IVF Florida Reproductive Associates is now one of 40 programs nationwide and the only program in Florida to receive the Seal of Quality Assurance for Oocyte Cryopreservation and Warming from Donor Egg Bank USA, the largest frozen egg bank in North America. To receive this recognition, practices have to pass a rigorous set of requirements and show exceptional results.
"The Seal of Quality Assurance is about attaining excellence in egg vitrification and warming,” said Heidi Hayes, Executive VP of Donor Egg Bank USA. “We are proud to send frozen donor eggs to IVF Florida given their mastery of both highly technical techniques, which should give not only patients using donor eggs confidence but also women who are choosing elective egg freezing.”
IVF Florida Reproductive Associates has partnered with Donor Egg Bank USA to provide frozen donor eggs as a treatment option for women who are unable to conceive using their own eggs. Donor eggs provide the highest pregnancy rates of any fertility treatment. After a frozen donor egg is fertilized with sperm, the resulting embryo is transferred to the patient’s uterus.
The Seal of Quality Assurance for Oocyte Cryopreservation and Warming showcases IVF Florida Reproductive Associates as achieving a 50% or higher clinical pregnancy rate over a minimum of five cycles as reported in Donor Egg Bank USA’s database, or an overall blastocyst per fertilized egg rate of 50% or higher, independent of clinical rate.
“We are thrilled to be recognized for our expertise in oocyte cryopreservation and warming,” said Dr. Hoffman of IVF Florida Reproductive Associates. “Our mission is to help people become parents, and frozen donor eggs are an important piece of the fertility treatment puzzle.”
Much data has shown that vitrified and warmed donor oocytes are more fragile and difficult to master than their fresh contemporaries. To consistently achieve excellent results with frozen donor oocytes proves that IVF Florida Reproductive Associates can be counted among the few in the field who have attained mastery.
To learn more about egg freezing and fertility preservation, click here.
By
IVF FLORIDA at 14 Jan 2021
Whether you are just beginning your fertility journey or you are a current patient who has run across a term or acronym that you haven't encountered before, this IVF terminology quick guide is designed to help you understand the lingo.
ART
Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) - Any procedure that involves the removal of eggs from a woman before fertilization, such as in vitro fertilization.
BhCG
Beta hCG Test (BhCG) - A blood test to determine pregnancy. It gives a positive reading if human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is present in the blood.
GC
Gestational Carrier (GC) - A woman who carries the pregnancy to term but is not the genetic parent of the baby. Also called Gestational Surrogate.
GnRH
Gonadotropin Release Hormone (GnRH) - A hormone that controls the synthesis and release of the pituitary hormones FSH and LH. GnRH is produced by the hypothalamus.
hCG
Human Chronic Gonadotropin (hCG) - A hormone secreted by the placenta that preserves the pregnancy by prolonging the life of the corpus luteum and stimulating progesterone production. A pregnancy test is positive when hCG is detected. It can be administered therapeutically (Pregnyl or Profasi) to help solve some infertility problems.
HSG
Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) - An X-ray procedure used to determine whether the fallopian tubes are open and capable of functioning properly. The physician injects dye into the uterus through the cervix. The dye passes through the tubes if they are open. An HSG can also reveal information such as the configuration of the uterus, irregularities, and the presence of fibroids.
ICSI
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) - A laboratory procedure in which a single sperm is directly inserted into an individual egg.
IUI
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) - The introduction of specially prepared sperm directly into the uterus through the cervix.
IVF
Vitro Fertilization (IVF) - A procedure in which one or more eggs, each removed from a ripe follicle, is fertilized by a sperm outside the human body.
LH
Luteinizing Hormone (LH) - A hormone that causes the ovary to release a mature egg (ovulation). In the male, LH stimulates testosterone production. LH is secreted by the anterior pituitary. In the female, LH stimulates progesterone production after ovulation has occurred.
MF
Male Factor Infertility (MF) - The condition when a couple's infertility is attributed to the man.
OHSS
Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) - A possible side effect of medically induced ovulation, characterized by swollen, painful ovaries and, in some cases, the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen and chest.
PCOS
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) - This commonly diagnosed condition is caused by an imbalance of reproductive hormones and can cause a woman to have irregular menstrual periods, excess male hormone levels, or small fluid-filled sacs in the ovaries, all of which can lead to abnormal ovulation. PCOS is one of the most common causes of female infertility.
