At HART Fertility Clinic, we offer a variety of fertility treatments and therapies to those who long to be parents in Kingwood and The Woodlands. Although we specialize in IVF, we offer a number of other treatments that we have achieved success in–some of which are done in tandem with IVF. In this article, we will break down some of the things you need to know about Assisted Hatching.

What Is Assisted Hatching?

First of all, in order to explain assisted hatching, we need to explain how North Houston IVF works.

When undergoing IVF, we will mix eggs and sperm in a lab setting, as opposed to within a woman’s body when natural conception and fertilization occurs. When conception takes place, we will watch the egg until it develops into an embryo. At this point, we can conduct PGT (Preimplantation Genetic Testing) to determine which of the developed embryos is the healthiest one that could lead to a successful pregnancy. Once this is determined, we can implant the embryo right away or freeze it for later use.

Now, once an embryo is developed, it will become surrounded by an outer layer called the zona pellucida, which we compare to a shell. An embryo must “hatch” or break free from this shell so it can be successfully implanted into the uterus. Assisted hatching is a procedure in which our fertility doctors poke a tiny hole into the outer shell with a laser in order to help the embryo break free. Assisted hatching gives the embryo a higher chance of successful implantation.

Can Anyone Benefit From Assisted Hatching

Although helpful in theory, not everyone needs assisted hatching. We usually recommend assisted hatching to patients who are over 37 years old and/or have not had a successful pregnancy with IVF.

Does Assisted Hatching Cause Pregnancy Complications

Though very rare, it is possible for the embryo to become damaged through assisted hatching, but our IVF team in North Houston is as careful as possible during this step. Additionally, some studies suggest that identical twins are more likely when assisted hatching has taken place, and with twins, you must be extra careful throughout your North Houston IVF pregnancy.

Our IVF Doctors In The Woodlands And Kingwood May Recommend Assisted Hatching If You Want To Undergo Fertility Treatment

If you think you might be infertile, you might consider undergoing fertility treatments such as North Houston IVF. If so, we recommend you first request an appointment with us so we can administer fertility testing. This testing helps us determine whether you are, in fact, infertile, and what might be causing it. After assessing your fertility, we will determine if you may benefit from North Houston IVF and assisted hatching.

Following a good diet is very helpful when you’re attempting to get pregnant and while you’re sustaining your pregnancy. A fertility-boosting diet may increase your chances of conceiving and delivering a healthy baby, but diets and the holidays don’t always go together as easily. In this article, we will offer some advice on how to follow a healthy lifestyle even during the holidays to maximize your chances of getting pregnant. 

Foods That Intending Parents Should Eat To Improve Their Chances Of Successful North Houston IVF

Those who want to achieve a successful IVF pregnancy at our The Woodlands or Kingwood fertility clinics should increase their consumption of whole grains and Omega-3’s by eating foods like flaxseed, nuts, and fish. Poultry, fruits, and vegetables also improve your overall fertility. Our fertility specialists recommend reducing your consumption of red meat and trans fats, which are found in foods such as margarine, junk food, packaged baked goods, and frying oils, and really anything processed. While you’re improving your eating habits as you prepare to undergo North Houston IVF, it’s also a good idea to take multivitamins that support fertility health and your overall well-being.

Regular Exercise Benefits Both Men and Women Undergoing North Houston Fertility Treatment

If you seek fertility treatment at our clinics in The Woodlands or Kingwood, such as IUI or North Houston IVF, it’s a good idea to add exercise into your daily routine. Regular exercise improves your physical health, mental health, and as a result, your fertility as well. Speak with your general physician to learn about the best way to incorporate exercise so as to boost your fertility. Remember, simple exercises like brisk walking work wonders, and you don't need to spend hours every day doing so, either. 

Our IVF Specialists at HART Fertility Clinic in Kingwood and The Woodlands Support You In Your Fertility Journey During The Holidays

Most importantly, know that a healthy lifestyle with healthy eating and exercise should not be restrictive. At your healthiest, you should make conscious efforts and decisions that affect your health without making the experience unpleasant. The good news is that it’s rather easy to incorporate healthy eating every day. During the holidays, don’t be afraid to enjoy sweets and homemade desserts every now and then, but do make certain that for your breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, you are eating healthy home-cooked meals as much as possible with a healthy helping of all the major food groups. An exercise routine will offer even more help when trying to conceive and will help you establish a healthier lifestyle you can enjoy for years to come. If you believe you may be infertile, please request an appointment with our fertility experts so we can learn more about the root cause and make appropriate recommendations for treatment. We look forward to helping you achieve your dreams of parenthood.

