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IVF in Connecticut

February 20, 2024 No Comments

Starting a family is one of the biggest decisions that you’ll ever make. While the process of building a family can be both exciting and fulfilling, it can also be challenging for some people. Fortunately, couples and individuals who need assistance can consider in vitro fertilization (IVF). 

The Center for Advanced Reproductive Services (The Center) is proud to offer IVF in Connecticut. With offices all over the state, including Farmington, Hartford, New London, Branford, and Middlebury, CT, we’re proud to help aspiring parents from all over. 

The IVF Process 

The IVF process is an emotional process that’s often challenging, but ultimately worth it when you welcome your baby into the world. Generally, the process takes 6-8 weeks and follows these steps: 

  • Consultation – Getting to know new patients is the first step towards designing a treatment plan that works for you. During this time, our team will review your medical history and family-building goals, go over the IVF process, and answer any questions you may have. 
  • Fertility Testing – To help us understand your needs, you’ll go through some fertility tests. This can include bloodwork and physical exams. A minimally invasive procedure may also be necessary to look for any signs of structural causes of infertility. Once you’ve undergone some tests, our team can design a customized plan for you.  
  • Ovarian Stimulation – Next, our fertility specialists will prescribe you medication that increases the odds of creating viable eggs during ovulation. There are several treatment options for this step, which allows our team to choose the protocol that best suits you based on your fertility testing. Usually, this is done by injecting hormones, such as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Additionally, these hormones can be safely and easily self-injected at home. Our team will then monitor your hormones and follicles via regular ultrasounds and bloodwork. Once they’ve fully developed, another injection called a “trigger-shot” will induce ovulation.  
  • Egg Retrieval – The second round of hormone injections, or “trigger shot,” kickstarts ovulation and releases mature eggs. This allows multiple eggs to be released during the same cycle. The mature eggs are then collected by your fertility doctor using a minimally invasive procedure known as aspiration. After an egg is harvested, it can be either fertilized or frozen for later use. The egg retrieval procedure will be performed in our surgery center and under anesthesia for your comfort.  
  • Sperm Collection – At this stage, a semen sample will need to be submitted. Once your partner or donor has supplied a semen sample, our embryologists will separate the sperm cells and examine the strongest specimen.  
  • Fertilization – After both the egg and sperm have been collected, they’re placed in a petri dish for 3-5 days for fertilization in our state-of-the-art lab. It features the latest technology and procedures for successful fertilization and embryo development. However, not all eggs are able to be fertilized, just as not every fertilized egg can grow into an embryo. This is why our team collects several samples.  
  • Embryo Transfer – If an egg is successfully fertilized and a viable embryo develops, it will be transferred into the uterus for pregnancy.  

Who is a Good Candidate for IVF? 

The IVF process is a viable option for adults from all sorts of backgrounds. The Center offers consultations and fertility treatments to prospective parents, including LGBTQ+ couples and individuals. That being said, IVF is a major process, which means you will need to determine whether or not it’s the right option for you. 

Some of the most common reasons why people seek fertility treatments like IVF include age, relationship status, and medical history. Some patients are single parents who wish to have a child, while others are in committed relationships but haven’t been able to get pregnant. Others are simply over the age of 35. 

Regardless of your circumstances, The Center features a compassionate team who are prepared to provide you with the proper care and treatment throughout your IVF journey. 

Learn More About IVF in Connecticut 

If you are considering IVF or having difficulty conceiving, contact The Center a consultation today. We pride ourselves on offering expert level care and compassion to aspiring parents looking for IVF in Connecticut. Contact us to get started today. 

Applications Now Open for 2024 Nest Egg Foundation IVF Grants

January 25, 2024 No Comments

The Nest Egg Foundation Helps Families Start Their Fertility Journey With up to $20,000 in IVF Grants

Although many aspiring parents experience infertility, not all insurance providers cover the necessary treatments. That’s where the Nest Egg Foundation, Inc. comes in. Its IVF grant program is designed to help growing families bridge the gap between fertility coverage and out-of-pocket expenses.

Nest Egg Foundation: IVF Grants Explained

The Nest Egg Foundation was founded in 2015 to provide financial grants for IVF to those facing financial challenges. These grants range from $5,000 to $20,000 and can be used at partnering fertility centers, including The Center for Advanced Reproductive Services. The foundation also offers special grants specifically for egg donation and recurring pregnancy loss.

