Dr. Sumithra Devi Valiapan, Fertility Specialist

Dr. Sumithra Devi Valiapan, Fertility Specialist Fertility Specialist, Obstetrician & Gynaecologist

If you have VAGINISMUS, there are several ways to scan you:1. Vaginally without anaesthesia - if you can tolerate it2. V...
14/01/2026

If you have VAGINISMUS, there are several ways to scan you:
1. Vaginally without anaesthesia - if you can tolerate it
2. Vaginally with anaesthesia
3. Rectally - usually minimum discomfort
4. Abdominally - not ideal for accurate measurements of lining or follicles

Procedures like vaginal insemination (VI), intrauterine insemination (IUI) and embryo transfer (ET) can also be done with or without anaesthesia, depending on your pain tolerance.

Here's a picture of a transrectal scan in a patient with vaginismus. The image is just as good as a vaginal scan, also shown here.

This couple has not had any sexual in*******se due to Mum's VAGINISMUS. They've been married since 2018, 8 years ago.But...
14/01/2026

This couple has not had any sexual in*******se due to Mum's VAGINISMUS. They've been married since 2018, 8 years ago.

But Mum's good, she's been using vaginal dilators to gradually desensitise her pelvic muscles, reduce pain and progressively build confidence to overcome involuntary spasms and anxiety associated with vaginal in*******se and examinations.

This has helped them try home vaginal inseminations (VI) on their own for 3 cycles, even though these failed to achieve a pregnancy. Mums proactive efforts are commendable. It allowed us to do vaginal scans for her relatively easily.

They subsequently came to see me in Sunfert@Bangsar South in September 2025. Their very 1st intrauterine insemination (IUI) in November 2025 was successful! They're currently 10 weeks pregnant and are expecting their twins in August 2026.

Congratulations Mum and Dad, well done!

Mum's AMH in 2022 was 4pmol/L. However, she still managed to make 3 blastocysts from 4 eggs in October 2022, despite her...
13/01/2026

Mum's AMH in 2022 was 4pmol/L. However, she still managed to make 3 blastocysts from 4 eggs in October 2022, despite her low AMH. She was 38 years old then. She's 41 years old currently.

Fast forward to today, Mum now has a beautiful 2 years old daughter after her 1st embryo transfer in January 2023 (Mum has shared her lovely family's pic in the comments section). And, the good news is that, Mum is currently 12 weeks pregnant with her 2nd child ❤️. Her due date is in July 2026.

Tahniah Ayah dan Ibu! Have a lovely pregnancy and safe delivery. Your daughter is going to enjoy having a younger sibling to boss around 🤣. She's going to be a big sister soon enough, whether she's ready or not!

12/01/2026

10 weeks twin pregnancy ultrasound scan

These eggs/oocytes are what the embryologist immediately looks for after an egg collection/oocyte pick-up (OPU). This is...
09/01/2026

These eggs/oocytes are what the embryologist immediately looks for after an egg collection/oocyte pick-up (OPU). This is a microscopic view of some of the eggs collected this morning.

These eggs will then be prepared for IVF/ICSI. Fertilization check is done the next day and then we wait for the embryos to work their way to blastocyst stage, which usually takes 5 - 6 days.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT CLINIC REALLY DOES MATTER!Mum is 32 years old now. She first saw me in Sunfert@Bangsar South when she...
07/01/2026

CHOOSING THE RIGHT CLINIC REALLY DOES MATTER!
Mum is 32 years old now. She first saw me in Sunfert@Bangsar South when she was 29 years old, in 2023.

When she was 23 years old, in 2017, she had her whole left o***y removed due to a dermoid cyst. Therefore, she only had her right o***y remaining, when we first met. Her AMH in 2022 was 1.6pmol/L.

■ Her 1st IVF was in a different centre, she made only two Day-2 embryos, which failed to implant.
■ Her 2nd IVF was with me in Sunfert@Bangsar South in May 2023. She made 4 blastocysts.
■ She wanted to accumulate embryos, due to her low ovarian reserve. So, they decided to do another IVF cycle.
■ In their 3rd IVF cycle, in July 2023, they made 7 blastocysts.
■ From their total of 11 blastocysts, they chose 5 blastocysts for PGTA.

● Her 1st frozen embryo transfer (FET) with a euploid embryo was in November 2023, she delivered her baby boy in July 2024.
● Her 2nd FET was in November 2025. Successful again, her current due date is in July 2026.

