Obstetrics
We promise to always be available to you as you walk through the pregnancy journey from start to finish. We provide our patients with the ultimate care in Obstetrics. This includes delivering the highest quality of care and treating our patients with respect and compassion.
Obstetrics Specialist
Pregnancy is one of the most memorable times in life, so having an obstetrics team that provides the highest level of personalized care is important. At A'fina Houston OB/GYN in Webster, Texas, board-certified OB/GYN Kingsley Asumugha, MD, FACOG, and his team are always available to walk you through the pregnancy journey from start to finish. Call or request an appointment online today for compassionate care and expertise in obstetrics.
If you just found out you're pregnant — or if you're ready to try to get pregnant — one of the first things you should do is call A'fina Houston OB/GYN to schedule an appointment with Dr. Asumugha. He provides complete prenatal care for normal and high-risk pregnancies as well as preconception counseling for women who want to have a baby.
Preconception counseling helps you prepare your body for a healthy pregnancy about 3-6 months before you get pregnant.
If you've been trying to conceive for one year or six months, if you're 35 or older, Dr. Asumugha also offers infertility evaluations. Depending on your needs, he may recommend a fertility treatment, such as ovulation induction or intrauterine insemination.
What is prenatal care?
Prenatal care encompasses all the medical care, including tests, procedures, and counseling that you receive during pregnancy. During your prenatal visits, Dr. Asumugha performs routine tests, including ultrasounds, and monitors your health and the health of your baby.
He also helps you prepare for what to expect throughout pregnancy and works with you to develop a plan for labor and delivery. He explains the risks and benefits of vaginal delivery, Cesarean section, and vaginal birth after C-section so you can make an informed decision. After you give birth, Dr. Asumugha continues to support you with postpartum care.
What is high-risk obstetrics?
Having a high-risk pregnancy means there's a greater risk of complications that may cause health problems for you or your baby. Dr. Asumugha provides comprehensive care for all types of high-risk pregnancies, including:
Existing health conditions, such as diabetes or hypertension
Pregnancy in teens and women over age 35
Repeated miscarriages
Twins and other multiple births
Bleeding during pregnancy
Gestational diabetes
Preeclampsia
If you have a high-risk pregnancy, you may need additional tests and procedures, including ultrasounds and blood tests. Getting early and regular prenatal care at A'fina Houston OB/GYN improves your chances of having a healthy pregnancy and delivery with no complications.
What medications can I use during pregnancy?
There is no medication considered to be 100% safe for long-term use in pregnancy. Each medication carries risks and benefits. Therefore, it is recommended that you:
Limit the use of medications unless benefits outweigh the risks
Minimize the number of days or doses are taken. Unless prescribed by your doctor, then take exactly as prescribed.
The following medications are generally safe choices for:
Allergies: Claritin or Claritin-D, Allegra or Allegra-D, Zyrtec or Zyrtec-D, Flonase, Benadryl
Cold/Fever: Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol, Sudafed, Tylenol-Sinus, Mucinex DM. Saline Nasal spray. Increase your fluid intake and rest. Report a fever over 101.0.
Cough: Robitussin DM, Cough drops.
Constipation: Metamucil, Surfak, Colace, Fibercon, Milk of Magnesia, Miralax. Increase Fiber and Fluid intake daily.
Diarrhea: Kaopectate, Imodium AD. Drink clear fluids until diarrhea stops.
Heartburn/Indigestion: Maalox, Mylanta, Tums, Gelusil, Pepcid, Prilosec OTC, Prevacid, Nexium.
Headache: Tylenol, Extra Strength Tylenol, Acetaminophen. Report any headache not relieved by Tylenol.
Hemorrhoids: Anusol Cream or suppositories, Preparation H, Tucks, Witch Hazel.
Sore Throat: Cepacol Lozenges, Chlorospetic Spray, Tylenol for pain. Gargle warm salt water.
