

The 10 Biggest Myths About Freezing Your Eggs

importblogger on December 7, 2018

When a woman elects to freeze her eggs, it’s typically a decision made after a great deal of debate and deliberation. Unfortunately, extensive research could lead you down a rabbit hole of myths and falsehoods about the procedure. At the Arizona Center for Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, we’ve answered hundreds of questions from women who are looking to freeze their eggs, and have walked with them through every step of the process thereafter.

 

Part of the support we offer at AZCREI is helping women like you sift through all the information and misconceptions you may encounter. We’re here to help separate the myth from reality; that way you can make the decision that’s best for you. While you may have your own specific questions and concerns, here are the 10 most common myths we hear at our center.

 

Myth #1: Egg freezing is new and experimental

 

Prior to 2013, if a woman wanted to freeze her eggs she had to do so under an experimental protocol, because at that point, the procedure was still fairly new. Today, the “experimental” label has been dropped. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) supports the procedure as being safe and effective due to implementation of the rapid-freezing method, vitrification. In the years since, there have been several studies that conclude that in vitro fertilization using frozen eggs can result in roughly the same pregnancy rates as “fresh” eggs.

 

Myth #2: Egg freezing is “dangerous”

 

There is no evidence that suggests ovarian stimulation and egg freezing causes any harm to women or their potential future children. The procedure does not increase a woman’s risk of cancer and side effects (such as headaches, mood swings, breast tenderness, or bloating) are minimal. There is also no increased likelihood of birth defects, chromosomal abnormalities, or pregnancy complications for an embryo conceived with a frozen egg.

 

Myth #3: The process is super time-consuming

 

The process begins about a week before the onset of your menstrual cycle, and finishes about two weeks after, roughly around the time of ovulation. Hormone injections, which stimulate ovulation, are taken once or twice a day during the initial week or so. During this time, your doctor will monitor how your body is responding to the medication. This usually only requires three to four brief office visits, each about 15-30 minutes. In all, the entire process takes approximately three weeks. Once we’ve retrieved the eggs, your cycle will go back to normal, and you can then continue taking birth control if you choose.

 

Myth #4: Egg freezing is painful and invasive

 

The actual egg retrieval is technically considered a surgery, but it’s really not all that invasive—there are no stitches or cuts and the procedure takes less than 15 minutes. We typically give patients medication to help them feel comfortable and relaxed during the process. Afterwards, the patient usually has someone to take them home, and they’ll take it easy the rest of the day. By the next day, they’re recovered and ready to go back to work or continue on with their regular activities.

 

Myth #5: Freezing eggs now could reduce your future fertility

 

Because egg freezing involves removing eggs from the woman’s body, many people think the process decreases the number of eggs available for future pregnancy. The truth is, every month a woman ovulates and releases multiple eggs—a mature one, along with several others. The hormone medication we give patients ensures that multiple eggs develop and mature, which preserves the otherwise “lost” or discarded eggs to freeze and use later.

Myth #6: Freezing your eggs and using them later isn’t as effective as using “fresh” eggs when you’re older

 

The most important factor when it comes to fertility isn’t necessarily a woman’s age, but the age of her eggs. The younger your eggs are, the healthier they will be, regardless of how long they’ve been frozen or the age at which you decide to pursue a pregnancy. Since a woman hits her peak fertility while she is in her 20s, using an egg that has be frozen during those years will result in a higher likelihood of pregnancy when used during IVF, than using a “fresh” egg while she is in her 40s.

Myth #7: Egg freezing is only an option for wealthy women

 

At AZCREI, our mission is to help every one of our patients achieve a pregnancy and have a baby. Egg freezing is rarely covered by insurance, but our team is dedicated to keeping the costs of the procedure as low as possible so every woman can take advantage of this technology.

 

Myth #8: Egg freezing is a guaranteed pregnancy

 

While there are no guarantees in life, freezing your eggs does raise the likelihood that you are able to achieve a pregnancy later in life. Many things need to happen to ensure a pregnancy using frozen eggs: the eggs have to be healthy and viable at the time of freezing, they have to survive thawing, and successfully fertilize and implant. If everything goes well, you will have a little bundle of joy at the end of the IVF process. Our center is at an almost 30 percent pregnancy rate for a single live birth, which puts us in the top 10 fertility clinics in the country.

