LGBT Flag

LGBT

  • Clomid or Femara: Which One Is Better?

    Clomiphene citrate (Clomid, Serophene) is an oral medication that has been used for induction of ovulation for almost 40 years. Over the last 20 – 25 years it also has been used for superovulation to increase the chance of conceiving in women who are ovulatory. Commonly, intrauterine insemination (IUI) is combined with this medication.

    Clomiphene is a very weak estrogen that attaches to the estrogen receptor in the hypothalamic-pituitary area. The medication acts like an “anti-estrogen”. The brain interprets this as the quantity of estrogen circulating in the body is low and, therefore, sends a signal to the pituitary to stimulate the ovary to work harder. For most women who do not ovulate, this medication commonly will make them ovulate. For women who are already ovulating, the medication will stimulate the ovary to increase the production of the female hormones and stimulate ovulation. Occasionally, a woman will become pregnant with twins. Unfortunately, this anti-estrogen action can affect the cervical mucus and the endometrium. The result is that there is less cervical mucus produced and the sperm may have a harder time penetrating the mucous. Also, the endometrial liming may not develop as well and this could interfere with an embryo implanting. In general, the positive effects of clomiphene outweigh the negative effects.

    Letrozole (Femara) was developed to be used primarily to treat certain kinds of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Letrozole is an aromatase inhibitor. Aromatase is an enzyme that converts estrogen precursors (androgens) into estrogen. The medication works by reducing the production of the total amount of estrogen in the body. It is very helpful for treating patients who have breast cancers that are fed by estrogen. Letrozole helps to starve those cancer cells by depriving them of estrogen. Letrozole was found to induce ovulation in the same manner as clomiphene. When letrozole inhibits the conversion of androgens to estrogens, the estrogen level in the body drops and the hypothalamus sends a signal to the pituitary to stimulate the ovary to work harder. Commonly, intrauterine insemination (IUI) is combined with this medication. In contrast to clomiphene, this medication does not have the anti-estrogen effect and has been found to be associated with better endometrial development. Theoretically, letrozole would be better for patients who have used clomiphene and experienced poor endometrial development. Experience with this medication reveals the pregnancy rates are very comparable to clomiphene. Also, the multiple birth rate with letrozole is lower.

    Unfortunately there was a report of a concern about birth defects with the use of letrozole for induction of ovulation. This information led the manufacturer, Novartis, to add a black box warning in the package insert stating that the use of letrozole for induction of ovulation is contraindicated. However, there have been many follow up studies failing to demonstrate any adverse effects of the medication. Consequently, the medication is frequently used by many physicians. Also, letrozole is more expensive than clomiphene. Clomiphene is quite inexpensive.

    When considering which if these oral medications to use, please ask your physician which one is better for you.

    •

    admin

    •

    ,
    , , , , , , ,

  • Vasectomy Reversal Surgery

    by Dr. Herb Singh

    Vasectomies can be reversed, meaning healthy sperm can be restored to the ejaculate. Vasectomy reversals are performed when the personal circumstances of a couple have changed: remarriage, the loss of a child, or the desire for more children. Any man who has had a vasectomy and is interested in having more children is a candidate for a vasectomy reversal. Vasectomy reversals are highly successful in returning sperm to ejaculate, with rates exceeding 95% in the first five years following vasectomy. With increasing time between the vasectomy and the vasectomy reversal, the success rate slightly declines but continues to remain high. In certain rare instances, the the vasectomy reversal is not successful. The options in these circumstances are either to perform a redo vasectomy reversal, undergo in vitro fertilization with sperm harvested using a procedure such as microscopic epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA), or to use donor sperm.

