importblogger - Arizona Center for Reproductive Endocrinology And Fertility

What is IUI? Everything You Need to Know About the Infertility Treatment

importblogger on September 27, 2018

Quite often, when couples who are having difficulty getting pregnant come into the Arizona Center for Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility for the first time, they arrive with certain perceptions about treatment. Many of them have only heard of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and hormone supplements, and exhale a sigh of relief when we introduce intrauterine insemination (IUI) to them. The procedure is less invasive and less expensive than IVF, and typically has a higher success rate than hormone treatments alone.

Simply put, IUI involves placing sperm inside a woman’s uterus, with the goal of increasing the number of sperm that reaches the fallopian tubes, and consequently, increasing the chance of fertilization. Compared to other techniques, IUI is quick, painless, affordable, and effective, with a relatively low chance of complications.

Here’s a deeper look at the process that has helped so many of our patients have a baby.

IUI Success Rate

There are many variables, such as the woman’s age, the cause of infertility, and the type of fertility drugs used, that affect the success rate of individual cases. However, the statistics can be very encouraging.

You should first understand that the normal monthly rate of conception is just 1-3%. With IUI treatments, that rate of success can increase to 10-20% in women under 35, and 5-10% for women older than 40, for every cycle.

Candidates for IUI

For many couples, IUI is an excellent first option. It can be an effective solution for many causes of infertility, including:

Cervical scaring
Ejaculation issues
Hostile cervical mucus
Irregular cycles
Poor sperm motility

The procedure can also be used in cases when the couple uses a sperm donor or when the man freezes his sperm (before cancer treatment, for example). Same-sex couples can also achieve a pregnancy through IUI; female couples would use a sperm donor and male couples can use their own sperm along with a surrogate/egg donor.

However, with IUI, the woman needs to be able to ovulate, have a healthy ovarian reserve, and a normal uterus.

The IUI Treatment Process

With the process, a concentrated amount of sperm is injected directly into a woman’s uterus.

Before completing insemination, you may be required to take ovulation-stimulating medication or hormones. The procedure is timed according to the start of your ovulation—as determined through ultrasounds or urinary LH tests. Once ovulation is detected, IUI is typically scheduled and performed within one to two days to maximize your chances of fertilization.

The male component of IUI involves a semen sample from your partner or a donor. This can be done at home or in our office. It’s recommended that you not have intercourse for 2-3 days before the insemination. That way, your partner can provide a strong sample when needed. The sample is then prepared for insemination through a process called sperm washing, which separates the sperm from the seminal fluid. This also removes chemicals in the semen that can cause a reaction in the uterus and make it more difficult to conceive.

The actual treatment takes only 5-10 minutes and involves minimal discomfort. Our doctor slides a thin, flexible tube through your cervix into your uterus, and using a small syringe, the sperm is flushed through the tube and directly into your uterine cavity.

Some patients may experience mild cramping but side effects are rare.

This process maximizes the number of sperm that reach your uterus and gives them a “head start,” but the sperm must still find and fertilize the egg on its own.

The next step is to watch for signs and symptoms of pregnancy. If pregnancy is not achieved, we may attempt IUI a few more times before moving on to a more complex procedure.

Cost

The cost of IUI varies, but it is usually significantly less expensive than other fertility treatments, such as IVF. Cost is usually less than $300 and includes prepping and washing of the sperm and the procedure with our doctor. Our team at AZCREI will always work with you and your insurance provider to minimize the cost as much as possible.

We want you to rest assured that you have options when it comes to overcoming your infertility. IUI is an incredible option to help you finally have a baby. To make an appointment and learn more about IUI options, visit Arizona Center for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility online or call us at 520-326-0001.

Sharing in the Parenting: How Male Partners Can Utilize IVF to Become Fathers

importblogger on August 16, 2018

Usually when couples first visit us at the Arizona Center for Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, they already have a strong idea of whom they want to parent their child. It’s a decision they’ve already discussed, but many times, male couples don’t consider the option of having both partners parent their future children.

Women have the benefit of participating in reciprocal IVF—where one donates the egg to become the biological mother, and the other carries the baby as the birth mother. This specific procedure isn’t available for male couples; however, they still have the option of each becoming a father. Here’s how it works and what they should consider.

