Women who face challenges when trying to conceive may feel overwhelmed by where to turn for help. While not an easy path, there are many resources available for those struggling with fertility right here in Essex County. No matter where women are on their journey, the below list can help — from choosing the right fertility clinic to finding wellness treatments and other supplemental care options. Keep reading for a guide to fertility resources in Essex County, New Jersey.

Reproductive Medicine

Finding the right fertility clinic and doctor is often step one for folks looking to have their miracle babies. Reproductive Medical Associates (RMA) is one such clinic that’s been helping couples across New Jersey since 1999. There are several offices across the state, with the one closest to home being in West Orange at 475 Prospect Avenue.

“Our team at RMA prioritizes both science and compassion,” said Dr. Marcy Maguire, Physician Partner at RMA West Orange. “Patients can feel confident that they are receiving the best possible quality of treatment from people who care about their patients.”

RMA’s treatments range from natural cycle-timed intercourse to in vitro fertilization (IVF). The clinic partners with a world-renowned genetic testing provider, JUNO, to help patients at risk of having children affected by genetic disorders. For patients who are unable to carry a pregnancy, RMA can coordinate a gestational carrier pregnancy. RMA also has donor sperm insemination and donor sperm IVF, co-IVF for LGBTQ+ couples, and egg freezing for patients who wish to preserve their ability to have children in the future.

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Dr. Maguire told The Montclair Girl, “We are passionate about providing excellent care to everyone, including members of the LGBTQ+ community, single women, single men, oncology patients, and anyone else who seeks assistance in building their families.”

University Reproductive Associates (URA) is another well-known clinic with locations across New Jersey, including one in Millburn at 89 Millburn Avenue. URA’s affiliation with the New Jersey Medical School means that patients can participate in clinical research studies. URA is also the first and only IVF center in New Jersey to use the LifeAire®️ Technology air purification system in their lab to increase the successful implantation and pregnancy rates during procedures.

In 2022, the Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine (CCRM), a global pioneer in fertility treatment, research, and science, acquired The Institute for Reproductive Medicine & Science (IRMS), a fertility center with locations across New York and New Jersey. The location serving Essex County is in the East Wing of Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston at 94 Old Short Hills Road. IRMS provides patients with state-of-the-art fertility treatment, supported by the latest scientific advances and laboratory techniques, which has been expanded even further since joining forces with CCRM.

Acupuncture + Massage

The road to conception can be long and daunting, so keeping up with wellness during this time is crucial. One of the best ways to do that is through acupuncture, a technique in which practitioners insert fine needles into the skin as a treatment method.

As Dr. Kelsey Tangel of Clear Mountain Acupuncture put it, “Acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment to lower the stress hormone cortisol in your body, balance hormones to regulate a menstrual cycle, and improve circulation to the reproductive organs encouraging the growth of follicles and endometrial lining.”

Photo Credit: Clear Mountain Acupuncture

Clear Mountain Acupuncture is located at 209 Cooper Avenue in Upper Montclair. Dr. Kelsey treats patients who are struggling with infertility by putting together a highly individualized plan, which often involves improving sleep, digestion, energy, menstrual symptoms, and stress management to achieve optimal reproductive function. “When I’m working with patients, I have many small health goals that I’m tracking along with our primary goal of achieving a healthy, full-term pregnancy.”

Dr. Tangel customizes her treatment plan to where a person is in their natural or IVF cycle. She’s observed IVF retrievals and transfers and knows all the medications, side effects, and protocols. As she told The Montclair Girl, “I believe a big part of my job is education, and I often become my patient’s top resource for answering questions. I’ve been called a ‘fertility doula’ because of my depth of knowledge of fertility and my compassion for helping women navigate the highs and lows of their fertility journeys.”

Rose Gold Wellness, located at 39 South Fullerton Avenue in Montclair is another integrative wellness clinic with acupuncture for fertility. In addition to one-on-one treatments, the clinic also has community acupuncture, which is practiced in a group setting and is an option for someone looking to start a practice at a more affordable price. Acupuncture can also pair with near-infrared light therapy, which has been shown to improve egg quality by producing more energy in the cells, in turn creating a better environment for egg fertilization and supporting follicular growth.

Nearby in Verona at 25 Pompton Avenue is NJ Acupuncture Wellness, which has been serving the area since 2009. Dr. Patti Safian specializes in fertility acupuncture, helping women with everything from IVF and IUI support to Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis, uterine fibroids and ovarian cysts, and more. She takes a holistic approach and will also advise patients on herbs, nutrition, exercise, and stress reduction techniques. NJ Acupuncture Wellness also provides fertility massages, which focus on promoting general well-being and relaxation, as well as increasing the function of the reproductive organs.

 

Another massage method for women trying to conceive is Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD), found at Mend Lymphatic Massage + Wellness Services at 51 Upper Montclair Plaza in Montclair. The perinatal treatments at Mend focus on optimal lymphatic system functionality to remove waste and excess liquids from the body. MLD also improves cardiovascular circulation in the abdomen and pelvic area. All of this helps with the supply of nutrients, including oxygen, hormone transport, and waste removal from the reproductive organs. Plus, MLD is another technique for reducing cortisol levels and lowering stress in the body.

“MLD during the fertility journey offers a holistic approach to improving fertility by supporting the body’s natural processes and enhancing reproductive system function,” Rena Ambrose, Founder of Mend Lymphatic Massage, told MG. “By melding the logic of anatomy, physiology, and MLD with the spirit of sisterhood in a deeply soothing environment, I’ve created a practice where women can thrive during their perinatal time of life.”

Nutrition

There’s been an increasing amount of research showing that nutrition can impact fertility, which is why some women opt to work with a nutritionist during their journey.

Jennifer Melanson is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) and Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor providing nutrition counseling in a private practice in Montclair at 100 Valley Road. She specializes in nutrition for PCOS, among other disorders, which means she’s often helping women as they are preparing to conceive or going through fertility treatment. Jennifer also works with women with hypothalamic amenorrhea, as they’re often diagnosed when trying to conceive. She practices from a weight-inclusive, Health at Every Size® perspective by supporting individuals in healing their relationship with food and optimizing nutrition without focusing on body size, weight, or restriction. She meets with clients in person and virtually and accepts insurance.

Barbara Bergen Mintz is another RDN who works with women on the path to conception through her practice bWell Nutrition, located at 333 Bloomfield Avenue in Caldwell. She first assesses what a woman is doing in all aspects of her life, from diet and exercise to stress levels, and helps adjust each area for a holistic approach. From a nutrition perspective, Barbara helps women cut out processed foods and stay as close to whole foods as possible. She also engages healthcare practitioners to ensure her clients have adequate nutrition and aren’t deficient in any areas, recommending supplements as needed.

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Mental Health

While technically located in Bergen County, we’d be remiss not to include Beautiful Journey Reproductive Counseling Center (BJRCC) in Midland Park, given the toll that fertility challenges can take on one’s mental health. BJRCC specializes in providing comprehensive therapy and counseling services to address perinatal (and postpartum) issues such as infertility, pregnancy loss, and third-party reproduction. As its website indicates, “We understand the profound emotional impact of infertility on individuals and couples, offering a supportive and compassionate environment to navigate these complex feelings. Our therapists acknowledge the diverse ways in which infertility affects each person, and we are dedicated to delivering personalized support that caters to your unique needs and circumstances.” The practice is located at 600 Godwin Avenue and accepts out-of-network benefits with all insurance plans.