ICSI Success Rates
ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) is a procedure that can be done in conjunction with IVF (in vitro fertilization) to increase its chances of success. In ICSI, a single, healthy sperm is injected into a mature egg using a very small needle. It is used to overcome male infertility. In cases where a man has a […]
IVF and Insurance Coverage
As we talked about in our section on the cost of IVF, it is an expensive process. Unfortunately, the cost is prohibitive for some couples. Currently there are 15 states that mandate employers (of over 25 people) to offer coverage on their health plan for fertility diagnosis or treatments. They are: Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, […]
What is IVF
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is the process in which insemination and fertiization between egg and sperm take place outdside the body in a laboratory. The fertilized embryo is deposited into the woman’s uterus via catheter in a process called embryonic transfer. The desired result of an IVF cycle is successful implantation and the beginning of […]
Assisted Hatching
Assisted hatching is a relatively new technology used in the IVF procedure. It is performed to help in the implantation of the embryo. In the initial stages of development, the embryo is enveloped in a layer of proteins called the “zona pellucida”. This forms an outer shell that protects the embryo until it reaches the blastocyst stage. To […]
Blastocyst Transfer
The blastocyst phase of a developing embryo takes place at day 5-6 after fertilization. At this phase, the embryo has 70-100 cells and is much more complex than its previous forms. Traditionally in in vitro fertilization, the embryo is transferred to the uterus on day 2-3 after fertilization. One reason for this is the inability, […]
IVF and Sex
One of the major issues that couples face when going through fertility treatments to start a family is what the process will mean for their sex life. We know that most of you out there have your eye on the prize, so to speak, and the main objective in this journey is a baby. Balancing […]
IUI Cost 2012
The total cost (explained below) of and IUI procedure, assuming you have no insurance and are paying everything out-of-pocket, and that everything is included, ranges from about $1200 to $2000. This is based on a survey of many couples who have recently undergone IUI. The picture below shows the range of IUI costs in 2012. The rest of […]
What is IUI
For couples experiencing infertility, there are several, proven assisted reproductive technologies that differ in their invasiveness, success rate, and cost. IUI, which stands for Intrauterine Insemination, is typically the first of the assisted techniques suggested by a doctor since it is the lease invasive, has high sucess rates for certain causes of infertility, and is […]
Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome
Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) is a potential side effect of fertility medications used to stimulate the ovaries into producing multiple eggs in an IVF cycle. About 30% of women going through IVF will experience some level of OHSS, with 10% experiencing moderate to severe cases. It is found to be much more common in cases […]
Improving Fertility with Clomid
Clomid is the marketed name for the medication clomiphene or clomifene. It is a medication used to stimulate ovulation to reverse oligoovulation (light or irregular ovulation) or anovulation (absence of ovulation). It is taken as a fertility treatment by itself or in preparation for other procedures, such as intrauterine insemination (IUI). Taken in pill form, […]