The idea of seeking fertility treatment can be daunting. You might be weary of beginning a new unknown process, or you might feel disappointed at the thought of needing treatment at all. We spoke with Dr. Marc R. Gualtieri, a fertility specialist at IVF FLORIDA, and he breaks down some reasons you might need fertility treatment and some of the first steps you can expect as you begin.
“I think several people get a little bit of anxiety when they have to make that initial step to see a fertility specialist but, rest assured, we are here to partner with you and provide the best information and personalized treatment plans for your family-building journey,” shares Dr. Gualtieri. “We will take your full case and say, okay, what do we think is the best option for you?”
When to seek treatment
Generally speaking, there are a few guidelines to follow when thinking about your need for fertility treatment.
· If you are under 35 with a regular menstrual cycle, and no pregnancy after 1 year.
· If you are 35 to 39 with regular menstrual cycles and have no pregnancy after six months.
· If you are 40 or over with regular menstrual cycles, you should seek support as you begin trying to conceive.
You may also want to seek evaluation early if:
· You have an irregular menstrual cycle.
· You have a history of pelvic surgery (such as the removal of an ovarian cyst, ablation of endometriosis, ectopic pregnancy, tubal surgery, or ruptured appendix).
· You have blocked tubes.
· You have severely painful periods.
· You have an infertility diagnosis (such as PCOS, endometriosis, recurrent pregnancy loss, or male factor)
· You are a single person pursuing parenthood.
· You are pursuing LGBTQIA+ family-building treatment.
However, it is also important to consider your individual situation.
“If you are ready to start a family but are concerned about irregular or missed periods, don’t hesitate in reaching out directly to a fertility specialist – there is no reason to delay
based on age guidelines,” shares Dr. Gualtieri. “Together, we can create a personalized treatment plan that works for you.”
What to expect at your first appointment
At your first visit, one of the most important elements in determining the correct course of care is to completely understand your general medical history and the efforts you've taken to become pregnant.
“A thorough work-up is key to helping patients achieve their family-building goals. We’re committed to making the diagnostic process as streamlined, efficient, and personalized as possible to ensure you receive the very best care,” explains Dr. Gualtieri. “In most cases for the basic fertility work-up, we’ll do bloodwork to assess various hormone levels, an ultrasound to look at your ovaries, as well as your uterus, and then finally, a semen analysis for your partner, if applicable.”
There are also other evaluation techniques that may come up; however, you will always discuss with your provider what’s right for you.
“Once we go through these tests, there are many different avenues you can take for treatment,” Dr. Gualtieri shares.
When you’re ready to move forward with your family-building care, request an appointment with an IVF FLORIDA fertility specialist by calling 954-247-6200 or completing this brief form.
By
IVF FLORIDA at 30 Sep 2024
At IVF FLORIDA, we understand the emotional and physical complexities of trying to conceive later in life.
A woman in her 40s has a less than 5 percent chance of becoming pregnant on her own each month. For women between 45 and 49, the chance of pregnancy with her own eggs can become as low as 1 percent. Age not only impacts the likelihood of becoming pregnant, but it also affects the success rates of infertility treatment options as well as the risks of pregnancy itself.
Because of these increased challenges, patients over 40 are encouraged to pursue a basic fertility work-up to identify any factors in addition to their age that could be potential roadblocks to achieving a pregnancy.
“We encourage women over 40 who are trying to conceive to see a fertility specialist right away to review any optimization they can begin,” shares Marc Gualtieri, M.D., who sees patients at IVF FLORIDA's Jupiter, Wellington, and Margate locations. “Time is of the essence when it comes to fertility treatment success, so we want to see those patients earlier on, so we can move forward quickly and effectively.”
What to expect
When you first meet your fertility specialist, there are a few tests they may perform so they can have a better understanding of your individual case.
- Bloodwork – helps to gain insight into your hormone levels.
- Ultrasound – to examine the number and quality of your eggs.
- Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) – to ensure that the fallopian tubes are not obstructed.
