Camilla Hersh's Schools

• University of Michigan , Class of 1976 Bachelors Received a B.S. in Biomedical Science

Camilla Hersh's Publications

• Women’s Fertility Issues by Dr. Camilla Hersh , Dr. Camilla Hersh's Blog on Bigsight June, 2011 Virginia Women’s Health Associates offers treatments covering the full spectrum of health issues throughout our patients’ lives. Our commitment to quality care extends to gynecology, obstetrics, and infertility treatments. Infertility problems are common among those who have tried for a year or more to get pregnant without success. Age is an important indicator of fertility: women reach peak fertility in their mid 20s, after which fertility gradually declines. Women under the age of 30 may simply want to give themselves more time to get pregnant. The years between 35 to 40 entail a fourfold decrease in chances of conception, and a corresponding increase in miscarriages and certain genetic problems. For this reason, women in their mid 30s and especially those over the age of 35 may want to seek professional assistance sooner than later. Approximately 50 percent of infertility cases include an issue with the woman’s reproductive system. These situations commonly involve the fallopian tubes, the uterus, or the ability to ovulate. The fallopian tubes provide the pathway for the released eggs to travel toward the uterus, and are where fertilization generally occurs. After fertilization, the egg continues to the uterus where it implants and develops as an embryo. In cases where the fallopian tubes are blocked with scar tissue from conditions such as pelvic inflammatory disease, a woman may be unable to conceive without the assistance of advanced infertility treatments. Common complications with the uterus include uterine polyps, which are abnormal growths in the uterine lining; uterine fibroids, non-cancerous tumors in the uterine muscles; and intrauterine adhesions that involve scar tissue within the uterine cavity. Ovulation problems, often involving irregular development of mature eggs, may also cause infertility and are often treatable with hormones. Approximately 35 percent of infertility issues are due to lowered sperm count and other problems in the male reproductive system. A very small percentage of infertility cases are caused by exposure the medicine diethylstilbestrol (DES), which was prescribed to women prior to 1971 as a way of reducing the risk of miscarriage or premature delivery. Doctors quit prescribing DES due to increased chances of those exposed to DES in the womb would develop cervical cancer and problematic reproductive issues. The remaining 10 percent of infertility cases have unknown causes despite comprehensive testing. About the author: Dr. Camilla Hersh serves the Washington, D.C., area as Medical Director of Virginia Women’s Health Associates and Virginia Cosmetic Laser & MediSpa. She has been recognized every year by Washingtonian magazine’s Top Obstetrician and Gynecologist list since 2002.

• Frequently Asked Questions About Preterm Birth Prepared by the Office of the Virginia Women’s Health Associates , Camilla Hersh's Blog on Bigsight August, 2011 Headquartered in Reston, the Virginia Women’s Health Associates offers a variety of obstetrics and gynecology services and treatment options ranging from contraception counseling and cervical cancer screenings to prenatal and perinatal care and support. Clinic founder Dr. Camilla Hersh heads operations at Virginia Women’s Health Associates, serving as the President and Medical Director of the institution. Dr. Camilla Hersh answered the following commonly asked questions about premature labor and its implications for the mother and the baby. Q: What is premature labor and what causes it to occur? Hersh: A premature birth typically results when the mother enters labor between the 20th and the 37th weeks of pregnancy. Normal full-term pregnancies do not occur until between the 37th and the 42nd weeks of pregnancy. In roughly one in three incidents of premature labor, the reasons for its occurrence remain a mystery. However, some typical causes include infection of the uterus, pregnancies involving more than one fetus, early separation of the placenta and the uterus (known as placenta abruptio), uterine anomalies, previous cervical trauma, smoking and use of recreational drugs or alcohol. Q: What risks does a premature birth pose to the mother and baby? Hersh: The earlier the mother goes into labor, the greater the chances for complications and problems with the baby. The majority of infants born prior to the 24th week of pregnancy do not survive. Those born between weeks 24 and 32 of pregnancy, and those with extremely low birth weights around 1.7 pounds, face high risk for long-term disabilities such as developmental disorders and cerebral palsy. Most infants born after the 32nd week of pregnancy have high survival rates and low risks of disability. Q: How can an expectant mother prevent a premature birth? Hersh: Because the causes of preterm labor are often unknown or unidentified, even mothers with seemingly healthy pregnancies stand a chance of giving birth prematurely. Mothers who have gone into premature labor before have higher risks of doing so again and after evaluation may want to consider specialized progesterone treatments. We at Virginia Women’s Health Associates believe if the mother maintains a healthy pregnancy routine, she significantly lessens her risk of going into preterm labor. If the expectant mother experiences contractions of four or more in 20 minutes, or eight or more in 60 minutes, prior to her 37th week of pregnancy, she can do a few things immediately to try to stop the contractions. After first calling her physician, several suggested methods of decreasing uterine activity include emptying out the bladder and lying on the left side for an hour or more, and hydrating with two or three glasses of water or juice. If contractions become more frequent within the hour, she should contact her physician again or go directly to the hospital.

