Female infertility Due to Fallopian Tube Damage

A common cause of female infertility is due to blockage and scarring of the fallopian tube. This condition prevents the egg from traveling to the fallopian tube and onward to be implanted in the uterus. Blockage of the tube increases the chance of ectopic pregnancy, where the fertilized egg settles in the fallopian tube rather than the uterus.
Fallopian tube block can be caused by untreated pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), endometriosis and sexually transmitted diseases. Sometimes it can be caused by scar tissue that forms after pelvic surgery. Other potential causes of blocked fallopian tubes include a previous history of uterine infection caused by an abortion or miscarriage, a history of abdominal surgery or a ruptured appendix.

The common tests to diagnose infertility due to fallopian tube damage include
• A hysterosalpingogram (HSG) which is a medical procedure where radio opaque dye is injected through the cervix into the uterus and fallopian tubes. A special X-ray machine then scans the pelvic region to diagnose fibroid tumors, scar tissue, an unusually shaped uterus or blockages in the fallopian tubes.
• Laparoscopic surgery is sometimes performed in order to diagnose tubal factor infertility. This involves making a small incision in the abdomen. A tiny camera is then inserted into this incision, allowing the surgeon to view the fallopian tubes.
Treating Tubal Factor Infertility
Tubal factor infertility can be treated through IVF or fallopian tube surgery.
Invitro Fertilization (IVF)
IVF is recommended for women suffering from tubal factor infertility. IVF involves fertilizing an egg outside the fallopian tubes and then implanting the embryo inside the uterus. Chances of pregnancy through this process are quite high.
Fallopian Tube Surgery
Surgery to remove scar tissue, adhesions and fallopian tube blockage is another option although subsequent pregnancy rates do vary.
A reproductive endocrinologist (fertility specialist) is best suited to take the decision about which of these therapies are to be opted based on several factors, the most significant factor being the degree of tubal damage, the age of the female, and whether other infertility factors (male or female) are present.
For women with significant damage to the ends (fimbria) of their tubes, one IVF attempt offers a better chance of a viable pregnancy than surgery ever will and at a lower overall cost.
East Bay fertility Center Dublin California, specializes in the comprehensive evaluation and treatment of infertility providing a complete mind-body experience for fertility couples. East Bay’s experienced medical staff is headed by Dr. Ellen U. Snowden, Medical Director and physician. Dr Snowden is Board Certified in Obstetric, Gynecology, and Reproductive Endocrinology with advanced Fellowship training in the treatment of infertility, recurrent miscarriages and hormonal disorders in women. East Bay Fertility Center performs tests to check the extent of fallopian tube blockage or damage and recommends tubal surgery if necessary. Call 925.828.9235 for a free initial consultation.

Celebrities and Fertility Treatment

Infertility is the biological inability of a man or woman to contribute towards conceiving. Like any other normal couple, celebrities also struggle with infertility problems. Some celebrities who face infertility and opt for a treatment shy away from admitting it. However, others have chosen to step out and talk about their battles with infertility. By this they inspire those women who are still confused about fertility treatment and blame themselves for their suffering. Some of America's celebrities including Hollywood biggies are among those who have undergone fertility treatment such as IVF or fertility drugs to conceive.

Infertility Treatment Options

There are several options available today that women can choose from to conceive. In-vitro fertilization is one such option. Others may consider using a surrogate who will carry the baby for them. There are also those who have opted for adoption. All these fertility solutions have been tried out by various celebrities.

Celebrities Who Opted For In-vitro Fertilization

Some of the celebrities who have opted to use in-vitro fertilization to get pregnant and deliver a healthy baby are:

• Courtney Cox-Arquette: David and Courtney Cox-Arquette have shared their battle with infertility with the public. They had a healthy, baby girl, Coco through In-Vitro Fertilization after various miscarriages.


• Marcia Cross: Of “Desperate Housewives” fame has been one of the first few celebrities who opted for in-vitro fertilization. She is now a happy mom to her in-vitro twins.


• Nicole Kidman: She faced fertility problems for a long time. She got pregnant with Tom Cruise but miscarried because of an ectopic pregnancy. Kidman then went in for fertility treatment to get pregnant with present husband Keith Urban.


• Celine Dion: She has one child as a result of in-vitro fertilization and also decided to have her eggs frozen for future implantation.


• Brooke Shields: Shields was unable to become pregnant after having pre-cancerous cells removed from her cervix. She and husband Chris Henchy decided to use IVF to conceive. Shields became pregnant but suffered a miscarriage after their first IVF cycle. They tried several more IVF cycles before the model/actress delivered a baby girl at the age of 37. The couple was able to conceive another girl naturally after three years.

Celebrities Who Opted For Surrogacy

Some of the celebrities who have opted to use a surrogate mother to carry the baby

 for them are:

• Marissa Jaret Winokur: Known for “Dharma and Greg”, “Dancing with the Stars” and “Broadway (Hairspray)”, she's awaiting the birth of a baby. Being a survivor of cervical cancer

, Winokur couldn't conceive the baby on her own; so a surrogate is bringing her biological child into the world.

