FAQs

Why choose NRM?

• The NRM team consists of three board-certified Reproductive Endocrinologists and Infertility Specialists with extensive experience in treating infertility and reproductive disorders. Doctors’ backgrounds and expertise.
• Your NRM physicians wanted to create an environment where they could offer affordable, expert care to patients in an easily-accessible, friendly environment — thus the birth of Northeastern Reproductive Medicine!
• We offer state-of-the-art technology and an experienced team of nurses, embryologists, and staff, to maximize your chances at reproductive success.

I don’t have regular periods/I know the problem is me. Does my husband really need a semen analysis?

The doctors at NRM take into account your history when creating your plan for evaluation. Often, more than one factor often contributes to infertility. Therefore, it may make sense to complete the basic fertility evaluation prior to investing time and money into therapy, to ensure the best possible chances for success. Discuss with your physician the most cost-effective plan for you.

What comprises a basic infertility evaluation?

• A consult with your physician to review your History and have a Physical Examination.
• Semen analysis
• Hormonal evaluation of the female partner
• Hysterosalpingogram or HyCoSy to evaluate the patency of the fallopian tubes
• Further testing, such as a “baseline” ultrasound of your uterus and ovaries or further blood tests, may be performed if indicated in your particular situation. For more information about the diagnostic evaluation of infertility, click here.

Do you offer artificial insemination?

Yes. Artificial insemination, more commonly referred to as Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), is a basic fertility procedure in which washed sperm are deposited into a woman’s uterus at the time of ovulation. This may be utilized for couples with mild male factor infertility, or for heterosexual or homosexual couples using donor sperm.

Do you offer treatment to lesbian or gay couples?

Yes. The physicians at NRM have been helping same-sex couples build their families for years. We have a long history of experience with third-party reproduction such as the use of egg or sperm donors, or gestational carriers.

Do you work with single males or females?

Yes. Single men and women utilize our services to start or grow their families. They also come to us for fertility preservation if they are delaying conception for any number of reasons (including cancer therapy). We are supportive of all kinds of families and enjoy working with all of our patients.

Are fertility treatments covered by insurance? Are financing packages available?

• Some insurance plans will cover diagnostic testing only, some cover diagnostic evaluation and fertility therapy, and some do not offer any coverage for fertility evaluation or treatment. We understand that financial issues can add anxiety to an already stressful process, so we have a financial counselor available to help you understand your coverage. More information »
• Financial assistance is available through Springstone.

How do I know if I need genetic testing (PGD) or screening (PGS)? Can I utilize acupuncture or other stress-reduction techniques during my fertility therapy?

Common indications for PGD/PGS include:

• Patients who have known genetic disease in themselves or their family
• Patients with previous failed treatments such as failed IVF
• Female patients of advanced reproductive age
• Patients with a history of recurrent miscarriage

For more information on PGD/PGS, click here.

Why should I have carrier screening or GoodStart? Aren’t these diseases rare? No one in my family has any genetic diseases.

• Most carriers don’t have a family history OR any symptoms of disease therefore most people don’t know they are carriers until they undergo screening.
• Being a carrier is not the same as having the disease. We all have two copies of each gene. Carriers have one gene with a mutation and one gene that works correctly.
• Carriers for some diseases are fairly common in the general population. For example, in a room of 30 people, chances are at least one person would be a carrier for Cystic Fibrosis.
• Finding out if you or your partner are carriers of a disease is important information to help you plan your fertility therapy.
  1. You may consider undergoing Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis to test for embryos that are not affected by the disease.
  2. Even if you wouldn’t manage your fertility care differently, some individuals find it helpful to know about their risks so they have time to prepare in case they have a child with a genetic disease.

Do you offer the option of Surrogacy?

Not in the traditional sense; however you may be thinking of a “Gestational Carrier,” which is offered at NRM (see below). Traditional “surrogacy” refers to the use of another female’s eggs and uterus — often a friend or relative — who both contributes genetic material (the egg) and carries the baby for the Intended Parents. This historical practice is against the law in many states and goes against the policy of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine.

NRM offers the use of a Gestational Carrier. This means that the female carrying the pregnancy has no genetic tie to the baby. As the patient and Intended Parent, you create an embryo either with your egg, a donor egg, your partner’s sperm, or a donor sperm — and that embryo can be placed into the uterus of a Gestational Carrier. Click here for more information.

Do you provide care to patients who do not speak English as a first language?

Yes! To schedule an appointment with a French-speaking provider, simply call us at 802-655-8888. Further, we have personnel to assist with Spanish, German and Chinese translation. Translation for other languages can be provided upon request.

Can I utilize acupuncture or other stress-reduction techniques during my fertility therapy?

Yes- we encourage patients to pursue integrative therapies as needed to help reduce stress and improve your overall experience.  Discuss with your physician any therapies you pursue so that we can integrate it into your plan of care. Learn more here about local options for yoga for infertility, acupuncture, acupuncture and oriental medicine, and other forms of naturopathic medicine and integrative therapies supported by your physicians at NRM.