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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.

Male Infertility | IVF | Patient Stories | Pregnancy & Infant Loss

By: Sierra Dehmler
September 2nd, 2022

When Sarah and her husband began trying to conceive six years ago, they never imagined they'd end up needing the help of fertility treatment. After a long, winding road through multiple pregnancy losses, egg retrievals, embryo transfers, and countless tests and appointments, Sarah shares how this journey has shifted her perspective and turned her into a courageous fertility advocate - as well as what's next for their family.

News | Fertility Treatment | IVF | Reproductive Health | Advocacy

By: Cynthia Murdock, MD
July 1st, 2022

In the aftermath of the United States' Supreme Court ruling on June 24, 2022, many questions have been raised about reproductive rights and the impact of this decision on fertility treatment. As a fertility doctor, I echo my patients' concerns and want to offer some clarity. Let's talk about what we do (and don't) know regarding the overturning of Roe v. Wade and its implications for fertility and family-building care like IVF.

Fertility Treatment | IVF | Genetic Testing | Mental Health

By: Sierra Dehmler
June 21st, 2022

After receiving some shocking news on their fertility journey, Alyson and her husband were advised to move straight to IVF treatment - something they never expected to hear. This is the story of what happened next and everything they learned on the way to meeting their baby girl, Emmy.

Donor Conception | IVF | Egg Donor | Mental Health | Patient Stories

By: Sierra Dehmler
June 8th, 2022

When most people decide they're ready to become a parent, they typically envision bringing a biologically-related child into the world - a little "mini me" to carry on certain physical and personality traits. But what happens when that vision is turned upside down by fertility challenges and you consider using an egg donor to grow your family? In this story, one Illume Fertility patient shares her and her partner's donor conception experience with honesty, exploring the raw emotions that surfaced when they were forced to reimagine their dreams for the future.

IVF | Patient Stories

By: Katie Cacchiani
March 21st, 2022

This is Part 3 of Katie's Story, a series where one fertility patient takes you through her entire IVF journey in real-time, from start to finish. To catch up, read Part 1 and Part 2 or follow along here.

PCOS | IVF | Single Mom By Choice | Patient Stories

By: Sierra Dehmler
March 4th, 2022

Choosing to become a parent is a big decision. Choosing to pursue single parenthood can add even more responsibility and potential challenges. Whether you become a single parent by choice or by chance, it is a huge undertaking - but can also be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. Read on to hear about Kaitlyn's journey to parenthood as a single mother by choice and everything she learned along the way to bringing home her daughter Scarlett. Skip to a section: Meet Kaitlyn January 2019: Researching Her Options Taking the First Steps with Illume Fertility May 2019: Starting with IUI Treatment January 2020: First IVF Cycle March 2020: Pandemic Setbacks September 2020: Risk & Reward On Becoming a Single Mom by Choice Will people support your choices? More Resources

IVF | Patient Stories | Pregnancy & Infant Loss

By: Sierra Dehmler
February 7th, 2022

While every fertility patient's journey is different, there's one thing they all typically have in common: none of them expected to need the help of fertility treatments, doctors and an entire team of healthcare professionals in order to have a baby. In this story, Illume Fertility mom Azana shares the highs and lows of her experience and what she learned along her unique path to motherhood.

Pregnancy | IVF | Mental Health | Patient Stories

By: Katie Cacchiani
January 28th, 2022

This is Part 2 of our Katie's Story series. Read Part 1 and Part 3. After a long journey involving multiple pregnancy losses, three rounds of IVF and lots of waiting, we finally welcomed our daughter Nora in 2020. But we were anxious about what it would take for us to try and give Nora a little brother or sister. This is Part 2 of my story, which includes some updates about whether our fourth frozen embryo transfer was successful, the emotional roller coaster of early pregnancy and what's next for our family. Skip to a specific section: July 2021: Planning for Baby #2 Navigating Insurance & the Emotions of Starting Again My Second Egg Retrieval December 2021: Frozen Embryo Transfer January 2022: Am I Pregnant? Pregnancy Ultrasound #1 Pregnancy Ultrasound #2 Where Am I Now? More Infertility Resources