At Home Fertility Treatment Available with The Stork #TheStork

Brought to you by The Stork and my partnership with The Motherhood. I received compensation for this post, opinions are my own. 

Angeline was three when I married Chris and being the planner that I am, we made the decision that we didn't want anymore children before we got married. Of course, once we settled into married life and Angeline began to grow up, I changed my mind.

I thought it would be easy. "Hey, we'll just stop using birth control!" Only that didn't seem to work for us. A year later, I still hadn't conceived and we were left scratching our heads. We were still young - not even 30 yet - and we weren't in a rush, but I wanted to complete our family before I was 30. I finally spoke to my doctor about it. There was nothing wrong with me, nothing wrong with my eggs. She said sometimes these things take time - and sometimes you need help.

We didn't want to go that route. I think we felt that if it didn't happen easily, maybe it wasn't meant to happen.

Are all young people as dumb as we were?

After two years, we finally got pregnant...and lost the baby almost immediately. As we sat in the emergency room, knowing that I was losing the baby, Chris and I decided that this was it: we were done trying.

I know firsthand how emotionally draining it can be to deal with infertility and difficulty conceiving. I only wish that I knew then what I know now about fertility treatments, and all of the new products and procedures in the field!

Last week,I sat in on a web conference with a few other bloggers and Steve Bollinger, the founder and CEO of Rinovum, or The Stork. After personally experienced infertility issues with his wife, Steve Bollinger wanted to find a way to help couples through the fertility process - and Rinovum was born!

What is Rinovum?

Rinovum is a privately held women’s health company dedicated to bringing products into the market that will enhance women’s lives and empower them to take charge of their health. The first focus is a prescription device – The Stork, for reproductive health to aid in natural fertility and conception in the privacy of the patients’ home.

Did you know that approximately 7.3 million couples in the United States have difficulty conceiving? That's one in 6 couples!

Increasing fertility issues may be attributed to so many different things! Higher estrogen levels in men result in low sperm counts, motility and morphology issues, and women are facing issues like diminishing ovarian reserve, PCOS, endometriosis, not to mention that women are trying to conceive later in life.

Did you know that women 20-25 only have a 25% chance each month of conceiving? That rate goes down as women age, with just a 5% chance when they hit 40.

Anyone dealing with fertility issues is aware of the limited options available for help. There are super long wait periods given by doctors for appointments, and when seen, they often advise couples to continue trying on their own before receiving help!

• Under 35 years of age suggested to wait 12 months
• Over 35 suggested to wait 6 months

Risks Involved with Traditional Infertility Treatment 

Once finally seen, couples find that treatments are incredibly expensive and very slow! Did you know that only 14 out of the 50 states require reimbursement (many of which are partial) by insurance agencies?

And then there are the risk factors associated with many fertility treatments:

1. Multiple births: one-third of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) procedures result in multiples
2. Genetic risks to offspring
3. Increased health risks to female
4. Women are placed on intensive hormone medications
5. Increased rates of breast and ovarian cancer

Not to mention that infertility treatment is often very stressful, which actually reduces a women’s chance of conceiving!

Well, now there's a new alternative - The Stork by Rinovum Women's Health. 

The Stork Conception System is an assisted insemination device that people may use in instances where a low sperm count, sperm immobility, or hostile vaginal environment has been diagnosed.

The system consists of a cervical cap in a condom-like silicone sheath that collects semen into a cervical cap, and then delivers the cap to the outside of the cervix.  It is to be used at home following physician instructions as an aid to conception.

The Benefits of The Stork:

• Proven technique: Physician technique now available for use in the privacy of home.
• Safe: FDA Authorized prescription non-reusable device.
• Natural: Drug-free product!
• Non-invasive: Requires no injections or surgery!
• Easy-to-Use: Condom-like in collection, tampon-like in delivery, so it's easy to use.
• Cost-effective: Compared to “next-step” treatment options.

Because of the low price on The Stork, many physicians are recommending that couples do this process three times/month during a women’s optimal ovulation cycle. As you can see, it is a much less expensive alternative to other approaches.

*national average

How to Purchase The Stork

All you have to do it contact healthcare provider for prescription. Whether it be at your primary care doctor or your OB/GYN's office, any doctor or nurse practitioner can write the prescription for you. You MIGHT be able to get a prescription from a clinic (think local low cost clinic, CVS or Walgreens healthcare clinic) if they have a nurse practicioner on staff. I suggest that you call ahead and ask before going.

Once you have your prescription, you can buy The Stork directly from from The Stork website. You can choose from one device (priced at $79.99) or a one-month supply of three individually packaged Stork devices (priced at $210.00). You can also buy Pre-natal vitamins for men and women on The Stork store website.

Submit a copy of the prescription through email, fax or mail for verification by Rinovum - every prescription is verified. Then The Stork is shipped directly to your home in discreet packaging.

While The Stork is currently only available by prescription, Rinovum hopes to have over the counter approval by the FDA as early as 2014!

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