Fertility Centers of Illinois

September is PCOS Awareness Month!

At Fertility Centers of Illinois, we are dedicated to spreading awareness and providing support for those affected by Polycystic O***y Syndrome. PCOS is a common but often misunderstood condition that can affect fertility and overall health. Join us this month in raising awareness, sharing stories, and supporting one another. Together, we can make a difference!

Traveling with fertility medications this Labor Day weekend? Swipe through for our must-know tips to ensure a stress-free journey with your fertility medications.

Got any tips or experiences to share? Drop them in the comments below!

Exciting News! Fertility Centers of Illinois is thrilled to announce the opening of the River North Center for Reproductive Health!

The brand-new state-of-the-art surgical center is dedicated to helping you grow your family. With the latest advancements in fertility treatment, we're here to support you every step of the way on your journey to parenthood.

What's New?

- New cutting-edge IVF and embryology lab
- Comprehensive male and female services, all in one convenient location
- Advanced on-site options for addressing underlying causes of infertility
- 4 operating/procedure rooms

Patient care remains our top priority, and we can't wait to welcome you to our new facility! Stay tuned for more updates and get ready to experience unparalleled care at our River North Center for Reproductive Health.

In the meantime, click through for more details about the River North Center for Reproductive Health!

🌈 Sending love and light to all the families who have welcomed a rainbow baby and to those still waiting for their miracle. You are in our hearts today and always.

We don't know who needs to hear this today, but you are incredibly strong! Your journey is tough, but so are you. Keep believing in your strength and resilience. 💪❤

Remember high school s*x ed making it seem like getting pregnant was a given? Reality check: infertility affects 1 in 6 couples, with causes split equally between men and women. Roughly 30% male, 30% female, and 40% both.

*xEdforAdults InfertilityAwareness

Exciting News! Fertility Centers of Illinois is thrilled to announce the opening of the River North Center for Reproductive Health on August 26, 2024!

The brand-new state-of-the-art surgical center is dedicated to helping you grow your family. With the latest advancements in fertility treatment, we're here to support you every step of the way on your journey to parenthood.

In high school, we learned the basics of reproductive health, but there's so much more to understand! At Fertility Centers of Illinois, we're here to fill in those gaps and provide you with the knowledge you need for your fertility journey. Stay informed and empowered!

For example, did you know you were born with all the eggs you'll ever have? 🥚🤯 Unlike s***m, which is produced continuously, females are born with a finite number of eggs that decrease over time.

*xEdforAdults *xEd

Congratulations Mallory Swanson and Alyssa Naeher on winning a gold medal! We are honored to be the official fertility partner of the Chicago Red Stars!

Remember those S*x Ed classes where it seemed like just looking at each other could lead to a baby? Reality check: fertility isn't always that straightforward.

Uncover the truth about your chances of conceiving based on your age.

Don't let misconceptions shape your journey. Knowledge is power, and we’re here to empower you with the facts! *xEdforAdults

Are you trying to conceive and want to understand you're whether or not you're ovulating?

Every month, an egg is released from your o***y – that's ovulation! Knowing when you’re ovulating can significantly boost your chances of getting pregnant. Swipe through to learn key signs that you're ovulating.

For more detailed info, tap the link in bio for our blog post on ovulation.

If you're still unsure or concerned about your cycles when trying to conceive, consulting with a fertility specialist may help you on your path to parenthood!

Am I ovulating? Know the signs. Some signs are easy to notice, while others require more dedication. Once you’ve learned them, you’ll know if and when you are ovulating, and signs ovulation is over.

If you’re struggling to conceive, in vitro fertilization (IVF) can be a hopeful solution to fulfill your dream of parenthood. When choosing a fertility clinic, one of the most important factors to understand is the center’s success rates. Our latest blog breaks down the key factors that influence these numbers and what they really mean for you so you can make an informed choice for your journey.

Understanding IVF Success Rates Learn about the key factors that contribute to success in IVF and make an informed decision for your parenthood journey.

Embarking on the path of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) can feel like navigating through uncharted waters. Knowing who’s on your team during procedures can help if you feel any jitters on your big day. Here’s a quick rundown of the incredible professionals who will be with you every step of the way.

- Reproductive Endocrinologist - Your doctor oversees your entire IVF journey - from your initial consultation and diagnosis to embryo transfer, ensuring everything goes smoothly and tailoring treatments to your unique needs.
- Embryologist - The embryologist collects eggs from the physician for fertilization. Working their magic in the lab, the embryology team handles the delicate process of fertilizing eggs, culturing embryos, and evaluating the best ones for transfer.
- Anesthesiologist - The anesthesiologist ensures you are comfortable during your egg retrieval by administering general anesthesia.
- Nurse - Your IVF nurse will help prep you for your egg retrieval and they will be there to assist you when you come out of anesthesia. On transfer day, they make sure you're prepped for the procedure and provide the next steps like your medication schedule and when to come in for a pregnancy test.

Together, this dedicated team is here to support you and make your IVF journey as smooth as possible. Remember, you’re never alone on this path!

Happy World Embryologist Day and Happy Birthday to Louise Brown, the world’s first IVF baby!

Did you know that since her birth in 1978, more than 8 million babies have been born through IVF? FCI has helped make 42,000 babies and counting more every day!

We want to say a special thank you to our wonderful laboratory staff for their dedication, compassion, and for all they do to help patients grow their families!

Discover the latest breakthroughs in fertility treatments on the Time to Talk Fertility podcast! Join Dr. Juergen Liebermann, Laboratory Director at Fertility Centers of Illinois, as he dives into his pioneering research.

