We often see the heartwarming pictures: a tiny baby in a onesie that says, “Made with love and a little bit of science.” We love those photos for so many reasons! Healthy babies are our goal. Love is invaluable. And science is powerful. But what are your real chances of success with fertility treatment?

People often use the terms “reproductive endocrinologist” and “fertility specialist” interchangeably, and it makes sense why many use the latter term so frequently – “fertility specialist” is much easier to rattle off in a conversation than “reproductive endocrinologist.” Unfortunately, though, these two terms are not one and the same and carry major differences that you should be aware of.

Did you know that Illume Fertility has a dedicated program created just for LGBTQ+ patients called Gay Parents To Be? Read on to learn more about why we created this special resource, what our Gay Parents To Be program offers, its special connection to our Medical Director, Dr. Mark Leondires, and more. 

Are you thinking about trying to conceive? Or maybe you’re already trying! Trying to conceive (often referred to in the fertility community as TTC) is a special time in life, as it marks the beginning of the monumental transition into parenthood (or growing your family, if you already have little ones). Congrats! We are so excited for the journey you’re about to embark on, whether you end up being able to conceive on your own or need a little assistance from a fertility specialist. 

We recognize how stressful it can be to A) need fertility treatment to conceive, and B) have to undergo an IVF cycle. While we can’t take the stress away completely, we can give you the tools and information that you need to tackle this journey with a clear head, a sound plan, and the comfort of knowing you have a supportive team rooting for you.

You're finally ready to take the next big step on your family building journey: in-vitro fertilization (IVF). Reaching this point can feel very exciting and hopeful, but it can also often feel stressful and overwhelming. 

We all experience stress. Even as we begin to see the light at the end of this pandemic tunnel, anxiety and stress still seem to be at an all-time high. If you're dealing with the emotional roller coaster of infertility on top of all of that...well, it can sometimes feel downright overwhelming.

Discovering you need the help of a fertility specialist to successfully conceive can be overwhelming to anyone - but throw in a global pandemic and the experience becomes even more stressful. Illume Fertility patient Alicia shares her and her husband's journey through four IUI cycles while navigating some unexpected challenges.