The Center is thrilled for the chance to work to help Nest Egg Foundation grant recipients realize their dreams of starting a family. If you’re struggling with fertility and need financial support, read on to see if you qualify for a Nest Egg Foundation grant. The application window for these grants runs from January 15th to February 15th, 2024.

Types of IVF Grants

The Nest Egg Foundation offers annual grants for infertility treatment ranging from $5,000 to $20,000. Additionally, the foundation is proud to offer two special grants for 2024. These include:

The Ryder Grant: Specifically for couples and individuals who require an egg donor to become pregnant. The Willow Grant: Exclusively for aspiring parents who have experienced recurring pregnancy loss.

Who Qualifies for an IVF Grant?

Before you’re considered for a grant, you need to meet several requirements. First, you must be a full-time resident of either Connecticut or New York and be a U.S. citizen for at least four years. If you’re applying with your partner, these residency and citizenship requirements apply to both of you.

Additionally, single applicants need to have a household income of $125k or less. Applicants who are married or in a domestic partnership are required to have a dual income maximum of $200k.

There are also several medical and clinical criteria for receiving a grant. To qualify for a grant, applicants must be:

  • Between the ages of 25 and 44 years old
  • Have a BMI that’s less than or equal to 38
  • Have seen a Reproductive Endocrinologist within the past nine months
  • Received blood work and fertility testing within the past 12 months
  • Non-smokers (both partners)

Heterosexual couples should meet the ASRM definition of infertility. LGBTQ+ individuals, single parents by choice, and those using an egg donor are encouraged to apply. Same-sex female couples must complete three IUI cycles prior to applying, while same-sex male couples may apply after one failed embryo transfer.

How to Apply for IVF Grants

If you meet the requirements and qualify for an IVF grant, you can apply online to get started. Once your application has been received, it will be reviewed by the Nest Egg Foundation’s Evaluation Panel. This panel consists of experienced medical professionals, psychologists, and financial advisors. You will be notified directly if you’re chosen to receive a grant.

Nest Egg Grant FAQs

We know that you may have some questions about the Nest Egg Foundation grants. To provide you with more information, you can find answers to our most popular FAQs below:

How successful is the Nest Egg Foundation grant program?

The IVF grant program has been incredibly successful. Nearly two dozen families have received grants so far, and 13 babies have been born as of 2023. The most exciting part is that there are more on the way!

What parts of the IVF process are covered by the grant?

The foundation’s grants cover the IVF treatment cycle, medications, embryo testing, egg or embryo donation, surrogacy, and egg or sperm cryopreservation up to the maximum grant value.

Who can qualify for a Nest Egg grant?

The Nest Egg Foundation is open to anyone who meets the residential, financial, and medical requirements. The IVF grants are an option for all kinds of families, including singles, married couples, and LGBTQ+ patients.i

Is the grant available to those dealing with secondary infertility?

Currently, the Nest Egg Foundation is exclusively for those who have not previously given birth and are dealing with primary infertility.

Can the grant be used at any fertility clinic?

No. The Nest Egg Foundation grants can only be used at The Center and Illume Fertility.

How long does it take to find out if I’ve received a Nest Egg grant?

Reviewing and deciding whether or not an application is approved can take up to 12 weeks. However, this timetable may vary slightly. Once the Nest Egg Foundation’s Evaluation Panel has made its decision, you will be contacted directly.

 

 

I To review the terms and conditions and other application details, see https://app.smarterselect.com/programs/94661-Nest-Egg-Foundation?__hstc=89217348.ad6d9e6463aeb36eb03b9b254c3fd55d.1703101068527.1703101068527.1703101068527.1&__hssc=&__hsfp=&hsCtaTracking=6fbe8e3b-7191-4929-8593-a5daabae69ef%7C0a4463f3-8636-4f4d-97ca-c58edf0d6fac.

IVF near Farmington, CT

December 12, 2023 No Comments

The path to parenthood looks different for everyone. For those struggling to conceive naturally or on their own, IVF near Farmington, Connecticut, may be beneficial.

The experienced fertility specialists at The Center offer comprehensive IVF services. As you grow your family, your health needs are important to us, and we’ll be here to provide support every step of the way.

What is the IVF Process?

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a method of assisted reproduction where eggs are fertilized with sperm outside of the body in our state-of-the-art IVF lab and then transferred back into the uterus. The process itself requires several steps to complete one cycle, and it can take up to two months or longer to complete one cycle. Sometimes, multiple cycles may be necessary before achieving a positive pregnancy.