The Requirements

For male couples to have a baby, one of the partners provides the sperm, but they also require a donor and surrogate. The man who donates the sperm ends up having their own genetic offspring when the baby is born.

General health should be the main consideration in deciding who should be the father. For men, age and fertility are not factors they need to worry about. As long as there are no medical problems or issues with sperm production, they can be a viable father. Even men in their 60s, 70s, and 80s can still potentially father a child.

The Options

Many of the couples we meet are excited to hear they both have the options of fathering the pregnancy. Because the majority of them are focused on the single pregnancy before them, they don’t consider future pregnancies that could allow each man to participate.

Often, we’ll retrieve several eggs from the donor. For example, in a single procedure, the donor may produce 20 viable eggs for us to use. Half of those eggs can be fertilized by one partner’s sperm, and once the baby is born, the couple can come back to have the other partner fertilize the rest of the eggs in a second round of procedures. Using the same donor allows both men to be fathers individually, and the two children will be genetic siblings.

In searching for the egg donor, couples have two options: to use an anonymous donor or to use a known egg donor (like a friend or family member). Some couples choose to keep the genetics in the family, literally, by using one man’s sperm and a relative—like a sister or cousin—of the other man as the egg donor. This option is typically ideal because asking a family member to donate their eggs is much less expensive than paying an anonymous donor to go through the process. Of course, the donor will go through all the appropriate medical screenings to ensure there are no possible diseases that might be transferred and affect the health of the pregnancy or baby.

Other Alternatives

While we typically recommend that men fertilize the eggs sequentially, they do have the option to do so simultaneously as well. We can aim for twins, with each man fertilizing one embryo, but that result isn’t always 100 percent accurate. It’s also safer and easier for the surrogate to carry one baby at a time.

Rarely, we also have couples come in and ask about the option of mixing their sperm and fertilizing the egg somewhat blindly—not knowing whose sperm was used to fertilize the embryo. This is certainly a viable choice, medically speaking, but we don’t typically encourage this since it’s relatively easy to figure out who the father is once the baby is born and because it can cause doubt and confusion during the pregnancy.

No matter what the couple decides they want their path to having a baby to look like, it’s our joy to walk with them through the process. To hear more about all the options available to gay couples, contact the Arizona Center for Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility by visiting us online or calling us at 520-326-0001.

The Exception to the Rule: Why Some Couples Can Get Pregnant at a Later Age

importblogger on July 9, 2018

The success and widespread use of fertility treatment has given many women the freedom and option to delay starting their families until they’re well into their late 30s and even early 40s. In fact, we’re seeing a significant shift in the birthing trends in the population where women are waiting until later in life to have their first child.

One of the main reasons this happens is because many women are availing themselves to fertility treatments. At the Arizona Center for Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, we’ve noticed this trend among our patients as well; more and more, we’re helping older women achieve a pregnancy and grow their family.

Factors That Might Extend the Fertility Period

While fertility is a factor in a woman conceiving at an older age, there are three other components that may also determine her likelihood of a pregnancy.

Genetics

The average age of menopause of women in the U.S. is 51.5 years of age. Yet some women will continue to have their periods well into their late 50s. These women have what we call a larger ovarian reserve, meaning they have more and healthier eggs—and a higher chance of getter pregnant—later in life. Typically, the reason for this comes down to genetics. If a patient knows when her mother began menopause and stopped having her period, it’s a strong predictor of when she will stop ovulating, and therefore hit the end of her reproductive cycle, as well.

Previous Pregnancies

The only thing that practically saves a woman’s eggs over time—other than freezing them and storing them in a laboratory—is having children. The more children a woman has at a younger age, the more eggs she’ll have “stored up” in her ovaries over time—since eggs are not released during the nine months of pregnancy. Women who tend to have several children also tend to be able to have children into their 40s without any difficulties.

The Reason Behind the Infertility

There are certain types of medical conditions that result in anovulation, or lack of ovulation, which can preserve a woman’s eggs and extend her fertility into a later age. These women, when they undergo treatments—like in vitro fertilization or a procedure to stimulate ovulation, for example—tend to have many more eggs, and potentially better eggs, at a later age than the average woman.

