Extend Fertility

Egg retrieval cycles are also referred to as stimulation cycles. These cycles are the full process of an egg freezing cycle and the first step in an embryo freezing or IVF cycle. In a typical stimulation cycle, there are about 5-7 monitoring visits. While there are different tests done during different phases, the main purpose of these visits is to ensure the process is safe and successful.

Here is an outline of the common tests and their purpose:

The initial monitoring visit typically includes a blood test for E2 (estradiol), P4 (progesterone), LH (Luteinizing Hormone), FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) and beta-hCG and a transvaginal ultrasound. This is to determine if you are at “baseline”, are not currently pregnant and are ready to begin the hormone medications.

Throughout your cycle, estradiol (E2) levels and follicle sizes are the two levels that are monitored the closest as they provide valuable insight into how your eggs are developing.

Rising E2 levels signal that your follicles are developing well and are producing mature eggs. When E2 is not rising at an appropriate rate, this can indicate a poor/low response to the medications.

Eggs are too small to be visible on an ultrasound. However, a transvaginal ultrasound measuring the size and number of growing ovarian follicles also indicates the development of your eggs. Most follicles greater than 14 millimeters (mm) contain a mature egg.

The ultrasound combined with other hormone levels will also determine your trigger shot details (dosage, timing and type).

When you come in for these visits, we encourage you to ask questions to understand what is happening along with us!

There are many reasons why people choose to work with a specific fertility clinic. For Megan, she prioritized communication, attention to detail, office atmosphere and receiving personalized care instead of just being a number. She found all that with the Extend team!

Comment what you prioritize or what you are looking for:

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Read full review: https://birdeye.cx/8foqqr

This Black History Month, and beyond, we celebrate Black Americans who have and continue to make a remarkable impact on reproductive health research and services.
 
We acknowledge that equality in the fertility space is still a work in progress, as ASRM stated, ““The success rate, measured as the ratio of live births per ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology) cycle, was lower for Black women, and the miscarriage rate was higher. Using statistical methods, the researchers found that race was an independent factor related to a live birth, even when controlling for age, BMI, previous pregnancy, and etiology of the infertility.”
 
At Extend, we are committed to improving these statistics.
 
We would like to take the time to highlight Black American Trailblazers and Current Leaders in the reproductive health space:
 
There are, of course, countless members of the Black community who have contributed to women’s health and to safe and effective family building. Here are just a few we’d like to help you know better. 

Trailblazers:

Helen Octavia Dickens, M.D. - Generally known as the first Black OB/GYN. In 1945, she became the first Black, female board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist in Philadelphia. She held a variety of impressive leadership roles, encouraged doctors to perform more cervical-cancer-fighting pap smears, and was integral in leading other young Black students to the medical field.

Dr. Rosalyn Payne Epps - Named the first African American national president of the American Medical Women’s Association. Dr. Payne spent her life advocating for women, authoring nearly 100 articles for professional journals, and overseeing maternal healthcare for multiple organizations.

Mary Kenner – An African-American inventor who revamped the world of feminine care with the invention of the sanitary belt (aka the maxi pad).
 
Margaret Charles Smith - A famous midwife from rural Alabama. She delivered her first baby at five years old and then went on to assist in the births of more than 3,500 babies and reportedly never lost a mother. At a time when few Black women had access to hospitals, Smith was literally a lifesaver for her community. 

💙cont. in comments

We believe in the right to have a family.

To support fertility clinics providing IVF treatments in Alabama and to continue IVF protection, we encourage you to follow and support the work of , , and

While IVF and all fertility services in New York are unaffected and Extend is operating as usual, we must support and advocate for access in every state.

There is a lot you are in control of during your stimulation cycle. The key while going through any fertility treatment is to support yourself holistically - mind & body.

If you have experience with fertility cycles, share what helped you most in the comments!

Iykyk 🩵

Is egg freezing one of your 2024 goals? Start here you’ll be able to begin your fertility journey with confidence!
Join our exclusive event on egg freezing, where expert insights meet actionable strategies for making it financially feasible. Discover the keys to affordability and take the first step towards securing your reproductive future. Don’t miss out – Reserve your spot now!

Link to register in bio 💙

There is no better way to start a new year then by taking steps to achieving your goals. Come in for a no obligation consultation to understand your body and what an egg freezing cycle would look like for you! Send us any questions you have 💙

When it comes to oocytes (eggs), there are two main defining features: Quality and Quantity. Egg quality most fundamentally refers to the cell’s genetic makeup, where each egg can either be genetically intact/normal or abnormal. Egg quantity, also referred to as ovarian reserve, refers to the approximate number of eggs present in one’s ovaries.

Egg quantity can vary widely from one woman to another, even of the same age; egg quality, on the other hand, is generally consistent for every woman of the same age.