- Semen analysis – Analyze motility, morphology, and volume of sperm.
Preparing for pregnancy in your 40s
In addition to talking to your doctor, there are some good habits women of any age can maintain, to help increase the chance of a healthy pregnancy.
- Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight.
- Eating a well-balanced diet.
- Getting regular, moderate physical activity.
- Quitting unhealthy habits, like smoking.
- Taking a preconception vitamin, like Luminary Vitamins, 1-3 months prior to trying to conceive.
If you have any pre-existing conditions that may predispose you to pregnancy complications, like high blood pressure or diabetes, getting these in control before getting pregnant will improve your chances of having a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.
Donor eggs for patients over 40
The uterus can sustain a pregnancy long past 40. But the lack of high-quality eggs presents the largest hurdle for women ages 40 and over. Should testing reveal that a patient's ovarian reserve is very low or there are no viable eggs remaining, you may consider the use of donor eggs or donor embryos, via IVF. The treatment process using donor eggs is very similar to IVF except the egg used comes from a prescreened donor between the ages of 21 and 34. Because these eggs are of higher quality, patients see a higher success rate when using donor eggs.
“IVF FLORIDA’s donor egg program provides patients with a highly effective treatment option to overcome infertility,” shares Dr. Gualtieri.
IVF FLORIDA can help make dreams of parenthood a reality
Entering your 40s can be a time of reflection, growth, and new beginnings, but for many, it also brings the desire to start or expand a family. The journey to parenthood at this stage of life is often filled with unique challenges and uncertainties, yet it’s important to remember that you are not alone. Our compassionate team is here to support you every step of the way, offering personalized care and advanced treatments designed to help you achieve your dream of becoming a parent.
To get started on your fertility journey, request an appointment with an IVF FLORIDA fertility specialist by calling 954-247-6200 or filling out this brief form.
By
IVF FLORIDA at 26 Aug 2024
If you have been diagnosed with fibroids and are now trying to conceive, you might have some questions about how fibroids may affect your fertility and pregnancy. Dr. Laurice Bou Nemer gives insight into the different types of fibroids, how they can affect pregnancy, and what treating fibroids may look like.
What are fibroids?
Usually noncancerous, fibroids are smooth muscle tumors, primarily found in or around the uterus. They are extremely common, and by the age of 50 over 70% of women have them. They are even more common in Black women, with estimates that 80% of Black women may be affected by uterine fibroids. It is also important to know that fibroids are different from ovarian cysts. Cysts are fluid-filled sacs that develop in the ovary, while fibroids are masses in the uterine wall.
Fibroids effect on fertility
“Fibroids are very common, and in fact, many women have successful pregnancies with them,” shares Dr. Bou Nemer. “Our concern is typically with their location.”
Fibroids can occur in three locations within the uterus Inside the uterine cavity (submucosal), within the muscular wall of the uterus (intramural), and on the outside of the uterus (subserosal). Submucosal fibroids often pose the most difficulty in terms of becoming pregnant, as they limit the space available to an embryo to implant on the wall of the uterus. If a pregnancy does start, Submucosal fibroids can also cause early miscarriages.
Intramural and subserosal fibroids are not as problematic, however, if they become too large, they can still impact how the uterus functions, and may need to be removed.
Treatment options for fibroids
The great news for fertility patients with fibroids is that fibroids can often be managed with medications, surgery, or a combination of both.
“It’s always a good idea to speak to a fertility specialist if you are trying to conceive with fibroids,” explains Dr. Bou Nemer, “We’ll be able to take your situation into account and make a plan that's right for you.”
Medical management may involve oral pills or injections to stabilize your uterine lining or decrease the size or growth of your fibroids. For large fibroids or those directly impacting the uterine cavity, surgery may offer better outcomes. Your physician may take a vaginal approach with hysteroscopy, where a telescope-like device is advanced through the vagina into your uterine cavity. For larger fibroids in the wall or outside of the uterus, an abdominal approach with laparoscopy or laparotomy may be recommended.
