Gestational surrogacy via a North Houston IVF clinic is becoming a more and more common method of having a baby. A gestational carrier (GC), also called a gestational surrogate, is different from a traditional surrogate. In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate is artificially inseminated with the sperm of the donor father. This has posed some legal concerns in the past since the egg is that of the surrogate. In IVF with a gestational carrier , both the intended parents are the donors of the egg and sperm. The egg and sperm are fertilized in the lab, then the embryo is transferred to the GC. So who are candidates for IVF with a gestational carrier?
To Address Health Concerns
There are many health reasons why a woman would consider a gestational carrier. She may be unable to carry the baby herself due to a hysterectomy or uterine disease. She could also have a history of miscarriages and failed births. North Houston IVF is an alternate method that allows the donor mother to use her own egg without posing risks to her health. Some clients are also those with failed implantation in the past. Gestational surrogacy has a proven track record of successful pregnancies.
To Become Biological Parents
Being biologically related to their children is important for some people, which is why they choose IVF with a gestational carrier. The GC has no genetic ties to the baby, so legal issues are less likely. Moreover, a male same-sex couple would want a child that is biologically theirs to create a genetic relationship. Even single men who want to be fathers can do so with the help of a North Houston fertility clinic without needing a female partner.
To Prevent Genetic Conditions
During the IVF process, the eggs of the intended mother are fertilized using the sperm of the intended father in a laboratory. Successful embryos undergo preimplantation genetic testing to screen for genetic disorders and increase the likelihood for a healthy baby. If either of the mother or father has a disease they can pass on to the child, this may be detected even before implantation. Only healthy embryos that pass the screening will be transferred to the gestational surrogate.
To Be Protected Legally
To protect both the gestational surrogate and the parents, legal representation must be present. It is important to hire lawyers who specialize in assisted reproduction to prepare contracts that cover financial details and relationships post-birth. A lawyer protects the GC by ensuring she gets her compensation. At the same time, both parties can decide whether the GC can have a relationship with the child. Having lawyers present can make the process much easier.
Contact Us for IVF With a Gestational Carrier
HART Fertility Clinic is a team of North Houston IVF specialists who offer therapeutic and diagnostic services to aid in your fertility journey. We have a thorough screening process for both the gestational surrogate and intended parents. Rest assured that we do background checks, medical screenings, and psychological evaluations before we proceed with any treatment. Get in touch with us today to schedule your appointment!
More and more people who desire to be parents turn to IVF in hopes of achieving a successful pregnancy and a healthy baby. Simply put, in vitro fertilization is the process of assisting with fertility and the conception of a child. North Houston IVF is typically recommended for women of advanced maternal age (40 years old and above). However, there could be a number of reasons why someone would consider getting the help of a North Houston fertility clinic.
Problems With the Female Reproductive System
Candidates for Kingwood IVF and The Woodlands IVF are usually women with uterine and ovarian problems. Endometriosis is a common cause of infertility, characterized by abnormal tissue growth outside of the uterus that affects the entire reproductive system. Infertility is also associated with ovulation disorders. These lead to less eggs being available for ovulation. Benign tumors in the uterus are common among women in their 40s, while fallopian tube blockage makes successful ovulation difficult.
Weak Sperm Production
It can be difficult for a sperm to fertilize the egg if there is below-average sperm production. Abnormal sperm may have a different shape and size or may have poor mobility. In other cases, sperm may die before it even reaches the egg. Male infertility can be caused by injuries or genetics. A fertility specialist may recommend North Houston IVF when the sperm quality is not strong enough for fertilization.
Genetic Disorders
Some couples are at risk of passing on a genetic disorder to their child. In such cases, they choose to undergo North Houston IVF to increase their chances of giving birth to a healthy baby. During IVF, eggs are harvested from the woman and fertilized on a petri dish using viable sperm. Fertilized eggs are then screened for genetic disorders and abnormal chromosome count. Healthy eggs that don’t show any genetic problems can then be implanted into the uterus to start the pregnancy.
