It’s no secret that embarking on your fertility journey brings a lot of unknowns, and although this is a hard time, we are here to support you the entire way through. Our fertility specialists want all of our patients–whether they are young couples, older couples, LGBTQ+ couples, or single–to have a successful pregnancy so they can experience the special blessing that is raising children. Along with our impressive North Houston IVF success rates, we also offer PGT (Preimplantation Genetic Testing). In this article, we will explain what PGT is in case it’s something you would like to consider for your treatment at our Kingwood or The Woodlands IVF clinics.

What is PGT Genetic Testing?

Few know this, but embryos can be tested prior to being transferred into your uterus or your gestational carrier’s uterus.

Once you have undergone your North Houston IVF cycle, we will retrieve the eggs that will be implanted and proceed with incubating them in our onsite IVF lab with the intending father’s sperm (or the donor’s). We will wait for the embryo to develop, at which point we can perform genetic testing via simple biopsy.

Why Some Patients Consider Undergoing PGT During Their North Houston IVF Treatment

There are numerous benefits to undergoing Preimplantation Genetic Testing during your IVF journey.

Did you know that 600+ conditions are caused by genetic abnormalities? Or that some of these genetic abnormalities are responsible for causing a miscarriage? PGT by our North Houston fertility specialists allows us to determine which embryo is the most likely one to result in a healthy pregnancy. If we elect to test multiple embryos, PGT also gives you the option to save other healthy ones for frozen embryo transfer, should you choose to attempt another pregnancy.

The Success Of Your North Houston IVF Treatment Is Based On Chance, But Preimplantation Genetic Testing Can Increase Your Chances

Our fertility specialists at our Kingwood and The Woodlands IVF clinics recommend PGT because it can help us and the intending parents gain a better idea of which embryo will have the greatest success. If you would like to take part in genetic testing through North Houston IVF, please schedule an appointment with us at our Kingwood or The Woodlands IVF clinics. We look forward to helping you along your fertility journey so you can experience the joy and love of a child.

There are many paths to parenthood, and if you’re one of many women facing fertility issues, you may be overwhelmed by your options. Our North Houston IVF clinic offers a number of choices for those hoping to become parents, one of which involves IVF with a surrogate. Whether you’re a patient at our Kingwood IVF clinic or The Woodlands IVF clinic, this procedure may be an option to consider on your journey to parenthood. 

The North Houston IVF Process

In vitro fertilization, or IVF, is the process of retrieving eggs from the ovaries and introducing them to sperm outside of the woman’s body. The fertilized egg or eggs are then inserted into the uterus, where they will hopefully implant in the uterine lining and develop into a successful pregnancy.

This procedure begins with a consultation to determine if you are a good candidate for IVF. If so, you’ll be given hormonal treatments intended to stimulate egg production so that multiple eggs are released at ovulation. Once this occurs, those eggs will be retrieved using a small device guided by ultrasound imaging and then introduced to a previously collected sperm sample in our lab, ideally resulting in successful fertilization. Once the fertilized egg, now called an embryo, reaches the proper stage of development, it will be placed in the uterus, ideally attaching to the uterine lining to result in pregnancy.

How is IVF With Gestational Carrier Different?

The North Houston IVF with surrogate process begins with the same steps as a typical IVF procedure. What makes IVF with gestational carrier different is the placement of the embryos following successful fertilization. Instead of the mother’s uterus, the embryos will be placed in a surrogate’s uterus in the hopes that it will lead to a successful pregnancy. If so, the surrogate will carry the baby to term.

Is IVF With Surrogate the Right Choice for Me?

Patients who choose North Houston IVF with gestational carrier do so for a number of reasons, the most common of which include:

• Women who have medical problems with their uterus
• Women who have had a hysterectomy
• Women of advanced age 
• Women with underlying conditions that may make pregnancy risky
• Gay couples

Finding a Surrogate for North Houston IVF

If you’ve decided that North Houston IVF with gestational carrier is something you’d like to pursue, there are a few ways to locate a good surrogate match. While some parents-to-be turn to family and friends, there are also agencies that match intending parents with women who are interested in serving as surrogates. Those who look to an agency for IVF with gestational carrier should expect to cover the cost of medical expenses, as well as a fee for carrying the baby. Regardless of how you match with a surrogate, clearly establish your expectations for the process, including an initial medical exam, legal agreements, and any other issues of importance for each person involved. Doing so before beginning the North Houston IVF with surrogate process will ensure a smooth and straightforward experience for all. 

Our Kingwood IVF and The Woodlands IVF Clinics Can Assist You On Your Journey

Regardless of your needs, our North Houston fertility clinic specialists are known for their compassion and expertise. We pride ourselves in treating you like family while you plan for your own, walking with you each step of the way to offer guidance, support, and knowledge of the latest developments in reproductive health and wellness. Call us today to schedule an appointment and begin your family’s next chapter.  

If you’ve decided to start the fertility process, you may be curious about the options available at our North Houston fertility clinic. The two most popular treatments our patients undergo on their quest for a successful pregnancy are in vitro fertilization, or IVF, and intrauterine insemination, or IUI. Understanding these procedures and knowing which one is right for you is an important step in the fertility process, as there are key differences between the two.

