According to a study from the United Kingdom, “women under 40-years-old who transferred two embryos had a 33% success rate overall. When three embryos were included, the success rate, represented by the total live birth-rate, dropped to a significant 25%.”

Since IVF can be an expensive procedure, many patients prefer to err on the side of caution — or so they think. Perhaps no one embodies this debate more than NadyaSulemon, or “Octomom”, who gave birth to eight babies after being implanted with 12 embryos.

It is important to remember, however, that Sulemon’s case is extreme and considered to be unethical — even dangerous — by most practitioners. While the United States currently sets no limits on the amount of embryos that can be implanted, the UK sets the limit at two embryos for women under 40 and in much of Western Europe the recommended number is one.

“Women who have gone through infertility treatment want the best chance of having a baby, but we need to explain that the data shows transferring more embryos doesn’t actually do that,” says Dr. Scott Nelson, head of reproductive and maternal medicine at the University of Glasgow and co-author of the study.

At Reproductive Health Specialists, we are proud to say our clinical pregnancy rate for elective single embryo transfers for 2011 is 57% (20/35) for patient less than 35 years of age and 50% (2/4) for patients 35 — 40 years of age. Though for most patients, the average number of embryos transferred is 1.9 for women under 40.

If you’re considering IVF, we recommend talking with an expert here at Reproductive Health Specialists to determine the course of action that will be best for you and your unique circumstances.

Exactly what level of exercise, acupuncture or yoga is enough? Could there be too much of a good thing? Could the past use of alcohol and tobacco impact the future when it comes to fertility? Recently, a study published in Fertility and Sterility assessed how often infertility patients follow the advice of their doctors when they undergo IVF treatments. The authors were surprised to find that over half of the patients drank some alcohol during their IVF cycle in spite of instructions to avoid it altogether during the treatment cycle. The same results were found regarding the use of herbal supplements, which were explicitly not recommended during the IVF cycle. It was encouraging, however, that the study found that many patients reported improvement in lifestyle factors during the IVF cycle compared to past behavior.

Perhaps the best answer is that each person should have a frank discussion with their physician to determine what lifestyle modifications will make the most sense for their individual situation. For some, abandoning habits is easier than others, and each person can benefit from setting goals. An example is the overweight smoker– most physicians would favor smoking cessation over weight loss, and will need to continue to support patients who do quit to achieve a healthy weight afterwards. Setting reasonable expectations is very important!

Published in the journal Fertility and Sterility, researchers exposed sperm from 29 men aged 26-45 to electromagnetic radiation using a laptop’s WiFi (or wireless Internet). After four hours, 25% of the exposed sperm stopped moving altogether, compared to just 14% of sperm in the control test.

In addition, 9% of the sperm in proximity to WiFi showed signs of radiation damage — three times as much as the control group.

Because this study has yet to be replicated, scientists are hesitant to make any definitive conclusions. “Ejaculated sperm are particularly sensitive to many factors because outside the body they don’t have the protection of the other cells, tissues and fluids of the body in which they are stored before ejaculation,” said Dr. Allan Pacey, senior lecturer in andrology at the University of Sheffield.

Still, Dr. Pacey recommends caution for men using laptops, especially in light of other studies that warn against the heat they emit

Resolve, the National Infertility Association, has very helpful resources to assist you in coping with the holiday season and infertility on a daily basis.  Please go to www.resolve.org and go under support and services.  It will give you the option to go to managing infertility stress.  There are several articles listed to help with dealing with the holidays.  We can also print these out and mail them to you if you need them. 

Always remember, RHS is here to support you during your fertility journey.  We are here to listen and guide you during this difficut time.  Please call any staff member at the office if assistance is needed.

RHS is excited to host a four week immersion in Yoga, meditation, and relaxation techniques instructed by former infertility patient, Melissa Watts. 

This program is designed to educate participants on the healing powers of Yoga while simultaneously opening a support network to other women who are having the same experiences in fertility treatment.  You will learn a series of Yoga postures designed to increase blood flow into the pelvis and hips, as well as release stress and anxiety. 

This program is open to all women trying to conceive, not just current RHS patients.

You must preregister!  The cost is $60 which includes all four classes.  Classes will be held beginning Saturday, July 9 and continue throughout the remaining Saturdays in July.  Class time is 11:30am to 1:00pm.  Please bring a Yoga mat, towel, water, and a journal and pen to each session. 

To register, call or email RHS at 412-731-8000/ Ivfinfo@ivfpittsburgh.com.  For any questions regarding the program, call or email Melissa Watts at

412-613-0991/ melissatituswatts@gmail.com.

We look forward to seeing you! 

RHS “Balance Within” Fair and Open House

RHS is holding an open house at our brand new facility on Thursday June 2.  Doors will be open from 5-7pm to anyone interested in learning more about what RHS can offer. 

