If you’ve recently begun to suspect you may have fertility issues, or if you’ve received an infertility diagnosis, you’re probably wondering about your next steps. You have a number of options, but sorting through them can be complicated. The acronyms IUI and IVF almost always come up in conversations about infertility, but what are they? Understanding these common infertility … [Read more...] about IUI vs. IVF
Medical Procedures
External Cephalic Version (ECV)
In a normal pregnancy, the baby settles in a cephalic (head down) position by the last few weeks of pregnancy, ready for delivery [1]. But sometimes, the baby may remain in a feet-down position (breech baby) [2] even as your labor starts, often requiring a c-section. In such cases, the External cephalic version or ECV may come useful, letting you consider a … [Read more...] about External Cephalic Version (ECV)
Amniocentesis
What is amniocentesis?Amniocentesis (also referred to as amnio, amniotic fluid test or AFT) is a prenatal testing procedure with significant accuracy. It involves collecting an amniotic fluid sample from the uterus and testing it in the laboratory for certain fetal abnormalities and genetic conditions. [1]Who should have amniocentesis?Women … [Read more...] about Amniocentesis
IUI Success on the First Try
What Are the Chances of IUI Success on the First Try?Intrauterine insemination or IUI is an artificial reproduction technique that involves inserting sperm that have been “washed” in a laboratory and injected into a woman’s uterus. Ideally, this can result in conception if a couple has been experiencing fertility issues related to sperm quality or other … [Read more...] about IUI Success on the First Try
What Are the Benefits of a Walking Epidural?
What Are the Benefits of a Walking Epidural?It’s natural to want pain relief when you go into childbirth. Yet, you also like to be aware of what’s going on and be as lucid as possible with a minimum of discomfort. With traditional epidurals, you’re lucid but have little ability to move your lower body due to the impact of the numbing medication.However, these days you … [Read more...] about What Are the Benefits of a Walking Epidural?