No two fertility journeys look exactly alike. Factors like age, medical history, relationship status, and family-building goals all play a role in determining the right path forward—but with so many options available, knowing where to start can feel overwhelming.

In this episode, Dr. Janet Choi and Lissa Kline put real-life fertility scenarios on the table, exploring the stories of individuals and couples at different stages of their family-building journeys. From trying to conceive and egg freezing to IUI, IVF, genetic testing, fertility preservation, and more, they discuss how fertility specialists think through each situation and the treatment paths that may be recommended. Let’s get into it!

Hosts:
Dr. Janet Choi, Chief Medical Officer, Progyny
Lissa Kline, LCSW, SVP, Provider and Member Services

Resources:

• Progyny: How to Best Time Intercourse When Trying to Conceive (TTC) 
• Progyny: What is IUI? 
• Progyny: What is IVF? 
• Progyny: IVF and Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection 
• Progyny: LGBTQ+ Family Building Options 
• Progyny: Egg Freezing 101 
• Progyny: Fertility Preservation After a Cancer Diagnosis 

The DocTalk series, where we discuss current events on the full spectrum of women’s health and family building and what they might mean for you. From news, research studies, pop culture, and everything in-between, we’re going to break it all down and sift through the noise with the help of our expert Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Janet Choi and host, Lissa Kline, LCSW. This show does not constitute medical advice.

The post Finding the right fertility treatment appeared first on Progyny.

If you’re at risk for high blood pressure during pregnancy or after delivery, your healthcare provider may recommend that you check your blood pressure at home.

This helps them know how you’re doing and make adjustments to medicine, if needed. And if your numbers are high, that’s a sign to call your provider.

In this video, we’ll show you how to take your blood pressure at home.

What if my numbers are high?

Be sure you know the blood pressure numbers your provider recommends for you, and what to do if your numbers are high. For example, here are common guidelines.

If either your top or bottom number is high, wait a few minutes and check your blood pressure again. If one of the numbers is still high, call your provider or get medical care.

Call your provider if:

• Your top number is 140 or higher, or
• Your bottom number is 90 or higher

Call your provider or get immediate care if:

• Your top number is 160 or higher, or
• Your bottom number is 110 or higher

Again, these numbers may vary from person to person, so be sure to ask your provider what is considered high for you and when you should call.

Your team can help you

You might find it helpful to take your blood pressure in front of your healthcare team for practice and to ensure your monitor is set up correctly.

Reach out to your health plan as well – a blood pressure monitor may be covered as part of your insurance.

Finally, remember that your Progyny Care Advocate is always here to provide guidance and support.

Explore related topics in this series

• High blood pressure in pregnancy: Get informed to stay safe
• My partner is at risk for preeclampsia: How can I help?

Disclaimer: The information provided by Progyny is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance.

The post How to take your blood pressure at home appeared first on Progyny.

While every path is unique, family building within the LGBTQ+ community involves distinct considerations as individuals and couples navigate their options.

To help us better understand the family building options available, we’re joined by Dr. Quetrell Heyward from Spring Fertility here in New York. From family building options to navigating costs, benefits, and access to care, he shares practical insights to help you make informed decisions about your future. Let’s get into it!

Hosts:
Dr. Janet Choi, Chief Medical Officer, Progyny
Lissa Kline, LCSW, SVP, Provider and Member Services

Guest:
Dr. Quetrell Heyward, Fertility Specialist at Spring Fertility 

Resources:

• Progyny: LGBTQ+ Family Building Options
• Progyny: What family building resources are available for the LGBTQ+ community? 

The DocTalk series, where we discuss current events on the full spectrum of women’s health and family building and what they might mean for you. From news, research studies, pop culture, and everything in-between, we’re going to break it all down and sift through the noise with the help of our expert Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Janet Choi and host, Lissa Kline, LCSW. This show does not constitute medical advice.

The post LGBTQ+ family building options appeared first on Progyny.

You may have heard of PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), a condition affecting about 1 in 10 women.*

As of May 2026, PCOS has a new name: PMOS (polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome). This change is meant to help patients find clarity and support, earlier and more easily.

Why is PMOS a better name?

PCOS was misleading because it doesn’t accurately capture the nature of the condition. It centered on ovarian cysts – although they are not the main feature. In contrast, PMOS emphasizes the condition’s hormonal and metabolic nature.

