FCI Past Patient Guest Blog: Renee Cohen & Family

Former patient, Renee Cohen, 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.

It was about seven years ago my husband, Kevin, and I decided to start trying for a baby. We thought,
like many couples we knew, it would be so easy to start our family.

One month turned into six months, then a year.  It was very upsetting and frustrating that we had still not gotten pregnant.  My OB-GYN would finally see us and begin all the preliminary testing.  We had no real answers as to why we weren’t getting pregnant.  We did a few rounds of clomid and IUI’s with no success.  After 6 months of treatment, we decided it was time to move on and we asked our doctor to refer us to a fertility clinic.  Thankfully, she referred us to FCI.

FCI Past Patient Guest Blog: Michelle, Shaun & Evan Doherty!

Former patient,  Michelle Doherty, 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.

Infertility has affected every aspect of our lives. It has strengthened our relationship with each other,

grown our dependance and faith in God & shown us the amazing support system of family & friends in our lives.

Having children seems like something that should be so simple but for us it has been the hardest & most gut wrenching time of our lives. For us, it shook us to our core. It showed us who we really are and what is important in our lives. There were some devastating moments but for us those moments gave way to incredible joy and blessings.

We were lucky enough to have people in our lives that had also been down the road of infertility, their knowledge was invaluable and in both cases they recommended Fertility Centers of Illinois.

FCI Past Patient Guest Blog: Michelle Edmonds!

Former patient, Michelle Edmonds, 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.

Sitting here on the Eve of the Eve of my scheduled induction, I can tell you, writing this is so beyond   
filled with emotion, that I am not sure that any of us have the time to hear all of them!

I am a former patient of Dr. Brian Kaplan and by this weekend I will be meeting my son and daughter twins from donor eggs!  That is fully with thanks to the amazing staff, which has now become some of my dear friends! I will try my best to keep this short, as in the past two years, I truly cannot say enough about everything that has happened to me.  It’s all part of my story, the good bad and ugly.

FCI Past Patient Guest Blog: Bill & Katie O’Connor

Former patient, Katie O’Connor, 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.

My journey through infertility started with my husband, Bill, and I deciding we wanted to start our family, get off the pill, and ring in 2009 with a normal annual exam at my OBGYN. I learned I had a non-existent period which lead to going through preliminary testing, trying several rounds of hormonal meds to help "jump start" my period. With nothing working, I got referred to an infertility specialist, going through WAY more testing, getting diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), to even more rounds of hormonal meds, (more than I can count) blood works and ultrasounds, and again nothing working. 

Turning the corner in 2010, I finally I got my period started - after several failed IUI (the glamorous acronym for Intrauterine Insemination, previously known as Artificial Insemination) attempts, we had our first IVF (In-Vitro Fertilization) attempt. This time around included more meds (you name it I was probably on it), shots (in my stomach and my behind), tons of monitoring appointments (blood work and ultrasound), periods of stress, sadness, pain, and general "why me?". 

FCI Past Patient Guest Blog: Karin Podolski

Former patient, Karin Podolski, 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 - especially those going through single motherhood. Read on to experience her journey through her eyes.

The story of my journey begins a little over 10 years ago. It was then I had a dream – the same one that brings all patients to Fertility Centers of Illinois – the ultimate dream of starting a family. However, my story is a likely a little bit different than most…When I made that appointment, I had decided to take the plunge into single motherhood. It may sound cliché, but I always knew I wanted to be a mother – even as a small child I gravitated to playing a nurturing, motherly role.

As the ripe age of 30 loomed ahead, I knew the time was right.

Boosting Fertility Through Natural Treatment: Part 2

If the stress of trying to conceive is bringing you down, natural treatment options can give you a boost. Fertility Centers of Illinois works in conjunction with Eastern Healing to offer a wide array of options.

Not only can natural treatment options decrease stress – they can help you get pregnant. In a Harvard study, 55% of women who participated in mind and body programs got pregnant, compared to 20% who did not.

5 Benefits of Natural Treatment: 

1. Increases blood flow to the uterus and ovaries
2. Strengthens uterine lining
3. Equalizes stress hormones
4. Improves sperm count, motility and morphology
5. Encourages relaxation, mental clarity and mindfulness  

Peter Harvey, owner of Eastern Healing, has helped countless couples boost their fertility and decrease stress during infertility treatment. 

“Building a family is exciting, but the stress that results from infertility treatment can take a toll on couples,” he says.  “Most of my patients don’t even realize they have underlying low-level anxiety problems, which can be easily helped through a variety of options.”

Natural treatment options can come in many forms:

Acupuncture

Read more on acupuncture for fertility here.

Chinese Diet Therapy

Read more on Chinese Diet Therapy for fertility here.

Chinese Herbal Medicine

Read more on Chinese Herbal Medicine for fertility here.

Meditation & Breathing Techniques

Read more on Meditation & Breathing Techniques for fertility here.

Massage

Read more on Massage for fertility here.

Yoga

Read more on Yoga for fertility here.

Natural treatment options and medical treatment options are detailed in this YouTube video.

For more information visit: http://www.fcionline.com/ or www.easternhealing.org.