John Wilcox, MD, FACOG is often asked many questions in regards to infertility and the IVF process. Below, Dr. Wilcox and his outstanding team have personally answered many of these questions with more being added. You may select each video to learn more about each specific question. You may also visit the Wilcox Fertility YouTube Channel and please subscribe for the latest videos.
Patient Education - Video Gallery
Welcome to Wilcox Fertility
This short presentation will acquaint you with our center and all it has to offer our patients. We believe a component to a successful outcome is when patients feel more relaxed and their stress is reduced.
Knowing what to expect is always helpful in alleviating anxious feelings. Education, setting expectations, and experienced medical teams partnering with patients every step of the journey is what you can expect being part of our family.
Upon arrival, patients are welcomed into our generous reception area where they will check-in, complete any paperwork, and relax before being called to our back office for a first consultation or clinical appointment. Nestled in the corner is a self-serve coffee and tea service.
The back office is home to our exam rooms, consultation rooms, physician offices, phlebotomy and injection training. As self-administering injections is something new to most patients, our nurses provide personalized instructions in a private injection training room.
Blood tests are common and routine throughout treatment to monitor progress. Our private blood draw room with skilled and friendly phlebotomists make this a convenient one-stop clinical appointment. As our Endocrine Lab is in-house, this provides easy access for results.
Your clinical appointments will generally be a two-step process. first you will spend time with Dr. Wilcox and/or our nurse practitioner in one of our exam rooms. Ultrasounds and other clinically related appointments are done in these rooms. Then you may go to one of our consultation rooms where you will meet with your dedicated nurse for further communications.
Before leaving, a quick visit with our financial team is required.
We look forward to working with you!
A Tour of the IVF Laboratory at Wilcox Fertility
The embryology staff at Wilcox Fertility take you behind the scenes at the IVF laboratory located in Pasadena, California. The tour includes the egg retrieval process, the insemination process, the incubation process, the embryo freeze/thaw process, and the transfer of embryos.
A Virtual Tour of the RSA Surgery Center
Tiffany, A Nurse Practitioner at Wilcox Fertility leads a short tour of the Reproductive Surgical Associates (RSA) Surgery Center located onsite at the Pasadena, California location.
The tour starts with the private RSA waiting room for family members waiting for your procedure to be complete through the recovery area in which you will be after your procedure is complete. Finally, the discharge area once it is safe for you to leave the facility.
A Tour of the Wilcox Fertility Andrology Laboratory
This video will introduce you to our Andrology Lab where all male related tests are received and analyzed. This could be as a result of an ordered semen analysis where a semen sample is dropped off or collected in one of our private collection rooms. Additionally, a male may be providing a semen sample to be frozen for future use or being prepped for fertilization after egg retrieval or for use in an IUI.
Once our lab receives the collection, the first step is for the sample to go in the incubator for approximately 15 minutes where it liquifies and reduces viscosity for further analysis. Depending on what has been ordered (Semen analysis, IUI, freezing) a portion of the sample is places on slides and places under a microscope where it is analyzed for concentration and motility. Additionally, viscosity and volume of the sample is measured. If the sample was ordered as part of the semen analysis, further analyzation is done for morphology, volume, pH levels and viscosity. The following day, the slides are stained and further analyzed for morphology. Once the analysis is done, a report is sent to the ordering physician.
The Covid-19 Vaccine and Its Impact on IVF and Overall Pregnancy
Dr. John Wilcox of Wilcox Fertility in Pasadena, CA discusses the Covid-19 vaccine and how it impacts those undergoing IVF and whether it is safe to take during pregnancy. He also talks about the Delta variant and how it relates to pregnancy and the infertility treatment process.
When Should I See A Fertility Specialist?
How Long Does An IVF Cycle Take?
Preparing for IVF Treatment
The following video covers one of the most frequently asked questions asked by patients, “What can I do to optimize my cycle outcomes?” Tiffany, the Nurse Practitioner at Wilcox Fertility answers this important questions. An overview is below:
- Decrease your level of stress, whatever it is, on a daily basis.
