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Advanced Reproductive Medicine
Last updated: 03/03/2010
Dr. William Burns and clinical embryologist Melissa Lay
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Couples who are having difficulty conceiving a child can find help at Cabell Huntington Hospital's Center for Advanced Reproductive Medicine. Under the direction of William Burns, MD, and clinical embryologist Melissa Lay, the center offers diagnostic testing for men and women, including assisted reproductive technology such as intrauterine insemination, in vitro fertilization, oral and injectable "fertility drugs" and surgery.
Dr. Burns commonly treats patients with infertility caused by endometriosis, tubal scarring or blockage, polycystic ovary syndrome and other diseases associated with infrequent or irregular menstruation and ovulation. Couples in whom the male partner has suboptimal sperm production (male factor infertility) and female patients with cervical and uterine disorders interfering with fertility are also treated.
In Vitro Fertilization Laboratory
Cabell Huntington Hospital has a special in vitro fertilization laboratory in which Burns and Lay perform microscopic procedures such as sperm preparation for oocyte (egg) retrieval, embryo transfers and cryo-preservation of sperm and embryos. Two other special procedures to assist couples who are trying to have a baby include intracytoplasmic sperm injections for low sperm counts and assisted hatching, in which the egg shell is softened so it will implant in the uterus more easily.
Pregnancy Rate Exceeds National Average
Since the opening of the Center for Advanced Reproductive Medicine (CARM), a pregnancy rate that exceeds the national average reported by the CDC has been maintained. The most recent data provided by the CDC is for the reporting year 2007. In 2007, there were 430 IVF or advanced reproductive medicine centers that reported pregnancy results. An ongoing pregnancy is defined as visualization of a gestational sac and fetal heart beat within the uterus. The average ongoing pregnancy rate per embryo transfer of these centers for all ages is 35.9%.
Cabell Huntington Hospital's CARM is proud to report an ongoing pregnancy rate of 46% per egg retrieval for all ages in 2008, <35 years of age 50% per egg retrieval, 35-37 years of age 75% per egg retrieval, 38-40 years of age 0% per retrieval and 41-42 years of age 0% per egg retrieval. The chart below shows our statistics for 2008.
More Information
MUSOM - Center for Advanced Reproductive Medicine
For an appointment with Dr. William Burns, the medical director of the Center for Advanced Reproductive Medicine, call University Physicians and Surgeons Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at (304) 691-1400 option # 1 or for other questions you can call (304) 526-2602.