The Fertile Friends program pairs patients together based on similarities in their experiences with infertility. This program was created because many patients feel that friends and family, who have been their support system for other life issues, just cannot comprehend their struggle with infertility.  The understanding and support provided by someone who is experiencing the same obstacles to conception is inimitable.  After signing up, two patients are paired and given information used to follow an easy 8 week program, which allows them to become acquainted and investigate mind-body-spirit techniques. Participation in the program is free, and registration is easy!

Ovarian drilling with laparoscopy is a technique which may help women who have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) or Polycystic Ovaries (PCO) to ovulate normally, thus increasing their chances of pregnancy. Ovarian drilling is typically considered after several attempts at ovulation induction using clomid, or an insulin-sensitizing medication, such as metformin.

Polycystic ovaries are generally smooth and pearl colored, and have many small immature follicles along the outside lining of the ovary.  Women with either condition may have higher levels of testosterone in their bodies, which inhibits ovulation. Ovarian drilling cauterizes the stromal theca cells in the ovary. The reduction of this testosterone-producing tissue leads to reduced  testosterone levels in the body. Studies have reported that approximately 80% of women who underwent this surgery began ovulating regularly. Post surgery, women who did not regain ovulation, and were previously resistant to clomid citrate, were then more receptive to medical protocols. Pregnancy rates after ovarian drilling are reported as around 50%.  

Ovarian drilling with laparoscopy is an out-patient surgery. Anesthesia is administered to the patient, and three small incisions are placed in the abdomen. The abdomen is inflated with gas to allow the physician to view the ovaries using a laparoscope. The drilling is done by cauterizing different parts of the ovary, and removing the unwanted tissue. The physician is able to explore the reproductive system during the laparoscopy, to determine if any additional issues may be present. When the procedure is done, a super glue-like adhesive is administered to the incisions, and the patient is able to go home to heal, after recovering from anesthesia.

Many patients have questions about embryo grading during their In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) cycle. The following is an overview of how embryos are graded.

There are several components of an embryo. Each embryo is comprised of cells called blastomeres. The outermost shell-like layer of the embryo is the zona pellucida, which sperm fuse to during natural conception and conventional IVF. The zona pellucida also protects the blastomeres as they multiply and grow. As  an embryo develops into a blastocyst, it hatches out of the zona pellucida in preparation of implantation onto the uterine wall. The space between the blastomeres and the zona pellucida is called the perivitteline space.

On the morning of Day 3, embryos are viewed and photographed under the microscope, and the best ones are chosen for transfer. The images  
below show embryos, along with an explanation of how they are graded.   
There is also a picture of a grade 4, 8 celled embryo below.

 

Picture of a grade 4, 8 cell embryo (4/8).