Gas: Mylicon, Mylanta, Gas-X
Nausea: Ginger (in any form), Vitamin B6 25mg 3 times a day, Unisom (will make you sleepy), Dramamine (for motion sickness).
Skin Irritation/Acne: Calamine Lotion, Hydrocortisone, Neosporin Ointment. Benzoyl Peroxide.
Herpes: Dom Burrows soaks, Zovirax Cream, Valtrex
** Don't take Aspirin or Ibuprofen Products (i.e., Motrin, Advil, Aleve) unless prescribed by your doctor.
** Don't drink Alcohol it causes premature birth, birth defects & fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
For an obstetrics team that promises to be there with you every step of the way, call A'fina Houston OB/GYN, or request an appointment online today.
Vaginal Birth After C- Section Specialist
If you've had a previous cesarean section and are pregnant again, you may be able to give birth vaginally this time. Board-certified OB/GYN Kingsley Asumugha, MD, FACOG, has helped many women with vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) at A'fina Houston OB/GYN in Webster, Texas. Call the office or request an appointment online today to find out if VBAC is the right option for you.
Vaginal Birth After C- section Q & A
Vaginal birth after C-section (VBAC) is when you deliver a baby vaginally after having had a previous cesarean delivery. VBAC is an option for about 90% of women who have undergone cesarean deliveries.
An attempt to have a VBAC is called a trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC). A successful TOLAC results in a vaginal birth. If it's not successful, you need another C-section.
Women choose VBAC for a variety of reasons. A successful VBAC means you don't have to undergo abdominal surgery, which leads to less blood loss, a lower risk of infection, and a shorter recovery time.
Additionally, many women want to experience a vaginal birth. If you're planning to have more children in the future, a VBAC may also reduce your risk of health problems associated with multiple C-sections.
A VBAC has less risk of complications than an elective repeat C-section. In rare cases, VBAC may cause the uterine scar from your previous C-section to rupture or break open. Though uterine rupture is rare, it's a serious risk to you and your baby. If you're at high risk of uterine rupture, Dr. Asumugha will not try VBAC.
In addition to listening to your personal preferences, Dr. Asumugha carefully evaluates your medical history and current state of health when creating your individualized delivery plan.
One of the most important factors that determine whether you're a good candidate for VBAC is the type of incision your previous doctor made for the C-section. VBAC is safest if you had a low transverse incision, which is a side-to-side cut across the lower part of your uterus.
A high vertical or up-and-down incision carries the highest risk of uterine rupture during VBAC. Other factors that may decrease the likelihood of VBAC include:
- Having an unknown type of uterine incision that's suspected to be high vertical
- A history of two or more C-sections and no vaginal births
- Excessive weight gain during pregnancy or a body mass index greater than 40
- Pregnancy that continues past 40 weeks or needs labor induction
- Previous delivery within 18 months
If you're thinking about vaginal birth after C-section, call A'fina Houston OB/GYN, or request an appointment online today.
Gynecology
It is our mission to provide high-quality medicine while emphasizing personal care. Our office offers the equipment to provide the latest in the diagnostic and treatment of all gynecologic abnormalities. We emphasize wellness and disease prevention as a major part of our service.
Menopause and the years leading up to it, known as perimenopause, involve fluctuating hormone levels that may cause various difficult symptoms, including hot flashes and irregular periods. Board-certified OB/GYN Kingsley Asumugha, MD, FACOG, provides individualized care for women going through menopause at A'fina Houston OB/GYN in Webster, Texas. If you're experiencing symptoms of menopause, call the office or request an appointment online today.
Menopause is a natural biological process that marks the end of your menstrual periods. You reach menopause after you've gone through 12 months since your last period.
Menopause happens because your ovaries stop making estrogen, one of the hormones responsible for controlling your menstrual cycle and reproductive health. After you reach menopause, you can no longer get pregnant.
The average age for women to go through menopause is 51. However, most women experience fluctuating hormone levels for months or years before this happens. The transition to menopause, called perimenopause, may begin in your 30s or 40s.
What symptoms might I experience as I transition to menopause?
