Infertility/Miscarraige
From the Show: Highland Medical P.C.
Summary:
Air Date: 11/19/20
Duration: 10 Minutes
Dr. Naji Wajid discusses infertility and miscarriage as well as treatment and coping solutions.
Transcription:
Deborah: The road to a successful pregnancy is different for every couple. And although there's been a world of progress in the area of infertility in the last decade, not every couple will enjoy success.
I'm Deborah Howell. And in this episode of the Highland Medical PC podcast series Sound Advice, we'll talk about infertility and miscarriage and offer treatment and coping solutions. Here with us today is Dr. Naji Abdul Wajid who specializes in obstetrics and gynecology at Highland Medical of Rockland and New City and Stony Point, New York. Dr. Wajid, thank you so much for being with us today.
Dr. Naji Wajid: Sure. Thank you so much for having me.
Deborah: It's a pleasure. Now, how is infertility defined and how common is it?
Dr. Naji Wajid: So infertility is actually a much more common problem than maybe recognized. It's technically defined as the inability to get pregnant after trying for 12 months. And this refers to regular trying with no conception. And this is further clarified in those women who are over the age of 35 where infertility is six months of the inability to get pregnant.
Deborah: And what are some of the causes?
Dr. Naji Wajid: There's a range of causes of infertility starting with an individual's medical history, if they've ever had any medical diagnoses or required treatment, if they have had previous surgery, especially with regards to the reproductive organs, such as the ovaries or uterus, if they've had any irregularities in their menstrual cycle throughout their adolescence or lifetime. Some external factors such as smoking, drug use well as hormonal factors,
Deborah: And what can someone do to improve their chances of conceiving?
Dr. Naji Wajid: First and foremost, any woman who is looking to conceive should try to optimize their medical health, which is basically making sure they are eating right, exercising. Any medical diagnoses they may have had are adequately treated such as hypertension or diabetes or thyroid conditions. Removing stress and anxiety to optimize personal health, a good nutritious diet, with the addition of being on a prenatal vitamin.
Deborah: Do you have a recommended prenatal vitamin?
Dr. Naji Wajid: There are a lot of prenatal vitamins on the market. The reason there are so many is because there are a lot of different formulations and because everybody's different. So some women may find one particular brand of vitamin or a particular formulation be tolerable and, for someone else, it may make them extremely nauseous.
The most important thing is to find a vitamin that you can, A, tolerate and, B, have access to. Some of them are in the form of tablets, capsules. They can also come in chewables and gummies as well. But the recommendation is that all women of reproductive age should be on a prenatal vitamin because they are slightly different than a regular multivitamin.
Deborah: Got it. Now, what are some of the common tests and medications I can expect during an infertility evaluation?
Dr. Naji Wajid: So the initial evaluation will consist with a detailed medical history, understanding how long an individual or a couple have been trying to conceive, what is their medical background in terms of any diagnoses they may have had, any surgeries. What their menstrual history is like, were they having regular cycles or any irregularities? Have they ever gotten pregnant before? Have they undergone any procedures? So starting with that be the first step. There are certain lab studies that may be ordered at your doctor's office, which will work to check if your hormonal profile seems to be adequate for someone trying to get pregnant. It may also check to see if the normal cycle of ovulation and menstruation is functioning if there are any irregularities.
Deborah: What is miscarriage doctor and how common is it?
Dr. Naji Wajid: Miscarriage is defined as the loss of a pregnancy before week 20 of gestation. Miscarriage is a very common outcome, unfortunately, for a lot of women who are pregnant. It is technically affecting 15 to 20% of pregnancies, although the number is expected to be much higher because a lot of women may experience a miscarriage not even know about it.
There's a term known as chemical pregnancy or a biochemical pregnancy, which is a pregnancy that is lost before an embryo actually implants. Many times when you have an early loss, it's difficult to perceive because it may be perceived as just a menstrual irregularity or an extended cycle. But miscarriages in general common and they unfortunately become more common as someone gets older.
Deborah: So what are some common causes of miscarriages and what can be done to prevent them?
