Factors that Increase a Risk of Infertility

What things increase a woman’s risk of infertility? When should a woman consult a doctor?

Many things can affect a woman’s ability to have a baby. These include:

* Age

* Stress

* Poor diet

* Athletic training

* Being overweight or underweight

* Tobacco smoking

* Alcohol

* Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)

* Health problems that cause hormonal changes

Most healthy women under the age of 30 shouldn’t worry about infertility unless they’ve been trying to get pregnant for at least a year. At this point, women should talk to their doctors about a fertility evaluation. Men should also talk to their doctors if this much time has passed.

In some cases, women should talk to their doctors sooner. Women in their 30s who’ve been trying to get pregnant for six months should speak to their doctors as soon as possible. A woman’s chances of having a baby decrease rapidly every year after the age of 30. So getting a complete and timely fertility evaluation is especially important.

To schedule your consultation, give us a call or visit our website. We are here to help! ?

#FINA #HelpingFamiliesBuildFamilies

Let’s talk Antioxidants!

Did you know?…

Research has shown that simple changes in diet and lifestyle may improve fertility and increase your chance of conception. Adding more antioxidants to your fertility diet can reduce oxidative stress and its negative affects on fertility for both men and women. Antioxidants can also help slow the ovarian aging process.

Studies have also shown that chances of conception increase when levels of antioxidants in the fluids surrounding the reproductive organs are high.

Great whole-food sources of antioxidants include: blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, pomegranate, cranberries, green tea, dark chocolate, cooked vegetables and spices such as cumin, turmeric, ginger and oregano. Antioxidants can also be supplemented in pill form. (e.g. CoQ10)

What are your favorite antioxidant-rich foods?

Let’s focus on one of our favorite antioxidant-rich foods…BLUEBERRIES!

A daily bowl could protect against obesity, heart disease and diabetes.❤️Berries are rich in polyphenols – antioxidants that protect cells in the heart and help lower blood pressure. Blueberries also contain folate, which plays a role in DNA synthesis and repair.

So today we thought we’d share this great recipe that we found for some healthy blueberry muffins! Erin, the creator of these sweet treats says:

“This simple blueberry muffins recipe makes moist and fluffy muffins with whole wheat, heart healthy oats, and as many blueberries as I could squeeze into the batter. They are basically everything a blueberry oatmeal muffin should be. No more. No less.”

https://www.wellplated.com/healthy-blueberry-muffins/?fbclid=IwAR1T9E_9_jTBXmS5mICJ_U8efk2fNCnjaY-fGDyMZRpuGi1taXLIRW48BQ0

Enjoy!

#FINA #HelpingFamiliesBuildFamilies

What’s in the name?

Did you know that FINA, though it is also an acronym, has a deeper meaning?

In Hebrew, the name FINA means “He shall add”. That is exactly what we are about at Fertility Institute of North Alabama (FINA). 

Dr. Davenport and his staff use the most current resources, scientific knowledge, and technology available to make sure that you optimize your chances of a successful pregnancy.

Ultimately we believe that it is God that will add to any family, and we can confidently give thanks for every pregnancy in which we are privileged to assist.?

#FINA #HelpingFamiliesBuildFamilies

Meet Dr. D

Have you met Dr. Davenport, or as we call him, Dr. D?

Dr. D moved to Huntsville in 2014 with his wife Kelly and four children. A native of Memphis, Tennessee, he received his undergraduate degree from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, and attended medical school at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis. He then successfully completed a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Tennessee, followed by a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the University of Vermont in Burlington, Vermont.

Dr. Davenport is a skilled surgeon, excelling in robotic surgery, laparoscopic surgery, and hysteroscopic surgery. He is the only reproductive endocrinologist in North Alabama who performs robotic tubal reanastomosis, and also the only REI in the region to perform testicular sperm aspiration/extraction for vasectomized/obstructed males prior to in vitro fertilization (IVF).

He has been actively involved in clinical research and has also authored several publications. Dr. Davenport has a love for teaching and lecturing.?

But the most special thing about Dr. D?

He is passionate about providing excellent patient care, and is committed to providing the most state-of-the-art solutions in all aspects of infertility and reproductive endocrinology.

