Volume 4 Issue 1 Winter 2019

OUR NEW BRANFORD CENTER BRINGS CARE AND HOPE CLOSER TO HOMEWe often say that “giving you care means giving you hope.” Now, with the opening of our new Center in Branford, we’re bringing convenient, personalized care – and hope – to people in southern Connecticut who are struggling with infertility.

MEET OUR BRANFORD APRN & MD

BEATING THE ODDS x2

YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, WE HAVE ANSWERS

EGG DONATION

MONTHLY EVENTS

FIRST & THIRD Wednesdays

YOGA 5:30-6:30pm, Farmington

THIRD Thursdays

RESOLVE Infertility Peer Support Group 7-9pm, Farmington

Go to the News & Events section of our website for more information

For the most up-to-date information, like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter,Instagram, or Linked In

Being an egg donor can truly mean giving the gift of life.

There are some very important questions to be asked, and we are here to help.

A great story about how one couple beat the odds and produced two baby girls.

We're opening soon in Branford and our team is ready to go.

EASIER ACCESS TO THE STATE’S MOST SUCCESSFUL FERTILITY PROGRAMThe Center for Advanced Reproductive Services is one of the leading fertility programs in the country and the most successful program in the state. A number of leading organizations – including In Vitro Sciences, Aetna, Optimum Health and others – have recognized us as a Center of Excellence. We’re also affiliated with the UConn School of Medicine and run the fellowship program in Reproductive Medicine and Infertility at UConn Health.

Our mission is to provide “the highest standard of individualized clinical care to people experiencing infertility in an environment that is caring, sensitive, responsive and knowledgeable.” We’ve been highly successful. After 35 years, we’re responsible for the births of almost 13,000 babies. As one of our patients put it: “The Center is the most comprehensive experience either of us has ever had. From the first phone call, we have felt like we are in the best hands possible.”

EASIER ACCESS TO THE LATEST FERTILITY TREATMENTSWith our new Branford location, patients will have easier access to an extensive range of services – office visits for initial infertility consults,

IVF and IUI consults, follow-ups, pre- and post-operative visits, access to psychological and support visits, IUIs, IVF and IUI cycle monitoring and pregnancy ultrasounds, diagnostic testing (including sonohysterograms, endometrial biopsies, and HSGs), diagnosis and treatment of reproductive hormonal disorders, and andrology testing.

CONVENIENCE MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCEHaving fertility treatments can require many trips to our offices. That’s why having a state-of-the-art facility closer to where you live or work can make a big difference in relieving stress. As another one of our patients described it, “The road along the way is difficult and emotional, but in the end, they were able to help us with our dream. The staff is extremely supportive and always responsive to help.”

With facilities in Farmington, Hartford, New London and, now, Branford, we’re helping individuals throughout the state receive the advanced fertility care and hope they need to realize their dreams.

NEW BRANFORD CENTER

Dr. Daniel Grow is a Lead Physician at the Center as well as our Associate Fellowship Director. He is Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. He’s contributed to 40 peer reviewed publications, with a focus on optimizing ovarian stimulation, improving embryo transfer, and mastering techniques in reproductive surgery. At the Center he specializes in the reproductive medicine needs of his patients and gives them individualized care, honed through many years of experience.

He says, “I believe that reproductive endocrinology is the best field of medicine, period. We get to work with special patients who come to us because they want to build a family. Sometimes it’s stressful, sometimes they’ve been working at it a long time. We become part of their lives, and when we’re successful in helping them have a healthy baby and start their family, it’s not only one of the biggest joys we can provide to them, it is one of the biggest joys we get to share in.”

WHO YOU’LL MEET AT OUR NEW BRANFORD OFFICEWith a master’s degree from UCONN, Deb is a Board Certified Adult Nurse Practitioner. She has more than 30 years of nursing experience working in women’s healthcare. At the Center, she provides care directly to patients, performs fertility testing procedures alongside the medical staff, and guides the nursing staff.

