Ask the Expert—Health & Wellness 2025
Linda Zeringue, FNP-BC
California IVF Fertility Center
Linda Zeringue, FNP-BC, is a board-certified nurse practitioner at California IVF Fertility Center. Linda’s experience as a fertility patient drove her to become a fertility nurse. After 10 years as an RN at California IVF, Linda completed her nurse practitioner program to care for patients as a provider.
What are the biggest challenges to getting pregnant?
Causes of infertility are investigated before the start of any treatment. The most challenging problems are advancing age and the natural decline in the quality of the eggs. As women get older, the number of eggs and the quality of eggs will decline, making it harder to get pregnant.
Are there things that can be done to help with the effects of aging?
The most effective thing that can be done is to seek help sooner rather than later. A consultation can provide information about available options if pregnancy isn’t happening naturally. Storing eggs and embryos is a good way to help preserve the eggs or embryos from the effects of advancing age. There are limited options to help with egg numbers and egg quality. Our clinic has recently implemented PRP, or platelet-rich plasma, in hopes of assisting with reproductive function. For some people, donor options offer very good chances of being able to become pregnant and start a family.
What donor options are available?
Our egg donor program works with donors who go through the IVF process when selected. Many other programs offer frozen eggs from an egg bank. There are benefits to working with actual donors, including the chances of having more eggs and embryos available, for the same or less than what other centers are charging. We also have a cost-effective donor embryo program known as California Conceptions that works with donor sperm and donor eggs. This program offers multiple attempts at pregnancy with donor embryos.
2590 Venture Oaks Wy. Sacramento. 916-979-5599. californiaivf.com
