Your fertility treatment begins with a new patient consultation

Prior to this consultation, your doctor will have reviewed the results of tests and fertility treatment at the referring physician. We will take a complete medical history and answer any questions regarding past treatment. Our team will also complete a physical examination and pelvic ultrasound.

After completing the initial evaluation, your doctor will create an individualized treatment plan. He will take into account the results of all tests and factors like the woman’s age and duration of infertility. Additional fertility testing may be necessary.

After diagnosis and testing

After the initial evaluation, fertility tests and appointments will be scheduled as needed. Fertility treatment involve the least involved, least invasive and least expensive fertility procedures. However, the individual needs of each patient may dictate a more aggressive approach, especially when the woman’s age is over 40. During the course of fertility treatment, it may be necessary to have follow-up consultations to assess progress . This ensures that the fertility treatment process is as efficient and effective as possible.

Female fertility cycle monitoring as part of fertility treatment

Fertility cycle monitoring usually begins on either day 2 or day 3 of the patient’s cycle.
During this time, we closely monitor patient with ultrasounds and laboratory testing. We use blood hormone levels and the size of the ovarian follicles to determine when ovulation will occur. If using oral or injectable medications, cycle monitoring will also track the response to the medication.

During these office visits, the patient will have a vaginal ultrasound. This will enable the physician to monitor the developing follicles. There may also be blood testing for hormones such as an Estradiol (E2). This provides an estimation of the ovarian function and helps to monitor the response of the ovaries to gonadotropins.

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

Intrauterine insemination involves inserting specially prepared (washed) sperm directly into the uterine cavity. This method can help with poor sperm/cervical mucus interaction or to increase pregnancy rates. IUI allows the sperm to bypass the cervix so that more can reach the uterine cavity and the fallopian tubes. If the woman has irregular ovulation, the physician may prescribe drugs to induce ovulation. IUI can occur in conjunction with these medications to increase the chances of successful fertilization. Recent data suggests that increasing the number of sperm reaching the fallopian tubes by intrauterine placement may also increase the pregnancy success rate in couples with unexplained infertility, especially with the addition of ovulation drugs.

Read about In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF)…

Assisted Reproductive Technology Procedures

Our Assisted Reproductive Technology (A.R.T.) program encompasses a number of procedures which utilize our advanced embryology laboratory to’aid in conception. Our laboratory maintains the standards set by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, is a member of the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (S.A.R.T.) and is certified by the College of American Pathologists (CAP)
All preliminary testing and monitoring leading up to the performance of an A.R.T. procedure occurs at our fertility clinic. All procedures are performed at the Newport Beach Surgery Center, an outpatient surgical facility. A.R.T. cycles are not performed in scheduled series but are initiated on an ongoing basis determined by the patient’s natural cycle. All office visits during an A.R.T. cycle are conducted by appointment during regular office hours.