When considering these options, you should consult a fertility specialist, to be sure your treatment options are in line with your family planning goals.
To get started on your fertility journey, request an appointment with an IVF FLORIDA fertility specialist by calling 954-247-6200 or filling out this brief form.
By
IVF FLORIDA at 25 Jul 2024
At IVF FLORIDA, we are proud to support the LGBTQIA+ community and are excited to announce our participation in several upcoming events dedicated to celebrating diversity and building families. Join us as we engage with the community, provide valuable information, and offer our support in helping everyone achieve their dream of starting a family. Here’s a sneak peek into the events we’ll be attending and the specialized services we offer.
Upcoming Events:
Stonewall Pride – June 15
Join us at the Wilton Manors Stonewall Pride Parade and Festival on June 15. This vibrant event celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community with parades, performances, and festivities. Visit our booth to learn more about our services, meet our team, and join in the celebration. We’re here to answer any questions you might have about family building and fertility options tailored to your needs.
Free Webinar: LGBTQIA+ Family Building – June 25
On June 25, we’re hosting a FREE webinar focused on LGBTQIA+ Family Building. This online event features a Q&A session with Dr. Melinda Henne, where you can gain insights into the various fertility options available, including surrogacy, sperm and egg donation, and more. This is a fantastic opportunity to get your questions answered in a supportive and informative environment. Don’t forget to register in advance to secure your spot!
Men Having Babies – October 4-5
We’re thrilled to participate in the Men Having Babies conference on October 4-5. This event is designed to provide gay men with comprehensive information and resources about surrogacy. Visit our booth to learn everything you need to know about starting your journey to parenthood through surrogacy. Our team will be on hand to offer guidance and answer any questions you may have. Register now!
Specialized LGBTQIA+ Services at IVF FLORIDA
At IVF FLORIDA, we understand that every family’s journey is unique. We offer a range of services tailored to meet the needs of LGBTQIA+ individuals and couples looking to start or expand their families. Here’s an overview of the specialized services we provide:
1. Surrogacy
For gay couples and single men wishing to have biological children, surrogacy is a common and effective option. We offer comprehensive surrogacy programs, connecting you with surrogates and providing medical and legal support throughout the process.
2. Sperm Donation
For lesbian couples and single women, sperm donation is a viable option for starting a family. We provide access to a diverse database of sperm donors and ensure all medical screenings are thoroughly conducted.
3. Egg Donation
For gay couples using surrogacy or for those facing fertility challenges, egg donation might be necessary. We offer a diverse and inclusive egg donor program to help you find the perfect match.
4. Fertility Preservation
We offer fertility preservation options such as egg and sperm freezing for transgender individuals undergoing gender-affirming treatments, ensuring you have the opportunity to build a family in the future.
5. Reciprocal IVF
For lesbian couples, reciprocal IVF allows both partners to be involved in the conception process. One partner provides the eggs, and the other carries the pregnancy, creating a shared biological connection to the child.
Why Choose IVF FLORIDA?
- Expertise: Our team of experienced fertility specialists is dedicated to providing personalized care tailored to your specific needs.
- Supportive Environment: We offer a welcoming and inclusive environment where you can feel comfortable and supported throughout your journey.
- Comprehensive Care: From initial consultations to advanced reproductive technologies, we provide a full spectrum of fertility services.
We look forward to seeing you at these exciting events and helping you take the next steps in your family-building journey.
For more information about our services or to schedule a consultation, visit our website or contact us today.
Together, we can make your dream of parenthood a reality
By
IVF FLORIDA at 14 Jun 2024
Many individuals face the challenging journey of navigating infertility while maintaining a career. However, they tend to suffer in silence. In this blog post, we will hear the personal story of IVF FLORIDA Patient Marline who embarked on a 15-year fertility journey while simultaneously nurturing her professional goals. Despite encountering numerous hurdles along the way, she successfully balanced the demands of fertility treatments with the requirements of her career. Her inspiring story showcases resilience, strategic planning, and determination.
