How a patient’s ethnic background affects her chance of pregnancy, especially with IVF, is a fascinating yet poorly studied area of research. According to a 1995 national survey of family growth, non-Caucasian married women were more likely to experience infertility than Caucasian married women, yet these same non-Caucasian women were less likely to receive any type of infertility treatment—especially treatment with assisted reproductive technologies. There is very little data in the literature examining ethnicity and its affect upon pregnancy rates with in vitro fertilization (IVF). Ethnic minorities compose a small percentage of patients in the nation’s IVF programs, making it...
January 12, 2010August 18, 2023
Dr. Michael Kamrava and the Octuplets
Well, it has finally happened. The infamous octomom fertility specialist, Dr. Michael Kamrava, has been formally charged with negligence by the California Medical Board. The case has been handled as a type of sideshow by the media, and indeed, there are many aspects of it—single mom, 14 kids from IVF, all conceived with donor sperm, etc.—that seem stranger than fiction. However, responsible fertility specialists have taken this case very seriously. An octuplet pregnancy is a significant complication of fertility care. Since we are aware of this possible severe scenario, we take very strong measures to try to avoid situations in...
December 08, 2009August 18, 2023
5 Things You Should Know About Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
1. PCOS is a Common ConditionPCOS is one of the most common causes of irregular menstrual periods. It’s a chronic condition that occurs in about 5 to 10 percent of women. It causes irregular menstrual periods and high levels of male hormones in women. These elevated levels can cause excessive hair growth in areas such as the face and back, and can cause male-pattern balding or thinning of hair. These hormones can also cause severe acne. Although PCOS is not completely reversible, there are several treatments that can improve these symptoms so that most women with PCOS are able to...
November 09, 2009August 18, 2023
5 Things You Should Know About Recurrent Miscarriages
1. Three or More in a Row is “Recurrent”The technical definition for recurrent miscarriages or “recurrent pregnancy loss” (RPL) requires three or more consecutive losses of recognized pregnancies before the 20th week or 5th month of pregnancy. Currently it is not clear whether very early pregnancy losses diagnosed by sensitive pregnancy tests and not by ultrasound (also known as biochemical pregnancies) should be included in the definition. Most doctors believe it is reasonable to send tests and start treatment of RPL after two consecutive miscarriages. 2. Early Pregnancy Loss is an Emotionally Traumatic ExperienceEPL is similar to losing a child...
October 22, 2009August 18, 2023
Testing for Downs’ Syndrome and Other Abnormalities in Early Pregnancy
Abnormalities in early pregnancy are a common fear among parents-to-be. Here are a few suggestions for how you can test for them. For Women Under 35: 1) Triple Screen: This is a blood test that is done between 15-20 weeks. The test screens for Down’s syndrome and Spina Bifida, two common birth defects. The test is usually covered by insurance. The results usually return two weeks after the blood draw. 2) Level II Ultrasound: This test takes pictures of your baby through an ultrasound on your tummy. It’s done by a specialist at 18-22 weeks. An ultrasound can be used to detect...
June 09, 2009August 18, 2023
5 Things You Need to Know About Exercise-Induced Amenorrhea
When you stop having monthly periods, it is known as amenorrhea. Here are five important exercise-related facts involving the condition…: 1. Exercise Causes Amenorrhea When the Body Enters a “Starvation State”When women stop having monthly periods (“amenorrhea”) due to excessive exercise, there’s a problem. It is not just the amount of exercise that influences the menstrual cycle, but certain types of exercise, specifically those associated with low body weight. Long distance running and ballet dancing are more likely than others to cause amenorrhea, for example. The combination of low body weight and intense exercise causes amenorrhea if the body believes...
June 04, 2009September 6, 2023
Cesarean Section By Choice: The Cons
Traditionally, the decision to deliver a baby by cesarean section (C-section) was made by a woman’s obstetrician. It was based purely on medical reasons such as a baby in the “breech” position (head-up, bottom-down) or a cervix that wouldn’t fully dilate. These days, women realize that there are other potential reasons to favor a C-section over a vaginal delivery, and more women are asking their doctors to perform planned cesarean sections. Though C-sections are generally very straightforward operations with low complication rates, it is important to factor in the pros and cons when choosing the mode of delivery. Some disadvantages...
May 19, 2009August 18, 2023
Cesarean Section By Choice: The Pros
Traditionally, the decision to deliver a baby by cesarean section (C-section) was made by a woman’s obstetrician. It was based purely on medical reasons such as a baby in the “breech” position (head-up, bottom-down) or a cervix that wouldn’t fully dilate. These days, women realize that there are other potential reasons to favor a C-section over a vaginal delivery, and more women are asking their doctors to perform planned cesarean sections. Though C-sections are generally very straightforward operations with low complication rates, it is important to factor in the pros and cons when choosing the mode of delivery. Some advantages...
May 12, 2009September 7, 2023
Smart Shopping for Lubricants When Trying to Conceive
Up to one half of sexually active couples use some kind of vaginal lubricant during intercourse. It’s a common misconception that lubricants not containing spermicide are okay to use in couples that are trying to conceive. Unfortunately, there is now reason to believe that many of these lubricants have harmful effects on sperm, thus potentially reducing the chance of pregnancy. What to Look ForThe harmful effects of vaginal lubrication products are thought to be due to their unnatural chemical composition and pH. Though many of these products attempt to mimic the natural pH balance of the body, scientific studies show...
May 07, 2009August 18, 2023
DIY: How to improve your chances of getting pregnant
At HRC Fertility, we provide our patients with information that will help them to give birth to healthy babies. If you’re looking to get pregnant, here are a few tips that can increase your chances of success… First, you need to be aware of the “fertile window” – the 6-day-long period during your menstrual cycle that ends 24 hours after the time of ovulation. Intercourse is most likely to lead to a pregnancy when it occurs in the three day period ending on the day of ovulation. Therefore, figuring out what time of the month you typically ovulate is very...