General

January 16, 2013 by Shady Grove Fertility

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To schedule a New Patient Appointment with Shady Grove Fertility please call 1-877-971-7755 or click here.

December 31, 2012 by Shady Grove Fertility

Each year, Baltimore Magazine releases a list of “Top Doctors” in the region. Selected by nearly 10,000 fellow physicians, this list tells us which doctors they would visit themselves!
This year, two Shady Grove Fertility physicians have made the Top Doctors list:

Dr. Howard McClamrock - Baltimore Magazine Top Doctor

Dr. Eugene Katz - Baltimore Magazine Top Doctor

If you are having trouble conceiving or for more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our physicians, please speak with one of our New Patient Liaisons by calling 877-971-7755.

December 21, 2012 by Shady Grove Fertility

Fertility Fact: High alcohol intake may delay pregnancy.

Women, Fertility, and Alcohol

Compared to women who consume no alcohol, women who consumer a moderate amount (up to 5 drinks per week) show decreased fertility. Women who consume more than 10 alcoholic drinks per week show an even greater decrease in their chances of conceiving on a given cycle. Since there is no confirmed “safe” threshold of consumption, the US Surgeon General recommends complete alcohol abstinence in women planning pregnancy, at conception, and during pregnancy.

A Harvard University study showed that among couples undergoing IVF, women who consumed more than 6 alcoholic drinks per week had an 18% less chance of conceiving, while men who had a similar alcoholic consumption had 14% less chance of conceiving.

Alcohol and the Two Week Wait

Women who are in their two week wait (the time after an insemination or embryo transfer prior to their pregnancy test) are advised to avoid alcoholic beverages all together. “We want our patients to have the best possible chance at pregnancy,” states Joseph Doyle, MD. Shady Grove Fertility recommends women to treat their bodies as if they were pregnant during this time.

Men, Fertility, and Alcohol

Excessive consumption of alcohol in men may impact fertility as well. Men who consume large quantities of alcoholic drinks (5 or more drinks) may have lowered testosterone levels and reduced sperm quality and quantity. Alcohol is also linked to impotence in men. For men, reducing the amount of alcohol consumed can quickly reverse these side effects.

Fertility Facts: Sperm Regeneration

It is recommended that people trying to conceive on their own or with the assistance of fertility treatment avoid alcoholic drinks. If you are having trouble conceiving or for more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our physicians, please speak with one of our New Patient Liaisons by calling 877-971-7755.

December 7, 2012 by Shady Grove Fertility

Fertility Fact: If you are overweight, a 5% weight loss can increase fertility.

Obesity is widely know to be a risk factor for the development of diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Less known is that women presenting with elevated blood sugar levels associated with diabetes substantially increase the risk of birth defects in the central nervous system and cardiovascular system. Both diabetes and metabolic syndrome place a high risk on the development of cardiovascular disease and organ damage.

Aside from the risk of birth defects, obesity is associated with decreased fertility, decreased success with fertility treatment, and miscarriage. Additionally, a woman who is obese at the time of delivery increases the likelihood that the child will also become obese later in life (although this risk is reversed if the same mother achieves a normal weight). Finally, pregnancy complications that affect both mother and baby are significantly increased in obese women.

The good news is that in obese and overweight women modest weight loss can increase fertility. In a study from the University of Sheffield found of the obese women who were not ovulating, those that lost 5% of body weight increased blood flow to the womb by 19% and a significant portion of the population resumed spontaneous ovulation.

For women with a high BMI, the idea of losing lots of weight to achieve pregnancy can be daunting. Starting with just 5% weight loss, and then increasing to 10% will lead to more achievable goals.

According to Dr. Joseph Doyle, “Motivation to change and emotional support during weight loss are important. Seek this help in your friends, relatives, clinicians, or support groups.” Diet with a friend, and rather than following a “fad” diet, the most consistent weight loss has been achieved by following a regimented, low-calorie diet.

Screening for the risk of diabetes early is important, as tightly controlled blood sugar levels are important to the prevention of birth defects. Effective treatments can be as simple as receiving useful nutritional counseling, and may also incorporate medication, and sometimes surgery, in order to achieve the desired weight loss.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our physicians, please speak with one of our New Patient Liaisons by calling 877-971-7755.

November 29, 2012 by Shady Grove Fertility

Laura Dubrule, RD, LDN, a nutritionist with Pulling Down the Moon in Rockville, MD, shares with us the “Recipe for Fertility.” As we are just getting finishing up Thanksgiving leftovers it is already time to start thinking about what will be served at the next round of holiday dinners. Laura is here with some healthy tips and recipes.

Laura’s Tip of the Week

Get plenty of Vitamin D. During the holidays and throughout the winter months, the way that we eat in addition to the dreary weather can often cause us to feel down. While adequate Vitamin D levels are associated with optimal hormone balance, proper blood sugar regulation, and IVF success, Vitamin D can also be an important supplement for mood regulation over the holidays.

According to a study conducted at the University of Texas in 2010, it was found that higher Vitamin D levels were associated with a reduced risk of depression. Over the holidays it is recommended that you try to increase your intake of foods that are natural sources of Vitamin D such as salmon, eggs and button mushrooms. You can also get your Vitamin D levels checked and use a Vitamin D supplement if you are found to be deficient.

To see if a Vitamin D supplement is right for you, ask your doctor or give us a call at 301-610-7755 to schedule an appointment with a Pulling Down the Moon nutritionist.

Holiday Side Dishes – Vegetables

Roasted Root Vegetables
Gluten free/Dairy free
Serves 6-8
Ingredients:

½ onion, chopped
2 medium-sized beets, peeled and chopped into ½-inch cubes
6 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
2 cups butternut squash, peeled and chopped into ½-inch cubes
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and pepper
Herbs (optional)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Add all vegetables to 9×13 pan. Drizzle with olive oil, and toss to coat. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and your favorite fresh or dried herbs, if desired. Roast for about 45 minutes, tossing every 10 to 15 minutes, or until all vegetables are tender.

Sautéed Asparagus
Gluten free
Serves 2-4
Ingredients:

1-2 tablespoon butter or olive oil
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
1 bunch asparagus

Wash asparagus and cut off about 1 inch of the woody stem. Cut each stalk in 2-3 pieces on the diagonal. Sauté asparagus and garlic in butter or olive oil for a few minutes until just tender. Add a splash of white wine to steam for 1 minute.

To find out more about making healthy dietary choices visit us at www.pullingdownthemoon.com. To book a appointment online click here, or call our office at 301-610-7755.

To schedule a New Patient Appointment with Shady Grove Fertility please call 1-877-971-7755 or click here.

November 28, 2012 by Shady Grove Fertility

Shady Grove Fertility Center now has new patient appointments available in Hagerstown, MD. This new location will be an extension of our Frederick, MD office with Melissa A. Esposito, MD and Jason G. Bromer, MD available for new patient appointments.

Shady Grove Fertility – Hagerstown
1165 Imperial Drive, Ste. 202
Hagerstown, MD 21740

As a satellite location, Drs. Esposito and Bromer will only be seeing new patients at this site. All other appointments, such as monitoring and testing will be done at our Frederick, MD location.

To schedule your new patient appointment in Hagerstown, MD or at any of our other locations please call 1-877-971-7755 or click here.