Services
The basic infertility evaluation (BIE) involves many routine tests to evaluate key female and male factors in the reproductive process. During your initial evaluation with your physician, tests will be ordered that suit the individual needs of you and, as appropriate, your partner. Bloodwork, transvaginal ultrasounds, and evaluation of uterine and tubal anatomy, are performed along with a semen analysis for a comprehensive analysis. Some patients who are not yet ready to start a family want to understand more about their fertility health. A series of tests can be performed to determine a patient’s fertility ‘health’ and assist in planning for children either in the near or distant future. Patients have the option to undergo genetic testing, referred to as the Foresight Carrier Screen, to learn about any inherited diseases they may carry that could affect their future family. This test is performed by Invitae, an independent laboratory, and provides your physician with better information regarding potential issues related to conception and pregnancy. To learn more, visit www.invitae.com This treatment is used for patients who have irregular ovulation or who do not ovulate on their own. Medications are used to grow mature follicles and ensure that those eggs are released during ovulation. An intrauterine insemination (IUI) involves washing sperm and infusing the sperm directly into the uterine cavity at the time of either natural ovulation or ovulation induced with medication. Sometimes, your physician will recommend an intrauterine insemination as best course of treatment, which can help alleviate certain issues such as mild-to-moderate male factor infertility, cervical mucus insufficiency, or unexplained fertility. A hysteroscopy is an outpatient procedure, performed with the patient under anesthesia, to evaluate the uterine cavity. If any irregularities or abnormalities are discovered, corrective action often can be taken at that time. At times, patients have other hormonal imbalances that affect their fertility. These hormonal systems can be balanced with medication, and at times, diet modifications, to assist in rebalancing a patient’s natural menstrual cycle. In Vitro Fertilization is an assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedure often referred to as IVF. During IVF, a woman’s eggs are extracted from her ovaries then injected with a male’s sperm to create embryos. One or more embryos is then transferred back to the woman’s uterus. IVF is usually reserved for those with fertility issues such as endometriosis, male factor infertility, blocked fallopian tubes, ovulatory issues, or unexplained infertility. Sometimes during evaluation, it is discovered that one or both fallopian tubes are blocked. In certain cases, the patient can have an outpatient procedure that will cannulate the fallopian tube(s).
diagnosis and treatment
Each patient is different and we do our best – using advanced science – to understand your unique circumstances and then develop a treatment plan suited specifically to you.
diagnostic testing
BASIC INFERTILITY EVALUATION
FERTILITY ASSESSMENT
GENETIC SCREENING
treatment options
While we provide a broad range of advanced and basic treatments, some of the most common required by patients are the following.
OVULATION INDUCTION
INTRAUTERINE INSEMINATION (IUI)
HYSTEROSCOPY
HORMONAL MODIFICATIONS
IN VITRO FERTILIZATION (IVF)
TUBAL CANNULATION
If you have in your heart the capacity and desire to have children, you should be able to try. Children are magic and everything in life is a risk.
donors and surrogacy services
EGG DONOR
There are many options for patients who have decided to move forward with egg donation. Center for Reproductive Care works with the patients to help them find the best candidates for egg donation, as well as to assist in the medical evaluation of potential candidates. We want to ensure that patients know all their options when deciding between fresh egg donation and frozen egg donation. We work with several donor agencies that have provided many of our patients the opportunity to begin or expand their families. All donors and recipients go through extensive screening mandated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), including infectious disease screening. The American Society of Reproductive Medicine also recommends screening for genetic disease and general health issues.
SPERM DONOR
Center for Reproductive Care works with patients to help them choose the best candidates when exploring sperm donation. Patients have the option to use frozen samples from one of the country’s licensed cryobanks. Thorough screening is performed by the cryobanks prior to allowing a male to donate sperm. Should patients decide to use sperm from a known donor, the same testing will be performed prior to insemination at our office. Your physician may recommend that bloodwork be drawn prior to selecting your donor. This may assist you in your selection process.
GESTATIONAL CARRIER
Deciding upon a gestational carrier can be a challenging process. Center for Reproductive Care provides our patients with the best possible emotional, medical, and financial counseling during this time. Whether you use a known gestational carrier or you go through an agency, the candidates will be interviewed and screened by your physician to ensure that they are medically sound to carry a successful pregnancy. Candidates will undergo extensive blood testing recommended by the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, as well as go through a psychological screening to cover potential psychological risks associated with the gestational carrier process, including the effects of relationships with her family and the intended parents. Center for Reproductive Care also provides guidance in selecting legal counsel for contracts required in this process.
EMBRYO ADOPTION
Embryo adoption is a lesser known option for those with fertility issues. Couples who have gone through IVF and have embryos remaining can choose to donate those embryos to another couple for implantation. If you decide that embryo adoption is something you wish to pursue, your physician can discuss the potential options and the necessary steps in the adoption process.
Center for Reproductive Care does its best to provide patients with the support and information necessary to achieve their goal of becoming parents. Patients with differing fertility issues have many options in the continuation of their treatment and care.
Elective egg freezing is an option for women who wish to delay having children, but want to ensure that when they do wish to have children, advanced maternal age is not a negative factor. These women, usually in their late twenties or early thirties, choose to freeze their eggs so they may use their own eggs in the future when the timing for motherhood is better. It is becoming much more popular as more and more women are waiting to have children as they pursue higher education or advanced career paths. The process for egg freezing is similar to the IVF process, though there is no transfer of embryos back to the patient. The patient will be on injectable medications for up to two weeks before the eggs are retrieved and frozen. Some women may wish to preserve their fertility prior to undergoing chemotherapy or radiation that will affect the pelvic area. The options available are dependent upon the oncology treatment schedule. For those with more time prior to their treatment, egg or embryo freezing is an option. For patients whose treatment will begin sooner, there are some medications that can be used in an attempt to shut down ovarian function with the hopes of allowing for ovarian function to return after treatment. For additional cancer support, visit www.GildasClubChicago.org – Xyltreshia W.
fertility preservation
ELECTIVE EGG FREEZING
FERTILITY PRESERVATION PRIOR TO TREATMENT
Dr. Wood-Molo and the CRC team are amazing. Very professional and personable. I received calls for results very promptly. I highly recommend her and this team.
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