    Ultimately, the success endpoint of a vasectomy reversal is, of course, having a health baby, not just have healthy, numerous sperm in the ejaculate. To that end, the female partner’s fertility is also critical. In certain instances, couples are best served by directly proceeding with in vitro fertilization in combination with a sperm harvesting procedure such as microscopic epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA), rather than a vasectomy reversal. Decisions about the best choice are made on a case by case basis for couples.
    Some couples are curious about the quality of sperm following a vasectomy reversal. The quality and quantity of sperm generally return to the baseline characteristics which were present before the vasectomy. Furthermore, there is no evidence that children conceived following a vasectomy reversal have any issue with birth defects or developmental abnormalities, nor is there any evidence that there is an increased risk of miscarriages.
    Couples who are interested in a vasectomy reversal should visit a urologist with experience as a microsurgeon. Generally speaking, you want to visit with a urologist who has performed more than 100 vasectomy reversals. The urologist should be comfortable performing a direct sperm duct to sperm duct connection using a microscope (called a microscopic vasovasostomy) and a connection between the sperm duct and epididymus using the microscope (called a microscopic epididymovasostomy). In certain patients, a epididymovasostomy is the preferred method of a vasectomy reversal and the surgeon should be comfortable performing it. That decision is made intraoperatively based on the findings at the time of surgery.
    The step-by-step process of proceeding with a vasectomy reversal is to meet with a urologist who has expertise in vasectomy reversals. The urologist will review your history, perform a physical exam, and assess for the distance between the two ends of the sperm duct on both sides. The examine of the male partner is also to make sure there are no abnormalities that could complicate a successful vasectomy reversal. The vasectomy reversal surgery is outpatient. Patients are typically asked to abstain from sexual activity for one month following the vasectomy reversal. Light activity is acceptable following the procedure, but the patient should abstain from vigorous activity following the procedure for one month. Overall, the vasectomy reversal is a safe and effective method to restore healthy sperm to the ejaculate.

    •

    admin

    •

    , , ,
    , , , , , , ,

  • There is no I in TEAM

    There is no “I” in TEAM. It is important to remember that not one person can get the job done. It takes everyone working together to accomplish the one goal we all have in mind, to help you conceive. The doctors and staff at Texas Fertility Center and Austin IVF work as a TEAM to reach a common goal which is to provide our patients with the highest quality patient care.

    We have a motto at TFC, TFC =TLC.  This is something that we take very seriously as we care about each and every one of our patients.  Every person you interact with at our office is an important member of the team who helps make your experience at TFC the best that it can be.

    What really makes TFC a cut above the rest is how well the physicians and staff know their patients.  We are always filling one another in on specific details about our patients and following up to see what a specific patient’s outcome was.  The attention to detail is incredible.  I don’t think you will find another fertility center that cares as much about its patients as Texas Fertility Center.  Often times when patients leave our office, because they were successful, it is bittersweet because they miss their TFC family – and we miss them just as much.

    At TFC you are not just another number in the waiting room.  Your care is custom tailored by your doctor to meet your specific needs.  Your cycles are never batched, or timed, to have procedures fall all on a certain date.  Your physician will see you for ultrasounds and appointments in the office and he/she will try their best to perform your oocyte retrieval and embryo transfer should you do IVF – even if your procedures fall on a weekend on which they are not on call.  The medical assistants work closely with the doctors to help with your appointments when you are seen at the office.  You also have a specific nurse assigned to you who will be your point of contact throughout your care, and who will be there to answer any questions that you may have.

    If you are going through an IVF cycle your physicians, embryologists, administrative staff at AIVF, and nurses work together to make sure your cycle is the most successful that it can be.

    There are also many team members who work behind the scenes to make sure your care is top notch.   Our authorizations department works hard to ensure that your medications arrive on time for your impending treatment cycle.  Our billing department appeals claims on our patient’s behalf to make sure that insurance companies live up to their contractual obligations and pay appropriate charges in a timely manner, and our surgery coordinators work to help to make sure surgery is scheduled as soon as possible.

    At Texas Fertility Center, we work as a team to ensure you care is world class.  We care about our patients and our patients are so much more than just a number.  TFC=TLC.

    •

    admin

    •

  • Weighty Issues Can Impact Fertility

    Many of us have a daily battle with the scale, which is often difficult to win. For the purposes of fertility, being overweight can have a significant impact on the chances of successful conception, as well as on the risk of miscarriage. We know through studies that obesity can decrease the success rates of any fertility treatment and can increase the risk of miscarriage by up to 30%. The desire to have a child can be a powerful motivator to finally win this battle.  The good news is that even a 5-10% reduction of current body weight can have a positive impact on metabolic parameters and subsequent fertility. The key to successful weight loss lies in total caloric reduction.  Exercise is important, but it is not going to get you there without caloric restriction. Thirty minutes of moderate paced exercise such as walking, five times a week, is adequate to keep your metabolism from stagnating. Restricting calories to 1200 kcal-1500 kcal per day, depending on how much you need to lose, will cause slow and steady weight loss. It is a function of simple math—if you consume fewer calories than your body needs to maintain its current weight, then you should start losing weight. It can be tough to count calories in the beginning, but eventually it becomes a way of life and you will learn the right portions even without having to measure things out. Healthy eating should not be a fad, but a lifelong habit, and what better motivator than the chance of having a baby?