 

Myth #9: Egg freezing is an insurance policy for women in their 30s

 

There’s no age limit to when you can freeze your eggs, but it’s recommended to do so at as young an age as possible. It’s perfectly acceptable for a woman in her 30s to freeze her eggs, but you don’t have to wait until then if you know this is a procedure that will benefit you. The younger you are when you freeze your eggs, the more and higher quality eggs you’ll have that we’ll be able to retrieve.

 

Myth #10: Career-focused women are the only ones who benefit from egg freezing

 

Egg freezing does have a rap for benefiting career women, since it gives them time to get ahead in their field, while focusing on work instead of a family. However, women choose to freeze their eggs for a variety of reasons. The procedure can also be especially valuable for women who are going through chemotherapy, since it allows them to preserve their eggs before the cancer treatment can damage them.

 

Regardless of the reason for opting for the procedure, egg freezing is a way to empower women and allow them to take control of their future. At AZCREI, we don’t want any misconceptions or concerns to get in their way of this decision. For more information on the procedure or to schedule a consultation visit us online or call us at 520-326-0001.

 

5 Things to Remember If a Fertility Treatment Doesn’t Work

importblogger on November 20, 2018

Whether it’s your first fertility treatment cycle or you’ve been at it for a year, it’s heartbreaking when a procedure doesn’t work. With October being National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, we wanted to take the time to remind you that an unsuccessful cycle does not need to end your pregnancy journey. At the Arizona Center for Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, we’re here for you every step of the way, even when the road gets difficult.

 

You’ve invested your time, money, emotional energy, and hope into the treatment—when the result is a failed cycle it does not mean you should give up. If you’re in the midst of dealing with infertility, here are five things we want you to remember if a treatment isn’t successful.

 

Getting Pregnant on Your First Try Isn’t Likely

 

The odds of pregnancy are stacked against even the most “normal” or healthiest of couples. The natural rate of fertility is just one in five. There’s only about a 20-25 percent probability of achieving a pregnancy for couples who are not facing any fertility issues. While procedures can potentially triple or quadruple your chances of getting pregnant, a treatment will not be 100 percent successful every time we perform it. However, the more we continue to try, the higher the likelihood that you will become pregnant.

 

What Works for One Couple Might Not Work for Another

 

Maybe you had a friend who began taking hormone injections and got pregnant within two months without any procedures. That’s great! However, that doesn’t mean that’s what your fertility path will look like.

 

There are many underlying causes of infertility, and treatments will vary for a variety of reasons. For instance, not every couple will start with hormone medication; some might be better suited for in vitro fertilization as the initial treatment. Trying something just because it worked for someone you know might end up wasting time (and money). At AZCREI, we first test for the possible causes of infertility, so we know the most efficient treatments to begin with that are best for your individual situation.

 

There’s Always a Plan B—or Plan C or Plan D

 

With this method for testing and treating infertility, we always try to start with the least invasive options. We tailor treatments to each individual’s needs, but we tend to begin with the simplest procedures to increase fertility and then go from there. There are times when we’re successful in achieving a pregnancy after a single treatment, but when that isn’t the case, we simply move on to the next level of testing and procedures. When we first meet with a patient, we map out a plan that involves several avenues of treatment. Of course, we start with Plan A, but there’s always a Plan B, C, D, and so on, until you do achieve a pregnancy. Since there are multiple options, eventually, almost every couple we work with can get pregnant.

 

Our Office is Here to Support You

 

Even though we discuss treatment plans at the beginning, and do our best to educate you on the probability of achieving a pregnancy at each stage, we know a failed treatment can still feel like a devastating blow. We want you to be able to trust our team and trust the process that gets you there. We’ve seen the defeat couples feel when things don’t go their way, but we’ve also seen the sheer joy they experience when they finally conceive and deliver a healthy, happy baby. If you’re ever feeling frustrated or hopeless in your journey, we are here to support you, answer your questions, and help you find hope.

 

You’re Not Alone

 

In our more than 20 years of experience, we’ve seen many couples and women overcome the obstacles and have a beautiful baby. They’ve gone through many of the same ups and downs that you might be experiencing. When we talk to them after the fact, they always share that a solid support system helped them get through the really difficult times. Whether it’s your partner, family, friends, or a therapy group, you don’t have to go through this journey alone. We can also help you find the resources—like an infertility counselor or support group—to help you when you need it.

 

No matter where you are in your pregnancy journey or what obstacles seem to be in your way, we want you to have hope, even when a procedure doesn’t work. To find out more about our treatment process or to schedule a visit, contact us online or by calling (520) 326-0001.

