Blood Sugar Basics — CGM vs Fingerstick
Key Takeaways Both CGMs and fingersticks measure glucose but use different body fluids, which impacts accuracy. CGMs track glucose trends every few minutes, while fingersticks provide only single snapshots. CGMs help identify hidden spikes from stress, poor sleep, or certain foods. Fingersticks remain the “gold standard” for calibration and diagnosis. Managing blood sugar improves fertility, […]
When to Skip Genetic Testing
Genetic testing in IVF includes : PGT-A (chromosome screening) PGT-M (single-gene testing for known conditions) PGT-SR (structural rearrangements—translocations) Expanded carrier screening (ECS) Skipping genetic testing doesn’t mean lowering your standards—it means choosing when testing won’t change your next step. Where it fits: This decision comes after retrieval (for PGT) or before pregnancy attempts (for carrier […]
Cost Transparency — Avoiding Surprise Bills
Cost transparency is one of the most overlooked factors in the Clinic Selection & Success Rates pathway. This article breaks down how pricing clarity—not just clinic quality—affects your outcomes, budget, and timeline. When costs are predictable, decisions become calmer, cycles run smoother, and you avoid sudden expenses that derail care. What It Is Cost Transparency […]
Hospital Selection — NICU and Maternity Standards
This article explains hospital selection — NICU and maternity standards within the International Surrogacy & Cross-Border Care pathway. It focuses on the choices that actually change outcomes, budgets, and timelines—so you can move forward with confidence. What It Is Hospital Selection — NICU and Maternity Standards in plain English: understanding how to choose the right […]
Fresh vs Frozen Donor Eggs — Success, Timing, Cost
This article explains fresh vs frozen donor eggs — success, timing, cost within the Donor Options (Eggs vs Embryos vs Sperm) pathway. We focus on practical choices that shape outcomes, budgets, and timelines—so you can move forward with confidence. What It Is Fresh vs Frozen Donor Eggs — Success, Timing, Cost in plain English: a […]
Mental Health Over 40 — Resilience and Community
Key Takeaways Emotional resilience over 40 is deeply linked to clarity, community, and realistic expectations. Stress, uncertainty, and shifting timelines can feel heavier in your 40s — but they can also be managed with structured support. Community — online, local, professional, or peer-based — is one of the strongest predictors of emotional stability during fertility […]
High Responders — OHSS Prevention Playbook
This article explains high responders — OHSS prevention playbook within the IVF Protocols & Medications pathway. It highlights the choices that meaningfully affect outcomes, safety, budgets, and timelines—so you can move forward with confidence and control. What It Is High responders are people who grow more follicles than average during IVF stimulation. While this may […]
Prioritizing Embryos — PGT vs Morphology
When you have more than one embryo ready for transfer, you must decide which embryo goes first. Two major tools guide this decision: PGT (genetic information): chromosomal normality, mosaicism, translocations, single-gene status Morphology (how the embryo looks): grade of inner cell mass, trophectoderm, expansion stage Where it fits: You use embryo prioritization after retrieval, not […]
Known vs Agency‑Matched Carriers — Risks and Guardrails
A known carrier is someone you already have a relationship with—sister, cousin, friend, coworker, or someone referred through your network.An agency-matched carrier is screened, vetted, and paired with you through a licensed surrogacy agency. This decision shapes legal exposure, communication patterns, medical approvals, insurance strategy, and total timelines. It’s one of the earliest choices upstream […]
Stress Tools — Breathwork, CBT‑I, and Mindfulness
Key Takeaways Stress directly impacts hormone regulation, sleep, menstrual cycles, and fertility outcomes. Breathwork rapidly reduces cortisol and calms the nervous system. CBT-I is the gold-standard therapy for insomnia and improves long-term sleep quality. Mindfulness rewires the stress response and improves emotional resilience. Layering multiple tools (breathing + CBT-I + mindfulness) creates long-lasting results. These […]