    •

    admin

    •

    , ,
    , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

  • At TFC, We Want to Get Personal

    Last December, I met a couple who had just relocated to Austin from Boston, where they had undergone an in vitro fertilization cycle but did not conceive. Since Massachusetts is a state with mandated coverage for fertility treatment, the procedures had cost the couple very little of their own money. The male partner, being concerned with having to pay out of pocket in Texas since his new insurance provided no coverage, was very adamant in having me explain all of the costs associated with an IVF cycle at TFC. “As the consumer, I want to know we’re getting our money’s worth,” he said. I then told him all about our state-of-the-art laboratory facility, our experienced and technically advanced embryologists, the research we have generated from our scientific studies, our exemplary pregnancy rates, and so on. I could tell he wasn’t quite convinced. However, he and his wife made plans to start a cycle with us after the first of the year.
    Yesterday, I had a message to call him. The embryo transfer had taken place just days earlier, so we are still in the waiting phase. When I called him back, he said, “I just want to tell you that it was worth all that we paid for, and more.” When I asked him to elaborate, he told me that the one thing that they had not experienced in Boston and never expected from an IVF clinic was to be treated as an individual couple with their own team focused specifically on their success. “We saw you [our doctor] for every sonogram, spoke to our very own nurse each time we had a question, and had the egg harvest on a weekend where you weren’t on call, but came in to do the procedure for us anyway. Then, the embryologist came and sat with us before the embryo transfer to describe the development of our ‘babies’, and show us what had happened to every single egg. The day after the transfer, he called us again to tell us that we have an embryo they could freeze. The whole experience has been so personal, and no matter what happens, we will always remember how much everyone cared.”
    So, I was educated by my patient. My take-home messages from him are: 1) patients expect the facility to be good and the staff to be competent, but being treated well and with concern and compassion is just as important, and 2) sometimes you really do get what you pay for. Thank you and good luck, former Bostonians! You know who you are.

    •

    admin

    •

    ,
    , , ,

  • How Do I Know if I Have Endometriosis?

    As I discussed last week, endometriosis is a very common condition – affecting anywhere from 6-10% of all women of reproductive age and up to 45% of infertile women. It is well known that endometriosis can cause infertility, although it has not been identified as a cause of recurrent pregnancy loss. Despite this, it is commonly overlooked during the infertility evaluation.
    Although some women present with classic endometriosis symptoms, including increasingly severe pain with periods, pain with intercourse, and generalized pelvic pain that is usually worse just before the onset of a period, many women who have significant endometriosis have no symptoms at all. This can often confuse patients and uninformed physicians alike, as most medical conditions produce symptoms that worsen as the disease worsens. This is just not true with endometriosis. In fact, many studies have shown that the severity of symptoms and the severity of this disease often have nothing to do with each other; women with severe disease may have no symptoms while women with minimal disease can have excruciating pain. This can make the diagnosis of endometriosis quite challenging.
    Over the years, researchers have discovered several types of tests designed to detect the presence of endometriosis. Blood tests, such as the CA 125 assay – while often abnormal in the presence of endometriosis – are simply not reliable. Many women with severe endometriosis have normal CA125 levels. In addition, several other conditions such as ovarian cysts, ovarian cancer, or uterine fibroids can cause an abnormal elevation of CA125. Therefore, although this test once held promise as a good diagnostic tool, more recent studies have demonstrated that it is not helpful and it is now very rarely used to detect endometriosis.

    Although there is no accurate blood test to use when making the diagnosis of endometriosis, many radiologic studies – such as ultrasound, CT scanning, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – have been shown to be very good at detecting or confirming the presence of endometriosis, especially if an ovarian mass is present. Ultrasound, specifically transvaginal ultrasound, is the simplest and the least expensive of these techniques. This exam involves the painless placement of a camera, or probe, into the woman’s vagina. Sound waves are then produced which pass through the woman’s pelvis and back into the camera. These reflected sound waves generate images on a TV monitor that allow physicians to non-invasively visualize the organs in the pelvis, including the uterus and the ovaries. An endometrioma (or cyst made of endometriosis fluid) usually appears as a round mass within an ovary. It has white or gray echoes when seen with ultrasound, in contrast to a follicle which is usually solid black. Both CT and MRI examinations are much more expensive than ultrasound. In addition, they have to be scheduled with a radiology office or hospital, which is much more difficult than an ultrasound, which can be easily scheduled in an RE or OB/GYN office. For these reasons, CT and/or MRI are only rarely ordered.
    The only truly accurate diagnostic test is laparoscopy. This involves the passage of a surgical telescope through a woman’s belly button so that the pelvic organs can be actually seen. I will discuss this technique more in the next blog, so please check back to learn more about endometriosis and how it can affect your fertility.

