If you’ve decided to start the fertility process, you may be curious about the options available at our North Houston fertility clinic. The two most popular treatments our patients undergo on their quest for a successful pregnancy are in vitro fertilization, or IVF, and intrauterine insemination, or IUI. Understanding these procedures and knowing which one is right for you is an important step in the fertility process, as there are key differences between the two.
What is North Houston IVF?
In-vitro Fertilization is a procedure in which a woman’s egg is fertilized by a man’s sperm outside of the body. If you undergo Kingwood IVF or The Woodlands IVF, you will take medication that stimulates the ovaries to produce more eggs before they are retrieved and introduced to the sperm in a lab. Upon successful fertilization, the resulting embryo is then placed back inside the woman’s uterus where it will ideally implant, resulting in pregnancy.
The IVF process is performed with sedation and occurs over the course of two separate visits to our North Houston fertility clinic: the first to retrieve the eggs and the second to implant the fertilized embryo(s) once they have reached the proper stage of development.
What is IUI?
Intrauterine Insemination is a simple procedure in which previously collected sperm is “washed” (removing seminal fluid and selecting the motile, or moving, sperm) and then inserted high into the uterine cavity, increasing the chances of the sperm reaching the egg. In this procedure, fertilization occurs inside the body. If this occurs successfully, then the fertilized egg would then implant in the lining of the uterus and ideally result in pregnancy. Like IVF, IUI is completed in our office but does not require sedation.
Which Treatment is Right For Me?
Deciding between IUI and IVF at our North Houston fertility clinic depends upon a number of factors. IUI is considerably less expensive and less invasive, but has a lower success rate. Kingwood IVF and The Woodlands IVF, on the other hand, are more likely to result in a successful pregnancy, especially for those suffering from severe fertility issues. Both procedures include a regimen of fertility-boosting drugs to increase ovulation and, thereby, chances of conception. Many of our patients choose to undergo IUI before IVF, but that is not always the case. In order to be a good candidate for IUI in our North Houston fertility clinic, you must have working ovaries and fallopian tubes, viable eggs, and there need to be enough motile sperm to reach the egg. Those who are not good candidates for IUI will need to consider IVF instead.
Our North Houston Fertility Clinic Is Here To Guide You On Your Fertility Journey
If you’d like to learn which fertility treatment is right for you, call us today to schedule an appointment. Our specialists can help you determine whether you should consider Kingwood IVF, The Woodlands IVF, or IUI based upon your individual needs and circumstances. We’d be honored to guide you in your journey to parenthood!
Many patients who visit our North Houston fertility clinic are not only looking to start a family through the Kingwood IVF and The Woodlands IVF process, but they also need either an egg or sperm donor in order to begin. Given the importance of this decision due to a number of factors, those who need a donor may not know where to start. Keep reading to discover our tips for selecting an egg or sperm donor for your North Houston IVF treatment.
Who Is A Good Candidate For Using Donor Eggs Or Sperm At Our North Houston Fertility Clinic?
Donor eggs are recommended for women struggling with infertility due to the following reasons:
- Age-Related Diminished Ovarian Reserve: age contributes to infertility, so many women with low egg counts or poor egg quality choose to receive donor eggs.
- Premature Ovarian Failure: oftentimes issues such as chemotherapy, radiation treatments, autoimmune disorders, and genetic factors lead to low egg count, as well.
- Genetic Mutations or Disease: Multiple miscarriages are often discovered to be the result of genetic anomalies that prevent a viable pregnancy, often requiring the use of donor eggs.
Finding a Suitable Egg Donor for Your North Houston IVF Treatment
Often, couples choose someone they know and trust to serve as an egg donor for their Kingwood IVF or The Woodlands IVF treatment. But sometimes patients need or choose to turn elsewhere when selecting an egg donor, such as these viable options:
- Egg Donor Agency: These organizations connect healthy egg donors with intending parents, often helping couples find donors who match specific genetic traits. The donor and the parent will usually undergo the IVF process at the same time so that their menstrual periods line up.
- Egg Bank: Sometimes donors choose to freeze their eggs and store them in an egg bank. Just like at an agency, an egg bank may be able to match intending parents with certain characteristics they might be looking for.
Finding a Suitable Sperm Donor for Your North Houston IVF Treatment
There are many reasons a sperm donor may be needed, including male infertility, single women seeking parenthood, or same-sex couples looking to start a family. Regardless of the reason, it’s important for patients to know what to look for and how to locate a sperm donor for the Kingwood IVF or The Woodlands IVF process.
