Other Services

► Endocrinology and Andrology Laboratory – Testing and analysis of blood, urine and semen is performed on site in our Chattanooga lab by medical laboratory technicians Samira Jarjoura and Susan Walker, who are licensed by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP).
Dr. Barry Donesky, one of our reproductive endocrinologists, serves as the medical director over the lab. Same-day results are offered on the majority of the lab’s services. Occasionally, specimens are sent to an outside laboratory for more advanced results. Both of the Fertility Center’s laboratories are accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), which examines all aspects of quality assurance in the lab, including methods, chemicals and media, equipment, specimen handling, maintenance, reports, personnel qualifications, safety and overall management principles. The Fertility Center strives to maintain exemplary safety standards by carefully educating patients and family members about laboratory care, treatment and services. Communication about what to expect helps raise awareness of choices as well as possible errors. We encourage both patients and family members to direct any issues or concerns related to potentially adverse events, hazardous conditions or laboratory safety to JCAHO at 800.994.6610.

► Embryology Laboratory – Eggs, sperm and embryos are the primary focus in the Fertility Center’s state-of-the-art embryology lab, which is housed in a carefully monitored and controlled environment within our Chattanooga office. Susan Walker is the senior embryologist and technical supervisor for the lab. Tony Anderson serves as the off-site lab director. Our embryologists are experienced in the most recent and innovative procedures, including forced fertilization and preimplantation genetic diagnosis. All lab samples are handled with great care and impeccable attention to detail, coupled with a strict verification process that ensures integrity. Both of the Fertility Center’s laboratories are accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), which examines all aspects of quality assurance in the lab, including methods, chemicals and media, equipment, specimen handling, reports, personnel qualifications, safety and overall management principles. The Fertility Center strives to maintain exemplary safety standards by carefully educating patients and family members about laboratory care, treatment and services. Communication about what to expect helps raise awareness of choices as well as possible errors. We encourage both patients and family members to direct any issues or concerns related to potentially adverse events, hazardous conditions or laboratory safety to JCAHO at 800.994.6610.

► Egg and Embryo Cryopreservation and Storage – Eggs as well as embryos that are not transferred during the initial (or fresh) cycle during which they are retrieved can be cryogenically frozen for future use and stored in the Fertility Center’s Embryology Laboratory. When a couple is ready to try again for a pregnancy, their eggs can be thawed and fertilized, or their embryos can be thawed. Either can be transferred to the woman’s uterus during a subsequent or “frozen” cycle, which is less costly than a fresh cycle. Cryopreservation helps make multiple attempts at conception more economical.

► Sperm Banking – The Fertility Center is not a long-term storage facility due to limited lab space. However, couples who are planning treatment with us can have specimens stored on site for a year or two. We encourage anyone outside of our patient base who needs sperm banking to contact Fairfax Cryobank toll free at 800.338.8407. One of the world's largest and most experienced sperm banks, Fairfax offers donor sperm and sperm storage as well as embryo storage services.

► Egg Donation – Non-smoking women between the ages of 21 and 33 are recruited and carefully screened by the Fertility Center before agreeing to donate their eggs to couples who are dealing with infertility challenges related to poor quality or diminishing egg production. Rather than having to wait until donors become available, couples can choose from an established pool of our own healthy and willing participants through a program that complies with and adheres to strict FDA guidelines. Medical Assistant Sandy Saffles oversees the egg donor program. The menstrual cycle of a woman receiving eggs is coordinated with the donor’s cycle so that a transfer can take place quickly and efficiently to maximize the chances for success. The recipient’s husband can provide a semen sample to be used to fertilize the donated eggs before the transfer, or donor sperm can be obtained.

► Embryo Donation – On occasion, a couple may achieve pregnancy success before they use all of their available embryos. They may choose to make their extra embryos available to another couple. The Fertility Center recently began helping match these generous couples with men and women who have not yet achieved their dream of parenthood. Embryologist Susan Walker is the embryo donation program coordinator.