Because the IVF process requires a significant commitment from patients, we work to help you understand what each phase of the process entails:

Fertility Consultation

Before starting IVF with us, you’ll need to schedule an initial fertility consultation. Our fertility specialists will meet with you to review the process in depth as well as your detailed medical history and future family-building goals.

Fertility Testing

At your next visit, we’ll perform diagnostic testing to determine any causes of infertility and create a personalized IVF plan specific to your health needs.

Ovarian Stimulation

During natural ovulation, a single egg is typically released from the ovaries. For patients undergoing IVF, ovarian stimulation is performed to produce multiple follicles or eggs. This is achieved through daily hormone injections and medications, which are self-administered to develop ovarian follicles. The ovarian stimulation step of an IVF cycle generally takes 10-14 days, depending on how quickly or slowly your follicles mature. We’ll closely monitor your and your body’s response to the medications using ultrasounds and hormone blood tests.

Egg Retrieval

Once your follicles are mature, you will be instructed to take a trigger shot to induce ovulation. After ovulation has been induced, our specialists will perform a short surgical procedure to retrieve the eggs. During this procedure, a vaginal ultrasound probe and needle are used to aspirate the eggs from the follicles via the vaginal wall. This procedure is performed in our surgery center in our Farmington office and under anesthesia for your comfort. Recovery time following this procedure is minimal; you can expect to return to work and daily activities within 48 hours.

Fertilization

After the mature eggs have been retrieved, our highly skilled embryologists begin the fertilization process by combining them with your partner’s sperm or donor sperm in our state-of-the-art IVF lab. If a low sperm count is contributing to infertility, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) may be used to insert a single sperm directly into an egg, increasing the chances of successful fertilization.

Embryo Transfer

After an egg has been successfully fertilized, it will be cultured in the lab for five days before being transferred back into the uterus for potential implantation. We use day-5 embryos to enhance the chances of pregnancy. Our specialists will work with you to ensure this process is as smooth and successful as possible.

Cryopreservation

As part of our comprehensive fertility services, we offer cryopreservation of eggs or embryos at sub-zero temperatures for later use. This effective form of fertility preservation allows our patients to successfully have a baby later in life or to return for a second or third child via IVF.

Ask Us About IVF Treatment near Farmington CT

If you’re considering IVF near Farmington, CT, The Center is here to assist you through every stage. Our fertility specialists have decades of experience and will happily address any questions or concerns you might have.

Schedule an appointment to learn more about your IVF journey with us!

Egg Freezing near Hartford CT

December 12, 2023 No Comments

Growing your family is an extremely personal decision that should align with your individual life plans. If you are not ready to have a baby yet due to personal, professional, or medical reasons, but wish to conceive in the future, you can begin your fertility journey with us by freezing your eggs at our Hartford, CT, area location.

At the Center for Advanced Reproductive Services (The Center), we help our patients make informed family-building decisions with advanced fertility services and preservation techniques.

The Egg Freezing Process

Cryopreservation is the process in which oocytes (eggs) are frozen and stored for later use. At The Center, we provide a continuum of care for our patients. When you’re ready to grow your family, we’ll be here to help thaw your frozen eggs, fertilize them with sperm, and transfer them back to your uterus.

The process of freezing eggs involves several steps, including:

Fertility Consultation

An initial fertility consultation is an important first step in the egg-freezing process. This gives you the opportunity to meet with our fertility specialists, who will review the process in depth as well as discuss your detailed medical history and future family-building goals.

Fertility Testing

During your next visit with us, we’ll perform diagnostic testing to determine your fertility and create a personalized treatment plan specific to your health needs. Fertility testing is an important part of egg freezing, as it will provide insights for your treatment plan to produce as many mature and healthy eggs as possible.

Ovarian Stimulation & Monitoring

To collect the maximum number of eggs, our fertility specialists will need to stimulate the ovaries using hormone injections. These can be self-administered, and our specialists will show you how. This process can take around 10 to 14 days. You and your body’s response to these medications will be closely monitored by your care team throughout this period.

Egg Retrieval

The egg retrieval process is a short surgical procedure, which our trained specialists perform in the surgery center at our Farmington office. Using a needle and ultrasound guidance, the fluid containing your eggs is collected for cryopreservation. This step is conducted under anesthesia for your comfort. You can expect to return to work and other daily activities within 48 hours after the procedure.

