Speakers
Mr H. Shehata
- Recurrent Miscarriage Causes
- Reproductive Immunology
- Repeated failed IVF attempts
Delayed fertility with repeated failed IVF attempts and recurrent miscarriages are not uncommon. There are different reasons why a couple are sometimes unable to have a successful pregnancy. Currently, most couples are told that there is no apparent cause for their miscarriages or failed IVF and that it the reason is most likely ‘bad luck’.
During this session, we will try explain the possible causes and management options availble to help couples achieve a good pregnancy outcome either naturally or via assissted conception such as IVF. Each patient is entirely unique in terms of their clinical problems and the outcome of their investigations, our aim is to give the best possible improvement in each individual case.
Our clinic promotes a cutting edge scientific medical approach and alternative therapy. We are dedicated in diagnosing and treating miscarriages and repeated failed IVF attempts. We have taken long-awaited steps forward in the diagnosis and treatment of such conditions, using radical scientific advances, so finally our patients are able to carry their pregnancies to full term and take their babies home with them.
Prof R. Akolekar
- Pregnancy Scans
- Screening Tests
Pregnancy Scans
A pregnancy scan can offer patients who would like peace of mind concerning their baby at early stages of pregnancy. The scan will tell you how many embryos there are, whether the baby’s heartbeat can be seen, confirmation of estimated due date, it can indicate size of sac or embryo, which confirms number of weeks of pregnancy, it can confirm the presence of any internal bleeding that may require monitoring
Screening Tests
The NIPT (or Non-Invasive Prenatal Diagnosis Testing) analyses cell free DNA in maternal blood and gives a strong indication of whether the fetus is at high or low risk of having Trisomy 21 (Down’s Syndrome), Trisomy 18 (Edwards Syndrome) or Trisomy 13 (Patau Syndrome). The test identifies 99%, but not all, of the fetuses with Trisomy 21, 97% of fetuses with Trisomy 18 and 92% of fetuses with Trisomy 13.
Mr H. Jan
- Minor Procedures
- Gynaecology Issues
- Well Woman Services
The Gynaecology service provided at the CRP Clinic treats conditions to include, but are not exclusive to, treatments for pelvic pain and endometriosis, adhesions, fibroids and fertility surgery, heavy and abnormal bleeding, prolapse, menopause and HRT, and women with severe premenstrual tension.
Women with symptoms that may benefit from such services include: heavy and or painful periods, bleeding after the menopause, bleeding in between periods, pelvic pain, Irregular spotting, bleeding after intercourse.
Mr S. Gordon & Dr K Burney
- Male Fertility Issues
- Testing available at CRP Clinic
Is There a Link Between Men’s Health and Miscarriage?
When a couple are trying for a child it is important to consider the male partner’s contribution as it is the most common reason for undergoing fertility treatment in the UK.
Male factors have an impact not only on conception but also on later events in pregnancy. Scientific and clinical evidence is growing specifically relating to how the quality of sperm can impact on the chance of conceiving. It can also impact the likelihood of miscarriage.
Male fertility is difficult to measure and traditionally has only been performed by a semen analysis. However, the predictive ability of this test is limited particularly with relation to the chance of miscarriage. More knowledge regarding the relevance of DNA damage within the sperm reveal how it impacts on conception and also later stages of pregnancy, including miscarriage. The DNA in the sperm is the genetic material which merges with DNA from the woman’s egg. All being well, this leads to the formation of a healthy embryo and pregnancy. Increased levels of DNA damage have been linked to early and late pregnancy loss even with normal sperm counts. It has also been postulated that a certain amount of DNA damage may be able to be corrected if the woman’s eggs are of very good quality.
Mr Gordon will explore factors that can affect sperm quality and more broadly reproductive and sexual function as well as general male health. This will also help couples considering their options for conception whether natural or by assisted techniques such as IUI, IVFI and ICSI. Finally, an exploration of future research and innovations being explored at CRP will be explained.
Dr Burney will perform an Ultrasound scan of the testes with a view to assess the structure of the testicles, to exclude any sinister pathology and abnormal veins (varicocole) around the testicles. These veins can potentially contribute to an abnormal semen test.
A day case procedure called Varicocoele embolisation can be done under a local anaesthetic to treat these veins.
Complementary Therapies
Acupuncture – Mrs. Samantha Hamilton – Stent
Samantha discusses how acupuncture is used at The CRP to help women with recurrent miscarriage and support natural and assisted attempts to conceive.
Samantha will outline what acupuncture can offer women and couples facing difficulties conceiving and in pregnancy, and highlight some of the central themes in reproductive health and pregnancy loss from the perspective of Traditional Chinese medicine. She will talk about the complementary nature of acupuncture and how it can be used successfully alongside western medicine.