Please join us for our annual " Building Families through Egg Donation and Gestational Surrogacy" on April 3rd at the Crowne Plaza  Hotel in White Plains , NY  The seminar starts at 5:30 pm with a wine and cheese reception. The speakers panel starts at 6 m. Speakers include Dr. Gad Lavy, medical director of New England Fertility , Melissa Brisman Esq. of Reproductive Possibilities and  parents through egg donation and gestational surrogacy as well as an anonymous egg donor and surrogate.
For more information and to rsvp please contact Marion Welch at
mwelch@nefertility.com or call 203-325-3200.

Male Infertility- Sperm testing

 I want to talk about male infertility.  I think there needs to be more attention to male factor infertility. Many men are uncomfortable speaking about it and even more so getting  their sperm tested.  It is something they need to know about right from the start of treatment or even as you are considering fertility treatment.
According to the ASRM, male infertility accounts for approximately 40% percent of infertility diagnoses.  This is very significant and means  in cases where there is no clear reason for infertilty and female factor is not evident initially, the male partner must have his sperm tested. Many centers require sperm testing in their routine A semen analysis mus be performed and sometimes this needs to be done multiple times to get an accurate picture. Semen analysis will determine motility ( are they moving in a forward direction) and morphology( are they shaped normally)  Concentration of sperm will also be tested. This test will reveal how much sperm is in a ml of semen.
Additional advance testing include the Sperm Penetration Assay test which can help determine if the sperm can penetrate the egg. and Sperm Antibody test.  Antibodies found on the sperm can interfere with fertilization.

There are many treatments availalbe for male infertility .   Look for my next post .

If you are considering egg donation or gestational surrogacy, please join  New England  Fertility for their annual free seminar on " Building Families through Egg Donation and Gestational Surrogacy".  Dr. Gad Lavy medical director of New  England Fertility and Melissa Brisman Esq.  founder of Reproductive Possibilities, will be presenting the medical and legal aspects of third party family building. You will also hear from parents through egg donation and surrogacy as well as an anonymous egg donor and gestational surrogate.  

April 3rd

5:30pm- Cocktail Reception

6pm- Presentation

Crowne Plaza Hotel

66 Hale Ave.

White Plains, NY

For more information and to reserve a spot

Email Marion Welch at 

mwelch@nefertility.com

As you know surrogacy is illegal in many countries.  New England Fertility has worked with families form all over the world to build their family through surrogacy.  Dr. Lavy will be traveling to  Ireland and London to speak with  couples about the process for surrogacy the week of March 14th. To schedule a consult and for more information contact Marion Welch at mwelch@nefertility.com

How long should you wait before you seek the help of a fertility specialist?

Over and over again I see so many couples who have tried for many years before seeking the assistance of a reproductive endocrinologist.  Time is very important in fertility care as a women's  ovarian functions dramatically declines after the age of 35.  Most of us are not aware of the published guidelines by the American Society of Reproductive Medicine. 

The American Society of Reproductive Medicine  recommends seeking the assistance of a board certified reproductive endocrinologist after  one year of unprotected intercourse if you are under the age of 35 and 6 months if over the age of 35.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month - Fertility Preservation is possible

Breast cancer has affected so many of my family members.  Everyday I check for lumps. I try to be very  proactive in preventing this disease . I get a yearly mammogram, watch my diet and try to exercise.   I

  I want women to know some of the facts about breast cancer  to understand the disease , your risk factors and to  check their breasts regularly.   Here are some facts:
1.According to recent reports about 1 in 8 US women will develop cancer over her life time. 2.For women in the U.S. breast cancer mortality is higher than any other cancer, besides lung cancer. 3.Caucasian women are more likely to develop breast cancer however in under 45 category, African- American women are more likely to die from the disease.  4.Approximately 85% of breast cancers occur in women who have no family history. 5. Less than 5% of all breast cancer occur in women under the age 0f 40 ( Susan  Love Research) 6. There are 250,000 women under the age of 40 in U.S. living with breast cancer. 


If you  do get  a diagnosis of breast cancer before you have had your family and want to preserve your fertility there are options.  You first  must speak to your oncologist to let them know you want to preserve your fertility. There are also a number of  foundations and organizations that offer support, information and financial assistance for preservation. Start with one of my favorites which is www.fertilityhope.org. This organization is now under Lance Armstrong's charity network .You will find information on risk calculation, the SharingHope program ,that  lists participating Livestrong clinics offering reduced costs for fertility preservation, which New England Fertility is part of. I also recommend myoncofertility.org There is even a hot line to call  for patients and family members to call about finding a specialist ,ask questions about treatment and its' affect.  Whatever you do learn, educate  yourself , your  clinical team your partners on breast cancer and if you need to preserve your fertility remember there are many options  available and you will need to discuss t what is right for you with your oncologist and fertility specialist.