Hydration and Electrolytes — Small Wins
Key Takeaways Hydration directly impacts hormones, fertility, energy, digestion, and metabolic stability. Electrolytes—especially sodium, potassium, and magnesium—help cells function optimally. Even mild dehydration can affect cervical mucus, egg quality, sperm health, and embryo development. Small wins like morning hydration, mineral-rich foods, and balanced electrolytes can create outsized benefits. Choosing the right electrolyte sources matters more […]
Appeals After Denials — Templates and Tactics
Appeals After Denials — Templates and Tactics is a practical approach to overturning insurance denials using documentation, timing, and medical necessity.It helps you understand: Why denials happen What insurers consider valid evidence How to request internal reviews, external reviews, and expedited appeals How appeal letters should be structured (with sample templates) How to use clinical […]
Embryo Cumulative Success Calculator — Interpreting Curves
Key Takeaways Cumulative success curves show your total chance of pregnancy or live birth across multiple embryos, not just one transfer. Age, embryo quality, and PGT-A testing significantly change the shape of success curves. An embryo calculator uses per-embryo probability + number of embryos to build a personalized cumulative estimate. Curves help set realistic expectations […]
Parental Rights and Adoption Considerations
Parental rights and adoption considerations refer to the legal steps required to establish who the legal parents are before, during, and after a surrogacy journey. Because U.S. surrogacy laws vary drastically by state, intended parents may need: Pre-birth orders (PBOs) Post-birth orders (POBs) Confirmatory adoption (common for LGBTQ+ or single parents in certain states) Second-parent […]
Random‑Start Stimulation — Beating the Clock
Key Takeaways Random-Start Stimulation allows ovarian stimulation at any point in the menstrual cycle. It’s crucial for patients who must begin IVF or egg freezing immediately. Particularly effective for cancer patients, time-sensitive medical procedures, low ovarian reserve, and urgent surrogacy timelines. Success rates are comparable to conventional stimulation when used appropriately. It reduces delays, protects […]
Fertility Clinics Near Me — Chicago (IL)
Key Takeaways Chicago offers a diverse range of fertility clinics—from large academic centers to boutique practices—providing a wide spectrum of treatment options. Choosing the best clinic involves evaluating success rates, lab quality, care style, logistics, and communication. Personalized treatment plans often yield better outcomes than standardized, one-size-fits-all protocols. This guide provides an overview of Chicago […]
Variants of Uncertain Significance — How to Think About Them
A variant of uncertain significance (VUS) is a genetic finding where the lab sees a change in the DNA, but science cannot yet classify it as: harmful (pathogenic) harmless (benign) It is the genetic equivalent of:“Something is here, but we don’t know if it matters.” Because VUS findings are common—especially in expanded carrier screening and […]
Case Studies — Getting to Freeze Before Day 10
Key Takeaways Freezing by Day 10 is entirely achievable with the right stimulation strategy. Ideal candidates include those with predictable ovarian response, PCOS, travel-limited cycles, or high AMH where follicles grow rapidly. Antagonist protocols, tailored dosing, and flexible triggers allow safe early retrieval without compromising egg maturity. “Freeze-before-10” is especially valuable for cross-border IVF, medical […]
Ovulation Calculator — Irregular Cycle Considerations
Key Takeaways Irregular cycles make predicted ovulation windows narrower and less precise—but still trackable. Ovulation calculators use average cycle lengths, but additional biomarkers improve accuracy. Methods like LH testing, cervical mucus tracking, and cycle pattern review help confirm ovulation. Surrogates and intended parents must consider cycle variability when planning timelines. Accurate ovulation prediction supports natural […]
Second Child Planning at 42+ — Banking Now
Key Takeaways Fertility declines sharply after 40 — banking eggs or embryos early gives more options for a second child. Age affects egg quality more than egg quantity; early banking improves success rates. Embryo banking allows multi-cycle planning and reduces stress later. For many at 42–45+, donor eggs and surrogacy become strong pathways — early […]
