A fertility practice is an unlikely place to build a family through adoption, yes, definitely. But when I decided to write a blog in honor of National Adoption Awareness Month, it was with the idea of giving adoption a story, a personality, a face… rather than just explaining the process logistics. The story that always comes to mind when I think about adoption is a patient of Illume Fertility who became a friend of mine over 7 years ago. Side note: I promise, I’ll also definitely share relevant and appropriate adoption resources. Look for those at the end of the blog!

As a nurse who has worked in the Reproductive Endocrinology (RE) field for over 20 years, there are five points that I feel are important for anyone undergoing infertility treatments to realize.

It’s a typical day. I have my lunch ready to go, packed perfectly with leftovers from the night before, or with a colorful salad I loaded up with whole grains this morning. I also have my nuts and fruit for a snack. It’s a perfect lunch-boxed plan, made ahead of time and with enough options to get me through the day, feeling energized and productive at work.

Sickle cell disease is a relatively common genetic disorder affecting approximately 100,000 Americans. Luckily, with the help of IVF treatment and genetic testing, carriers of the trait can now prevent passing it on - leading to healthier babies.

Does infertility ever go away? That was the big question I asked myself at certain strategic points in my fertility journey. One such point? When I was ready to give up and go cry myself to sleep under the covers. Another? When I looked in the mirror and could not recognize myself. When it was all over, one way or another, would infertility ever really go away?

Today, RMA of Connecticut, a leading fertility clinic, announced their “LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader” designation from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC). The designation was awarded in the 12th edition of HRC’s Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), released on August 16th. A record 680 healthcare facilities actively participated in the HEI 2019 survey, with HRC Foundation proactively researching key policies at 1000 additional non-participating hospitals. Of those included in the HEI, 406 earned a “LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader” designation. RMA of Connecticut is the only free-standing fertility center given the HEI designation in New England.

Trying to conceive can be like riding a roller coaster; slow climbs followed by quick drops with a mixture of fear and excitement thrown in at each curve. Sometimes the whole process can feel daunting, filled with confusing medical terms and tests we never knew existed. That’s when we often reach for an over-the-counter solution as opposed to a clinic. And that’s okay! Wanting to know more information on your personal fertility is a huge step in the right direction. Congratulations on taking charge of this important part of your life! You’ve done the hard part – deciding to take a test is a clear sign that you’re trying to plan and be being proactive about your fertility. But when it comes to choosing a fertility test, the options can seem overwhelming. Whether you’re hoping to freeze your eggs or use them now, you realize it’s important to test your fertility. Understanding your hormone levels can help you determine things like egg count and ovulation cycles. But what test should you choose? Do at-home fertility tests really work, or should you opt for an in-office, doctor-led test instead? We’re here to help.

Without question, fertility treatment isn’t cheap. Or to put it another way, quality treatment – which gives you access to all the available science and technology, along with guidance from a reproductive endocrinologist – isn’t cheap.