Downtown Spokane: 201 W. North River Dr. Suite 100 Spokane, Wa 99201

To schedule an appointment, call us at 509-462-7070or click here.

Whether it’s for work, family holidays, or a long-awaited vacation, you may be wondering how to arrange travel while undergoing fertility treatment. It’s possible – but not recommended during the active phase of your IVF cycle.

Here are some guidelines to consider before you pack your bags:

• If you’re flying, contact the airline to find out what is required for you to carry on treatment medications and/or syringes. If necessary, Dr. Robbins can write a letter stating your need to travel with your fertility medication.
• Don’t forget to pack extra accessories like needle tips, alcohol wipes and hand sanitizer.
• Bring a travel sharps container to ensure you properly dispose of any needle tips.
• If your medication needs to be refrigerated, use frozen gel packs (they will need to be frozen solid, not slushy to get through TSA screening).
• Make sure you have received all the proper vaccinations if you’re traveling outside the country. Contact us to review your vaccinations, as some may not be recommended for patients in the midst of fertility treatment.

At Center for Reproductive Health, we will work with you to accommodate your plans and sometime busy life. If you know about travel plans in advance, call us at (509) 462-7070 to discuss your medications and where you are in your cycle.

If you’ve been trying to get pregnant, you’ve probably been told to “just relax and let it happen.” While the advice is typically well-intended, it can be frustrating for couples trying to get pregnant. Welcomed or not, it turns out there may be some validity to that advice. Studies show that high levels of stress can interfere with fertility in both men and women.

Chilling out is easier said than done, so here are some tips to help you de-stress and promote fertility:

1. Sleep on it – A good night’s rest allows your body to recover from daily stress. Too little sleep can cause hormonal imbalances, wreaking havoc on your ovulation cycle. The exact number of hours needed per night will vary person to person, but if you’re fighting to find energy and feel like you’re running on empty, you may need to catch some more Zzz’s.

2. Write it down – Journaling can help you rid of emotional pressure and process through some feelings you may not be comfortable sharing with your family or friends. Sometimes it’s helpful to express your stress on paper and then rip it to shreds for a physical release of that tension.

3. Schedule time to enjoy your hobbies – Continuing the activities you enjoy is essential to reducing stress and dedicating time for yourself can take your mind off of pregnancy. A walk along the Centennial Trail or taking pictures of the gardens at Manito Park can be the refresher you need to feel at ease.

4. Evaluate your life – Is there a sudden stress, such as a new job, death in the family or upcoming event that is affecting your daily feelings and activities? Identifying and addressing these stress triggers can help you avoid or remove yourself from stressful situations.

5. Connect – At Center for Reproductive Health, you aren’t alone. Our staff is here to help and can refer you to a counselor or local support group.

Reducing stress will not only help your fertility, but can improve your quality of life, overall. By taking a few of these steps, you can better handle anxious moments and defeat stress.