What’s her favorite part of her job? “I get to work with a wonderful team of doctors, nurses, embryologists and administrators, and together we have the privilege of helping people achieve their dreams. It shouldn’t even be considered a job because the reward is so big.”

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OUR NEW BRANFORD CENTER

Stony Creek Medical Center 6 Business Park Drive Branford, CT 06405

• Convenient to I-95 at Exit 56• Free, accessible, private parking• Private waiting areas• Patient- friendly rooms

Open for patient care in March. Now accepting appointments. Tel: 203-481-1707Fax: 203-481-1708Branfordoffice@uconnfertility.com

WHO YOU’LL MEET AT OUR NEW BRANFORD OFFICE Choosing a quality Center is paramount to having successful outcomes. Not all Centers provide the same infertility

treatments, offer the same approach or have the same results. Important criteria used to evaluate a Center’s success include its:

• experience level or volume

• live birth rate, and• triplet or higher

birth rate

We’re pleased that the Center continues to demonstrate success: Not only in the percent of live births achieved, but also in our ability to lessen the potential for pregnancies with twins, triplets or more. With over 12,000 babies born since our inception, we continue to lead in both the region and the nation.

To learn more about our success rates and those of other programs, please visit the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technologies website (www.sart.org). Click on IVF Success. A comparison of clinic success rates may not be meaningful because patient medical characteristics and treatment approaches may vary from clinic to clinic.

SARTresults

Sharing Our Patients’Love“Thank you doesn’t begin to cover the emotions and gratitude that I feel.” ♥“ Your team combined everything

I needed and made my dreams come true.”

We are proud to have contributed to the births of almost 13,000 babies! Thanks to all our patients; for your notes and especially your photographs!

www.uconnfertility.com | (844) HOPEIVF

HELPING DREAMS COME TRUE THROUGH EGG DONATIONBecoming an egg donor can truly mean giving the gift of life. Just one egg donor can help multiple recipient couples achieve their dream of becoming parents.

If you think egg donation is something you’d like to learn more about, visit our website or call us to learn more about the Center’s Egg Donor Program. In 1987, the Center assisted in the birth of the first child born from a donor egg in New England, and since then we’ve helped many women conceive with donated eggs.

Here are a few key pieces of information to know if you are considering egg donation:

• A 15-minute preliminary telephone screening call can determine your eligibility to participate.

• You will need to complete a questionnaire that asks specific medical and personal questions, as well as medical and psychological screening.

• Less than 10% of screened candidates are accepted, and we keep all information completely confidential.

• Insurance coverage for procedures is provided, and there is no cost to potential donors for any screening tests or consultations.

• Donors who complete the cycle will be compensated $8,000

In our experience, most women who donate eggs feel a great deal of satisfaction from this act of giving. We do, however, have a psychologist and clinical team available during and after the cycle to offer emotional support.

Our website contains hundreds of educational and informational videos for patients as well as those considering fertility treatment. Check it out at uconnfertility.com or our YouTube channel.*

IS eSET RIGHTFOR ME? Elective Single Embryo Transfer (eSET)

is a procedure in which one embryo is selected from the number of embryos available and placed in the uterus. The embryos that are not selected may be set aside for future use or preservation.

eSET is generally recommended for women 37 and younger with “good quality” eggs or embryos. Each patient’s situation is different, however, and there are a number of things that should be taken into account before important decisions are made. For example:

• Multiple births increase health risks for mom and babies, i.e., premature birth and low birth weight.• Breastfeeding can be more challenging for mothers with “multiples.”• Finding affordable childcare options can be more difficult for families with “multiples.”• Having “multiples” can place extra demands on your support network and your lifestyle.• Your (or your partner’s) employer may not provide adequate benefits or flexibility to help you care for “multiples.”

As always, it’s best to consult with your physicians to make the best, most informed decision for your circumstances. In each case, our goal is to provide you with the greatest chance to start or add to your family by having a successful, healthy live birth.

