One in six couples
face infertility, which is defined as a failure to conceive after one year of trying. While this number may
seem intimidating, there are several facilities dedicated to helping. One such clinic is the Canadian
Reproductive Assisted Technology centre (CReATe), a world-leading Toronto-based facility providing fertility
treatment.
“Our fertility centre strives to provide the very best care for patients who are suffering from infertility
or recurrent pregnancy losses,” says Dr. Clifford Librach, founder and director of the CReATe fertility
centre.
Librach graduated from the University of Toronto, where he completed his degree in medicine and then
specialized in obstetrics and gynecology. This was followed by a three-year stint at the University of
California to become a board-certified reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) specialist.
Today, he works with a talented team of similarly trained fertility experts comprised of Drs. Karen Glass,
Ari Y. Baratz and Prati Sharma. “The doctors and supporting staff at CReATe have the most advanced training
in fertility treatment,” he says. “In addition, our facility and equipment are state-of-the-art.”
The uniqueness of the treatment facility expands past the superior qualifications of the staff and equipment;
CReATe offers the full range of fertility testing and treatments.
“It’s comprehensive,” Librach explains. “We have pretty well every type of test and treatment modality
available for our patients; we don’t have to send people to other places to do certain things. People can
come to CReATe and feel like they’re getting the very best treatment — comparable to anything in the
world.”
The most practiced treatments at the clinic are techniques of artificial insemination, involving the
placement of sperm directly inside of the uterus of the hopeful mother, and ovulation induction with
medications. In more severe cases, such as for scarring or endometriosis, patients may require advanced
surgical techniques.
“We also get into all of the advanced reproductive technologies,” says Librach. “We’re talking about in-vitro
fertilization (IVF): Take eggs out, fertilize them and place the embryos back inside the woman to create a
baby. That technique is reserved for people who have problems that aren’t amenable to more simple
treatments.”
CReATe also offers hope to individuals incapable of carrying a baby. Some women are born without a uterus;
some are taking life-saving medications, which could prevent conception or be dangerous to their fetus. In
these extreme cases, surrogacy can allow them to have a child with their own genetics. With help from
CReATe’s expertise, women without viable eggs, or men without sperm, can be helped with an egg or sperm
donor. Single people and same-sex couples can also be helped to build their families at CReATe.
Librach adds, “Different religions and cultures, such as Orthodox Jewish or Muslim patients, have specific
needs in order to undergo fertility treatments; it’s the beginning of life.”
Librach encourages couples struggling with infertility to consult a specialist after one year of trying, but
sooner for older women, as well as those with conditions known to cause infertility, such as polycystic ovary
syndrome or endometriosis.
As an academic institution whose doctors are affiliated with the University of Toronto, Librach and his team
at CReATe are dedicated to ensuring the most up-to-date techniques are being researched, taught and practised
by current and future doctors.
Librach is confident fertility treatments will continue to grow in scope. “[Infertility] is a common
problem,” he explains, “and I think that people are much more aware of it, and they are also more aware of
the availability of effective treatments at world-class facilities such as ours.” •
