Skip to main content

Special Offer: $100 Off Your Initial Consultation*

Book Now
Schedule Your Consult
Search for topics or resources
Enter your search below and hit enter or click the search icon.
Close Search
Fertility Care
Get Started
Get Started
Fertility Testing
Treatment Options
Oncofertility Care
Genetic Testing
PMOS & Fertility
Free Fertility Assessment
Fertility Treatment
Fertility Treatment
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
Egg Freezing
Ovulation Induction
Timed Intercourse
Fertility Surgeries
Pathways
LGBTQ+ Family Building
Gestational Surrogacy
Donor Conception
For International Patients
For Orthodox Jewish Families
Wellness
Wellness
Nutrition
Acupuncture
Mental Health
Community
All Wellness Support
Pricing & Insurance
Treatment Costs
Treatment Cost Overview
Explore IVF Costs
Explore IUI Costs
Finance Hub
Finance Hub
Finance & Insurance FAQs
Accepted Insurance Plans
CT Insurance Mandate
NY Insurance Mandate
Affording Treatment
IVF Grants & Aid Programs
Medication Coverage & Savings
Fertility Financing Options
Advocacy & Awareness
Resources
Downloads & Tools
Free Fertility Assessment
Preconception Health Checklist
IUI 101 Guide
IVF 101 Guide
All Guides & Downloads
Education
Learning Center
Ask a Fertility Nurse
Men's Fertility Hub
Fertility FAQs
Fertility Glossary
Support & Community
Patient Stories
Support Groups
Loss & Grief Support
Adoption Resources
About
About Illume
About Illume Fertility
Meet Our Team
Contact Us
Press & Media
Careers
Locations
Locations
Norwalk, CT
Stamford, CT
Danbury, CT
Trumbull, CT
Harrison, NY
Why Choose Illume
IVF Success Rates
Patient Stories
Integrated Fertility & Wellness
Learning Center
Events
Gay Parents To Be
(203) 750-7400
Español
Schedule Your Consult 203-750-7400

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

[glance] Becoming an egg donor is a meaningful decision that can help another person or couple build the family they’ve been hoping for. This guide from Illume's donor team explains what to know before you apply, including details about eligibility, screening, and the donation process.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More
1