Gynecology & Obstetrics
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-0932
ISSN: 2161-0932
Johannes van Waart
South African Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, South Africa
Keynote: Gynecol Obstet (Sunnyvale)
Fertility and pregnancy in the later years of female life (especially in the peri-and post-menopause) poses unique challenges to the clinician and the patient. Although, with the help of donor oocytes, pregnancy is still possible in these later years, the ethical and clinical challenges need to be carefully considered by an expert team consisting of a fertility specialist, a physician and a psychologist working in the reproductive field. A joint decision by this team and the patient can pave the way for successful pregnancy. A thorough health check, a complete socio-economic evaluation of the instructing parent/s, Single Embryo Transfer (SET), female upper age cut off of 50 years and careful consideration of the rights of the unborn child forms the basis of such a decision. The ASRM 2016 guidelines are very helpful in this decision making. An overview, with reference to the African context, as well as two brief case reports will be discussed.
Johannes van Waart matriculated at Oudtshoorn High School in 1978. He completed his BSc and MSc in Nuclear Physics at University of Stellenbosch. He worked as a Senior Scientist at Atomic Energy Corporation in Pretoria from 1984-1988. He completed two years of compulsory military training at the School of Engineers in Kroonstad. He started his medical studies at University of Stellenbosch and completed his MBChB in 1994. He worked in the UK for six months and returned to RSA to work as a Medical Officer until 1997. He started as a Registrar in the Department of O+G at the Tygerberg Hospital and completed his MMed/FCOG (SA) in 2001. He joined private practice in Stellenbosch and lectured part time at University of Stellenbosch Medical School. He completed his fellowship in Reproductive Medicine in 2007 and started the Wijnland Fertility Unit in 2010. During his career, he authored and co-authored 19 national and international publications and has given numerous talks at national and international congresses. He is the current Secretary of the South African Menopause Society (SAMS) and served on the South African Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (SASOG) since 2012, currently serving as the SASOG President (2015-2018). He is currently pursuing one year Post-graduate Diploma in Business Management and Administration at the University of Stellenbosch Business School.