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Ovulation Induction
 Ovulation induction is a safe and effective means of helping infertile women who do not ovulate or who ovulate irregularly. Ovulation induction involves stimulating the ovary to produce one or more eggs. It may be accomplished using a number of different medications and may be helpful in a variety of treatments. Additionally, it may be used to induce the development and release of multiple eggs in ovulation women undergoing other infertility treatments.
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Prenatal Genetic Counseling
lf you are planning to have a baby and have a personal or family history of certain genetic diseases, you may wish to consider genetic counseling. The ideal time to consider counseling is before you become pregnant (preconception counseling). However, even if you are pregnant, you may benefit from genetic counseling.
People who may benefit from genetic counseling include:
- People who have or are concerned they may have an inherited disorder or birth defect
- Women who have had three or more miscarriages, have a history of a baby who was stillborn or had a baby who died in infancy
- People who are considering prenatal diagnosis (chronic villus sampling, amniocentesis)
- Couples who have a child with an inherited disorder, birth defect or mental retardation
- Couples who would like more information about genetic conditions that are more prevalent in their ethnic group
- Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant at or after age 35
- People concerned that their exposure to radiation, chemicals, drugs or infections may pose a risk to pregnancy
- Couples who are first cousins or other close blood relatives
- Pregnant women whose ultrasound exam or blood test indicates the pregnancy may be at a higher risk for certain birth defects or complications
Sometimes, the worries and questions about genetic conditions, birth defects and other potential problems with a baby ’s health are overwhelming. We can help you make decisions about genetic testing and pregnancy. We can help you gain a basic understanding of genetics and disease and help you understand that your child may — or may not — be born with a certain birth defect or genetic condition.
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Preconception Counseling
There are many important steps that a couple needs to take when planning a pregnancy. That is why it is very important that both partners are prepared both physically and emotionally for this event.
Preconception counseling can help couples achieve the best possible outcome for their pregnancy. By starting before the baby is conceived, we can work together to better define what the risks might be to the mother and to the baby. It can help women who may have heart conditions or other medical conditions that could adversely affect them during pregnancy. It can also help women with a poor pregnancy history or past miscarriages.
By planning ahead and exploring the risks and possibilities, preconception counseling can go a long way toward ensuring a healthy pregnancy for mother and baby. |
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome is characterized by anovulation (irregular or  absent menstrual periods) and hyperandrogenism (elevated serum testosterone and androstenedione). Patients with this syndrome may complain of abnormal bleeding, infertility, obesity, excess hair growth, hair loss and acne. We offer a comprehensive range of treatments for this condition including both drug and surgical therapies.
What is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a health problem that can affect a woman's menstrual cycle, ability to have children, hormones, heart, blood vessels, and appearance. With PCOS, women typically have:
- high levels of androgens. These are sometimes called male hormones, although females also make them.
- missed or irregular periods
- many small cysts in their ovaries. Cysts are fluid-filled sacs.
Endometriosis
The tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus is called the endometrium. Unfortunately, in some women the tissue grows outside the uterus. This condition is called endometriosis and affects an estimated 10 to 20 percent of American women of childbearing age. While some women with endometriosis may have severe pelvic pain, others who have the condition have no symptoms. There is no cure, we offer a variety of treatments, both drug and surgical, to reduce the discomfort caused by this disease.
Laparoscopic surgery is the only definitive way to diagnose endometriosis. In many cases, the disease can be diagnosed and treated in the same procedure. |
Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)
Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) is a test that can be done early in a woman’s pregnancy to determine if the fetus has certain conditions. CVS can tell whether a baby has Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis or other genetic or chromosomal conditions. DNA from a CVS test can also be used as part of a paternity test. CVS can usually be performed between 10 and 13 weeks gestation — much earlier than other tests.
During CVS, a small sample of tissue is removed from the placenta for testing. The procedure can be performed in two ways — trans abdominally (through the abdomen) or Transamerica (through the cervix) — depending on where the placenta is located. Both methods of CVS are performed with ultrasound guidance.
- Good candidates for CVS include women who:
- Will be 35 years of age or older at the time of delivery
- Had an abnormal first trimester screening result
- Have a family history of a genetic condition such as cystic fibrosis or sickle cell anemia
- Have had a prior birth involving a genetic condition
- Had an abnormal finding on an ultrasound
Amniocentesis
Amniocentesis is a diagnostic procedure that involves withdrawing a small amount of fluid from the sac surrounding the fetus. A long, thin needle is inserted through the abdomen and into the uterus, and a small amount of fluid is taken from the sac. Before the procedure, the exact location of the fetus is determined by ultrasound.
Amniocentesis can be used to diagnose a large number of genetic and chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus. It is also helpful for diagnosing the severity of Rh incompatibility, lung maturity, and neural tube defects (such as spina bifida).
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Infertility Workup
We do a complete infertility workup including a physical exam, evaluating your medical history, semen analysis, assessment of ovarian reserve, blood and other tests all designed to identify the cause of your infertility. |
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