Fertility Services

Infertility can be one of the most challenging obstacles a couple can ever face. Getting help may be the only way to achieve their dream. 

There may be many reasons why a couple cannot conceive. The goal is to evaluate both partners to find the cause, and then to overcome the issues to achieve a pregnancy.

Infertility

Approximately 50% of women have physical factors which cause infertility. By using various procedures we are able to determine whether any of these symptoms are causing your infertility problems.

Another 30% of infertility issues are caused from problems with ovulation. Tests can find if ovulation is a leading cause of infertility, and you could be placed on drug therapy to regulate ovulation.

Men are responsible for about 40% of infertility problems. To determine the specific issue, patients receive a detailed social and medical history evaluation. A number of treatments, such as artificial insemination, are available to each couple.

Approximately 20% of couples will experience some type of infertility from both the male and female partner, so both partners should be tested simultaneously.

Assisted Reproductive Technologies

Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) offer options to couples who otherwise would not be able to conceive.

In Vitro Fertilization

The most commonly used form of ART is In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). First, a woman's ovaries are stimulated by medications to produce multiple follicles. The eggs are retrieved and are then cultured with the sperm of the male partner. The resulting embryos are cultured in the laboratory for 3 days, after which the best embryos are selected for transfer back to the mother's uterus. The embryos are inserted into the top of the uterus with a soft ultrasound-guided catheter.

Blastocyst Transfer

In some patients embryos are cultured for 5-6 days to develop into blastocysts. At this point the embryos have developed into an inner cell mass (the cells that form the baby) and the the cells that form the placenta. Transferring blastocysts on day 5 increases the pregnancy rate and reduces the chance of multiple pregnancies.

Assisted Hatching

This technique is used to assist the embryo to hatch from its surrounding shell. This hatching must occur for the embryo to implant in the uterus. The procedure consists of making a microscopic opening in the shell to assist the embryo in the hatching process.

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)

One of the best advances in treating male infertility is intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), the process of injecting a single sperm directly into a mature egg. ISCI is used to assist men who have abnormal sperm parameters including count, motility and morphology. This has also helped patients with antisperm antibodies or spinal cord injuries. 

Egg Donation

For women who have had problems with their ovaries producing eggs, egg donation is an option. Eggs can come from a friend or relative, or the donor may be anonymous from a donor bank. Donors are screened according to guidelines set by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. 

The recipient of the donor egg must have her uterus tested to rule out any structural defects. She is placed on hormones to synchronize her cycle with the donor's cycle. Estrogen and progesterone are given to the recipient to prepare the uterus lining for an embryo implant.

When the donor’s eggs are ready, the eggs are inseminated with the patient’s sperm for fertilization. The embryos are monitored in the laboratory for 3-5 days, and then placed with a soft catheter into the mother's uterus. 

Sperm Donation

Sperm donors or sperm banks are available for couples when the male's sperm is the factor for infertility. The donated sperm is extensively screened for sexually transmitted diseases and genetic abnormalities. The couple can match up physical characteristic traits if they choose sperm from a sperm bank. 

Surrogate Program/Host Uterus

This option is available to women who have viable eggs, but have difficulties carrying a child due to a problem with their uterus. This process involves taking embryos that are created with the patient’s eggs and her partner’s sperm and transferring them to another woman to carry the pregnancy. The surrogate woman carries and delivers the baby and the child is placed with the parents.

Reproductive Micro Surgery

Prior to the development and success of ART, microsurgery was the most commonly treatment. Although the number has decreased substantially, there are still times when microsurgery is the best form of treatment. For example, women who have had their tubes tied can have them reattached with successful pregnancy rates nearing 80% for women up to age 35. Women with severe endometriosis and pelvic adhesions can also benefit from microsurgery.

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