Egg Freezing

Once the eggs have been retrieved, our embryologists will verify and freeze the mature eggs. Frozen eggs can be stored for years, or even decades, and still be viable for future fertilization. When you are ready to have a baby, you will return to our clinic to complete the embryo transfer process. At that time, our embryologists will carefully thaw your eggs and fertilize them with either your partner’s sperm or donor sperm to create an embryo, which will be transferred back to your uterus or to a surrogate.

The Center Helps You Build Your Family on Your Timeline

The Center for Advanced Reproductive Services is dedicated to protecting and preserving your fertility, so you have the ability to grow your family when you’re ready. If you’re interested in egg freezing near Hartford, CT, our fertility specialists are here to answer your questions and guide you through the process.

Request a fertility consultation to get started today.

 

* https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2014/03/female-age-related-fertility-decline

Dr. Claudio Benadiva Announced as Kavoussi Family Outstanding Teacher Award Recipient

September 6, 2023 No Comments
We are proud to announce Claudio Benadiva, MD, HCLD is the 2023 recipient of the Kavoussi Family Outstanding Teacher Award given by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).
 
This award honors an ASRM member who is recognized as an outstanding educator in undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate, professional or patient education in basic and/or clinical reproductive biology and medicine. Individuals are nominated for the awards by members of the society. 
“I am deeply honored to receive the Kavoussi Family Outstanding Teacher Award at ASRM,” remarked Dr. Benadiva. “I am grateful to my mentors, and I always have felt the obligation to pay it forward by training the next generation of reproductive endocrinologists. Teaching is not just about imparting knowledge; it’s about inspiring and guiding future generations of physicians. This award is a testament to the power of education and the endless possibilities it holds for advancing the field of reproductive medicine. Let us continue illuminating minds and light the way for a brighter future in our pursuit of excellence.”
 
Academics and research have always been the cornerstone of CARS. We are incredibly proud of our commitment to research and continued developments within the field of fertility. And our commitment to training the next generation of physicians in the advanced science of reproductive medicine. Dr. Benadiva has mentored and presented over 170 abstracts, contributing significantly to tutoring and mentoring fellows and residents in the conduct of research, interpretation of data, and writing of manuscripts.
Dr. Claudio Benadiva is medical director at CARS, a Clinical Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology at UConn Health, a Fellow of the American College of Ob/Gyn, and is Board Certified in Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.
Dr. Benadiva is among the very few physicians who are certified by the American Board of Bioanalysis as a high complexity laboratory director, making him uniquely suited to integrate both clinical and laboratory protocols in an IVF program. He has been awarded “Best Doctor in America” every year since 2001. Dr. Benadiva received the prestigious “Family Building Award” from the American Fertility Association and has regularly been selected by The Consumers’ Research Council in America to be included in their Guide to America’s Top Obstetricians and Gynecologists. He has also received the ASRM 2012 Star Award, presented at the ASRM 68th Annual Meeting.
 
Dr. Benadiva graduated from the University of Buenos Aires in 1981 and completed his residency in Ob/Gyn at UConn Health. He completed fellowships at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and The New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center. Dr. Benadiva has done extensive research in Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology since 1986. 
 
The award will be presented at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine’s Scientific Congress Opening Ceremony to be held on October 16, 2023.

McCarthy Family Fertility Journey

July 27, 2023 No Comments

We often hear “roller coaster ride” to describe the fertility journey. The McCarthy family certainly experienced this and more! Here’s Nikole’s story:

“My IVF journey started like most people – my husband and I knew we wanted to try for children right after our wedding. But getting pregnant didn’t happen as easily as I assumed it would, and after a year of “trying,” we made an appointment with Dr. Engmann.
After three failed IUI’s, Dr. Engmann decided our next best option was IVF. I was hesitant and became more anxious after watching the mandatory video on the process (I was terrified of needles!!). We took the summer to step back from the process and tried to relax and avoid thinking about IVF. Then in the fall of 2017, I underwent my first IVF cycle.
Surprisingly, it was a smooth process—even the injections weren’t bad! We retrieved many eggs, and I felt great and confident we had found our solution. It wasn’t until my scheduled transfer day that I received the call that made me realize that this process wasn’t a “sure thing.”
None of my embryos reached the blastocyst stage, leaving nothing to transfer. It was devastating, but I knew we wouldn’t give up that easily. I started my second full cycle in January 2018, only to be disappointed once again. As you can imagine, these failures began to take a physical and emotional toll, and once again, we decided to take a break to recover and recharge.
We enjoyed our time together that summer and then picked back up in August with our third full cycle. This time around, it was different, both physically and mentally. Believe it or not, I was excited for this cycle! We worked with Dr. Engmann on a modified protocol this time around, which meant different medications and more of them. I felt empowered, and this time I did the injections myself (I didn’t need my husband anymore for the subcutaneous injections!).

