Infertility Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I hear that infertility treatment is expensive and I do not have insurance coverage. How much does this cost?
A: Every couple is different and we tailor the appropriate course of therapy for their situation.
Q: I know doctors are busy, but I could never talk with my doctor even when I asked to, so I left that practice. Can I talk with my physician at Reproductive Science Center before meeting him/her?
A: Yes, one of our physicians is available for free phone consultations for any new or curious patient. Call during business hours and if a physician is not immediately available, one will return your call to discuss infertility diagnosis and treatment.
Q: My husband has a low sperm count and we are not ready for adoption. Are there therapies to help treat him?
A: There are many treatable causes for male infertility. Our physicians begin with taking a complete history and evaluate the hormones that stimulate sperm production. Pending these results, they may recommend him seeing a urologist or begin medication to improve his condition.
Intrauterine inseminations and In Vitro Fertilization are available for sperm problems that can not be improved.
Q: I am 40 years old. Am I too old to have a baby?
A: Not at all. In fact, women are having babies at older ages than ever before. But if you’ve been trying to conceive unsuccessfully for 6 months, or have experienced several miscarriages, our physicians may be able to help you carry and deliver a child successfully.
Q: How old is too old to have a baby?
A: As a women gets older her ovaries do not function normally. One of our physicians can evaluate your ovarian function to determine if infertility treatment would be beneficial.
Despite medical technology making it possible for older women to become pregnant, there are serious risks. The Reproductive Science Center of New Jersey follows guidelines established by American Society for Reproductive Medicine, including:
- Accepts new patients before their 50th birthday.
- Offers IVF for patients who want to use their own eggs up to their 45th birthday.
- Offers IVF for patients who want to use donor eggs up to their 51st birthday.
- For patients age 49 and over who already have frozen embryos in storage, embryo transfer is recommended by age 51 but available up to their 52nd birthday.
Q: I’ ve seen multiple infertility doctors and no one can help me. What can you do for me?
A: One of our physicians would review your old records and discuss with you your fertility options.
Q: I’ve had no success in holding a baby. Can you help me?
A: Couples with multiple pregnancy losses in many cases have treatable conditions. The evaluation would consist of evaluating the couple for these problems and treat them accordingly.
Q: I know that there is an increase in abnormal pregnancies as a women gets older. I don’t want to have a genetically abnormal child. Is there anything I can do to avoid one?
A: Yes, a procedure called Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) allows us to evaluate an embryo for genetic defects.
Q: Can I afford fertility treatment?
A: Fertility treatments can be expensive, but different choices carry different costs and some will of course be more affordable to you than others. Generally, IVF is the most expensive option.
The choice to begin infertility treatments is a difficult choice and until insurance companies offer more support for infertility treatments, money may certainly be a factor in your decision.
Our office can offer you direct quotes for some of our services as well as financing options.
Q: I had a termination as a teenager / in college. Will that affect my fertility?
A: One termination does not seem to effect fertility. If someone has multiple terminations then this could be an issue if scar tissue forms in the uterus. We can perform a special X-ray to evaluate the uterus for scar tissue.
Q: I had a tubal ligation after my first pregnancy due to marital problems. I am now with a new partner and we want children; is this possible?
A: Two treatment options are available: a tubal reversal, which is a surgical procedure to reconnect the fallopian tubes, or in vitro fertilization.
With either process, initial testing is required in order to determine which treatment is appropriate. One of our physicians will discuss with you both processes and any needed evaluations.
Q: Does acupuncture help infertility?
A: Acupuncture works best when combined with IVF treatments and can significantly increase your chance of conception.
Acupuncture has been shown to:
- Improve blood flow to the uterus, which helps the lining grow strong and healthy enough to support an embryo.
- Reduce and prevent cramping, a common occurrence after an IVF embryo transfer. Cramping is very disruptive to conception, as it can prevent the embryo from implanting in the uterine wall.
- Stimulate egg production, which is helpful for women who can’t (or don’t want to) use fertility medication to help them get pregnant.
- Regulate and stabilize hormone levels, which in turn stabilizes a woman’s reproductive system to increase chances of pregnancy success.
- Reduce the chance of miscarriage after an embryo is implanted in the uterus.
- Reduce stress and promote deep relaxation, which are critical when trying to get pregnant, especially while undergoing traditional fertility treatment such as IVF.