What you should Know

HSG / Saline Sonography / Tubal Patency Tests

What Is Saline Sonography?

Also known as Saline Infusion Sonography (SIS), and Sonohysterography, this procedure utilizes ultrasound imaging using a probe inserted into the vagina. This method is used to evaluate the health of the pelvis and assess the uterine cavity, endometrial cavity, as well as fallopian tubes and ovaries.

Who Should Undergo Saline Sonography?

This type of transvaginal ultrasound is recommended for women who have been diagnosed with infertility or recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Saline sonogram increases fertility by pointing out uterine abnormalities and endometrial polyps that can hinder the proper implantation and development of the embryo. In case any abnormality such as these are noted, your physician will likely recommend you to undergo hysteroscopy prior to embryo transfer.

What To Expect:

Unlike invasive procedures that usually require a hospital confinement, hysteroscopy with polypectomy is often performed at your physician’s clinic. Rare complications, such as any form of obstruction on the uterus or cervix, may make this procedure much harder to perform than usual. Under normal circumstances, however, there is no reason for you to worry. Below is a step-by-step hysteroscopy procedure:

Ovarian Cyst Aspiration

What Is Ovarian Cyst Aspiration?

Cyst Aspiration is a minimally invasive procedure that involves draining fluid-filled sacs from ovarian cysts. It is not unusual for IVF to be canceled due to a cyst. IVF egg retrieval with an ovarian cyst may generate poor eggs.

Cyst on the ovary before IVF can affect a woman’s ability to get pregnant. Sometimes, when the cyst is tiny, your specialist may decide to continue with the IVF procedure without aspiration.

Who Should Undergo Cyst Aspiration?

Ovarian cyst symptoms are not always apparent but, when you experience irregularities in your menstrual period, pain in your abdomen, heavy bleeding, and pain during intercourse, you should consider getting your ovaries checked for cysts. The cysts may disappear over time but, when a cyst ruptures, it can cause excruciating pain.

What To Expect:

Recovery from aspiration of ovarian cyst is significantly shorter than the time it takes to heal from surgery. Cyst aspiration poses a better choice for women who are trying to get pregnant since IVF can be resumed in as short as one cycle following the procedure.

Below are just some of the things that you can expect before, during, and after a cyst aspiration:

Dilatation and Curettage (D&C)

What Is Dilatation And Curettage?

Dilatation and Curettage (D&C) is a minor procedure although, in some cases, hospitalization may be required. This process combines the use of a dilation instrument inserted into the uterus with the use of an instrument called, curette which is used to remove tissue by either scraping off or through suctioning.

Who Should Undergo Dilatation And Curettage?

This procedure is for women who experience abnormal uterine bleeding, unusually heavy menstrual periods, heavy bleeding after menopause, and an unusually thick uterine lining. It is also routinely used to probe into the possible causes of infertility, including the presence of abnormal tissue,, tissue leftover after delivery or miscarriage, and polyps, any of which can hinder proper egg or embryo implantation.

What To Expect

Dilatation and Curettage procedures typically lasts anywhere between 10 up to 30 minutes. general anesthesia is required,so the procedure will likely involve hospitalization for a day.

Below are just some of the things that you can expect before, during, and after a cyst aspiration:

Screening for Genital Infections

What Is Screening for Genital Infection?

This refers to a group or series of procedures, including swab tests and blood tests, used in screening for genital infections. Evidence based research confirms that male and female infertility can result from the long term presence of genital infections, that includes Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, chlamydial infection, and genital herpes infection.

It is now widely regarded that immune response to these infections can damage the sperm and, in the case of females, create a reproductive environment that is hostile to the developing embryo.

Who Should Undergo Screening for Genital Infection?

To address a couple’s inability to conceive, both the male and female partner should get tested.

Screening includes tests for Chlamydia trachomatis, Candida albicans, Trichomonas vaginalis, and bacterial vaginosis which are the most common genital tract infections affecting women. Cervical cancer screening also routinely checks for the presence of HPV (Human papillomavirus) viruses.

What To Expect

Documented evidence suggests that treating underlying genital infection in both male and female partners improves positive results of pregnancy leading to a healthy delivery.

Below are some of the things you and your partner can expect when undergoing screening for genital infection:

Pelvic Ultrasound

What Is Pelvic Ultrasound?

A Pelvic Ultrasound is a procedure that utilizes ultrasound imaging to examine the pelvic organs which include the endometrium, cervix, vagina, fallopian tubes, uterus and ovaries. This is a non-invasive diagnostic procedure that gives your physician a full view of your reproductive organs using images formed as sound waves bounce off of your organs and any abnormal tissue in your pelvic area.

There are generally two ways that a pelvic ultrasound may be performed. The first is via a transabdominal ultrasound where the transducer, the device that emits high frequency sound waves, is placed on your abdomen. The other is via a transvaginal ultrasound. A doppler ultrasound may also be used by your physician to assess blood flow to and from your pelvic organs.

Who Should Undergo Pelvic Ultrasound?

This is a routine procedure for monitoring follicle size and the development of the fertilized egg in vitro fertilization. It is also used for monitoring fetal development during pregnancy, most especially in an ectopic pregnancy. It also serves as a diagnostic tool for evaluating potential causes of internal bleeding, and in confirming anomalies in your pelvic organs.

What To Expect

Typically, this procedure takes 15 minutes or less to complete. Below are things that you can expect before, during and after a pelvic ultrasound:

Obstetrics

Antenatal Checkups

What Is Regular Antenatal Check-up (ANC)?