Infertility is something I never could have imagined my family, and I would have to experience. As such, not only did we not want to deal with infertility, but we were also not equipped or prepared to do so. Experiencing troubles when trying to build a family is not only a tough thing to go through but also uncharted territory with no instructions. When the time came for my husband and me to grow our family, we ran into many roadblocks. It did not happen for us as we had originally planned.
Our fertility journey lasted a whopping 15 years. During those 15 years, many aspects of my life had to be either placed on hold or on the back burner while we navigated this infertility journey. One of the things that could not wait or be paused was my career. Not only did I need to work to contribute to our family’s financial stability, but I also needed to work in order to make a name for myself while on a quest to grow and excel in my career.
My official fertility journey began in 2003. I say "official" because we had already been trying naturally for over 2 years and ultimately decided to see a fertility doctor. My career was just beginning to flourish. During the 15 years of family-building, I was employed by the same company. Although I had job stability, so to speak, I was petrified of everyone, especially my managers, finding out I was struggling to have a family. I felt in my heart that if they knew, they would not want to work with me or view me as an unreliable employee. I believed I would have had to choose between starting a family and putting in the number of hours at work needed to qualify or be recognized for promotions and career advancement. So, those beginning years of doctors’ appointments, labs, diagnostic testing, infertility treatments, etc., were all done secretly, unbeknownst to my managers or the company.
So, how was I able to do that? It required a significant amount of strategic planning, all while stressing myself out along the way. I had to try to plan these vital appointments at the most opportune times so as not to draw attention to my attendance. Therefore, some appointments were as early as 7:00 am. Other appointments were scheduled for lunchtime. I also tried to select clinics that were not located too far from either my house or office so I could have a short commute to and from, in the event I needed to leave. Also, in those early years, I was in school for my undergrad, so that allowed me a bit of flexibility in my schedule as my company hired me as a senior in college. As I earned promotions that required more of my time for training, practicing on new tasks, and working closely with the CFO (Chief Financial Officer), trying to get away or plan for fertility treatments became a bit trickier. As a matter of fact, one of my inseminations (IUI) was performed during my lunch break.
I have to say that as my responsibilities increased at work, I had to put my family-building plans on hold. I can also say that after going through 4-6 cycles of fertility treatments back-to-back and having them be unsuccessful, I think a mental break was normally in the cards. It just so happened that work became busy too, so I used that as an excuse to not feel guilty for putting those plans on hold. After picking up family-building if I had put it on hold, I had to deal with more setbacks that I needed to try to work around. Some of those setbacks included having to have various surgeries required to help improve issues the doctors may have had concerns about as it relates to my fertility. So, that means trying to come up with reasons to tell my managers why I needed time off from work. One year, I even missed our holiday party to have and recover from surgery. It was tough. I had to resort to coming up with clever “reasons” as to why I needed to be off. I did not like that because although I felt it was a private matter, I did not like the idea of not being able to be truthful and fully transparent. I ultimately decided to handle it the way I did because I thought it would be worse if they knew the truth.
By the time we had graduated to having to do IVF (in-vitro fertilization), 10 years had passed of fertility treatments, surgeries, etc. At that point, I knew I had to tell my job what was going on. I didn’t know exactly what to expect with IVF, but I knew it meant more appointments, more labs, and more days off, and I just could not swing that with more stories to my managers. The good thing is that because I had been with the company for almost 10 years, I had built a sense of trust and dependability as an employee. I had also been promoted multiple times, had a strong tenure, and built a great rapport with my mentors and managers. As such, I was able to meet with them (CFO and HR Director) and notify them of the journey my husband and I were able to embark on.
To learn more about Marline's infertility journey, follow her on Instagram (@mcdbe) and check out her book: It’ll Happen by 30: A Relentless Journey of Faith | Delayed but Not Denied, available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and www.mcdbe.com.
By
IVF FLORIDA at 24 Apr 2024