At The Gift of Parenthood, we rely on our generous partners to make each grant cycle possible. Wake Forest University Center For Reproductive Medicine supported our 2021 Fall For Babies Grant, and we would like to share some information about their infertility treatments. The clinic, located in Winston-Salem, NC is led by two providers Bruce Lessey, MD, Ph.D. (Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility) & Jeffrey Deaton, MD (Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility). They offer a variety of treatment options for those struggling with infertility, which we will touch on below.
Wake Forest Reproductive Medicine’s Fertility Treatments
Intrauterine Insemination
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) or artificial insemination, is where sperm is placed directly into the uterus. IUI is often the first treatment for female infertility caused by ovulation or cervical problems, male infertility, when infertility medications have failed, or when there is a semen allergy. IUI is also used in cases of male infertility where the couple chooses to use donor sperm.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a method of assisted reproduction in which a woman’s eggs are fertilized by a man’s sperm outside of the body in a medical laboratory. After an embryo or embryos form, a physician places it in the uterus, and (hopefully) pregnancy occurs. IVF is considered a first-line treatment for patients with fallopian tube problems, male factor infertility, ovarian failure, and endometriosis. It is also used after other therapies have failed.
Donor Egg IVF
IVFÂ is a type of assisted reproduction that requires a woman’s eggs to be fertilized in a laboratory environment. However, when viable eggs are not available, couples can turn to donor egg IVF. Some women simply do not produce eggs that can be fertilized while others are born with non-functioning ovaries. Donor egg IVF allows couples to have a child that is still genetically related to the male partner and gives the female partner the opportunity to carry their child. Wake Forest egg donors undergo extensive physical and psychological screening to ensure that patients receive the healthiest eggs possible for their IVF procedure.
Wake Forest Reproductive Medicine’s Egg Cryopreservation
Egg freezing is a treatment for women who face fertility-damaging treatment or want to postpone pregnancy to advanced maternal years. Some women simply do not want children right now but may later. Some women haven’t met the right person and may use a sperm donor down the road to become a single mother by choice. Some women suffer from certain medical conditions like cancer or endometriosis which threaten their ability to conceive. Wake Forest Baptist Health’s Center for Fertility, Endocrinology and Menopause offers women a chance at a healthy baby down the road.
Excellent experience! From our first appointment, throughout testing, and ultimately treatment for infertility, Dr. Deaton and the whole staff were wonderful! They were straightforward about what was recommended…Appointments were always in a timely manner and we were greeted with smiling faces. I thank God and Dr. Deaton for my beautiful twin boys!
Hillary L. Via Google
Wake Forest Baptist Health does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, or source of payment.
Infertility is a common yet emotionally and financially devastating condition. Though there are several ways to finance the procedure, the burden can be too much to bear for many couples and individuals.
At The Gift of Parenthood organization, we look forward to a future of more affordable and successful fertility treatment options for those struggling. In the meantime, we aim to help couples and individuals struggling with infertility achieve their dreams of becoming parents through fertility assistance grants ranging from $1,000 to $16,000, available four times a year. We are honored to partner with Wake Forest University Center For Reproductive Medicine to make parenthood possible for those struggling.