► Massage Therapy – Therapeutic massage assists the effectiveness of medication and helps patients maintain a more optimistic outlook during treatment. Our doctors have incorporated this relaxing therapy into our standard protocol after seeing better success rates with cycles that include professional massage. The Fertility Center has a licensed massage therapist who is also a certified neuromuscular therapist on staff in Chattanooga, and most of our IVF packages include one or two free massages for local patients. Rachel Davis joined the Fertility Center staff in 2003 after training at the Tennessee Institute of Healing Arts and currently is a member of the American Massage Therapy Association. Massage improves the functions of the circulatory, lymphatic, muscular skeletal and nervous systems. The resulting benefits include more efficient blood flow, increased energy, reduced stress and tension, minimized anxiety and depression, fewer headaches, reduced back pain and stiffness in muscles and joints, improved sleep patterns, quicker recovery from injuries and surgery, and decreased symptoms of fibromyalgia, PMS and menopause. The Fertility Center offers general relaxation massage, neuromuscular massage, heated stone massage and pregnancy massage as well as salt scrubs and paraffin dips on hands and feet. Men and women who are not current Fertility Center patients are welcome to schedule appointments with Rachel at our office to take advantage of her relaxing expertise. Gift certificates are available as well.

► 3D/4D Ultrasound Scans – The Fertility Center offers an up-close and personal look at babies in the womb through multi-dimension ultrasound scans for pregnant couples, including those outside of our established patient base. The best time to schedule a scan is between weeks 28 and 32, although the position of the fetus and the amount of amniotic fluid both can affect scan results. The cost for an elective scan is $175 and includes complimentary pictures on a CDR disk. Couples who would like the images recorded on video need to bring a VHS tape. Please call at least two weeks in advance for an appointment to ensure availability. These prenatal scans are done just for fun and are not used for diagnostic or treatment purposes.

► Counseling – Research has shown that the stress associated with infertility can be at a level comparable to the anxiety associated with serious illness. Patients who receive emotional support are often better prepared for the experience of being treated for infertility as well as more confident and less distressed. Former patient Tina Smith serves as the Fertility Center’s patient support coordinator. Her ten-year journey through infertility and assisted reproduction gives her a unique and empathetic perspective for understanding and relating to couples. She’s always willing to share her story, answer questions or listen to patients’ fears, frustrations and concerns. Tina also facilitates Empty Arms, a community support group for women who are struggling to become pregnant, which meets twice each month in our Chattanooga lobby. Tina is available in the Chattanooga office on Tuesday afternoons and Friday mornings and takes appointments on alternate days, as needed. Chattanooga patients also have the option of meeting with Ann Ramey, our licensed clinical therapist whose professional counseling experience spans the gamut from marriage to grief. Ann is in the Chattanooga office on alternate Mondays but is flexible if her scheduled hours are not convenient for you. Both Tina's and Ann's support services are free to patients. At this time, we do not have a counselor on staff at our Knoxville office, but we do refer patients to the Complete Counseling psychotherapy group near our office on Kingston Pike. The Fertility Center strongly encourages patients to take advantage of counseling options. Patients using known egg donors or choosing a surrogate are required to see a counselor. 

► Acupuncture Partner – Acupuncture and acupressure as well as herbal and diet therapies have been used safely and effectively for thousands of years to enhance fertility and support pregnancies. Chinese medicine targets the hormone regulation centers in the brain and autonomic nervous system to improve or eliminate gynecological disorders, including irregular or absent menstruation, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, anovulation, abnormal uterine conditions and unexplained infertility. Some of the Fertility Center’s Chattanooga patients highly recommend Four Seasons Acupuncture at Nutrition World Wellness Center at the corner of Vance Road and Lee Highway. For more information, call 423.596.9024 and talk with Susan Mosley, LAC.