Our physicians and clinical staff will be available to answer questions about various treatments.  Our financial counselors will be available to provide information about treatment costs and options for financing. Our laboratory and ultrasound department will be open and representatives will be on hand to show visitors around. 

Some of our “Balance Within”  partners, including a yoga instructor, health coaches, an acupuncturist and a social worker will be here as well. Each of our partners will have information available and be ready to discuss how their specialty can assist with stress reduction and relaxation while undergoing fertility treatment.

Yoga Sampler

If you are curious about how the benefits of yoga can help you on your fertility journey, please join us on Friday, June 3 from 6-7pm at Keystone Health Club located at 655 Braddock Ave., East Pittsburgh, PA  15112 for RHS’ Yoga Sampler.  This event will allow you to experience relaxation techniques and stretches designed to aid fertility.  To register for this, please call 412-731-8000.  Admission will be $5.00/person and collected upon arrival. 

We look forward to the opportunity to welcome you to our new facility and showing you all we have to offer. 

As 2011 begins, so many of us have promised ourselves that we will lose weight and become healthier for the new year, right? Sadly, most of us know that this is sometimes easier said than done! 

At RHS, we recognize that while undergoing the stress of infertility, it is often hard to focus on weight loss at the same time. Weight plays a big role in fertility, however. A patient with a healthy weight is more likely to become pregnant than an overweight patient. Our patients also need to be within a healthy weight range to safely undergo IVF. All patients planning an IVF cycle must be at a BMI of 37 or lower to be approved for treatment. 

Our staff is here to help and support you through both your weight loss and infertility journeys. We have started a program for prospective IVF patients who are overweight. Patients call their coordinator once a week and “weigh in.” We track your weight loss and let you know how much further you need to go before you are able to attempt to become pregnant. If this isn’t motivation, then what is? What could be better than losing weight, becoming pregnant and feeling the accomplishment that goes along with both of those things?

Contact RHS if these are two of your goals for 2011. We can help!

Our newest team member, Dr. Teresa Erb! Dr. Erb joined Reproductive Health Specialists on December 1, 2010.

Dr. Erb was born and raised in Pittsburgh and is excited to be part of the RHS staff. She is the wife of Daniel Erb, also a Pittsburgh native, and the mother of two beautiful girls, Isabella (3 ½ years old) and Sofia (4 months old). She enjoys yoga, reading, listening to music, dancing with her daughters and watching the Steelers with her husband.

After receiving her medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Dr. Erb completed both her residency training in OB/GYN and her fellowship training in REI (Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility) at Magee Women’s Hospital, UPMC.

Dr. Erb’s experience includes acting as a Clinical Instructor at Magee in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gynecologic Subspecialties Division from 2006 – 2007. From 2007 – 2010, she conducted research in human embryonic stem cell development for which she holds two provisional patents. She also served as Co-Chair of the Fertility Preservation Options in Oncology Patients Committee at Magee from 2007 – 2010. Dr. Erb’s contributions include writing two IRB proposals for ovarian and testicular tissue cryopreservation in oncology patients and in patients who are to undergo bone marrow transplantation. She has served as a guest speaker at Shadyside Hospital Cancer Centers, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Magee Women’s Hospital and the 3^rd Annual Hereditary Cancer Conference. 

Dr. Erb is a member of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG).  She holds current board certification in OB/GYN.

Dr. Erb is now accepting new patient appointments and has openings right away! If you are interested in meeting her and beginning your journey through fertility treatment together, contact us to set up your consultation visit.                                                                   

CNN recently ran a story on Style Network celebrities Bill and Giuliana Rancic who have been facing the lonely journey of infertility treatment and aren’t afraid to tell their story.  The Rancics share with their viewers just how easy it is to feel like a failure when you are successful at everything in life - except fertility.  Giuliana tells CNN that she feels sharing their story may help others to open up.

When it comes to infertility, just knowing there is someone else out there going throught the same problems you are can alleviate so much stress.  Infertility is not something to be ashamed of, but something to consider an obstacle of life that can hopefully be overcome and eventually just a part of your story.

If you are interested in seeing the entire CNN interview with Bill and Giuliana Rancic, click here.

Well, here we are! Our new building is amazing! The move went off without a hitch! 

It was a long, hard preparation, but it is definitely worth all of the work. We have been in the new office four weeks already, and it has quickly become home to us. We still have some small odds and ends to complete, but for the most part, the everyday flow is going very smoothly. 

We hope that all of our existing patients find our new state-of-the-art facility to be welcoming and invite anyone who is interested in treatment to make a new patient appointment to find out what RHS can do to make their dreams come true.   

PS. Stay tuned for pictures of our new building – soon to be posted on our website!