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Can Acupuncture Help You Beat Infertility?
Fertility problems can be emotionally devastating, but understanding your treatment options can help you feel in control again. One of those treatment options might be acupuncture. Although it isn’t a substitute for medically needed fertility services, such as selecting an egg donor, acupuncture can work with medical treatments to help you successfully achieve pregnancy.
What Acupuncture Can and Can’t Do
Acupuncture can be effective in treating underlying medical problems that contribute to infertility. These include hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. It can’t address all medical problems, such as the presence of adhesions that block fallopian tubes—caused by pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or endometriosis. However, it’s still possible for women affected by these problems to benefit from acupuncture. This is because acupuncture can:
- Support the development of a thick, healthy uterine lining
- Improve the function of the ovaries
- Reduce stress to balance hormones
When to Start Acupuncture
To see benefits from acupuncture, it’s necessary to receive multiple treatments. Some women decide to start acupuncture treatment about three to four months before they select an egg donor and start an IVF cycle. Acupuncture can safely continue through the IVF cycle, and afterward. However, once there is a possibility of pregnancy, the acupuncturist will avoid inserting any needles into the abdominal and pelvic regions.
Why Women Should Continue Acupuncture
It’s often thought that acupuncture is no longer needed once a pregnancy test turns positive. But unfortunately, women with a history of fertility problems are still at risk of miscarriage—especially during the first three months. Continuing to see an acupuncturist during the first trimester may help expecting moms avoid this tragedy.
What to Expect from Acupuncture
The acupuncturist will swab each area of insertion to cleanse it and prevent infection. The needles used for acupuncture are very small and thin. After an initial pinprick, you shouldn’t feel any discomfort. You’ll lie still and relax, usually for about 15 to 30 minutes, and then the acupuncturist will remove the needles.
Fertility Resources of Houston is pleased to offer the services of our accomplished acupuncturist, Dr. Sadhna Singh. Before she completed her master’s degree in acupuncture, Dr. Singh practiced medicine for more than 10 years as an Ob/Gyn and internal medicine specialist. If you’re experiencing fertility issues and live near Houston, give us a call today at (877) 983-0046.
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Reasons Why Women Choose Donor Eggs
Women usually prefer to have a biological connection to their children, but sometimes, this just isn’t possible. Egg donors are compassionate individuals who choose to put their bodies through physical stress in order to help others experience the joy of parenthood. After selecting the right egg donor, a future mother may go through IVF to have the fertilized eggs placed in her womb. If she is incapable of carrying a baby to term, a gestational carrier may do this for her.
Early Menopause
One of the reasons why women typically use egg donation is the early onset of menopause. These days, women are choosing to delay starting their families until later in life. Even if a woman has previously had children, she may decide she wants to grow her family again if she starts a relationship with a new partner. Unfortunately, it’s possible for some women to experience early menopause , preventing them from conceiving a child naturally. Anonymous egg donors make it possible for women to welcome a baby despite early menopause.
Poor Egg Quality or Quantity
Starting around the mid-30s, a woman’s fertility naturally begins to decline gradually. It’s still possible to get pregnant, of course, but some couples do have a harder time conceiving when one or both partners are older. In some cases, this is due to poor egg quality or quantity.
Genetic Diseases
Women with a family history of genetic diseases can receive fertility counseling to determine if there is a risk of passing along the disease to their children. Some examples of these genetic diseases include:
- Tay-Sachs disease
- Cystic fibrosis
- Sickle cell disease
- Thalassemia
- Duchenne muscular dystrophy
- Spinal muscular dystrophy
The use of donor eggs will prevent the child from inheriting genetic diseases.
Prior IVF Failure
It’s not unusual for some couples to undergo multiple cycles of in vitro fertilization without success. These future parents might consider using donor eggs. The donated eggs will be fertilized with the male partner’s sperm, or with donor sperm, and transferred to the future mom.
Women who need egg donors in Houston, Texas to become mothers can rest assured that all approved donors go through a rigorous screening process to ensure health. To get started, contact Fertility Resources of Houston at (877) 983-0046. We also connect future parents with gestational carriers.
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Meet Our Widely Acclaimed Dietician, April Murray
Fertility Resources of Houston is pleased to introduce our talented registered dietician, April Murray. April is beloved by our clients for her genuine warmth and personalized approach. She chose to make it her life’s work to assist women experiencing fertility problems in Houston, including those who need the help of an egg donor or surrogate to become mothers.
