Past FCI Patient Guest Blog: Rachael Kobleske & Family

Former patient, Rachael Kobleske, wrote in her own words about her journey to motherhood with Fertility Centers of Illinois. She wanted to share her experiences so that they could help anyone who might be going through the same struggles, pain and worry. Read on to experience her journey through her eyes.

FCI Gave Me Hope - by Rachael Kobleske

Jon, Rachael, Sophia (left) & Chloe (right)

Seven years ago my husband and I decided we wanted to have children. Me being the naive person I was back then just thought that we would actually "try" to get pregnant now, instead of preventing it, and things would work out right away. After all, my mother told me over and over that unprotected sex leads to unexpected pregnancy! I had NO clue what sort of journey I was in for.

After a year of trying to conceive without success and then a miscarriage I started to worry that I would never get pregnant and kept wondering "What is wrong with me???".

Advice from Two Pros: How to Navigate the Holidays With An Infertility Diagnosis

Time-tested techniques and advice from two infertility counseling experts at Fertility Centers of Illinois

The holidays can be a difficult time for anyone. Our culture promotes an ideal of the perfect holiday season with unrealistic expectations, and when that experience inevitably falls short, it can lead to disappointment. For those coping with infertility, the joy of the holidays can seem even harder to attain.   

The holidays are focused on family, with children at the epicenter. Those who long for the child that has not yet come can feel isolated, sad, and discouraged.

"The holidays tend to remind those dealing with infertility that family building has not gone the way they imagined," says Dr. Ariadna Cymet Lanski, a clinical psychologist at Fertility Centers of Illinois. "Seeing your siblings and cousins with their children can remind you of what you don't have, and that's not easy."

Dr. Marie Davidson, who is also a clinical psychologist at Fertility Centers of Illinois, agrees. "For couples experiencing infertility, there can be deep sense of alienation from the spirit of celebration. As a result, you may not want to participate in the usual family rituals, and you may search for ways to protect yourself from the distresses of social comparison."

Yet the holidays and family gatherings can still be meaningful and enjoyable. Drs. Davidson and Cymet Lanski offer advice and techniques on how to navigate the emotions that surround the holidays.

Women: You May Not Be Ready for Pregnancy, But Your Body Is

You may not be ready to have children at this point in your life, but your body might be. Ensure your future with our Fertility Preservation options at our Fertility Centers of Illinois locations all over the Chicagoland area!

Read a first-hand account of one woman's journey to freeze her eggs and preserve her fertility until she's ready to have a child here!

One Woman's First-Hand Experience with Fertility Preservation, Freezing her Eggs

One of the largest stressors in a woman’s life is the idea of a “ticking biological clock” or the potential for diminishing fertility. While we may be well educated about the best ways prevent pregnancy, how much do we know about options for preserving our fertility potential for the future?

As women have broken through the glass ceiling and become more career-oriented, it’s time to talk about how they can achieve both career and family goals. By preserving fertility at the most optimal time in a woman’s life, women will be able to achieve motherhood at a time when they feel ready.

With new, cutting edge technology, achieving career and family goals is possible! The ability to freeze young, healthy eggs for use later in life now gives women the opportunity to take control of their future.

Fertility Centers of Illinois Nurse Spotlight: Julie Wiese R.N. B.S.N.!

We love our nurses & want you to get to know them as well as we do, too! In our Nurse Spotlights, we interview each of the nurses here at the Fertility Centers of Illinois so you can learn about their backgrounds, a bit of their personal lives and to get to know them as a friend since you'll see them a lot during your time with us. Stay tuned for more Nurse Spotlights to come!

Here's your chance to meet, Julie Wiese, R.N. B.S.N.!

Why did you choose to become a nurse? 

To pursue a licensed profession that would be fulfilling as much as a challenge. Nurses are educated to be attuned to the whole person/ whole family, not just the unique presenting health problem.  The most current definition that reflects the evolution of professional nursing is from the 2003 edition of ANA's Nursing's Social Policy Statement: Nursing is the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, communities, and populations.

Understanding Infertility: 5 Most Common Diagnoses & Treatment Solutions

If you’ve been trying to conceive and those two little pink lines still elude you, know that you are not alone. While it takes most couples an average up to one year to become pregnant, one in six couples experiences infertility issues.

Here are five of the most common infertility diagnoses, along with example treatment solutions. Keep in mind that each person, diagnosis and situation is different, and only after a medical evaluation can a tailored treatment plan can be prescribed.

But first, what is the definition of infertility?

For women under 35, infertility is defined as trying to conceive for one year without a pregnancy. For women over 35, infertility is defined as trying for six months without a pregnancy.

While the causes of infertility can vary greatly, there are five common diagnoses to be aware of:

Dr. Angeline Beltsos to Speak at The Fertility Show in London

Dr. Angeline Beltsos is a guest speaker at The Fertility Show, a two-day event held in London, U.K. on November 2 – 3, 2013. Dr. Beltsos is a reproductive endocrinologist and the medical director at Fertility Centers of Illinois (FCI).

The Fertility Show provides a discreet environment where attendees can learn more about infertility, fertility treatment options and ways to grow a family through donor egg, gestational surrogacy and more. Attendees can speak with health professionals on-site and attend educational sessions on a variety of topics.

The program includes 60 guest speakers and 100 exhibitors, from nutritionists to clinics. Last year, more than 3,500 people attended. The Fertility Show is backed by Britain's leading fertility support group, Infertility Network UK.

“Many people have questions about their fertility treatment options, and this event provides a free, convenient way to come away with a wealth of information,” says Dr. Beltsos. “We aim to help couples and individuals, no matter what country they reside in, achieve their dream of growing a family.”

Interested attendees can sign up online for a personal consultation on-site at the event with Dr. Beltsos. Those who register for a free consultation will receive an invitation to the Fertility Center of Illinois event on Nov 2nd and 3rd. Interested individuals that cannot attend can arrange a Skype meeting with Dr. Beltsos at a later date.

The Fertility Show will be held the Olympia Exhibition Centre. For more information see http://www.fertilityshow.co.uk/.