    •

    admin

    •

    ,
    , , ,

  • Eat this, not that

    A common question we frequently get asked is, “Is there anything I can eat that will make my treatment more successful?” I would love to be the person that comes up with the food or a magic vitamin that will make fertility treatments more successful, but I don’t think that will ever happen. Unfortunately, you cannot eat lots of carrots (and get cartonemia), eat pineapple (and gain weight from all of the calories), or drink Robitussin (and become nauseated from the sweet taste) as these are common myths found all over the internet. There are several things that you can do to be in your best health, which may help with your fertility.

    It is important maintain a healthy body weight as being over or under weight can greatly affect your fertility. In women who are overweight the chance of becoming pregnant has been shown to increase with a 5-10% weight loss, primarily, because it helps to improve ovulation. Being too thin also has its affect on fertility as body fat is essential in the production of the sex hormones. In women that are too thin, estrogen levels are typically low and can lead to abnormal (and even absent) menses.

    Diet and exercise play an important role in maintaining a healthy body weight. You should make nutritious choices that will ensure your body is getting the nutrients that it needs. Make sure to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, proteins, whole grains, and foods rich in calcium while keeping your portion sizes in control. While fish are an excellent source of protein and contain omega 3 fatty acids, it is important to avoid fish that are high in mercury content such as: King Mackerel, White Tuna, Swordfish, Shark, and Marlin to name a few. It is also important to avoid artificial sweeteners as these can affect blood sugar levels and thus can affect hormone levels. Caffeine should also be avoided as it can interfere with iron absorption in the body if consumed in large amounts.

    Alcohol, drugs and smoking should all be avoided as well. Smoking and tobacco exposure has been shown to greatly reduce fertility potential in men and women.

    Exercise is also a very important while trying to conceive. It is important to develop an exercise plan and try to stick with it. For many women it is therapeutic to exercise to help reduce the stress that can be caused by infertility. You can do up to four hours of cardiovascular exercise a week while attempting pregnancy and during a fertility treatment cycle. Excessive exercising can decrease fertility so it is important to make sure to have a balance.

    It is important to make sure you are getting enough folic acid while trying to conceive. You should be taking at least 800 mcg/day of folic acid while attempting pregnancy. Taking folic acid greatly decreases the chances that you will have a baby with a neural tube defect. Recent studies have shown that having been on folic acid supplement months before conceiving decreases the chance of premature labor.

    It is also important to make sure that your environment is safe as well. You need to make sure that the environment you work and live in is free of harmful chemicals and radiation, including second hand smoke. It is important to eliminate anything potentially hazardous to your body while trying to conceive.

    •

    admin

    •

    ,

  • Vaccination Guidelines for Women Considering Pregnancy

    As you are contemplating pregnancy – either with or without the assistance of fertility treatment – it is important to maximize your health so that you can improve your chances of having a safe and healthy pregnancy. One thing to consider is how protected you are against a variety of forms of illness for which there are vaccinations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have established standard recommendations for vaccinations in women contemplating pregnancy.
    Ideally immunizations should be completed before pregnancy occurs as some vaccinations are not safe in pregnancy. Vaccinations before or during pregnancy can protect women from potentially serious illnesses; importantly, the protection that women develop against these illnesses can be passed on to the fetus – especially in the last few weeks of pregnancy.
    Patients may feel reluctant to have a vaccination because of the fear of affecting the pregnancy adversely. However, the vaccinations that are recommended have been used extensively and safely, and there is no indication that there is any risk to the pregnancy by the recommended vaccinations.

    Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR vaccine; Rubella = German measles) –

    This vaccine is recommended for all women who have not been previously vaccinated or if bloodwork does not show protection. It should be administered before pregnancy – and pregnancy should not occur within a month of the vaccine.

