It is never too early to begin prenatal care and set the foundation for a healthy pregnancy. From the beginning of your first trimester until the birth of your baby,  Dr. Hessel is your partner for health and wellness. You should schedule your first obstetric appointment as soon as you discover that you have become pregnant. Dr. Hessel  will confirm your pregnancy and depending on whether your pregnancy is considered high risk, may ask you to return for prenatal appointments monthly, bimonthly, or according to a schedule designed to offer you the healthiest pregnancy possible.

Vaginal delivery is the birth of a child by way of the vagina. According to the National Institutes of Health, the majority of women are healthy enough to deliver their babies vaginally, though some do experience complications that require surgical delivery known as a cesarean section. Vaginal births begin with labor, which is different for every woman. Many women elect to take childbirth classes to prepare them for the miracle of childbirth. Depending on your health, the health of your baby, and the policies of your delivery center, you may be offered pain-relieving medications to help alleviate discomfort leading up to delivery.

 C-sections are used to deliver a baby surgically, rather than through the birth canal. Most c-sections are reserved for emergencies or women who have either developed complications during pregnancy or are at high-risk for developing them during birth. Since few women plan to have their babies through c-section, it is important that all pregnant women educate themselves on the procedure – even those who have plans for a vaginal birth. For a positive birth experience, the American Pregnancy Association recommends having a flexible birth plan that makes room for a possible c-section birth.

If you’ve delivered a baby by C-section and you’re pregnant again, you might be able to choose between scheduling a repeat C-section or a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC).

VBAC isn’t right for everyone, though. Certain factors, such as a high-risk uterine scar, can lower your likelihood of VBAC and make the option inappropriate. Some hospitals don’t offer VBAC because they don’t have the staff or resources to handle emergency C-sections. If you’re considering VBAC, Dr. Hessel can help you understand if you’re a candidate and what’s involved.

Most couples expect getting pregnant to be easy – until it isn’t. After months of trying, frustration and fear can run high and leave you with lots of questions. Finding the cause of infertility can be simple or complex and infertility treatments can vary depending on the cause. Helping you see those two pink lines may be as simple as timing sex during the month or taking medications to release an egg on schedule
Different Solutions for Men and For Women
For men, the most common issues are low sperm and general sexual problems such as erectile dysfunction (ED). For women, you might not be ovulating, or your tubes might be blocked. You might have hormonal imbalances, structural problems with your uterus or endometriosis that needs to be treated to boost your fertility. We will not know until we look and explore your unique situation.
No Two Patients Are Alike
Because no two patients are alike, we will make sure that you have the proper exams to determine the cause of your problem. We offer in-office labs and minimally invasive testing without radiation exposure from x-rays or other imaging procedures. To make sure the path an egg takes to reach the sperm is clear, we use ultrasound technology, and a special device called the FemVue Sono to rule out any problems. Procedures are customized to your unique situation and needs, so not every patient may have the same set of tests.
In the even that you need more advanced procedures like minimally invasive surgery, including hysteroscopy, myomectomy surgery or laparoscopy, you can feel confident with our skill and expertise. We also offer early referrals to fertility specialists for advanced ovulation procedures if we feel it is right for you.