Antenatal Check-up is a necessary part of prenatal care that comes with regular prenatal visits with a physician to continuously monitor the health of both mother and child before birth.

Who Should Undergo Regular ANC?

All pregnant women are highly recommended to undergo antenatal check-ups throughout the full nine months of pregnancy. If you do not have a physician yet, you may consult a birthing center. Establishing your medical history as well as that of your baby’s will help alleviate health problems associated with pregnancy and giving birth. It also helps facilitate early detection of genetic disorders to improve opportunities for enhancing the health condition of your baby.

What To Expect

Becoming pregnant will have to be one of the most fulfilling event in your life. If not properly and continuously monitored, your pregnancy may posehigh risks for both you and your baby.

Below are just some of the things that you can expect during an ANC:.

Antenatal Screening

What To Expect:

Antenatal Screening is not compulsory. Expect to make a series of decisions when you sign up for antenatal screening.

Below are just some of the things you should expect before, during and after an antenatal screening:

Antenatal Screening Cost: Cost for antenatal screening depends on the tests you will elect to run. Conditions that may complicate extraction and testing will also factor into the cost.

What Is Antenatal Screening (Invasive and Non-invasive Prenatal Test)?

Antenatal Screening is a procedure conducted during pregnancy that provides prenatal diagnosis of your baby’s health condition. These involves running specific DNA tests that are particularly recommended for couples whose babies are considered to be at increased risk for developing hereditary diseases & diseases resulting from chromosomal anomalies as:

Invasive and Non-invasive Prenatal Test

The first step involves the administration of a Non-Invasive Prenatal Test Generally known as (NIPT) where the baby’s DNA is extracted from the mother’s blood. Afterward the health professionals then perform screening tests to check for irregularities in your baby’s DNA. In conclusion if any of the tests comes back positive, your doctor will prescribe next steps considering all the risks involved. Your baby may be scheduled to undergo Invasive Prenatal Test.

For instance Two of the most common procedures are amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling. In both procedures, extraction of amniotic fluid is necessary which carry risks of miscarriage.

Who Should Undergo Antenatal Screening?

In short, pregnant women who wish to know the health problems that their baby may be at increased risk for developing should schedule antenatal screening. However, since the procedures involved in diagnostic tests increases risk of miscarriage, you should have your baby’s risk result evaluated first.

Cervical Cerclage

What Is Cervical Cerclage?

Cervical Cerclage addresses cervical incompetence or, the inability of a woman’s cervix to support the growing fetus usually due to a short cervix, causing the cervix to open and induce preterm labor. This procedure uses cervical stitches to keep the cervix closed and prevent premature birth.

Who Should Undergo Cervical Cerclage?

When significant changes to your cervix becomes apparent at approximately 12 to 14 weeks of gestation, your Obstetrics and Gynecology specialist may prescribe cerclage for preventing the cervix from opening up. Later than that, emergency cerclages may still be facilitated but, when cervical insufficiency is observed too late during pregnancy, the best option may have to be bed rest. Not all women who have a history of giving birth prematurely are good candidates for this procedure.

What To Expect

Cervical Cerclage is effective in preventing premature labor. However, diagnosis depends on your physician’s judgment and your history of pregnancy which can render your cervix to be incompetent.

Below are just some of the things you can expect before, during and after undergoing cervical cerclage

Cervical Cerclage Cost:
The cost of this procedure will vary depending on complications and complexity.

Family Planning

What Is Family Planning?

Based on the definition offered by the World Health Organization, “Family planning allows people to attain their desired number of children and determine the spacing of pregnancies. It is achieved through use of contraceptive methods and the treatment of infertility.” Family Planning Methods help couples promote the welfare of their family, while also mutually enhancing each other’s sexual and reproductive health. Likewise, it helps single, sexually active males and females avoid unplanned pregnancy.

Who Should Undertake Family Planning?

All sexually active males and females, must proactively seek family planning information and sexuality education to help them select appropriate methods of family planning that suit their health and personal preferences. All available methods will help avoid pregnancy.

What Family Planning Methods Are Available?

There are many modern means of contraception available although many adults prefer natural family planning methods which requires fertility awareness, and time sexual intercourse with the menstrual cycle. Modern contraception, also available as family planning methods in UAE, includes the following:

IUCD Insertion and Removal

What Is IUCD Insertion and Removal?

These are basic procedures that a woman periodically goes through at set intervals when she elects IUCD for birth control. Intrauterine Contraceptive Device (IUCD) or, Intrauterine Device (IUD), is a tiny, usually T-shaped, device inserted by your physician inside your uterus.

It is among the most effective methods of contraception that can be reversed simply by undergoing an IUCD removal process. In fact, it is currently one of the most preferred birth control methods in the United States.

There are two types of IUDs that you can choose from: Copper IUD and A Hormonal IUD.

What To Expect:

Women who have an IUCD may have sexual intercourse at any time and yet stay protected from becoming pregnant.
During an IUCD insertion procedure:

During IUCD removal:

IUCD Insertion and Removal Cost:

IUD removal and insertion cost will mostly consist of device cost and professional fees. Cost will likely become higher depending on complications, such as when hysteroscopy is required.

Who Should Undergo IUCD Insertion and Removal?

Women who select IUCD are required to undergo both processes periodically to remove the device and replace it with a new one every three up to 10 years interval, depending on the device used.