Kelly Klein: In happier times with Calvin Klein, Kelly wanted to have a baby. But now that she's divorced, she used a surrogate to bring that baby into the world.

Celebrities Who Opted For Adoption

Celebrities are making headlines by going in for adoption to complete their family. Madonna and Angelina Jolie are the first few who have chosen adoption. Some others who adopted include:

• Diane Keaton: She was in her fifties when she adopted a boy and a girl and decided to raise them on her own. She realized that she wasn't going to find the man she wanted to raise kids with.


• Sheryl Crow: She was forty five when she decided that she wanted to be a mom and adopted an infant.

Concluding Thoughts

Women struggle with fertility for various reasons. This holds true for celebrities also. The most prominent reason being age. Their formative years are spent chasing their dreams and they wait until their later years to get pregnant thus often have trouble conceiving. Lifestyle issues can be considered the second prevailing reason.

At East Bay Fertility Center we take care of your existing medical conditions and accordingly recommend a suitable infertility treatmenta> option providing a complete mind-body experience for fertility couples. This can be IVF, surrogacy or even adoption. Our experienced medical staff is headed by Dr. Ellen U. Snowden, Medical Director and physician. Dr Snowden is Board Certified in Obstetric, Gynecology, and Reproductive Endocrinology with advanced Fellowship training in the treatment of infertility, recurrent miscarriages and hormonal disorders in women.

Please click on the link www.ebfertility.com for more details.

The Risk of Multiple Pregnancies as an Outcome of IVF Treatment

Today many multiple pregnancies are the result of fertility treatment. For couples who have been childless for long, the prospect of twins or triplets may seem ideal at first after the long wait to be parents. But the complications of multiple pregnancies are likely to affect both mother and babies in the form of maternal and fetal complications in addition to financial strains, physical exhaustion and emotional upheavals.

In-Vitro fertilization and Multiple Pregnancies

In-Vitro fertilization (IVF) itself is an overwhelming experience; add to that is the risk of multiple pregnancies. In the course of IVF, multiple pregnancy rates can be as high as 20% as compared to 2-3% multiple pregnancy risk among the general population. Out of this, approximately 2-3% results in triplets and even quadruplets. Twins are the most common outcome of a multiple pregnancy.

Data from the USA (SART 2002) regarding multiple pregnancies showed that 32% of deliveries after in-vitro fertilization were twins and 7% were triplets or more. In the United Kingdom (HFEA patient's guide 2002), 25% of deliveries after IVF were twins and 1.7% were triplets.

Why does fertility treatment increase the likelihood of having twins?

During IVF treatment usually more than one embryo is implanted to maximize the chances of a successful pregnancy. Thus multiple embryos increase the chance of a multiple pregnancy. As the frequency of multiple pregnancies radically increased, the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority (HFEA) decided to impose a limit on how many embryos could be transferred at one go, during IVF treatment. Now the maximum embryos that could be transferred is two for women under the age of 40 and a maximum of three for women aged 40 or over who are using their own eggs.

Different countries have different rules and restrictions with regard to the number of embryos to be transferred. In the United Kingdom, in order to reduce the risk of multiple pregnancies, the HFEA (August 2001) has decided to reduce the number of embryos to be transferred from three to two. A three embryo transfer may be performed in exceptional circumstances.

The Risks of Multiple Pregnancies

While IVF is a highly effective option for couples desiring children, when considering this line of treatment, couples should have a clear understanding of the possibility of multiple pregnancies and what steps would be taken if such an event would occur. The most common complication associated with multiple births is premature birth. Twins, triplets, and other multiple-birth children are at much higher risk of premature or low birth weight apart from a host of other health challenges. There is also a greater risk of birth related complications or even miscarriage. The other medical conditions that are likely to occur during a multiple pregnancy include gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and fetal growth problems.

Because of these concerns, couples considering infertility treatment need to not just evaluate the overall ‘success’ rate of a fertility clinic when deciding where to go for treatment but also take into account the clinic’s rate of twin and triplet births into consideration. It’s also pertinent to locate the most suitable health care professionals who have experience with multiple births. As multiple pregnancies are regarded as high-risk, the need for specialized health care becomes vital to ensure the well-being of mother and babies.

How East Bay Fertility Center can Help

East Bay fertility clinic specializes in the comprehensive evaluation and treatment of infertility, providing a complete mind-body experience for fertility couples. We encourage couples to undergo intensive counseling on the possibilities and risks associated with multiple births.

Our experienced medical staff is headed by Dr. Ellen U. Snowden, Medical Director and physician. Dr Snowden is Board Certified in Obstetric, Gynecology, and Reproductive Endocrinology with advanced Fellowship training in the treatment of infertility, recurrent miscarriages and hormonal disorders in women. A former infertility patient herself, Dr. Snowden brings to her patients a rare and valuable firsthand empathy for the personal pain and emotional stress of dealing with infertility.