IVF or as commonly known In-vitro Fertilization is a kind of fertility treatment where fertilization takes place outside the body. It’s advisable for people who have various fertility problems. The treatment is highly common and has a high success rate. Dr. Susan Wolf in Hasbrouck Heights explains that giving fertility hormones helps in stimulating the ovaries to produce more eggs. These eggs are collected then mixed with a males sperm in the lab. The process only takes place if suitable sperm quality is normal. A single sperm can be injected into that egg. This is done by an embryologist.

Once fertilization is successful, the specialists allow the development of the embryo for 2-6 days to help in selecting the strongest embryo before being transferred back to the womb of the woman.

In most cases, the embryologist creates several reliable embryos to increase the chances of twins or triplets although it’s a health risk. Frozen embryos can also be used.

Is IVF Safe?

The fertilization is very safe and most people don’t experience any problems with the pregnancy or health. However, there can be certain risks like a severe reaction to fertility drugs or having multiple pregnancies like twins or triplets. You can also have an ectopic pregnancy or possible birth defects although very rare.

To ensure the process is safe, the fertility doctor takes you through several tests and investigations in your initial appointment. This is not something the specialists take lightly. Take your time to ask questions and ensure you are healthy for the fertilization to avoid any risks or problems with your pregnancy.

You undergo a cycle of treatments including hormone treatment and suppressing your natural hormones, and egg collection before mixing the egg with the sperm. The duration depends on the treatment the fertility specialist recommends. The doctor advises you on the right treatment.

How Successful is the Procedure?

Just like other fertility treatments, the success of IVF largely depends on the cause of infertility and age. The chance of success is higher for women aged 37 years and below. However, for those using donor eggs, the success rate is higher and doesn’t depend on the woman’s age. In this case, the percentage of live births stands at 53.5 percent.

The percentage goes down if it involves frozen embryos. Donor eggs have the best success rate for older women than for women using their own eggs.

Who Can Benefit from IVF?

• Couples experiencing male fertility problems can opt for IVF as they have a higher chance of conceiving. Laboratory techniques offer reliable results.
• Couples experiencing unexplained infertility. There are people who remain undiagnosed even after investigation, and they too can benefit from IVF intervention.
• Those suffering from PCOS leading to hormone imbalance causing irregular menstrual cycles also experience success in IVF. They conceive through ovulation induction.
• Women with endometriosis can try IVF with huge success. It has proved very successful.
• Women suffering from premature ovarian failure can use donor eggs and IVF to conceive with a higher success rate.
• Women with blocked tubes or damaged Fallopian tubes have the best opportunity to conceive through IVF using their own eggs.

Consult the fertility doctors to learn more about the condition and to enjoy the joys of parenthood. Pregnancy is possible and your success rate is pretty good either-way.

Congratulations! You are pregnant. These words can bring excitement and tension at the same time. Pregnancy is not a walk in the park and your priority is to ensure you are in good health all through the pregnancy. Dr. Margie Corney and her team at Women First GYN offer quality prenatal care to expectant mothers in Chesapeake, VA, and the surrounding area. Let’s look at the most common tests that you will find along the way:

1. Pap Smear and STD Testing

During your first prenatal care visit, around week 8-10, your doctor will screen you for STDs and cervical cancer. The presence of these conditions can put your pregnancy at risk. Your doctor will also establish your blood group.

2. Genetic Testing

During your first visit to your doctor, she will discuss the available genetic tests that can show if your baby is predisposed to certain disorders. These disorders include fibroids, cysts, and disorders of the chromosomes such as Downs syndrome.

3. Additional Blood Work

Your initial blood tests will indicate your immunity to rubella, a dangerous virus to the fetus. Other blood tests including thyroid function, liver tests. kidney tests and blood pressure may be ordered subject to your medical history.

4. Glucola Test

At week 28, your doctor will require you to take the Glucola test. This test helps establish your tolerance levels to glucose to determine the presence of gestational diabetes (a high level of glucose in the blood due to the hormonal activity of the placenta). Your doctor will request for the test earlier if you are overweight or when other risk factors for developing gestational diabetes are discovered.

5. Ultrasounds

There is more to ultrasounds than cute pictures of your unborn baby or gender reveals. Ultrasounds give a closer look at your baby in different stages of your pregnancy.

Your doctor will conduct the first ultrasound during your first prenatal visit to establish when your pregnancy is due. Based on your need for genetic testing, a second ultrasound test can be conducted during week 12 or 13. At week 20, your doctor will do a detailed anatomy ultrasound to establish the weight and size of your unborn baby and any abnormalities. If you wish to know your baby’s gender, this is the time to ask your doctor. If your doctor establishes that there are no complications with your pregnancy, this will be the last ultrasound.

Your doctor will order an ultrasound at week 24 to help give an accurate observation of your baby’s growth. At week 36, your doctor will conduct an ultrasound to establish the baby’s position in readiness for delivery.

This list is not exhaustive and your doctor can order for other tests when needed to help you have a happier and healthier pregnancy.

If you missed your periods, it is high time to visit your doctor for a pregnancy test. If you return with positive results, this will mark the start of many other tests to ensure your baby’s safety. Visit your doctor to learn more about the importance of tests during pregnancy.

If you need emergency medical care, you may be wondering whether you need to go to the emergency room or urgent care. It is common for injuries and illnesses to appear when you least expect. The answer to whether you need to go to Westminster urgent care or the emergency room is not always clear. However, a few basic principles apply.

What is the Difference?

Both the emergency room and urgent care are appropriate options when you need immediate medical attention. The main difference is that urgent care fills an important gap when you are ill or injured and need help immediately. Urgent care is more appropriate than an emergency room when your injury or illness is one that you would normally address with a primary care physician.

The emergency room of a hospital is always open. It is suitable for more complex and serious problems. The emergency room deals with limb and life-threatening situations including traumatic accident injuries and heart attack.

You should go to the emergency room for the following problems:

• Serious burns
• Broken bones
• Numbness on one side
• Difficulty breathing or chest pain
• Concussion or confusion
• Vaginal bleeding if you are pregnant
• Slurred speech
• Seizures
• Dizziness or fainting
• Bleeding that you cannot stop
• Facial lacerations
• Big cuts that need stitches

If you believe that your problem is serious, you should go to the emergency room immediately.

Urgent care is not the same as emergency care. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, patients who went to the emergency room were not always admitted. A more appropriate option for them is to go to urgent care. You should go to urgent care for the following problems:

• Dehydration
• Fever with no rash
• Small cuts that may need stitches
• Strains and sprains
• Persistent vomiting and diarrhea
• Shortness of breath or wheezing
• Moderate flu-like symptoms

It is, however, important to know that urgent care is not an alternative to your primary care doctors. However, the clinics are a resource that comes in handy when you need help fast but cannot get it from your primary care doctor.

There are different types of urgent care clinics and the one you choose should match your needs. A few practical things to consider when choosing an urgent care clinic include:

• Find out if their hours of operation match your needs
• Determine whether they accept your insurance
• Find out if they can provide your medical records to your primary care provider
• Find out if their location works for you
• Determine if they can perform the specific test, service, or treatment you need
• Find out if the clinic allows advance bookings

If you are ill or injured after your doctor’s working hours, you have two options. You may go to the emergency room or an urgent care clinic. Making the right choice between the two does not need to be difficult. The main difference is that an emergency room is appropriate for life or limb-threatening conditions. On the other hand, urgent care clinics are appropriate for serious but not life-threatening conditions.