Welcome

The Center was founded in 1995 by Dorothy J. Roach, M.D., to better accommodate the expansion of services offered through a successful IVF (in vitro fertilization) program she helped establish at Houston Northwest Medical Center. Dr. Roach and her staff at North Houston Center for Reproductive Medicine have the expertise and the facilities to make the latest advanced reproductive technologies available to infertile couples. This specialized care is conveniently provided in the northwest area of Houston.

Where to turn for help.

Infertility is a medical problem that affects approximately one out of every six couples in America. It is a disease that affects men and women equally. The complete evaluation of infertility consists of a series of tests that will identify a treatable cause in at least 90% of couples and although the remaining 10% of couples' infertility will be considered unexplained, successful treatment options are available for all.

When should a couple be seen by a Reproductive Endocrinologist?

Fewer than 1% of physicians in the United States are board certified in Reproductive Endocrinology, the specialty dedicated to the treatment of infertility as well as to the assisted reproductive technologies. While the Reproductive Endocrinologist is expertly trained in all aspects of the evaluation and treatment of infertility, many Gynecologists or Family Physicians can initiate the process for you.

The expertise of the Reproductive Endocrinologist becomes essential when the initial testing suggests the need for more complex types of treatment, initial therapies fail after three months, the sperm count is severely abnormal, or when the female partner is over 35 years of age.

Advanced Reproductive Therapies – bringing new hope.

Infertility treatment has advanced tremendously since the birth of the first "test tube" baby almost two decades ago. Today, in addition to in-vitro fertilization, which is a nonsurgical office procedure, there are other successful nonsurgical procedures, such as ovulation induction/IUI, which couples can utilize to improve their chances of having a baby.

Some simple guidelines

We do not require that new patients be referred by their physician, but some insurance policies do, so be sure to check your plans' guidelines. A thorough review of a couple’s previous medical history is the first step in the consultation process, therefore, copies of all medical records relating to any infertility testing or treatment should be forwarded to our center before the time of the initial consultation.

We strongly encourage both partners to be present at the initial visit so that, as a couple, they can both take an active role in selecting the treatment options that are appropriate for them.

Appointments for consultation visits, necessary exams and laboratory services are available Monday through Friday, while appointments for established patients in treatment are extended to include weekends and holidays.

Once a pregnancy is achieved, Dr. Roach will continue monitoring the pregnancy for approximately 4 to 6 additional weeks to confirm normal early development. Dr. Roach does not practice obstetrics, so near the end of the first trimester, you will be referred back to your physician for continuation of complete obstetrical care. If you do not already have an obstetrician, Dr. Roach will be happy to recommend a physician who provides obstetrical care in your geographic area.

Financial/Insurance counseling

We are well aware of the financial burden infertility treatment can place on our patients. Our experienced business staff assists all couples with insurance benefits determination prior to the first visit and is continuously available to assist in claims preparation or filing throughout treatment. We recognize that insurance coverage for infertility treatment is very limited in our area and have taken this into consideration when setting our fees, in order to make infertility treatment accessible to as many patients as possible. See our Financial Information page.