Conceive

Hello??This week’s #FridayFertilityNews covers mental health in IVF, legal gaps in fertility care, and cross-border treatment. Let’s dive in! 1?? Navigating IVF in multiple Countries ?? The Cut follows a couple’s IVF journey across multiple countries, highlighting how different systems, costs, and cultures shaped their path. Delayed diagnoses and unaffordable treatments led them to a multi year journey. ??Conceive Take: Fertility care isn’t one-size-fits-all. This story shows how far people go to grow their families—and the need for more preventive and accessible, patient-centered care. https://lnkd.in/eWHGKvfn 2?? NBC Investigates IVF Mistakes and Lack of Oversight ?? An @nbc news investigation reveals how little regulation exists around fertility clinic errors in the U.S.—including lost embryos, mixed up embryos, and storage issues. ??Conceive Take: Although mistakes can happen, it is rare. That said, this article highlights the importance of oversight and accountability. What some patients have been through is absolutely grueling. We deserve better protections. https://lnkd.in/e_aQPJTu 3?? Mental Health Support for IVF Patients ?? A new study shows that solution-focused therapy improved mental health and sleep outcomes in women undergoing IVF. The therapy helps patients focus on goals and strengths during emotionally taxing treatment. ??Conceive Take: This hits close to home for us at Conceive. The emotional toll of fertility is so real—and we’ve seen just how powerful it can be when patients get the support they deserve. https://lnkd.in/e7XcYU4M 4?? New IVF Method Could Boost Sperm Viability ?? @University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign researchers have developed an IVF method that mimics the fallopian tube environment, selecting viable sperm and extending their lifespan with a glycan that stores them for 24 hours, reducing sperm needed and preventing multiple fertilizations. ??Conceive Take: This is cool! While this test was done on pig sperm, the technique could lead to improvements in human IVF treatments. https://lnkd.in/erKveGAH 5?? 3 in 4 UK Fertility Patients Use Unproven Add-On Treatments ?? A @Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) report finds that nearly 75% of UK fertility patients are paying for optional “add-on” treatments—despite limited or no evidence that they improve outcomes. Regulators are calling for clearer communication and stronger data from clinics. ?? Conceive Take: The truth is, some of these treatments might help—but the research lags. Patients deserve honesty about what’s proven and what’s not, without judgment. https://lnkd.in/eDqERuMW

Looking forward to thawing out over the next few weeks, starting with PCRS in sunny Palm Springs. If you're in town, please reach out. Danielle Gierman and I would love to see you and share how clinic networks are leveraging Conceive as their patient support system—providing 24/7 support to improve conversion to treatment, retention, and satisfaction—all while reducing clinician burnout!

Join us on February 24th at 12pm for a LinkedIn Live conversation between Conceive’s Founder, Lauren Berson Sugarman and Griffin Jones, founder of Inside Reproductive Health.?We're thrilled to be turning the tables on Griffin, who we're used to seeing as the interviewer. Together, Lauren and Griffin will explore the biggest challenges in fertility care, the most exciting industry innovations, and how leaders can rethink their approaches to deliver better outcomes for clinics and patients alike.

Expanding access to IVF in the US is a dream. With costs of upwards of $60k for success, it's a fortune for many, and inaccessible for most. This is why only 2-3% of babies born every year are from IVF. While around 20 states require some semblance of coverage, that coverage varies wildly--as does coverage from self-insured employers, which thanks to Maven, Progyny, Carrot, and others, is finally growing. I'll never forget the sticker shock I had when I did my IVF cycle. $25k in one sitting. I was damn lucky to be able to pay for it. A federal mandate could change everything. I'm looking forward to the "how" here. What will be covered? For whom? How much? The Conceive team will keep you updated every step of the way as we learn more about reducing costs to build a family. x https://lnkd.in/eiWdFNn7

I’ve never been one to cave to societal pressure. When everyone else was having kids in their late 20s and 30s, I was getting divorced. And yet, at this very moment, I feel like I’m struggling to hold onto my own truth. And what is my truth? That after seven years of infertility consuming my life, I don’t think I can have another child. And yet, everything around me is telling me otherwise. Most of my friends who are married have two or three kids. Many in our Conceive community, who have fought their own infertility battles, have kept trying—again and again. My daughter, the miracle we fought for over three long years, asks me regularly for a sister. And she would be the best big sister. I want to give her everything she wants—she is my sunshine, my everything. And yet, I can’t wrap my head around doing it all again. The pain and trauma of even trying to conceive—especially at 42, when success is far from guaranteed (even with two previously frozen embryos)—feels insurmountable. Pregnancy was hard. The newborn stage was brutal. I pushed myself through breastfeeding when nothing about it was easy, probably isolating myself even more in the process. The physical toll of early motherhood was overwhelming—when your body is broken after birth, yet your baby needs you every moment, it’s enough to unravel you. Now, I have a five-year-old I already wish I had more time with and a three-year-old business that, in many ways, is my second child. I wish I had closed this chapter years ago. But then, there’s my husband—the other half of this decision. He wants another child. And he’s a natural. A baby whisperer. His love and patience for babies is like nothing I’ve ever seen. Right now, I can’t imagine having another child. But I also know that future me will deeply regret never even trying—never giving a chance to the two embryos it took us so long to create. So where does that leave me? Do I keep flip-flopping, day after day, until I drive myself insane? Sharing in the hopes that this reaches someone who feels the same. Love always ??