Every woman is unique, which is why Dr. Asumugha focuses on personalized care. Some women don't experience perimenopause symptoms at all. Those that do may have one or more of the following symptoms:
- Hot flashes
- Irregular periods
- Sleep problems
- Vaginal dryness
- Pain during sex
- Anxiety and/or depression
Decreased levels of estrogen may change the tissues of your vagina and urethra. These changes may cause vaginal discomfort, such as dryness and itching, as well as increased urination and more frequent urinary tract infections.
What treatments are available for menopause symptoms?
If any of these symptoms interfere with your quality of life, call Dr. Asumugha at A'fina Houston OB/GYN. He carefully reviews your symptoms and medical history and performs a physical exam to determine the most effective course of treatment.
Because menopause is a natural biological process, treatment focuses on alleviating uncomfortable symptoms. Depending on your specific needs, treatment may include taking hormone replacement therapy or medications. Dr. Asumugha may also recommend lifestyle changes, including a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Hormone replacement therapy involves taking synthetic estrogen and possibly another hormone called progestin. This relieves your symptoms by replacing the hormones your body doesn't make anymore.
How can I stay healthy after menopause?
After menopause, it's important to continue seeing Dr. Asumugha at A'fina Houston OB/GYN for annual well-woman visits and any time you have a concern, such as postmenopausal bleeding.
Postmenopausal women are at higher risk of certain health problems, including osteoporosis, heart disease, and urinary incontinence. Dr. Asumugha helps you prevent or manage these conditions.
For expert guidance and support throughout menopause, call A'fina Houston OB/GYN, or request an appointment online today.
Minimally invasive surgery involves less pain and scarring and a faster recovery time than open procedures. At A'fina Houston OB/GYN in Webster, Texas, board-certified OB/GYN Kingsley Asumugha, MD, FACOG, provides the highest degree of personalized and progressive care, using minimally invasive surgical techniques whenever possible. Call the office or request an appointment online today to learn more about minimally invasive surgery.
Minimally invasive surgery uses advanced technology to perform surgical procedures with smaller incisions and less damage to healthy tissues, including muscles and nerves. As a highly-trained OB/GYN, Dr. Asumugha has expertise in a variety of minimally invasive gynecologic approaches, including:
Laparoscopic surgery
A laparoscope is a thin, flexible fiber-optic camera that Dr. Asumugha inserts into a small incision in your abdomen. He uses the laparoscope to view your pelvic organs, including your uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes.
Laparoscopy can be diagnostic, therapeutic, or both. Laparoscopy is the only way to definitively diagnose certain conditions, such as endometriosis. If Dr. Asumugha finds a problem during laparoscopy, he may treat it during the same procedure by inserting tiny surgical instruments into additional small incisions.
Hysteroscopic surgery
This type of surgery doesn't involve an incision at all. Dr. Asumugha inserts a hysteroscope, like a tiny telescope, through your cervix and into your uterus. He may use hysteroscopy to diagnose the cause of abnormal uterine bleeding or to remove a growth, such as a polyp or a fibroid.
Vaginal surgery
During vaginal surgery, Dr. Asumugha removes reproductive organs, such as your uterus, through an incision inside your vagina. This is known as a transvaginal hysterectomy.
What conditions does minimally invasive surgery treat?
Minimally invasive surgery can help Dr. Asumugha diagnose and treat a wide range of women's health conditions, including:
- Abnormal uterine bleeding
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Uterine fibroids and polyps
- Endometriosis
- Adenomyosis
- Gynecological cancer
- Uterine prolapse
- Ovarian cysts
For many of these conditions, minimally invasive surgery is one of several available treatment options. Dr. Asumugha makes sure to explore the most conservative approaches to treatment first. When surgery is necessary, he thoroughly explains the details of your procedure and answers any questions you may have.
What gynecologic procedures can use minimally invasive surgery?