☆ We still have 1 euploid, 2 mosaic and 6 untested blastocysts frozen. A little too many? I absolutely agree 😁!

Congratulations Mum and Dad 🥳! We have pics with your parents and your baby boy when you visited us at Sunfert@Bangsar South after your son was born. Let's make new memories with your baby girl soon, ya 😃. Have a safe pregnancy and smooth delivery.

Mum's 40 years old, AMH of 1pmol/L, armed with determination and hope; it took this couple 6 IVF cycles in 3 different f...
06/01/2026

Mum's 40 years old, AMH of 1pmol/L, armed with determination and hope; it took this couple 6 IVF cycles in 3 different fertility clinics, to get here today.

Enjoy your pregnancy Mum and Dad, have a safe pregnancy and delivery. Enjoy the adventure ❤️!

PRP (platelet-rich plasma) is prepared from a small sample of a woman’s own blood and contains multiple growth factors t...
31/12/2025

PRP (platelet-rich plasma) is prepared from a small sample of a woman’s own blood and contains multiple growth factors that support healing and tissue health.

Ovarian PRP may help improve ovarian activity. It is being explored especially for women with low ovarian reserve, reduced ovarian function and premature ovarian failure.

Endometrial PRP is used to support the lining of the uterus. It may help the uterine lining become thicker and healthier, which is important for embryo implantation. It's role in thin endometrium and recurrent implantation failure is still being investigated.

While research is still ongoing, and results or outcomes are not guaranteed, PRP is seen as a promising and hopeful option for some patients facing fertility challenges.

This is a picture of a PRP sample we prepared at Sunfert@Bangsar South today, for a patient with thin endometrial lining.

Not everyone with infertility needs fertility treatment. This couple has been married since 2021. Wife is now 40 years o...
29/12/2025

Not everyone with infertility needs fertility treatment. This couple has been married since 2021. Wife is now 40 years old.

A scan with me at Sunfert@Bangsar South showed what looked like endometrial polyps in Mum's uterus. True enough, a hysteroscopic examination found polyps which were removed and, an abnormal endometrial lining which required prolonged progesterone treatment to correct it. This took several months, and a subsequent repeat hysteroscopic examination showed a normal uterine lining.

However, just 2 months after completion of her treatment for disordered endometrium, while we were preparing Mum for her IVF and frozen embryo transfer, she conceived spontaneously, all on her own 😄! And, it wasn't with just 1 baby, but with twins 👶 👶 !!!

Their due date is in August 2026. Hope all goes well for them 😃. Tahniah, Ibu dan Ayah.

An isthmocele (also called a cesarean scar defect or uterine niche) is a small pouch or indentation that can form in the...
24/12/2025

An isthmocele (also called a cesarean scar defect or uterine niche) is a small pouch or indentation that can form in the wall of the uterus, at the site of a previous caesarean section scar. It happens when the old scar doesn’t heal completely.

An isthmocele can impact IVF in several ways:
1. Fluid in the uterus - the pouch can collect blood or fluid, which may leak into the uterine cavity. This fluid can interfere with embryo implantation.

2. Inflammation
Trapped fluid or old blood can cause chronic inflammation of the uterine lining. Inflammation may reduce endometrial receptivity and impair embryo implantation.

Does an isthmocele always need treatment before IVF? It depends on the size and depth of the isthmocele and, whether fluid is seen within the uterine cavity.

Treatment may be considered if:
a. There is persistent uterine fluid during IVF cycles
b. There have been repeated implantation failures
c. The defect is large or symptomatic

The image shown is of an isthmocele in a retroverted uterus. The caesaran scar defect is large and there's fluid within the uterine cavity

Cutest Santarina ever ❤️!Merry Christmas & Happy New Year Mum & Dad, thank you for the lovely fruit box. And, Congratula...
24/12/2025

Cutest Santarina ever ❤️!
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year Mum & Dad, thank you for the lovely fruit box. And, Congratulations, you have a beautiful baby girl. Good job!

23/12/2025

This is what an embryo transfer in an anteverted uterus looks like on ultrasound. The whole process generally takes less than 10 minutes.

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Unit 2-2, Level 2, Nexus, 7 Jalan Kerinchi, Bangsar South
Kuala Lumpur
59200

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+60376228688

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