What holds true for everyone is that egg quantity as well as quality decreases over time, with natural aging.

Most clinics close their doors the last week of December & New Years, which can derail your fertility care plans. Whether you are planning to use some time off for an egg freezing cycle, will be ovulating next week and are planning an IUI, have completed all prep for a FET or anything in between, we are OPEN for YOU. If you or anyone you know are eager to proceed with treatment right away, give us a call!

We got you 💙

Have you heard that ASRM has changed their definition of infertility? Well, now you have!

Why? To encompass a broader and more inclusive perspective to increase equal access to reproductive medicine, irrespective of marital status, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Is this a big deal? YES!!! A broader definition will help more people get insurance coverage for fertility treatment, which will allow more people to start families of their own.

Head to our bio to learn more!

When we say personalized care, we mean it in the feel-like-you’re-the-only-patient-in-the-clinic type of way 💙

We understand that it is challenging to have unanswered questions about egg freezing and being hesitant to book in an appointment to speak with a fertility provider to get answers. Instead, ask them anonymously at our next egg freezing event on Wed Nov 29th at 6:30pm! This will be a webinar where you can submit any question and it will be answered live by one of our providers, Valerie Shafran. PLUS Lousia Warwick will be there to share her egg freezing journey and answer any personal questions about going through the process.

Looking forward to having you there!

Did you know that when an oocyte (egg), embryo or s***m is frozen there is absolutely no biological activity? A part of you is frozen in time, allowing you to have control over your own fertility timeline 💙

7 Ways to Promote a Fertility-Friendly Workplace:

1. Implement a comprehensive fertility policy outlining employee entitlements for fertility care, inclusive of those supporting a partner or family member.
2. Offer paid leave for fertility appointments, flexible working, mental health support, and sickness leave to ensure employees can access fertility treatment options.
3. Raise upper-level management awareness about the impact of fertility issues and provide training to enable effective support for their teams.
4. Encourage anonymous feedback to create a safe space for employees and improve employer policies continually.
5. Incorporate fertility-friendly benefits in job advertisements to exhibit an inclusive culture and attract diverse talent.
6. Implement well-being initiatives like mentoring, support groups, and adequate management training to facilitate open discussions about fertility in the workplace.
7. Celebrate Fertility Awareness Week and sign up for the Fertility Workplace Pledge (the Pledge) to showcase commitment and support for employees.

Want our team to present on fertility options and how to use your benefits in your office? Send us a DM 💙

One of the first things you have likely heard about when egg freezing or IVF gets brought up is testing your egg quantity. This typically measured by getting a AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone) blood test and might be accompanied by other tests as well, like an ultrasound.

The next question we typically hear is “What is a good AMH?” Well, this is where things differ greatly person to person.

If you have been told you have Diminished Ovarian Reserve (DOR), or a low egg quantity/AMH, and are wondering how it impacts your fertility overall, head to the link in our bio where we break it all down for you in our latest blog post!

Extend Dream Team at 💙

This Scientific Congress & Expo brings together multi-disciplinary professionals in the reproductive endocrinology and infertility field to continue education, network with and empower peers and promote activism to shape a brighter future for reproductive health!

ASRM (American Society for Reproductive Medicine) is the leading organization worldwide dedicated to the advancement of the science and practice of reproductive medicine.

This year ASRM issued a new, more inclusive, definition of “infertility” to help ensure that anyone seeking to build a family has equitable access to infertility treatment and care 👏🏼

As a pioneer in egg freezing, the Extend Fertility team is proud to share our research with discussing our findings to make the IVF and egg freezing process shorter, safer, and more accessible for women. Read more about the study thru the link in our bio!

In this study, researchers explored a novel in vitro maturation (IVM) approach using human stem cell-derived ovarian somatic cells (OSCs) as a co-culture system for human oocytes. They found that the OSC-IVM system outperformed conventional IVM media, leading to the formation of high-quality mature oocytes capable of healthy embryo development. Additionally, the study demonstrated that OSC-IVM can be applied across various stimulation regimens, making it a scalable and cost-effective treatment option. These findings suggest that OSC-IVM has the potential to significantly improve the efficiency and success of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) and represents a promising development in the field.

As a pioneer in egg freezing, the Extend Fertility team is proud to share our research with discussing our findings to make the IVF and egg freezing process shorter, safer, and more accessible for women. Read more about the study thru the link in our bio!

In this study, researchers explored a novel in vitro maturation (IVM) approach using human stem cell-derived ovarian somatic cells (OSCs) as a co-culture system for human oocytes. They found that the OSC-IVM system outperformed conventional IVM media, leading to the formation of high-quality mature oocytes capable of healthy embryo development. Additionally, the study demonstrated that OSC-IVM can be applied across various stimulation regimens, making it a scalable and cost-effective treatment option. These findings suggest that OSC-IVM has the potential to significantly improve the efficiency and success of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) and represents a promising development in the field.

