Confusing, infuriating, unfair, ridiculous, insane...these are just some of the words women in my community use to describe their battles with infertility. Infertility is a very difficult road and challenging on every level. On today’s  Q/A show, I am so excited to have your questions answered by one of my favorite infertility specialists, Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh. 

 

Dr. Aimee, also known as the “Egg Whisperer,”  is one of America’s most well-known fertility doctors. Her success rate at baby-making is what gives future parents hope when all hope is lost.  She’s had a hand in creating thousands of happy healthy babies.  Dr. Aimee is a Harvard-educated board-certified OB/GYN, specializing in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility; but it’s her  “Egg Freezing Parties” that put her in the limelight and made her a media darling.  She has been featured in magazines like People and Marie Claire, and has been featured on the Today Show, Good Morning America, CBS Morning, Fox Network, along with a number of local and international newscasts. In her off-time, Dr. Aimee is a Mom to four rambunctious young kids aged 9 and under. Her goal is to teach everyone how to become fertility aware and #GetAheadOfInfertility. 

 

 

Episode Highlights:

• What is secondary infertility and how do I know if I have it? Dr. Aimee discusses  and dispels some of the common myths associated with secondary infertility.
• Is secondary defined by getting pregnant once, carrying to term, or where do you draw that line? Dr. Aimee discusses having miscarriages vs. secondary infertility.
• Temping and BBT charting can create Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or cause severe anxiety for those who never experienced it. Dr. Aimee recommends really listening to your body, trusting your body, and using an OPK Test (Ovulation Predictor Kit), which uses litmus paper.
• Fertility apps? Your fertility doctor is smarter. Be aware of how the app company is tracking you or using your information. Not all apps are bad but choose wisely.
• Dr. Aimee is currently working with her technology team on producing an app through which she will be able to work one on one with patients.
• Dr. Aimee’s T-U-S-H-Y  method is a method to help patients understand the elements of the basic fertility work-up.

                                           T- the fallopian tubes

                                           U- ultrasound of the uterus

                                           S- semen analysis

                                           H- hormone testing

                                           Y- your genetic profile

• Dr. Aimee goes into great detail about the differences between a saline sonogram, and an HSG. It’s worth asking your doctor about these and where you can have one of these methods done.
• When do you know it’s time for IVF? Dr. Aimee says it’s always diagnosis before treatment. What is diagnosis? Do you need IVF so you can have a baby? Dr. Aimee discusses answers to these questions along with suggesting questions you should ask your doctor.
• PCOS - (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) - Dr. Aimee discusses balancing hormones prior to pregnancy. 
• What can you do to increase chances of getting pregnant without having a miscarriage? Go back to basics. Have hormones checked, have DNA testing done, be checked for anatomical problems, is there a high DNA fragmentation and more tests are discussed by Dr. Aimee. 
• If you have never gotten any answers via testing to suggest why you keep miscarrying, your doctor has not tested enough. Dr. Aimee says there is always an explanation. She tells about some of the tests she does during a situation like this. 
• Dr. Aimee discusses reasons for stopping trying to get pregnant. Some reasons include severe depression, high FSH level, your partner is not onboard, etc.
• Parijat and Dr. Aimee discuss a natural IVF cycle and problems or things that can occur.
• Why don’t we know more about how to get pregnant? Hopefully, with all the initiatives out there, we will have better options for women.
• Should I be on bed rest after a transfer? (IVF) Do the butt practice for 2 days after your transfer. (butt to bed, butt to couch, butt to toilet, take it easy)
• How can you find a good fertility specialist? Dr. Aimee recommends talking to your friends. Go to a doctor who will truly listen to you. If it doesn’t feel comfortable during your first meeting, walk away.
• How do immunological issues affect fertility? Is there a connection? Dr. Aimee says there are ways to test for natural killer cells and the diagnoses and treatments are not that expensive.
• How old is too old to have a baby on my own? Dr. Aimee says they usually don’t help women over the age of 50. It’s difficult to get viable eggs from women age 46 or older.
• How does diet affect fertility, and does it affect both women and men? Dr. Aimee discusses being healthy but dispels common myths related to what you should or should not eat.

 

Resources:

Dr. Aimee’s Website

MFB Fertility Test

T-U-S-H-Y