Fertility Preservation
Some women choose to have their eggs harvested and frozen for later use. They may also choose to have their eggs fertilized first, then the embryos can be frozen. The reason for this is that some women may undergo medical treatments that could harm their fertility. Cancer patients about to start chemotherapy or radiation are candidates for fertility preservation. If a woman getting pregnant poses a serious risk to their health and safety, they may also opt to have a surrogate carry their eggs fertilized through IVF.
Contact Us for North Houston IVF
Starting your fertility treatment may seem overwhelming, which is why HART Fertility is here to guide you in every step of the way. We utilize the most advanced technologies and personalized treatment plans to help you on your IVF journey. Our center is committed to the satisfaction of our clients when it comes to therapeutic and diagnostic fertility services. We will do a complete assessment of your medical history during your initial consultation with us. Contact our North Houston fertility clinic today to get started.
For couples going through the IVF process, diet is an essential factor for a successful cycle. Just like any healthy lifestyle choice, such as smoking cessation, exercise habits, and avoiding stress, diet plays an important role. The food you eat dictates the nutritional state your body rests on for proper organ function. So, which food should you eat and which to avoid when undergoing IVF and North Houston IVF?
How Diet Impacts North Houston IVF
The food you eat affects the hormones your body produces. For females, diet contributes to their egg count, egg quality, and uterine lining. The same can be said for males; diet assists in semen production and sperm viability. Our fertility specialist will tell you to maintain a healthy diet even months before starting on your The Woodlands IVF journey. You would want to do everything you can to increase your chances of getting pregnant.
What to Eat During North Houston IVF Treatment
To increase your success rate at a North Houston fertility clinic, maintain a healthy, balanced diet focusing on whole foods and vegetables. Whole grains, such as oatmeal, brown rice, and barley are good sources of energy. Clean proteins, such as lean chicken and fresh fish improve muscle function. Do not forget to get your dose of healthy fats, like omega 3 acid, avocado, nuts, and soy butter. For dessert, go for fruit rich in antioxidants, like blueberries, pineapple, grapes, and kiwi.
Food to Avoid During IVF Treatment
As a general rule of thumb, avoid processed foods, junk food, and fast food if you’re trying to get the best results at an IVF clinic. These types of food create a hormonal imbalance that could make the uterine lining less favorable for conception. If you’re thinking about The Woodlands IVF process, consider cutting down on trans and saturated fats. Fried food and red meat could cause your cholesterol to spike, making it more difficult to get pregnant. Sugar found in baked goods may also cause high glucose levels in the blood.
Additional Diet Tips From a Fertility Specialist
Centering your meals around natural, whole foods is a key step you should take when you’re ready for North Houston IVF. Also, remember that adequate hydration is a must for general well-being and pregnancy aid. Drink more water and avoid caffeine. Studies have shown that drinking coffee could reduce the chances of getting pregnant. Don’t forget to take your multivitamins so you get the essential prenatal nutrients and minerals. Finally, don’t give in to miracle pregnancy diets, as they are not backed by enough scientific data.
Book a Consultation for North Houston IVF at Our Fertility Clinic in The Woodlands
At HART Fertility, we offer a range of fertility services, including diagnostics and therapeutic options for infertility treatment. Our IVF programs are tailored to each client’s needs, and we utilize the most advanced technology and equipped facilities. You can trust our experienced and skilled doctors to recommend the best treatment plan for your fertility journey. Call us today for more information or to schedule an appointment. We look forward to hearing from you!
There are many paths to parenthood, and our North Houston IVF clinic offers a variety of fertility treatments for hopeful parents struggling to get pregnant. North Houston IVF is typically the first treatment that comes to mind, but there is a less invasive and less expensive option known as Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) that may be beneficial for you. But what is North Houston IUI? And how does it compare to IVF? Keep reading to learn more about these two treatments, both of which are available at our Kingwood fertility clinic and The Woodlands fertility clinic.
North Houston IVF Explained
During In-vitro Fertilization, or IVF, a woman’s egg is fertilized by sperm outside of the body. If you undergo Kingwood IVF or The Woodlands IVF, you’ll be prescribed medication to stimulate the ovaries so they produce more eggs. Those eggs are retrieved during a surgical procedure and introduced to the sperm in a lab. Upon successful fertilization, the resulting embryo is then placed back inside the uterus with the hope it will implant and result in a successful pregnancy.