Understanding Age & Infertility

It’s very important for couples to understand that fertility drops off with age, especially for women. Men and women are different in the way they produce the sperm and egg. Women start life with a certain number of eggs, and they’re inexorably released until they are exhausted at menopause. In contrast, men are generally able to produce new sperm every day (barring any medical or hormonal complications).

When a couple is trying to conceive naturally, the normal recommendation is that they try for a year before seeking treatment for infertility. However, if a woman is over the age of 35, we recommend that she and her partner try for just six months, and if they haven’t achieved a pregnancy at that point, they come in for an evaluation. Because there is a greater likelihood of infertility if a woman is older, scheduling a visit with an infertility specialist sooner, rather than after an additional six months of trying, gives us a head start in assessing and solving any potential issues.

Beating the Odds

One of the biggest advances in infertility treatments in the last 20 years is the use of egg donation. Egg donation—which uses viable, healthy eggs from a younger woman—has dramatically extended the reproductive lifespan into the late 40s and even early 50s for some women. In theory, women can have children at any age using donated eggs.

Another more recent innovation has been the ease at which we can freeze eggs at a younger age and save them until a woman decides to have children when she’s older. It takes some advanced planning, but we’re seeing women take advantage of this procedure more and more frequently. In fact, many companies and insurance providers are including egg freezing as part of their health care policies so women can choose to delay having children until after their careers are further established.

Today, the chance of older couples having healthy children is better than it has ever been. And if you’re struggling with infertility, we want you to know there’s hope. Give AZCREI a call at (520) 326-0001, or visit us online, to schedule an evaluation and fulfill your dreams of growing your family today.

The 3 Keys to Moving Forward After an Unsuccessful Fertility Treatment

importblogger on June 7, 2018

At the Arizona Center for Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, we know that being unable to achieve a pregnancy is one of the most frustrating and disappointing experiences a couple can face. Our team works diligently with every couple that walks through our doors to explain all the possible outcomes and timelines, but we know that there’s still heartache when a treatment is unsuccessful.

With more than 20 years of experience, we also know that one failed procedure does not end your pregnancy journey. Our team is confident that we’ll be able to help you have a healthy, happy baby, even when the first rounds of treatments don’t turn out ideal. Here are three things to keep in mind to help pick yourself back up and continue moving forward when a treatment doesn’t work out initially.

Understanding the Natural Fertility Rate

The first thing our doctor discusses with couples when they come in for a consultation is the natural fertility rate. The human reproductive system is actually not that efficient; the natural, or normal, rate of fertility among even the most fertile couples is just one in five. There’s only about a 20-25 percent probability of pregnancy for even the healthiest couples!

When comparing yourself to healthy, “normal” couples, you must always keep this rate in mind. The procedures we perform at AZCREI ideally will help restore your chance of pregnancy to a rate that’s closer to what is expected naturally. When you come into our office, you may have a fertility rate that’s as low as five percent; through identifying and remedying the cause of infertility, we could build that back up to 20-25 percent, giving you a better chance of achieving a successful pregnancy. It’s important to remember that even with high-tech procedures like in vitro fertilization, we may be able to triple or quadruple your chances of getting pregnant, but it still isn’t going to be 100 percent successful every time we perform it. That’s the “trick” to human reproduction—you must continually try.

Setting Realistic Expectations

Once you know that even the world’s most fertile couple will not get pregnant every month they try, it puts your journey into perspective. It’s really important that our patients don’t expect a pregnancy after every procedure; if you do, you’ll likely be disappointed the majority of the time—that’s just the statistics aspect of it. Remember, every month the probability of not getting pregnant is higher than the probability that you would. On the other hand, the statistics also show us that month to month, as we continue to try, your cumulative chance of achieving a pregnancy does increase.

When we have the treatments in place, and everything looks good medically, whether you get pregnant the first, second, or third month is random. That’s why it’s so essential to stay the course and press onto the next procedure rather than abandoning treatments altogether or jumping to something that’s unnecessarily complicated or expensive.

