• 2601 Lake Dr, Ste 301, Raleigh, NC, United States, North Carolina
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WELCOME TO CAROLINA CONCEPTIONS FERTILITY

In Vitro Fertilization

(IVF)

IVF at Carolina Conceptions Fertility

In vitro fertilization (IVF) comes to mind for most people when they think of fertility treatments, however, most of our patients are able to get pregnant without the need of an IVF cycle. For those ready to try IVF, we are here for you!

We have streamlined the IVF process with success rates equaling some of the best clinics in the country. Our decades of experience and our passion for helping you grow your family is what makes us an excellent choice of clinic for you to embark on this journey with!

 

What is IVF?

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is the most effective fertility treatment available today. It involves combining eggs and sperm in the lab to create embryos, which are then transferred into the uterus to try for pregnancy. 

The success rate of an IVF cycle will be different from patient to patient based on factors like age – but at Carolina Conceptions Fertility, our success rates consistently exceed national averages.

Should I Do IVF?

During your consultation, your physician will consider your fertility goals, health, and other factors to determine the best care plan for you, and if IVF should be part of that plan. 

IVF is often recommended for patients who have:

  • Not had success with other treatments
  • Male Factor Infertility
  • Fallopian Tube damage or blockages
  • Uterine abnormalities
  • Endometriosis
  • Diminished Ovarian Reserve
  • Ovulation disorders
  • Unexplained Infertility
  • A desire to screen embryos for genetic disorders

The IVF Process: Step by Step

Preparation

All of our patients will be walked through our IVF Class to help them understand the process, order medications, set appointment dates, and more! After your class, you’ll be informed and feel confident as you begin treatment.

Stimulation & Monitoring

For about two weeks, medications will stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple mature eggs. During this time, you’ll have ultrasounds and lab work so we can monitor your progress and adjust treatment as needed.

Egg Retrieval 

A trigger shot will initiate ovulation, and make you ready for your egg retrieval procedure soon after. Egg retrieval is a quick outpatient procedure where eggs are extracted from your ovaries. This is done under light anesthesia (like the kind you get during wisdom tooth removal or a colonoscopy), and takes about 10 minutes!

Fertilization

In our lab, the eggs will be fertilized with sperm. There are two methods for fertilization, Conventional IVF and ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection). You and your doctor will discuss these options and help you choose the best option for you – however, ICSI is preferred by most of our patients.

The fertilized eggs will stay safe in our lab under close monitoring by our Embryology team. During this 5 day growth period, we will keep you updated on the progress of the embryos as they reach the Blastocyst stage. On day 5, the blastocysts will be prepared for a Fresh Transfer, or they will be stored for a frozen embryo transfer (FET) instead. 

Transfer Day

The healthiest embryo will be transferred directly into the uterus during a quick and painless procedure that uses a small catheter placed through the cervix.

The Two Week Wait

While this waiting period can be stressful, remember that rest beyond your normal activities is not needed, and light movement is safe. We know waiting two weeks is easier said than done – we recommend advice given by Reproductive Psychologist, Dr. Ryan Blazei, in “Take Control Over Your Two Week Wait.”

About 10 days after transfer, we will perform a blood test to confirm whether the cycle was successful. Taking an at-home tests isn’t recommended before this, due to high chances of inaccurate results.

The IVF Process: Explained by Dr. Bowling and Colleagues

Hear all about the ins and outs, and ups and downs, of the IVF journey! Family Planning for All podcast host, Dr. Brian Levine, covers the medical, physical, and emotional sides of IVF in this open conversation with fertility specialists, Dr. Meaghan Bowling, Dr. Shefali Shastri, and Dr. Kate Devine.

Needle-Free IVF at Carolina Conceptions

IVF Without Injections: A More Comfortable Path

If you have anxiety around needles, you are not alone. For many patients, the thought of daily injections can be the most daunting part of starting their fertility journey. At Carolina Conceptions, we are proud to offer a needle-free IVF option that eliminates the need for traditional needles and daily injections during the stimulation phase of your cycle.

How Does Needle-Free IVF Work?

This innovative and patient-centered method involves placing a small device on the abdomen that uses tubing to administer your medications, instead of them being delivered via subcutaneous needle. This catheter is flexible and minimally invasive, allowing for a simpler and softer approach to ovarian stimulation.

Is Needle-Free IVF A Good Option For Me?

Needle-free IVF can be an excellent option for those who have needle anxiety, difficulties with injections, or simply just want a more comfortable option for their cycle. During your consultation, your physician will discuss whether this needle-free option is compatible with your specific treatment plan and goals. Whether you are pursuing IVF, egg freezing, or another stimulation-based protocol, we are committed to making your experience as comfortable and stress-free as possible.

