Fertility
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Sometimes you need a little help to conceive. If you’re looking for fertility support, you can trust the fertility experts at North Kansas City Hospital for the information, guidance and tests you need to increase your chances of becoming pregnant.
Do I Need Fertility Care?
People decide to see fertility specialists for different reasons. We recommend fertility care at NKCH if you:
- Are younger than 35 and have been trying to get pregnant for at least a year
- Are 35 or older and have been trying to get pregnant for at least 6 months
- Are trying to get pregnant and you have irregular, painful or no periods
- Have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or endometriosis, the leading causes of infertility
Ovulation Tracking
One of the main ways to address female fertility issues is with testing. With the goal of seeing if and when you ovulate — since ovulation is when fertilization can happen — we’ll help you track your ovulation, so you know when conception is most likely to happen.
During your first cycle, it’s common for your fertility specialists to perform several tests.
First, we’ll establish a baseline. Your fertility specialists will measure your levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). You'll receive this test on your first visit and on the third day of your cycle.
You’ll have a second visit on the day of the LH surge, which is usually right before ovulation.
Fertility Tests We Offer
You’ll have access to a wide range of other fertility tests at NKCH.
A cervical mucus test involves a bacterial screening and a postcoital test (PCT) to determine if sperm can penetrate and survive in your cervical mucus.
Ultrasound tests assess the thickness of the lining of the uterus (endometrium), monitor follicle development, and check the condition of your uterus and ovaries. You may receive an ultrasound two to three days after ovulation to confirm that an egg has released.
You may receive tests to measure various hormone levels that contribute to the reproductive process. These hormones include:
- Androstenedione
- DHEAS
- Estradiol
- Follicle Stimulating Hormone
- Free T3
- Free Testosterone
- Luteinizing Hormone
- Progesterone
- Prolactin
- Total Testosterone
Your partner also will have a semen analysis. If both the semen analysis and your hormone tests return normal results, your fertility specialists may recommend other tests.
A hysterosalpingogram is an X-ray of your uterus and fallopian tubes. A specialist will inject a blue dye through the cervix. The dye enables the radiologist to see if there is a blockage or any other problem.
You may need a hysteroscopy if your HSG indicates there may be problems. The hysteroscope is a procedure that involves inserting a camera through the cervix into the uterus to look for any abnormalities, growths or scarring in the uterus. Your physician may take pictures to use for future reference.
A laparoscopy is a surgery that uses a narrow fiber-optic telescope (called a laparoscope). Your physician inserts the laparoscope through the abdomen to examine the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. They will check for endometriosis, scar tissue or other adhesions. It is important to confirm that you are not pregnant before having this test.
An endometrial biopsy procedure involves scraping a small amount of tissue from the uterine lining just before menstruation. This biopsy assesses whether there is a hormonal imbalance. It is important to confirm that you are not pregnant before having this test.