FAQWill I be able to have children if I have endometriosis?It’s estimated that 1 out of 10 women suffer from endometriosis in the United States. It also estimated that 30-40% of women with endometriosis may have difficulties in becoming pregnant. If you have endometriosis your fertility specialist will discuss the best treatment options for success. There are diagnostic tests and treatments available, including minimally invasive laparoscopic excision surgery, which is considered the gold standard of treatment for endometriosis.

Are hot tubs really bad for a man?Yes. High temperatures can kill sperm. That is why the scrotum is located outside the body — to act as a kind of “refrigerator” to keep the sperm cool. So, it is a good idea to avoid hot tubs, saunas, and steam rooms, and wear loose pants and underwear.

What is PCOS?Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is a hormonal and reproductive disorder that occurs because of certain hormone imbalances in women. There are a number of symptoms that can help to identify PCOS. Some may experience one or two symptoms while others may have all:

• Infrequent periods, no periods, and/or irregular bleeding• Acne• Excess hair growth on the face, chest, stomach, back, arms and legs• Male pattern baldness• Weight gain• Diabetes• Velvety, light brown-to-black markings on the skin around the neck and under the arms. • Inability to get pregnant

Scan this QC code with your smartphone to watch the video

Scan this QC code with your smartphone to watch the video

The role of Financial Counselor at the Center is to help patients navigate through the obstacles of their insurance benefits. A counselor will review your insurance benefits with you, assist in obtaining any necessary prior authorizations, help with the appeals process for any claim denials, and help you begin the process of infertility treatments.

If there are to be any out of pocket expenses, the counselor will itemize and review those costs with the patient, so they have an understanding of what financial obligations they will incur prior to beginning treatments.

Financial counselors will touch base with patients throughout their cycles to review any changes — additions or subtractions — to the treatment to prevent any surprises.

We often tell women who are trying to get pregnant that they should be as healthy as they can be before they conceive. It has beneficial effects. Being overweight and smoking are two factors that can directly effect a woman’s ability to conceive.

Obesity is a serious health concern for many reasons, including for patients who are trying to get pregnant. Women who are very overweight can lose the ability to ovulate regularly. Being overweight decreases the response to fertility medicines, increases the risk of miscarriage, and overall decreases successful IVF outcomes.

Smoking is proven to adversely impact fertility in both men and women. There are so many toxins in cigarette smoke that negatively affect the ovaries, kill eggs, decrease sperm count and even change the shape of the sperm, all factors that make it more difficult for couples to get pregnant. Even smoking in your teens and 20’s will ultimately affect fertility and later reproductive life.

The Center for Advanced Reproductive Services is one of the largest and most successful fertility programs in the region, run by experts in the field of reproductive endocrinology. Our results and reputation are among the best because we provide the most appropriate medical care in

an environment that is sensitive to our patients’ needs. Our physicians are board certified or active candidates for board certification specialists in reproductive endocrinology and infertility.

We are committed to providing compassionate and supportive care. To meet our commitment to providing compassionate and supportive care, we help with the emotional stresses of infertility, as well as with insurance coverage and financial options. We also make available to our patients the services of our highly trained psychologist, who has more than a decade of experience in helping patients cope with the stresses of infertility and as well as helping them with emotional, ethical and legal issues.

After losing their first child, Luke, to cancer at 17 months, Mary Jo and Shane Dunn desperately wanted to be parents again, but Mary Jo was 46 so the odds were stacked against her.

Though the couple knew they could never replace Luke, they felt they had to try to become parents again. They came back to the Center, where they had conceived Luke through IVF. Mary Jo says, “At the time that Luke passed I was 44 and feeling pretty hopeless about life. We decided that we had to try to move forward, as hard as it was, so we immersed ourselves in IVF. I felt better doing something. It got me out of bed every morning.”

The journey would be a long one. After six unsuccessful egg retrievals the chance of success was looking bleak. But the Dunns didn’t give up hope and it turned out to be lucky number 7. The last cycle produced two beautiful baby girls, Kelsey and Riley.

