Preconception And Infertility Specialist

What is a preconception care check-up?

A preconception check-up identifies health and lifestyle issues in the mother that could interfere with a healthy pregnancy and potentially harm the baby. Getting a checkup before conception is important because it gives you plenty of time to correct problems before they affect your developing baby.

Why is preconception planning important?

Most women don’t know they’re pregnant until they’re 4-6 weeks along. By eight weeks, the baby has developed critical organs and body systems. If you weren’t in good health before conception — if you had a nutritional deficiency, a chronic disease, or drank alcohol in those early weeks — the baby is at risk before you even realize you’re pregnant.

Here are examples of health conditions that should be treated before conception:

Folic acid deficiency

A lack of folic acid causes neural tube defects in the first four weeks of pregnancy. Getting enough folic acid before pregnancy prevents this type of congenital disability. Taking prenatal vitamins for 3 or more months before pregnancy can be beneficial to the fetus and to prevent bad morning sickness.

Diabetes and Thyroid Screening

Women with uncontrolled diabetes or thyroid dysfunction face a higher risk of preterm deliveries, low birth weight babies and babies with lower intelligence.

High blood pressure

If you have uncontrolled high blood pressure before pregnancy, you’re at a higher risk for preeclampsia, a type of high blood pressure during pregnancy that causes serious complications for both mother and baby.

What is an infertility evaluation?

An infertility evaluation includes a complete medical and gynecologic history, a thorough physical exam, and one or more tests to determine the cause of your infertility.

Dr. Mahller offers the following infertility services:

• Analysis of ovarian and thyroid hormones
• Semen analysis
• Imaging of the uterus and fallopian tubes
• Ovulation induction with Clomid
• Genetic counseling

Who should consider getting an infertility evaluation?

Age is one of the biggest risk factors for infertility. A woman’s chance of becoming pregnant starts to decline in her early 30s then drops rapidly after age 37. Schedule an infertility evaluation with Dr. Mahller if you match any of the following criteria:

• Younger than 35 and haven’t become pregnant after one year of regular sexual intercourse without birth control
• Older than 35 and haven’t become pregnant within six months of regular sexual intercourse without birth control
• Menstrual cycle is not regular
• You or your partner have been diagnosed with a fertility problem
• You have questions about how to achieve pregnancy as soon as possible