 Once again, we retrieved many eggs, and I felt confident that this time would be successful. We waited patiently for the reports on how the embryos were doing. I was relieved when the day came to transfer, and we had one beautiful, perfect, viable embryo to transfer. That one miracle embryo was our daughter, who we welcomed in May of 2019. It’s like they always say, it only takes one, and she was literally our ONE.
We had no embryos that made it to freeze, so in 2021, when we decided that we wanted to try again, I knew we would have to start from scratch. I was excited to see all the nurses, staff, and doctors, especially Dr. Engmann, again. In September of that year, we started our fourth full cycle, and while we didn’t conceive that cycle, we did have two embryos that made it to the blastocyst stage and were able to be frozen…so it wasn’t a complete defeat! On November 17, 2021, I transferred both embryos. One became our son.
My time at the center was long (3+ years), but in that time, I became part of the most incredible community. There are very few places in the world where everyone is rooting for each other – whether it’s the nurses helping with the tests, the phlebotomists drawing blood, or the other women who are going through the exact same thing as you – everyone is helping each other and wishing for the best. It’s a community that I will forever be thankful to be a part of.
Through it all, I learned that I am stronger than ever imagined. I had such incredible support from my husband, family, and everyone I worked with at CARS. It’s hard when you’re at the starting line and going through it, but it is all worth it.

Mindfulness for Family Building Workshop

July 27, 2023 No Comments
Would you like to experience some practices that can support you mentally and emotionally on your family-building journey?
 
Would you like to connect with others who are also on this path?
 
We welcome you to join Carissa Spada for Mindfulness For Family Building. This workshop is an experiential time together of being guided through various practices, time to process those practices and an opportunity to connect with others to the extent that you wish to do so. The time together is intended to nourish and support you and bring clarity and tools to assist you during this time.
 
This event is an on-camera gathering. Please have a journal and pen with you.
 
Carissa Spada, LMT, has served others through the wellness field for over 20 years. She is a massage therapist, yoga and mindfulness meditation coach specializing in fertility. Having experienced her own personal fertility challenges and, ultimately, IVF, she can relate to and understand how trying this journey can be. Carissa supports all her clients in reducing stress and achieving optimal health as they more deeply connect to their inner wisdom.
 
Click here for more information and to register: https://Carissaschedule.as.me/Aug31MindfullnessForFamilyBuilding
 

The Need for an Egg Donor Does Not Discriminate

May 3, 2023 No Comments

Ovarian failure and the need for utilization of an egg donor do not discriminate. It is actually something that unites women. Every race, color, ethnicity, religion is affected. Women need to grieve the loss of their own genetic connection, but in a lot of cases, especially with our black, brown and Asian populations, they also have to grieve the loss of their very specific heritage, and often are left to look for someone who is “close to what they want”. It adds to the list of losses they are already grieving.

Historically, in certain ethnic populations, donating and receiving donor oocytes is frowned upon by society. Our hope is that our new generation of young people will help to break that barrier. Donation is a gift to others, a gift to themselves as the feelings associated with the gift of life is empowering, and it is a gift to their own specific ethnic communities.

Are you interested in finding out more? There are strict requirements to become an egg donor, including being between 21 and 32, a non-smoker. You must know the complete medical history of both your biological parents. In addition, there are BMI requirements. Egg donors are compensated $8,000 for their time and effort during the screening & donation process. For more information on becoming an egg donor, please visit our egg donation website at www.donoreggct.com or call 860.321.7082 EXT 8022.

 

Dr. Makhijani Research Published

March 24, 2023 No Comments
Congratulations to Dr. Reeva Makhijani on the publication of her cumulus/hemoglobin research in F&S Science, the official journal of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Also on the team was the Center’s lab director, Dr. Alison Bartolucci.
Clinical research is an important component of the Center’s mission. Our clinical and laboratory staff have initiated several research studies, helping to expand the scientific knowledge base and provide new technology to patients, and we are proud of the groundbreaking research conducted at the Center and UConn.

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