• How to become involved in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure , Camilla Hersh's Blog on Bigsight September, 2011 As a member of the Reston, Virginia, community, Dr. Camilla Hersh treats many patients through Virginia Women’s Health Associates, the clinic of which she is the President, Medical Director, and Founder. In the summer of 2011, Dr. Hersh and the clinic supported the Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure in Washington, D.C. The 2012 national race, which will occur on June 2 in Washington, D.C., offers an opportunity for individuals from all over the country to show their support for breast cancer survivors and raise funds to support treatments, screening, and education programs. posted at haircuttery.com There are numerous ways to participate in the Race for the Cure. The easiest way is to run or walk one of two routes (a mile-long course or a five-kilometer one). Those who cannot attend the actual race can take part in Sleep for the Cure, and raise money by lazing the day away. Parents can also register their children for Kids for the Cure, which offers a shorter course and numerous activities to participate. The organizers of the race also invite individuals to volunteer behind the scenes, which includes managing registration, coordinating with vendors and sponsors, and setting up the course, among others. Most (75 percent) of the income generated from the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure stays in Washington, D.C., and supports breast cancer education programs, treatments, and screening in a partnership with the National Capital Area Grants Program. The other 25 percent goes straight to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Global Promise Fund. One of the most enjoyable ways to support the Race for the Cure is to start a team that walks or runs together during the event and combines fundraising efforts. An official team can include just two individuals, or as many as you can recruit. For more information about the 2012 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, or to register as the Team Captain of an official team, visit the organization’s website at GlobalRace.info-Komen.org.

• Prenatal Care: Fetal Ultrasounds From the Offices of Dr. Camilla Hersh , Dr. Camilla Hersh's Blog on Bigsight January, 2012 Practicing obstetrics and gynecology for over 25 years at the Reston, Virginia-based Virginia Women’s Health Associates, an organization she founded in 1992, Dr. Camilla Hersh currently offers her patients a wide range of gynecologic and obstetric services. These include prenatal care, contraception and nutrition counseling, cancer screening, and treatment for high-risk pregnancies, among others. Here, Dr. Hersh explains the mechanics and purpose of fetal ultrasounds. posted at ultrasoundtraining.com Public domain Utilizing high-frequency sound waves, fetal ultrasounds, or sonograms, produce pictures of an unborn baby. These images help healthcare providers to check the baby’s size and development, determine its sex, and identify many potential problems as the pregnancy progresses. Fetal ultrasounds can also show parents the baby’s heartbeat and profile. Most women receive a fetal ultrasound in their first trimester to confirm pregnancy and give a more accurate due date. In the second trimester, a fetal ultrasound is performed to check development and possibly identify the baby’s sex. Some doctors prefer to offer more frequent fetal ultrasounds, and in the case of more complicated or risky pregnancies, they are a common tool to confirm that all is well or to monitor for potential problems. During a fetal ultrasound, the provider checks the baby’s age and size, making sure that it is growing at the expected rate. The technician also examines the placenta, looking for signs that the baby is receiving proper nutrition and blood flow. Ultrasounds can also highlight fetal abnormalities, allowing the doctor to perform early interventions. Finally, if a woman is experiencing complications like bleeding, doctors may use an ultrasound to look for possible causes. Generally, fetal ultrasounds are very safe and have not been shown to have negative effects on either mother or baby. However, most doctors recommend caution and only use fetal ultrasounds when necessary for medical reasons.

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