Fertility Blog

Trying to conceive brings with it a whole host of emotions and challenges, particularly when you need the help of fertility treatment. New parents Andrea and Ralph share how infertility changed them - and whether they wish they'd done anything differently on their journey.

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?

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.

Are you exploring the possibility of fertility treatment and wondering what all your options are? In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) may be the most well-known treatment method, but it's important to remember that you don’t have to jump straight to IVF. Depending on your situation and the recommendation from your Reproductive Endocrinologist, you may want to consider other, less-invasive treatment options that show promising results. One of those methods is Intrauterine Insemination (IUI). Let's talk about what IUI is, how it works, and how (and who) it can help.  Skip to a section: What is Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)? Why is IUI helpful for some patients? How does IUI increase your chances of conceiving? Are there different types of IUIs? IUI Procedure Step-by-Step What does an IUI feel like? IUI Success Rates Is IUI right for me? More Fertility Treatment Resources

If you need to pursue fertility treatment, your next question is likely “How in the world am I going to pay for this?” Hopefully, your answer is your insurance provider! The first step is to figure out if your insurance policy includes fertility coverage and will help pay for the infertility treatments, tests, or other procedures your doctor may recommend. Maybe your insurance coverage includes a lifetime monetary stipend to use towards fertility treatment, or maybe it designates a set amount of IUI and IVF cycles. Maybe it includes only testing. Maybe your insurance plan doesn’t cover infertility at all. Just as every family is different, so is the insurance coverage for each of those families—or at least it seems that way. That’s why it’s so important to understand your unique plan. Keep in mind, your policy and the fertility coverage offered will vary by state, by employer and by cost. In this in-depth guide, you will learn about the different insurance opportunities to look for, the places you can find answers about affordability and other methods of paying for fertility treatment when insurance won’t cover everything you need. Ready to dive in? Skip to a specific section: Understand Your Insurance Coverage for Fertility Benefits What Does My Insurance Actually Cover? What if I don't have comprehensive fertility insurance coverage? Connecticut State Infertility Mandate New York State Infertility Mandate How to Choose the Right Fertility Clinic Where can I look for financial help with fertility treatment? What is Open Enrollment? More Fertility Coverage Resources

In honor of Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month, we asked one of our patients to share her and her husband's journey through fertility struggles, multiple rounds of IUI, how they coped with the heartbreak of losing a pregnancy and where they are now.  Note: This story includes mentions of pregnancy loss (miscarriage) that may be difficult for some to read. Please take care of yourself and skip this post if this topic is too tough to revisit right now. 

For the 1 out of 8 couples struggling with family building, the costs associated with fertility treatments can be staggering. However, if you live in one of the nineteen states that mandate fertility coverage, the costs can become much more manageable. Even if you live in a state that doesn’t provide extended coverage, many insurance policies will cover some testing or medications if you have met your annual deductible. If you’re paying out-of-pocket, it’s important to understand the investment you might have to make in order to complete your treatment and the many grants, scholarships, and loans that are available to you. When pursuing fertility assistance, it is very difficult to pinpoint a precise cost for your particular treatment until you and your partner, if applicable, have both undergone a complete assessment. This includes confirmation of ovulation, a sperm analysis, and an examination of reproductive organs. At that point, your fertility specialist, or Reproductive Endocrinologist (REI), can determine a treatment path according to your diagnosis, narrowing the scope of your estimated costs.  Let's break down some of the most common infertility treatments, and talk about the average associated costs of each.

Over the past few years, fertility treatment has gained some much-needed visibility. As public figures and celebrities share their stories of IVF treatment, surrogacy, PCOS struggles, and more, we see that willingness to share mirrored in our own community. Not only do patients seem to be more willing to open up to friends, family, and social media about their fertility or family-building journeys, but they are sharing the physical, mental, and emotional toll that may accompany these reproductive challenges.