Aster Centre For Fertility
One of the most advanced facilities of its kind in the region, the Centre for Fertility at Aster Medcity offers highly specialised and comprehensive services for management of Infertility, ranging from assisted reproductive techniques including IVF/ICSI and male infertility management to high-risk pregnancy care and neonatology services. Our exceptional team of doctors comprising highly experienced Gynecologists, Embryologists, Andrologists, Endocrinologists and Fetal Medicine experts take time out to listen to patients carefully, understand their problem holistically and recommend the best way forward. Multidisciplinary in approach, they provide high quality, guideline-based treatment to couples, with the help of an award-winning team of nurses, technicians and counsellors. The unit also provides state-of-the-art Neonatology care to pre-term/ high-risk delivery babies and medically unstable newborns.Aster Centre for Fertility works on a no-donor model, which means only the sperm and egg retrieved from the couple are used for the procedure.
Reproductive Medicine
Dr. Shameema Anvarsadath
Senior Consultant
An Obstetrician/ Gynaecologist with more than 16 years of experience, Dr. Shameema Anvarsadath is an expert in infertility management. She has been in the field of reproductive medicine from the year 2006 and has worked with internationally renowned IVF experts during her tenure with the Ministry of Health, Kuwait - the only facility of its kind in the country.
Dr. Shameema is also a highly skilled laparoscopic and robotic surgeon, with expertise in complex/ fertility-preserving procedures like myomectomies, endometriosis surgeries as well as hysterectomies.
Qualifications
MNAMS (Member of National Academy Of Medical Sciences) | FICRS (Fellow Of International College Of Robotic Surgeons) | DNB (National Board of Examinations) | MRCOG (Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, United Kingdom) | MD in Obstetrics & Gynaecology (JIPMER)| MBBS (Govt. Medical College, Thrissur)
Achievements
Advanced training in assisted reproductive technology Extensive training in robotic surgery
Advanced training in laparoscopy
Training in advanced life support in Obstetrics
Worked as Specialist in IVF department of Al Sabah Maternity Hospital, Kuwait
Worked as Senior Gynaecologist in Al Sabah Maternity Hospital, Kuwait
Tutor in Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, St. Vincent De Paul Hospital, Thrissur
Presented papers in national and international conferences
Proficient in English, Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil, Arabic
CloseDr. Azif Khan M H
Consultant - Embryology
An Embryologist with more than 9 years of experience, Dr. Azif Khan is an expert in call aspects of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). Trained extensively in oocyte, embryo and sperm cryopreservation, he was one of the key members of the medical teams behind the first IVF babies in Calicut, Alappuzha and Kasaragod. An expert in designing and commissioning of IVF labs, he has set up several infertility management centres across the country.
Qualifications
Master of Clinical Embryology (Monash University, Australia) | MBBS (Govt. Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram)
Achievements
Proficient in English, Malayalam, hindi
Key member of the medical teams responsible for the first IVF baby in Calicut (2009), Alappuzha (2013) and Kasaragod (2014).
Well versed in IVF unit design; set up more than a dozen units across the country.
Trained several medical and laboratory professionals in various aspects of ART.
Helped develop IVF protocols in many fertility units across South India
Founder and principal consultant - Aztec ART Solutions.
Chief Embryologist - Life, Lakshmi Hospital, Cochin
Consultant Embryologist, SAT Fertility Centre, Govt. Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram
Consultant Embryologist - New Life Fertility, Erode, Tamil Nadu
Consultant Embryologist, JJ IVF & Gynaecology Centre, Calicut
Consultant Embryologist, Vijayalakshmi Medical Centre, Cochin
Consultant Embryologist, Dream Flower Fertility, Kasaragod
Consultant Embryologist, Kinder Women’s Hospital, Cherthala
Consultant Embryologist, Surabhi Fertility, Madurai
Senior Embryologist, MCIRM, MIMS Hospital, Calicut
Clinical Embryologist, CRAFT Hospital & Research Centre, Kodungalloor
Proficient in English, Malayalam, hindi
CloseDr. Devi Krishna R
Senior Specialist
An Obstetrician/ Gynaecologist with more than 5 years of experience, Dr. Devi Krishna has specialised training in infertility management. She is also extensively trained in advanced gynaecological procedures including laparoscopic and minimal access surgery.
