Dr. Erkeda DeRouen talks to Dr. Carolina Sueldo, a fertility specialist who is double board certified in both obstetrics and gynecology, as well as reproductive endocrinology and infertility. They talk about fertility, family planning and the in vitro fertilization (IVF) process.
[00:43] Introducing Dr. Carolina Sueldo
[02:50] Why OBGYN and REI?
[10:12] Fertility education is empowerment
[15:57] Costs of Fertility Treatment
[18:45] IVF Treatment and Process
[22:50] What Dr. Sueldo Would Change About Healthcare
Understanding Women’s Biological Clocks
Females are born with all the eggs they will ever have. Fertility peaks during the late teens or early twenties. The chances of pregnancy, the risk of miscarriage, and the risk of genetic problems remain stable until age 35. Afterwards, women’s eggs will show a progressive decline in quantity and quality.
Why Fertility and Reproductive Education Matters
Very few people are educated about fertility. Knowing what is normal for your body is empowering and allows you to make better, informed decisions. It’s recommended to start family planning early because unexpected situations or diagnoses may force you to change course.
The Process of Egg Freezing
First, tests will be done to determine the ovarian reserve. The patient will also be screened for infectious diseases. Next, the patient will need to follow the IVF checklist and take fertility medication that will be ordered by the clinic. During this preparation stage, the patient will be asked to give their consent to the treatment.
The patient’s eggs will be frozen for two weeks. They will need to come to the clinic frequently for ultrasounds, blood draws, and for overall check-ups. The last step is egg retrieval via surgery. Patients will be informed of the number of mature eggs a day or two after the procedure.
You can reach Dr. Carolina Sueldo through her Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn. Watch her YouTube channel for educational videos on fertility and reproduction.
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Dr. Erkeda DeRouen is a graduate of Hampton University with a B.S. in Biological Sciences, followed by completing medical school at the Boston University School of Medicine. She then completed residency at The University of Maryland Family and Community Medicine Program. After that, she worked at an underserved community health center, and currently is an Associate Medical Director of a telemedicine company. She recently became one of the first 1,000 lifestyle medicine certified physicians in the world!
Her areas of interest include: health equity and eliminating health disparities, service of underserved populations, HIV management, transgender care, mentorship, and lifestyle medicine.