“For decades, the name ‘polycystic ovary syndrome’ pointed patients and providers toward ovarian ‘cysts’ that aren’t actually cysts at all. That misdirection contributed to delayed diagnoses, with studies suggesting that up to 70% of affected individuals go unrecognized,” says Dr. Nicole M. Marchetto, an OB/GYN and reproductive endocrinologist at Shady Grove Fertility.

“The new name gives patients and their care teams a clearer starting point so the right conversations happen sooner.”

Names and words matter

Women with PMOS often struggle to get diagnosed. Healthcare providers may think of it as a gynecological condition, but its root cause is hormonal. Misunderstanding may delay effective, comprehensive treatment. As Dr. Marchetto explains, PMOS better reflects the wide-ranging effects on physical and emotional health:

“PMOS is not just a reproductive condition – it’s a multisystem syndrome. Individuals with PMOS face elevated risks of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and mental health challenges including anxiety and depression. The new name signals that comprehensive screening and long-term health monitoring matter just as much as managing cycles or fertility.”

PMOS signs and symptoms

PMOS experiences vary, and not everyone has the same symptoms. The most common include:

• Irregular periods or missed periods
• Difficulty getting pregnant
• Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
• Acne or oily skin
• Excess hair growth on the face or body
• Hair thinning on the scalp
• Insulin resistance or prediabetes
• Fatigue
• Anxiety or depression

Early diagnosis and support are key

When PMOS isn’t treated effectively, it may raise other health risks, including:

• Type 2 diabetes and heart disease
• Acne, excess hair growth, or thinning hair on scalp
• Anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders
• Thickened endometrium (which may lead to heavy menstrual bleeding, bleeding between periods, bleeding after menopause, and increased cancer risk)

Fortunately, early diagnosis and care help reduce risks and improve well-being. Personalized care plans for PMOS may include:

• Lifestyle support (healthy eating and physical activity)
• Weight management support
• Fertility evaluation and treatment, including medicine to help with ovulation
• Hormonal medicine to help regulate your menstrual cycle or other symptoms
• Medicine to help with insulin resistance
• Emotional well-being support

Dr. Marchetto stresses that individualized, comprehensive care is essential. “The best outcomes happen when patients have a coordinated care team that sees the full picture, not just one piece of it.”

Seeking support

Talk with your provider or seek out a specialist if you have symptoms or questions about PMOS. Specialists knowledgeable about PMOS include:

• Endocrinologists
• Reproductive endocrinologists
• Gynecologists
• Internal medicine doctors with expertise in metabolism

If you’re not sure or have any questions about your symptoms, it’s always OK to bring that up with a provider. They are there to listen, support, and work with you. Your Progyny Care Advocate is also here to help connect you with resources based on your needs and goals.

*Note: “women” is used to refer to women, girls, and people with ovaries.

Disclaimer: The information provided by Progyny is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance.

The post PCOS is now PMOS: a better name in hopes of better care appeared first on Progyny.

Everyone’s path to building a family is unique. And the type of support you may be looking for will change over time. We’re ready to adapt along with you and provide the right support for you, in the moment you need it.

Select the scenarios that apply to you to see how your Progyny Care Advocate (PCA) can help, along with other forms of support that may be available to you through Progyny. Please review your Member Guide to confirm your specific coverage and which benefits are included for you.

Contact us for personalized support

No matter where you are on your journey, Progyny is here when you’re ready. You can call your PCA team during business hours or send a secure message through your Progyny member portal or app anytime.

The post How can Progyny support my family-building journey? appeared first on Progyny.

Becoming a parent can be a mentally and emotionally challenging process long before parenthood begins, from trying to conceive, throughout pregnancy, and even months into the postpartum period.

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month and Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month, in this episode of DocTalk, we wanted to shed light on the hormonal changes, life stressors, and shifting circumstances that can impact mental health along the way.

Today, we’ll break down what’s happening in the body and brain during TTC, pregnancy, and postpartum, how these changes can affect mental health, and how to recognize when common experiences like the baby blues may signal something more serious, such as postpartum depression or anxiety, and when it may be time to seek support.

Hosts:
Dr. Janet Choi, Chief Medical Officer, Progyny
Lissa Kline, LCSW, SVP, Provider and Member Services

Resources:

• Progyny Blog: Why mental health is the missing piece in family building benefits
• Progyny: Mental Health Report
• Pospartumdepression.org: Statistics on postpartum depression
• Survey: The female quotient
• American Pregnancy: Baby Blues

The DocTalk series, where we discuss current events on the full spectrum of women’s health and family building and what they might mean for you. From news, research studies, pop culture, and everything in-between, we’re going to break it all down and sift through the noise with the help of our expert Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Janet Choi and host, Lissa Kline, LCSW. This show does not constitute medical advice.

