Guides
Everything we wish someone had told us, written calmly.
31 guides across five topic clusters. Updated quarterly. Read in any order.
Understanding Infertility
4 guides
What counts as infertility?
Definitions, timelines, and when it's reasonable to see a specialist.
Updated Mar 2026
Common diagnoses explained: PCOS, endometriosis, low AMH, male factor, unexplained
Plain-English overviews of the diagnoses you're most likely to hear.
Updated Mar 2026
The initial workup: what tests to expect
AMH, FSH, HSG, semen analysis — what each one tells you and what it doesn't.
Updated Feb 2026
When to see a reproductive endocrinologist
How to know it's time to move beyond your OB/GYN.
Updated Feb 2026
Treatment Options
7 guides
IUI explained: process, timeline, success rates, costs
Often the first step. Here's what a cycle actually looks like.
Updated Mar 2026
IVF explained: stim, retrieval, transfer, success rates by age
A complete walk-through of an IVF cycle, from your first appointment to your beta.
Updated Mar 2026
Hormone medications: what they do, side effects, costs
Gonal-F, Menopur, Follistim, trigger shots — a calm guide to your meds list.
Updated Mar 2026
Egg freezing: who it's for, what it costs, what success looks like
An honest look at what you're actually buying when you freeze eggs.
Updated Mar 2026
PGT-A and genetic testing: when it's worth it
The trade-offs no one explained when they handed you the consent form.
Updated Feb 2026
Donor eggs, donor sperm, surrogacy: overview and cost ranges
Paths people don't always know are available — and what they cost.
Updated Feb 2026
LGBTQ+ family building paths
Reciprocal IVF, known and unknown donors, second-parent adoption.
Updated Feb 2026
Costs & Coverage
9 guides
The real cost of IVF in the US
National averages, regional variation, and the line items clinics often leave off the quote.
Updated Mar 2026
The real cost of IUI
Why a $300 procedure can become a $3,000 cycle.
Updated Mar 2026
How fertility medications are priced (and why they vary so much)
Specialty pharmacies, manufacturer discounts, and the price spread you can exploit.
Updated Mar 2026
Understanding your insurance: SPD, medical policy, formulary
The three documents you actually need — and how to get them.
Updated Feb 2026
Self-funded vs fully-insured plans (and why it matters)
Why state mandates may not apply to your plan even if you live in a mandate state.
Updated Feb 2026
State fertility mandates: which states require coverage
A state-by-state breakdown of what's actually mandated.
Updated Feb 2026
HSA/FSA strategies for fertility treatment
What's eligible, how to time contributions, and where people leave money on the table.
Updated Feb 2026
Questions to ask your insurance (with exact CPT codes)
A scripted call sheet so you get real answers the first time.
Updated Feb 2026
Out-of-pocket cost-saving strategies
The negotiations, programs, and paperwork that actually move the number.
Updated Feb 2026
Financing & Grants
6 guides
IVF financing options compared
CapexMD, Future Family, Lending Club Patient Solutions, Prosper — side-by-side.
Updated Mar 2026
IVF refund and shared-risk programs: how they actually work
When a 'money-back guarantee' is a good deal — and when it isn't.
Updated Mar 2026
Major fertility grants and how to apply
Eligibility, deadlines, and tips that improve your odds.
Updated Feb 2026
Employer benefits: Progyny, Carrot, Maven
What they cover, how they differ, and how to use them well.
Updated Feb 2026
Negotiating with clinics: scripts and strategies
What to ask for, when to ask, and what's actually negotiable.
Updated Feb 2026
Medical tourism for IVF: pros, cons, where to consider
Spain, Czech Republic, Mexico, Greece — the honest trade-offs.
Updated Feb 2026
The Process
5 guides
What an IVF cycle actually looks like, week by week
A calm, day-by-day walk-through of a typical cycle.
Updated Mar 2026
Building your support system
Who to tell, who to lean on, and how to set boundaries.
Updated Mar 2026
Managing the emotional load
Practical, non-saccharine ways to take care of yourself.
Updated Feb 2026
When a cycle fails: what to do next
The medical, financial, and emotional next steps.
Updated Feb 2026
Switching clinics: when and how
Signs it's time, how to transfer records, and what to ask the new clinic.
Updated Feb 2026