Reproductive Specialists of the Carolinas

04/21/2026

During National Infertility Awareness Week, you’ll often hear the statistic: 1 in 6 people experience infertility.

But this week is about more than a number; it’s about the friend who shows up to appointments, the partner navigating every high and low, the family learning how to support in the right ways, or the patients carrying the weight of uncertainty.

Infertility is deeply personal, but it’s never experienced in isolation.

Behind every diagnosis is a community.
Some are in the middle of treatment.
Some are waiting for answers.
Some are holding grief.
Some are holding hope.

And all of those experiences deserve space.

🧡 This week, and every week, we stand with the 1 in 6 and with everyone who walks alongside them.

04/20/2026

We’re kicking off National Infertility Awareness Week with a story from one of our own patients here in Charlotte, North Carolina.

So much of the infertility conversation centers on women — the physical treatments, the emotional toll, the visible journey.

But infertility and fertility care are about the whole couple, so today, we’re sharing a different side of the journey.

Jake, Allie’s husband, opens up about what it’s like to experience infertility as a partner — the uncertainty, the pressure, and the role men play in the path to parenthood. Read on to learn more about his story and why including men in the conversation matters.

“Our fertility journey, like so many others, was a roller coaster of emotional highs and lows. When Allie and I made the decision to begin trying to start a family in January 2022, I was filled with hope, optimism and excitement. When we found out Allie was pregnant that first month, the excitement (and slight panic) was something I never felt before. I ordered books about pregnancy and raising a baby and started painting a picture in my head of how the next year of my life would unfold. Two weeks and our first miscarriage later – the first low point on the roller coaster hit hard.

A couple more miscarriages, one retrieval, and three transfers later, we welcomed out daughter in May 2024. For two and a half years I watched my wife – one of the strongest women I know who also happens to know a whole lot about infertility – struggle with frustration, heartbreak, loneliness and self-doubt that came with unexplained infertility. Even when she was finally pregnant and doing well in her third trimester, it was hard for her to truly accept that things were going to be okay. I tried to be as strong as I could for her (and for me), but there were certainly times that task felt insurmountable. Being a spouse to someone struggling with infertility can feel isolating in its own right – when all you want to do is help “fix” things, there is not a whole lot that you can do.

Yet, through it all, the providers and staff at RSC were steadfast in giving us hope and reason to be optimistic. I am immensely proud of the work my wife, her colleagues and others in the fertility space are doing for couples experiencing the same ups and downs that we experienced personally. If I have learned anything it is that everyone’s path and journey is different – there is no right or wrong. My (unsolicited) advice: stay positive, keep looking forward, and most importantly, remember that you are NOT alone.” -Jake Mihalkanin

04/19/2026

We are looking to this inaugural event with RSC’s Matrika Johnson, M.D. and patient/success story Lauren Corriher. See you there!

Charlotte Hope on Tap RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association American Society for Reproductive Medicine

📣🧡 Community Panel Discussion 🧡📣

We’re proud to introduce the panelists for our upcoming Hope on Tap community panel discussion—bringing together expert insight and real-life experiences from the infertility journey.

✨ Matrika Johnson, M.D., REI physician at Reproductive Specialists of the Carolinas
✨ Ginny Lupka, MA, LPC, LCMHC-A, LPC-A, clinical therapist
✨ Lauren Corriher and Meteorologist Daniel Crews, sharing their personal experiences navigating infertility

This conversation is designed to offer perspective, support, and connection—no matter where you are in your journey.

💬 Join us for an honest and meaningful discussion you won’t want to miss.

👉 Register for Hope on Tap today to be part of the conversation (link is in profile!)

04/15/2026

You can have completely "normal" test results and still struggle to get pregnant. We see this all the time.

Ovulation? Check.
Hormones? In range.
Imaging? Unremarkable.
And yet, no pregnancy.

This is often labeled as unexplained infertility. But in reality, it usually means something isn't being fully captured by standard testing.

That might include:
▫️ Egg quality that doesn't show up on routine labs
▫️ Subtle s***m issues beyond a basic semen analysis
▫️ Implantation timing that's slightly off
▫️ Inflammation or endometriosis without obvious symptoms

This is where clinical, medical fertility strategy matters. It's essential to determine what to change.

If you've been trying, have had a failed cycle, or feel stuck in "everything looks fine," this is the moment to pause and rethink the plan.

04/07/2026

We let our team spill the tea. ☕️

Like…

Who remembers every patient’s name?
Who is most likely to be running late?
Who keeps medical assistants waiting?
Who talks too much?

All in good fun. But, if you know, you know. 😂

Watch to find out who got called out.

04/01/2026

This is how we showed up for Endometriosis Awareness Month. 🎗️ 💛

03/30/2026

Endometriosis and fertility—what’s the connection?

Short answer: Yes, endometriosis can affect fertility. But it doesn’t always.

Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, which can lead to inflammation, scar tissue, changes in the pelvic environment around the ovaries and fallopian tubes, and may affect egg quality, all of which may make it harder to conceive.

But here’s what’s important:
👉🏾 Many people with endometriosis get pregnant without medical assistance.
👉🏾 Others may need support and have successful outcomes.

Every fertility journey looks different, and a diagnosis is not a definitive answer about your future.

If you’ve been diagnosed with endometriosis and are trying to conceive, you don’t have to navigate it alone. There are options.

03/26/2026

‼️ The first 25 families who enroll in the Sunfish IVF Success Program by April 18 will receive $1,000 off their all-inclusive package, designed to reduce both financial stress and administrative overwhelm.

