November 25, 2014

8 Ways for Men to Supercharge Their Fertility

Approximately 15 percent of couples have trouble getting pregnant, with 40 percent of infertility diagnoses due to male infertility. 

The advice for women trying to conceive is well-known and easy to find. What about ways for men to optimize their fertility?

For Dads-to-be, there are several different tips that can help boost male fertility. Here are eight tips and tricks that can increase your chances of conception.


November 18, 2014

Modern Mothers: 8 Surprising Facts

When you look at what it was like to be a first-time mother in the past, it is significantly different in modern times.

Comparing motherhood experiences across generations reveals stark differences – what you experience is not the same as your grandmother’s experience.

Have you ever been curious about how modern mothers are different?

I’ve put together the below eight surprising facts about modern mothers. Do any of these apply to you?

November 13, 2014

6 Ways to Find Gratitude During the Holidays on Your Infertility Journey

Thanksgiving is the holiday of food, family, and giving thanks. Is it possible to find thankfulness in the midst of an infertility journey?

Though it isn’t always easy, the answer is yes.

To arrive at your own place of gratitude, try to look with open-minded kindness at the life you have right now. Notice how much of your attention is on what is not present in your life (a pregnancy, a baby, another child), and then gently redirect your attention to the good that is present in your life. The good things may include people that you treasure, activities you enjoy and all that is comforting and fulfilling. For everyone it will be different things.

For me, years ago, it was gratitude for a small handful of friends who understood my longing; for the faith community that valued my volunteer efforts; for the graduate study program where I could feel completely normal; and even for my slightly misguided therapist who kept asking, “what’s really behind that desire for a baby?” I could not know how my journey to a family would turn out, but I could hold in my heart these gifts and give thanks for them.

Over the past 20 years, I have worked with thousands of people who have overcome their infertility diagnosis. They have shared the many ways that their infertility experience resulted in gratitude in different areas of their lives.

Thanksgiving is too special a holiday to miss out on. Find your gratitude place and inhabit it as fully as you can.

If tough days come along this holiday season, take a look at some of the positive viewpoints offered by others who have been in your shoes. Some share positive viewpoints that got them through, while others share viewpoints from the other side of their journey.

Here are their suggestions:

November 11, 2014

Fertility Centers of Illinois & Donor Egg Bank USA Hit 1,000 Embryo Transfer Milestone

Fertility Centers of Illinois and Donor Egg Bank USA, the largest frozen donor egg bank in the United States, have reached the milestone of more than 1,000 embryo transfers completed.

Fertility Centers of Illinois has partnered with Donor Egg Bank USA to provide frozen donor eggs as a treatment option for women who are unable to conceive using their own eggs. Donor eggs provide the highest pregnancy rates of any fertility treatment. After a frozen donor egg is fertilized with sperm, the resulting embryo is transferred to the patient’s uterus. As a partner of Donor Egg Bank USA, Fertility Centers of Illinois offers local patients access to a national donor database.

November 6, 2014

Analyzing Ethnic Disparity in Fertility Treatment Success for Black & Asian Women

Infertility is a devastating disease that spans all races and socioeconomic groups. One in 8 couples has difficulty conceiving and for anyone trying to have a baby, the diagnosis of infertility is life altering.

Fortunately, there have been many advances in the field of reproductive medicine over the past three decades and there are many cutting edge technologies available to help women conceive.

Understanding the Causes of Infertility
Infertility can be due to either male or female factors. Male factors are typically due to a low sperm count, poor sperm motility (the ability to swim) or abnormal morphology (the shape of the sperm). Treatments such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) where the sperm is placed directly into the uterus, or in-vitro fertilization with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) where the sperm is placed directly into the egg can overcome most causes of male factor infertility.

November 4, 2014

7 Facts About Stress & Infertility

Relax, stress can impact the ability to conceive during fertility treatments
While stress is not a cause of infertility, research has shown that high levels of longstanding stress can significantly impact the ability to conceive during infertility treatment. The positive news is that by decreasing stress, couples can experience higher fertility potential as well as healthier and happier wellbeing.

Many couples don't realize how much stress impacts health and fertility potential. The goods news is that stress is one of the fastest variables to change in the body, and taking proactive action through yoga, psychotherapy, meditation and potentially acupuncture is not only beneficial, but enjoyable.

To help couples combat stress, I have put together some helpful information below with Beth Heller of Pulling Down the Moon.

7 Facts About Stress & Infertility: 

November 1, 2014

November 2014 Patient Education Events!


If you are interested in participating in any of our complimentary education sessions, you may register online by following the "LEARN MORE" links after each event. Many events require registration & spots fill up fast - so sign up as soon as you can!


11/3 | Yoga for Fertility | Chicago | 6PM | LEARN MORE

11/6 | Cracking the Door to Adoption | Chicago | 7PM | LEARN MORE

11/10 | Egg Donation: As Your Path to Parenthood | Chicago | 7PM | LEARN MORE

11/5 | Egg Donation: Your Journey Starts Here – AM | Online Webinar | 7AM |  LEARN MORE

11/18 | Egg Donation: Your Journey Starts Here – PM Online Webinar | Online Webinar | 5PM | LEARN MORE

11/6 | Cracking the Door to Adoption | Chicago | 7PM | LEARN MORE



All FCI Patient Education Programs are open to the community. We continue to support your fertility journey by offering a selection of  complimentary patient education seminars, holistic healing seminars, and support groups. If you have any questions or comments please contact us at (877) 324-4483.