- Sleep: 6-8 hours per night is recommended.
- Get 30 minutes of aerobic exercise daily.
- Good nutrition. Get plenty of antioxidant-rich foods. Think “eat the colors of the rainbow.”
- Take 400-600 mg of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplement. This is over the counter and easily available.
Doing the above three months prior to treatment is thought to help improve egg quality.
Additionally, if you are planning on beginning an embryo transfer cycle, we recommend taking a prenatal vitamin containing folic acid and DHA (Omega 3) components.
Why Should You Freeze Your Eggs?
How Long Can Frozen Embryos Be Stored?
What Supplements Should I Take Before Undergoing A Frozen Embryo Transfer?
The Egg Donation Process
Tiffany, our Nurse Practitioner, describes the process of egg donation.
Some patients will find themselves in need of an egg donor to complete their family. An anonymous egg donor can be found using an agency or sometimes a private donor is used and who is personally known by the intended parent. In either case, both types of donors will need to go through a thorough screening process.
A screening appt is scheduled with the donor that begins with a consultation which will gather general health information and make sure the uterus and ovaries are healthy. Egg donor candidates are generally younger than 30 years of age with a normal ovarian reserve and are generally healthy to donate eggs. Additionally, FDA required blood and urine tests will need to be done. These tests are done to screen for any infectious diseases, sexually transmitted diseases, smoking, alcohol or drug use. Additionally, a genetic test will also be done. This is to verify that the donor is compatible with the intended parents.
When all medical screening is done, medical clearance will be given.
The next clearance must be with a psychological evaluation of the egg donor to be done by a licensed clinical psychologist.
The last clearance is legal in nature. This is done through an attorney to establish a contract between the egg donor and intended parent(s)
Once all clearances are provided, IVF treatment can then begin for the egg retrieval process.
Genetic Testing
Dr. Wilcox discusses two tests available to patients for genetic screening.
One test is genetic screening which allows for improved reproductive outcomes. Pre-genetic testing is offered at initial consultation and is a simple blood test. The test screens for approximately 200 recessive genes to determine if mutations are carried by both partners. If previous children were affected by a rare condition, a probe can be developed to test future offspring.
Genetic screening of embryos in an additional test available. If undergoing IVF, the embryos can be tested and those embryos with the correct number of chromosomes are used for transfer.
By having both recessive gene testing and genetic screening for the embryos, confirmation of a genetically normal baby is provided by the end of the 10th week of pregnancy with a simple blood test.
PGD and PGS Testing
Dr. Wilcox discusses when PGD and PGS testing is used and what each test for.
Traditional and Gestational Surrogacy
Dr. Wilcox discusses surrogacy including why it would be used and the differences between traditional and gestational surrogacy.
Gestational Surrogacy Process
Tiffany, our nurse practitioner, will describe the gestational surrogacy process.
A gestational surrogate is needed to carry a pregnancy when a female has uterine problems or has been unsuccessful in carrying a full-term pregnancy.
Surrogate candidates should be under 40 years of age, in good general health and have a previous history of successful pregnancies and resulting live births.
A consultation and screening appointment is the first step for the potential gestational surrogate. This appointment gathers thorough information on her medical health, pregnancy and delivery history, as well as surgical history and other things.
An ultrasound is done to determine the overall health of the uterus and blood tests are ordered.
Medical clearance is given once all test results are evaluated and the surrogate is determined to be a good candidate.
A psychological evaluation is the next clearance.
The last clearance is a legal agreement between the surrogate and the intended parent/s. This is done by an attorney specializing in gestational surrogacy and provides protection to both parties.
Once all clearances have been provided, medical treatment can then begin with the gestational surrogate.
Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
Dr. Wilcox responds to a patient’s question who is dealing with recurrent pregnancy loss and also Hashimoto’s disease. He answers with options in which this patient may take to achieve pregnancy including in-vitro fertilization (IVF).
