Getting Pregnant
With You at Every Step of Your Pregnancy
If you are thinking about getting pregnant, there are many steps you can take now to prepare for a healthy pregnancy.
At University of Vermont Health, our experienced team treats you as a key member of your care team by providing support, education and expertise.
Our team recognizes the importance of individual choices during pregnancy and childbirth. We welcome patients of all races, ethnicities, abilities, gender identities and sexual orientations.
Why Choose UVM Health?
As a leading pregnancy and childbirth program in the region, we offer:
- Dedicated team: Our pregnancy and childbirth teams include board-certified obstetricians, certified nurse-midwives, advanced practice providers and highly trained nurses. Every team member is focused on helping you have a healthy pregnancy and baby.
- Advanced care when needed: UVM Health is home to the only reproductive endocrinology and infertility program in the region. Our specialists provide personalized care in a compassionate and supportive environment.
- Inclusive care: Our team recognizes the importance of individual choices during pregnancy and childbirth. We welcome patients of all races, ethnicities, abilities, gender identities and sexual orientations.
Tips for Getting Pregnant
Understanding when you're ovulating — and having sex regularly in five days before and on the day of ovulation — can improve the odds of conceiving. In an average 28-day menstrual cycle, ovulation typically occurs about 14 days before the start of the next menstrual period.
There are other things you and your partner can do to increase your chances of getting pregnant.
- Schedule a pre-pregnancy checkup with your OB/GYN or primary care provider
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Eat a healthy diet
- Cut down on or stop drinking alcohol
- Stop smoking and avoid second-hand smoke — it can help if your partner does too
- Take a multivitamin supplement that includes folic acid everyday
Pre-Pregnancy Services
We offer a number of services at the UVM Health to help you get pregnant.
Preconception counseling helps you plan for a future pregnancy. You may want to consult with a provider if you or your partner have a:
- Family history of a genetic condition: We offer genetic testing to find out if you carry a gene for the inherited condition. If you are a genetic carrier, our counselors can help you understand the risk of passing that gene on.
- Medical condition that could affect your pregnancy: We can help you understand the risk to your pregnancy and baby and steps you can take to reduce that risk.
In some cases, you may want to talk about what you can do before becoming pregnant to reduce your risk of complications during pregnancy. No matter the reason for your visit, we’re here for you.
A preconception visit includes a review of your personal and medical history. We may also order tests or review previous test results. Our providers will give you expert recommendations that we share with your current health care team. We may also refer you to other specialists to help you manage underlying health conditions before you start trying to become pregnant, if needed.
If you’ve tried to conceive for one year (or six months, if you are 35 or older) and have not been able to get pregnant, a fertility consultation is your first step. Our fertility specialists will provide a comprehensive evaluation and help you determine your best treatment options.
We offer a full range of infertility treatments, including:
- Medication therapy
- Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
- In vitro fertilization (IVF)
- Reproductive surgery
- Male treatments, such as microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA) and vasectomy reversal
Our Center for Reproductive Medicine provides fertility consultations and comprehensive services for female, male and transgender infertility. Infertility treatments can range from medication to help you ovulate to more advanced treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Infertility treatment is available to anyone, regardless of gender, sexual orientation and relationship status. Our center has a long history of helping single people and same-sex couples achieve pregnancy. We also offer reciprocal IVF, which allows one partner of a same-sex couple to donate an egg, which is fertilized with donor sperm and carried by the other partner.
Fertility preservation involves freezing eggs or sperm so you can have a biological child in the future. It is an option if your fertility is at risk due to:
- Cancer treatment: Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy can affect your fertility.
- Medical conditions: Many medical conditions or their treatment can impair fertility.
- Delayed reproduction: Female fertility declines with age, impacting your ability to become pregnant.
- Transgender care: Gender transition may impact your ability to produce sperm or eggs.
I couldn't have asked for better care. Everyone was very compassionate and always greeted me with a smile.
Awards & Certifications
American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) Nursing Center of Excellence
As an ASRM Nursing Center of Excellence, half of our nurses and nurse practitioners must complete reproductive endocrinology and infertility training and pass a test. We have all our nurses take this training and test.
American Institute of Ultrasound Medicine (AIUM) Accreditation
We are the only center in Vermont accredited by the AIUM for reproductive endocrinology and infertility. This accreditation means our sonographers and physicians have extensive training and ongoing evaluation of their imaging by an independent authority.
Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) Membership
SART membership shows we meet national standards for reporting, experience, infertility care and IVF.
College of American Pathologists (CAP)-Certified Reproductive Laboratory
CAP certification demonstrates our commitment to meeting evidence-based laboratory guidelines and providing accurate testing and results.
Locations near you
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75 Park Street
Elizabethtown, NY 12932
353 Blair Park Road
Williston, VT 05495-7530
883 Blakely Road
Colchester, VT 05446-4417
37 Haystack Road
Hinesburg, VT 05461-6613
28 Centre Drive
Milton, VT 05468-3104
87 Paine Mountain Drive
Northfield, VT 05663-5791
111 Colchester Avenue
Main Campus, Main Pavilion, Level 4
Burlington, VT 05401-1473
206 Cornelia Street
Suite 105
Plattsburgh, NY 12901-2779
111 Colchester Avenue
Main Campus, East Pavilion, Level 4
Burlington, VT 05401
16 Third Street
Suite C
Malone, NY 12953-1305