April formerly lived in sunny California, where she earned her degree in clinical nutrition from the University of California Davis. She later completed her dietetics program at the Stony Brook Medical Center in New York. April gained experience working one-on-one with women, children, and infants during her time at WIC and at the labor and delivery unit at South Hampton Hospital. April is widely recognized for her professional expertise, with numerous interviews and articles appearing in major publications.
You can request an appointment with April Murray or another provider by calling (877) 983-0046. Fertility Resources of Houston is proud to play a role in welcoming the next generation into the world!
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Debunking Common Myths About Egg Donation
The process of conception is incredibly complex, and just one little problem can prevent a couple from getting pregnant. For some couples, the problem lies with the woman’s eggs. By becoming an egg donor, you could help another woman become a mother.
Watch this video to hear about the truth behind some common myths about egg donation. You’ll hear directly from an egg donor, who explains why donating eggs does not decrease your own fertility, and why giving away your eggs is definitely not the same thing as giving away a baby. She also talks about the different steps in the process.
Fertility Resources of Houston welcomes questions from women who are interested in becoming egg donors at our clinic in Houston, Texas. Call (877) 983-0046 to find out how you can help couples achieve their dreams of parenthood .
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Conception Challenges After Age 35
Life is full of exciting possibilities, and many women are delaying pregnancy until later in life so that they can travel the world, climb the corporate ladder, or run their own businesses. It’s true that fertility starts to decline at around age 35, but this doesn’t mean that pregnancy is impossible. Plenty of women decide to have children a little later in life. For some of these women, a little extra help in the form of an egg donor will allow them to accomplish their dreams of motherhood.
Ovarian Reserve
After age 35, women have fewer eggs available, and the ones that remain tend to be poor in quality. This means that fertilization is less likely. However, a woman’s age doesn’t automatically mean she can’t carry a baby to term. Older moms-to-be can opt to use an egg donor. The donated eggs are fertilized with the male partner’s sperm (or donor sperm), and the embryos are transferred to the recipient.
Ovulation Disorders
Women of advanced maternal age are more likely to have irregular or less frequent ovulation. It’s possible for a woman to go through her cycle without releasing an egg that might be fertilized.
Uterine Fibroids
Any woman of reproductive age could potentially develop uterine fibroids, but these growths are more common among women in their 40s to early 50s. Fibroids can be problematic for conceiving a baby naturally and carrying the child to term. It’s possible for fibroids to increase the risk of preterm delivery , placental abruption, prolonged labor, and breech position of the baby.
Chronic Health Problems
Although chronic health problems can affect a person of any age, individuals who are older are more likely to have one or more of them. Women with diabetes, for example, are at a higher risk of premature ovarian failure, as well as irregular or absent periods.
The frustrations of infertility can seem overwhelming. You can find the compassionate guidance and services you’re looking for at Fertility Resources of Houston. Call (877) 983-0046, and request an appointment to discuss egg donation or surrogacy in Houston, Texas.
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Why Couples Choose Fertility Resources of Houston
Fertility problems are among the most emotionally devastating medical issues a couple can face. Couples who experience infertility need sensitive guidance from people who understand what they’re going through, and that’s why so many couples have chosen Fertility Resources of Houston. Wendy Froman, a registered nurse, founded the center because she underwent years of infertility treatment herself. She realized that couples needed more information about anonymous egg donors to feel confident with their decision. Today, couples around Texas, the country, and even around the world choose Fertility Resources of Houston for the help they need.
Couples are often pleasantly surprised to learn that we don’t charge consultation fees. Our center is recommended by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), and we’re well-known for our high degree of professionalism and discretion.
At Fertility Resources of Houston , we consider it our privilege to help our clients experience the incredible journey of parenthood. Call (877) 983-0046 to get started finding the right egg donor near Houston, Texas for your future child.
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Pregnancy or Period? A Look at Light Bleeding
After you’ve chosen an egg donor, waited for fertilization, and undergone an embryo transfer, the wait to find out whether the process was successful can be frustrating. Don’t automatically assume that light bleeding means you aren’t pregnant—it might not be your period. Implantation bleeding or spotting occurs when a fertilized egg is implanted in the uterine lining. It doesn’t require medical treatment, but a celebration of your mom-to-be status may be in order.