Remembering We Have a Plan

After the first consultation with a couple, we generally have a clear idea of what might be causing the infertility issues and map out a plan to correct it. Typically, we anticipate carrying on with the recommended procedure for three-to-four cycles, because statistically, you’ll have the highest chance of achieving a pregnancy within that time frame. If the treatment doesn’t work by cycle three or four, it’s not likely to work in cycle five or six, so that’s the point when we complete another round of testing and move on to another procedure.

Sticking with this game plan also makes the process more cost effective for our patients. Our goal is to find out what the problem is, diagnose it properly, and then find the most feasible treatment to help our patients get pregnant as soon as possible. Sometimes it’s as simple as an inexpensive prescription or a treatment that’s covered by insurance. We won’t jump straight to a high-tech, highly-expensive procedure like IVF just because the first treatment didn’t work. However, when IVF is the most suitable treatment—which is something we will realize early on—we won’t waste time attempting other methods.

If you don’t get pregnant on the first try, we’ll analyze what happened—considering ovulation, timing, sperm quality and quantity—and use that information to enhance the next treatment. At AZCREI, we will never throw our hands up in defeat; we have the confidence that we can help you achieve your dreams of having a family, and we’ll stay the course along with you until you’re ultimately successful in getting pregnant.

If you’d like to find out more about our center or schedule a visit, contact us online or call (520) 326-0001.

The Different Male and Female Problems That Could Cause Infertility

importblogger on June 7, 2018

The frustration that arises when a couple is having difficulty getting pregnant can be overwhelming. The desperation to find a solution and have a healthy baby can sometimes lead to pointing fingers and blaming the other partner. You’re not alone in this, though. At the Arizona Center for Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, we want every couple who visits us to know that it doesn’t matter if the cause lies with the male or female partner; either way, we’ll be able to evaluate the situation and help you achieve a pregnancy.

Here’s what you should know about the possible male and female causes behind infertility.

Possible Female Factors

Age

In young, healthy women who have regular menstrual cycles, we’re less worried about problems with ovulation or decreased fertility because of age. However, when women wait too long to have children, age does become a factor. At that point, we’ll test the woman to determine how many eggs she may have left and what the quality of those eggs might be.

Cycle Consistency

If a woman has irregular cycles, we can infer that there’s a problem with regular ovulation. It could be the result of a hormonal imbalance that may also be interfering with her achieving or maintaining a pregnancy. This potential cause is typically easy to initially identify since most women are highly conscious of their cycles.

Medical Conditions

Even women who are young, healthy, and have regular menstrual cycles may be at risk for endometriosis. The condition can be difficult to diagnose based solely on symptoms (like heavy cramping) but it’s actually one of the most common causes of infertility we see in young women.

Potential Male Factors

Overall health

There are several medical conditions that are notorious for causing infertility problems, especially related to sperm count in men. For instance, diabetes directly affects a man’s fertility, and so do medications for high blood pressure and high cholesterol. When we’re looking at a man’s health, we’ll take any related injuries and infections or hazardous job conditions into account as well.

It’s important to remember that as men age, their likelihood of developing a condition that decreases fertility increases. Just because a man has a child from a previous relationship, does not mean the cause may not lie with him at this time.

Sperm Count

After evaluating the man’s medical history, we’ll ask him to come for a sperm count. Sperm counts can vary day to day and may be affected by a recent illness or stress, so we may administer this test more than once.

Testosterone Intake

Many times, we’ll have men come in who have low sperm counts due to testosterone. There are several doctors or clinics who prescribe testosterone to men who no longer feel virile or young. We’ve found that the longer a man has taken testosterone, the lower his sperm count will be; and it’s not uncommon to have patients with a sperm count of zero if they’ve taken the hormone for more than a couple years.

Issues with Compatibility

When everything is seemingly fine on both the male and female side of things, there is always a chance of incompatibility. We may find that the man has a high sperm count in the lab, but they’re still having issues reaching the female reproductive tract at the time of intercourse.

