Unless you’ve been a part of the TTC community for a while, you may not have heard of one of the less obvious causes of infertility: a genetic condition called a balanced translocation (also referred to as reciprocal translocation).  Balanced Translocation affects approximately 1 in 500 people. However, in those with recurrent pregnancy loss, it has been shown to be substantially higher at 3 – 7%. When either partner has a translocation, the risk of miscarriage increases from 20% to approximately 40%. The frustrating part is that the majority of people with a balanced translocation...

Jessica Boone • Jan 27, 2023

Whether you’re trying to get pregnant — or actively trying to avoid it — timing is everything. And, when it comes to when you can get pregnant, the answer might not be as cut-and-dry as you would like. The truth is, some people can conceive when they’re on their period, but it’s a very low percentage for a few reasons, which we’ll dive into.  In a nutshell, while most people with ovaries only have a 5-7 day window of opportunity around ovulation to get pregnant, there are certainly some exceptions to the rule. Additionally, most...

Michelle Meyer • Jan 26, 2023

Maybe you’ve heard rumblings that, in light of Roe vs. Wade’s 2022 overturning, birth control access could be outlawed as well. It seems like an unbelievable — and completely terrifying — prospect. But is it a possible one?  At this point, birth control is still legal everywhere in the United States. With that being said, some legal experts fear that the slippery slope created when Roe was overturned could lead to new restrictions around birth control. Part of the fear that birth control could be banned or limited stems from the fact that Roe vs....

Zara Hanawalt • Jan 25, 2023

For those of us who can’t get pregnant ‘the old-fashioned way,’ there are many alternative paths to parenthood, from intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) to embryo donation and adoption. One option that varies not only from country to country but from state to state is surrogacy, and if you’re just starting out it can be difficult to know what questions to ask or where to even begin. Luckily, family-building networks like Pinnacle Fertility can help simplify the process for both intended parents pursuing surrogacy and surrogates interested in becoming gestational carriers. Questions...

Kristin Diversi • Jan 24, 2023

One of the biggest questions women often have with regard to pregnancy and work is “How to tell your boss you’re pregnant,” but what about when getting pregnant becomes more difficult than you imagined? For those of us who need fertility treatments to grow our families, there comes a time during our journey when we need understanding and support from our colleagues, but it can be difficult to bridge those kinds of conversations at work.   So how (and who) should you tell at work that you’re trying to conceive or going through fertility treatments? The...

Stephanie Kramer • Jan 23, 2023

If you’ve been trying to get pregnant for any amount of time, chances are good that you know the importance of taking a prenatal vitamin with folic acid during the preconception period. But when you’re struggling to conceive, additional fertility supplements – like CoQ10 and DHEA – may begin taking up space on your nightstand. With endless information out there about the benefits of various ingredients, you may be wondering “How much is too much?” or “Which supplements should I avoid taking together?”   Supplement combinations to avoid when TTC It’s important to understand how supplements might...

Kristyn Hodgdon • Jan 18, 2023

When it comes to fertility, we know that age matters. But that doesn’t mean that some of us won’t try our best to reverse the signs of aging with hair dye and Botox. Whether you’re trying to conceive at home or in the thick of fertility treatments, you may be wondering what’s safe – and what’s not – when it comes to beauty treatments, and it’s a valid concern.  So, what does the research say about Botox, hair dye, and other self-care indulgences when you’re trying to get pregnant? Let’s find out.  Is Botox safe when...

Michelle Meyer • Jan 18, 2023

Sponsored by Organon.  Photo not of a real patient. Angeline N. Beltsos, MD, is the CEO, Clinical at Kindbody and is board certified in both Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. Dr. Beltsos has received numerous awards and is a popular speaker nationally and internationally, as well as a frequent media resource on the topic of infertility. This article is written from the point of view of Dr. Beltsos based on her more than two decades of extensive experience working with patients facing infertility. If you and your partner are struggling to have a...

Kristyn Hodgdon • Jan 17, 2023

Fertility treatments are expensive and stressful, and for many of us, we only have a window of a few cycles to get it right. That makes every single step of the process incredibly important, which only adds to the overall anxiety. Sigh.  For those who are new to the world of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), some IVF and IUI protocols require you to inject yourself with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) at a very specific time during your ovulation cycle. Also known as the "trigger shot," this can be a lot of added pressure for someone without a...

Michelle Meyer • Jan 17, 2023

Vaginal infections are no stranger to most women. That’s because the vagina is an ecosystem of both good bacteria and fungi that require a healthy environment to thrive. When the balance is thrown off by outside elements, or even from taking certain antibiotics, this can lead to uncomfortable conditions such as Bacterial Vaginosis, UTIs, or Yeast Infections.  If you are a chronic sufferer of vaginal infections, the good news is that most vaginal infections can be quickly and effectively treated with prescription and, in some cases, over-the-counter medications. Treating early is key because leaving these infections...

Brighid Flynn • Jan 16, 2023