Qualifications FOGSI (Advanced Infertility Training) | FOGSI (Advanced Hysteroscopy And Laparoscopy Training) | FMAS (Association Of Minimal Access Surgeons Of India) | MNAMS (Member of National Academy Of Medical Sciences) | DNB (National Board of Examinations) | MBBS (Govt. Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram)
Achievements
Specialist, Badr Al Samaa Group Of Hospitals, Al Khoud, Sultanate of Oman.
Assistant Professor, Department of OBG, Azeezia Institute Of Medical Sciences, Kollam.
Senior Resident, department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Govt. Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram.
Proficient in English, Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil, Arabic.
CloseObstetrics & Gyanecology
Dr. Sherley Mathen
Senior Consultant
An Obstetrician & Gynaecologist with more than 26 years of experience, Dr. Sherly Mathen is one of the most respected medical professionals in the state.Trained in all aspects of women’s health, she is an expert in laparoscopic, conventional and robotic gynaecological surgeries and management of high-risk pregnancies. .
Qualifications
MD in Obstetrics & Gynaecology (KMC, Manipal) | DGO (KMC, Manipal) | MBBS (MR Medical College, Gulbarga)
Achievements
Consultant Gynaecologist and Laparoscopic Surgeon & coordinator for DNB teaching programme at Lourdes Hospital, Kochi
Specialist Obstetrics & Gynaecologist, Preventive Medicine, Al Ain, UAE
Gynaecologist, New Medical Centre, Abudhabi
Gynaecologist, Kalyani General Hospital, Chennai
Gynaecologist, Armugam Nursing Home, Chennai
Proficient in English, Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada and Arabic
CloseDr. S. Mayadevi Kurup
Senior Consultant
An Obstetrician and Gynaecologist with more than 22 years of experience, Dr. S. Mayadevi Kurup is an expert in all aspects of women’s health. Her areas of specialization include management of high-risk obstetrics, maternal medicine, gynae-oncology and critical care in obstetrics. Trained at some of the finest hospitals in the United Kingdom and United States, Dr. Mayadevi is one among the few surgeons in the region with expertise in complex robotic gynae surgeries. .
Qualifications
MRCOG & CCT (UK) | DNB in Obstetrics & Gynaecology | DGO | MD in Obstetrics & Gynaecology| MBBS (Govt. Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram)
Achievements
20 years of experience in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, in the most reputed and leading Hospitals in UK
Underwent higher Specialist training in UK leading to CCT
Expertise in crucial specialty areas of OBG like high-risk Obstetrics, Gynaec oncology, Maternal medicine and Critical care
Trained in applications of Robotic Surgery in Gynaecology at leading centres in USA
Presented lectures & talks in National and International meetings
Written articles in more than 10 peer reviewed publications
Proficient in English, Hindi, Malayalam and Tamil
CloseDr. Zareena A Khalid
Senior Consultant
An Obstetrician/ Gynecologist with more than 24 years of experience, Dr. Zareena Khalid is an expert in laparoscopic surgeries and management of high-risk pregnancies. A highly respected professional in the medical fraternity, she has worked with many leading hospitals in India and the Middle East. Her areas of special interest include adolescent gynaecology and infertility management.
Qualifications
MRCOG (Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists, UK) | MD in Obstetrics & Gynaecology (KMC Mangalore) | MBBS (KMC Mangalore)
Achievements
Special Training:
Advanced training in Infertility, Obstetrics and Gynaecological ultrasound by IAHR & IFEE.
Gynaecological endoscopic workshop by Daniel, Roy Garry & J. Hamou in Corniche Hospital, Abu Dhabi
Advanced hands on training in Laparoscopy & Hysteroscopy at Cochin Gynaecological Endoscopic Centre.
Emergency obstetrics care and life support training programme by KFOG.
Advanced provider course of Indian Academy of Paediatrics – LDSC on Neonatal Resuscitation.
Specialty training in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus conducted by FOGSI & DIPSI.