What is North Houston IVF? 

In-vitro Fertilization is a procedure in which a woman’s egg is fertilized by a man’s sperm outside of the body. If you undergo Kingwood IVF or The Woodlands IVF, you will take medication that stimulates the ovaries to produce more eggs before they are retrieved and introduced to the sperm in a lab. Upon successful fertilization, the resulting embryo is then placed back inside the woman’s uterus where it will ideally implant, resulting in pregnancy. 

The IVF process is performed with sedation and occurs over the course of two separate visits to our North Houston fertility clinic: the first to retrieve the eggs and the second to implant the fertilized embryo(s) once they have reached the proper stage of development.  

What is IUI?

Intrauterine Insemination is a simple procedure in which previously collected sperm is “washed” (removing seminal fluid and selecting the motile, or moving, sperm) and then inserted high into the uterine cavity, increasing the chances of the sperm reaching the egg. In this procedure, fertilization occurs inside the body. If this occurs successfully, then the fertilized egg would then implant in the lining of the uterus and ideally result in pregnancy. Like IVF, IUI is completed in our office but does not require sedation.

Which Treatment is Right For Me?

Deciding between IUI and IVF at our North Houston fertility clinic depends upon a number of factors. IUI is considerably less expensive and less invasive, but has a lower success rate. Kingwood IVF and The Woodlands IVF, on the other hand, are more likely to result in a successful pregnancy, especially for those suffering from severe fertility issues. Both procedures include a regimen of fertility-boosting drugs to increase ovulation and, thereby, chances of conception. Many of our patients choose to undergo IUI before IVF, but that is not always the case. In order to be a good candidate for IUI in our North Houston fertility clinic, you must have working ovaries and fallopian tubes, viable eggs, and there need to be enough motile sperm to reach the egg. Those who are not good candidates for IUI will need to consider IVF instead.

Our North Houston Fertility Clinic Is Here To Guide You On Your Fertility Journey

If you’d like to learn which fertility treatment is right for you, call us today to schedule an appointment. Our specialists can help you determine whether you should consider Kingwood IVF, The Woodlands IVF, or IUI based upon your individual needs and circumstances. We’d be honored to guide you in your journey to parenthood!

Many patients who visit our North Houston fertility clinic are not only looking to start a family through the Kingwood IVF and The Woodlands IVF process, but they also need either an egg or sperm donor in order to begin. Given the importance of this decision due to a number of factors, those who need a donor may not know where to start. Keep reading to discover our tips for selecting an egg or sperm donor for your North Houston IVF treatment.

Who Is A Good Candidate For Using Donor Eggs Or Sperm At Our North Houston Fertility Clinic?

Donor eggs are recommended for women struggling with infertility due to the following reasons:

• Age-Related Diminished Ovarian Reserve: age contributes to infertility, so many women with low egg counts or poor egg quality choose to receive donor eggs.
• Premature Ovarian Failure: oftentimes issues such as chemotherapy, radiation treatments, autoimmune disorders, and genetic factors lead to low egg count, as well.
• Genetic Mutations or Disease: Multiple miscarriages are often discovered to be the result of genetic anomalies that prevent a viable pregnancy, often requiring the use of donor eggs.

Finding a Suitable Egg Donor for Your North Houston IVF Treatment

Often, couples choose someone they know and trust to serve as an egg donor for their Kingwood IVF or The Woodlands IVF treatment. But sometimes patients need or choose to turn elsewhere when selecting an egg donor, such as these viable options:

• Egg Donor Agency: These organizations connect healthy egg donors with intending parents, often helping couples find donors who match specific genetic traits. The donor and the parent will usually undergo the IVF process at the same time so that their menstrual periods line up.
• Egg Bank: Sometimes donors choose to freeze their eggs and store them in an egg bank. Just like at an agency, an egg bank may be able to match intending parents with certain characteristics they might be looking for. 

Finding a Suitable Sperm Donor for Your North Houston IVF Treatment

There are many reasons a sperm donor may be needed, including male infertility, single women seeking parenthood, or same-sex couples looking to start a family. Regardless of the reason, it’s important for patients to know what to look for and how to locate a sperm donor for the Kingwood IVF or The Woodlands IVF process.

Just like with egg donors, sometimes sperm donors are someone intending parents already know and trust. Though some choose to find a donor from a sperm bank instead. These are organizations that keep sperm donations and have a database available for intending parents to browse, allowing parents to choose sperm from donors who have preferred genetic characteristics. Our North Houston fertility clinic has a list of reputable sperm banks and can help you find the right donor. 

Once a donor has been selected, the sperm will be sent to our Kingwood fertility clinic or The Woodlands fertility clinic, where we can use it for either Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) or In Vitro Fertilization (IVF).

Our Kingwood Fertility Clinic and The Woodlands Fertility Clinic Can Help You Find a Suitable Egg or Sperm Donor

No matter the reason for seeking an egg or sperm donor for the North Houston IVF process, our Kingwood fertility clinic or The Woodlands fertility clinic can help you begin your journey. Call us today to schedule an appointment and discuss your options with our fertility specialists. We look forward to working with you!