At our North Houston fertility clinic, which is located in Kingwood and The Woodlands, we offer a variety of different fertility treatments and therapies. Among our services, we offer egg freezing as well as embryo freezing. Many of our patients inquire about how these treatments compare, so in this fertility blog, we will explain how both treatments work.

Egg Freezing At Our Kingwood Fertility Clinic

When it comes to egg freezing, we will stimulate your ovaries to produce eggs and then retrieve them. We start this process with hormone injections, which is the same method we utilize with our patients who are undergoing North Houston IVF.

To extract the eggs, we will perform a transvaginal ultrasound-guided needle aspiration. This procedure is painless. Once the eggs have been retrieved, we will immediately dehydrate them and freeze them to be used at a later date. By dehydrating your eggs, we prevent them from destruction due to ice crystals that form from the high water content that women's eggs have.

Embryo Freezing At Our North Houston IVF Clinic

Though embryo freezing is much like egg freezing, these treatments differ in that eggs are retrieved and then frozen until you are ready to get pregnant in the future, at which point you will undergo North Houston IVF to fertilize the egg. Embryo freezing, on the other hand, consists of retrieving the eggs, immediately fertilizing them with sperm through IVF, and then freezing them once an embryo develops.

Which Method Is Better?

In truth, one is not necessarily better than the other. Preference plays a big role in this. Note that it will take several eggs before one embryo is formed, regardless of which method you opt for. Egg freezing allows for more flexibility for a few reasons:

• You can wait until you meet the right partner
• If you’re a single woman, you can always opt for donor sperm when you’re ready
• You can choose not to use frozen eggs and discard them if you get pregnant without them

Embryo freezing has a couple of limitations, but these limitations might be favorable for someone else:

• You need to fertilize the egg with sperm right away, and many women prefer to use their current partner’s
• Discarding embryos is a harder decision to make, and many faiths and/or moral beliefs don’t allow this

The Fertility Specialists At Our IVF Clinic In The Woodlands And Kingwood Are Here To Support Your Decision

Whether you decide on freezing your eggs or freezing your embryos, both methods are great ways to preserve your fertility. Regardless of your decision, our IVF doctors are here to support you the entire way, so if you’re planning to make a decision soon, please request an appointment so we can offer some guidance, so you can make the best decision for yourself.

Relying on donor sperm to conceive through IVF is a highly sought fertility treatment amongst same-sex couples, single women, and couples facing male infertility. In this article, we will discuss how you can pick the best sperm donor for your fertility journey as you prepare to undergo IVF at our fertility clinic in The Woodlands or Kingwood.

Locate The Right Sperm Bank

There are a plethora of sperm banks out there, but not all sperm banks are created equally. Our North Houston fertility specialists–who provide several fertility treatments and therapies to those in Kingwood and The Woodlands–urge you to go to an FDA approved sperm bank. We will give you the names of the FDA approved sperm banks so you can rest assured that all the necessary legalities are already in place and that the sperm you choose has been properly stored and retrieved.

Consider A Sperm Matching Tool

Many couples try to avoid using donor sperm to conceive because they want a baby that is truly theirs, and we completely understand! However, donor sperm is a remarkable way to conceive a healthy baby and carry a pregnancy to term, especially now that there are several matching tools available. Many FDA approved sperm banks also offer a matching tool, which lets intended parents learn more about the donor. Through this tool, you will learn things such as the donor's age, race/ethnicity, overall health, and even career information.

Learn About Sperm Donors’ Personalities

Most FDA approved sperm banks take the time to get to know every donor they come in contact with and create files about their personalities so parents can take into account certain traits similar to the intended father’s. These traits include temperament, sense of humor, likes and dislikes, talents, and what made these donors who they are today. This also makes the search for a donor even easier if you already know what personality traits you hope your baby will inherit.

The Woodlands IVF Specialists Will Support You In Your Fertility Journey

Now that you know more about using a sperm donor to get pregnant, if you are considering this method of fertility treatment, please request an appointment so we can learn more about your needs and goals. Know that our team of IVF specialists at our clinic in The Woodlands is here to support you the entire way and looks forward to helping you achieve your dream of parenthood!