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Fertility and Gynecological Surgery

Which comes first: infertility or a reproductive abnormality? Structural defects in the ovaries, tubes, uterus, or cervix can cause infertility and impact conception. At Boston IVF, we are leaders in reproductive surgery, offering advanced procedures to address complex fertility issues and help individuals achieve their family building goals.

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Fertility and Gynecological Surgery

For some people facing infertility, gynecological surgery is a vital part of treatment. Surgery alone can sometimes be enough to restore fertility and allow you to get pregnant without any further treatment. If not, surgery may be an initial step in a larger fertility journey with your care team at Boston IVF.

Our minimally invasive gynecological surgeons are trained reproductive endocrinologists as well. This means that they will approach surgery with the mindset to preserve or restore your reproductive organs to work as nature intended after surgery: to conceive or carry pregnancies.

Surgical Specialties

Reproductive surgeons specialize in minimally invasive gynecological surgery with an emphasis on preserving and enhancing future fertility.

Hysteroscopy

Hysteroscopy is a procedure that involves looking into the uterus via the cervix. It requires no incisions and only light sedation; the average procedure takes under 30 minutes.

Hysteroscopy can be used to treat:

✓ Uterine fibroids
✓ Polyps
✓ Uterine septums
✓ Intrauterine adhesions (e.g. Asherman’s syndrome)
✓ Retained products of conception from a previous miscarriage
✓ Hysteroscopy can also be used in the diagnostic evaluation for recurrent implantation failure and recurrent pregnancy loss.

Laparoscopy and open surgery

Certain procedures may require more complex anesthesia. These procedures could include surgery for:

✓ Fibroids
✓ Endometriosis
✓ Hydrosalpinx (fluid blockage of the fallopian tube)
✓ Ovarian cysts
✓ Complex Mullerian and vaginal anomalies
✓ Cesarean scar defects
✓ Cesarean scar, cervical and cornual pregnancies
✓ Vaginal septums
✓ Ovarian transposition
✓ Tubal surgery

I was getting cyclic cramps, something was wrong, and my OB was not concerned. I decided to go to Boston IVF for a second opinion, and then it was found that I had endometriosis, which was excised laparoscopically. My words of advice are to be patient with the process. Things might not go as planned, but the result will be worth the wait.

Jean & Chris, New York

Endometriosis, Tubal Obstruction, Recurrent Miscarriage, Premature Ovarian Failure

Read their story>

Hear from Dr. Bortoletto>

The program at Boston IVF is a collaborative one. Regardless of who your physician is, we work together to help strategize and coordinate your treatment cycle with the surgical procedures we need to improve and optimize your treatment.

Pietro Bortoletto, MD

Director of Reproductive Surgery

Gynecological Surgery at Boston IVF

Many of our reproductive endocrinologists have extensive gynecologic surgery experience and are equipped to assist patients whose treatments require minor surgical procedures. Depending on where care takes place, patients may alternatively be referred out to a local reputable hospital or provider which has demonstrated excellent caliber patient care over the years, before returning to Boston IVF for the remainder of their fertility care.

Massachusetts Patients

Boston IVF’s Surgery Center of Waltham, the only freestanding reproductive surgical center in New England, performs over 400 reproductive surgery procedures each year. As a licensed and accredited ambulatory surgical center, it offers patients a reputable, safe, and convenient environment for many common procedures that may restore fertility or be a precursor to fertility treatments like IUI or IVF.

Hysteroscopy, which accesses the uterine cavity through the cervix and not an incision, is offered at the Waltham Center and can address a variety of pathologies (structural defects).

Dr. Pietro Bortoletto and Dr. Sara Arian, alongside other certified Boston IVF physicians, perform these routine procedures.

Affiliated Locations

✓ Beth Israel Deaconess
✓ Beth Israel Deaconess - Needham
✓ Winchester Hospital

New Hampshire Patients

Dr. Kristen Wright performs operative hysteroscopies at Elliot Hospital on a monthly basis. Alternatively, patients may be referred internally to Dr. Pietro Bortoletto or externally to a local provider -including Dr. Anthony Gargiulo- to be treated at a local hospital -oftentimes Newton-Wellesley Hospital.

New York Patients

Albany
Patients are referred to reputable local providers. We hope to offer gynecologic surgery options internally in the future.

Rochester
Patients are commonly referred back to their OB/GYN, when applicable, or are otherwise referred to reputable local providers.

Syracuse
Patients are commonly referred back to their OB/GYN, when applicable, or are otherwise referred to reputable local providers.

Rhode Island Patients

Patients are commonly referred internally to a Boston IVF surgeon whenever possible. When this option is not feasible and there are no outstanding preferences outlined by provider or patient, patients will be referred to:

✓ Lifespan Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery at Rhode Island Hospital

✓ Women and Infants Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery at Care New England

✓ Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery at Newton-Wellesley Hospital

Pioneering modern fertility treatments for all modern families.

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Wherever you are in your fertility journey, we look forward to being part of your story.

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Pursuing assisted reproductive technologies to build your family can be full of uncertainty. We’re always here, and we’re always happy to help.

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Fertility care beyond fertility treatments

Boston IVF's Waltham Center is proud to be home to New England’s only on-site wellness center with holistic treatments to complement our best-in-class medical care. Address the stress of building your family by seeing one of our fertility-focused acupuncturists, psychologists, counselors, or nutrition experts.

For patients in ME, NH, NY, and RI – inquire with your clinical team to receive a comprehensive list of local resources.

Explore The Wellness Center at Boston IVF

Therapy

Talk therapy with licensed mental health professionals experienced in the unique social and emotional challenges of infertility

Acupuncture

Our licensed practitioners specialize in using acupuncture techniques to reduce stress and prepare the body for conception.

Nutritional Counseling

Personalized nutritional coaching from a registered dietitian can address underlying causes of infertility and optimize fertility treatments

Insurance, Financing & More

Your care team includes a financial coordinator who verifies your insurance benefits, helps you explore all available financing options, and advocates on your behalf to expand insurance coverage for fertility treatments.

Learn more about fertility insurance & financing

INSURANCE

Our finance team will work with your insurer to maximize your fertility care benefits and help you advocate for yourself.

FINANCING

If you are responsible for the costs of treatment, financing can help make this expense more manageable. Talk to our financial team about your options.

MILITARY DISCOUNT

Boston IVF offers 25% off IVF and donor egg IVF for all active duty military, reserves, veterans, and retirees – including their spouses.

Growing Better Embryos

Once a person undergoes IVF, it’s up to the lab to give any embryos the best possible conditions to grow in. Boston IVF utilizes the most cutting-edge technology to maximize embryo development and help your clinical team select the best embryo for transfer.

Our Lab Difference

Embryo Grading 101

As any embryo grows in its incubator, it’s always under close supervision. Embryo grading is the process of evaluating how all embryos are growing and developing.

Learn the basics