Egg Freezing » Fertility http://www.eggfreezing.com/blog Just another WordPress weblog Sat, 19 Nov 2011 05:56:50 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 Patients who Utilized Egg Freezing and Frozen Eggs to Achieve Pregnancy at West Coast Fertility Centers http://www.eggfreezing.com/blog/statistics-frozen-egg-births.html http://www.eggfreezing.com/blog/statistics-frozen-egg-births.html#comments Thu, 03 Nov 2011 02:02:18 +0000 eggfreezing http://www.eggfreezing.com/blog/?p=971 David Diaz, MD, CEO of Frozen Egg Bank Inc. and West Coast Fertility Centers has always been on the scientific forefront of finding real solutions for real human needs because he understands that unanticipated life events can threaten a woman’s reproduction. Cancer at a young age, career demands, single marital status, or a depleted ovarian function can all endanger a woman’s fertility potential.
 
Since 2000, Frozen Egg Bank’s (FEB) medical and scientific team have been refining the art of freezing and thawing a woman’s unfertilized egg for fertilization and implantation at a later date. In the hands of experienced practitioners who practice the art of egg freezing, the success rate in the favorable patient age group approximates those of a fresh IVF cycle. Egg Freezing and thawing should be left to veteran experts who perform it frequently and practice it well.
 
egg freezing, frozen eggs
 
 
“The World’s First Frozen Egg Baby Reunion” honoring the parents and children conceived from frozen eggs was held on October 15, 2011. Nearly 70 joyous families and their frozen egg babies came together to celebrate LIFE.
 
]]> http://www.eggfreezing.com/blog/statistics-frozen-egg-births.html/feed 0 Pictures from Our World’s First Reunion of Babies Born from Frozen Eggs http://www.eggfreezing.com/blog/egg-freezing-reunion-pictures.html http://www.eggfreezing.com/blog/egg-freezing-reunion-pictures.html#comments Thu, 27 Oct 2011 23:16:11 +0000 eggfreezing http://www.eggfreezing.com/blog/?p=958 It was an incredible day filled with happy families and their adorable frozen egg babies dressed up in Halloween costumes. We were all so delighted to see everyone. We thank you to all the attendees who helped make this a very memorable reunion.
 
We’re diligently working on videos, albums and slideshows of this Egg Freezing Reunion which we will happily share with you very soon. In the meanwhile, we’ll give you a sneak peek of some of the images taken on that special day.
 
Meet, Greet and Sign-in
 
First Frozen Egg Baby in California turned 6 years old- Cadyn Elizabeth
 
Pumpkin decoration contest
 
Meet Frozen Egg SuperBaby
 
Keeping our frozen egg babies entertained
 
Beautiful frozen egg baby twins-so adorable!
 
Dr. David Diaz and frozen egg baby Brody and his brother
 
Nurse Joan greeting frozen egg babies and families
 
Frozen egg baby Emilee Faith and parents Stephanie and Rob
 
 
 
]]> http://www.eggfreezing.com/blog/egg-freezing-reunion-pictures.html/feed 0 West Coast Fertility Centers is Hosting the World’s First Reunion of Nearly 70 Babies Born from Egg Freezing on October 15th, 2011 http://www.eggfreezing.com/blog/reunion-frozen-egg-babies.html http://www.eggfreezing.com/blog/reunion-frozen-egg-babies.html#comments Thu, 13 Oct 2011 21:16:26 +0000 eggfreezing http://www.eggfreezing.com/blog/?p=947
The entire staff at West Coast Fertility Centers has been diligently planning the first ever reunion of babies born from frozen eggs. Unlike other regular IVF reunions periodically held by various fertility centers, we are hosting the world’s first reunion of actual babies born from frozen eggs. We're all so happy and excited to see all the beautiful frozen egg babies.
 
“This baby reunion is unique because it celebrates the pioneering families and their babies conceived from thawed frozen eggs.  Although some groups may consider egg freezing “investigational,” nearly 70 joyous families and their frozen egg babies will come together to celebrate LIFE at West Coast Fertility Centers,” states Dr. Diaz.