The post Mental health from fertility to postpartum appeared first on Progyny.

The second trimester (weeks 13 to 27) is often called the “sweet spot” of pregnancy. For many people, early symptoms ease up, energy returns, and pregnancy starts to feel more real — especially as your baby grows and you may begin to feel movement.

If it’s not the best part of pregnancy for you, that’s OK. Every pregnancy is different.

Physical changes

One of the most exciting and visible changes happens during this time — your baby bump appears!

You may also notice several changes as your body adjusts to pregnancy hormones and your growing baby:

• Less nausea and fatigue
• Increased appetite
• Mild swelling in your hands, feet, or ankles
• Bleeding gums
• Nasal congestion or mild nosebleeds
• Round ligament pain (spasms in your low belly/groin area)
• Skin changes like linea nigra (a dark line down your abdomen) or melasma (dark patches on the face)

These changes are common but always check with your healthcare provider if something feels concerning.

Your baby’s development

Your baby is growing quickly! Their facial features are aligning, and their fingers and toes are becoming well-defined. By month 4, they’ll have eyelids, eyebrows, eyelashes, nails, and hair. They will also be able to stretch, so you might also start feeling your baby move. They may even do flips throughout this trimester.

This first movement is called quickening. Initially, the feeling of movements may not be regular. Usually around 28 weeks, they become more consistent and predictable.

In the last few weeks of the second trimester, your baby can also hear you. If you talk to your growing belly, you might notice movement in response!

Prenatal care and appointments

You’ll continue regular prenatal visits, typically every 4 weeks. During this trimester, your provider may:

• Check your weight, blood pressure, and baby’s growth
• Listen to your baby’s heartbeat
• Offer screening tests for genetic conditions, if needed
• Find out the sex of your baby during the anatomy scan (around 18 to 22 weeks)
• Screen for gestational diabetes (usually between 24 to 28 weeks) and anemia (low red blood cell count)

You may also receive these injections:

• Tdap: It’s a vaccine that’s recommended at 27+ weeks and helps stimulate your body to produce antibodies against tetanus (lockjaw), diphtheria (bacterial infection), and pertussis (whooping cough). These antibodies help protect your baby after delivery until they are old enough to get the vaccine themselves.
• Rho(D) immune globulin: It helps to prevent complications if you and your baby’s blood types don’t match. Your provider will likely recommend it if your blood type is Rh negative.

These visits are also a good time to ask questions and start talking about your birth wish list.

Nutrition and lifestyle

As your baby grows, your nutritional needs increase slightly. Try to focus on a balanced diet with protein, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Your provider may also suggest eating iron-rich foods to support increased blood volume. And staying hydrated remains important, too.

You can usually continue or begin light to moderate exercise if your provider approves. Walking, prenatal yoga, and swimming are common options.

Emotional well-being

Every pregnancy is different. While some people may feel more emotionally stable during this trimester, others do not. Either way, it’s important to pay close attention to mood changes. You might feel:

• Relief as early pregnancy symptoms improve
• Excitement as your pregnancy becomes more visible
• Occasional stress or anxiety about what’s ahead

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or down all the time, it’s important to talk to your provider about it.

When to call your provider

Contact your provider if you have:

• Vaginal bleeding
• Severe abdominal pain or cramping
• Persistent headaches or vision changes
• Sudden swelling in your face or hands
• Decreased fetal movement (later in the trimester)
• Signs of infection, like fever or painful urination

Looking ahead

While every pregnancy is different, many people find the second trimester brings a welcome balance of comfort and anticipation as they move closer to meeting their baby. As it progresses, you may begin preparing for the third trimester and your baby’s arrival. This can include thinking about childbirth education classes, pediatricians, and parental leave.

Progyny is here for you. Please contact your Progyny Care Advocate for support.

Disclaimer: The information provided by Progyny is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance.

Recommended reading

• What to consider when choosing a pediatrician
• How to create your parental leave plan
• What to expect during the third trimester

The post What to expect during the second trimester appeared first on Progyny.

Pelvic floor physical therapy (PT) is often associated with postpartum recovery, but it’s not too early to think about it while pregnant. Starting as early as the first trimester can help you:

• Build strength and coordination.
• Prepare your body for the changes ahead.
• Manage symptoms that are common in the first trimester.

