Fertility Blog

Fertility Blog by Illume Fertility

Everything you need to know about reproductive health, fertility testing, fertility treatment (like IUI and IVF) and how to navigate fertility challenges.

Kirsten Hennigan, NP

Kirsten Hennigan, NP is a Third Party Nurse Practitioner at Illume Fertility. She has been with Illume since 2014 and has worked in nursing since 2002, with a career focused entirely on women’s health and fertility care. Kirsten earned her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from Cornell University and her Bachelor and Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Pennsylvania. She is passionate about supporting third party patients as they navigate donor conception and gestational surrogacy, and feels honored to help empower patients throughout their family-building journey.

Donor Conception | Egg Retrieval | Egg Donor

Egg Donor Qualifications: Everything You Need to Know Before You Apply

By: Kirsten Hennigan, NP
February 4th, 2026

Becoming an egg donor is a meaningful decision that can help someone build the family they've been dreaming of. Before you apply, here's a brief overview of what you should expect. From matching to egg retrieval, the entire process takes about 6–11 weeks. Screening takes 4–8 weeks (medical exams, genetic testing, psychological evaluation), followed by a 2–3 week donation cycle with 5–8 monitoring appointments at our Connecticut clinic. Compensation ($15,000 per donation cycle) is provided after egg retrieval. Read on to learn more and see if you're eligible to donate.

Fertility Treatment | IVF

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Step-By-Step Guide from a Fertility Nurse

By: Kirsten Hennigan, NP
February 21st, 2025

Finding out you may need fertility treatment in order to conceive is overwhelming. While we can’t take all the stress away completely, we can give you the tools and information that you need to tackle this journey feeling more prepared for what lies ahead.

Fertility Treatment | IVF | Egg Retrieval | Fertility Surgeries

Biggest Side Effects of IVF Egg Retrieval, OHSS Symptoms & More

By: Kirsten Hennigan, NP
February 14th, 2025

You’ve finally made it to your egg retrieval! As you prepare for this big milestone, let's walk through the biggest side effects of IVF egg retrieval - what to expect, what symptoms to look out for, how to spot OHSS, and what comes next on your fertility journey.