Just like with egg donors, sometimes sperm donors are someone intending parents already know and trust. Though some choose to find a donor from a sperm bank instead. These are organizations that keep sperm donations and have a database available for intending parents to browse, allowing parents to choose sperm from donors who have preferred genetic characteristics. Our North Houston fertility clinic has a list of reputable sperm banks and can help you find the right donor.
Once a donor has been selected, the sperm will be sent to our Kingwood fertility clinic or The Woodlands fertility clinic, where we can use it for either Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) or In Vitro Fertilization (IVF).
Our Kingwood Fertility Clinic and The Woodlands Fertility Clinic Can Help You Find a Suitable Egg or Sperm Donor
No matter the reason for seeking an egg or sperm donor for the North Houston IVF process, our Kingwood fertility clinic or The Woodlands fertility clinic can help you begin your journey. Call us today to schedule an appointment and discuss your options with our fertility specialists. We look forward to working with you!
Many clients choose to freeze their eggs at our North Houston fertility clinic in order to plan for the future. If you aren’t quite ready to start your family but want to undergo Kingwood IVF or The Woodlands IVF at a later date, we can help you prepare for this option and encourage the best chances at a successful pregnancy when the time is right.
Freezing Your Eggs At Our Kingwood Fertility Clinic And The Woodlands Fertility Clinic
If you’ve chosen to freeze your eggs for use at a later date, you’ll be given fertility drugs to increase the number of eggs you produce during ovulation. This allows us to retrieve more eggs, which we will then freeze through a process called cryopreservation.
When it’s time to retrieve your eggs, you’ll make an appointment at one of our North Houston fertility clinics. At your appointment, you’ll be given a sedative so you can feel comfortable and relaxed, then an ultrasound probe will be inserted into your vagina to identify the follicles. We will guide a suction device to the follicles, where multiple eggs can be removed. After egg retrieval, we will freeze your eggs and store them safely until you’re ready to use them.
Using Frozen Eggs In The North Houston IVF Process
When you’re ready to undergo The Woodlands IVF or Kingwood IVF process, your eggs will be thawed in order to prepare them for fertilization. We will then introduce the sperm to fertilize the egg and allow the embryo to reach the blastocyst stage. The fertility specialists at our Kingwood fertility clinic or The Woodlands fertility clinic will then conduct genetic testing called Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT). This is done through a simple biopsy on the embryo in order to determine if your embryo has a higher chance of leading to a successful birth.
If we determine the embryo is genetically healthy, then we will prepare your uterus for pregnancy by giving you hormonal medications designed to encourage your body to go through the same hormonal changes it would with a traditional pregnancy. Once ideal hormone levels have been reached, the embryo will be transferred to your uterus with the help of an abdominal ultrasound. This painless procedure will take place in one of our North Houston fertility clinic locations.
Who Is A Good Candidate For Egg Freezing At Our North Houston Fertility Clinic?
Women in their 20s and 30s are good candidates for egg freezing, as this is when women produce the most viable eggs. While many women choose to freeze their eggs due to personal reasons, we often recommend that our patients freeze their eggs if they are currently undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy, or are suffering from an autoimmune disease. Sometimes transgender patients choose to freeze their eggs as well.
Kingwood IVF and The Woodlands IVF Specialists Are Here For You
If you’re not ready to start your family, but want to freeze your eggs for future use, request an appointment at one of our North Houston fertility clinics. We can offer you the guidance and support you need while discovering whether egg freezing is right for you!
It’s no secret that diet and nutrition directly impact your overall health, and the right choices can prevent disease, strengthen your immune system, and help you maintain a healthy weight. But did you know that there are certain foods that may actually boost fertility? If you’re embarking on a North Houston IVF journey, it might be helpful to consider adding certain foods to your diet that could increase your chances of a successful pregnancy.
Foods Our North Houston Fertility Clinic Specialists Recommend During IVF Treatment
If you’re looking to achieve a successful IVF pregnancy at our Kingwood fertility clinic or The Woodlands fertility clinic, we recommend a diet rich in antioxidants, whole grains, and healthy fats. The following foods may be helpful to those looking to optimize their fertility diet:
- Citrus fruits: vitamin C has been touted to improve the health of semen and ova. Squeeze some lemon or lime juice into your ice water or slice some oranges in the morning to snack on throughout the day.
- Full-fat dairy: Full-fat dairy is rich in saturated fats, which can boost fertility and reduce the likelihood of ovulation problems. Swap your skim milk for whole milk and reach for full-fat yogurt and cheese options instead of those labeled low-fat or fat-free.
