seeking help for infertility

If you have been trying to conceive with no luck for more than 12 months, you deserve a lot of credit for persevering and for your determination to have a child. But it may be time to look for support. For women 35 or older, it’s recommended you try to get pregnant for a maximum of six months on your own before checking in with your healthcare provider.

Trying for too long on your own can lead to frustration, anxiety and stress which may only make it more difficult to conceive. You can spend many more months trying in earnest to get pregnant, but no amount of determination or hope will help if there is an underlying medical reason for your inability to conceive after this time.

Seeking help for infertility will likely be one of the hardest steps you’ll take along your fertility journey, but also one of the most important. With the inevitable effects of age on fertility, the earlier you seek help the better your chances of realizing your dream of having a child. So who should you go see for support? Couples will often turn to their obstetrician/gynecologist (Ob/Gyn) for initial fertility support when they’re having trouble conceiving. This may or may not be the healthcare provider who ultimately diagnoses and treats your condition, but consulting a doctor you’re comfortable with is a good place to start.

Whoever you see, don’t feel shy about asking your healthcare provider about his or her expertise in the area of infertility, since some healthcare providers have more experience than others. You should feel assured that you’re getting the most current and accurate information to get you moving along your journey to pregnancy as soon as possible.

Depending on his or her level of expertise and the issue that’s preventing you from getting pregnant, your Ob/Gyn may recommend you see a fertility specialist. If you’re advised to consult a specialist, you may start to feel scared, hopeless, exposed or anxious. It can feel like you’re entering into a world of unknowns, and getting pregnant, which should be so intimate, so personal, suddenly becomes clinical and public. Try not to be discouraged. Remember, one out of every eight couples will experience fertility problems,¹ and a fertility specialist will only help you achieve your dream of having a child sooner.