When this appears to be the case, we can conduct a post-coital test (PCT) to analyze whether the mucus from the woman’s cervix is hospitable or hostile toward the man’s sperm. The test itself is rather simple; we’ll recommend the couple have intercourse the night before or morning of the exam, and then the woman will visit us the next morning so we can retrieve a mucus sample through a procedure that is very similar to a pap smear. Once it’s done, we’ll bring the couple in together to view the results, at which time they can see the number of sperm in the sample and whether they’re swimming or dead. Often, this test will allow us to determine what may be the affecting the sperm’s viability and correct the issue.

Creating a Plan to Achieve a Pregnancy

During a couple’s first visit to AZCREI, we’ll discuss both the male and female’s medical and fertility history. Based on what we learn, we’ll schedule the appropriate tests; but usually, after our first meeting, we’ll have a fairly accurate idea of the probable causes. Typically, the testing can all be completed during a single cycle, and the results help steer us in a more finite direction of how we can solve the issue behind the infertility.

Ultimately, it doesn’t matter if it’s him or her. Sometimes there’s a combination of factors that are causing the difficulty behind conceiving. As we’re going through the testing and creating a plan, we’re trying to optimize fertility—on both sides—to correct any problems and achieve a pregnancy. For more information on how AZCREI can help you have a baby or to schedule a visit, contact us online or call (520) 326-0001.

What Happens When a Fertility Procedure Doesn’t Work? A Look at the Options Available at AZCREI

importblogger on May 4, 2018

When a couple has already been struggling with infertility for months—or even years—it can be devastating if a fertility treatment doesn’t achieve a pregnancy. At the Arizona Center for Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, we have been helping women and couples have babies for more than 20 years. We understand that treatments can be emotionally difficult to go through, but we are confident in our team and our center’s success.

There will be times when a treatment doesn’t result in a successful pregnancy, but that doesn’t mean your journey is over. Here are three things to remember as you navigate the sometimes arduous, but often rewarding, experience of fertility treatments.

What Works for One Couple, Won’t Work for Everyone

There are several different reasons a couple may not get pregnant; not everyone has the same cause of infertility, and therefore, they won’t have the same treatment plan either. Even when it comes to the treatment process, couples have the choice in how they want to proceed, so their journey still might not look the same as another’s. It’s important to remember that while you may have heard success stories about one particular treatment, if that treatment doesn’t work out for you, that doesn’t make it the final result in your process.

At AZCREI, we always take the time to thoroughly explain all the testing and treatment options available to patients. Our team strives to get to know our patients on a personal level; that way, if you have any questions or unease about a certain procedure, you feel comfortable enough to discuss those with us so we can work together on new options.

We Start Simple, So There Are Plenty of Options

Our method for testing and treating infertility will always start with the least invasive options. In conjunction with testing, we begin with simple treatments to increase fertility based on the likely diagnosis. Sometimes, we’re successful in achieving a pregnancy after the first treatment, but when that isn’t the case, we simply move on to the next level of testing and procedures.

Because we rarely jump to the most complicated procedure, we’re not tied down to solely a Plan A; there will always be a Plan B, C, D, and onward until you do achieve a pregnancy. Since there are multiple options, eventually, almost every couple we work with can get pregnant.

It’s Your Dream—Don’t Give Up!

One of the biggest obstacles in being successful with fertility treatment is abandoning procedures before a pregnancy is achieved. We understand that the process can be difficult and sometimes disappointing, but we always encourage our patients to persevere through the challenges in the journey.

Our team is your team; we work with you and walk alongside you throughout the entire process. If you’re feeling doubtful or hopeless at any point, we’re there to support you and get you past those fears. Our goal, of course, is to help you have a baby, but we also want you to be able to trust our team and trust the process that gets you there. While it’s not impossible for patients to achieve a pregnancy naturally after they’ve stopped treatments, ideally, we want you to stick with the treatment plan so that you have the best odds of having a healthy, happy baby.

Ultimately, we want you to walk away from your visit at Arizona Center for Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility with a sense that you will get pregnant; any unsuccessful treatment is just a small stumbling block on your road to building your family. If you’d like to find out more about our center or to schedule a visit, contact us online or by calling (520) 326-0001.