Senior Consultant & HOD, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Lakshmi Hospital, Aluva, Kerala
Consultant, Indira Gandhi Cooperative Hospital & Assistant. Professor, Cooperative Medical College.
Consultant Gynaecologist, Carmel Hospital, Aluva, Kerala.
Registrar & Clinical Lecturer, Dubai Medical College for Women, Al Wasal Hospital (Now called Latifa Hospital), Dubai.
Specialist Gynaecologist, Ministry of Health Hospital, Government of Sharjah.
Founder Secretary and Member, Cochin Obstetrics & Gynaecological Society (COGS).
Member, Angamaly Society of Obstetrics & Gynaecology.
Member, Kerala Federation of Obstetrics & Gynaecology.
Member, Federation of Obstetricians & Gynaecological society of India (FOGSI).
Member, Indian Medical Association, Kochi Branch.
Published articles in peer reviewed journalsProficient in English, Malayalam, Hindi, Kannada, Tulu, Beary and elementary Arabic
CloseDr. Teena Anne Joy
Consultant
A Gynaecologist with more than 8 years of experience, Dr. Teena Anne Joy is trained to perform all procedures in obstetrics and gynaecology, including open surgeries and minimal access surgeries like hysteroscopy and laparoscopy. With extensive experience in gynaecologic and obstetric ultrasonography, she is also trained in infertility management. Her areas of interest are laparoscopic surgery and management of high-risk pregnancies.
Qualifications
DMAS -including basic Robotic Surgery (World Laparoscopy Hospital) |FMAS (World Laparoscopy Hospital) |DNB (National Board of Examinations, Delhi) | MS in Obstetrics & Gynaecology (St. John’s Medical College) | MBBS (St. John’s Medical College)
Achievements
Fellowship and Diploma in Minimal Access Surgery including basic training in robotic surgery
Advanced training in obstetric and gynaecologic ultrasonography and obstetric Doppler
High Risk Pregnancy Postgraduate Course by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
1st rank holder, FMAS
Published research articles
Proficient in English, Hindi, Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil
CloseAndrology & Urology
Dr. Ramprasad M.K
Senior Specialist
Dr. Ramparasad M.K is Senior Specialist, Urology, with more than 1 year of experience in Surgery. He specialises in Genitourinary Surgery and has special interest in Endourology, Stone management, RIRS & HOLEP. He is into research on DJ Stents for ureteric & renal stones - the ongoing research being Encrustations on DJ Sents FTIR Analysis.
Qualifications
Mch in Urology (Govt. Medical College,Kottayam) ||MS in General Surgery (Govt. Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram) | MBBS (Govt. Medical College,Thrissur)
Achievements
Trained in Endourology and Stone Surgery
Ongoing Research on encrustations on DJ Stent FTIR Analysis
Numerous presentations made at general Surgery Conferences
Published multiple articles
Proficient in English & Malayalam
CloseEndocrinology
Dr. Vipin V.P
Senior Specialist
A Endocrinologist trained in management of diabetes in both adults and children; Dr. Vipin’s areas of special interest include diabetes mellitus, obesity, PCOS, metabolic bone diseases and pituitary disorders.
Qualifications
Specialty Certificate in Endocrinology and Diabetes (Royal College of Physicians of the United Kingdom) | DNB in Endocrinology | DM in Endocrinology (SGPGIMS, Lucknow) | MRCP (Royal College of Physicians of the United Kingdom) | DNB in General Medicine | MD in General Medicine (Govt. Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram) | MBBS (Govt. Medical College, Calicut)
Achievements
Detailed studies:
Type 1 diabetes (all four islet auto antibodies including ZnT8A, HLA association and also studied type 1 b diabetes)
PCOS (CVD risk assessment in first degree relatives of PCOS)
Work on diabetes mellitus and PCOS published in American Society of Reproductive medicine journal
Awards:
Gold medal and best outgoing Postgraduate student - MD General Medicine (Year 2011) Govt. Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram
Best Outgoing student, 2006, Govt. Medical College Calicut
IMA Gold medal - Best outgoing student- MBBS, 45th Batch, Calicut Medical College (Year 2007)
Gold Medals during MBBS – Community medicine; Psychiatry; General Medicine; Surgery; and Obstetrics & Gynecology
Proficient in English, Malayalam, Hindi
CloseFetal Medicine
Neonatology
Dr. Jose Paul
Senior Consultant
A highly trained Neonatologist with more than 16 years of experience, Dr. Jose Paul has worked in some of the best hospitals in the United Kingdom, Oman and India. An expert in management of low-weight neonates, he has more than 10 years of experience in advanced neonatal intensive care in various Level 3 NICUs. His field of special interest is infant feeding, especially pre-term babies.
