RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association

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New York, NY – Last night, hundreds of leaders and supporters in the infertility community gathered at The Lighthouse at Chelsea Pier in New York to celebrate RESOLVE’s Night of Hope. A night dedicated to recognizing those that have made special efforts in advancing infertility awareness, innovation, and resolution. Among those honored was Dr. Robert J. Stillman, Medical Director Emeritus of Shady Grove Fertility, with the Hope Award for Service for advancing access to family building options.

Under Dr. Stillman’s leadership, Shady Grove Fertility, was previously honored with the RESOLVE Hope Award for Advocacy, for the fertility center’s efforts in advancing legislation designed to make infertility treatment more affordable. As a Visionary Partner with RESOLVE, Shady Grove Fertility has a continued commitment for patient advocacy.

Dr. Robert Stillman Presented with RESOLVE Hope Award for Service

RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association was established in 1974 and remains the only nationwide non-profit organization established to promote reproductive health and to ensure equal access to all family building options for men and women experiencing infertility or other reproductive disorders. Through events such as the Night of Hope, RESOLVE raises money to continue advocacy efforts. Last night alone, over $200,000 was raised for this cause.

Hosted by Elisabeth Rohm, best known for her roles in The Client List and Law & Order, who shared her own journey struggling with infertility – including what it was list dealing with the shame with not being able to conceive, especially in Hollywood, where people sell the ideals of a perfect life. The RESOLVE Night of Hope, recognized other leaders in the infertility community including, Dr. Robert W. Rebar who served at the Executive Director of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, the Huffington Post, and the National Council for Adoption. Also recognized was Just Stop Trying and It Will Happen for the Hope Award for Best Blog.

If you have questions about your fertility treatment options or are ready to schedule an appointment, please call 877-971-7755.

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2nd Annual Walk of Hope

Hundreds of walkers and fundraisers joined Shady Grove Fertility and RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association on Saturday at the Walk of Hope. In total, through sponsorships and fundraising, the event raised over $70,000 for RESOLVE’s programs and services.

Barbara Collura and Mark Segal at the 2nd annual Walk of Hope in DC.

“RESOLVE was honored to host the 2nd annual DC Walk of Hope on Saturday, June 22ndat National Harbor’s Waterfront, the perfect back drop for an amazing day,” states Barbara Collura, President and CEO of RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association.

The purpose— to raise funds that will support local programming, public awareness initiatives, and advocacy efforts to ensure that family building options are available to all. “The walk is a symbol of the infertility journey and RESOLVE believes no one should walk alone,” continues Collura.

As a Visionary Partner with RESOLVE, Shady Grove Fertility was proud to help sponsor the event and have a corporate team with staff members and patients at the event. The team raised $2,650 for the day, the top fundraising team at the event. SGF team member, Kristen Gibbons, was one of the top individual fundraisers for the occasion with a total contribution of $905.

“My favorite part was seeing family and friends together – some wearing funny or inspirational t-shirts—proudly sharing their infertility journey,” Collura continues.  “I have been part of the infertility community for more than a decade. I am so proud of the movement that RESOLVE has created that empowers people living with this disease to come to an event like this with their friends and family to help raise awareness.”

The mission is simple—to find a voice for the 1 in 8 couples battling infertility and bring this disease out of the shadows.  RESOLVE addresses this public health issue by providing a community to these women and men, connecting them with others who can help, empowering them to find resolution and giving voice to their demands for access to all family building options. Raising public education about infertility is key to ensuring that people diagnosed with infertility are no longer ignored by healthcare providers, legislators, the media and family and friends.

If you are having trouble conceiving and would like to learn more about infertility treatment or schedule an appointment, please speak with one of our New Patient Liaisons by calling 877-971-7755.
 

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Join Shady Grove Fertility, RESOLVE, and others in the fertility community at the Walk of Hope on Saturday, June 22nd at the National Harbor.
Registration for the event is free. We encourage donations and fundraising for the event to help fund public awareness initiatives, advocacy efforts, and local support groups for women and couples struggling with infertility.

Join the Shady Grove Fertility Team!

 Join Shady Grove Fertility at the Walk of Hope DC!

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SGF Nurse


Keeping the romance alive while trying to conceive and infertility treatments can be a challenge within itself. But today is Valentine’s Day! Take today and celebrate the love that has brought you down this path. Celebrate the person that is on the journey with you. If that means no infertility treatment talk today – that is okay. If that means trying to find the passion that was around before regulating intercourse to your most optimal days for conception – do it. Or if Valentine’s Day happens to be the day of your egg retrieval or embryo transfer – know that you child was made with that much more love! Cristen from our Facebook community found that to be the truth and now celebrates today with her young son.

However you choose to make today special, we have found some resources that might help.