From fertility benefits to policies prioritizing states with higher birth rates, we’re breaking down the latest in reproductive health. Here’s everything you need to know. #FridayFertilityNews 1??Department of Transportation to Prioritize States with Higher Birth Rates ?? A recent DOT directive prioritizes communities with birth rates above the national average. ??? My Take: Elon Musk has long railed against declining birth rates and this has his name written all over it. While we agree we need to prioritize initiatives that lead to higher birth rates, this doesn’t feel like the most obvious place to start. Holding out hope for universal fertility coverage. https://lnkd.in/eY3gdnDF 2?? Maven Clinic's State of Women’s & Family Health Benefits ??? -48% of employers plan to expand fertility coverage amid shifting reproductive health trends. -66% of employees considered changing jobs for better fertility benefits. ??? My Take: While we think there should be universal fertility coverage, and it shouldn’t have to be left up to employers, these stats are promising. Seeing companies like Progyny, Inc., Maven Clinic, and Carrot Fertility increase their reach across self-insured employers is super exciting! https://lnkd.in/eiHG4eku 3?? Judge Reveals Sperm Donor’s Identity as a Cautionary Measure ???? A judge in England has ruled that it was in the best interest of the public to release the name of a sperm donor who claims to have fathered more than 180 children. The decision highlights the risks of unregulated sperm donation and warns potential recipients. ??? My Take: This story demonstrates the need for thorough research when choosing a donor. We appreciate the judge’s decision to warn individuals about the potential consequences of a donor neglecting regulatory requirements. But there’s likely more global regulation needed. https://lnkd.in/ePg7aRfK 4?? An Oncology Nurse’s Journey Through Cancer, Fertility, and Parenthood ??? Cancer survivor and oncology nurse practitioner Maggie Loucks shares her journey to motherhood, reflecting on how her cancer treatment decisions shaped her path. ?? Conceive Take: Addressing the impact of cancer treatment on fertility is critical. Many don’t know that there is an impact before treatment, and we’re thrilled that there are more treatments that do not prohibit conception thereafter. Advancing oncofertility research is essential, which is why we appreciate organizations like The Chick Mission. https://lnkd.in/eWtxQ2uu 5??Everywhere VC spotlights Conceive ?? Grateful to have our partners at Everywhere Ventures spotlight us, demonstrating our revolutionary approach to fertility and pregnancy support! https://lnkd.in/eAB6FqP2?

Coming fresh from our Conceive team offsite, I've got your #FridayFertilityNews! From Germany’s new maternity leave for miscarriages to IVF’s potential role in saving kangaroos, here are our top reads this week. 1??Germany Grants Maternity Leave for Miscarriages ???? Germany now provides maternity leave for women who experience a miscarriage after 13 weeks, supporting recovery. ????♀?My Take: I understand all too well the profound toll of a miscarriage. I commend Germany for recognizing the pain of miscarriage and shedding light on this overlooked issue. Granting leave acknowledges it as a significant health event, reduces stigma, and ensures women get the care they deserve. This sets a precedent for prioritizing women's well-being after pregnancy loss. https://lnkd.in/esrx_wzy 2??Some CDC Health Data Restored, But Gaps Remain ?? After the Trump administration removed key health data, some CDC pages are back, but gaps remain. ?? Conceive Take: We're closely monitoring this, as the CDC plays a vital role in women's health. While some pages are restored, a full review is needed to ensure complete, accurate resources. https://lnkd.in/e7yee7Bs 3??Could sleep variability impact time to pregnancy? ?? A pilot cohort study examined the relationship between sleep variability and time to achieving pregnancy and found that higher variability in time to sleep and duration of sleep were associated with longer timelines to get pregnant. ????♀? My Take: This is a small-scale study with no randomized control group, so it’s not definitive. That said, there is more and more data coming out that sleep consistency is so crucial to overall health. And overall health is a key guide to improving fertility outcomes. Another evidence-informed take that we are here for! https://lnkd.in/eT84eWhZ 4??Minnesota Lawmakers considering covering insurance costs related to fertility treatments ?? Minnesota lawmakers will introduce a new version of the Building Families Act, which proposes mandating insurance coverage for infertility diagnoses and treatments, including IVF. ?? Conceive Take: Though not yet introduced, the bill is a promising step toward expanding fertility treatment access. With 22 states mandating coverage, we hope to see all 50 follow soon. https://lnkd.in/e7TQX_Xz 5??IVF could potentially help endangered species ?? Australian scientists have achieved a world-first by creating a kangaroo embryo through IVF, a breakthrough that could aid in the conservation of endangered marsupial species. ?? Conceive Take: This exciting breakthrough offers hope for preserving unique species and fragile ecosystems. We love seeing the ways IVF can change the world. https://lnkd.in/e-w4p9z2