At Markham Fertility Centre, we understand that each journey is unique. Our physicians' support teams work closely with you to understand your individual needs and develop a customized plan that fits your timeline.

1. The first step is to obtain a referral from your family doctor, walk-in clinic, or any other doctor involved in your care. You can fax your referral to 905-472-7128 or email it to referrals@markhamfertility.com. Our Referral Coordinator will contact you within one week of receiving your referral to schedule your initial consultation.
   
2. Your fertility specialist will meet with you virtually or in person, as per your prefer. During this appointment, you will share your story and review any test results completed before the appointment. Your doctor will work with you to develop a unique care plan that meets your specific needs.

Our patients are supported in a safe and welcoming environment that is wheelchair accessible and scent and smell-free.  Consultations and testing are covered by OHIP, with some exceptions.  We look forward to supporting you.

Egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, is a process that involves the freezing of eggs to preserve them for future use. The procedure involves harvesting mature eggs from the ovaries, freezing them, and then storing them at our clinic until you are ready to use them. 

The egg freezing process typically involves several stages.  

1. The patient undergoes hormone injections to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs. 
2. Eggs are retrieved from the ovaries using a needle that is guided by ultrasound. This process is painless and takes place under anesthesia sedation.
3. Eggs are then frozen using a process called vitrification, which involves rapidly cooling the eggs.  

While egg freezing is a useful option for women who want to preserve their fertility, it is important to note that it is not a guarantee of pregnancy. The success of the procedure depends on many factors such as the quality of the eggs and the female age at the time of egg freezing.   

You may choose to freeze your eggs today for many personal reasons. The best way to understand if egg freezing is the best decision for you is to speak with one of our very experienced fertility doctors.   

You may have a medical condition that will impact your reproductive journey.  Preserving your fertility by freezing your eggs or sperm will allow you the opportunity for more options in the future.  

Fertility preservation for medical reasons, such as a cancer diagnosis, surgery or gender-affirming treatment is covered by the Ontario Fertility Program, although there are out-of-pocket expenses, namely fertility medications.  Urgent referrals for fertility preservation take priority and our physicians will provide a consultation within 48 hrs. 

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a fertility treatment that involves placing sperm directly into the uterus during ovulation. It is a relatively simple and non-invasive procedure that can be used to treat various fertility issues.  Ideal candidates for IUI are: 

• female patients with ovulatory disorders 
• couples with unexplained infertility 
• couples mild male factor infertility  
• same-sex female couples 
• single women who want to conceive with donor sperm 
• Couples with sexual performance issues  

IUI cycle requires several steps:  

1. First the female menstrual cycle is closely monitored to determine the best time for insemination of sperm. 
2. The sperm is collected, washed, and concentrated to increase the chances of fertilization.  
3. A catheter used to insert concentrated sperm directly inside the uterus. 

The success rate of IUI varies depending on the age of the female partner, the cause of infertility and the amount of concentrated sperm.  Overall success rates are 10-20% per cycle. The Ontario Fertility Program covers IUIs, but there are out-of-pockets expenses for medications and sperm preparation.  As well, there are additional costs when using a sperm donor.  Whatever your circumstances, your fertility doctor at Markham Fertility Centre can guide you in making an informed decision, one that is tailored to your individual needs. 

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is an advanced fertility treatment that allows fertilization to take place outside of the body in a laboratory setting. The process involves the careful retrieval of eggs from the ovaries, which are then fertilized with sperm in a controlled laboratory environment. Embryos are monitored for up to  seven days in order to reach the blastocyst stage before they can be either frozen for future use or transferred into the uterus. 

IVF is a viable option for patients who are facing a variety of fertility challenges, such as: 

• Advanced age
• Male factor infertility 
• Fallopian tube damage 
• Unexplained infertility 
• Recurrent pregnancy loss 
• History of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), endometriosis or pelvic adhesionsI 

IVF is an excellent option for patients requiring an egg donor and/or surrogate, or genetic conditions with the goal to select embryos without those genetic traits. For some patients, IVF may also be used for reciprocal IVF where one partner provides the eggs and the other carries the pregnancy. 

Before undergoing IVF, proper testing and diagnosis are crucial to ensure that the treatment is appropriate for your specific circumstances. IVF is a complex and time-intensive process, but our team of experts is dedicated to providing you with the highest level of care and support throughout the entire process. 

