Center for Reproductive Endocrinology

  There are many decisions to make on your journey to becoming a parent. Which infertility clinic is a good fit? What treatments are you willing to undergo? Is it better to transfer fresh or frozen embryos for IVF (In Vitro Fertilization)? Luckily, your treatment team can help guide you to the choices that are right for you, and Dr. Walid Saleh of SIRM Dallas in Dallas, Texas can give you some insight into the pros and cons of fresh versus frozen embryo transfer below. A Fresh Perspective All embryos start out fresh. In a woman’s initial IVF cycle, she takes medication to first “quiet” the ovaries followed by medication to stimulate them to produce extra eggs. After the eggs have been surgically retrieved, they are fertilized. The resulting embryos grow in a special incubator until they are ready to be transferred to the uterus. In most cases, one embryo is selected for transfer and the remaining embryos are frozen. Fresh cycles were, for decades, the gold standard…until the la...

  Egg donation can be a life-altering experience for both the donor and the recipient. It is an act of generosity that will affect all involved for years to come. More and more women are choosing to donate their eggs, and it’s a path that’s becomingly increasingly popular among those who wish to grow their families. Dr. Walid Saleh of CRE (previously SIRM-Dallas) breaks down what’s involved in donating eggs, receiving donated eggs, and the impact felt on both ends of the process. The Egg Donation Process Recipients There are a number of reasons a woman may turn to egg donation in her quest to have a child. From decreased ovarian reserve to multiple failed IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) cycles to a history of chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Thanks to IVF technology we’re able to effectively overcome these fertility challenges by creating a pregnancy using a donated egg. There are three types of egg donors. The first would be someone you know, like a friend or relative. While this i...

  The holidays can be a stressful time even under the best circumstances, but when you’re dealing with Infertility, the holidays can bring up a flood of emotions. Being surrounded by children and well-meaning relatives telling you to “just relax” can be a source of anxiety and sadness for couples dealing with infertility. Dr. Walid Saleh of SIRM Dallas in Dallas, Texas has five tips for couples coping with infertility during the holidays. 1. Make Choices You’ve decided to grow your family, and the road has not been as easy as you’d hoped. Dealing with infertility during the holidays can be difficult, so it’s important to make choices about what you can handle. If you’re scheduled to undergo fertility treatments over the holidays, consider putting them on hold until the stress of the holidays has passed. This is especially true if you’ll be traveling – having to juggle travel arrangements along with doctors’ appointments and injections won’t help your stress levels. 2. Take ...

IVF or in vitro fertilization has been an important part of people’s lives for years and can help individuals conceive children despite fertility issues. The IVF journey can be hard and confusing, especially when it comes to the timeline. "How long does the IVF process take?" is one of the most commonly asked questions about starting IVF and it varies based on the person. This article will act as a general guideline for what to expect through an IVF journey with the Center for Reproductive Endocrinology in Dallas, Texas:   Physician Consultation The first step is to have a consultation scheduled with an IVF specialist to discuss the IVF process and treatment plan for an individual case. This is the stage for you to raise more specific questions about your upcoming experience. The more communicative you are with your physician, the more it will help you determine what you need for your IVF journey to be as successful as possible.   Financial Consultation A financ...

  IVF or In-vitro fertilization has been a game changer for couples who are unable to conceive a child. In the procedure, multiple eggs are stimulated to mature and are then retrieved. The egg retrieval process is usually done under light anesthesia and takes about 10 to 15 minutes to perform using a needle under ultrasound guidance. The process doesn’t require incisions and the recovery is fairly easy with mild bleeding and cramping being the most common symptoms post retrieval, and most patients can return to their normal routine the following day. Here are a few common questions people ask about the IVF procedure:   1.        What is IVF? In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the most common type of assisted reproductive technology (ART), used to create an embryo by bypassing certain causes of infertility. The procedure is effective in cases of fertility issues such as mild sperm abnormalities in men, and fallopian tube or ovulation irregularit...

IVF has been a miracle for people all over the globe, especially for individuals with fertility issues. The procedure has been extremely successful in helping couples conceive children. However, finding a trusted IVF specialist can be an intimidating task with mass information and online social networks. You can ask an OBGYN for a list of clinics she recommends. Either way, you should do thorough research before you decide on an IVF clinic. Here are a few factors you should consider when selecting an IVF clinic:   1.        Board Certification You should check if the doctors are board-certified reproductive endocrinologists. Some practices use the term “fertility specialist” to describe a person that does not have these credentials, and that’s not giving you to best chance to achieve your goals. The robust medical journey that these doctors experienced gives them the best tools to hear your unique situation and know what the next steps are. ...

  If you’ve just been told that you’re best chance of having a baby is In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), there are many decisions you’ll need to make. Will you be able to juggle all of the tests, exams, medications, and monitoring visits? And how will you pay for treatment? This second question is one that most fertility patients struggle with as they realize what their insurance policies will actually cover. Despite how common infertility is, very few insurance plans cover the full cost of treatment. This often leaves couples scrambling to figure out how to pay out of pocket for a variety of procedures and medications. To help patients navigate how to afford the fertility treatments they need to build the families of their dreams, Dr. Walid Saleh of SIRM Dallas is here to go over a few options for patients struggling with how to cover their costs. Understand Your Insurance Plan Most insurance plans in Texas won’t cover the full cost of IVF or other fertility treatments. But whi...