Your Care Team

Anyone who has struggled to become pregnant knows that infertility can be a stressful, and sometimes demoralizing experience. The longer it goes on, the more intensive the medical interventions, the more physically, psychologically, and financially intrusive the experience becomes for an individual or a couple. Infertility can be a “crazy making” world—but it doesn’t have to be.

Fertility Treatment and Mental Health

In a recent internet news article, VICE spoke with Sharon N. Covington, LCSW-C, Director of Psychological Support Services at Shady Grove Fertility, about how “Fertility Treatments Take a Toll on Mental Health.”  The article highlights the toll fertility treatments can take on mental health and the important role of fertility counseling with specially trained mental health professionals in dealing with the emotional challenges.

Even routine aspects of fertility treatment can be anything but routine for patients going through it. Multiple losses and repeat treatments take an enormous emotional toll. And if the road leads to the need for third-party assistance (the use of donors or surrogates), it can be a journey affected by grief, sadness, anxiety, and uncertainty since it is seldom the first-choice treatment.

The Benefit of Counseling during Fertility Treatment

Several patients in the article describe their emotional journey and why counseling was so helpful to them. However, as noted in a study published last year in Fertility and Sterility despite the high rate of clinical depression and anxiety in both women and men undergoing fertility treatment, few patients are informed or offered mental health services by their clinic. Again, this is why SGF has lead the way from the beginning with integrating medical and psychological care to treat the whole patient, as well as providing our Wellness Center, to complement these services.

The Importance of Counseling before Third-Party Fertility Treatment

With so many people involved in helping to create a child (sometimes five or more), all with different needs and goals, it is what Covington calls a “complex psychosocial minefield” to maneuver during the counseling process. This is one of the reasons why Shady Grove Fertility follows the American Society for Reproductive Medicine recommendation that all parties involved in third-party reproduction (donors, gestational carriers, and recipients/intended parents) receive counseling before undergoing treatment. And another reason why SGF has been at the forefront of providing skilled psychological support services to our patients, as well as our staff being involved in training other mental health professionals in fertility counseling.

Where to Find Mental Health Support during Infertility

Our support groups are a hidden gem to our patients and a free service of SGF, providing help, encouragement, and connection by and to others who truly understand how hard infertility is. And for those patients who have reached to our Psychological Support Staff for individual or couple counseling, the phrase heard most often is, “I wish I hadn’t waited so long to get this help.”  Or as Covington says, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!”

To learn more about finding mental health support during infertility call 301-279-9030 or to schedule an appointment to see one of our 39 physicians, please call our New Patient Center at 1-877-971-7755 or click here.

Shady Grove Fertility, a respected leader in the fertility community, announced the addition of board certified reproductive endocrinologist Rebecca Chason, M.D. to the practice. Dr. Chason will be joining the physician team at Shady Grove Fertility’s Annapolis, MD location beginning in February.

“I am honored to be a part of the Shady Grove Fertility team and work alongside such admired and respected physicians,” said Dr. Chason. “I feel privileged to work at a place where we all have the same goal of helping patients through the often difficult journey of infertility and playing such an integral role in helping individuals and couples realize their dream of a family. Having worked so arduously to advocate for IVF benefits for military families throughout my career, I have also long admired the work that Shady Grove Fertility has done to advance this cause,” Dr. Chason adds.

About Dr. Rebecca Chason

Dr. Chason is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and reproductive endocrinology and infertility. She earned her medical degree from Northwestern University School of Medicine. She was selected into the Health Science Scholarship Program for the US Navy and went on to serve at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda while completing her training in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

At the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Chason completed her fellowship in reproductive endocrinology and infertility. She then returned to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center as a staff physician in reproductive endocrinology and infertility.

While serving in the US Navy at Walter Reed, Dr. Chason was awarded the Joint Service Achievement Medal for designation as Master Clinician. She was also dedicated to resident education and served as Associate Program Director for the OB/GYN residency, receiving the National Faculty Award for Excellence in Resident Education by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. As the Director of IVF at Walter Reed, she was instrumental in maintaining assisted reproduction services for members of the US military and their families.

