Advances in Fertility Care

For many people, the journey to parenthood doesn’t unfold the way they imagined. Some spend months wondering why pregnancy hasn’t happened. Others experience heartbreaking miscarriages. Some know they want children someday but aren’t ready to start a family just yet.

While those challenges remain deeply personal, the options available to help have expanded dramatically.

“When I was in medical school in the 1990s, just even the thought of being able to create life outside of a body was very new to me,” says Dr. Mira Aubuchon, a reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist at MCRM Fertility in Tulsa.

Dr. Mira Aubuchon

Since then, Aubuchon has watched fertility medicine change in ways she never could have imagined. Many of the advances she uses every day didn’t exist when she was training. And one of the biggest changes doesn’t even happen inside a fertility clinic.

Today’s patients often arrive with a much clearer understanding of their own reproductive health thanks to cycle-tracking apps, home hormone monitoring and sophisticated ovulation testing.

Years ago, Aubuchon says, most patients relied on simple ovulation predictor kits that looked much like pregnancy tests. Today’s technology provides much more detailed information about what’s happening throughout the menstrual cycle, helping many women recognize when something may be off and seek help sooner.

That information becomes another valuable tool as physicians develop an individualized treatment plan.

More Precise Treatment

In vitro fertilization, commonly known as IVF, has also changed significantly over the past three decades.

One of the biggest advances has been the ability to grow embryos in the laboratory for a longer period before transfer. Years ago, embryos were typically cultured for only two or three days. Today, many can be developed for five to seven days. Aubuchon says that additional time has helped reduce less successful embryo transfers.

Genetic testing has also come a long way.

Known as preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), the screening evaluates embryos before pregnancy begins. While no test can guarantee success, Aubuchon says it can help identify embryos that are less likely to result in a healthy pregnancy, reducing uncertainty for many families and lowering miscarriage rates in appropriate patients.

The information can also help families make decisions about future family planning, including whether to preserve additional embryos or pursue another IVF cycle while they’re still in their most fertile years.

Safer and More Flexible Options

Another significant advancement has been embryo freezing.

Modern freezing techniques have become much more reliable, making it possible for patients to preserve embryos for future use with excellent success rates. Egg freezing has also become a practical option for individuals who hope to have children later but aren’t ready to begin growing their family today.

Improved technology has also made IVF safer.

In years past, fertility specialists often transferred multiple embryos at once in hopes that at least one would implant successfully. While that approach sometimes worked, it also led to higher rates of twins and higher-order multiple pregnancies, which carry increased risks for both mothers and babies.

Today, improved laboratory techniques allow physicians to transfer fewer embryos—often just one—while still maintaining strong pregnancy rates.

Many Paths to Building a Family

Although IVF is often associated with couples struggling to conceive, Aubuchon says patients seek fertility care for many different reasons.

Some come after months of infertility. Others have experienced recurrent pregnancy loss and want additional reassurance before trying again.

Some pursue fertility preservation through egg or embryo freezing while focusing on careers, education or other life goals. Others are hoping to avoid passing along a known genetic condition.

The practice also helps single parents by choice, same-sex couples and intended parents working with donor eggs, donor sperm, donated embryos or gestational carriers.

Looking Ahead

Fertility medicine continues to evolve, and one area generating significant interest is the use of artificial intelligence.

Artificial intelligence is also beginning to play a role in fertility care. Researchers are developing tools that may help physicians analyze embryos, prioritize those with the greatest likelihood of success and then personalize treatment decisions.

“It may help us think differently, maybe, or smooth that path in some way,” Aubuchon says.

For Aubuchon, the science remains fascinating. But after more than 20 years of practice, it’s the families she serves that continue to inspire her.

Whether patients are facing infertility, recurrent miscarriage, genetic concerns or another challenge, she says the first step is simply learning what options are available.

Natalie Mikles is a mom of three and editor of TulsaKids Magazine. She writes about food, sharing recipes for busy families and picky eaters.