Gestational Carrier Screening & Matching Basics
Choosing and matching with a gestational carrier (GC) is one of the most critical steps in LGBTQ+ family building. It directly impacts outcomes, costs, and timelines. This guide explains the essentials—screening, legal steps, logistics, and emotional considerations—so you can move forward with confidence. What It Is Gestational carrier screening and matching ensure that the person […]
International Patients — Medication Equivalents
This article explains international patients — medication equivalents within the IVF Protocols & Medications pathway. It focuses on practical decisions that actually affect outcomes, budgets, and timelines—so you can move forward with confidence, even when receiving care across borders. What It Is International medication equivalents means understanding which fertility drugs in your home country match […]
HLA Matching and Ethical Considerations
HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen) matching refers to testing embryos for compatibility with an existing child who needs a stem-cell or bone-marrow donor. It’s typically paired with PGT-M or PGT-A and used to ensure that a future baby can safely donate cord blood or bone marrow to a sibling with a life-threatening condition. This section explains: […]
Pharmacy Savings — Manufacturer Programs and Generics
Fertility medications are one of the biggest and most unpredictable costs in treatment. Pharmacy savings help reduce that burden through: Manufacturer discount programs Income-based medication assistance Coupons and co-pay support Switching to generics when possible Using lower-priced pharmacies Multi-cycle or bundled medication packages These decisions can change cycle affordability, start dates, treatment sequencing, and your […]
Privacy and Anonymity — HIPAA and Common Sense
Privacy & Anonymity — HIPAA and Common Sense Privacy in surrogacy is about two things: Legal privacy (HIPAA, state privacy laws, agency protocols) Practical privacy (emotional boundaries, communication expectations, shared information) HIPAA protects medical information—labs, ultrasound results, diagnoses, medications, and all clinical records. It does not automatically cover personal texts, social media, hospital interactions, agency […]
Pharmacy Logistics — Avoiding Last‑Minute Issues
This article explains pharmacy logistics—avoiding last-minute issues within the IVF Protocols & Medications pathway. It focuses on the steps that genuinely impact outcomes, budgets, and timelines, so you can move through your IVF cycle smoothly and with confidence. What It Is Pharmacy Logistics — Avoiding Last-Minute Issues in plain a guide to making sure your […]
Consanguinity Considerations
Consanguinity Considerations — how genetic risk changes when partners share biological ancestry, why expanded carrier screening becomes more important, and how this decision fits into your reproductive planning. It clarifies what consanguinity actually affects (recessive disease risk, panel selection, counseling) and how upstream decisions shape downstream results such as PGT-M needs, embryo testing plans, and pregnancy […]
Citizenship and Passports — US and International
How a newborn’s legal identity, citizenship, birth certificate, and passport are created after birth—and how these differ for: US intended parents International intended parents (EU, UK, Canada, Asia, Latin America, Middle East, etc.) Dual-nationality families Cases involving donors, single parents, or same-sex couples Upstream decisions—birth state, contract language, hospital records, parentage orders, and embassy requirements—determine […]
Employer Benefits — Getting the Most From Coverage
Employer fertility benefits are financial supports offered through your workplace—sometimes through insurance and sometimes as standalone fertility reimbursement programs. These benefits can include: IVF, ICSI, PGT-A Egg freezing or embryo banking Donor sperm, donor eggs, or donor embryos Surrogacy reimbursement Medications Travel or lodging for treatment They matter because they can change your timeline, expand […]
Managing Side Effects — Headaches, Bloating, Mood
This article explains managing side effects—headaches, bloating, and mood changes within the IVF Protocols & Medications pathway. It focuses on simple, practical choices that actually improve comfort, reduce stress, and help you move through treatment with more confidence and control. What It Is Managing Side Effects — Headaches, Bloating, Mood in plain English:A guide to […]
