What happens after you successfully conceive with the help of fertility treatment? This big and exciting transition of care from your fertility clinic (where you've been closely monitored for so long) back to your OB/GYN's office (where you're "just" a regular pregnant patient) can also be nerve-wracking. So let's talk about it!

No one wants to be seen as the "problem patient." We fear that if we ask too many questions, need too much help, have a complaint, or need reassurance on our fertility journey, that we will be seen as needy or annoying. We may even worry that we'll get lower quality care instead of the professional and humane treatment we deserve. So how can we advocate for ourselves to ensure we're getting the best care possible? Keep reading for 20 actionable tips straight from experienced fertility advocates - and don't miss Part 1 and Part 3 of this series about being an effective and empowered patient, which includes perspectives from health care providers on what they want and need from us as patients!

When faced with fertility struggles, people rarely feel empowered or effective. Infertility challenges everyone. Regardless of who you are and how you are trying to build your family, if it’s not happening easily, it’s frustrating and difficult! So how can you communicate your preferences, concerns and questions more effectively to your Care Team and feel like you're being heard and understood? Let's explore some ideas together. Note: In any conversation, communication needs to go both ways! In the third part in this series, our fertility care team (including doctors) reveal their thoughts about fertility patient do's and don't and ways to be an effective patient. You may be surprised by their responses!

After receiving some shocking news on their fertility journey, Alyson and her husband were advised to move straight to IVF treatment - something they never expected to hear. This is the story of what happened next and everything they learned on the way to meeting their baby girl, Emmy.

Father’s Day can be an exceptionally tough day for men who are still trying to conceive or experiencing infertility. Similar to how Mother’s Day affects women, hopeful fathers may find this holiday very difficult to navigate. As a partner, how can you show your love and support around Father's Day? Keep reading for some helpful ideas.

People often use the terms “reproductive endocrinologist” and “fertility specialist” interchangeably, and it makes sense why many use the latter term so frequently – “fertility specialist” is much easier to rattle off in a conversation than “reproductive endocrinologist.” Unfortunately, though, these two terms are not one and the same and carry major differences that you should be aware of.

When most people decide they're ready to become a parent, they typically envision bringing a biologically-related child into the world - a little "mini me" to carry on certain physical and personality traits. But what happens when that vision is turned upside down by fertility challenges and you consider using an egg donor to grow your family? In this story, one Illume Fertility patient shares her and her partner's donor conception experience with honesty, exploring the raw emotions that surfaced when they were forced to reimagine their dreams for the future.

For decades, patients have come to fertility clinics for help growing their families, whether it be their first child or their next child. The terms "primary infertility" and "secondary infertility" are often thrown around in the fertility world, but what do those with primary and secondary infertility have in common and where do the similarities end?