Infertility Options

Having a child is a dream come true for many people but sometimes, getting pregnant can be a long and challenging journey. The physicians on the medical staff at Northwest Medical Center (NMC) may be able to help by offering the expertise and compassion needed to help patients realize their dream of having a child.

Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after one year of unprotected intercourse or the inability to carry a pregnancy to term. If you are a woman over 35, or have a history of painful periods, irregular cycles, pelvic inflammatory disease, miscarriages, or the male partner has a low sperm count then the time frame is reduced to six months.

The first step in overcoming infertility is an accurate diagnosis of the causes of infertility. In some cases, women encounter various gynecologic conditions that may impede reproductive function, but can be overcome with surgery. Choosing a surgeon whose sole focus is restoring reproductive function is critical.

At NMC, many of the OB/GYN surgeons on staff perform minimally invasive reproductive surgery to correct anatomical disorders of the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. These surgeries are performed to help restore reproductive function.

Most corrective surgeries are minimally invasive – resulting in no or small incisions – and can be done on an outpatient basis. This allows patients to return home the same day as the surgery. Many surgeries can also be performed with the da Vinci Surgical Robot. Some conditions, however, are more complicated and may require more extensive surgical procedures and hospital stay.

Dr. Steven Lindheim is board-certified in both obstetrics/gynecology and reproductive endocrinology. He is the only surgeon in Tucson to offer two unique procedures to help women achieve pregnancy: tuboplasty and tubal reanastomosis (tubal reversal).