From Shady Grove Fertility:

  • Keeping the Romance Alive While Trying to Conceive: “Sharon Covington, MSW, LCSW-C, Director of Psychological Support Services, hears the same question often from patients who are undergoing fertility treatment –’how can I keep the romance alive while undergoing treatment?’ She explains that talking openly with your partner on this subject can be crucial to a couple’s relationship.”
  • Sex and Infertility Treatment: “Listen to your body,” Dr. Melissa Esposito explains. “There is nothing unsafe about having sexual intercourse while cycling, but many women who are using injectable medication for IUI or IVF may experience enlarged ovaries, which might make intercourse uncomfortable. While they’re in that pre-egg retrieval period of a treatment cycle, normal relations are perfectly fine if it’s not pain-inducing.”
  • Enhancing Your Relationship During Infertility: “Most couples enter the path towards parenthood expecting that it will occur without too much problem. After all, they spend most of their lives trying not to get pregnant and assume that when they consciously start trying, pregnancy will soon be achieved. As the months or even years go by without a baby, and efforts to achieve pregnancy are increased—from intrusive testing to high technology treatments—the path turns into the emotional rollercoaster of infertility.”
  • sex position doesn't impact chances of pregnancyTalking to Your Spouse: “Going through infertility may be the first major life crisis that a couple faces together, and it may be the time when you need each other most. Yet sometimes couples withdraw from each other at a time when they most need support because of problems communicating.”
  • Fertility Facts: Sex Position Doesn’t Matter:  “While the goal is to have the sperm as close to the cervix as possible, in general, the sexual position you choose will not have any bearing chances of conception. There are no studies to support that any one position increase the likelihood of pregnancy.”

From RESOLVE:

  • Becoming a Couple Again: “The struggle with infertility presents numerous challenges to couples. Regardless of how you resolve your infertility, it affects your relationship. Your infertility experiences may strengthen your bond as a couple or that bond may weaken or become fragile. Infertility changes us. We make many sacrifices in our parenting quest: personal, physical, emotional, professional and relationship sacrifices.”
  • Low Sexual Desire and Infertility: “Women’s sexuality is a complex issue, made no simpler with the addition of infertility!  In order to understand your own low sexual desire and develop a plan for managing it, let’s take a look at some information from the academic world of sex therapy.”

From Attain Fertility:

  • Sex and Relationships: “After spending so many months and years trying to conceive without success, sex has lost its spontaneity. It often feels like a chore, and it is often on a schedule. How can we make it more fun and pleasurable? Is it possible to keep the passion and intimacy alive when trying to get pregnant?”
  • Sex, Romance and Infertility: “Here at Attain Fertility, we understand the challenges that infertility can bring to your relationship. Know that we don’t just want to help you get pregnant – we want to help you get pregnant while maintaining a loving and fulfilling relationship with your partner.”

If you ready to schedule an appointment Shady Grove Fertility, please speak with one of our New Patient Liaisons at 877-971-7755.

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What is Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) and how can it help patients during treatment?

Last week, I had the privilege of presenting about this very topic as part of the post graduate program faculty for the American Society for Reproductive Medicine Conference (ASRM) in San Diego, CA. The participants included physicians and practice administrators from all over the U.S. and abroad. I have to tell you, before I began my research to prepare for the talk, I was as unsure as you probably are about the benefits of complementary or alternative medicine, and maybe even a little skeptical. After extensive research my perspective has changed and I am now a firm believer in the potential value holistic services can provide to patients undergoing fertility treatment.

Top 4 Lessons Learned

  1. 40% of americans use alternative medicineThe National Institutes of Health created the Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine to establish scientific rigor around studies of effectiveness. The most recent research is astonishing – 40% of Americans use complementary or alternative medicine care. http://nccam.nih.gov/
    Take Away: More Americans are using Alternative Medicine for wellness AND treatment.
  2. In 2007, nine leading U.S. Hospitals, including Duke and University of Maryland, embarked on a new venture to change the way the medical community thinks about health and healing. They established the nation’s first practice-based research network in integrative medicine. http://www.bravewell.org/
    Take away: Alternative medicine is being fully integrated into the traditional healthcare models of respected institutions.
  3. A review of the scientific literature shows mixed results when it comes to definitively proving Alternative Medicine techniques improves pregnancy outcomes. However, there is very good evidence demonstrating a reduction of stress levels can positively impact outcomes.
    Take Away: There are many ways patients can reduce stress with complementary services such as yoga and acupuncture, just a couple of examples. Exercise, meditation, prayer, support groups, and even laughter can work as well. It is a matter of personal preference.
  4. Shady Grove Fertility, Pulling Down the Moon, RESOLVE, Attain Fertility and the Domar Center conducted a Fertility Patient Usage and Attitudes survey about Complementary Medicine. 800 patients responded and the results were eye-opening. We learned that many of our patients are already using alternative medicine and that 90% believed it had a positive impact on their stress level, ability to stay in treatment longer and/or pregnancy outcomes. Below are a few of the key points from the survey.
    Take Away: By offering these services through approved providers, Shady Grove Fertility can help patients navigate their fertility journey with more balance.

