A puzzle fundraising idea for IVF families By: Erica Ferraro My husband and I embarked on our IVF journey with hopeful hearts, believing it would be a manageable process: an egg retrieval, embryo creation, and a transfer, all leading to the joyous news of pregnancy in just a few months. We felt fortunate to haveContinue reading “Building Our Family, Piece by Piece”
Category Archives: Infertility 101
Lupron Depot: How to Survive The Devil’s Drug
By: Erica Ferraro If you’re familiar with Lupron Depot, you’re aware that this drug is not for the faint-hearted. Primarily used in the treatment of female cancer patients, Lupron Depot is also utilized in embryo transfer protocols for women with endometriosis (endo) or adenomyosis (adeno). Endometriosis is an inflammatory disease that, when active, can leadContinue reading “Lupron Depot: How to Survive The Devil’s Drug”
Building Mental Resilience: Tips for Preparing for an Embryo Transfer
By: Erica Ferraro Embryo transfer anxiety is a real challenge, but let me tell you, you’re not alone. I’ve been on this roller coaster for weeks, preparing for my first fresh embryo transfer. It feels like my entire future and well-being hinge on the success of this transfer. If you’ve gone through the process ofContinue reading “Building Mental Resilience: Tips for Preparing for an Embryo Transfer”
The Power of Pineapples: A Symbolic Beacon of Hope and Community
By: Erica Ferraro In the past, infertility was shrouded in secrecy, whispered behind closed doors, and burdened by societal taboos. Our parents bore the weight of this struggle in hushed tones, with limited resources and a sense of isolation. However, times have changed. The internet has brought about a more open-minded generation, and but alsoContinue reading “The Power of Pineapples: A Symbolic Beacon of Hope and Community”
The Silent Struggle: Male Factor Infertility- A Common Secret, Shared Only Through Whispers
By: Erica Ferraro Male Male factor infertility is surprisingly common but still one of the most misunderstood aspects of reproductive health. When couples struggle to conceive, society tends to unfairly point fingers at women. Yet, one third of the time it is a male issue, and in many cases it is a combination of bothContinue reading “The Silent Struggle: Male Factor Infertility- A Common Secret, Shared Only Through Whispers”
Infertility is a Medical Diagnosis, Not a Mind Set: Say it Louder for the People in the Back
By: Erica Ferraro Let me give you a glimpse into an encounter I had with someone when going through IVF treatments. This person, although they did not mean malice, clearly missed the empathy and commonsense memo. Which, unfortunately, is quite commonplace when discussing fertility struggles amongst those who have not walked our path. In theContinue reading “Infertility is a Medical Diagnosis, Not a Mind Set: Say it Louder for the People in the Back”
Assisted Reproductive Technologies 101
By: Erica Ferraro with Contributions from Alease Daniel Barnes, BS, Senior Embryologist Once you find your clinic and feel confident in your decision to proceed with treatment, you will likely learn about treatment options based on your diagnosis. I cannot reiterate enough that every patient is highly different and should have a unique treatment protocol. So,Continue reading “Assisted Reproductive Technologies 101”
Baking Life’s Sweetest Miracle: A Cake Analogy for Understanding Infertility
By: Erica Ferraro When I received my initial diagnosis of DOR and realized that I would need to undergo multiple rounds of IVF to have a chance at starting a family, I encountered considerable difficulty in explaining the situation to my friends and family. Not only was I struggling to comprehend my diagnosis, but alsoContinue reading “Baking Life’s Sweetest Miracle: A Cake Analogy for Understanding Infertility”
Infertility Acronyms for the Newbies
Navigating infertility can be incredibly confusing, and it becomes even more complex when you engage in conversations with others who are also going through the same experience. I vividly recall being taken aback and wondering why these individuals seemed to be speaking a different language altogether. It’s true, the infertility community has developed its ownContinue reading “Infertility Acronyms for the Newbies”
Moving Mountains For Motherhood 