What is the pelvic floor?

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and connective tissue that supports your uterus, bladder, and bowels. These muscles play an important role in bladder and bowel control, as well as supporting the uterus and vaginal walls.

During pregnancy, the pelvic floor is under increasing pressure. This can contribute to symptoms like pelvic pressure, discomfort, or loss of bladder control (urinary leakage).

How does pregnancy impact pelvic floor health?

The physical and hormonal shifts of pregnancy can lead to:

• Increased pressure
  Weight gain from your baby, placenta, and increased blood volume strains the pelvic floor. This can lead to symptoms like urinary leakage.
• Hormonal shifts
  Hormones, such as relaxin, help prepare your body for birth, but can also make joints and ligaments less stable.
• Digestive changes
  Constipation is common and can place extra strain on pelvic floor muscles.

Some people may be at higher risk for pelvic floor concerns. Concerns include chronic constipation, connective tissue conditions, or frequent heavy lifting.

What is pelvic floor PT?

They are exercises that help prevent and treat pelvic floor issues. It involves strengthening exercises for the core and pelvic floor. It also involves breathing, relaxation, and other techniques.

Why start pelvic floor PT early?

It can offer several benefits:

• Prevent common symptoms by supporting strength and balance.
• Improve body awareness so you can engage and relax pelvic muscles.
• Ease early discomfort such as lower back, hip, or pelvic pain.
• Support posture and movement as your center of gravity shifts.
• Promote relaxation through breathing techniques.

Starting early also gives you time to practice these skills – so they feel more natural during labor and recovery.

Be sure to talk with your healthcare provider before you begin. They can help you see if pelvic floor PT is right for you.

Preparing for childbirth and recovery

Labor and delivery place significant stress on the pelvic floor, especially during pushing. However, pelvic floor issues are preventable and treatable. There are steps you can take during pregnancy to support your body:

• Learn proper pelvic floor exercises, such as Kegels.
• Practice breathing techniques that coordinate your core and pelvic floor.
• Stay active with pregnancy-safe movement, such as prenatal yoga.

The bottom line

Pelvic floor PT isn’t just for postpartum. Starting early can help you better understand your body, reduce discomfort, and prepare for both childbirth and recovery.

If you have questions, Progyny is here for you. Please contact your Progyny Care Advocate for support.

Disclaimer: The information provided by Progyny is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance.

The post Starting pelvic floor therapy in the first trimester appeared first on Progyny.

If you have preeclampsia or if you’re at risk, it’s a good idea to know how preeclampsia may be managed.

Most people with preeclampsia recover without any issues and have healthy babies. But preeclampsia can affect your pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum recovery, and it’s helpful to learn more.

A team-based approach

Your healthcare team will work closely to guide and support you. People with preeclampsia may see different healthcare providers, who may include:

• Your OB/GYN or midwife for ongoing care
• A maternal-fetal medicine specialist with expertise in high-risk pregnancies
• A neonatologist who specializes in the care of babies who are born early or have special health needs
• Nurses who provide care and education

Your plan will be tailored to you.

Your healthcare team will decide how to manage preeclampsia based on:

• How severe the preeclampsia is
• How far along you are in the pregnancy
• Your health and the baby’s health

In this video, Dr. Thomas Kishkovich, maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Columbia University Medical Center, explains how your team will be there to support you.  

Before 37 weeks of pregnancy

If preeclampsia starts before 37 weeks, you and your provider may work on a plan that delays delivery as long as possible, while keeping you safe.

To keep a close eye on how you’re doing, you’ll have checkups frequently – sometimes weekly or more. These visits are a chance to:

• Monitor your blood pressure and symptoms
• Test your urine for protein
• Get blood work, including for the kidneys and liver
• Do other tests if needed, such as ultrasounds or checking the baby’s heart rate
• Talk about your questions and how you’re feeling

Your provider may also recommend that you:

• Take medicine as prescribed. This may include medicine to lower blood pressure.
• Check your blood pressure at home. Your team will show you how to do this and go over what to look for.
• Reduce physical activity. Bed rest is generally not recommended, but your provider may ask you to reduce your activity.
• Pay attention to your baby’s movement. Ask your provider if they recommend kick counts to track changes in your baby’s movement.
• Choose nutritious foods. You can ask if supplements such as vitamin D or calcium may be helpful for you. It’s interesting to know that preeclampsia is not managed by lowering salt, the way “regular” high blood pressure is.