 

10 Reasons You May Want to Jump Straight into IVF Treatments

importblogger on November 20, 2018

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the solution for the millions of people across the country who are affected by infertility. During the procedure, the sperm and egg are mixed and incubated in a lab, and the resultant embryos are then inserted into the woman’s uterus.

 

At the Arizona Center for Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, we don’t usually begin our treatment plan with in vitro. Instead, our approach is to solve the issue and allow the woman to get pregnant, and that sometimes means starting with simpler, low-tech tests and procedures and then move to IVF as needed. However, every person’s pregnancy journey is different, and for some couples and women—depending on the cause of their infertility—it makes more sense to try IVF first.

 

In vitro fertilization is an effective treatment for a wide variety of infertility problems that can’t be overcome through standard techniques. Here are some instances where IVF might be the most successful solution.

 

Blocked Fallopian Tubes

 

When IVF was first developed 20 to 30 years ago, it was primarily used in situations where women had blocked fallopian tubes. This can occur because of surgery, infection, or previous tubal ligation, to name a few examples. With IVF, we’re able to bypass the fallopian tubes by surgically retrieving the eggs and placing the fertilized embryos into the uterus to achieve a pregnancy.

 

Low Sperm Count

 

If we determine that the cause of infertility is low sperm count, we might try medical treatments to increase the number of sperm a man produces. However, when the sperm count is extremely low, it is very unlikely that we can get enough sperm to the egg to cause fertilization during situations of timed intercourse or artificial insemination. In those circumstances, IVF can increase the chance of fertilization by bringing the sperm and egg together in our lab.

 

Low Sperm Motility / Weak Sperm

 

When sperm have trouble penetrating the egg’s glycol-protein covering, the zona pellucida, we can use IVF in conjunction with ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) to assist in fertilization. With this method, we are able to take a single sperm and, under a microscope, inject it through an egg’s zona pellucida and directly into the egg to achieve fertilization.

 

Obstructive Azoospermia

 

Men who are diagnosed with obstructive azoospermia produce sperm in the testes but have no sperm in their semen. This might happen because of a blockage in the ducts that carry the sperm from the testes into the seminal fluid at the time of ejaculation. Sometimes this is caused by the genetic disorder cystic fibrosis, which is associated with congenital absence of the vas deferens.

 

A simple way to overcome obstructive azoospermia is through a procedure called testicular sperm extraction (TESE), where we obtain sperm directly from the testes. When we do a biopsy like this, we do it in conjunction with ICSI since we want to make sure the limited amount of sperm that we obtain is able to successfully fertilize the egg.

 

Late Reproduction Age

 

Age is a significant factor in ovulation problems; women who are 35 years or older are more likely to have issues with producing healthy, quality eggs. IVF can help with this, in that the woman’s ovaries are stimulated by fertility drugs to produce multiple eggs, which can then be fertilized in the lab. If a woman comes in and is in her mid- to late-30s or early 40s, we often recommend jumping straight into IVF because it is such a successful procedure, and it saves us valuable time in trying other treatments first.

 

Irregular Ovulation

 

IVF can also be used to circumvent the problem of irregular ovulation. The process begins with hormone injections, which are designed to override the body’s natural hormonal production. We can control ovulation with medication, including helping a patient to ovulate. These medications cause multiple egg follicles to develop while preventing ovulation, so that way multiple eggs can be successfully retrieved for the IVF procedure.

 

Low Quality Eggs

 

Unfortunately, when egg quality is extremely low, implantation—even with IVF—may not be successful. However, the option for pregnancy is not closed to them. A woman can still experience the joy that comes with carrying a baby and giving birth through IVF with the use of an egg donor. Once a healthy, donated egg is fertilized, we can place it into a woman’s uterus, and often, a pregnancy will be achieved without any complications.

 

Screening for Recurring Miscarriage

 

IVF can be used to screen for genetic problems or recurring miscarriage. When the eggs are retrieved and fertilized, the resulting embryos can be tested to make sure they’re genetically and chromosomally competent, and will have a lower chance of miscarriage.

 

Fertilization Using Frozen Sperm and/or Eggs

 

If a woman chose to freeze her eggs at an earlier age, they would be thawed and fertilized with the woman’s partner’s sperm or a donor’s sperm through the standard in vitro process. We perform the same procedure if a man decided to freeze his sperm for medical reasons. While a man might donate two to three samples to freeze, potentially creating multiple vials to use, we are often working with a limited supply of frozen eggs, and in that case, we would opt for IVF, which has a higher success rate than artificial insemination.

