How a Fertility Clinic Can Help You Conceive
Some couples may have more difficulty conceiving a child than others, for a variety of reasons. Science and medicine have developed a number of ways to assist reproduction, including techniques like ovulation induction, IUI, in-vitro fertilization (IVF), or donor egg IVF. At Northeastern Reproductive Medicine, a leading fertility clinic in Vermont, our highly trained specialists and expert team members offer a number of assisted reproductive technology (ART) options, with a strong emphasis on step-by-step methods, starting with the simplest, least complicated treatments first.
When Should I Go to a Fertility Clinic? 
Each couple’s situation is different, but most experts agree that after a year of regular, unprotected intercourse without a pregnancy, it’s probably time to visit a fertility clinic. That’s particularly true in the case of a woman who is under the age of 35, when fertility starts to change more rapidly. Women who have a history of miscarriage, irregular ovulation that doesn’t respond to treatment, endometriosis or problems with fallopian tubes may also need the services of a fertility specialist. Conception can also be difficult if the man has a low sperm count or problems with sperm movement or shape. Risk factors like a history of genital infections, irregular periods or undescended testicles may also send a couple to a fertility clinic.
Health and Fertility
In an otherwise healthy couple, sometimes conception difficulties can be related to a combination of lifestyle factors and timing. Fertility awareness techniques are often used for birth control, but they can also be used to promote conception. Timing intercourse around ovulation, for example, increases the chance of conception. Conception is more likely to occur when both partners are optimally healthy. High levels of stress, sleep deprivation and excessive exercise are known to affect menstrual patterns, overall health and conception in women. Obesity and smoking (or the use of tobacco in any form) also can have a significant negative effect on fertility.
Fertility Clinic Basics
When you visit a fertility clinic, the first step is a thorough assessment of both partners. In addition to a physical examination and some lab work or other diagnostic tests, you’ll complete a personal and family history review. We start with the basics of lifestyle improvement and develop a treatment plan that may include medications to regulate periods or promote ovulation. Couples then may use a combination of a fertility boosting medication such as clomiphene citrate or letrozole, in conjunction with intra-uterine insemination (IUI) to improve their pregnancy rates. After an adequate trial of such methods, in vitro fertilization (IVF) may be recommended. Once described as “test tube babies,” children born through IVF result from combining fertile eggs with sperm in a glass dish in a laboratory. The fertilized eggs are then inserted into the uterus. The success rate of each procedure depends on multiple factors, with female age playing the biggest role.
Our combination of natural approaches and highly technological advanced care allow our Vermont fertility clinic to offer you the best possible chance of pregnancy, in a supportive, caring environment. Located in Colchester, Vermont, Northeastern Reproductive Medicine serves residents of both Vermont and Canada. Please contact us today at Northeastern Reproductive Medicine. We can answer many of your initial questions or schedule an appointment.
