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Institute for Reproductive
Medicine and Science Gives Patients the Best Chance to
Conceive
Danielle Burke still remembers visiting many obstetricians
in New York, searching desperately for someone who could
undo the damage done to her body as a result of Stage 4 endometriosis.
Endometriosis occurs when the tissue that lines the inside
of the uterus travels outside the organ, causing bleeding
and scarring. Ms. Burke’s condition, which had progressed
undetected for many years, left her with adhesions all over
her bowels and scar tissue that had welded her ovaries to
her uterus.
“I had this portfolio of photographs from my laparoscopy
that I would lay on the table in front of each physician,” says
Ms. Burke. “They would always get this look of horror
as they viewed the pictures. It was very frightening.”
Ms. Burke sought both an experienced obstetrician/gynecologist
who could surgically remove the endometriosis tissue and
adhesions, as well as a skilled reproductive endocrinologist
who could help her to become pregnant. While 30-40 percent
of women with endometriosis face infertility, Ms. Burke had
been given a 0 percent chance of conceiving naturally because
of the extent of the damage. She was 29 at the time.
The Search is Over
Finally, Ms. Burke and her husband, Sean, found the qualified
physicians they needed, and both of them were located in
New Jersey. First, with the help of Richard Luciani, M.D.,
obstetrician/gynecologist, she underwent a laparotomy that
helped to undo the damage from the endometriosis. Next, with
the assistance of Margaret Graf Garrisi, M.D., Medical Director
of the Assisted Reproduction Program at The Institute for
Reproductive Medicine and Science at Saint Barnabas, she
and her husband began infertility treatment.
There would be many hurdles to jump in order to both conceive
and carry a child to term. After a test showed that Mr. Burke
had a low sperm count, it was discovered that a tumor on
his pituitary gland was causing the problem. The tumor was
successfully treated, and then the couple had 10 eggs harvested
from Ms. Burke. After fertilization, four embryos developed,
only two of which continued to multiply.
“We had only two viable embryos for implantation,” says
Ms. Burke. “It was very stressful to wonder if they
would result in a pregnancy.” Fortunately, a positive
pregnancy was confirmed and the couple was overjoyed to see
a faint heartbeat on the ultrasound a few weeks later.
“After years and years of being told that I would
never become pregnant, and all the pain I endured, it was
incredible to finally be carrying a baby,” Ms. Burke
relates. “Dr. Garrisi and the entire staff were just
wonderful and they made the whole process much easier.”
Success after A Difficult Journey
The hurdles would continue as Ms. Burke began to bleed in
her twelfth week of pregnancy. After receiving surgery to
close her cervix, she was put on bed rest for the remainder
of her pregnancy.
Though her due date was January 13, Ms. Burke began experiencing
labor pains the day before Thanksgiving and delivered the
baby early with an emergency cesarean section on November
22, 2001. Riley Burke was welcomed into the world at 5 pounds,
0.2 ounces and, after a stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care
Unit, was able to go home on December 12.
“She is the best Christmas present we have ever received,” say
the proud parents. Ms. Burke adds that she is profoundly
grateful to Dr. Garrisi and Dr. Luciani for helping her to
conceive. “It sounds sappy, but they gave me this child.
Every time I see Riley I think that she is our little miracle
baby and I thank God for her. From Dr. Luciani and Dr. Garrisi,
to the Maternal-Fetal physicians, to Neonatology, it was
truly a team effort.”
The Institute at Saint Barnabas
The most advanced techniques in reproductive medicine have
allowed millions of infertile couples to build the families
they desire. Many have found success at the Institute for
Reproductive Medicine and Science of Saint Barnabas. One
of the nation’s leading fertility centers, the Institute
provides patients with state-of-the-art clinical treatments,
supported by the latest scientific knowledge and laboratory
techniques. In 2001, The Institute treated patients from
40 states and 16 foreign countries. Their success in treating
both male- and female-related disorders is evidenced by The
Institute’s pregnancy rates, which are among the highest
in the world.
Clinical Services/Science and Research
The Institute offers a broad spectrum of infertility services
to meet the unique needs of patients. Because clinical treatment
varies, based on diagnosis, each couple receives an individualized
care plan. This plan may include treatments ranging from
simple surgeries or drug therapies to the most sophisticated
methods and advanced treatments available to help them conceive.
These include in vitro fertilization (IVF) and other advanced
reproductive technologies (ART). The Institute also maintains
an active, on-site donor program and links to outside donor
agencies. Patients also have access to a variety of support
services.
World-renowned embryologist Jacques Cohen, Ph.D. and his
research team have accomplished almost every major medical
breakthrough in the field of reproductive medicine.The following
methods were either invented or pioneered by Dr. Cohen and
his team: assisted fertilization that later lead to the development
of ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) that was fine-tuned
by others, Assisted Hatching, Fragment Removal, Embryo Co-Culture,
Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis, Blastocyst Culture and
Cryopreservation, Cytoplasmic Transplantation and Single
Sperm Freezing.
For more information about the Institute, please
call
(973) 322-8286.
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