 

Pregnancy for Same-Sex Couples

 

Male couples require three participants to achieve a pregnancy: the sperm donor, an egg donor, and someone to carry the baby. Fertilization can be achieved through artificial insemination if the egg donor and surrogate are the same woman, but if they are two different women, we would need to perform IVF.

 

On the other hand, IVF allows both women in a female couple to participate in the pregnancy. One woman would donate the egg to become the biological mother, and the other would carry the baby as the birth mother.

 

 

At AZCREI, about 2 of 3 of our patients will get pregnant on the first try using in vitro fertilization; it’s an amazing solution that offers women and couples the chance to finally have a baby. To make an appointment and learn more about in vitro options, visit AZCREI online or call us at 520-326-0001.

 

 

5 Things Not to Stress About When Using a Surrogate to Have a Baby

importblogger on September 27, 2018

With the conversation around surrogacy becoming more open, more couples are having honest discussions about what might be their only option for having a baby. Surrogacy isn’t a very common procedure, but it can be a solution for women who cannot carry a pregnancy because it would kill them, or who don’t have a uterus and cannot carry a pregnancy. 

When a couple determines that surrogacy is their best option, the dialogue around the procedure can quickly shift to worry. Opting for a surrogate can be overwhelming, confusing, and wrought with emotions, but at the Arizona Center for Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, we want you to know it’s a viable option that doesn’t have to be stressful. 

Here are five things you can stop worrying about when it comes to surrogacy. 

 

The Health of the Surrogate 

It’s very important when you choose your surrogate that they are motivated to be as healthy as possible during the pregnancy. When looking for someone to carry your baby, you always have two options: to ask someone you know or work with a surrogacy agency. 

Regardless of who becomes your surrogate, they’ll be thoroughly screened for potential health risks that could be passed on to the baby. We typically conduct a personal interview and conduct several medical tests, so the surrogate’s mental and physical health are both considered. 

 

The Health of the Baby 

The health of the surrogate is so important to the process because she determines the health of the pregnancy and baby. Once pregnancy has been achieved, your baby will be as healthy—if not healthier—as if the pregnancy was conceived naturally. We can even perform several tests during the early stages to screen for Down syndrome and other potential chromosomal problems. 

 

Not Being Connected to Your Child 

If you’re worried that you won’t bond with your baby because you haven’t carried them in your own womb for nine months, you’re not alone. Many women have this fear, but truthfully, they all get over it.  

It’s important to remember that the baby is yours. The DNA is half yours and half your partner’s. The surrogate is simply carrying the baby to term, and then you and your partner resume the role as parents as soon as the baby is born.  

If you still find yourself struggling, there are a few things you can do to feel connected to baby before he or she is born. 

  • Become a part of the process. Go to as many appointments as possible with your surrogate, and keep communication open so you know how she’s doing as the pregnancy progresses. 
  • Turn to a support system when things get too difficult. Your partner is in this with you and likely shares some of the same concerns. There may even be surrogacy support groups in your neighborhood or city. Blogs from other mothers in your situation can also give you encouragement. 
  • Celebrate your baby as if you were carrying him or her yourself. Register for baby gifts and throw a baby shower; it will help you get excited for baby and connected to their upcoming birth. 

 

The Cost of Surrogacy 

The cost of surrogacy can vary widely depending on the route you take. Using a friend or family member as your surrogate can save you money, since that person is volunteering to carry the baby. When hiring a surrogate, the price is determined by the agency and can be quite expensive for some couples. 

The good news is that regardless of the cost of a surrogate, at AZCREI, we keep all other costs of our fertility services affordable. Our team works with you to find the lowest priced medicine and hormones (needed for egg retrieval) possible.

 

Legal Issues 

Regardless of the how you find your surrogate, you want to put yourself in a situation where you can avoid any legal battles regarding custody. Because the laws around surrogacy can often be murky, a lawyer who specializes in reproductive law can help you properly navigate any paperwork or contracts you’d need. These attorneys can easily create a legal contract between you and your surrogate to keep relations smooth once baby is born. AZCREI does not provide legal advice – we encourage patients to seek legal advice on their own. 

Ultimately, surrogacy can be a wonderful option for couples when other options have failed. It doesn’t have to be as stressful as you might think. To make an appointment and learn if a surrogate can help you, visit Arizona Center for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility online or call us at 520-326-0001.