Seems like a terrible and heartless thing to ever say, right? The death of the oldest woman to give birth from in vitro fertilization (IVF) was announced this week; she was 69 years old and is survived by her twin sons. This naturally brings up a lot of questions I hear from women on a regular basis concerning IVF and assisted reproduction technologies (ART).

Women are waiting longer on average to begin having children in the last 20-30 years due to careers, education and other opportunities not traditionally available to women. As a result, more women are finding that natural conception has become increasingly difficult. On the opposite side of this coin is the “Octomom” fiasco in which a woman with no medical need for IVF was given a rather radical treatment resulting in the birth of 8 children.

Why the difficulty?

It is common knowledge that women over the age of 30 begin to experience marked declines in potential fertility. The primary reason for this decrease in fertility is the age of the eggs which her body is supporting to maturation.

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Tags : infertility, ivf

Skipping one phase when treating infertility also cuts costs, study finds

FRIDAY, June 19 (HealthDay News) — Among couples going to fertility clinics, pregnancy occurred more quickly — and for less money — when they took an accelerated route to in vitro fertilization, a new study has found.

The advantages came when the researchers eliminated one step in the fertility treatment — the gonadotropin-stimulated intrauterine insemination cycle. Gonadotropin is a follicle-stimulating hormone.

Working with couples at Boston IVF and Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, the researchers divided 503 couples into two groups. Women in one group underwent conventional treatment — three cycles of intrauterine insemination (IUI) using clomiphene citrate to stimulate ovulation, followed by three gonadotropin-stimulated IUI cycles, then up to six cycles of in vitro fertilization (IVF).

IUI is a procedure in which a thin, flexible catheter is threaded through the cervix and used to inject washed sperm directly into the uterus. In IVF, egg and sperm are joined outside the uterus in a petri dish, and the fertilized egg is then placed into the uterus.

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Tags : infertility, IUI, ivf

Would-be parents who want to work with an egg donor, but who don’t have the $30,000 or so in-vitro fertilization costs, have some hope. Many fertility centers give their recipient patients the option of splitting the cost of receiving an egg donation with another couple.

“It’s really great for the younger patients who haven’t had a chance to really acquire any finances,” says Dr. Bruce Rose of Infertility Solutions, P.C., a clinic in Allentown, Pa.”It gives them the chance to have a child not otherwise possible.”

Sharing Means Saving
This process can save patients up to 50% of the costs in this step in the in-vitro fertilization (IVF) process. In some cases what could typically cost $30,000 to $40,000 can come down in price to $15,000.

Other fertility treatment discounts are available, too. Dr. Carlos E. Soto-Albors, senior partner at the Northern California Fertility Medical Center in Roseville, Calif., is making IVF more affordable for patients by decreasing the cost each time they have the procedure, whether it is because they did not conceive the first time or because they want a second child.

“If they wait a year or two [to save additional monies for a second child] it will hurt their chance of getting pregnant,” he say.

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Tags : female, infertility, ivf

Updated: Thursday, 11 Jun 2009, 7:02 PM EDT
Published : Thursday, 11 Jun 2009, 5:16 PM EDT

MYFOXNY.COM - There are many myths out there regarding infertility and IVF — in vitro fertilization. Many of those myths come from the publicity generated by celebrities who undergo IVF.

WATCH THE FOX 5 NEWS REPORT BY DR. MANNY ALVAREZ (VIDEO, LEFT)

The mission of RESOLVE is to provide timely, compassionate support and information to people who are experiencing infertility and to increase awareness of infertility issues through public education and advocacy, according to the group’s Web site.

Founded in 1974, RESOLVE is a nonprofit organization with a nationwide network mandated to promote reproductive health and to ensure equal access to all family building options for men and women experiencing infertility.

RESOLVE provides services and benefits to members:

–Local telephone HelpLines
–Support services, newsletters and educational meetings through local regions, chapters and affiliates
–Member-to-member contact system
–Discounts on RESOLVE publications
–Resolve for the journey and beyond, quarterly

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Tags : infertility, ivf

NEW YORK (CBS) ? Nearly one in eight couples in the U.S. will suffer from some form of infertility. Not only do they experience emotional anguish, but treatments, such as in vitro fertilization, can also be a financial strain, CBS station WCBS-TV reported.

Now, however, there’s a breakthrough procedure using little or no fertility drugs. This means renewed hope for couples wanting to become parents while easing their economic burden for uninsured fertility treatments.

Amy Timney suffers from polycystic ovary syndrome, which makes it difficult for her to conceive. After two years and tens of thousands of dollars spent on in vitro fertilization, Timney decided to try the new procedure.

The treatment is called IVM, and it costs roughly one-third of traditional IVF treatments.

