Exploring Pregnancy and Fertility:

Creating a plan to begin your fertility journey and path to parenthood will not be easy. It will likely consist of difficult decisions, high fees, and multiple appointments that conflict with other responsibilities. Having a plan for your baby and your future will make these next steps much easier to navigate. In this lecture, we will review the various insemination and alternative therapies used to treat infertility and unexplained fertility issues. We will briefly discuss the at home insemination process for single individuals (no known fertility issues), lesbian and LGBTQ couples, and those seeking a more intimate and empowering Artificial Insemination experience. At the end of this lecture you will be able to:

1. Distinguish between ICI, IUI, and IVF insemination and fertility therapies.

2. Determine if home insemination is best for you.

3. Understand the process of home insemination.

Home insemination is also a valuable refuge for women who have been turned away from traditional fertility clinics because they are unmarried or in same-sex relationships. Additionally, many health insurance plans don’t cover intrauterine inseminations at all (or won’t cover inseminations for women who need them for reasons other than infertility), it’s often simply more affordable to have the procedure performed by a midwife, many of whom offer sliding-scale fees for low-income families.

This lecture will begin by discussing alternative fertility specialists and then will end with an overview of traditional-clinically trained Reproductive Specialist to help accomplish your goal of pregnancy! At the end of this lecture, you will be able to:

1. Identify the benefits of Midwives Vs. Facility Specialist assistance.

2. Learn success rates of each procedure (ICI, IUI, and IVF).

Curious about what the various sperm donor types mean? Or where Cryobank find sperm donors? In this lecture we will review two credible Cryobanks, overview the eligibility criteria of the donors accepted into the programs referenced, and you will learn how to create an account to begin your purchase! By the end of this lecture you will be able to:

1. Locate a credible Cryobank to obtain a sperm donor, egg donor, or storage facility.

2. Determine and list the qualities or characteristics you value in your ideal donor.

Understanding which preparation type is right for your needs and your procedure is important and can save you a fortune. Investigate the preparation types in this overview, which is mean to help you understand which donor vial to purchase to better increase your chances of getting pregnant! At the end of this lecture, you will be able to:

1. Distinguish between the Donor Sperm preparation types needed for your specific fertility treatment procedure.

2. Determine how many vials will be needed for your family.

Navigating fertility challenges is hard. When it comes down to it, your partner and loved ones just want to be supportive but they may need a little help or educating to do so. These guides were made to share with those around you to help them understand your journey and how they can be there for you. They also serve as helpful tools to walk you through this confusing and stressful time as well. Upon completing this lecture, you will be able to:

1. Distinguish key differences between ICI and IUI Reproductive Assistance.

2. Better grasp the vial prep type limitations based on ICI and IUI procedures.

3. Determine talking points for family, friends, and loved ones who may have opinions.

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a procedure in which a physician will remove one or more eggs from the ovaries that are then fertilized by sperm inside the embryology laboratory. IVF is the most successful treatment you can do using your own eggs and sperm (or donor sperm). IVF has become mainstream and widely accepted, and continues to grow due to significant technological advances. This lecture overviews the IVF procedure, risk, and success rates associated to help you make the best decision based on your health history and families needs. At the end of this lecture, you will be able to:

1. Describe the IVF procedure and list the benefits associated with the assisted technology.

Finding the right donor is an important decision, one that should not be taken lightly. There are many facets that come into play when selecting search keywords, finding donor confidentiality preferences, and any other details that may important to you. Family means everything. And as you set foot on your journey toward achieving the life you’ve always wanted, only the very best will do. At the end of this lecture, you will be able to:

1. Navigate donor profiles and locate details regarding medical history, prep type, and cost,

2. Locate your ideal donor,

3. Purchase the correct vial type for your insemination procedure,

4. Determine your preferences and options for storage.

Fertility drug side effects and risks depend on which medication you’re taking. Fertility drugs can create miracles and are generally effective. Still, it's important to know what can go wrong and how to possibly lower your chances of complications. In this lecture, we will overview the most commonly prescribed fertility medications and well will address options for holistic and nature conception aid. At the end of this lecture, you will be able to:

1. Understand the potential side effects and risks of medication assistance.

2. Understand when these medications are typically prescribed.

During fertility treatment cycles, the two week wait can be even more frustrating. Your fear of failure and your hopes are higher. There are many 'what-ifs' floating around. What if the cycle fails? Will we try again? Can we afford to try again? Do I want to try again?

Whether you’re in the middle of treatments or not, in this lecture we will discuss some two week wait survival tips. They probably won't take away all the anxiety, but hopefully, they’ll make the 14 days a tad more bearable. At the end of this lecture, you will be able to:

1. Identify stress reducing activities that will decrease your anxiety while waiting for your positive pregnancy result.

2. Develop wellness routines to encourage fertility and promote mindfulness.

3. Mentally, emotionally, and physically plan for baby.