Tag Archives: pregnancy
05.10.2012
Exercise During Pregnancy: How Little is Too Little And How Much is Too Much?
Danielle Vitiello, Ph.D., M.D. Board-Eligible Reproductive Endocrinologist
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has released guidelines on physical activity for pregnant women. They advise that healthy, pregnant women may perform moderately intense exercise for at least 150 minutes weekly. Women who exercise vigorously are encouraged to continue doing so as long as they remain in good health. Non-exercising women may [...]
04.19.2012
Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy After Infertility Therapy
Joseph A. Hill, III, M.D. Board-Certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
I’ve waited so long to become pregnant and have been through so much. Now that I finally am, I’m as sick as a dog. Why is this happening to me? Don’t worry. Your body is not trying to reject the pregnancy that you have worked so hard to have. Nausea and vomiting is extremely common [...]
03.01.2012
Thyroid Hormone: Optimizing the Engine for Pregnancy and Beyond
Danielle Vitiello, Ph.D., M.D. Board-Eligible Reproductive Endocrinologist
Previous blogs have detailed mechanisms of thyroid hormone, the thyroid gland and its essential function in allowing us to function both in pregnancy and beyond. The American Thyroid Association (ATA) task force has outlined recommendations for assessing and monitoring levels. Salient recommendations are listed below: Oral thyroid hormone is indicated for women who demonstrate overt [...]
02.16.2012
Natural and Minimal IVF: Caveat Emptor
Joseph A. Hill, III, M.D. Board-Certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Environment friendly business promotions have a receptive audience. Cost consciousness together with ‘green’ polices embracing such terms as ‘small is beautiful’ and ‘less is better’ can be a good thing. However, when these neologisms are applied to In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) using terms like, “Natural Cycle IVF” or “Minimal Stimulation IVF” under the guise of [...]
02.03.2012
Should You Get the Influenza Vaccine During Infertility Treatment?
Joseph A. Hill, III, M.D. Board-Certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Many people being treated for infertility are unsure whether to get the “Flu Shot.” During the 2012 influenza season both the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Health Department of Health and Human Services (NH DHHS), Division of Public Health Services continue to have a universal recommendation for influenza vaccination to anyone over [...]
01.26.2012
Pregnant or Not Pregnant? That is the Question
Danielle Vitiello, Ph.D., M.D. Board-Eligible Reproductive Endocrinologist
Fertility treatments allow patients to be empowered and to regain hope. Once the patient has engaged in treatment, the two-week wait prior to pregnancy confirmation can be unbearable. Not surprisingly, patients search for both emotional and physical signs to affirm or deny the potential of pregnancy; all while watching the calendar turn at a turtle’s [...]
01.12.2012
Diet and Lifestyle Issues While Attempting to Conceive
Robert M. Weiss, M.D. Board-Certified Reproductive Endocrinologist
Although a healthy lifestyle, including exercise and proper diet, is important for general health, it is not necessary to abstain completely from caffeine and alcohol while trying to conceive. On the other hand, extremes of weight and cigarette smoking have been shown to be detrimental to people trying to conceive. Caffeine Studies have shown that [...]
12.01.2011
Chronic Endometritis
R. Ian Hardy, M.D., Ph.D. Board-Certified Reproductive Endocrinologist, Medical Director
Chronic endometritis is chronic inflammation (“itis”) of the endometrium (the uterine lining). Chronic inflammation may hinder normal implantation of an embryo and its subsequent development. A patient with good embryo morphologic quality with either a negative pregnancy or with an early miscarriage may be evaluated for chronic endometritis before proceeding with further treatment. Evaluation of chronic [...]
11.17.2011
Improving Fertility Through Nutritional Medicine
Darlene Davies BS, Embryology
When a women’s body is preparing for pregnancy there is an increased need for certain vitamins and minerals so the ovary will ovulate a mature egg that can be fertilized. The “healthier” the egg the better the chance of making a healthy baby. The nutrients in your blood enrich the granulosa cells that surround and [...]
11.03.2011
What Makes a Good Endometrium and How is it Monitored?
Danielle Vitiello, Ph.D., M.D. Board-Eligible Reproductive Endocrinologist
Historically, we have been limited the means of assay endometrial receptivity. It is a dynamic organ that needs to be evaluated as such. Embryo implantation occurs when the endometrial receptivity is precisely well orchestrated. When the window of receptivity does not meet optimal implantation timing of the embryo, pregnancy will not occur. Endometrial biopsies where [...]