At A'fina Houston OB/GYN, Dr. Asumugha uses minimally invasive techniques to perform a variety of procedures, including:
- Laparoscopic hysterectomy
- Transvaginal hysterectomy
- Laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy
- Diagnostic and operative laparoscopy
- Diagnostic and operative hysteroscopy
- Cervical loop electrode excision procedure (LEEP)
- Endometrial ablation
Because minimally invasive surgery involves smaller incisions, it causes little-to-no scarring and leads to a faster and easier recovery.
For advanced expertise in minimally invasive surgery, call A'fina Houston OB/GYN, or request an appointment online today.
Endometriosis Specialist
About 1 in 10 women of reproductive age experiences endometriosis, a common cause of pelvic pain. Board-certified OB/GYN Kingsley Asumugha, MD, FACOG, provides individualized care for women with endometriosis at A'fina Houston OB/GYN in Webster, Texas. If you think you may have endometriosis, call the office or request an appointment online today.
Endometriosis is a common women's health condition that occurs when the tissue that forms the lining of your uterus (endometrium) forms outside the uterus. Endometrial implants most often affect your pelvic organs, including the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and outer surface of your uterus. Rarely, it may spread to organs outside your pelvic area.
The implants continue to act like normal endometrial tissue, thickening and breaking down with your menstrual cycle. Because this tissue has no way to leave your body, it becomes trapped and irritates surrounding organs, causing inflammation. Eventually, adhesions may develop. Adhesions can cause your pelvic organs to stick to each other.
Chronic pelvic pain is the most common symptom of endometriosis. Pain usually worsens just before and during your menstrual period. You may also experience pain during sexual intercourse.
If endometriosis affects your bowel or bladder, you may feel pain during bowel movements or urination. Another symptom of endometriosis is heavy menstrual bleeding.
Many women who have endometriosis don't experience any symptoms at all. However, the severity of your symptoms doesn't correspond with the severity of your condition.
About 40% of women with infertility also have endometriosis. Inflammation and adhesions may interfere with your ability to conceive, but that doesn't mean you can't get pregnant.
Dr. Asumugha provides advanced treatments for endometriosis, including minimally invasive surgery, that may increase your chances of getting pregnant.
How is endometriosis diagnosed and treated?
First, Dr. Asumugha carefully reviews your symptoms and medical history and performs a physical and pelvic exam. If he suspects you have endometriosis, he may perform laparoscopy. This minimally invasive surgical procedure is the only way to confirm that you have endometriosis.
If Dr. Asumugha finds endometrial implants during the laparoscopy procedure, he may take a tissue sample for lab testing. Often, he's able to fully treat endometriosis during the same procedure.
Dr. Asumugha may also treat your endometriosis with medication, such as hormonal birth control or pain-relieving medication. This approach may be better if your symptoms are mild and you aren't trying to get pregnant.
Hormonal medications slow the growth of endometrial implants, but the only way to get rid of them is surgery.
To learn more about your options for endometriosis treatment, call A'fina Houston OB/GYN, or request an appointment online today.
Infertility
Ovulation Induction Specialist
About 25-30% of infertility cases are due to ovulation problems, but ovulation induction can increase your chances of getting pregnant. Board-certified OB/GYN Kingsley Asumugha, MD, FACOG, performs ovulation induction at A'fina Houston OB/GYN in Webster, Texas. Call the office or request an appointment online today to find out if you're a good candidate for ovulation induction.
Ovulation induction involves using medications to stimulate the release of eggs from your ovaries. This treatment for infertility helps women who ovulate irregularly or not at all.
Normal ovulation occurs about once every 28 days but may range from 21 to 35 days. Ovulation that happens less than once every 35 days or occurs unpredictably is considered oligoovulation. If ovulation doesn't happen at all, it's called anovulation.
The purpose of ovulation induction is to increase your likelihood of conceiving, either through sexual intercourse or by using a fertility treatment like intrauterine insemination (IUI). Dr. Asumugha performs IUI at A'fina Houston OB/GYN.
What medications are used for ovulation induction?