North Houston IUI Explained
Intrauterine Insemination, or IUI, is a simpler procedure than North Houston IVF. It begins by collecting sperm and removing the seminal fluid and selecting the motile, or moving, sperm. This “washed” sperm is then inserted high into the uterine cavity at the time of ovulation, which shortens the distance the sperm need to travel to reach the egg and increases the chances of success. Like North Houston IVF, IUI is completed in either our Kingwood fertility clinic or The Woodlands fertility clinic, but does not require sedation.
Which Treatment is Right For Me?
Our North Houston fertility clinic offers both IVF and IUI, but which one is best for you depends upon a number of factors. Here are the pros and cons of each:
North Houston IUI pros:
- More affordable procedure
- Less invasive, non-surgical procedure
North Houston IUI cons:
- Not as effective as North Houston IVF
- Requires working ovaries and fallopian tubes, as well as viable eggs
North Houston IVF pros:
- Higher success rate
- Addresses more causes of fertility
North Houston IVF cons:
- More expensive, making it cost-prohibitive for some patients, especially if additional cycles are needed
- More invasive, as it requires sedation and a surgical procedure
Both procedures include a regimen of fertility-boosting drugs to stimulate ovulation and increase the chances of conception. Many of our patients choose to undergo IUI before IVF, but that is not always the case, as some causes of infertility prevent North Houston IUI from being a viable option. Those who are not good candidates for IUI will need to consider North Houston IVF instead.
Our North Houston Fertility Specialists Are Here To Guide You
If you’d like more information about North Houston IVF and North Houston IUI, call us today to schedule an appointment at our Kingwood fertility clinic or The Woodlands fertility clinic. Our team of compassionate and knowledgeable fertility specialists can help you decide which treatment option is right for your needs and circumstances. We’d be honored to guide you along your fertility journey.
There are many options available for those hoping to become parents but struggling with infertility. Our North Houston fertility clinic, with both Kingwood and The Woodlands locations, offers a variety of fertility treatments, two of which are egg freezing and embryo freezing. But is one of these treatments more effective than the other? Here, our fertility specialists discuss whether North Houston IVF with frozen embryos is more effective than North Houston IVF with eggs.
Embryo and Egg Freezing At Our North Houston Fertility Clinic
Freezing your eggs or embryos at our North Houston IVF clinic allows you to postpone the IVF cycle for a time that works best for you. The process begins with hormonal injections to stimulate your ovaries to produce multiple eggs at ovulation. Then, our North Houston fertility specialists retrieve your eggs during a minor surgical procedure.
Should you choose to freeze your eggs, we will dehydrate them first in order to prevent ice crystals from forming and preserve them for future use. Embryo freezing, however, involves fertilizing your eggs with sperm at our Kingwood IVF or The Woodlands IVF clinic immediately following retrieval in order for an embryo to develop. Once this occurs, we’ll freeze the embryos for you to use at a later date.
Which Method Is More Effective?
North Houston IVF with frozen embryos is slightly more effective than eggs. This is also true for the success rate of IVF with frozen embryos over fresh embryos. That said, egg freezing does offer a bit more flexibility and can be more desirable for single women who have not met the right partner.
What Are the Limitations of Embryo Freezing?
Sometimes embryo freezing at our North Houston IVF clinic may not be the most suitable choice for you. Whether you have a partner or choose a sperm donor, you must have your preferred sperm source available before embryo freezing because the egg must be fertilized immediately upon retrieval. Also, consider that sometimes frozen embryos must be discarded, which may go against your moral, spiritual, or religious beliefs.
Discuss Your Options with Our Kingwood and The Woodlands Fertility Clinic Specialists
The most effective way to determine which method may be best for your IVF journey is to schedule a consultation at one of our North Houston IVF clinics. We recognize that your choice is highly personal and we will guide you to make the best decision for your needs and your life. Infertility can be difficult, but you don’t need to face it alone. Let our North Houston fertility specialists help by providing you the compassionate, informed care you deserve.
