Are ‘Spermbots’ on the Horizon at Your New York Fertility Clinic

In more than half of couples who struggle to conceive a baby, the male partner plays a role in the need to visit a fertility clinic. Now, thanks to micro-robotic technology, a European research team may have devised a way to help men’s sperm reach an egg more quickly and efficiently. It may sound like a page out of a science fiction novel, but German scientists have created a “motor” of sorts to help sperm swim to an egg for fertilization. How does spermbot technology work? Dubbed “spermbots,” the micrometal helixes can wrap around the tail of a sperm cell and assist it as it swims to reach an egg. When…

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Fertility Treatment Options Won’t Cause Development Delays

Couples who choose fertility treatment options like intrauterine insemination, egg donation or IVF don’t have to worry about their child having developmental delays, thanks to a study by the National Institutes of Health. The study was published in January 2016 in the online journal JAMA Pediatrics, and was conducted by researchers at the NIH, the New York State Department of Health and other institutions. The findings refute longstanding beliefs among some that fertility treatment can affect embryos at a sensitive stage which causes in development delays or disabilities in children. “When we began our study, there was little research on the potential effects of conception via fertility treatments on U.S. children,” said Edwina Yeung, Ph.D.,…

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Success Rates for Minimal Stimulation IVF Will be Released in 2016

To this point, the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) hasn’t broken out the success rate for minimal stimulation IVF compared with the traditional method of in-vitro fertilization. But this year, when the society releases its 2014 statistics compiled from member clinics, mini IVF figures will be extrapolated so couples can determine just how successful the milder method of IVF really is. Nationally, IVF has a success rate (meaning a normal weight singleton birth occurred) of about 30 percent when using fresh embryos. The national success rate for frozen embryos is about 24 percent. Those are 2013 success rates, the latest year for which data is available. The stats combine data from 190,773 cycles reported by the 467…

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In Vitro Fertilization via Blastocyst Culture

For women suffering recurrent pregnancy loss, a blastocyst culture and transfer procedure is capable of maximizing their chances of becoming pregnant while minimizing the risk of having a multiple pregnancy. A blastocyst culture and transfer differs from other in vitro methods because of the length of time embryos are cultured before being implanted into the uterus. In addition, embryologists can be more selective regarding their choice of advanced-stage embryos. This raises the potential for a successful implantation during transfer. What is a Blastocyst Culture? Blastocysts are developed embryos that have divided repeatedly and are almost ready for implantation onto the uterine wall. An advanced blastocyst culture offers high rates of…

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When Gestational Surrogacy is Necessary

When another woman’s uterus is “borrowed” for the purpose of carrying an embryo and delivering a baby for another woman or couple, this procedure is called a gestational surrogacy. Gestational surrogacy, or simply surrogacy, primarily utilizes in vitro fertilization or intrauterine insemination techniques, depending on health circumstances surrounding those involved with the surrogacy. Who Should Consider Surrogacy? Surrogacy is considered a viable option if: You still have your ovaries to provide eggs but have had your uterus removed You have a medical condition that puts your health at risk if you were to become pregnant (polycystic ovary syndrome, autoimmune diseases, being over 35) You and your partner have suffered repeated…

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Using an Ovulation Calendar to Get Pregnant

Many women use an ovulation calendar, sometimes referred to an ovulation calculator, in order to get pregnant or prevent pregnancy. This helpful tool assists you in figuring out when you are ovulating; in other words, it lets you know when you are most fertile. Using the Ovulation Calendar in Conjunction with Physical Signs While the ovulation calculation is a great tool to assist you in becoming pregnant, it is not the only fertility tool in the toolbox. Some women are able to identify physical signs that also help them to predict their ovulation. These include: Noticing a change in your cervical mucus. Many women notice that a few days prior…

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Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome 101

As many as one in 10 women of childbearing years can have polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS, according to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health Division. Estimates are that upwards of five million Americans may be affected by PCOS. If you suspect you are dealing with PCOS, knowing that you are not alone may help. Symptoms of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome PCOS It’s important for you to know that the symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome are unique to each woman, though there are some common symptoms that many women experience who have PCOS. In most cases, more than one symptom is present. These include: Irregular periods (infrequent…

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What to Expect: Intrauterine Insemination

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a fertility treatment that is fairly common. It is performed as a treatment method most often for male fertility issues, such as low sperm count or sperm motility dysfunction. It is also performed in situations where a donor sperm is desired. Usually, when other conception methods are not successful, this type of fertility treatment is often considered. It is also generally used by doctors to treat fertility problems before any other more advanced treatments are attempted. How Long does Intrauterine Insemination Take?    A physician at a fertility clinic usually performs the procedure. A small tube filled with sperm is inserted into the uterus.  It typically takes around…

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Artificial Insemination Gives New Hope for a Growing Family

Artificial insemination is a medical technique that can help treat certain kinds of male and female infertility. The procedure makes pregnancy possible for those who had trouble conceiving in the past. Doctors perform artificial insemination by introducing sperm directly into a woman’s cervix, uterus or fallopian tubes. The procedure can improve the chances for pregnancy by shortening the distance sperm must travel and by helping the sperm bypass any obstacles that prevent them from reaching the egg. Sperm used in artificial insemination can come from the woman’s male partner, unless the male is sterile or when there is no male partner.   Why Use Artificial Insemination? Many physicians and clinicians…

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Is In Vitro Fertilization for Me?

In its most basic sense, In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a type of fertility treatment where eggs and sperm are combined. The process is done in a laboratory. The embryos that result are then placed into a woman’s uterus and then a baby begins to grow. According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2013 report, even though assisted reproductive technology (ART) is still a fairly uncommon practice, around 1.5 percent of babies born in the US are the result of this procedure. Is In Vitro Fertilization Right for You?    IVF can help with pregnancy if you are having issues with egg quality, ovulation, and endometriosis or have blocked…

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