Our Approach to Complex Family Planning & Birth Control
Montefiore Einstein Complex Family Planning is an internationally recognized leader, providing comprehensive, state-of-the-art gynecologic, family planning and reproductive health services for women seeking care to plan a pregnancy, prevent pregnancy, experiencing pregnancy loss or facing abnormal or unplanned pregnancies, including those with high-risk or medically complex conditions. Our multidisciplinary team includes world-renowned, double board certified physicians in obstetrics and gynecology and complex family planning who collaborate closely with specialists in maternal-fetal medicine, reproductive genetics, reproductive endocrinology and infertility, cardiology, classical hematology, oncology and other specialties to provide seamless, coordinated care for early pregnancies, whether planned or unplanned.
Patients have access to the full spectrum of modern family planning services and reproductive options for pregnancy prevention, including all Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved long-acting reversible contraceptives, permanent methods of contraception and options that also address heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain and premenstrual symptoms. Our specialists provide sensitive, compassionate care for patients experiencing pregnancy loss, including medical and surgical management, counseling and supportive resources. For individuals who choose to terminate a pregnancy—including those with complex medical conditions and fetal anomalies—we offer both medical and surgical options, along with compassionate bereavement support.
Every care plan is individualized based on a comprehensive assessment of the patient’s medical history, overall health, reproductive goals, lifestyle and individual preferences. We specialize in the evaluation and treatment of individuals with the most complex reproductive health conditions, including advanced management of contraceptive complications. Our team delivers compassionate, expert support across every stage of care—from initial consultation and counseling through treatment and long-term follow-up—empowering individuals to make informed decisions aligned with their reproductive health and family planning needs. We remain committed to expanding access to care, enhancing safety and optimizing reproductive health outcomes for all individuals. We provide pregnancy cessation care in a compassionate, nonjudgmental environment.
Advanced Diagnostics & Treatments
We specialize in caring for all women, including those with the most medically and surgically complex conditions, such as underlying genetic disorders, cardiovascular disease, bleeding and clotting disorders, organ transplants, cancer and neurologic, endocrine or autoimmune conditions. Using the most advanced diagnostics and treatments, we work closely with each patient to determine the safest and most effective approach to contraception, pregnancy prevention, pregnancy loss intervention or pregnancy termination. Our multidisciplinary approach includes close collaboration with specialists in women’s health, such as reproductive endocrinology and infertility, gynecologic oncology, cardiology, classical hematology, oncology and other specialty disciplines to ensure the highest quality, coordinated care.
We offer the full spectrum of modern family planning and reproductive health services, including care for individuals from our local communities and across the country who are seeking to prevent pregnancy, experiencing pregnancy loss or navigating abnormal, unintended, unplanned or high-risk pregnancies. Every treatment plan is tailored to support informed decision-making, minimize risk, prioritize a woman’s decisions and optimize outcomes.
Our team provides specialized care across a broad range of reproductive health needs, including:
- Advanced laboratory testing
- Coagulation profiles
- Hormonal and endocrine evaluation
- Other targeted tests to inform contraceptive and reproductive care planning
- Comprehensive medical evaluation
- 3D and 4D pelvic and obstetrical ultrasounds for the evaluation of uterine anomalies, fibroids or early pregnancy complications, and detailed fetal imaging
- Barrier methods
- Condoms
- Diaphragms
- Emergency contraception
- Morning-after pill
- Hormonal methods
- Birth control patches
- Depo-Provera injections
- Oral contraceptives (birth control pills)
- Vaginal contraceptive rings
- Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC)
- Contraceptive implants
- Intrauterine devices (IUDs)
- Permanent sterilization
- Tubal ligation
- Expectant management
- Natural passage of pregnancy tissue
- Medical management
- Medications such as misoprostol and mifepristone
- Specialized surgical techniques
- Advanced care for medically complex or surgically challenging cases
- Surgical management
- Dilation and evacuation
- Uterine aspiration
We offer medical care and counseling before a first pregnancy and between pregnancies—particularly after experiencing a previous pregnancy with complications, loss or adverse outcomes—to support safe, healthy future pregnancies.
- Adjunct and specialized surgical techniques
- Advanced care for medically complex or surgically challenging cases, including accreta, blood dyscrasias and fetal anomalies
- Use of advanced, image-guided techniques to optimize safe outcomes
- Labor induction termination
- Uterotonic agents such as misoprostol, mifepristone or oxytocin
- Medical management
- Medications such as misoprostol, mifepristone
- Surgical management
- Dilation and evacuation
- Suction aspiration
Our comprehensive counseling services help and empower individuals to assess risks and make informed decisions about their reproductive health and family planning. We offer individualized guidance across a wide range of needs, including:
- Contraceptive counseling
- Fertility planning
- Genetic counseling
- Elective diagnostic counseling (available for individuals who seek definitive prenatal diagnosis regardless of screening outcomes)
- Family history review
- Personalized risk assessment
- Psychosocial support
- Reproductive planning
- Post-termination counseling
- Pregnancy options counseling
- Pregnancy loss counseling
- Reproductive health education
Research & Clinical Trials
We are leading collaborative research and spearheading numerous studies and clinical trials, including several funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Through our clinical trials, our patients can access emerging technologies, innovative treatments and novel contraceptive techniques that may otherwise be unavailable to the general public.
Our research focuses on translational, educational and clinical interventions that address fertility choices, contraceptive applications, management of pregnancy loss and selective termination.
Montefiore Einstein has been selected by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) as a member of the Contraceptive Clinical Trials Network (CCTN) to help develop new methods of female and male contraception. We are leading innovative research and clinical trials—from evaluating the contraceptive efficacy and safety of a novel transdermal delivery system and assessing the safety of an investigational nonhormonal vaginal contraceptive, to optimizing the generation of monoclonal antibodies for the prevention and treatment of the herpes simplex virus. (The Herold Lab)
Care Navigation & Support Services
Whether you are planning your first pregnancy, navigating a complex medical condition or recovering from a pregnancy loss, our world-renowned team at Montefiore Einstein Complex Family Planning is here to provide you with exceptional support, care and resources tailored to your needs.
Our full-service Center offers a comprehensive range of traditional and holistic care across the complete spectrum of reproductive health—from screening, prevention and diagnosis to care and recovery. This includes social and support services, genetic counseling and education, care navigation, counseling and wellness services and other personalized programs designed to meet the unique needs of each individual. Our team of compassionate and deeply knowledgeable doctors, nurses, specialists and support staff is dedicated to helping you at every step of your reproductive journey.
Your Complex Family Planning Team
Antoinette A. Danvers, MD, MBA
Elizabeth P. Gurney, MD
Wendy K. Leung, MD, MPH
Susan E. Pesci, MD
Melissa L. Wong, MD
Monica V. Dragoman, MD
Our multidisciplinary team includes world-renowned, double board certified physicians in obstetrics and gynecology and complex family planning who specialize in caring for women seeking to prevent pregnancy, experiencing pregnancy loss or facing abnormal or unplanned pregnancies. We are committed to enhancing safety and optimizing the reproductive health outcomes for all individuals, including those with complex medical needs.