The 3 Tests to Help You Discover Why You Can’t Get Pregnant

importblogger on February 27, 2018

Couples come into the Arizona Center for Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility after they experience difficulty conceiving. For women younger than 35, it’s appropriate to start testing for the reasons behind their infertility if they’ve had trouble achieving pregnancy for longer than a year; for women over the age of 35, we recommend beginning testing after six months of trying.

There are many reasons a couple may not be conceiving, so it’s important to determine what the cause of infertility is so that we can properly begin treating the problem.

At AZCREI, we go about testing in the most efficient and cost-effective way possible. For example, we don’t perform every test on every patient; we start with one test at a time, and will move on if we cannot yet determine the cause of infertility at that stage. Most of the tests are covered by insurance, and we’re able to assess the results and pinpoint treatment options almost immediately. This saves our patients on the overall cost of infertility evaluation.

Because the idea of infertility treatment can seem daunting, here is a breakdown of our testing process that will ultimately help you determine and remedy the issues causing your infertility.

Medical History

We start by asking both partners about their medical history, including any medical problems, previous surgical procedures, and if either of them has ever had children before. Once we have a thorough history, we can establish the next steps—starting with three basic tests—to determine where the fertility problem might lie.

Test 1

The first test we conduct is on the woman. The goal is to determine her ovulation patterns. If we find that she isn’t ovulating regularly, we’ll perform blood tests to find out if there are hormonal problems, such as thyroid issues, that are interfering with ovulation and cycle. Then we can set out to correct those problems.

Test 2

The second test is to determine if the man has normal sperm production, count, and motility. The test involves acquiring a semen specimen—sometimes more than one—so we can perform a semen analysis. If we find any abnormalities within the specimen, that will trigger more testing, such as blood test, to discover what the problem may be. Once we figure out the problem—whether it be medical or hormonal—we can often correct it, which allows them to successfully fertilize their partner’s egg.

Test 3

The final set of tests helps determine if the woman’s uterus and fallopian tubes are normal. We start with an ultrasound, which is very simple and straightforward, to help us deduce if there are any abnormalities with the uterus.

We may also perform a hysterosalpingogram (HSG) to check the fallopian tubes. For the HSG, we insert a catheter into the cervix and inject contrast material into the uterus, then we use an x-ray to see whether the fallopian tubes are open or if there are any blockages preventing the egg from descending. The test itself isn’t very difficult or invasive; it’s a lot like having a pap smear, and it’s often covered by insurance.

With these tests, we’re often able to determine where the problem lies and what the appropriate treatment is to remedy the issue and help the couple achieve pregnancy.

After we correct the problem, the chance of pregnancy is the same as anyone else given their age. We’ve removed the obstacle, and from here on out, they should expect the same success rate as natural conception. So while couples shouldn’t expect to get pregnant on their first try, almost 90% of patients do get pregnant within 6 months.

To schedule your appointment at AZCREI and start your testing and evaluation, call our office at (520) 326-0001 or visit us online.

5 Biggest Questions About Using a Surrogate

importblogger on February 27, 2018

There is often a lot of confusion and misconceptions around the idea of surrogacy. Many women believe it is the only solution to their fertility issues, but the truth is that it’s a highly specialized treatment method that isn’t as commonly used as they may think.

For certain women, it can be the solution; the best way to decide if it’s right for you is to visit the Arizona Center for Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility for an evaluation. If you’re looking into surrogacy as a viable option, asking these questions might give you some of the answers you’re looking for.

Will a surrogate be more successful?

When a woman or couple has gone through several failed IVF cycles, they start to think that if someone else were to carry the baby, the pregnancy would be successful. In reality, the age of the woman and the quality of her eggs are what determine a pregnancy’s success; so whether the patient or a surrogate carries the baby, the chances of pregnancy remain the same (assuming those two factors are equal). There are actually very few factors that would prevent a woman from carrying a baby herself, and at AZCREI, we are typically able to correct many of those issues so the woman can get pregnant.

Is a surrogate right for me?