Dr. Naji Wajid: The most common causes of early miscarriages, especially in miscarriages in the first trimester, is a chromosomal abnormality with the developing pregnancy. This means that there was some genetic abnormality with the developing pregnancy, which was recognized by the body. And for that reason, there was some incompatibility that didn't allow the pregnancy to implant and to develop expected. As I said before, the majority of miscarriages will occur early in the first trimester usually before 12 weeks. There are other causes for a pregnancy loss. Someone who has an undiagnosed medical condition, such as uncontrolled diabetes or hypertension or a thyroid condition. These things can also lead to a loss. There are also anatomic reasons. A woman who has maybe had surgery on their cervix or has fibroids or masses in the uterus.
Deborah: And what are some recommended practices for women looking to conceive?
Dr. Naji Wajid: Women should establish care with a primary care doctor to optimize their medical health. They should also see an OB-GYN to give a detailed history of their cycles and to detect if there are any abnormalities or any changes that may need to be made for someone trying to conceive. A woman who is looking to conceive should start using a prenatal vitamin for the reason that a prenatal vitamin has certain ingredients that are beneficial to a developing pregnancy that are just not present in a normal multivitamin. Things such as folic acid, like iron vitamin B12, which are present in prenatal vitamins, are essential to be on.
Deborah: This question's a little bit different for you, doctor. What are some issues facing women seeking care today?
Dr. Naji Wajid: We are unfortunately living in an era in this country of politicization of a woman's access to reproductive care. And the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has been very vocal this and that we strongly advocate for women to be able to have access to care and for medical professionals to be able to make evidence-based decisions and provide compassionate care to women.
In light of this situation, my recommendation is that all women of reproductive age, either looking to conceive or have had issues with conception or miscarriage, should establish care with an OB-GYN that they can see and trust, we'll be able to guide them through some difficult decisions and their personal health history.
Deborah: It's unfortunate it's been politicized, as you said. It makes it more difficult for you and for your patients. So sorry about that.
Well, thank you so much, Dr. Wajid, for educating us today about infertility and miscarriages and for giving us some hope.
For more info, please call (845) 634-8400 to make an appointment with Dr. Wajid. This is the Highland Medical PC podcast series Sound Advice. I'm Deborah Howell. Thanks for listening and have yourself a terrific day.
.
Deborah: The road to a successful pregnancy is different for every couple. And although there's been a world of progress in the area of infertility in the last decade, not every couple will enjoy success.
I'm Deborah Howell. And in this episode of the Highland Medical PC podcast series Sound Advice, we'll talk about infertility and miscarriage and offer treatment and coping solutions. Here with us today is Dr. Naji Abdul Wajid who specializes in obstetrics and gynecology at Highland Medical of Rockland and New City and Stony Point, New York. Dr. Wajid, thank you so much for being with us today.
Dr. Naji Wajid: Sure. Thank you so much for having me.
Deborah: It's a pleasure. Now, how is infertility defined and how common is it?
Dr. Naji Wajid: So infertility is actually a much more common problem than maybe recognized. It's technically defined as the inability to get pregnant after trying for 12 months. And this refers to regular trying with no conception. And this is further clarified in those women who are over the age of 35 where infertility is six months of the inability to get pregnant.
Deborah: And what are some of the causes?
Dr. Naji Wajid: There's a range of causes of infertility starting with an individual's medical history, if they've ever had any medical diagnoses or required treatment, if they have had previous surgery, especially with regards to the reproductive organs, such as the ovaries or uterus, if they've had any irregularities in their menstrual cycle throughout their adolescence or lifetime. Some external factors such as smoking, drug use well as hormonal factors,
Deborah: And what can someone do to improve their chances of conceiving?
Dr. Naji Wajid: First and foremost, any woman who is looking to conceive should try to optimize their medical health, which is basically making sure they are eating right, exercising. Any medical diagnoses they may have had are adequately treated such as hypertension or diabetes or thyroid conditions. Removing stress and anxiety to optimize personal health, a good nutritious diet, with the addition of being on a prenatal vitamin.
Deborah: Do you have a recommended prenatal vitamin?