Comparing Implantation Bleeding to Menstruation
Implantation bleeding is often confused as being menstrual bleeding, but there are subtle differences. Typically, spotting from a period turns into a heavier flow after a couple of days, although every woman is a little different. Implantation bleeding will remain very light. This spotting doesn’t contain blood clots, and it usually looks light pink or brownish, whereas menstrual blood tends to be a brighter shade of red. If you did become pregnant with egg donation, you’ll notice that the spotting occurs intermittently, and only lasts a couple of days.
Identifying the Accompanying Symptoms
Menstruation is characterized by cramping that might initially be mild before becoming severe. Implantation spotting can also cause cramps, but they tend to be faint, and they don’t become more severe. Implantation bleeding can be accompanied by sore breasts, sensitivity to smells, mood swings, headaches, and an elevated basal body temperature.
Assessing the Timing of the Bleeding
About 10 days to two weeks after ovulation, the fertilized egg can attach to the uterine wall. Implantation bleeding occurs when the attachment of the egg breaks down small blood vessels within the tissue. Since menstruation occurs 14 days after ovulation, it’s easy to see why women often get the two mixed up.
Knowing When to Test
After having an embryo transfer during your IVF cycle , the clinic will let you know when to return for a blood pregnancy test. Usually, this appointment will be in two weeks. Some clinics advise women to avoid home pregnancy tests, as these aren’t as accurate.
For fertility solutions near Houston, Texas, call (877) 983-0046. Fertility Resources of Houston implements thorough donor screening processes to help couples benefit from anonymous egg donation. We pride ourselves on personalized, sensitive care and a strict adherence to patient confidentiality.
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Are Donor Eggs Right for You?
An egg donor is a healthy, young woman who chooses to have a doctor remove some of her eggs so that others can experience the blessings of parenthood. A future mother can choose donor eggs if she is unable to have a child with her own eggs, or if she has a genetic condition that could be inherited by the child. Same sex male couples and single men can also become parents with donor eggs and a surrogate mother.
When you watch this featured video, you’ll hear about some of the common fertility problems that can be overcome with donor eggs. In most cases, this option is used because the woman is 35 years or older, which indicates that her own egg quality has declined.
Fertility Resources of Houston is a liaison service that connects future parents with egg donors in the Houston, Texas area. Call (877) 983-0046 to request a comprehensive and compassionate fertility consultation .
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The Beauty of Egg Donation
You only have a few chances to give someone a gift that can truly change their life. For a couple that struggles with infertility, egg donation can be just that. You, as an egg donor, have an opportunity to give a couple something they desperately want but may not be able to have naturally.
Egg donations are a great option for women who want to have a baby but have experienced premature ovarian failure, have absent ovaries, have genetic disorders that diminish fertility, or have survived cancers by undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy. If you are a healthy woman in between the ages of 19 and 32, you may be able to help a couple struggling to add to their family. After receiving “fertility medication,” having a minor outpatient procedure, completing a psychological evaluation, and undergoing a genetic consultation, you can give the gift that keeps on giving.
Fertility Resources of Houston will help you during the entire process to answer your questions and explain all the necessary procedures. You can get started today by completing our Preliminary Egg Donor Application on our website . All the information you provide to our clinic is strictly confidential, so nothing should hold you back from applying. For more information, you can call us today at (877) 983-0046.
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Healthy Diet Tips for Improving Fertility
When you are trying to improve your fertility, it is good to focus on establishing healthy dieting habits. Doing so will help improve the likelihood of a healthy pregnancy and child development. Read on for tips from our nutritional services team at Fertility Resources of Houston.
Raw fruits and vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are essential to one’s health, especially when focusing on fertility. Try to get in five servings of vegetables and three servings of fruit each day. You can snack on fruits in between meals, incorporate veggies into your meals, and blend nutrient-rich smoothies.
Protein
Although red beef and chicken are delicious, try to limit consumption of these proteins. Instead, opt for proteins rich in omega 3 fatty acids. Try eating fish, beans, lentils, and nuts.
Whole grains
Avoid consuming processed grains as much as possible. Instead, replace with fiber-rich grains like millet, quinoa, oats, and rice.
Water, water, water
Healthy adults need to be sure to drink eight glasses of water a day, so it is very important to do so for improving fertility. Limit caffeine intake and avoid alcohol as well.
Fertility Resources of Houston is here to help you each step of the way. You can find more information about nutritional services by visiting our website .