Many women hear about surrogacy, and after failed pregnancy attempts, think it will be the most appropriate treatment for their fertility issues. But it’s only in very rare situations where a surrogate is absolutely necessary:

When there’s something dramatically wrong with the uterus,
If a woman no longer has a uterus, or
When the woman is not physically capable of carrying the baby because of a medical illness that would put her life in danger

Certain medical conditions that would prevent a woman from carrying her own baby are very rare and would have to be very severe. For example, end-stage renal disease or end-stage heart disease would both make carrying a baby extremely dangerous; in both situations, we’d be worried about her surviving the pregnancy.

In other situations, surrogacy is the solution for women how have had their uterus removed but still have their ovaries. Using a surrogate in this situation would still allow her to have a child with her husband.

Where do we find a surrogate?

If surrogacy is the answer for you, the next question becomes, “Who can we use as a surrogate?” This comes down to two options.

Your first option would be to use a family member or someone you know. The surrogate should be someone you know and can trust, who has already had children of her own. You want to make sure the woman is someone who will take care of herself and make health-conscious choices during the pregnancy.

The other avenue would be to hire an anonymous surrogate. These women are already evaluated by a surrogacy agency and deemed capable of carrying a healthy baby to term.

With either situation, the surrogate is tested and screened to make sure they’re healthy enough to carry the baby and wouldn’t have any medical conditions that could possibly be transferred to the baby while in utero.

What are the costs involved?

If a patient chooses a family member as her surrogate, she can save a lot of money, since the family member is volunteering to carry the baby. However, when that’s not the case, the cost of hiring a surrogate is dependent upon price determined by the agency. Unfortunately, it can be very expensive to compensate someone adequately for carrying a baby for nine months.

The good news is that regardless of the cost of a surrogate, we keep the cost of our fertility services affordable. Our team works with you to find the lowest priced medicine and hormones (needed for egg retrieval), and offer payment plans and packages as well.

How does AZCREI help in the process?

At AZCREI, we are by your side through the entire surrogacy process. We’ll help you screen your surrogate if necessary, prepare them for pregnancy, implant the fertilized egg, and then monitor them through the first trimester before they begin visiting their OB-GYN.

We can also advise you in legal issues (such as birth certificate concerns) and offer resources to you once the baby is born. Our role is to make it as easy as possible for our patients to go through the process, achieve a pregnancy, and have a baby.

To get all your surrogacy questions answered, contact AZCREI by calling (520) 326-0001 or visiting us online. We look forward to meeting you and helping you grow your family.

Breaking Down the Process Behind Freezing Your Eggs

importblogger on February 13, 2018

There are many reasons women visit us at the Arizona Center for Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility; one of them is to freeze their eggs. The quick and simple process can have long-lasting benefits. And even though it’s a relatively routine procedure for our office, many women who come in still have questions about what it entails.

Here’s a quick look at the advantages of freezing your eggs, what to expect during the process, and how you can achieve pregnancy when you decide it’s time.

Breaking Down the Process Behind Freezing Your Eggs

Each woman has a different reason for choosing to freeze her eggs. For instance, it allows you to preserve the possibility of having children as you get older, giving you time to pursue your career or goals before starting your family. The younger you are when you undergo the procedure, the healthier and more viable your eggs will be, reducing the chances of complications if you decide to have a baby when you’re older.

It’s important to remember that freezing your eggs is like an insurance policy. You are not obligated to have a baby through in vitro fertilization with the eggs. Simply, you’re giving yourself the option to have a family later in life.

What to Expect During the Process

The process of freezing your eggs is not terribly time consuming or complicated. From start to finish, it takes only about three weeks and involves 3 to 4 office visits in total. The visits are short, and can easily be scheduled around your work, calendar, or other appointments.

Typically, we begin the process about a week before the onset of the menstrual cycle. You’ll start taking hormone injections for nine days. The hormones are to help the body develop multiple eggs, and are the same kind your body produces naturally, so there are usually no side effects. During the process, we monitor the development of the eggs through ultrasounds and blood tests.

The procedure is completed about two weeks after the cycle starts, which is roughly around the time of ovulation. That’s when we are able to retrieve and then freeze the eggs. It’s considered an in-office procedure (not surgery) and lasts about five minutes. We’ll also give our patients medication to help them relax and feel more comfortable going into the procedure. And the women who have gone through it tell us it was a relatively simple and straightforward process.