A variety of oral and injectable hormone-based medications can stimulate ovulation. Oral drugs, such as clomiphene citrate and aromatase inhibitors, are usually the first line of treatment.
If treatment with oral drugs isn't successful, Dr. Asumugha may recommend a series of injections with gonadotropins, which are hormones that trigger ovulation.
Sometimes, the ovulation problem is due to an underlying condition, such as a thyroid disorder or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Treating these conditions may stimulate ovulation naturally.
What are the risks of ovulation induction?
Before you decide to undergo ovulation induction, Dr. Asumugha carefully explains the risks and benefits of each treatment. He provides you with all the information you need to make an informed decision about your reproductive health.
Risks of ovulation induction include:
Multiple pregnancies
Both oral medications and gonadotropins can cause multiple eggs to release simultaneously, which means that more than one egg can be fertilized. This increases your chance of having a high-risk pregnancy with twins or higher-order multiples.
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) occurs when your ovaries become overstimulated and swollen. The risk of OHSS is especially high with gonadotropin treatment. OHSS can cause a range of symptoms, including nausea, headaches, and bloating.
How do I know if ovulation induction is right for me?
You may be a good candidate for ovulation induction if you experience infertility, which means you aren't able to get pregnant after one year of trying. If you're 35 or older, you may be able to get treatment after trying to conceive for six months.
The best way to determine if ovulation induction is right for you is to schedule an appointment at A'fina Houston OB/GYN — call or request an appointment online today.
If you experience infertility, intrauterine insemination (IUI) may increase your chances of getting pregnant, especially when combined with ovulation stimulation. At A'fina Houston OB/GYN in Webster, Texas, Kingsley Asumugha, MD, FACOG, offers IUI and other infertility treatments. To find out if IUI is right for you, call the office request an appointment online today.
Intrauterine Insemination Q & A
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) involves placing healthy sperm inside your uterus around the time of ovulation. The purpose of IUI is to increase the number of sperm that enter the fallopian tubes, which is where fertilization takes place. The sperm may come from your partner or a donor. Donor sperm comes from a certified lab.
Depending on your needs, Dr. Asumugha may coordinate IUI with your normal cycle, or he may combine this treatment with ovulation induction medications.
What conditions does intrauterine insemination treat?
IUI most commonly treats infertility due to a low sperm count or irregular sperm mobility. However, Dr. Asumugha uses IUI to treat a variety of conditions that may contribute to infertility, including:
- Cervical mucus problems
- Ovulation problems
- Ejaculation dysfunction
- Cervical scar tissue from past procedures
- Endometriosis
- Semen allergy
Sometimes, infertility has no clear cause. IUI, along with ovulation induction, is often the initial treatment for unexplained infertility.
What are the risks of intrauterine insemination?
Before you decide to undergo IUI or any type of fertility treatment, Dr. Asumugha takes the time to discuss the risks and benefits of the procedure.
IUI is a relatively safe procedure with a low risk of serious complications. However, there is a slight risk of developing an infection after the procedure. You may also experience mild spotting, but this usually doesn't affect your chances of conceiving.
Taking medications to stimulate ovulation during IUI increases your risk of multiple pregnancies, including twins, triplets, or more. IUI on its own isn't associated with a higher risk of multiple pregnancies.
What should I expect from intrauterine insemination?
The IUI procedure itself only takes about 15-20 minutes, but preparing for it requires careful coordination.
First, the sperm needs special preparation in a lab. Whether you're using sperm from your partner or donor sperm, it needs to undergo processing that separates the healthy, highly active sperm from other elements in the semen.
Then, you need to monitor your ovulation. You may use an at-home ovulation predictor kit, or Dr. Asumugha may take an in-office ultrasound. He may also give you a gonadotropin injection to stimulate ovulation at the right time.
IUI is most successful when it happens a day or two after you ovulate. Dr. Asumugha helps you plan out the precise timing of your procedure, so you know what to expect.
If you're considering intrauterine insemination, call A'fina Houston OB/GYN, or request an appointment online today.