We’re proud to partner with Sunfish to help make fertility care more accessible for our community. Visit joinsunfish.com/cares to learn more, review terms, and get started.

The IVF Success Program offers:
▫️Flat-fee, transparent pricing
▫️Unlimited embryo transfers
▫️Flexible payment options
▫️Dedicated logistical support
▫️Exclusive partner discounts

If you’ve been thinking about starting or continuing treatment, this could be a meaningful step forward.

03/18/2026

There’s something powerful about stepping away from our practice to learn, connect, and return even better for our patients.

Last weekend, our Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) represented RSC at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine ARM & NPG National Meeting in St. Louis, which focused on advancing fertility care through education, collaboration, and innovation.

Our team engaged in discussions about the latest advancements in reproductive medicine and patient-centered care strategies, all aimed at improving outcomes and experiences for our patients.

✨ We’re excited to incorporate what we learned and continue delivering thoughtful, expert fertility care.

03/11/2026

If you’re a new fertility patient, one of the first things we typically do is a baseline vaginal ultrasound. This quick, in-office scan helps us understand your reproductive health and plan the right next steps for your fertility journey.

In this video, Allie performs a typical baseline ultrasound, which is what many new patients can expect during their initial evaluation.

During a baseline ultrasound, we’re looking for several important things:
• Antral follicle count (AFC): the number of small resting follicles in each o***y, which helps us estimate ovarian reserve
• Ovarian cysts: checking that no cysts are present that could interfere with treatment
• Endometrial lining thickness: evaluating the uterine lining
• Ovarian size and appearance: giving us insight into overall ovarian health
• Uterine or ovarian abnormalities: including fibroids, endometriomas, or other structural findings

These scans are quick, safe, and provide valuable information that helps us personalize your care from the very beginning.

If you’re starting fertility testing or thinking about scheduling an evaluation, knowing what to expect can make the process feel a little less overwhelming.

Your journey starts with understanding your body.

*This content is shared with documented patient consent and adheres to HIPAA privacy standards.

03/04/2026

Some journeys come full circle, and this one means everything to our team.

Today, we are celebrating Jess, PA, at Reproductive Specialists of the Carolinas, and the arrival of her baby boy, River. 💙

Jess is not only part of our fertility care team but also an IVF success story. Her experience with infertility, PCOS, IUI, failed embryo transfers, and IVF treatment now shapes the compassionate care she provides to patients across North Carolina every single day.

Here is her story, in her own words:

"In Fall 2020, my husband and I decided we were ready to start a family. Like many others, we were trying to conceive on our own. Still, month after month, negative pregnancy test after negative pregnancy test, we decided to speak to my OB/GYN. She suggested medicated cycles, which eventually led us to IUIs, but after months without success, my OB recommended I seek fertility care. I began researching clinics, and RSC immediately stood out. So, on my birthday, May 2022, I had my first appointment with Allie- and from day one, I felt seen, respected, and truly cared for.

Fast forward through several scans, tests, procedures, and a PCOS diagnosis, and I decided to schedule an IVF consult. After speaking with Dr. Johnson, my husband and I were ready to move forward with IVF, and in November 2022, we had a successful egg retrieval. But like many journeys, ours wasn't linear. We unfortunately experienced two failed embryo transfers in early 2023. I took a much-needed break, traveled to Italy, and gave myself space to heal before trying again. That September, we transferred our last embryo.

10 days later, I got the call: I was pregnant. And in May 2024, we welcomed our sweet, blue-eyed baby boy, River. 💙

Today, I'm proud to say I'm a PA at RSC, helping others build their families (it's been more than a year!). I've been on the other side of the desk. I've sat in that waiting room, driven in for 7:00 a.m. appointments, and lain on those same exam tables. I carry that experience with me every day, and I hope it brings comfort and connection to the patients I care for now.

There's no straight path to parenthood, but there is hope. And I'm honored to walk alongside you."

Jess's journey through infertility treatment, PCOS diagnosis, IUI cycles, IVF stimulation, egg retrieval, embryo transfer, and loss gives her a depth of empathy that cannot be taught. She knows the early morning monitoring appointments. She knows the waiting. She knows the call.

And now, she knows the joy of holding River.

If you are navigating infertility, PCOS, failed transfers, or considering IVF in North Carolina, know this: there is no straight path to parenthood - but there is experienced, compassionate fertility care available to you.

We are honored to walk alongside you.

02/25/2026

More than 15% of American women ages 25–49 experience difficulty getting pregnant. But the burden is not shared equally.

Black women are nearly twice as likely to experience infertility compared to white women. Yet a 2013 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that while many women need care, Black women are half as likely as white women to seek infertility treatment.

The gap is also seen in advanced care. In a study of more than 80,000 assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycles, 85.4% of patients were white women, while only 4.6% were Black women.

What contributes to racial disparities in fertility care?
👉🏾 Black women are less likely to seek fertility treatment
👉🏾 Black women may wait longer before seeking care
👉🏾 Black women may experience worse outcomes when using donor eggs
👉🏾 Some Black women report their physician does not understand their cultural background

Plus, new CDC data revealed that first-trimester care dropped from 69.7% in 2021 to 65.1% in 2024 for Black mothers.
What can help close the gap?
💪🏾 Expand access to infertility services at public health clinics, especially for underserved communities
💪🏾 Improve training and cultural competency for public health and fertility providers

Awareness matters. Access matters. Representation matters.

🙌🏾 Let’s keep using our voices to strengthen education and connection and support those who want to enter healthcare and reproductive medicine.

We are stronger when care is equitable and when everyone has a path to building their family.