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Ask an Expert
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
Do women experience a surge in fertility at any point in perimenopause or just before menopause?
The average age of menopause in the United States is 51 years of age. Unfortunately, the fertility potential in women declines well in advance of this time. But to what extent and how quickly? There are few, if... continue reading about Do women experience a surge in fertility at any point in perimenopause or just before menopause?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
Is a woman undergoing fertility treatments at higher risk of getting cancer than a woman of the same age who has not taken these drugs?
Most of the studies on the use of fertility drugs have examined hormonally sensitive tumors such as breast, ovarian and uterine malignancies. There does not appear to be any association between fertility drugs ... continue reading about Is a woman undergoing fertility treatments at higher risk of getting cancer than a woman of the same age who has not taken these drugs?
Deborah Quinn-Chen, M.D.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
Is it okay to have sex during pregnancy?
Pregnancy is a normal part of life. During pregnancy a woman is not sick or fragile. It is true there are some restrictions in foods and activities, but for the most part women are encouraged to live a healthy,... continue reading about Is it okay to have sex during pregnancy?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
My husband and I are trying to get pregnant and I have a few questions that I'm kind of embarrassed to ask our doctor. Does an orgasm help you get pregnant? Should I try and keep the sperm in for awhile, and is there a best sex position for conception?
It is not clear if having a orgasm increases the chance of conception. Contractions of the muscles and elevation of the cervix may indeed enhance efficiency of sperm transport. We do know with certainty that or... continue reading about My husband and I are trying to get pregnant and I have a few questions that I'm kind of embarrassed to ask our doctor. Does an orgasm help you get pregnant? Should I try and keep the sperm in for awhile, and is there a best sex position for conception?
Deborah Quinn-Chen, M.D.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
Are birth plans necessary?
Formal, written birth plans are not necessary. It is important to think through your wishes for your labor and delivery, but remember that the course of labor can turn out to be quite different than what you ex... continue reading about Are birth plans necessary?
Katarina Lanner-Cusin, M.D.
Are there ways that I can help avoid a C-section delivery?
There are times when a C-section birth is unavoidable, due to medical conditions such as placenta previa or a baby in the breech position. Having said that, here are a few tips that may help a mother with a nor... continue reading about Are there ways that I can help avoid a C-section delivery?
P. Adam Dodd, M.D.
Sutter Gould Medical Foundation
I've been trying to conceive for three months now and no luck. Is something wrong with me?
No, you don't need to be worried yet. Seventy percent of all couples trying to have a baby don't conceive within the first three months. The standard would normally be to have a medical evaluation after 12 mont... continue reading about I've been trying to conceive for three months now and no luck. Is something wrong with me?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I want to have a natural birth. What are some reasons my doctor might recommend I have a C-section delivery?
A natural labor and delivery, with a normal vaginal birth, is the ideal for most women. However it may not be possible for some. A C-section, or surgical birth, delivers the baby through an incision in the abdo... continue reading about I want to have a natural birth. What are some reasons my doctor might recommend I have a C-section delivery?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
What is the success rate for tubal ligation reversal? What options for getting pregnant does a woman have if she's had a tubal ligation?
If you want to have children after having your tubes "tied," there are two ways to do it. You can have in vitro fertilization (IVF) by getting the eggs from your ovaries, fertilizing them in the laboratory, and... continue reading about What is the success rate for tubal ligation reversal? What options for getting pregnant does a woman have if she's had a tubal ligation?
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