     

    1. 2 out of 3 have used alternative medicine to improve fertility2 out of 3 survey respondents have used complementary or alternative medicine specifically to improve fertility
    2. 33% believe alternative medicine helped them conceive
    3. 69% thought alternative medicine helped them reduce stress & relax
    4. 49% say alternative medicine gave them a sense of control
    5. Just 10% didn’t think alternative medicine provided any benefits
    6. 64% of patients self-referred to a alternative medicine provider (21% from friend, 15% from a physician or nurse)
    7. More benefits for treatment:
SGF Nurse


One of the questions I asked of the post graduate participants was “How many of you are offering Complementary of Alternative care through your fertility center?” Most of the audience raised their hands. The ensuing discussion focused on the best way to integrate these services and how to make them affordable for more patients. The West is opening to the East and as a result more patients will benefit.

Review all the survey results and presentation at ASRM on slideshare.
http://www.slideshare.net/pattystull/complementary-medicine-and-acupuncture-and-infertility

Complementary Care Services at Shady Grove Fertility Center

SGF Nurse
Complementary and Alternative Medicine at Pulling Down the Moon


Our complementary care partner, Pulling Down the Moon, provides services in our Rockville office and will soon be expanding to Washington, DC. If you would like to see services expand to your local office, please email me at patty.stull@sgfertility.com.
 

SGF Nurse

Contributed by
Patty Stull
Shady Grove Fertility
Vice President of Strategic Development
patty.stull@sgfertility.com

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SGF Nurse

Coping with the loss of a child is one of worst nightmares any parent can image. When the loss is of an infant or a yet unborn child, “you are grieving prospectively; that is, you are grieving the hope and dreams of what you believed was to come,” Sharon N. Covington MSW, LCSW-C, Director of Shady Grove Fertility’s Psychological Support Services explains. Covington further goes on to explain, that especially with a pregnancy loss, your grief may seem out of balance with the grief of those around you, but grieving is an important part of the healing process.

> Read Pregnancy Loss: Healing the Invisible Loss

In 2006, the U.S. House of Representatives declared that October 15th would be recognized as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. So today, October 15th, it is asked that we light a candle at 7pm local time and have it burn for 1 hour. Read more about the wave of light on October 15th.

Pregnancy Loss

SGF Nurse

Last week, many of you may have seen this image on Shady Grove Fertility’s Facebook page – “1 in 4 is not just a statistic. It’s me. ” It was shared on many other sites as well – our community is no stranger to pregnancy loss, and several community members shared their stories, including Lisa:

“After enduring years of disappointment, we sought help in Shady Grove… We went thru 4 failed IUI’s and finally got pregnant with our first IVF cycle. At 35 weeks the baby’s movement slowed and then stopped. We found out that he had passed in utero. After 12 hours of laboring, I delivered our oh so still-baby boy. We then went on to have two healthy baby boys but you never get over the loss of a baby that never had a first cry, never opened his eyes, never took a breath, and never ever would speak the words Mommy or Daddy.”

Many people don’t realize how common miscarriages are. According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), up to 25% of all pregnancies result in miscarriage. While miscarriage is not uncommon, only 5% of couples will have 2 miscarriages and the only about 1% will have 3 or more miscarriages. Recurrent pregnancy loss – 2 or more miscarriages – can be very trying mentally and physically as you try to build a family. SGF and RESOLVE both host support groups for those that have dealt with pregnancy loss.

> View the ASRM Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Fact Sheet
> See a listing of upcoming support groups at Shady Grove Fertility
> See a listing of upcoming support groups through RESOLVE

When it comes to treating recurrent pregnancy loss, it may be recommended to do genetic testing, as there may be genetic conditions that are causing the miscarriages. Genetic testing can help ensure a healthy embryo is transferred during fertility treatment procedures.

> Read the Emotional Effects of Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
> Read Dr. Naveed Khan’s “2 Miscarriages = 1 Bad Day”

Infant Loss

Less than 1% of infants will pass away in the United States – which is 1% too many for the families coping with the loss.

Lisa Rushton and Charlie Pereira were the proud parents of Savannah, born April 30th, 2009. Savannah was a happy and active young baby girl, who called her parents Momma and Dada, smiled, gave kisses and loved music. At just 10 months old, Savannah’s life was lost when she got tangled in a monitor cord that was near her crib.

Lisa and Charlie have used Savannah’s loss to educate others. Sharing their story, showing how innocent things can be dangers for young ones. They were integral in having the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission release a warning about monitors near cribs. They have also teamed up with the Tinina Q. Cade Foundation to start the Savannah Grant. The Cade Foundation distributes Family Building Grants across the country to those seeking adoption for fertility treatment. The Savannah’s Grant is one such grant designed specifically for families needing financial assistance to pursue IVF treatment.

SGF Nurse

Lisa and Charlie are on their way to rebuilding their family. At this year’s Cade Foundation Race for the Family, they shared their story with the crowd and Lisa was happily sporting a baby bump.

To learn more about the Savannah’s Grant or to donate, click here.

So tonight at 7pm, light your candle and help remember all those that our community has lost. And if you have been struggling with pregnancy loss and would like to consult with a specialist, call 1-877-971-7755 or click here.

2026 Shady Grove Fertility

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