Eligible patients can benefit from the Ontario Fertility Program (OFP), which covers some fertility treatment costs. To be eligible for funding, you must have a valid OHIP card, be under the age of 43, and not have used funding previously. While funding is limited each year, if you are eligible for funding and are a candidate for IVF, your fertility doctor will add you to the waitlist. 

At Markham Fertility Centre, inclusivity is at the core of our values. We believe in providing compassionate and supportive care to all individuals, regardless of their gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, or religion. We recognize the importance of reproductive choice and the right of everyone to have a family. Our team is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for every patient. 

We offer a comprehensive range of reproductive services tailored to meet individual needs and circumstances. We understand that every reproductive journey is unique and offer a variety of options to help patients achieve their family planning goals. 

For assigned female at birth (AFAB) individuals, we offer fertility preservation through egg freezing, IUI , IVF treatments and reciprocal IVF, a process where one partner provides the eggs, and the other carries the pregnancy. 

For assigned male at birth (AFAM) individuals, we offer the option of using an egg donor or gestational surrogate, as well as shared IVF, where half of the donor eggs are fertilized with one partner's sperm and half with the second partner's sperm. 

For transgender families, we provide a range of options, including IUI or IVF treatments, egg or sperm donation, gestational carriers, and fertility preservation through freezing eggs or sperm. 

Our Donor and Surrogate team provide specialized care and support throughout the entire process, from initial testing to pregnancy. We understand that every patient has unique circumstances and family planning goals, and we are committed to helping each individual achieve their dreams of starting or growing their family. 

Markham Fertility Centre provides comprehensive support for individuals and couples seeking to start a family using donor and surrogacy services. Our Health Canada approved program offers a wide range of options including the use of donor sperm, donor eggs, donor embryos or gestational carriers. 

Our experienced team will guide and support you through the entire process, whether you choose anonymous donation or known donor eggs or sperm (in which the donor is someone you know). All participants in the process undergo rigorous infectious disease screening to ensure the safety of everyone involved. 

We partner with several reputable agencies and donor eggs and sperm banks to ensure broad access for our patients, and we are committed to providing compassionate and personalized care throughout your journey to parenthood. 

Genetic testing and counseling play a crucial role in reproductive decision-making and is available to all Markham Fertility Centre patients as part of our commitment to your reproductive journey. Our genetics program includes testing at three stages:  

1. Expanded Carrier Screening:   A genetic test that identifies if an individual or couple carries any genetic mutations that could potentially be passed on to their offspring.
   
2. Pre-Implantation Genetic Testing:  A laboratory technique used to screen embryos for genetic or chromosomal abnormalities before they are transferred during in vitro fertilization (IVF).

3. Pre-Natal Screening/Testing: Blood tests performed during pregnancy to assess the genetics of the developing fetus. 

Whether you are considering fertility treatment, already pregnant, or just want to learn more about your genetic risk factors, our team is here to help. We offer one of the most comprehensive genetic counseling programs in the country, staffed by experienced genetic counselors who are here to provide you with guidance, support, and information throughout your journey.  

Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL) and Recurrent Implantation Failure (RIF) can be incredibly difficult experiences for patients who are trying to conceive. RPL occurs when a patient has experienced two or more miscarriages, while RIF occurs when a patient has experienced multiple failed implantation attempts of good-quality embryos after IVF. 

At Markham Fertility Centre, we understand the emotional toll that RPL and RIF can take on patients, and we take a unique and personalized approach to care. Our team of experts works closely with each patient to understand their medical history, conduct a thorough investigation, and build a tailored treatment plan to address their specific needs. 

We know that each patient requires support uniquely, and we endeavor to tailor our response to meet the individual needs of each patient. Our expert physicians offer treatment for many factors that can contribute to RPL or RIF, such as gamete quality, anatomical factors, or immune issues. 

Our team provides patients with the support and care they need to navigate the complex emotional and physical challenges of RPL and RIF, and we are committed to helping each patient achieve their dream of building a family. 

DREAM Fertility, located in Oshawa, Ontario, is co-led by renowned physicians Dr. Melanie Campbell and Dr. Salina Kanji, who collaborate with Markham Fertility Centre to provide comprehensive reproductive services to the residents of Durham region.  

DREAM Fertility patients have access to the complete range of fertility treatments and services available at Markham Fertility Centre, while MFC patients can opt for cycle monitoring at DREAM Fertility for greater convenience.