A Reproductive Endocrinologist/Infertility Specialist is an individual who has received two to three years subspecialty fellowship training after completion of an obstetric and gynecology residency. A fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology provides focused training in infertility, laparoscopy and microsurgery, endocrinology, and endometriosis problems. Dr. Dodds and Dr. Young are subspecialists in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.

The Fertility Center is devoted to assisting couples with fertility problems in becoming pregnant. Our practice also specializes in the evaluation and treatment of endometriosis, recurrent pregnancy loss, and menopause issues. We conduct a variety of diagnostic tests and treatment procedures including the following:

• Operative Laparascopy and Hysteroscopy
  Laser and Microsurgery
  Tubal Reversal
  Male Factor Evaluation and Treatment
  Intrauterine Insemination
  Cryopreservation
  Donor Egg Program
  Assisted Hatching (AH)
  In Vitro Fertilization
  Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer (ZIFT)
  ICSI (Direct Sperm Injection)
  Embryo Adoption

As a team of specialists devoted to helping patients with infertility, we work closely with your primary care physician and obstetrician. With your permission, we will send a complete report to your physician detailing the types of tests and procedures we performed. When patients become pregnant, we refer them back to their obstetrician or family practice physician for ongoing prenatal care. Our practice does not provide obstetrical care.

We have two offices for your convenience. One is in Grand Rapids, Michigan and the other is in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

To make an appointment, please call 616.988.2229 for the Grand Rapids office or 269.324.5100 for the Kalamazoo office. We are available to see patients Monday through Friday and we also reserve weekend and select evening appointments for specific treatments and time sensitive tests.

During your first visit, we generally conduct a consultation and physical exam, and answer any questions you may have. If you prefer, you may schedule a consultation only. First visits last approximately 60-75 minutes. We do ask that you arrive 15 minutes early for your first appointment so that we may complete the necessary forms for your records. We make every effort to remain on schedule and to not keep you waiting. In order to do so, we kindly ask the same consideration from you.

Payment is expected at the time of service. If you have questions regarding our insurance participation, please contact our office.

During office hours, if you have a question please call the office. You may need to leave a message for the nurse. Please keep in mind that the nurses are with patients during the day, and your call will be returned as soon as possible.

If you have a question after hours, there is an emergency answering service that can page the nurse or doctor on call. If your question is not an emergency, please call the next morning when the phones are turned on at 8:00a.m.

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) involves the washing of husband’s (or the use of frozen donor) sperm, which is prepared in the laboratory and placed in a small catheter. The catheter is then inserted through the cervix and deposited into the uterus. The sperm are closer to the fallopian tubes with this procedure, where fertilization occurs. This is an office procedure, takes only several minutes, and minimal discomfort is involved.

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is where the woman takes injectable fertility medications to stimulate the ovaries until multiple follicles are mature. At that time, the woman undergoes a minor surgical procedure, called an egg retrieval, where the follicles are aspirated vaginally under ultrasound guidance, while the woman is under intravenous sedation. The eggs are then fertilized with sperm, and the resulting embryos are watched for development, and transferred back into the uterus at the appropriate time

During the “monitoring” phase of your treatment cycle, youwill need to be available for multiple appointments to assess the growth of your follicles. Your nurse, prior to your cycle, can assist you in planning for these appointments.

IVF and other assisted reproductive technologies provide many couples with the opportunity to get pregnant that otherwise wouldn't be able to have children on their own. During your consultation with the doctors, they will be able to discuss your own set of unique circumstances and give you a realistic expectation as to your individual chance for success.

We recommend only low impact exercise (walking or bicycling). The ovaries may become enlarged from the fertility medications you may be taking, and high impact (bouncy) exercise may put you at risk for ovarian torsion, where the ovary can twist on itself. This is very rare, but a serious side effect.

Day 1 of your cycle is considered the first day of heavy flow, not just spotting.

After embryo transfer, we ask that you refrain from intercourse until your follow-up appointment or your OB ultrasound.

Air travel should be fine following the embryo transfer. We recommend NO heavy lifting. Ask for a form for the airline from the nurse if you will be traveling with needles and medications.

Intravenous sedation is given during the egg retrieval procedure and the procedure lasts approximately 20 minutes. Most patients experience very minimal discomfort. Some patients have mild cramping after the procedure. Tylenol may be taken as needed. Contact our office if you are experiencing increased pain.

Pregnancy success percentages vary from patient to patient- your physician can best predict outcome for your individual situation after reviewing your history, evaluation, and prior response to fertility medications. We are pleased that our success rates are in the top 5% nationally.
IVF programs are required to report their statistics to the Centers for Disease Control (www.cdc.org/art) and/or the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (www.sart.org). These statistics are available for public review. You can view our success rates on our website also.

The cost for fertility treatment varies depending on a variety of factors (what treatment is recommended for you, how much medication you will need, whether insurance covers a portion of treatment, etc.) Our billing coordinators will work with you to discuss fees and insurance coverage. You can contact them at our Grand Rapids office at 616-988-2229 ext 102 or 130.

Medications are not included in the cost of a cycle, as the amount of medication needed will vary from patient to patient.

You may take some medications during your treatment cycle. Tylenol, Extra Strength Tylenol, Sudafed, Robitussin are allowed. Please ask your nurse if you need need to take other medications.

Herbal supplements are not recommended and may cause unknown effects. If you are on such supplements, please inform your nurse.

Colace, Metamucil, Citracal and increased water intake may relieve the symptoms of constipation.

Side effects from fertility medications vary from patient to patient and what specific medication you are taking, but typical side effects may include abdominal bloating, headaches, and nausea. Please check with your nurse regarding specific symptoms you may be having.

The Fertility Center does not provide fertility medications for your cycle, but a prescription will be given to you or can be faxed to the pharmacy of your choice. We have a list of specialty pharmacies that carry these medications. Some insurance companies require you to go to a specific pharmacy. Discuss this with your nurse as needed.

Fertility medications cause more follicles to develop, so there is an increased risk of a multiple pregnancy. During your cycle, we will discuss the risk of a multiple pregnancy based on your response. If you are pursuing IVF, a discussion in regards to how many embryos to transfer will occur, thus decreasing the risk of multiples.

Yes, monitoring appointments need to be scheduled in the morning. The lab work needs to be processed and evaluated by your physician to decide if there will be a change in the medication plan for that day.

It is recommended that he attend the new patient appointment with you, as well as subsequent consults. He does not need to attend the monitoring appointments. You can ask the nurses if he should attend any procedures you may be having.

Spotting (pink, dark red or brown) can be quite normal early in pregnancy. However, if you experience bright red bleeding, please get off your feet immediately and call our office.
Mild cramping may also be normal. If cramping is moderate to severe, you should notify our office.

Pregnancy tests should be accurate 16 days from detected ovulation, or from the administration of the HCG injection. With IVF, pregnancy testing is scheduled 12 days after the embryo transfer. Any earlier testing (especially when using a home pregnancy test) could result in a false positive pregnancy test.

You will have blood tests and ultrasounds to determine appropriate growth of the pregnancy before you are released. Typically you will not be discharged to your OB/GYN until 8-10 weeks of pregnancy.