Falling pregnant can be easy for some yet difficult for others. That’s why Vitalab is committed to helping couples build families through a fertility journey.
Who are We?
The Vitalab KwaZulu-Natal Fertility Clinic in Umhlanga has been around since 2019 and has a sister unit based in Johannesburg that is also committed to helping couples build families since 1984. We have pioneered a holistic approach to fertility by supporting our patients medically, physically and emotionally. We also offer routine gynaecological services.
Our Doctors
Dr Kobus Coetsee is a Reproductive Medicine Specialist who has been working in Umhlanga for the past 21 years. He is skilled in minimally invasive surgery and is the cornerstone of our practice.
Dr Skye de Jongh is a Specialist Gynaecologist who is currently busy with her Masters in Reproductive Medicine through the University of Valencia.
Dr Yoks Sicgu is a Reproductive Medicine Specialist who has been part of the Vitalab KwaZulu-Natal team since 2020. She also works part-time at Albert Luthuli Hospital on a volunteer basis.
What is Infertility?
It is a couple’s inability to conceive after one year of regular, unprotected intercourse. In the case of women over the age of 35, the time frame is brought down to six months. Infertility is more common than you think and can affect up to one in four couples. In 30% of cases, the cause is due to an issue with the female partner, in 30% of cases with the male partner, in 30% of cases with both and in 10% of cases the cause is unknown.
To become pregnant, you need three things:
- Sperm: enough, normal shaped and moving fast and forward
- Eggs: enough, good quality and being released regularly
- Normal uterus and tubes: normal shaped uterus, with no masses and open tubes
Common causes of infertility:
- Sperm: steroids and testosterone supplements, obstruction due to previous infection or vasectomy, being born with an obstruction, testicular trauma, mumps after puberty, obesity and smoking
- Eggs: age, polycystic ovaries, over-exercising and undereating, and obesity
- Uterus and tubes: previous infection or endometriosis blocking the tubes, fibroids, polyps, and being born with an abnormally shaped uterus
How Do We Test Your Fertility?
- Through medical history and examination at your first appointment, where both partners should be present
- Vaginal ultrasound to assess the egg number and the uterus
- HSG X-ray to assess the uterine cavity and the tubal patency
- Hysteroscopy to assess the uterine cavity (if tubal patency is known)
- Semen analysis to assess for the presence and quality of sperm
- Blood tests to assess for STDs and hormonal levels
What Treatments Do We Offer?
- Ovulation induction
- Timed intercourse
- Artificial insemination (also called Intra-Uterine Insemination)
- In-vitro Fertilization (IVF)
- Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
- Magnetic-Activated Cell Sorting (MACS) to select the best sperm
- Genetic testing (PGT-A, PGT-M and PGT-SR) to detect abnormalities in embryos’ chromosomes
- Egg donation and surrogacy with an in-house frozen donor egg bank
- Hysteroscopic and Laparoscopic surgery
- Routine gynaecology: pap smears, contraception, hormone replacement therapy, osteoporosis management and gynaecological surgery
Our Facility
Our laboratory meets the high standards of quality, performance, technical expertise and systems management required for a top-class medical laboratory. Our nurses and staff are here to welcome and make you feel like part of the family.
We also have an in-house laboratory for taking blood, an IVF laboratory and theatre, as well as X-ray and office hysteroscopy facilities.
Every patient has their own unique fertility journey. At Vitalab KwaZulu-Natal, treatment is planned around your individual diagnosis, to ensure it all happens as time and cost effective as possible. Join our family on your journey to create yours!
www.vitalab.com