Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

What is in vitro fertilization?

Also known as IVF, in vitro fertilization involves uniting sperm and egg to create embryos in the lab ("in vitro"). Once embryos are created, they are placed in the uterus (through the cervix). Once the embryos are in place, pregnancy can begin.

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What is egg donation?

Egg donation is the process by which one woman(an egg donor) donates her ova, or eggs, so that an infertile couple may have a child. This does not involve the actual removal or donation of the ovaries; it simply means that doctors will extract egg cells from one of the woman's ovaries.

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What is tubal reversal?

A tubal reversal is a procedure that restores blocked or tied fallopian tubes to restore fertility in a woman. The procedure is called a tubal reversal because it is performed to reverse the effects of a tubal ligation, a surgical procedure which involves blocking the fallopian tubes (usually by tying) to prevent pregnancy.

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What is intrauterine insemination?

IntraUterine Insemination, or IUI, is the process when sperm are washed and concentrated, and are injected directly into the uterus. The advantage of intrauterine insemination is that a significantly larger number of sperm make it into the fallopian tubes, whereas with sexual intercourse, the majority of sperm do not make it up the female genital tract.

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Shoud I consider a surrogate mother?
Women who may be unable to carry a child may want to consider surrogacy. Depending on whether you are infertile, the 2 basic types of surrogacy you should consider are traditional surrogacy or gestational surrogacy.

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What is preimplantation genetic diagnosis?
Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis, or PGD, is a process by which parents may identify and even select genetic characteristics in their child. This is used mostly to prevent susceptibility to disease, birth defects, and handicaps.

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Does my insurance cover infertility treatment?
Fertility treatments can be expensive, come with no guarantee, and are often not covered by insurance. Insurance carriers offer different medical coverage for the same services depending upon the employer's contract with the insurance company. You should contact your insurance company.

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How do I choose an infertilty treatment specialist?
If you are seeking infertility treatment, you should try to find a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist. This is an OB/GYN (obstetrician/gynecologist) certified in both obstetrics and gynecology with the subspecialty of reproductive endocrinology by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. It should not be difficult to find one of these doctors in your area.
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