Dr. Naji Wajid: There are a lot of prenatal vitamins on the market. The reason there are so many is because there are a lot of different formulations and because everybody's different. So some women may find one particular brand of vitamin or a particular formulation be tolerable and, for someone else, it may make them extremely nauseous.
The most important thing is to find a vitamin that you can, A, tolerate and, B, have access to. Some of them are in the form of tablets, capsules. They can also come in chewables and gummies as well. But the recommendation is that all women of reproductive age should be on a prenatal vitamin because they are slightly different than a regular multivitamin.
Deborah: Got it. Now, what are some of the common tests and medications I can expect during an infertility evaluation?
Dr. Naji Wajid: So the initial evaluation will consist with a detailed medical history, understanding how long an individual or a couple have been trying to conceive, what is their medical background in terms of any diagnoses they may have had, any surgeries. What their menstrual history is like, were they having regular cycles or any irregularities? Have they ever gotten pregnant before? Have they undergone any procedures? So starting with that be the first step. There are certain lab studies that may be ordered at your doctor's office, which will work to check if your hormonal profile seems to be adequate for someone trying to get pregnant. It may also check to see if the normal cycle of ovulation and menstruation is functioning if there are any irregularities.
Deborah: What is miscarriage doctor and how common is it?
Dr. Naji Wajid: Miscarriage is defined as the loss of a pregnancy before week 20 of gestation. Miscarriage is a very common outcome, unfortunately, for a lot of women who are pregnant. It is technically affecting 15 to 20% of pregnancies, although the number is expected to be much higher because a lot of women may experience a miscarriage not even know about it.
There's a term known as chemical pregnancy or a biochemical pregnancy, which is a pregnancy that is lost before an embryo actually implants. Many times when you have an early loss, it's difficult to perceive because it may be perceived as just a menstrual irregularity or an extended cycle. But miscarriages in general common and they unfortunately become more common as someone gets older.
Deborah: So what are some common causes of miscarriages and what can be done to prevent them?
Dr. Naji Wajid: The most common causes of early miscarriages, especially in miscarriages in the first trimester, is a chromosomal abnormality with the developing pregnancy. This means that there was some genetic abnormality with the developing pregnancy, which was recognized by the body. And for that reason, there was some incompatibility that didn't allow the pregnancy to implant and to develop expected. As I said before, the majority of miscarriages will occur early in the first trimester usually before 12 weeks. There are other causes for a pregnancy loss. Someone who has an undiagnosed medical condition, such as uncontrolled diabetes or hypertension or a thyroid condition. These things can also lead to a loss. There are also anatomic reasons. A woman who has maybe had surgery on their cervix or has fibroids or masses in the uterus.
Deborah: And what are some recommended practices for women looking to conceive?
Dr. Naji Wajid: Women should establish care with a primary care doctor to optimize their medical health. They should also see an OB-GYN to give a detailed history of their cycles and to detect if there are any abnormalities or any changes that may need to be made for someone trying to conceive. A woman who is looking to conceive should start using a prenatal vitamin for the reason that a prenatal vitamin has certain ingredients that are beneficial to a developing pregnancy that are just not present in a normal multivitamin. Things such as folic acid, like iron vitamin B12, which are present in prenatal vitamins, are essential to be on.
Deborah: This question's a little bit different for you, doctor. What are some issues facing women seeking care today?
Dr. Naji Wajid: We are unfortunately living in an era in this country of politicization of a woman's access to reproductive care. And the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has been very vocal this and that we strongly advocate for women to be able to have access to care and for medical professionals to be able to make evidence-based decisions and provide compassionate care to women.
In light of this situation, my recommendation is that all women of reproductive age, either looking to conceive or have had issues with conception or miscarriage, should establish care with an OB-GYN that they can see and trust, we'll be able to guide them through some difficult decisions and their personal health history.
Deborah: It's unfortunate it's been politicized, as you said. It makes it more difficult for you and for your patients. So sorry about that.
Well, thank you so much, Dr. Wajid, for educating us today about infertility and miscarriages and for giving us some hope.
For more info, please call (845) 634-8400 to make an appointment with Dr. Wajid. This is the Highland Medical PC podcast series Sound Advice. I'm Deborah Howell. Thanks for listening and have yourself a terrific day.
.
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