In the ever-evolving landscape of reproductive medicine, advancements continue to empower individuals with ovaries to make informed choices about their fertility options. One such groundbreaking innovation is egg freezing, also known as cryopreservation of egg cells. This blog post will dive into some reasons someone may pursue egg freezing, what the general process is like, and resources to learn more.

Please check out the previous blog posts, handouts, and informational pages discuss what PGT-M and the process of pursuing this testing. This post will dive right into what makes PGT-M different from other genetic tests.

Family history plays a significant role in shaping our understanding of potential health concerns. If you have a family history of cystic fibrosis (CF), a genetic condition that most often affects the lungs and digestive system, you might be wondering about your chance of being a carrier. Carrier screening is an option that can provide valuable insights into your genetic makeup and help you make informed decisions about family planning. In this blog post, we'll explore what cystic fibrosis is, the importance of carrier screening, and how it can impact your family's future.

The decision to freeze or cryopreserve egg cells is an empowering choice for many individuals. It offers a sense of reassurance for future family-building while allowing people to focus on personal or career aspirations. However, life is unpredictable, and circumstances can change. The original plans for frozen egg cells may need to be reevaluated. At such moments, a decision has to be made as to what to do with remaining egg cells. In this blog post, we'll explore the findings from a recent article titled, Elective egg freezers’ disposition decisions: a qualitative study.

I recently went on a kayak and realized how fun they are, but what I did not realize it came with a warning for reproductive harm. The warning is placed under the “details” section of the listing and links to California’s Proposition 65 List, which lists the harmful chemicals to avoid. This realization parallels my recent rabbit hole of learning about environmental exposures and their corresponding reproductive harm. This blog will highlight some of the resources I’ve come across.

Preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic conditions (PGT-M) is a process which includes in vitro fertilization (IVF). PGT-M is unlike other genetic assessments because each PGT-M test is designed specifically for a family's genetics. The process can take many weeks and appointments, so it can be helpful to start the discussion for PGT-M as soon as possible.

Preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic conditions (PGT-M) is a genetic test that can be performed on embryos. It is specifically designed to identify hereditary conditions with an increased likelihood of being passed on to children. Despite significant scientific advancements, one might assume that PGT-M, which has been available for over a decade, would have all the answers. However, there are instances where PGT-M cannot be utilized for certain families. In this blog post, we will explore these situations and delve into the reasons why PGT-M is not universally accessible.

Finding out your pregnancy has a life limiting diagnosis can be life changing. A recent article dove into the experiences of women and couples after they received a prenatal diagnosis and made the decision to either continue or terminate the pregnancy. This blog post will highlight some of the findings from the article with the intention to spread its message. While it is not frequent a pregnancy is diagnosed with a life limiting condition, it is not a rarity. Even if someone does not personally experience this situation, as a society, we need to increase awareness and overall social support.

Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy is a type of genetic test for embryos. It is used as a guide in order to determine which embryo to transfer first, if someone has more than one available after their in vitro fertilization process. It is not considered a diagnostic test, and there are limitations to what it can tell us. One limitation is that the test is performed on cells of the embryo that will become the future placenta but not the future baby. Often the genetics of the placenta and baby are going to be the same, but there are times where that is not the case. It is difficult to predict when those times are occurring. In this post, we will go into more detail about the test and the general overview of the types of results that are possible.

It seems like the running list of things that can impact someone’s fertility does not stop. Usually, the list contains environmental toxins like pesticides and BPA. However, there can be genetic impacts to fertility as well. In this blog post, we will discuss additional considerations that can be made for individuals who have been diagnosed with a cancer predisposition syndrome, specifically Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (HBOC) syndrome.