Dr. Thomas Hilgers: Internationally Recognized Reproductive-Health Specialist

Omaha Magazine
By Maureen O’Halloran Clark
July/August 2007

Baby photos fill the “Miracle Baby Hall of Fame” at Pope Paul VI Institute for the Study of Human Reproduction, located in Omaha. These photos cover four bulletin boards and have spilled over to include four photo albums. The babies were born to patients, the majority of whom had had problems with reproductive illness, including infertility and miscarriage. The Institute’s patients come from all over the United States.

One such patient is Cherie Curtin, 39, of Albuquerque, New Mexico. She and her husband tried to conceive a child for over five years before seeking help from Dr. Thomas Hilgers, the Institute’s director. An ultrasound examination and a laparoscopy revealed an ovarian cyst, an enlarged ovary and endometriosis. During the laparoscopy, Hilgers removed the endometriosis. Before he could schedule more extensive surgery, Cherie became pregnant. Unfortunately, the baby was lost through miscarriage. After additional surgery, Cherie felt significantly better and the couple conceived again. Hilgers comments, “All infertility is the result of underlying disease.” He diagnoses and then treats that disease.

Because Hilgers has had success in preventing miscarriages as well, Cherie is seeing her obstetrician in Albuquerque and being monitored by Hilgers. Every two weeks, she has blood drawn and sent to Pope Paul VI’s reproductive hormone laboratory, which is certified for interstate commerce. The Institute checks her hormone levels and then she receives injections as needed.

Hilgers is also a clinical professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Creighton University School of Medicine. In addition, he is a diplomat of the American Board of Laser Surgery and a member of the Society of Reproductive Surgeons. He has spent 30 years researching and treating the underlying factors which contribute to reproductive-health problems including infertility, miscarriage, premature births, PMS, abnormal bleeding, and post-partum depression.

He has published this information in a textbook for medical professionals, “The Medical & Surgical Practice of NaProTECHNOLOGY ®” (Natural Procreative Technology). This medical practice, developed by Hilgers, combines state-of-the-art technology with the Creighton Model FertilityCareTM System (CrMS). Also developed by Hilgers, CrMS is a system of charting which enables women to daily observe and chart their reproductive cycles. CrMS is taught by over 1000 teachers in this country and overseas.

When viewing charts, he can recognize specific problems. He explains, “The Creighton Model FertilityCareTM System is the foundational family planning system to NaProTECHNOLOGY. It allows us to identify certain types of biomarkers which are extremely helpful to looking at different problems related to reproduction. It can also be used to assist the couple in managing their fertility from a family planning point of view.”

First, patients are asked to chart for two months or two cycles. Along with that, they have ten to twelve blood samples taken in a month. Hilgers explains, “We obtain a targeted hormone evaluation within the cycle so that we can assess the hormones at the time of ovulation and during the post-ovulation period.”

Next, patients have ultrasound examinations at the Institute’s ultrasound center. Finally, Hilgers may do a diagnostic laparoscopy. He has also fine-tuned procedures to check and unblock fallopian tubes. It is not uncommon for him to find that patients with histories of infertility or miscarriage have multiple factors that contribute to their reproductive-health ailments.

In 30 years, Hilgers has trained over 300 physicians in the U.S. and around the world in the use of CrMS and NaProTECHNOLOGY. Physicians come for two, separate, week-long sessions. Creighton University School of Medicine gives continuing education credits to participating physicians. Those credits are recognized by the American Medical Association, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Dr. Cherie LeFevre, an obstetrician-gynecologist from St. Louis, attended the training in Omaha this year. She appreciates Hilgers’ approach to medicine because he “looks for the causes” of reproductive-health problems. She says NaProTECHNOLOGY is based on “sound medical evidence,” and that he has “good reproducible data from years and years of experience.” Another attendee, Dr. James D. Long, an OB-GYN from Pennsylvania, agreed. He also explained, “Once you correct the underlying problem, then a woman can use her fertility once or however many times she wants … and she is healthier.” He added that he is not a Catholic, but that “many people of faith appreciate this system, not just those of the Catholic faith.” OB-GYNs attended from other states, as well as from Switzerland, Ireland, and Canada.

Dr. Catherine Keefe, who finished her OB-GYN residency and is completing a one-year fellowship with Hilgers, says, “NaProTECHNOLOGY enables women to be involved in their own care. It is good medicine and it allows me to practice in harmony with my Catholic faith.”

Cherie Curtin reports, “The baby I am carrying is due to be born in September. We will definitely send Dr. Hilgers a newborn photo!” Hilgers’ response? “What a gift from God - another miracle!”

Article text © 2007 Maureen O'Halloran Clark. All rights reserved.