Qualifications
MRCPCH (Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, London) | DCH (Temple Street Hospital, University of Dublin,Dublin) | DCH (College of Physicians and Surgeons, Mumbai, India) | MCPS (College of Physicians and Surgeons, Mumbai, India)| MBBS (Govt. Medical College, Nagpur)
Achievements
Clinical Fellow, Medway Maritime Hospital, Kent, United Kingdom
Worked with the Ministry of Health, Sultanate of Oman
Royal Hospital, Sultanate of Oman
Proficient in Malayalam, English, Hindi and Arabic
CloseAnaesthesiology
Dr. Suresh G Nair
Senior Consultant
Dr. Suresh G Nair is Senior Consultant, Department of Anaesthesiology, Pain Medicine and Critical Care Services. A veteran in Anaesthesiology with more than 25 years of experience in pain and Critical Care, Medical Intensive Care, Transoesophageal Echocardiography and Mechanical ventilation, he is an expert capable of handling even the most complicated cases, across multiple Specialities. He also has 15 years of experience in teaching as Professor and Head Of Department.
Qualifications
FIACTA (HON) | FTEE (HON)| MS (Baroda Medical College)| MBBS (Govt. Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram)
Achievements
Associate Professor, Sree Chithira Thirunal Institute of Medical Sciences, Thiruvananthapuram
Professor and Head of Department, Anaesthesia and Critical Care, AIMS, Kochi
22 years of teaching experience
Examiner for MD anesthesia
Examiner for DNB anesthesia
Examiner for fellowship in cardiac anesthesia
Teacher in Transoesophageal Echocardiography
Published 46 Research articles in International and Indian Journals
Proficient in English, Malayalam, Hindi, Gujarati and Tamil
CloseDr. Jyothi Lakshmi Nair
Senior Specialist
Dr. Jyothi Lakshmi Nair is Specialist, Department of Anaesthesiology, Pain Medicine and Critical Care Services. An Anaesthetist with 3 years of experience, her areas of special interest are Obstetric Anaesthesia , Transplant Anaesthesia and Regional Anaesthesia. She is also capable of handling high risk Anaesthesia and critical ill patients.
Qualifications
Diploma in Anaesthesia and Critical Care (Govt. Medical College. Nagpur) | DNB Anaesthesia and Critical Care (Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences) | MBBS (Govt. Medical College. Nagpur)
Achievements
Anaesthetist at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences
Independently managed all high risk Anaesthesia in surgical and super specialty branches
Published article in International Journal
Written research articles
Proficient in English, Hindi, Malayalam and Marathi.
CloseFacilities
IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation)
A highly specialised and advanced assisted reproduction treatment method for couples who are not able to conceive, IVF or In Vitro Fertilisation is the process of fertilising the egg(s), outside the body, with the aid of technology. This mode of treatment is advised and adopted in couples who have the following issues:
- Unexplained infertility
- Inefficacy/failure of other methods like fertility drugs and intrauterine insemination (IUI)
- Fertility problems in the male partner
- Blocked fallopian tubes
- Needs to use frozen sperm; but not a suitable candidate for IUI treatment
- Presence of a genetic condition that calls for genetic testing (so that the problem is not passed on to the child)
Advanced Assisted Reproduction Treatment
Backed by the state-of-the-art medical technology and clinical support, the expert team at the Aster Centre for Fertility offers highly specialised services including:
- Counselling for the couples seeking fertility
- Ovulation induction
- Trans vaginal ultrasound with follicular monitoring
- Saline Hystero Sonography
- Hystero Salpingography
- Lab equipped with complete hormonal assay
- Intrauterine insemination
- IVF-ET (In Vitro Fertilisation & Embryo transfer )
- ICSI (Intra Cytoplasic Sperm Injection)
- Surgical sperm retrieval techniques: PESA, TESA, Micro TESE
- Laser assisted hatching
- Blastocyst culture and transfer
- Advanced diagnostic Laproscopic, Hysteroscopic & Robotic Gynaecology Surgery
- Fertility preservation –sperm/oocyte cryopreservation
- Embryo cryopreservation/vitrification
- Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET)
- Sperm DNA fragmentation testing
- Fertility preservation
Embryology
Embryo Cryopreservation/ Vitrification
Gametes and embryos are preserved/ frozen in personalised storage systems under -196 °C, for optimising survival and implantation post freezing, especially in unfavourable conditions like poor endometrium and hormone related problems.
Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET)
Frozen embryo from a previous fresh IVF cycle is thawed and transferred back to the uterus. This offers equal/ better pregnancy rates and also increases the cumulative pregnancy rates.
Blastocyst Culture & Transfer
The best quality embryos can be chosen and transferred in a controlled manner to increase pregnancy success rate and reduce multiple pregnancy risks.
Laser Assisted Hatching
Laser technology (Hamilton Thorne – FDA approved Lykos Suite) for hatching embryos in cases with history of recurrent IVF failure.
Fertility Preservation
Freezing and storage of eggs/ sperms for those undergoing major treatment (e.g. Cancer)/ wish to delay parenthood.
Gynaecology
- Complete fertility work up of the couple and planning personalised treatment after detailed counselling
- Controlled ovarian stimulation
- Ultrasound monitoring and Doppler assessment
- Managing difficult embryo transfers
- Advanced laparoscopic procedures for improving fertility
- Myomectomy (removal of fibroids)
- Endometriosis surgeries
- Diagnostic and operative hysteroscopic procedures:
Hysteroscopic myomectomy
Polypectomy
Tubal cannulation
Adhesiolysis
- High-precision Robotic gynaecology surgery using da Vinci surgery system
- Antenatal care and high-risk pregnancy management
Andrology & Urology
- Treatment for erectile dysfunction
- Penile curvature correction
- Management of premature ejaculation/ ejaculatory dysfunctions
- Treatment of varicocele
- Vasectomy and reversal procedures
- Surgical sperm retrieval techniques like PESA, TESA and Micro TESE (for azoospermia/ severe male infertility)
Endocrinology
- Assessment and evaluation of hormonal functions/ endocrine glands in men and women
- Management of infertility due to endocrinological issues including:
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOD)
- Hypogondotropic hypogonadism
- Oligoanovulation
- Adrenal disorders
- Thyroid disorders
- Diabetes
Fetal Medicine
Specialised care for high/ low risk pregnancies
State-of-the-art ultrasound imaging
Advanced interventional procedures including:
- Amniocentesis
- Chorionic villous sampling
- Cord blood sampling
- Multi fetal pregnancy reduction
- Intra uterine blood transfusion
Neonatology & NICU
- Management of pre-term/ low birth-weight/ high-risk delivery babies
- Specialised care for medically unstable babies
- Comprehensive care for complex medical surgical problems in neonates
- 24/7 presence of lactation expert to ensure breastfeeding
- Total Body Cooling (Therapeutic Hypothermia) for babies asphyxiated at birth
- Advanced life-saving technology/ clinical support including:
- Conventional and high-frequency ventilation
- Nitric Oxide Therapy
- High Flow Nasal Cannula
- Continuous Positive Airway
- Pressure Therapy
- Antenatal counselling for high-risk pregnancy
- ROP screening for preterm babies
Advanced Technology
- State-of-the-art IVF/ ICSI facilities
- Hamilton Thorne (FDA approved Lykos Suite) for laser assisted hatching
- State-of-the-art IVF & Andrology lab
- Advanced ultrasound
- da Vinci surgery robot
- OR1 Karlstroz fusion integrated digital operation suites
- Digital ICCA (IntelliSpace Critical Care & Anaesthesia) ICUs
- Level 3 NICU
- 3.0 Tesla MRI
- 256 slice Philips iCT scan