Guest speakers at this world’s first frozen egg reunion event will include…
 
Alice Crisci, Founder and CEO of Fertile Action Network
Jack Jacoub, MD, Director of Oncology at OC Memorial Hospital
Barbara, Mother of first frozen egg baby – Cadyn who turned 6 years old on Oct 6.
 
“David Diaz, MD, Medical Director of Frozen Egg Bank Inc. and West Coast Fertility Centers has always been on the scientific forefront of finding real solutions for real human needs because he understands that unanticipated life events can threaten a woman’s reproduction. Cancer at a young age, career demands, single marital status, or a depleted ovarian function can all endanger a woman's fertility potential.
 
Since 2000, Frozen Egg Bank’s (FEB) medical and scientific team have been refining the art of freezing and thawing a woman’s unfertilized egg for fertilization and implantation at a later date. Long before the “flash freeze” method was in vogue, FEB in association with West Coast Fertility Center, presented their 91% frozen egg survival rate data at the ASRM Meeting in 2008. The team developed an IRB approved study for their digital programmed freezing method that has resulted in the births of nearly 70 healthy babies out of about 400 born in the U.S. from frozen eggs. Cadyn, the Center’s oldest frozen egg baby and the first in California, will celebrate her sixth birthday on October 6, 2011.”   
 
 
]]> http://www.eggfreezing.com/blog/reunion-frozen-egg-babies.html/feed 0 First Frozen Egg Baby Turns 6 Years Old Today http://www.eggfreezing.com/blog/frozen-egg-baby-turns-6.html http://www.eggfreezing.com/blog/frozen-egg-baby-turns-6.html#comments Thu, 06 Oct 2011 23:57:43 +0000 eggfreezing http://www.eggfreezing.com/blog/?p=942 Happy 6th Birthday to adorable Cadyn Elizabeth, our first frozen egg baby born at West Coast Fertility Centers.

Cadyn is a very special little girl. Although she turned 6 today, the eggs from which she was conceived were frozen in 2001 at the egg freezing program at West Coast Fertility Centers, the leading Center in the country specializing in the field of fertility preservation. The Center pioneered a freezing method called the Landa Freezing Technology capable of storing embryos and eggs for young patients with cancer and women who wish to extend their fertile years until they are ready to start a family.

These pictures were taken last year during her 5th birthday when we threw a surprise party for Cadyn at West Coast Fertility Centers. A bright and outgoing redhead, Cadyn was presented with a beautiful cake, a princess tiara and a gift certificate to her favorite store. Birthday wishes and lots of hugs were exchanged until mother and daughter wee off to continue the celebration at Disneyland.

Cadyn even posed with an ultrasound picture of herself when she was just 10 weeks into her mom’s pregnancy. Wittingly, Cadyn also suggested that we take a picture of her holding up a plastic egg representing that she was a frozen egg baby.

   Dr. David Diaz and Cadyn, egg freezing, first frozen egg baby

We won’t get to see Cadyn this year on her actual birthday, but we will see her next week as she will be part of a big reunion celebration. Dr. David Diaz and staff will be hosting the WORLD’S FIRST REUNION OF BABIES BORN FROM FROZEN EGGS on Saturday, October 15, 2011 to celebrate the pioneering families and their babies conceived from thawed frozen eggs. Nearly 70 joyous families and their frozen egg babies will come together to CELEBRATE LIFE at West Coast Fertility Centers in Orange County.