Sometimes, more serious preeclampsia may need to be managed in the hospital and require additional medication. For example, magnesium, an intravenous (IV) medication, may be given to help prevent seizures. Steroids may be given (typically as an injection) to help the baby’s development.

It’s possible to need an early delivery for your health and safety. The timing of delivery depends on how severe the preeclampsia is and how you and your baby are doing.

Week 37 and after

When preeclampsia is diagnosed after 37 weeks, delivery is generally recommended.

Having preeclampsia doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll need to have a C-section. The safest way to deliver depends on your health and your baby’s health, how severe the preeclampsia is, and how far along in the pregnancy you are.

You and your provider will talk about the safest way to deliver, and you’ll work together to make a plan that’s right for you.

Here’s Dr. Kishkovich explaining a bit more about how preeclampsia is managed. 

After delivery

After delivery, your team will continue to monitor your blood pressure.

Some people may be prescribed medicine to keep blood pressure in a safe range. These medicines are often decreased and stopped by the 6-week visit. Your provider will choose medicine that is safe for chestfeeding.

When you go home, it’s important to continue checking your blood pressure. Your team will show you how to do this and go over what to look for.

Postpartum preeclampsia

Preeclampsia can happen for up to 6 weeks after birth, and is more likely in the first week.

Your team will monitor you carefully while you’re in the hospital. If you have any signs of preeclampsia when you’re back home, let your provider know right away. You may need treatment in the hospital.

Know the warning signs.

You may not feel any symptoms with preeclampsia. Often, you can’t feel high blood pressure.

Sometimes, preeclampsia does have warning signs. If you have any of these, get medical help right away. It’s always OK to call if anything just feels “off.”

Some of these (like swelling or headaches) may be similar to symptoms that can happen during pregnancy. For your safety, always call if you have any of these symptoms.

You’re not alone.

Your healthcare team is here for you every step of your pregnancy and recovery after birth. For extra help, information, and support, reach out to your Progyny Care Advocate. You always have a team behind you as you manage preeclampsia and take steps to stay healthy.

Explore related topics in this series:

• Could preeclampsia affect my birth plan?
• Recovery after preeclampsia
• How can preeclampsia affect my future health?
• How to take your blood pressure at home

Disclaimer: The information provided by Progyny is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance.

The post How is preeclampsia managed during pregnancy? appeared first on Progyny.

Preeclampsia is high blood pressure that starts during pregnancy or after childbirth. It’s one of the most common pregnancy complications.

One of the risk factors for preeclampsia is in vitro fertilization (IVF). Let’s talk about what the research says and how you can partner with your healthcare team to stay safe.

Why IVF may raise preeclampsia risk

Studies have found that pregnancies with IVF have higher rates of preeclampsia than pregnancies without IVF. The risk appears to be higher when a donor egg is used.

We aren’t sure exactly why, but there may be a few reasons. For one thing, people using IVF are more likely to have other risk factors for preeclampsia, such as:

• Being 35 or older
• First-time pregnancy
• Having conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome

Some experts think that the high hormone levels used in IVF may affect the placenta. (Preeclampsia is related to issues with the placenta and its blood vessels.)

Using a donor egg may raise the risk further. One reason may be that the body has an immune response when something new enters the body. And this immune response may affect the placenta.

What about other types of fertility treatments?

Intrauterine insemination (IUI, also called artificial insemination) does not appear to raise preeclampsia risk. With IUI, sperm is placed directly in the uterus to help increase the chance of pregnancy.

Using donor sperm in IUI may lead to a small increase in risk. This may be because it causes an immune response that may affect the placenta.

Your healthcare team will support you.

Your healthcare provider knows about your personal situation, and they will help you take steps to stay safe.

One of the best things you can do to protect yourself?

Go to your pregnancy and postpartum checkups. Routine blood pressure checks and urine tests will give your provider important clues about your health.

Your provider will guide you through other steps to manage your risk. You’ll work together on the plan that’s right for you, and you can always ask anything that’s on your mind. Your Progyny Care Advocate is here to provide personalized support, as well.

Explore related topics in this series:

• Preeclampsia: Get informed to stay safe
• Blood pressure: Get measured at every visit
• My partner is at risk for preeclampsia: How can I help?

Disclaimer: The information provided by Progyny is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance.

The post Does IVF raise the risk of preeclampsia? appeared first on Progyny.