Gentle Approach

Explore minimally invasive options as the first step in your fertility journey

If you’re unsure where to begin or are looking for a thoughtful, less complicated treatment, at Think Fertility, we offer several gentle non-IVF treatments you can choose before IVF.

Gentle approach provides an opportunity to start your fertility care with fertility testing assessment. You will be meeting with our nurse practitioner- Allycin Rajasaari, ARNP., She will plan your personalized treatment, allowing you to enhance your fertility in a gentle, supportive way. In this process, you will receive compassionate care from our expert team. 

Whether you’re just considering starting a family or want to understand your fertility better, the Gentle Approach offers a personalized, patient-centered way to begin your journey. It’s a program designed to provide you with the support, education, and guidance you need, while keeping your care as mild as possible. This approach ensures you feel confident in the path you choose, giving you the best foundation for your fertility journey.

Tips to Get Pregnant Before IVF – Gentle Approach Fertility Treatment

Tracking ovulation and timing intercourse

When do you ovulate and release the egg that can be fertilized with your partner’s sperm? This information is important because the egg needs to meet sperm within 24 hours after it is released. If your cycle is between 28-30 days, on average, ovulation can occur around day 14 but it may occur between days 11 and 21.  If your menstrual cycle is irregular, it might be challenging to predict ovulation.

We can help you to track your follicular growth and better

redict your ovulation by using ultrasound scan, thus you can plan sexual activity during ovulation time which can increase the likelihood of conception. Additionally, ultrasound can aid in the diagnosis of ovulation-related disorders or issues. Some of these issues might also interfere with your pregnancy. If you need medication to assist follicular growth or ovulation, ultrasound follicular monitoring can evaluate your response to medication.


Gentle support of follicular growth by using short period (5-day) oral medication

Women typically produce and release only one egg each month. Taking oral medication such as Clomiphene (Clomid) or Letrozole for a short period of time (5 days) may help them to grow and release more than one egg each month, which can increase their chance to conceive. Both Clomiphene and Letrozole motivate your endogenous secretion of follicular

stimulating hormone which can drive follicular development.

You may benefit from taking Clomiphene or Letrozole if you have PCOS, ovulation dysfunction, unexplained infertility, low ovarian reserve, or advanced age.

We can prescribe Clomiphene or Letrozole, and track your response to medication by using ultrasound scan.


Gentle ovarian stimulation by using low-dose injectable medication

We might recommend low dose injectable medications if oral Clomiphene or Letrozole have not worked. These injectable medications are identical to natural follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and are sometimes combined with luteinizing hormone (LH). Given by injections, these hormones stimulate the growth and release of multiple eggs.

You will need ultrasound monitoring when you use injectable medications. Meanwhile, you can try to conceive naturally by timing intercourse or by intra-uterine insemination (IUI). Sometimes though, women develop too many follicles after injection. In that scenario, treatment might be cancelled to avoid multi-pregnancies.


IUI or Intrauterine Insemination

The IUI procedure involves washing a partner or donor’s sperm and transferring fast moving and good quality sperm directly into the uterus via a thin catheter. IUI can put a much larger number of sperm into the uterus than would occur with intercourse because the sperm does not have to travel up the

vagina and through the cervix to reach the uterus.

IUI may be done with or without fertility medications (oral or injectable). IUI is less expensive than IVF. Average rates of success per IUI cycle are ~ 10%. If you have tried several rounds of IUI and cannot conceive, you might need IVF treatment.


Nutrition and weight loss medication

Nutrition and weight affect women and men’s reproductive health in many ways. Weight is a sensitive topic during fertility treatment. There is solid evidence that overweight or obesity are associated with infertility, pregnancy loss, poor ovarian response during fertility treatment, and various maternal or neonatal complications during pregnancy.

The Mediterranean style diet provides balanced protein, fiber, carbs and healthy fats, and can enhance general health and potentially increase the chance of conception.

For women who show signs of insulin resistance or glucose intolerance, an oral medication Metformin may help induce ovulation. 

Ozempic and Mounjaro were approved to treat Type II diabetes, and also known for their weight loss benefits. Ozempic and Mounjaro can make the stomach empty slower and signal the brain that the body feels full, thus reducing appetite and cravings, and over time leading to weight loss. Many women have shared stories of their “Ozempic babies” — unexpected pregnancies while taking weight-loss medications. The side effects of these weight-loss medications have not been studied. In the absence of definitive data, the current FDA recommendation is to stop the medicine two months before pregnancy when possible because the medication can remain in your system for some time.




Meet Allycin Rajasaari, ARNP

Whole-person approach to support your fertility journey

Every path to parenthood is unique, and as a Fertility Nurse Practitioner, I’ve seen how overwhelming the journey can feel. That’s why I’m proud to be part of the Gentle Approach Program, offering supportive, minimally invasive care.

This program focuses on building trust, compassion, and communication—starting with options like timed intercourse and IUI before exploring advanced treatments like IVF when needed. By tailoring care to each patient’s needs, we ensure they feel heard, empowered, and confident in their choices.

It’s an honor to support individuals and couples in achieving their dreams of starting a family. With the Gentle Approach, we provide a step-by-step pathway, creating a nurturing environment for this transformative journey.

-Ally

Whether you’re thinking about starting a family or looking to gain a clearer understanding of your fertility, our Gentle Approach is designed to offer a compassionate, tailored experience. We’re committed to helping you feel empowered and confident in your choices, laying the groundwork for a successful and fulfilling fertility journey.

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