View full press release of frozen egg baby reunion

View Cadyn's surprise birthday celebration video

]]> http://www.eggfreezing.com/blog/frozen-egg-baby-turns-6.html/feed 0 Inventor of the Birth Control Pill, Carl Djerassi, Champions Egg Freezing to Preserve Fertility http://www.eggfreezing.com/blog/pill-inventor-promotes-eggfreezing.html http://www.eggfreezing.com/blog/pill-inventor-promotes-eggfreezing.html#comments Thu, 25 Aug 2011 20:54:57 +0000 eggfreezing http://www.eggfreezing.com/blog/?p=918 The Pill, introduced 50 years ago empowered women with control over their own fertility. The actual breakthrough was discovered 60 years ago in 1951 at a laboratory in Mexico City by research chemist, Carl Djerassi. An estimated 100 million women worldwide are using the Pill voluntarily. In the US, about 12 million women are on the Pill.
 
 
During an interview, Professor Djerassi shares this viewpoint on the future of female fertility.
 
“There are an enormous number of well-educated, proficient women who, when facing the biological clock, first pay attention to their professional ambitions,’ he says. Before they know it they are in their 30s. By the age of 35, they have lost 95 percent of their eggs, and the rest are ageing rapidly.

Sooner or later, in the next 20 years, more young people will freeze their eggs and gametes in their 20s, and bank them for later use. They will do away with the need for contraception by being sterilized, and withdraw their eggs and sperm from the bank when they are ready to have a child via IVF."
 
 
 
The birth control pill was introduced to the public in the early 1960s. Birth control pills are synthetic hormones that mimic the way real estrogen and progestin works in a women's body. The pill prevents ovulation – no new eggs are released by a women on the pill since her body is tricked into believing she is already pregnant. (excerpt from www.inventors.about.com)
 
 
 
 
 
]]> http://www.eggfreezing.com/blog/pill-inventor-promotes-eggfreezing.html/feed 0 Why Oncologists Should Inform Their Cancer Patients about Egg and Sperm Freezing Before Cancer Treatments http://www.eggfreezing.com/blog/oncologists-should-inform-cancer-patients-sperm-egg-freezing.html http://www.eggfreezing.com/blog/oncologists-should-inform-cancer-patients-sperm-egg-freezing.html#comments Tue, 02 Aug 2011 04:52:00 +0000 eggfreezing http://www.eggfreezing.com/blog/?p=911 1) Up to 90% of young cancer patients are at risk for infertility after chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
 
2) Less than 25% of Oncologists inform all eligible patients about their risks and options with fertility.
 
 
3) The average patient has 2-6 weeks to preserve fertility before starting treatment.
 
4) Fears and misconceptions exist about fertility treatments and the safety of pregnancy after cancer.
 
5) “As part of informed consent prior to therapy, Oncologists should address the possibility of infertility with patients as early in treatment planning as possible,” according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology Recommendations on Fertility Preservation in Cancer Patients.
 
Potential Impact After Cancer for Women
 
 
-Depletion in number of eggs = early menopause
 
-Germ Cell failure = premature ovarian failure
 
-Reduced production of ovarian hormones = early menopause
 
-Uterine/tube fibrosis = interference with fertilization and implantation
 
-Uterine vascular insufficiency = inability to maintain pregnancy
 
Solution for Fertility Preservation for Women Before Undergoing Cancer Treatments
 
Patients can now preserve fertility by freezing their unfertilized eggs at West Coast Fertility Center's Fertility Preservation Program. The diagnosis of cancer can be devastating at any age, but is especially difficult for young women who must begin chemotherapy or radiation potentially damaging to their reproductive organs. This moving video depicts an interview with a brave young patient who courageously opted to freeze her eggs before undergoing cancer treatment for lymphoma.
 
Potential Impact After Cancer for Men
 
-Reduced testosterone (Leydig cell dysfunction-Leydig cells product testosterone in the presence of luteinizing hormone LH)
 
-Germ cell failure (Decreased, damaged and absent sperm production)
 
-Damage to duct system to transport sperm (Ejaculatory dysfunction)
 
-Damage to pelvic nerves (Sexual and ejaculatory dysfunction)
 
Solution for Fertility Preservation for Men Before Undergoing Cancer Treatments
 
Sperm Freezing (cryopreserving semen samples) is the answer. The process is quick and easy.
 