Whether you're a fertility specialist, a patient, or just passionate about the latest in reproductive medicine, this episode is packed with invaluable insights you won't want to miss! 🎧👶

Future of Fertility: Cutting-Edge Cryopreservation Techniques Unveiled Alyssa shares what it's like to be a gestational carrier and helping make someone's dream of having a family come true.

Share Your Story & Inspire Others! At Fertility Centers of Illinois, we believe every journey to parenthood is unique and powerful. Share your fertility journey with others to inspire hope, comfort and encouragement to those who are still on their journey. Whether you've overcome infertility due to PCOS, navigated IVF, or found hope through other treatments, your experience is powerful and can offer hope and courage to others on their journey.

Share Your Story Inspire others by sharing your fertility journey.

Curious about day 5 embryos? You're not alone! These little miracles have grown beyond their initial stages and should be reaching the blastocyst stage. They offer a higher chance of implantation, giving you a better shot at a successful pregnancy. Stay tuned as we dive deeper into the fascinating journey of day 5 embryos!

Wishing everyone a joyful 4th of July!

July is Fibroid Awareness Month! At Fertility Centers of Illinois are dedicated to providing education and support for those affected by uterine fibroids. Here are five interesting facts about the relationship between fertility and fibroids:

1) They are common. Did you know that up to 75% of women will develop fibroids by age 50? These non-cancerous growths in the uterus are prevalent, but their impact varies for everyone.

2) They can affect fertility. Not every woman with uterine fibroids will experience infertility, but fibroids are present in about 5-10% of infertile women.

3) Location matters. Fibroids can grow in different parts of the uterus. Submucosal fibroids, which grow into the uterine cavity, are most likely to affect fertility.

4) Size and symptoms vary. Large fibroids can distort the uterine cavity or block the fallopian tubes, making it harder to conceive. Smaller fibroids can cause heavy menstrual bleeding and pelvic pain.

5) Treatment options are available. There are various treatments for fibroids from medications to minimally invasive procedures.

Knowledge is power! If you have concerns about fibroids and fertility, we're here to help!

Tune into the Time to Talk Fertility Podcast to hear the inspiring story of Alyssa, a remarkable gestational carrier. Discover the inspiration behind her decision to embark on this altruistic journey and delve into her heartwarming experiences in helping others fulfill their dream of parenthood.

Carrying Dreams: Inside the Journey of a Gestational Carrier Alyssa shares what it's like to be a gestational carrier and helping make someone's dream of having a family come true.

Considering gender-affirming care? 🌈 Learn how hormone therapy and surgery can impact your fertility and explore family-building options like IVF and preservation options like freezing eggs, s***m, or embryos. Your future family is within reach!

Gender-Affirming Care: A Guide to Fertility Options Dr. Allison Rodgers explores fertility options for those considering gender-affirming care who want biological children.

We know Father’s Day can be tough for some. We see you and you are not alone.

Meet Curtis and Josh, a couple whose dream of fatherhood led them to the doors of Fertility Centers of Illinois (FCI). With their hearts set on having biological children, they knew they’d have to navigate finding a donor and gestational carrier.

Their quest led them to consult with attorneys and sift through various options, but it was the glowing recommendations from friends and their own research that convinced them FCI was their best path forward. Choosing .jennyhirshfeld as their guide, they embarked on their journey to parenthood.

While researching their options for finding a gestational carrier, their journey took an unexpectedly personal turn when a close family friend stepped forward with the offer to carry their child. They were on a tight timeline due to the work constraints of their friend, so with no time to waste they searched for an egg donor.

Unfortunately, their first egg donor withdrew after initiating the preliminary steps. However, the second egg donor they selected turned out to be more aligned with what they were looking for and had a proven record of success, which reinforced the notion that sometimes unexpected changes lead to more fulfilling outcomes.

Their egg donor yielded an impressive 32 eggs, 30 of which were deemed viable for creating embryos. They split the viable eggs equally, leaving each of them with 15 eggs to create embryos.

After a successful embryo transfer they waited 9 long months to meet their baby boy, Theo, who was born on Valentine’s Day.

Their journey filled them with gratitude, not only because of the birth of their son but the gestational carrier, egg donor and care team who helped make parenthood possible. Their story is a heartwarming reminder of love, perseverance, and the miracles that can happen when you follow your dreams.

Miracle News or Myth Debunked? At 54, former Boy Meets World star Trina McGee announces her unexpected pregnancy, attributing it to a mysterious elixir recommended by shamans in Belize. But fertility experts urge caution, emphasizing the rarity of such events without medical intervention. Dr. Allison Rodgers breaks down the facts about later-life pregnancies for USA TODAY, reminding us to stay informed about the realities vs. the myths of natural conception.

This ‘Boy Meets World’ star credits shaman elixir for her pregnancy at 54. Doctors have some questions. "Boy Meets World" star Trina McGee says an elixir recommended by shamans in Belize helped her conceive at 54. Doctors are setting the record straight.

Are you or someone you know exploring the journey to parenthood through donor or surrogacy options? Don't miss our FREE webinar Family Building Options: A Guide to Donor and Surrogacy hosted by Dr. Allison Rodgers. Learn all the family-building options available through third-party reproduction and hear the heartwarming journey of Curtis and Josh who recently celebrated the arrival of their son via a gestational carrier.

Can't attend? Register anyway to receive a recording after the event!

Family Building Options: A Guide to Donor and Surrogacy Discover the many paths to parenthood! Join host Dr. Allison Rodgers for the free webinar, Family Building Options: A Guide to Donor and Surrogacy on June 12 at 7:30 PM […]