Scheduling with Dr. Rebecca Chason

Dr. Chason will provide patients in Annapolis with a full range of state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment options for female and male infertility, as well as fertility preservation and elective egg freezing. She will begin seeing patients in the Shady Grove Annapolis, MD office beginning in February.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Rebecca Chason or any other SGF physician, call 1-877-971-7755 or click here.

At Shady Grove Fertility, we’re here to give you the caring support you deserve as you start or grow your family. As a leading fertility and IVF center of excellence, we offer patients individualized care, innovative financial options, over 30 accepted insurance plans, and pregnancy rates among the highest of all national centers. We offer patients the convenience of 19 full-service and 6 satellite locations across Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. More than 1,700 physicians choose Shady Grove Fertility to refer their patients, and more than 96 percent of our patients say they would recommend Shady Grove Fertility’s 35+ physicians to a friend. With 10 Shady Grove Fertility babies born each day, your dream of starting or growing your family is within reach.

We are proud to announce the addition of board certified reproductive endocrinologist Kara D. Nguyen, M.D., M.P.H. to our practice. Dr. Kara Nguyen has been committed to serving the reproductive needs of the central PA region for nearly 4 years and will be joining the team at Shady Grove Fertility’s offices in Reading, PA and Harrisburg, PA.

“I am honored to join such a reputable and respected practice as Shady Grove Fertility,” said Dr. Nguyen. “Their high success rates show the practice’s commitment to staying innovative and cutting-edge, while holding true to their core mission of always doing what’s best for the patient and never compromising on their values and beliefs,” Dr. Nguyen adds.

About Dr. Kara Nguyen

Dr. Nguyen is one of only a few physicians who are triple-board certified in obstetrics and gynecology, reproductive endocrinology and infertility, and medical genetics. She earned her medical degree from Jefferson Medical College and her Master’s in Public Health from John Hopkins University. She completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Christiana Care Hospital in Delaware and her subspecialty training in Medical Genetics at the National Institutes of Health.

At the Harvard Medical School teaching hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Dr. Nguyen was the first OB/GYN to be accepted into the competitive Clinical Investigator Training Program, where her research in stem cells was funded by grants from the New England Fertility Society, National Institutes of Health, and Harvard Stem Cell Institute.

Dr. Nguyen’s professional areas of expertise include preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), in vitro fertilization (IVF), donor egg treatment, oncofertility and fertility preservation, and patient-centered LGBT fertility treatments.  Her signature approach to patient care has earned her the Patients’ Choice and Compassionate Doctor awards on Vitals.com and Honor Roll on Healthgrades.com.

Scheduling with Dr. Kara Nguyen

Dr. Nguyen will provide patients with a full range of state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment options for female and male infertility, as well as fertility preservation and elective egg freezing. She is seeing patients in Shady Grove Fertility’s Reading, PA and Harrisburg, PA offices.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kara Nguyen or any other SGF physician, call 1-877-971-7755 or click to complete this simple form. 

At Shady Grove Fertility, we’re here to give you the caring support you deserve as you start or grow your family. As a leading fertility and IVF center of excellence, we offer patients individualized care, innovative financial options, over 30 accepted insurance plans, and pregnancy rates among the highest of all national centers. We offer patients the convenience of 28 locations across Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and Georgia. More than 1,700 physicians choose Shady Grove Fertility to refer their patients, and more than 96 percent of our patients say they would recommend Shady Grove Fertility’s 41 physicians to a friend. With 10 Shady Grove Fertility babies born each day, your dream of starting or growing your family is within reach.

Fertility Weight Loss Program

According to a recent poll, the top three most common New Year’s resolutions revolve around improving one’s health, weight, or overall wellness and enjoyment of life.  Are you one of the many who share these resolutions? At the Wellness Center at Shady Grove Fertility, we understand that managing diet and lifestyle changes can be tricky and overwhelming when you’re going through fertility treatment. You may also find that all the hormones and medications make weight loss more difficult. Furthermore, fertility treatment can plan an emotional and physical toll, perhaps leaving you a little less motivated.