Make sure you’re following because TOMORROW we’ll be sharing how you can get ALL of your PCOS questions answered by an expert!
Comment a 💙 if you have questions on this topic would like to learn more

Did you start the year with a goal to create your own fertility timeline and freeze your eggs? We’d like to help with that.

By lowering our prices for a limited time, you can get access to personalized, transparent, science-backed care for less.

Come to our clinic in Manhattan for a AMH blood test, ultrasound and consultation for FREE*. That’s right, we first complete testing to ensure your journey is tailored to you. Then meet with a provider to review your results and options. From there work with your fertility advisor to navigate the process.

Head to the link in our bio for more information!

*Blood drawn, ultrasound and consultation are complimentary, your blood work will be sent to an in-network lab for processing and if not fully covered the price will not exceed $57.

An egg retrieval is used in some assisted reproductive technologies (ART), such as egg freezing and IVF cycles. The experience of pain or discomfort during an egg retrieval procedure can vary from person to person. During this procedure, eggs are collected vaginally from the ovaries – there is no mark left outside your body.

Here are a few factors that can influence the level of discomfort or pain during an egg retrieval procedure:

Anesthesia: Most egg retrieval procedures are performed under sedation or anesthesia to minimize pain and discomfort. Some individuals may experience mild cramping or pressure, but the anesthesia helps reduce the sensation of pain.

Individual Sensitivity: Some people have a higher pain tolerance and may experience minimal discomfort, while others might be more sensitive to pain and feel some level of discomfort.

Ovarian Response: The stimulation of the ovaries with fertility medications to produce multiple eggs can cause the ovaries to become enlarged. This might lead to some discomfort or bloating.

Technique: The expertise of the medical team and the techniques used can impact the overall comfort of the procedure. Skilled medical professionals aim to minimize any pain or discomfort for the patient.

Recovery: After the procedure, there might be some residual discomfort, similar to menstrual cramps. This discomfort usually subsides within a day or two.

It's important to communicate openly with your healthcare provider before the procedure about any concerns you may have, including pain management. The Extend team is always here to support you.

Remember, everyone's experience is unique, and if you're considering an egg retrieval procedure, discussing your concerns and questions with your medical team is crucial to ensuring your comfort and well-being throughout the process!

We hear you…

One of the top questions we get asked is how to support your body nutritionally while going through fertility treatment. Partnering with Chiyo is the answer.

In a nutshell, Chiyo provides meal delivery services directly to you based on where you are in your fertility journey (preservation, TTC, pregnancy, and beyond) + they offer 1:1 guidance and educational support.

Head to the link in bio to learn more and get your exclusive discount!

🌟 Exciting Event News! 🌟

Dr. Klein was honored to contribute to an incredibly meaningful and emotional discussion on the panel of experts at this private event for Mashadi Bikkur Cholim at the Great Neck Synagogue last night.

Dr. Klein shared his expertise and wisdom on a topic close to our hearts: infertility.

The information and encouragement Dr. Klein shared with over 400 women attending the event was not only enlightening but also deeply empowering, providing hope and solutions for the challenges many couples face on their journey to parenthood.

The personal stories, education, compassion and dedication to helping others navigate this sensitive path shared by the panel were truly inspiring! Elizabeth Savetsky Carol Nemati

It's heartwarming to see such events creating a safe space for open discussions about pregnancy loss and fertility and offering support to those going through this difficult journey.

A big thank you to everyone who made this event possible. Continuing to foster conversations that promote empathy, support, and education around infertility are incredibly important. Extend Fertility is honored to make a positive difference in the lives of those who need it most. 💕

FREE REGISTRATION LINK IN BIO!

July 19th at 6:00pm is your opportunity to get the and learn the ins and outs of the egg freezing process straight from our team- virtually. RSVP —it's free, so invite your friends!

Dr. Joshua Klein, our Chief Clinical Officer and Reproductive Endocrinologist will present on general female fertility and everything you need to know about your fertility and preservation options.

Nicole Groman (), a Registered Dietcian and Extend egg freezing patient will pull back the curtain and share the details of her egg freezing journey. You will also get the opportunity to ask her ANY questions you have!

Extend Fertility Preserve your options. Live life on your own terms.

A perfect combination of collaboration, commitment, strength, time, teamwork, hope, care, dedication and love. Worth every shot 💙

Give it a shot with Extend using the link in bio!

At Extend, equally and acceptance is our top priority. Part of increasing access to fertility services, is offering options for EVERYONE to conceive. We offer the options listed above and customize them to your needs/situation 💙

If you have any questions about these options and if you would be a good candidate, fill out the form in our bio!