Dr. D understands that infertility and hormonal imbalances are some of the most emotionally, spiritually, and mentally consuming issues that an individual or couple may face, and most patients appreciate his compassionate yet candid approach to problem solving.❤️

#meetDrD #FINA #HelpingFamiliesBuildFamilies

The Emotional Plight of Infertility: We Have to Help Each Other

***W E ▪ H A V E ▪ T O ▪ H E L P ▪ E A C H▪ O T H E R!***

Welcome back to Day 5! Today we are going to give you some practical tips that can help you stay mentally strong.

1️⃣ Know that it is normal to have sad and disappointed feelings. This is not something to feel guilty about, but rather a normal response to a real problem. Allow yourself to express your emotions.

2️⃣ Getting mentally connected and understood is a huge step toward healthy coping. Find a friend to confide in. If you have not yet told anybody but your partner about your struggle, you need to! Even if that person has not undergone infertility, they are now on the journey with you.

3️⃣ Find a support group. Whether online or locally, this will allow you to hear of what other couples are going through or went through and will validate your emotions. It will make you feel less isolated and will empower you with knowledge.

4️⃣ Journaling. This has been shown to provide clarity of thought as to what you are feeling. It will allow you to understand yourself even more.

5️⃣ Exercise. If you do not already have one, pick up a regular exercise routine. You will find that your hyper-focus on fertility can be re-directed toward a workout, and your stress greatly reduced as a byproduct.

Technology has come a long way to help couples reach their pregnancy goals so that there is much hope for those struggling. The above are just a few tips that may help couples feel less lonely and endure the emotional roller coaster of infertility. Our infertility clinic is also designed to personally assist you through this tough time. Don’t hesitate to call us at 256-217-9613 if we can help! You can also visit our website at www.fertilityalabama.com .

Thank you for joining us this week! We hope you learned a lot and that you were able to share with a friend who may be going through these struggles.

The Emotional Plight of Infertility: Misdirected Expectations

***M I S D I R E C T E D ▪ E X P E C T A T I O N S***

Couples commonly have unrealistic expectations about how soon they should conceive. If there is a reason to think that there is a problem, professional help should absolutely be sought. But if there are no physical or historical reasons to explain why fertility may be difficult, where should a couple’s expectations lie? Most couples don’t realize:

✔ The average couple in their 20’s with no fertility disorder has around a 20% chance of conceiving each month with regular random intercourse in the absence of contraception.

✔ The overall chances of pregnancy after 1 year of regular random intercourse in the absence of contraception is approximately 80%.

✔ Infertility is the absence of a pregnancy after 1 year of trying to conceive with regular intercourse in the absence of contraception if you are less than 35 years old.

✔ If you are 35 years or older, infertility is the absence of pregnancy after only 6 months while still meeting the same criteria above.

✔ Approximately 10-15% of all couples in the United States struggle with infertility. That’s approximately 1 out of 8 couples!

? Join us back here tomorrow as we wrap up our event with *We Have to Help Each Other!
There is so much hope for those who are struggling. We’ll give you some tips that may help you feel less lonely and help you stay mentally strong on this journey. See you then!

 

The Emotional Plight of Infertility: The Strains on Intimacy

***T H E ▪ S T R A I N S ▪ O N ▪ I N T I M A C Y***

Welcome back! We hope you are learning a lot this week and we hope you are starting to realize that You Are Not Alone.?

In the magazine “Inside Medicine,” Dr. D writes about the strains on intimacy that can come as a result of a couple’s plight with infertility…

“During a couple’s struggle with infertility, it is very common to see sex become a chore rather than a show of intimacy. The mental association that a woman may develop between sex and failure may make it to where she is only interested in sex around the time of ovulation.

Conversely, misconceptions about the optimal frequency and timing of intercourse in order to conceive often results in couples having intercourse much more frequently than is even enjoyable for either of them.”

So there you have it. If you’ve been feeling this way, know that you are not alone. It is very common to have these struggles and there are so many other couples who are going through the exact same thing.

In fact, tomorrow we will discuss how common it really is, how many other couples are going through this, and what realistic expectations truly are when a couple is determining how soon they should conceive.

?Join us here tomorrow to learn more about *Misdirected Expectations.