 
 
]]> http://www.eggfreezing.com/blog/oncologists-should-inform-cancer-patients-sperm-egg-freezing.html/feed 0 How Cancer Affects Fertility http://www.eggfreezing.com/blog/how-cancer-affects-fertility.html http://www.eggfreezing.com/blog/how-cancer-affects-fertility.html#comments Sat, 16 Jul 2011 01:02:20 +0000 eggfreezing http://www.eggfreezing.com/blog/?p=906 “Approximately 140,000 Americans under the age of 45 are diagnosed with cancer. Cancer survival rates are higher than they have ever been and patients under the age of 45 now have a 77% survival rate. Simultaneously, there are more fertility preservation options than ever before. So, while cancer treatments can be permanently sterilizing, the reproductive community is providing great hope for parenthood after cancer.
 
For MEN
Cancer itself may be correlated with low sperm counts, as has been demonstrated in men with Hodgkin lymphoma and testicular cancer. The primary threat for male patients, however, is compromised sperm production, quality, motility and DNA damage caused by exposure to chemotherapy and/or radiation.
 
Because reproductive damage is generally caused by cancer treatment, patient with almost any type of cancer may be at risk. Factors determining the likelihood of reproductive damage include: drug type and dosage, radiation location and dosage, patient’s pubertal status at time of treatment and patient’s pre-treatment fertility. Surgery to reproductive organs such as the testes affect fertility and pelvic surgery can cause nerve damage that may interfere with ejaculation.
 
 
For WOMEN
While cancer itself does not appear to affect fertility in women, cancer treatments pose a variety of reproductive risks including immediate infertility, premature menopause and compromised ability to carry a pregnancy due to uterine or cervical damage. Factors determining the likelihood of reproductive damage include: drug type and dosage, radiation location and dosage, patient’s age and pubertal status at the time of treatment and pre-treatment fertility.
 
Chemotherapy and radiation can damage or destroy oocytes (eggs) and follicles, which can cause either immediate menopause or premature menopause years after treatment. Surgery to remove reproductive organs such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus and/or cervix will impair the ability to become pregnant and/or carry a baby. Radiation can damage the uterus and increase the risk of miscarriage or low birth-weight.” (Excerpt taken from Fertile Hope on Cancer & Fertility)
 
 
EGG FREEZING SOLUTION OFFERED @ West Coast Fertility
Using our patent-pending LANDA Technology, we have thawed hundreds of frozen eggs making it possible for women to achieve their dream of having a baby of their own. Egg Freezing at West Coast Fertility Center have resulted in the Birth of 62 Healthy Babies with many on-going pregnancies from frozen eggs as of July 2011.
 
The Experience of the IVF Center performing the egg freezing  is critical to success. While egg freezing is a delicate and highly specialized assisted reproductive technology (ART), the handling and thawing of frozen eggs is even more critical.  Since the human egg is the largest cell in the body and is composed mostly of water, the formation of ice crystals during the freezing process can disrupt the egg’s internal microscopic contents and its outer membrane.
 
Microscopic studies of the eggs before freezing and after thawing have been performed by Dr. David Diaz and his team of scientists. This led to the development of the LANDA freezing technique which perfects the method of egg freezing and thawing without damaging the egg. Currently, we are offering 30% off egg freezing. Please call our office for more information at 714-513-1399.
 
 
 
 
 
 
]]> http://www.eggfreezing.com/blog/how-cancer-affects-fertility.html/feed 0 Free Seminar – New Fertility Treatment Options – Tuesday, July 26, 2011 http://www.eggfreezing.com/blog/free-fertility-seminar-july2011.html http://www.eggfreezing.com/blog/free-fertility-seminar-july2011.html#comments Wed, 06 Jul 2011 15:41:17 +0000 eggfreezing http://www.eggfreezing.com/blog/?p=903 What: Join Infertility Specialist Dr. David Diaz and Team for an Informative Seminar on “New Fertility Treatment Options”
 
- Meet & Greet, Refreshments
- Tour our Facility – Accredited Labs/Surgical Suite
- Fertility Questions Answered
 
When: Tuesday, July 26, 2011  6-7PM
 
Where: West Coast Fertility 11160 Warner Ave., Suite 411, Fountain Valley, CA 92708
 
Why: Learn about new fertility treatment options – Egg Freezing, Low-Stim IVF, Natural IVF. Which fertility treatment is right for you?
 