IVF FAQs

The cost of IVF varies depending on each situation. The total for treatment includes the cost of medications, ultrasound monitoring, egg retrieval, embryo transfer, embryology lab services, any third party reproductive services and more. Your patient finance coordinator will review your treatment plan and reference your insurance coverage in order to generate your quote.

The egg retrieval commonly causes cramping and mild pelvic pain for 24 hours after the procedure (the procedure itself is done under light anesthesia, so it is painless). Each patient has different pain tolerances, but most patients experience only mild pain or discomfort, and resume their typical routines the next day. Your providers will guide you through pain medication options if you'd like to use them.

The embryo transfer is painless, though some women note that the speculum and a full bladder cause mild discomfort.

To maximize the chance of a healthy pregnancy, women must have a BMI under 37 in order to undergo IVF treatment. Overweight women experience lower fertilization rates, produce poorer quality embryos, and have a higher risk of pregnancy complications.

Needle-Free IVF FAQs

One of our nurses will install the device on your abdomen in-office. Application takes mere seconds, and involves only a minor momentary "pinch", which is often described as less painful than a typical injection. 

The device is usually replaced in-office after about a week of use, with most patients using the device for a total of 9-14 days.

The primary benefit is that patients can receive their IVF medications without daily injections, while still achieving the same reliable treatment results

Possible risks include:

· Mild redness or bruising at the device site

· Skin irritation or allergy to the adhesive

· In rare cases, infection at the placement site

These risks are similar to those associated with traditional injections.

The device is minimally invasive and will have very minimal impact on your day-to-day activities. Patients will need to avoid soaking or submerging the device in baths, pools, hot tubs, etc - although showering is absolutely alright. 

Avoiding sweat, lotions, perfumes, or other products around the area of the device is the best way to keep the adhesive secure and long-lasting.

In short, when it is time to administer your medications, you will connect your device to a small tube. Using a (needle-less, of course!) syringe connected to the other end of the tube, you will push the liquid medications into your port, and thus into your body!

Our team will walk you through all instructions and information you need to feel confident in using your device. We also have step-by-step video tutorials for you to reference, and of course you will always have access to the patient portal where you can receive further guidance!

This device is designed for IVF stimulation and trigger medications only, including:

· Gonal-F

· Follistim

· Menopur

· Ganirelix

· Cetrotide

· Lupron

· hCG

· Omnitrope

· Microdose hCG

· Microdose Lupron

Progesterone in oil should not be administered through this device

Since needle-free IVF is currently considered an elective enhancement not typically covered by insurance, we do not bill this service to insurance or HSA accounts. 

However, we want every patient to feel empowered to choose what is best for them, so we have incorporated this needle-free alternative into our pricing packages for transparency and affordability. 

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TESTIMONIALS

What They’re

Saying

The team offers educational sessions on the science of IVF and are willing to discuss any and all questions you may have. They truly care about you as a patient and care about how emotionally, financially, and physically draining it can all be. I couldn’t have asked for a better team to take me through this amazing experience!
K.W. from Cary, NC
I could write a novel, however to sum this up … my husband and I went through every emotion possible. We tried anything and everything (from positions, medicines, etc.) and finally after 7 years of infertility, 2 miscarriages, and 3 IUIs later, Carolina Conceptions helped my husband & I get our rainbow baby! He’s now 2 months old (as of tomorrow) and I couldn’t be more thankful for every moment we’ve had with him. He’s the best thing to ever happen to us and is growing like a weed already. I remember the first moment we heard his heart beat and all the things we had to go through just to get to this point.
Kaitlyn Stallings
I was cleaning out my 6 month old’s dresser today and came across our “graduation gift” which was a baby hat and magnet. And it reminded me to write my review. So here it is. We are extremely grateful for Carolina Conceptions. Everyone there, from the receptionists to the Drs were so kind and empathetic to our situation. We had struggled for 2 years of unexplained fertility before this. We realize we were extremely blessed by getting pregnant on our first IUI try. It was a blessing to find a clinic like Carolina Conceptions. We now have a 6 month old (today!) and cannot believe how much joy he has brought to our lives. We will forever be grateful to CC for helping us through this process.
Amy Hazlett
I am beyond grateful to Carolina Conceptions and Dr. Schointuch for helping me finally achieve my dream of becoming a parent after years of struggles with other fertility clinics. From day one, the staff was incredibly welcoming, professional, and supportive. They made me feel at ease and encouraged throughout every step of the process. The personalized care and attention I received gave me the confidence I needed during such an emotional journey. I can’t thank Dr. Schointuch and the entire team enough for making this dream come true. I highly recommend Carolina Conceptions to anyone struggling with fertility—they truly care and are amazing at what they do!
Kathleen Cox
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