The Emotional Plight of Infertility: Reactions of Men vs. Women

***R E A C T I O N S ▪ O F ▪ M E N ▪ V S. ▪W O M E N***

Dr. D shares some general observations from his daily clinical encounters with couples:

“In general, men and women deal with infertility in different ways. It has been shown that women are quicker to become distressed about infertility than their male partner, and often struggle with jealousy when another person around them conceives. My experience supports this data.

Additionally, both men and women tend to have lowered self-esteem if the diagnosis or perception of the problem is related to his/her body, respectively. Men frequently even deny that they could be a contributing factor until it has been demonstrated to them objectively.

All of these differences place a strain on the ability of a couple to empathize with one another appropriately during a time that they desperately need each other’s support.”

As you can see, both men and women are affected emotionally and physically on this journey. Opening the lines of communication, being honest, and supporting each other is such an important part of the fertility journey.

?Join us back here tomorrow as we discuss *The Strains on Intimacy.

The Emotional Plight of Infertility: You Are Not Alone

All this week on our blog, we will be discussing a topic that you have probably been wondering about but perhaps haven’t discussed with anyone because it isn’t easy to talk about, especially when you don’t know anyone else who is having the same struggles.

But we are here to tell you that You Are Not Alone.?

***T H E ▪ L O N E L I N E S S ▪ O F ▪ I N F E R T I L I T Y***

“My husband and I have stopped using birth control. Why aren’t we getting pregnant?”

This is a common sentiment that Dr. D encounters each week in the clinic as couples struggle with a roller coaster of emotions.

It comes natural for most to dream of a future with children. Because conception is a natural expectation it becomes quite frustrating and disappointing when plans do not become reality on demand.

Many couples will uniquely relay the heartaches of a lonely struggle. As they are surrounded by friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers who conceive easily, the frequent refrain is “what’s wrong with me?” The struggle all too often becomes personal. Many approach fertility with unrealistic expectations, and still more lack an understanding of just how common infertility is.

For most couples, attempting to conceive a child is a very intimate process that is clothed in privacy…and rightly so. But because of the quiet nature of this process, those who are unable to voluntarily conceive often suffer in private as well. Infertility if spoken of far too seldom in our society, which makes those couples that are experiencing infertility feel as if they are on an island. Even more, the relationship between intimate partners is often greatly affected by infertility.

?Join us back here tomorrow as we discuss *The Reactions of Men vs. Women.

How Affordable Is This Really?

Oftentimes, couples are hesitant to proceed with looking into fertility testing and treatment because of the worry about cost. However, you may be surprised at all the options that are actually available to you financially.  

Let’s take a look at some of the different categories of services and which financial options are available for each.

*Office Visits

At FINA, we will submit the charges for office visits, labs, ultrasounds, and procedures to your insurance company. However, for those services that are not covered by insurance, we try to make them as affordable to you as possible. In these cases, we bundle services together in order to discount the overall cost to you. Our staff will confirm what services are covered by your insurance, but we encourage all of our patients to verify their coverage as well.

If you do not have insurance or prefer that we do not file your fertility treatment with your insurance company, we offer cash pay packages for your visits. These packages are specific to the types of office visits, lab work, or procedures you may undergo. Our financial counselor will be happy to go over these costs with you.

*Medications

Fertility medications are sometimes paid for by insurance, but every policy is different. Our financial counselor will go over your coverage, if any, at the time you need medications.

Some local pharmacies carry fertility medications. However, these pharmacies may not offer the same discount as a mail-order pharmacy, but can oftentimes send your medications directly to your address overnight.

*Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

Some insurances will offer partial or full coverage for IUI’s. If your insurance offers no coverage, we do have a cash package that will allow this option to become more cost efficient.

*In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) / INVOcell

As the need for more advanced therapies arises, we encourage you to double check with your insurance carrier to see which services are covered. In Alabama, only a limited number of insurance plans offer coverage for IVF or INVOcell. However, we do offer several packages along with financing resources for those patients without insurance coverage in order to make these options more affordable for you. Prior to proceeding with these services you will meet with our office manager to ensure your understanding of your options and costs.

Insurances Accepted at FINA:

+Blue Cross Blue Shield

+Cigna

+United Healthcare

+Aetna

+Humana

+Tricare