Medical Experts Dr. Lora Shahine, joined Pacific NW Fertility after completing her fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Stanford University. During her time at Stanford, Dr. Shahine served as a Clinical Instructor in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, contributed several research publications in women’s health and infertility, and trained in one of the […]
Ask A Therapist: How Do I Ask My Husband To Get Tested?
Q: We’ve been trying to get pregnant for about six months without any success. I went through some preliminary fertility tests and they all came back without finding any issues. Now my doctor wants my husband to come in and get tested. How do I ask him to be tested for potential male fertility problems? […]
10 Early Pregnancy Symptoms
“I’ve got cramps and some light spotting” After conception the fertilized egg implants itself to the wall of the uterus. This can cause light bleeding, which is pink, red or even brown discharge. You might also feel some light cramping similar to what you feel during your period – but not as intense.Implantation bleeding happens […]
When Is It Time To See A Doctor About Your Fertility?
The decision to start a family is a huge one. Then once you choose to stop birth control, it really gets exciting. You wonder, will it happen this month or next month? It’s all so much fun UNTIL… Aunt Flo keeps arriving. Month, after month, after month. If you’re like me you’re thinking, what the […]
Benefits of Acupuncture During IVF
The process of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is relatively straightforward: multiple eggs are stimulated with hormone medications, surgically retrieved from the woman’s body and then fertilized in a petri dish with sperm. Later, the “best” embryo(s) are transferred back into the woman’s uterus, where hopefully implantation and further embryonic cell division continues, producing a positive […]
Q&A With A Surrogacy Expert
Why use a gestational carrier? As you are likely familiar with, there are many paths to parenthood. Using a gestational carrier, also referred to as a surrogate, can be a beautiful choice for building a family. A gestational carrier’s relationship with you, the intended parent, should be collaborative, open and honest. The partnership and ongoing […]
Pregnancy After Loss
“When do you want to tell people?” My husband asked me as he laid in bed and watched me evaluate my reflection in the mirror while touching my 14 week pregnant belly. My clothes had become tight around the waist, to the point where I could no longer hide my second pregnancy under baggy blouses […]
Building A Transgender Family
There are so many options today for people who are transgender to create the family of their dreams- including genetically related children. Most reputable reproductive clinics have the resources necessary to help you on your journey to parenthood. Many adoption clinics are also open to working with transgender individuals and foster-to-adopt programs can be a […]
Ask A Therapist: Do I Have To Attend My Sister’s Baby Shower?
Q: I have been battling infertility for over a year now and recently had a miscarriage. My sister is having a baby shower next month. Do I have to attend? While I am really happy for her and her husband, it might be too much for me to bear right now. Answer: Give yourself a […]
Our Surrogacy Story
After many years of wondering if I would ever have a child, my husband Daniel and I decided to embark upon a long journey and pursue gestational surrogacy. Although I could not carry a child myself, I produced healthy viable eggs that could be fertilized with my husband’s sperm and placed in a gestational carrier […]