PID
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) - Inflammatory disease of the pelvis, often caused by infection, which can lead to infertility.
PGD
Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) - The procedure used to detect genetic or chromosomal abnormalities on embryos created during an IVF cycle. This is a delicately precise micro-manipulative procedure, in which embryologists remove either necessary DNA from the egg shortly after fertilization (polar body biopsy) or a single cell from a three-day-old embryo (embryo biopsy).
RE
Reproductive Endocrinologists (RE) - Physicians trained in obstetrics and gynecology who further specialize and are certified to treat infertility with surgical procedures and technologies associated with physician-assisted reproduction.
SA
Semen Analysis (SA) - A microscopic examination of freshly ejaculated semen to evaluate the number of sperm (count), the percentage of moving sperm (motility), and the size and shape of the sperm (morphology).
SI
Secondary Infertility (SI) - The inability to conceive or carry a pregnancy after having given birth to one or more children.
TET
Tubal Embryo Transfer (TET) - A surgical procedure in which a fertilized and divided egg is transferred to the fallopian tubes.
TI
Therapeutic Insemination (TI) - A procedure in which sperm from a male partner or a donor (Therapeutic Donor Insemination-TDI) are placed into a woman's vagina or cervix. Also called artificial insemination, but distinct from Intrauterine Insemination.
ZIFT
Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer (ZIFT) - The surgical transfer of a zygote, or fertilized egg, into a fallopian tube one day after fertilization.
For a full glossary of fertility terms, click here.
To speak with a fertility specialist call 954-247-6200, or schedule an appointment online.
By
IVF FLORIDA at 8 Jan 2021
With a new year comes new hopes, dreams, goals -- and sometimes new challenges. If 2021 is the year you decide to start on the path to parenthood or begin fertility treatment, there are a few things you can do to improve your chance of success in the new year.
1. Maintain a Healthy Weight
Being over or underweight is one of the most common causes of infertility in women. For underweight women, menstruation can become irregular or cease altogether. Those who are overweight may experience irregular menstrual cycles and have been shown to have lower fertility rates than those who are a healthy weight.
For men, being overweight has been linked to lower sperm counts, making it more difficult for them to impregnate their partner.
1. Kick Your Vices to the Curb
Whether it’s cigarettes or alcohol, if you’re trying to conceive, it would be best to quit now. Heavy alcohol consumption has been tied to reduced fertility in women and men. Smoking has been shown to decrease a woman’s egg count and quality, and negatively impacting sperm quality in men.
For women, in particular, giving up smoking and alcohol is important if they are planning to conceive – not only because it decreases a woman’s chances of conceiving, but can impact the health of her baby when she does get pregnant.
3. Get the Right Vitamins
Most women already know the vital role vitamins can play in their daily health and when they try to get pregnant. According to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, women should begin taking folic acid once they start trying to conceive and throughout their pregnancy to help prevent birth defects. Vitamins such as Vitamin C, D, and B-12 can also help improve outcomes for mom and baby.
4. Reevaluate Your Diet
While maintaining a healthy diet won’t guarantee success when trying to conceive, small tweaks to your diet can help your chances. For example, women who consume full-fat dairy have been shown to have a lower incidence of ovulatory infertility than those who consume low-fat dairy.
5. Speak to a Specialist
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine suggests that couples, where the woman is under 35, should seek fertility help after a year of trying to conceive without success. While women over 35 should seek fertility help after six months. Women who are 40 or older should speak to a fertility specialist as soon as they decide they’d like to conceive.
If you’ve been trying to conceive without success, contact the fertility specialists at IVF FLORIDA today to schedule a consultation or contact us at 954-247-6200.
By
IVF LORIDA at 23 Dec 2020
Traveling during the holidays can be stressful for anyone, but add fertility medication and COVID-19 to the mix and the stress can become too much to handle especially for those who are mid-cycle. To help relieve some anxiety associated with holiday travel during fertility treatment, the fertility experts at IVF FLORIDA are here to provide some helpful tips to make your trip as stress-free as possible.