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
Dr. John Wilcox discusses Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) and how it can increase a woman’s chance of becoming pregnant. IUI is a fertility treatment that involves placing sperm inside a woman’s uterus to which in turn increases the number of sperm that reach the fallopian tubes and subsequently increasing the chance of fertilization.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Dr. John Wilcox discusses Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in this video. He shares that 10% of women will experience PCOS and describes symptoms of having PCOS. He also explains treatments for those women who have PCOS.
Single Embryo Transfer
Dr. John Wilcox shares advances in technology over the past twenty years and discusses why single embryo transfer is so successful today.
How are Embryos Placed in the Uterine Cavity?
Dr. John Wilcox explains the process in which embryos are placed in the uterine cavity.
Catheters are used for transfer under ultrasound guidance. Many years ago, this wasn’t available and is a huge advancement in the field.
Once the patient is on the exam table, an ultrasonographer is present to place the probe on the abdomen and identify a location to deliver the embryo.
Patients have full bladders at this time so Dr. Wilcox can better visualize the upper third of the uterine cavity where the embryo will go.
Highly specialized catheters are used to deliver embryos to the uterus and the process takes about 2-3 minutes. Most patients do not feel anything during the process.
After Dr. Wilcox gets the inner guide in place, an embryologist brings in a loaded catheter with the embryo which then slides into the guide. This is all done under ultrasound guidance and Dr. Wilcox can fully visualize where the fluid has been placed and gently withdraws the catheter.
By use of improved catheters along with ultrasound guidance, placement of the embryo is optimized which has greatly improved pregnancy rates.
Fibroids and Endometriosis
Dr. John Wilcox discusses fibroids and endometriosis including the percentage of women that have fibroids as well as what can be done to remove these tumors allowing a natural pregnancy without the use of a surrogate.
Determining Ovarian Reserve
Dr. John Wilcox discusses ovarian reserve including defining exactly what it is as well as sharing when a females ovarian reserve is at its highest level and the dramatic decrease of eggs in which a female has from birth until adulthood.
Dr. Wilcox also explains the different procedures used when testing a woman’s ovarian reserve including an ultrasound and specific blood tests. He discusses when and why each method is used and what the actual test results mean including how accurate each is when determining the egg count of the woman.
Recovery After A Procedure at RSA Surgery Center
A tour of the waiting area and recovery rooms at Wilcox Fertility once a fertility procedure has been completed. Nurse practitioner, Tiffany Tseng explains who can assist patients home after a procedure at the connected RSA Surgery Center. Treatments include the egg retrieval process and also an embryo transfer under anesthesia.
Post Egg Retrieval Procedure
Tiffany, the Nurse Practitioner at Wilcox Fertility located in Pasadena, California describes what you should do and what to expect after the egg retrieval process. Items in which Tiffany discusses include when you can exercise, how much you can lift, as well as what to eat and drink.
Tiffany also describes how you should be feel after the egg retrieval procedure is complete including some bloating and mild abdominal discomfort. She also covers abnormal signs when you may want to contact further assistance. For more information about the post egg retrieval procedure, please feel free to contact a staff member at Wilcox Fertility. In an emergency, please call 911 immediately.
The Why’s and When’s IVF Cycles are Cancelled
Dr. John Wilcox of Wilcox Fertility discusses when and why IVF cycles are cancelled. IVF results are compromised due to numerous reasons as Dr. Wilcox explains but the goal is the produce the most “high-quality” eggs possible giving the patient the best chance of achieving pregnancy.
What A Woman Can Do to Prepare for IVF or Any Infertility Treatment
Dr. John Wilcox offers some advice on how to properly prepare for IVF treatment or any infertility procedure. Recommendations include vitamins, having a proper weight, moderate exercise, a healthy diet, reduction of stress, getting sufficient sleep, and possibly taking a few supplements.