We developed the Fit to Be Fertile Program for exactly these reasons. This 8-week supportive weight loss program has proven to provide patients with a powerful sense of community as well as successful weight loss and fertility outcomes. We know that carrying excess weight may have a detrimental effect on fertility including success rates with fertility treatment. However, most of the weight loss programs out there don’t take into account the unique needs of women trying to conceive. In the Fit to Be Fertile Program, we emphasize nutrient dense and satisfying foods, while passing on the heavily processed and “diet” foods that many weight loss programs rely on. The Fit to Be Fertile Program is led by a nutritionist who specializes in nutrition for fertility and is able to answer all of your questions about nutrition and supplements during the fertility process. Previous group members have lost 10 to 27 pounds during the 8-week program and some went on to see improved regulation of their menstrual cycles and ovulation, and healthy pregnancy.

The program includes an individual 1-hour initial consultation with our nutritionist and 7 consecutive weeks of 1-hour group meetings. During your initial consultation, you will have the opportunity to discuss personal diet and lifestyle goals as well as learn about nutrition for fertility and helpful meal planning techniques.

To learn more about weight and fertility and our Fit to Be Fertile Program, or to schedule an appointment, please call our New Patient Center at 1-877-971-7755 or click here. 

The holidays are upon us and you know what that means, tempting candy canes, cookies, and pies. Did you know that the USDA estimates the average American consumes 54 pounds of added sugar per year—that translates to 67g of added sugar per day, which adds up to a whopping 270 calories. It’s important to note there are naturally occurring sugars, found naturally in foods such as fruits (fructose) and dairy (lactose), while “added sugars” are the sugars and syrups put in foods during preparation or processing.

Added sugars do not provide our bodies with nutrients like their natural counterparts.  Instead, excess added sugar intake has been associated with increasing blood pressure, weight gain, and type 2 diabetes. We often think of candy and baked goods as the usual sugary suspects; however, the majority of added sugars sneak into our diets through sweetened beverages like soft drinks, sweetened coffees and teas, energy drinks; and even flavored waters. Of course we mustn’t forget about added sugars that hide in breakfast bars, cereals, yogurts, and condiments too. The American Heart Association recommends limiting your daily added sugar intake to 24 grams or 6 teaspoons (100 calories) for women and 36 grams or 9 teaspoons (150 calories) for men.

Describing how Sugar Impacts Your Fertility 

Drinking sweetened beverages and eating high glycemic, processed carbohydrates (low in fiber and packed with added sugars) quickly spike blood sugars, causing a sharp rise in insulin levels. Insulin is a hormone our body produces to move sugar into our cells so it can be used for energy. Because insulin is chemically similar to the ovarian hormones that help our eggs mature, the ovaries confuse elevated insulin with their own growth factors and down-regulate the production of reproductive hormones. This can potentially interfere with egg maturation and ovulation. Unfortunately, high levels of insulin also tell our bodies to store fat, making weight loss more difficult. Consistently elevated insulin levels, as seen with insulin resistance, can cause the cells in the ovarian tissues to produce too much testosterone. This excess of testosterone may cause abnormal hair growth, acne, and hair loss that is sometimes associated with polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS.

The Good News for Your Fertility

By reaching for less processed carbohydrates you will gain the added benefit of fiber. Dietary fiber helps slow down the absorption of carbohydrates, which helps stabilize blood sugar and insulin levels. Another helpful technique for maintaining good blood sugar control is to incorporate protein with your meals and snacks. Pairing protein and healthy fats with unprocessed carbohydrates like legumes, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains makes for a nutrient dense, fertility-friendly diet. Protein will not only aid in blood sugar and insulin regulation but it will also decrease those strong carb and sugar cravings and help you feel full longer.

Here are a few lower sugar, naturally sweet treats to try during the holidays:

• Baked apples or pears with cinnamon, a dollop of Greek yogurt, and sprinkle of homemade granola
• No bake, natural peanut butter, oat, honey, and walnut energy bites
• Homemade frozen fruit sorbet

References: https://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines/chapter-2/a-closer-look-at-current-intakes-and-recommended-shifts/#food-groups

If you’re interested in learning more about sugar and fertility and healthy eating, schedule an appointment with our Registered Dietitian at the Wellness Center at Shady Grove Fertility or call 888-761-1967.

If you’ve been trying to conceive without success, it might be time to see a fertility specialist. To schedule an appointment, please call our New Patient Center at 877-961-7755 or click here.