Reserve Your Seat for this informative and exciting evening!

RSVP  via Online Form  OR   RSVP by Calling (714) 513-1399
 
]]> http://www.eggfreezing.com/blog/free-fertility-seminar-july2011.html/feed 0 “Helping Women Touched by Cancer Become Mothers” http://www.eggfreezing.com/blog/cancer-patients-becoming-mothers%e2%80%9d.html http://www.eggfreezing.com/blog/cancer-patients-becoming-mothers%e2%80%9d.html#comments Sun, 26 Jun 2011 07:14:03 +0000 eggfreezing http://www.eggfreezing.com/blog/?p=897 West Coast Fertility Centers has partnered up with Fertile Action because we both share the same goal to educate and assist women newly diagnosed with cancer understand and take action to preserve their fertility through egg freezing before undergoing cancer treatments that can cause infertility.
             
 
Many wonderful plans are in the works and we’ll soon be announcing the benefits of our association with Fertile Action. Below is an excerpt written by Alice Crisci, the founder of www.FertileAction.org.
 
“I know all too well how overwhelming a cancer diagnosis feels. It happened to me when I was 31-years-old. I wanted to be a mom more than anything else in the world and was devastated to learn my life-saving cancer treatment could make me infertile.

It took less than two weeks for me to prepare my ovaries for egg retrieval and it was the best two weeks of my entire cancer journey. I felt like the medical procedures relating to cancer were being done to me, but preserving my fertility was the one, positive thing I was choosing for me.

I loved every step of my fertility preservation journey (except for the the American Express bill). My totsicles (frozen embryos) are truly what got me through treatment. Every time I wanted to give up, I thought about the children waiting to be born to me, their Mama.

I launched Fertile Action to ensure other women could preserve their fertility prior to cancer treatment. Three years later, I launched Fertile Action Network (FAN) to eliminate cost as the barrier to male and female cancer survivors becoming parents through IVF, adoption, surrogacy or egg, embryo and sperm donation. We won’t stop until all cancer survivors who want to become parents actualize their dream.”
 
With vision and gratitude,
Alice Crisci
 
 
]]> http://www.eggfreezing.com/blog/cancer-patients-becoming-mothers%e2%80%9d.html/feed 0 Tax Credit Bill to Preserve Fertility for Cancer Patients – Your Support is Needed http://www.eggfreezing.com/blog/tax-credit-bill-to-preserve-fertility-cancer-patients.html http://www.eggfreezing.com/blog/tax-credit-bill-to-preserve-fertility-cancer-patients.html#comments Fri, 20 May 2011 00:52:02 +0000 eggfreezing http://www.eggfreezing.com/blog/?p=887 A bill was introduced in the U.S. Senate that would provide eligible taxpayers a tax credit for the out-of-pocket expenses related to IVF and treatments to preserve fertility for cancer patients.
 
 
A warm thank you goes to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (NY) who introduced the bill which is appropriately named the Family Act of 2011, S965. This was made possible by a successful advocacy day in Washington DC on May 5th put forth by RESOLVE.
 
Now that the bill is introduced, your help is needed by contacting your 2 U.S. Senators to get co-sponsors in the US Senate. It takes 3 minutes through RESOLVE’s Action Alert System. PLEASE review the online letter by clicking the link above and personalize it with your story. 
 
Ask your friends and family to send letters  too!  Forward this link so they can take action today. http://www.resolve.org/taxcredit
 
 
]]> http://www.eggfreezing.com/blog/tax-credit-bill-to-preserve-fertility-cancer-patients.html/feed 0