Tip 1: Plan Ahead
If you’re in the midst of an IVF cycle, you know that timing is everything, and traveling during an IVF cycle requires a strict schedule. Before booking your travel arrangements, speak with your care team to make sure you get anything you’ll need (from monitoring to additional meds) ready to go before you leave town. Some key things to speak with them about include:
- Monitoring: If you’re in the middle of your cycle, it’s important to schedule monitoring appointments at a fertility clinic located in your destination. Practices that are part of a large network, like IVF FLORIDA, have partner practices all over the country with qualified fertility teams that can monitor you while you’re out of town.
- Medication: You may need to obtain prior authorization from your insurance company for things like blood draws and medication if necessary, including refills of extra medication for your trip if needed.
Tip 2: Be Informed and Check with Your Airline
If you are traveling by air, reach out to your airline before your trip, so you have all of the information you need well ahead of your vacation. Your airline can let you know about specific protocols surrounding syringes, needles, and medication that needs to be refrigerated. Remember that every airline is different, so some airlines may only allow certain packing materials to keep meds cold and may have specific rules for traveling with liquid medications.
In addition, when you arrive at the airport, speak with the TSA to let them know you are in the middle of fertility treatments and carrying medication and supplies including syringes. You can also request an X-Ray exemption if your doctor informs you that your medication shouldn’t go through the x-ray process. You may need a note, so check with your doctor before you go.
Tip 3: Pack Accordingly
Never place your fertility medications or supplies in your checked baggage. Airlines regularly lose checked bags, sometimes taking weeks to get them back to you, which can wreak havoc on your fertility treatment schedule and completely throw you off of your cycle. Instead, make sure to properly store your fertility medications (and any other materials you may need, like gauze or alcohol wipes) in your carry-on bag, so they are easily accessible during your trip. Finally, make sure to carry the emergency contact information for your clinic and pharmacy on you – just in case.
Traveling during an IVF cycle can be stressful, but with some careful planning and help from your team of fertility experts, it doesn’t have to be.
Remember, your care team at IVF FLORIDA is here for you every step of the way! If you have any questions regarding traveling with fertility medications or would like to schedule a consultation, don’t hesitate to contact us today.
By
IVF FLORIDA at 7 Dec 2020
The stress related to infertility can often put a strain on relationships during the best of times. Add in the stress, anxiety, and uncertainty that many are experiencing due to the global pandemic, and it can make keeping the romance alive difficult. But all of this stress makes it even more important that you work to keep that romantic fire burning, especially during Romance Awareness month! Below, the team at IVF Florida offers a few ways you can keep the romance alive this month while still staying safe and practicing social distancing.
- Take a Walk on the Beach
A lot of activities may be closed, but the beaches are open! Take some time to get out of the house and enjoy a long walk along the water, or spending some socially distanced time on the sand. Working up a sweat on a long beach walk will help keep you healthy and improve your mood. It can also help improve your relationship, as studies have shown that exercising with your partner can increase your emotional bond.
- Enjoy a Picnic in the Park
Like the beaches, plenty of parks are open for you and your partner to enjoy. The wide open space can help you abide by social distancing guidelines while also getting you out of the house. Together, pack up a healthy picnic and some find outdoor activities, and take them to your favorite park to get some fresh air and quality time.
- Enjoy a Date Night At Home
Just because you can go out to a packed bar doesn’t mean you can’t have a date night! Get all gussied up, pick up some delicious take out from your favorite local restaurant, and enjoy a romantic dinner at home under some candlelight. Spend your evening enjoying your meal and talking into the night – just like when you first started dating!
- Volunteer as a Team
There are so many individuals and families struggling right now, making it the perfect time to grab your partner and volunteer. It will help you both practice gratitude, which has been shown to reduce stress, and can help deepen your bond. So long as you can do so safely, volunteer your time to help at a food bank or go donate blood together (especially if either of you have COVID anti-bodies). If you’d rather stay safe at home, there are ways for you to help out non-profits virtually as well!
The traditional ways to keep that spark alive may not be possible right now, but there are still ways to strengthen your bond and up the romance while social distancing. Whether it involves spending time outdoors, having a date night at home, or helping those in need, there are plenty of ways you can keep the romance alive during the COVID-19 pandemic.
By
IVF FLORIDA at 22 Aug 2020