My Fertility Plan Blog: Your Conception Action Plan

Fertility Savings Tip # 10 -- Techno Baby-Making

2010-02-05T11:21:33-05:00

In this fast and exciting world of technology, it was just a matter to time before fertility and baby-making was included. Now you can even use your phone to optimize you chances for success.

A BIG thanks to

http://nursepractitionerschools.org/50-useful-iphone-applications-for-your-pregnancy/

for this great list of iPhone applications that will follow your body’s cycle and help you know when it is the right time to conceive --

1. Fertility Friend.com’s Menstrual Calendar This free iPhone app is a light version of the calendar available at Fertility Friend.com. You enter in your last period and cycle length and the calendar displays your predicted period start days as well as your expected ovulation and most fertile days in color.

2. iPeriod. Do you remember the last day of period when the doctor asks? Predict ovulation and fertility while you keep track of your dates.

3. Am I Pregnant Quiz *Wondering if you’re pregnant? Take our quick and easy pregnancy quiz and get a personalized answer in no time. Answer just ten short questions and our quiz will evaluate your chances of pregnancy. Have questions about pregnancy? Check out our detailed Pregnancy FAQ section and find answers to all of your biggest questions.

4. Period & Fertility Calendar If you’re trying to get pregnant, the straightforward fertility icon lets you know instantly when the best time is. You can also record intimacy dates so you can track the best dates for conception.

5. MeFertil This application tracks a woman’s fertility cycle with an easy-to-read color-coded body graph. MeFertil also keeps track of medications taken and other fertility relevant information.

6. Early Signs of Pregnancy Access helpful information on the early signs of pregnancy, including tips on how to conceive, pregnancy tests and choices of how to deal with planned and unplanned pregnancy. All information is free, easy to access and private.

7. FemiCycle For women wanting to either become pregnant or avoid a possible pregnancy. It also provides a guide to help increase your chances of conceiving a boy or girl.

8. iFertility Log Unlike other applications, this one helps you manage your weight so that you can also control your fertility. This tool not only works in order to benefit your fertility, but your health over all.

9. Mon.thly.Info This free service charts your menstrual cycle. You input important dates, and this app will predict let you know when your cycle will start again. It will even email you with an alert so you know when to get it going with your significant other.

If you have others to add to the list, please feel free to leave the information in our comments section and we will be sure to pass along.

Do you have information or advice that you want to share with families who need fertility care, but are concerned about the costs? Please email us at info@myfertilityplan.com and let us help you get the word out. My Fertility Plan -- Giving people the tools they need to build their families!

Fertility Savings Tip #9 Research Clinical Trials

2010-01-27T14:54:45-05:00

Besides the good feeling of contributing to the wider body of medical knowledge, people participating in trials often receive free or reduced medical care, medications, or other tangible benefits. Even if you do not live near the study site, some studies will pay travel expenses.

For example, for men with sperm issues, there is a study recruiting men with fertility issues who are obese (defined as having a BMI over 30. It is studying the role of aromatase inhibotors in treatment. While some men in the study will receive a placebo, some will receive medication, and all will receive blood tests, semen analysis and other medical care from fertility researchers. For more information, contact:

Ahmad O Hammoud, MD

801-587-3795

ahmad.hammoud@hsc.utah.edu

Another study focuses on managing hormone levels in women with PCOS using Diamel. Again, some women will receive a placebo, but all will receive bloodwork and some medical care. For more information, contact

Contact: Miguel Aguilar Charara, MD

53 7 8334821

miguel.aguilar@infomed.sld.cu

For more information on clinical trials (including risks), go to www.clinicaltrials.gov

For a current list of clinical trials, go to www.centerwatch.com.

A few I found:

New Hope Fertility Center (NY) http://www.ivfclinicaltrial.com/

conducting IVF studies

Southern California Reproductive Center http://www.scrcivf.com/

Conducting trials on fertility medications and egg freezing

You should, of course, do your homework and make sure the study is being supervised by in institutional review board and meets all safety criteria.

Fertility Savings Tip #8 -- Ovarian Reserve

2010-01-26T14:30:04-05:00

Those ovaries are funny little things. It’s difficult to know exactly how well they are working, and what kinds of egg they are producing. Most likely, at some point during your fertility journey, you will wonder what is going on with your ovaries. Most women undergo an FSH test. While FSH is important, it is not the holy grail. It is important to look at the entire “ovarian reserve” picture—not only how many eggs you have left, but what is the quality of these eggs. As a result, do not just stop at FSH. Check other things, such as AMH and antral follicle counts. These tests will give you more information about whether or not you should continue down the same path or consider other options. All very important considerations when you are trying to figure out the most efficient and cost-effective course of treatment.

For more information about Ovarian Reserve Testing visit ReproSource at http://www.reprosource.com/forpatients/index.html and talk to your doctor about appropriate testing.

