Fertility & Family Planning

If you’re ready to start your family or need solutions to prevent an unplanned pregnancy, you can benefit from the fertility and family planning services available at FemForward Health. Board-certified OB/GYN Mary Afsari-Howard, DO, provides personalized solutions to help you plan for the family of your dreams. Dr. Mary offers a range of fertility treatments, miscarriage management, and other services to support your family planning needs. FemForward Health also offers contraceptive and birth control education and options, including Nexplanon® and IUD placements, to prevent an unplanned pregnancy. Call the Portland, Oregon, office to schedule a fertility and family planning appointment or book a consultation online today. 

What fertility and family planning services are available?

FemForward Health provides fertility and family planning services for women, AFAB, and LGBTQIA+ individuals in neighborhoods with limited or no access to OB/GYN care.

Dr. Mary offers comprehensive family planning guidance for those ready to start their families, including providing pregnancy options for same-sex couples and those needing solutions to prevent unintended pregnancies. Services include:

• Birth control
• Genetic testing
• Ultrasounds
• Ectopic pregnancy care
• Miscarriage management
• Dilation and curettage (D&C) procedures
• Nutrition and lifestyle counseling

FemForward Health also offers customized fertility counseling and education for individuals with difficulties conceiving or maintaining a viable pregnancy. Dr. Mary provides follicle scanning, ovulation and cycle tracking, and other services. She can also refer you to a network of fertility specialists if you need additional care.

When should I schedule a fertility and family planning appointment?

If you're ready to start your family, you should schedule a fertility and family planning appointment at FemForward Health. Dr. Mary can evaluate your overall health and prescribe prenatal vitamins to prepare your body for a pregnancy.

You can also benefit from the fertility counseling services available if you and your partner have been having unprotected sex for at least a year but can’t get pregnant, or if you are in a same-sex partnership seeking options for becoming pregnant. 

Birth control and contraceptive counseling are available for those who aren’t ready for a family. Dr. Mary provides a range of birth control solutions, including intrauterine devices (IUD) and Nexplanon® implants. She also has extensive experience performing IUD and implant procedures in the mobile office.

What happens during a fertility and family planning appointment?

At your initial visit withFemForward Health, Dr. Mary reviews your personal and family medical histories and your family planning goals. She completes a physical exam and may order blood work or another diagnostic test to assess your existing health.

Depending on the reason for your visit, Dr. Mary discusses the available options to support your plans for your family. She can recommend the right contraceptive method for you, discuss testing options for infertility, or review your reproductive choices if you’re already pregnant.

Ongoing care is available in-office and through an online telemedicine platform. If your situation changes, Dr. Mary can provide the family planning resources you need. For instance, if you’re ready to start your family, she can remove an IUD to make pregnancy possible.

Call FemForward Health to schedule a fertility and family planning appointment, or book a consultation online today.