Fertility and reproduction are two important words to a lot of people. Those words often qualify the ability to expand a family and procreate. In many cases, people looking to become parents often make extra efforts to ensure they are fertile and able to reproduce. However, some may find that they are unable to conceive the natural way. For people in this category, Sher Fertility Solutions is the best New York fertility clinic to visit.
But before visiting, it’s important to know the options available to you and what each one means. Having an idea of what each option entails can help you chart a different path toward parenthood.
While exploring the available treatment options, it is recommended that you keep an open mind, compare and consider, and speak to a fertility expert on the topic. Below are the available fertility treatment options to explore.
Fertility Drugs
Fertility drugs are perhaps the commonest and most accessible option to people planning toward parenthood. Similar to any other medication, this option aims to stimulate one or both parents to ensure increased chances of conception.
In the female parent, fertility medication works to increase and stimulate ovulation, thicken the uterine walls, and optimize the internal environment for egg implantation. In the male, the fertility drug works to improve testosterone release, enhance sperm count, and improve sperm motility. A combination of these factors can significantly improve the chances of conception and pregnancy.
It’s important to speak to a fertility professional, physician, or endocrinologist before using fertility medication.
Medical Procedures
Couples who are unable to conceive naturally or those who have been deemed ineligible for fertility medication based on health or other factors may consider medical procedures. Medical procedures for fertility treatment are available in various options, depending on specific situations and preferences.
Some common medical procedures to explore for fertility treatment include the following;
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): IVF is perhaps the commonest type of medical procedure for fertility treatment. This method is also known as Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). IVF relies on external influence, through the collection of the male sperm and the female egg, to aid conception. Once the gametes are collected, they are combined in a laboratory dish and exposed to the right conditions for embryo development. Once developed, the embryo is transferred into the woman’s uterus for implantation. A successful IVF is marked by conception or pregnancy.
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI): This treatment involves screening a single sperm cell and introducing it to a single screened egg cell for fertilization. It is usually a part of the IVF process.
Assisted Hatching: Some fertility professionals use the hatching technique to improve the chances of IVF success. This technique boosts the chances of pregnancy and conception per procedure delivered.
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): IUI involves collecting sperm cells from the male parent and introducing it artificially into the woman’s uterine cavity. This approach aims to screen the sperm cells and bypass the vaginal movement by introducing them directly to the implantation site.
Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT): GIFT is similar to IVF but excludes the laboratory fertilization process. Instead, the egg and sperm are mixed and introduced into the uterus for natural fertilization and implantation.
Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer (ZIFT): ZIFT is similar to GIFT but involves the transfer and implantation of an already fertilized egg.
Egg, Sperm, or Embryo Donation
Another available fertility treatment option is the donation of an egg, sperm, or embryo to the parents. This is often the case when at least one of the parents is infertile and unable to produce reproductive cells. This procedure preserves at least one parent’s genetic makeup.
The donation process can often be paired with In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT), or Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer (ZIFT). The choice of method will depend largely on the female’s ability to implant egg cells and carry the fetus to term.
Surrogacy
Surrogacy is an option for parents who are unable to carry a fetus to term. It is also a consideration for parents whose uterine walls have become thin or punctured, thus affecting their ability to successfully nurse a pregnancy from start to end.
Many more parents who are engaged in busy lives or have personal preferences regarding their bodies may be able to choose this option. It requires speaking to a fertility professional for guidance.
Adoption
Adoption is also an option for couples looking to expand their family. Adoption can be private or public, depending on preferences, suitability, and availability. Private infant adoptions often involve several processes that match pregnant women willing to give their children up for adoption with interested families looking to adopt.
Foster care adoption involves adopting a child or children from the foster care system, while international adoption involves adopting children from other parts of the world. It is important to speak to experts in the field to ensure legality and compliance.
The above options are available to interested parents looking to explore as many avenues as possible to expand their families. Ensure to contact accredited and licensed fertility clinics for help and guidance.
