When a loved one experiences a pregnancy loss, it can feel like there aren’t enough words in the world that could ease their pain. Sending a gift, no matter how small, can help your loved one through a painful and challenging time and show them that they are not alone. Miscarriage gifts: A little bit goes a long way Below are 11 thoughtful miscarriage gifts we’d recommend for anyone grieving a pregnancy loss.  1. Make daily tasks a little easier  Grief can make mundane tasks like cooking or cleaning feel impossible. Ease this burden with a...

Whether you’re just starting your fertility journey or you have completed multiple IVF cycles, it’s normal to feel a little overwhelmed with all of the information to consider and the unfamiliar medical lingo being thrown at you. We’re here to help you make sense of it all.  Before we get into the side effects of Menopur, let’s explore its uses and how the medication actually works. What is Menopur? MENOPUR® (menotropins for injection) is a medication most commonly used during in vitro fertilization (IVF) to stimulate and develop your ovarian follicles, with the goal of retrieving...

Whether you’re just starting your fertility journey or you have completed multiple IVF cycles, it’s normal to feel a little overwhelmed with all of the information to consider and the unfamiliar medical lingo being thrown at you. We’re here to help you make sense of it all.  Before we get into the side effects of Menopur, let’s explore its uses and how the medication actually works. What is Menopur? MENOPUR® (menotropins for injection) is a medication most commonly used during in vitro fertilization (IVF) to stimulate and develop your ovarian follicles, with the goal of retrieving...

Infertility is defined by many major health groups, including the World Health Organization and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists as being unable to get pregnant after 12 months of regular unprotected sex. But the truth is, that definition doesn’t tell the whole story — and it doesn’t fully represent the range of people who may require medical intervention to build their families. The term only applies to a specific heteronormative demographic, while also excluding people who, for a variety of reasons, may not be served at all by this definition, yet share the experience...

Dealing with infertility can be really confusing, with so many options to consider. But you’re not alone on this journey. Many people face the same challenges when starting or expanding their family. We'll break down the when and why of considering Clomid as a potential solution on your path to parenthood. And we hope to make your infertility experience a bit less overwhelming. Understanding infertility and its challenges Let's begin by explaining what infertility means. According to the CDC, infertility is defined as not being able to get pregnant after one year (or longer) of unprotected sex. And...

For the 10 to 20% of pregnancies that end in miscarriage, the loss is compounded when there are more people involved in the journey toward becoming parents. And when assisted reproductive technology is part of that journey, there may be an increased risk of early miscarriage. When a gestational carrier experiences pregnancy loss, it’s a devastating period of time for both the surrogate and the intended parents. This can make the web of grief and coping with the loss even more complex for all parties.  Lynetta Cuomo, a surrogate with the agency SurrogateFirst, had three of...

For the 10 to 20% of pregnancies that end in miscarriage, the loss is compounded when there are more people involved in the journey toward becoming parents. And when assisted reproductive technology is part of that journey, there may be an increased risk of early miscarriage. When a gestational carrier experiences pregnancy loss, it’s a devastating period of time for both the surrogate and the intended parents. This can make the web of grief and coping with the loss even more complex for all parties.  Lynetta Cuomo, a surrogate with the agency SurrogateFirst, had three of...

There are so many different ways to have a family, and it is totally worth it, but it is definitely an endeavor that requires budgeting. Giving birth in a hospital is covered by health insurance, if you have it, but it still may require close to $3,000 out of pocket. Working with a surrogate or assisted reproductive technology, such as IVF, averages about $12,400 per cycle without financial assistance (and multiple cycles are often necessary for pregnancy).  Another family-building option is adoption—and there are multiple routes you can take within adoption, including a public adoption, a...

When it comes to fertility, many factors come into play. Did you know that your gut health could be one of them? The gut microbiome, a collection of microorganisms in your digestive tract, has been found to have a significant impact on fertility. Understanding how it affects reproductive health is crucial for anyone trying to conceive. Let’s break down the gut microbiome and why it’s such a big deal when it comes to getting pregnant. Plus, we’ll share tips on getting your gut into tip-top shape for a growing baby to thrive. What is the gut...

The trying-to-conceive journey often feels like a continual game of hurry-up-and-wait. You start preparing your body for a possible pregnancy, figure out the timing, and get to business. But after the deed’s done, you may find yourself asking, “What now? Is anything going on in there?” Nobody can answer that question for you — and all you can do is let science do its thing while you move through the two-week wait (TWW).  It’s hard not to obsess during the TWW. To keep your mind busy, we’re taking you on a science lesson that’ll help you...