    Varicella (Chicken Pox) –

    This vaccine should be considered for patients who have not had chicken pox and do not show evidence of protection against chicken pox with bloodwork. Pregnancy should be avoided for 1 month following the vaccine.

    Influenza (Flu) –

    This vaccination is recommended for any women who may be in the 2nd or 3rd trimester during flu season (January through March). The injectable version is safe at any time during pregnancy; the intranasal vaccination is not safe.

    Tetanus Diptheria Pertussis (DTaP vaccine; Pertussis = Whooping Cough) –

    This vaccine is recommended for adults who will have close contact with an infant of less than 12 months of age. Thus, any woman who might become pregnant or is immediately postpartum should be encouraged to receive it. A booster should be considered if it has been more than 10 years since the previous vaccination.

    Pneumococcus –

    This vaccine is recommended for any person at increased risk for pneumococcal infection. Individuals at high risk include patients with: chronic heart or lung disease, history of spleen removal, diabetes, or other immune compromised states. Ideally the vaccine should be given before pregnancy but can be given during pregnancy.

    Hepatitis A –

    This vaccine is recommended for any woman at high risk of exposure, including those who receive blood products, those with chronic liver disease, and those women traveling to countries with high prevalence. This vaccine is safe to give during pregnancy.

    Hepatitis B –

    This vaccine is recommended for any woman at high risk, including women who receive kidney dialysis or frequent blood products, healthcare workers who have frequent exposure to blood, women with multiple sexual partners, women traveling to countries with a high prevalence of hepatitis B, and women living in the same household as a known infected individual. The vaccine can be given during pregnancy.

    Meningococcal –

    This vaccine should be considered for people at high risk of exposure, including women living in high endemic areas (e.g. sub-Saharan Africa and parts of the Middle East) as well as those living in dormitories. Ideally the vaccine would be given before pregnancy.

    Summary

    Vaccinations can help protect women and their unborn children during and after pregnancy against illnesses with potentially severe side effects.  It is ideal to complete vaccinations before pregnancy, as some vaccinations are not safe to administer during pregnancy.
    If you have any questions about which vaccinations are appropriate for you, consider speaking with your OBGYN or general health provider.

    •

    admin

    •

    , ,
    , , , , , , , , ,

  • When is Enough Enough?

    Many patients struggling to become pregnant wonder when it is time to quit. Just when is “enough enough”? It is important to realize that if the physicians at Texas Fertility Center can utilize all of the options available to us, probably 85-88% of patients will be able to have a baby. But that does not mean that there aren’t times during the treatment process when “enough is enough”.
    Although the definition of infertility is one year of unprotected intercourse, it is highly recommended that couples (when the woman becomes 35 years old) be evaluated after 6 months of unprotected intercourse. When the woman is in her mid 30s, the chance of conceiving declines rapidly. Time is very important. So, when is enough enough for trying on your own? Enough is when the couple desires to be evaluated and/or meets the classic definitions of infertility. At that point, it is time for the couple to schedule an appointment for an evaluation. There are guidelines for the number of times couples should try a particular fertility procedure to improve their chances of becoming pregnant. In general, 85% of women usually conceive within 4-6 cycles with whatever fertility treatment they are undergoing. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon to hear of patients who have been on Clomid for years without success. After 4-6 cycles of this treatment, the couple should be progressing to another treatment. Enough is 4-6 months.
    This guideline applies to intrauterine insemination (IUI), as well. If IUI is going to be successful, it almost always works within 4-6 cycles. Also, it is important for patients who undergo IUIs to be told the results of the semen analysis of the sperm brought to the office for the procedure. However, it is really important to know the results from the sperm prep to learn how many moving sperm are available for their IUI. If this information is not available, either ask your physician to provide the data or consider consulting a Reproductive Endocrinologist with a full-service Andrology laboratory.
    If the sperm prep repeatedly produces less than 10 million moving sperm, the IUI is unlikely to work. At that point, the man should revisit his urologist to see if something can be recommended to increase his sperm production or the couple needs to be offered a higher level of technology to become pregnant – specifically, in vitro fertilization (IVF). Enough is 4-6 cycles of IUI with adequate sperm and 1 or 2 cycles with inadequate sperm. At that point, it is time to move along to the next level. Enough is not enough if the couple has not been offered the options available for them.
    Sometimes couples are hesitant to move to the next level of treatment. Their concerns may include the cost, the stress, and/or the time requirement for the next procedure. These concerns may delay a couple from moving along. These concerns are understandable.  Despite the frustration of undergoing some of the treatments and not becoming pregnant, remember that the majority of couples will be successful if they continue their evaluation and treatment. However, it is important for couples to move along when “enough has become enough” for any particular procedure.