- Oysters: Oysters contain a plethora of fertility-boosting nutrients such as vitamin B12, zinc, and iron. Raw oysters should only be consumed before the embryo transfer, but fully-cooked oysters are safe to eat at any time in the IVF process.
- Eggs: Eggs–especially the yolks–are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A and E, and are a great source of protein. Scramble a few for breakfast or keep some hard-boiled eggs in the fridge for a healthy afternoon snack.
- Pineapple: Pineapples are rich in bromelain, which reduces inflammation and boosts your immune system. Since chronic inflammation has been suggested to suppress ovulation, bromelain is a good addition to your fertility diet. Many grocery stores carry freshly-sliced pineapple in their produce sections, making it even easier to enjoy.
Foods to Avoid While Undergoing Kingwood IVF Or The Woodlands IVF Treatment
When following a healthy fertility diet, what you don’t eat can be just as important as what you do. Some foods and beverages can prevent proper ovulation, increase inflammation, and raise insulin levels, all of which can affect your chances for a successful IVF pregnancy. Our North Houston fertility clinic specialists recommend avoiding the following:
- Refined carbohydrates: White bread, pasta, and sugary foods and drinks all cause your blood sugar to spike quickly, affecting insulin levels in the body. Elevated insulin can negatively impact reproductive hormones and stunt egg maturation.
- Trans fats: Like refined carbohydrates, trans fats can also affect your insulin levels, so stay away from fried foods and overly processed products that contain hydrogenated vegetable oil.
- Alcohol: High alcohol consumption has long been associated with infertility, and even moderate alcohol consumption should be avoided during your North Houston IVF process, especially following embryo transfer.
Discuss Your Fertility Diet Options At Our North Houston Fertility Clinic
Making the right choices during the IVF process can increase your chances for a successful pregnancy, so request an appointment to our Kingwood fertility clinic or The Woodlands fertility clinic; we’ll answer your questions, suggest ways to promote a healthy lifestyle, and offer you the support you need during your North Houston IVF journey.
If you’re beginning your North Houston IVF journey at our Kingwood fertility clinic or The Woodlands fertility clinic, you likely have some questions about the process. Our skilled team of medical professionals will be with you each step of the way, managing your expectations and ensuring the best chance for a successful IVF treatment.
What To Expect At Your First North Houston Fertility Clinic Visit
Deciding to undergo IVF is an important decision, so building a relationship with you is our top priority. We’ll begin by gathering essential information regarding your medical history and fertility goals. If North Houston IVF is right for you, we’ll walk through the following steps of the process and answer any questions that arise.
Before the Procedure
Infertility testing is an important part of the IVF process. This is done through a series of blood tests to measure hormone levels, as well as tests for infectious diseases and genetic anomalies. We will also complete a uterine exam and semen analysis in order to determine the best method of insemination.
The North Houston IVF Process
Once these tests have been completed at our Kingwood IVF clinic or Woodlands IVF clinic and In Vitro Fertilization is determined to be the most suitable method for you, you can expect the following:
Step 1 - Fertility Medications
Because not all eggs a woman’s body produces will fertilize or develop normally, multiple eggs are needed for the North Houston IVF process. You’ll receive hormones to stimulate your ovaries to produce multiple eggs each month. This process usually takes between 1-2 weeks.
Step 2 - Egg Retrieval
Egg retrieval occurs through a minor medical procedure completed in our office. A hollow needle is inserted to collect the eggs, which usually takes around 20 minutes. We provide medication to lessen discomfort during and after the procedure.
Step 3 - Sperm Retrieval
The sperm sample is collected in our office (unless using donor sperm, in which this step can be omitted).
Step 4 – Fertilization
The egg and sperm are introduced and incubated overnight in our onsite North Houston IVF lab to encourage fertilization.
Step 5 - Embryo Transfer
Embryo transfer typically occurs after the embryo has grown to the day-5 blastocyst stage. First, a catheter will be placed inside the vagina, where a syringe containing the embryo is attached. Using this syringe, the doctor will place the embryo or embryos into your uterus.
After The Procedure
About two weeks after egg retrieval, we will run a blood test to determine if the procedure was successful. If so, we recommend you begin prenatal care visits as soon as possible.
Are You Considering North Houston IVF At Our Kingwood Or The Woodlands Fertility Clinics?
Infertility is a battle that doesn't need to be fought alone. Our North Houston IVF specialists in Kingwood and The Woodlands are here to support you in your fertility journey. If you're considering undergoing IVF, please request an appointment with our fertility specialists so we can further discuss your case. We look forward to working with you!