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Tags : infertility, ivf, IVM

By Gina Redmond
Evening anchor
Published: June 5, 2009

It’s becoming more the norm than the exception: women who are giving birth in their late 40’s and early 50’s.

Actress Geena Davis gave birth to twins at 48; Jane Seymour gave birth at 45; Cheryl Tiegs at 52.

Yet statistics show that once a woman reaches the age of 40, her fertility rate is pretty low. That’s why many women seek an egg donor for help.

What is egg donation? I took a closer look at the procedure and the female donors who are changing lives.

Pick up almost any college newspaper and you’ll see the ads seeking egg donors like this 24-year-old grad student who doesn’t want us to use her name.

Earlier this year at a clinic out-of-state, she donated 28 of her eggs, and she says she’s ready to do it again.

“I’m helping someone and they appreciate it,” she said.

The fact is, in a society where more and more women are waiting longer to get pregnant, egg donors like her are desperately needed.

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Tags : egg donations, infertility, ivf

by Anna Swindle
June 04, 2009

Dr. Marybeth Gerrity began her career researching ways to prevent pregnancy. But for years she’s helped pioneer options to increase fertility for women and men – from making test tube babies to keeping fertility an option for cancer patients.

“For me it was a perfect transition because I had reached a point in my academic research where I really wanted to see more tangible results of what I was doing,” said Gerrity, executive director of Northwestern University’s Oncofertility Consortium. “I wanted to see the work I was doing be more translatable.”

Joining the world of fertility research in the late 1970s, when the science was just beginning to take off, Gerrity has been a key player in the field’s development. At that point, only three to five percent of in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles resulted in a baby.

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Tags : fertility, ivf

Research by board-certified reproductive endocrinologist Richard Sherbahn, MD, at the Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago reveals that the age of a woman receiving donated eggs significantly affects her chances of implantation and successful pregnancy.

Gurnee, Ill. (PRWEB) June 4, 2009 — Infertility specialist Richard Sherbahn, MD, recently presented research to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine regarding the effect of a woman recipient’s age on the outcome of egg donation.

Dr. Sherbahn studied 452 egg donation cycles using donors under age 31 between 1998 and 2007. He separated the recipients into two groups according to age, with women under 45 in one group and women ages 45-50 in the other group.

The study compared the two groups’ recipient and donor ages, as well as the number of embryos transferred and the rates of implantation, clinical pregnancy, miscarriage and live birth.

Dr. Sherbahn found no differences between the two groups’ average donor ages or the average number of embryos transferred. However, the study showed that recipients ages 45-50 had lower rates of implantation, clinical pregnancy and live birth, and a higher rate of miscarriage than women under age 45.

“The differences between the recipient age groups’ rates of implantation and miscarriage were statistically significant, although the differences in their rates of clinical pregnancy and live birth were not,” says Dr. Sherbahn.

“There is a significant reduction in implantation rates — and a notable increase in miscarriage rates — in egg donation recipients ages 45-50,” Dr. Sherbahn concludes.

“A woman’s uterine receptivity might decline with advancing age due to unknown biochemical and/or molecular changes in the uterine lining,” he says. “This decline could also be the result of a higher incidence of other pathological conditions in the uterus, such as fibroid tumors, polyps, or scarring and adhesions known as Asherman’s syndrome.”

“High blood pressure and other systemic disorders are more common in older women; these could also contribute to the reduced potential for implantation and a successful pregnancy,” Dr. Sherbahn explains.

For some women, in-vitro fertilization (IVF) with donated eggs has succeeded after multiple IVF cycles using their own eggs have failed. Forty-year-old Gail and her husband are now expecting twins, thanks to IVF with donor eggs.

“This has been a seven-year journey for me and my husband,” Gail explains. “I got married at 33, so we attempted to start a family right away. Within a year, I got pregnant naturally and miscarried. Then I got pregnant immediately again and miscarried a second time.”

Gail and her husband sought fertility treatment at another clinic, undergoing six intra-uterine inseminations, also called artificial insemination, before trying IVF. “The first IVF we did worked — I got pregnant again — and miscarried,” Gail recalls. “It was devastating.” Three more IVF attempts at that clinic were unsuccessful, including one with donor eggs.

Then Gail and her husband came to the Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago. “We chose egg donation because that was going to give us the best chance of success,” she explains. “We went through one IVF cycle. They implanted two embryos — and I’m 11 weeks pregnant! I’ve never made it this far before. We’re thrilled! And the best news is that I’m pregnant with twins. It’s the biggest blessing that we could ever have imagined.”

“Because we have high success rates, flexible pricing options (including money-back guarantees) and immediate availability of numerous egg donors, we see a lot of interest in our donor program from local couples — as well as from people in other states and countries,” says Dr. Sherbahn.

The Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago, with offices in Gurnee and Crystal Lake, Ill., offers advanced reproductive technology services such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection and egg donation.

The Center specializes in individualized care, and has IVF success rates and egg donation success rates above the national averages. Advanced Fertility has egg donors available immediately, with no third-party egg donor agency needed.

The Center’s web site, www.advancedfertility.com, offers more than 200 articles on fertility issues and IVF. To schedule an appointment at the Gurnee office, call 847.662.1818. For an appointment at the Crystal Lake office, call 815.356.1818.

Article was a press release.

Website

Tags : Conception, infertility, ivf

Infertility Study Confirms Laser Acupuncture Improves IVF Pregnancy Rates; RMACT the only fertility clinic in Connecticut to offer laser acupuncture treatments for IVF fertility treatments.

Norwalk, CT (PRWEB) May 28, 2009 — Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut (RMACT) announced today the results of a recently conducted survey that showed the use of laser acupuncture performed both before and after embryo transfer during an in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle, improves a women’s chances of implantation by up to 15%. Acupuncture is the traditional Chinese method of using pin-point thin needles placed at strategic “energy points” around the body to improve functioning and promote natural healing. Growing medical evidence indicates that acupuncture may improve a woman’s chance of conceiving when performed in conjunction with IVF fertility treatments. Today, acupuncture is frequently used by women with infertility issues to help regulate menstrual cycles, reduce stress and improve blood flow to the pelvic area and uterine lining. The study, one of the largest clinical trials ever conducted on acupuncture, had 1,000 participants who were randomly assigned to one of five study groups. The first group received traditional acupuncture, the second group received laser acupuncture, while the third or “placebo group” thought (along with the acupuncturist and physician) that they also received laser acupuncture. The fourth, relaxation group lay in a dimly light room with soft music, and the last group received no treatment at all. All treatments were administered for 25 minutes before and after embryo transfer.

“The results of this large prospective study are exciting in that they provide additional support in showing that acupuncture has a direct effect on improving fertility,” said Amy Matton, a licensed acupuncturist at RMACT. “Like traditional acupuncture, laser acupuncture uses low level light to regulate qi and help balance the body. Laser acupuncture is a viable alternative form of fertility treatment for people who may have a fear of needles.”

“This exciting, first-of-its-kind study offers another tool to help couples achieve pregnancy, with only two painless treatments” said Dr. Mark Leondires, Medical Director at RMACT. “Our customized patient programs, personal attention, and leading research and technology, enable RMACT to provide each of our patients with the latest and most effective fertility treatment possible.” Currently, RMACT is the only fertility center in Connecticut to offer laser acupuncture. All of RMACT’s licensed acupuncturists have been trained in the use of laser acupuncture. To make an appointment or to learn more, call (800) 865-5431, or email inquiries(at)rmact(dot)com

RMACT Fertility Clinic and Egg Donation offices specialize in the treatment of infertility. With fertility clinics in Norwalk, Danbury and Greenwich, CT, and an affiliate office in Rye, NY, our team of Board-Certified Reproductive Endocrinologists offer a wide range of infertility treatments from basic fertility services including ovulation induction and intrauterine insemination (IUI) to the most advanced assisted reproductive technologies including In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), Egg Donation and Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD). The RMACT physician team includes, Dr. Mark P. Leondires, Dr. Spencer S. Richlin, Dr. Joshua M. Hurwitz, and Dr. Cynthia M. Murdock. All physicians are members of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) and the Fairfield County and Connecticut Medical Societies. RMACT’s IVF laboratory is accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP), and CLIA; other accreditations include the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) and the American Institute for Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM). RMACT offers individualized treatment plans in a patient-focused and supportive environment. Fertility treatment support services, such as psychological counseling, acupuncture and yoga are also available. For more information visit http://www.RMACT.com

Tags : infertility, ivf, research

After the uproar over the octuplets born in California and the choices made by Nadya Suleman and her doctor, it seems that the whole world is paying attention to the fertility industry.

And one of the options for couples who are struggling to conceive is starting to gain some attention, particularly in light of Suleman’s claims that she simply couldn’t allow her “leftover” embryos to go, well, unused. (Thus her reasoning behind implanting all of her remaining 6 embryos, 2 of which later split in utero.)

Another option she might have considered? Embryo adoption.

Embryo adoption is the process by which parents who have created embryos, usually in preparation for IVF (in-vitro fertilization), then go on to allow other couples to ‘adopt’ the embryos instead of using the embryos themselves.

It’s a relatively new concept, and one that is very exciting to some people.

One of the many aspects that some couples find appealing is the relatively low cost of the adoption, which can range anywhere from $2000-5000. Compared to repeated IVF attempts or the adoption of a live child, the cost can be considerably less. The process can take anywhere between 6-12 months to complete.

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Tags : adoption, ivf