    •

    admin

    •

    , ,
    , , , ,

  • Make a point of celebrating Valentine’s Day

    “Let’s try and make a baby.” Those whispered words used to thrill you, but now uttering them kills the mood faster than black socks and boxer shorts. As you learn to recognize your uterus on screen, fertility treatment takes the magic out of lovemaking. Not at first, but over time … as each attempt becomes medically prescribed, timed and evaluated.

    February’s forced romance in honor of fertility and a fallen patron saint can serve a useful purpose for couples dealing with infertility. Valentine’s Day reminds you to light the candles, savor love’s sweetness and once again release the butterflies. You are a couple first, then comes the baby in the carriage. Intentionally celebrate that love.

    Get out!

    Unlike nearly every other major holiday that spotlights children, Valentine’s Day exclusively courts couples. No kids? No problem! February reserves the 14th just for you, so use it to reconnect, even in the face of ongoing stress and the demands of infertility.

    Sharing a mutually enjoyable experience like live theater or music, a hike, festival or class reinforces that you are compatible, with shared interests and a history together. You don’t have to plan a special outing on the 14th with crowds and set menus, but make it a habit to get out together, this and every month. And that doesn’t include your fertility treatment appointments!

    Give yourself a break ~

    As a special pick-me-up this month, why not shop for a dress or lingerie that makes you feel beautiful and rekindle the flame.

    Plan for a little spontaneity~

    If your doctor currently prescribes fertility medications to suppress, trigger or induce ovulation, timing sex is out of your control. To get pregnant on your own, though, have sex 5 days before you ovulate, every other day, plus one extra day after for good measure. Sperm survive in the woman’s body for 5-7 days, while a woman’s released egg has a 24-hour lifespan.

    A tip from one couple who overcame timing burnout: Reveal ovulation only on a need-to-know basis. When pressure to conceive always accompanies sex, men can suffer from performance anxiety.

    Get back to basics ~

    Call your spouse for no reason other than to say you love them, leave love notes and put your best self forward –dial up the charm, go out on dates, and always, always close the bathroom door when in use.

    Bring your pre-fertility self back to life with a little extra effort in February and see if you can carry the torch all year long.

    Here’s a list of fun activities around Austin to take your mind off fertility testing.

    Infertility Retreats, in Austin and a Day’s Drive Away:

    Stairway to heaven
    Can’t think about anything but infertility treatment? Rise above it all when you climb 99 steps up Mt. Bonnell for a 715-foot-high view of the Austin skyline and Lake Austin. Park off Mt. Bonnell Road and bring a picnic. 512-478-0098

    Bluegrass brunch
    Head to the original Threadgill’s on Austin’s North Shore for Tejano music and fried green tomatoes. Danny Santos, a travelin’ Texas troubadour, performs Sunday, Feb. 6. Toast each other with caffeine free hibiscus mint tea. 512-451-5440; www.threadgills.com

    You think you can dance?
    If Bristol can do it, so can you! Get out and move to Austin swing, jazz, blues, rockabilly and country after you’ve let Four on the Floor take the lead. It’s a progressive class, so try to hit all the classes that start Feb. 1 ($35 for the series or $10 a class). 512-453-3889; www.fouronthefloor.com or check Facebook.

    Fourth Friday
    Everyone knows about First Thursday on South Congress Ave. The East Side “soul in the heart of the city” event offers live music, theater, great restaurants and more from 4 to 10 p.m. Find it all on East 11th Street. 512-441-2123; www.ibuyaustin.com

    Valentine’s rocks
    Emo’s brings Hunter Valentine to the stage on the 10th, an all-girl indie band with a single “My Private Battle.” As a couple battling infertility, can you relate? 512-505 8541; www.emosaustin.com

    Fat Tuesday in Boerne
    A new hotel in Boerne offers balcony views inspired by New Orleans’ French Quarter and each of the 11 unique guest rooms has a different theme. Ask about the Crescent Quarters’ suites with thermo massage tubs or the romantic French boudoir. 830-249-8016; www.crescentquarters.com

    •

    admin

    •

    , ,