INSTITUTE FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE AND HEALTH
The Davis family is now complete with the addition of 1-year-old Joseph, conceived with IVF and the help of the specialists at the Montefiore Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Health. Pictured (clockwise from top left) are Kim, Mike, Jack, Joseph and John.

When Kim and Mike Davis got married, they dreamed of having a healthy baby to add to their close-knit family. But they knew conceiving a child might be a challenge. Kim had a tubal ligation after giving birth to her second son, Jack, 9, who, along with brother John, 13, were easily conceived during a previous marriage. Both Kim, 39, and Mike, 40, also were in an age bracket where infertility issues are common.

After seeking the advice of relatives, the Davis couple, who are both members of the Air National Guard, sought care at the Montefiore Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Health, a full-service infertility clinic in Westchester County, where a team of experienced endocrinologists, embryologists, urologists, psychiatrists and nurses work with couples to help them conceive.

PERSONALIZED CARE

The Institute offers basic diagnostic and treatment services, as well as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and other advanced infertility procedures. Staff at the Institute evaluate patients individually and as couples and design customized treatment plans to maximize their chances of conceiving. While advanced treatments are available, many couples have success with simpler and less-expensive therapies.

“People don’t realize how successful infertility treatments have become over the past several decades,” says Nanette Santoro, MD, director of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology at Montefiore Medical Center and professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Women’s Health at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. “We can offer a lot of hope to infertile couples. We also know that fertility treatments can be very stressful, so treating patients with compassion is one of our top priorities. Many of our own staff have gone through the process themselves and are able to provide a level of understanding that patients really need.”

Photo of Kim Davis and her son

IT’S A BOY!

The Davis couple learned that since several issues affected their fertility, IVF was their best option. Kim’s first IVF procedure resulted in a twin pregnancy. However, the pregnancy did not progress normally and, sadly, neither of the babies made it to full term. The loss was very traumatic, but the couple were determined to try again. A few months later, Kim had a second IVF procedure and learned that she was carrying twins again. The couple lost one of the babies early in the pregnancy, but on April 30, 2008, their dream finally came true when little Joseph was born.

“We were all thrilled to welcome Joseph into our family,” Kim remembers. “It’s been such a blessing to become parents all over again. Mike was beside himself because Joseph is the only child to carry on the Davis name. And John and Jack are excited to have a baby brother.”

HOPE FOR INFERTILE COUPLES

Coping with infertility can be discouraging. That’s why the Davis family says finding the right facility is so important.

“We did a lot of research and heard such positive things about Montefiore that the choice was easy,” Kim says. “We had to drive more than an hour and a half each way to get there, but it was worth the trip because of how they made us feel. The staff there are all personable and supportive and the facility was so comfortable and homey. I hope our story offers some inspiration to other couples who are trying to have babies. It’s not always an easy road, but Montefiore helped us every step of the way, and the outcome is so worth it!”

Photo of Nanette Santoro, MD For more information about the Montefiore Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Health or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Santoro, please call 914-997-1060.

Get Ready—Emotionally and Physically—for Infertility Treatments

Are you having difficulty starting or expanding your family? Specialists at the Montefiore Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Health say there are some things you and your partner can do to build a healthy foundation—emotionally and physically—to prepare for infertility treatments. Here are some tips.

  • Take care of your health. Women who want to become pregnant should take folate or folic acid to prevent anemia and certain birth defects, engage in moderateintensity exercise and maintain an optimal body weight with a body mass index of at least 18.
  • Check with your insurance company. Find out which diagnostic and treatment services it covers so you’ll know what to expect financially. The Institute is able to offer financial assistance to some couples through a grant it received from the New York State Department of Health as part of its Infertility Demonstration Project. The program provides financial support to eligible state residents for in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures.
  • Focus on your relationship. “Coping with all the medications and hormonal changes can be stressful,” says Kim Davis, whose 1-year-old son, Joseph, was conceived through IVF at the Institute. “It’s really important that couples going through infertility treatments have strong, stable and supportive relationships.”
  • Don’t wait too long. “We can’t treat advanced maternal age,” says Nanette Santoro, MD, an infertility specialist at the Institute. “Women who are 35 or older should seek help sooner rather than later. That way we can find out what issues they’re facing and have some time to deal with them.”