“It’s crazy to be on both ends of ‘one in a million.’ The cancer that Luke had was one in a million, and it’s got to be one in a million for someone of my age to have even one baby, let alone two. We just look at them all the time in amazement. I believe in the science but I also believe there was a divine intervention and that Luke helped send us his little sisters. We see glimmers of him in each of the girls,” says Mary Jo.

Scan this QC code with your

smartphone to watch their

interview

x2Beating The Odds

Scan this QC code with your smartphone and connect directly to our website.

L to R: Lawrence Engmann, MD, MRCOG, Daniel Grow, MD, MHCM, Claudio Benadiva, MD, HCLD, John C. Nulsen, MD, Kim Crone, Ph.D., Andrea J. DiLuigi, MD, David Schmidt, MD

An academic affiliate of UCONN School of Medicine

www.uconnfertility.com | 844.HOPEIVF

FARMINGTON

2 Batterson Park Road

Farmington, CT 06032

(844) 467 3483

NEW LONDON

4 Shaws Cove

New London, CT 06320

(877) 860 8044

HARTFORD

50 Columbus Blvd.

Hartford, CT 06106

(860) 525 8283

BRANFORD

6 Business Park Dr.

Branford, CT 06405

(203) 481 1707

OUR STORY: The Center is an academic affiliate of the UConn School of Medicine. We are a specialized program of the division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Fertility and one of the largest and most successful IVF programs in the Northeast. We offer one of less than 40 postgraduate fellowships for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) in the United States. Due to our national reputation as a “Center of Excellence,” acceptance to one of our fellowship positions is very competitive. Fellows also participate in ongoing clinical research. This has resulted in several first author publications and national conference presentations for our fellows. Over the past three years, the fellows have presented over 18 abstracts at national meetings and have published in excess of 13 articles in peer reviewed journals. Plus, we not only have REI fellows, but also Ob/Gyn residents and medical students training here as well.

T he Center continues to demonstrate success:

Not only in the percent of live births achieved, but also in our ability to lessen the potential for pregnancies with twins, triplets or more. With almost 12,000 babies born since our inception, we continue to lead in both the region and the nation.

To learn more about our success rates and those of other programs, please visit the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technologies website (www.sart.org). Click on IVF Success. A comparison of clinic success rates may not be meaningful because patient medical characteristics and treatment approaches may vary from clinic to clinic.

It’s widely known that nutrition is an important part of IVF treatment. But that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice taste. Here is a healthy treat from the Fertility Foods Cookbook.

PB&J Greek Yogurt Parfaits (makes 5 servings)

Ingredients:1 1/2 cups rolled old fashioned oats1/4 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped1/4 cup peanuts, chopped1/4 teaspoon kosher salt3 tablespoons All Natural Berry Jam, or store bought alternative1 tablespoon honey2 tablespoons Natural Peanut Butter, or store bought alternative1 1/4 cup plain whole milk Greek yogurt1 1/4 cup fresh or frozen berries

Directions:1. Preheat the oven to 325°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, stir together the oats, pecans, peanuts, and salt.2. In a 1 cup glass measuring cup or microwave-safe bowl, combine jam, honey and peanut butter. Cover and microwave on medium heat for 1 minute. Remove from the microwave, stir, then pour over the oats and nuts, mixing until everything is evenly coated.3. Spread granola out in an even layer onto the pre-pared baking sheet and bake about 18 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes to prevent over-browning. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly.4. To serve, distribute half of the Greek yogurt between five serving cups, then layer with half of the granola and half of the berries. Repeat the layers and serve.

MONTHLY EVENTS

FIRST & THIRD Wednesdays

YOGA 5:30-6:30pm, Farmington

THIRD Thursdays

RESOLVE Infertility Peer Support Group 7-9pm, Farmington

Go to the News & Events section of our website for more information

For the most up-to-date information, like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter,Instagram, or Linked In