Once we’re done, we recommend asking someone to drive you home where you can take it easy the rest of the day. They next day you’re free to go back to work and everything should return to normal; you’ll go back to having regular cycles and can start taking birth control again.

Getting Pregnant When You’re Ready

Once the eggs are retrieved and frozen, they can stay frozen indefinitely. Many women choose to keep them securely stored for several years until their family is complete or they’ve decided they’re finished with having children.

Just because you decide to freeze your eggs, doesn’t necessarily mean you have to use those eggs to achieve pregnancy. Freezing your eggs does not affect your future fertility, so you may still be able to have a baby naturally, even later in life. If you do experience complications or difficulty, you can elect to do an in vitro fertilization procedure. In that case, the eggs are thawed and fertilized with sperm, then the resulting embryo is implanted into the uterus to allow you to carry the pregnancy and have a baby.

To schedule an appointment at the Arizona Center for Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, contact us online or call us at 520-326-0001.

5 Tips to Make Your Fertility Clinic Procedure More Successful

importblogger on September 25, 2017

At the Arizona Center for Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, we often meet with couples who come in with the misconception that fertility treatments have a low rate of success. They want to know the magic formula or medical secrets that will give their treatments the greatest chance of having a baby.

Our clinic has infertility treatments down to a science; we’re confident that we can help any couple eventually achieve a pregnancy. Because the process is such a crucial and significant moment in your life, we want you to feel just as confident as we are that you’ll achieve a pregnancy. So, here are some tips to help make your procedures more successful.

1. Know What to Expect

The first thing we’ll do when you come in for your first appointment is outline the possible causes of infertility, the tests and treatments involved to solve the problem, and the costs associated with those procedures (including what may be covered by insurance). We also spend a great deal of time discussing the natural chance of fertility each month; we can’t always expect a 100 percent fertilization rate every month, and it’s normal for treatments to take several months before we achieve a viable pregnancy. Going into your procedures with realistic expectations, instead of stressing out if you do not become successful in the first month or so, will lay the groundwork for success as we continue treatments.

2. Stress Less

It’s essential that you relax and stress less as you’re going through the treatment process. We know that’s easier said than done. But stress can be very detrimental if you’re trying to get pregnant. For example, when women are very stressed, their cycles can get disrupted and that can not only cause infertility, but interfere with our plans to overcome infertility as well. So as difficult as it may be to reduce stress during this challenging time, it’s important to trust the process and our team here at AZCREI.

3. Maintain Your Overall Health

Reducing your stress will aid in improving your overall health. You’ll also want to take other measures to maintain your wellbeing, because it’s important to be as healthy as possible going into your pregnancy. Eliminate activities that can potentially be detrimental to your pregnancy—like smoking, alcohol, or excessive caffeine—and start good habits like exercising and eating a nutrient-rich diet. We also encourage our patients to take extra folic acid or prenatal vitamins. If you’re not sure of how you should be taking care of your body before (or during) pregnancy, we’ll go over the types of vitamins you need and the steps you should be taking to maintain your health during your initial consultation at our office, and we’re always here to answer your questions.

4. Understand That We’re on Your Team

Everyone in our office—from Dr. Gelety to our front office staff—is on your side. Although every couple’s situation is different, we’ve done this hundreds of times and know what needs to be done to help you have a baby. There’s nothing that makes us happier than when our past patients come back holding their healthy bundle of joy; knowing we helped them achieve their dream of having a family gives our work meaning. Our team and experience are invaluable resources to you during this time; we’re here to help you through the process, listen to your concerns, and answer any questions you have along the way.

5. Commit to the Process

More than likely, you’ll have to visit our office several times for treatments and tests before you become pregnant and we can refer you to your OB/GYN. We’ll give you an idea of how many appointments will be required and approximately how long those appointments will take ahead of time so you can properly anticipate the time you’ll have to commit to the process. Our team is flexible, and we have a lot of experience in integrating the fertility treatments into our patients’ daily lives, but the appointments still need to be planned around your personal, work, and family’s schedules. It’s also important to stick with your medication or hormone schedules outside of the office too.