A BIG thanks to ReproSource, the largest laboratory focused on fertility testing and a leading source of fertility research and information.

www.reprosource.com

Toll Free Telephone Number: 800-667-8893

Do you have information or advice that you want to share with families who need fertility care, but are concerned about the costs? Please email us at info@myfertilityplan.com and let us help you get the word out. My Fertility Plan -- Giving people the tools they need to build their families!

Fertility Savings Tip #7 -- Know Your Meds

2010-01-22T10:55:06-05:00

Without a doubt, medication can be one of the most confusing (and stressful!) aspects of fertility treatment. Whether you are taking Clomid or injectables, questions or concerns will come up. Often, this happens well after your doctor’s office or pharmacy has closed for the day. Where can you get accurate information in the middle of the night, on a weekend, during the holidays, or when you just don’t want to bother your health care provider?

Village Fertility Pharmacy has one of the most comprehensive collections of fertility drug information and video lessons, including injection lessons on their website. Information and videos are free of cost, and you don’t have to be a patient of Village Fertility Pharmacy to access this information.

For more information about all kinds of fertility medications, check out Village Fertility Pharmacy…

http://www.villagefertilitypharmacy.com/medications-and-video-injection-lessons

A BIG thanks to Village Fertility Pharmacy for all they do to make fertility a little easier!

www.villagefertilitypharmacy.com

Patient Care Center: 877-334-1610

Corporate Office: Village Fertility Pharmacy
335 Bear Hill Road, Waltham, MA 02451
Phone: (877) 334-1610
Fax: (877) 334-1602

Fertility Savings Tip #6 -- Grant Money

2010-01-20T08:31:02-05:00

Several organizations offer families grants to help pay for their fertility treatments. Once such organization is INCIID (The International Council on Infertility Informaiton Dissemination). According to their website, INCIID has arranged for a number of respected IVF clinics throughout the United States to donate their expertise and state-of-the-art facilities so that patients who do not have the financial resources may have the opportunity to build a family. This program covers most of the basic IVF expesnes.

Contact INCIID to find out more information about the application process and if you qualify. The deadline for the 2010 grant cycle is March 15th.

http://www.inciid.org/article.php?cat=&id=239

A BIG thanks to Nancy Hemenway and the rest of INCIID for this generous program!

INCIID

Website: www.inciid.org

Tel. 703-739-9178

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT AVAILABLE GRANTS TO FUND INFERTILITY TREATMENTS, PLEASE CHECK BACK WITH MY FERTILITY PLAN. WE ARE CURRENTLY GATHERING INFORMATION FOR THE FIRST EVER COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF ALL THESE TYPES OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILIES WANTING TO BUILD THEIR FAMILIES.

Fertility Savings Tip #5 -- Sharing Stories

2010-01-19T11:26:24-05:00

As a wise man once said, "We stand on the shoulders of giants!" Take comfort in knowing there have been many, many families who have walked the road of infertility before you. Now is the time to learn from them --their rich knowledge and vast experiences. Not only will this help you feel less alone, but you also might learn a thing or too that will make your journey just a bit easier. And if you should feel so inspired, be encouraged to share with others as well.

Read all the best the Internet has to offer when it comes to stories written by strong men and women about their experiences with family building...

http://www.stirrup-queens.com/2010/01/creme-de-la-creme-of-2009/

A BIG thanks to Melissa Ford -- blogger extraordinare, host of Stirrup Queens, and author of Navigating the Land of If

http://www.stirrup-queens.com/

Fertility Savings Tip #4 -- Get "Coached"

2010-01-17T16:23:50-05:00

A Grand Tour of Mind Body Techniques for Stress Reduction during Fertility Treatment

This coaching group is accessible to you via the convenience of your telephone.

WHEN: Thursday, January 21, 2010
TIME: 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Eastern time
FACILITATORS: Joann Paley Galst, Ph.D. and Izetta Siegal Stern, L.C.S.W.

Also, check the American Fertility Association (http://www.theafa.org/community/calendar/2010/01) for many more FREE workshops, coaching sessions, and seminars.

A BIG thanks to all the staff at the AFA.

Website: www.theAFA.org

E-mail: Info@TheAFA.org

Support Line: (888) 917-3777

Fertility Savings Tip #3 -- No Hidden Fees IVF!

2010-01-16T21:10:03-05:00

No Hidden Fees IVF is even more affordable with savings of up to 60-70%
By offering special opportunities to patients who do not have insurance coverage GRS leads Atlanta in making fertility care affordable. For a limited time, self-pay patients, can schedule a free diagnostic consultation and save up to 60-70% on IVF treatments. At GRS, we believe that the current economic environment should not limit access for couples seeking solutions to their fertility problems. FOR MORE INFORMATION READ http://www.ivf.com/images/BAV.pdf

GRS is here to help those patients whose financial resources are limited by today’s economic situation. Contact a GRS financial coordinator today at 404-843-2229 to learn more about these cost-saving offers available for a limited time.

A BIG thanks to Dr. Mark Perloe and the rest of the staff at Georgia Reproductive Specialists (GRS) for this offer!

GRS Tel.. 404-843-2229

GRS Email. info@ivf.com

GRS website. www.ivf.com