When Pregnancy Doesn't Come Easy ...

You’re not alone

Approximately one in every eight couples struggle with getting pregnant or sustaining a pregnancy. For those trying to start a family, there is help.

We care for the whole patient, not just the physical body. We want patients to understand that we’re here to care for both their physical and emotional needs and help their family through the diagnostic and treatment process.

When should you see a reproductive health specialist? 

The general recommendation is to see a specialist if you have been attempting pregnancy for a year without success, it really depends on the age of the hopeful mother.

I would encourage women who are older to seek care a little bit sooner. As most people know, it gets harder to become pregnant as you age. And so, if you are under 35 and have been trying for a year and have not conceived, it’s time to be evaluated. If you are 35, you should probably consider evaluation around six months. If you’re closer to 39 or 40 years old, we would urge you to consider evaluation after three months.

Evaluating fertility

An evaluation begins by looking at three key components of pregnancy:

1. Hormones of the female patient
2. Anatomic evaluation of the female patient, (uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries)
3. Semen analysis

Getting an evaluation begins what may be a long journey with a team of experts working toward one goal. The most important part is to take the first step.

The longer you wait, the more complicated achieving a pregnancy could become. It’s always very sad to me when someone comes into the office and says they’ve been trying to have a baby for 8 or 10 years. That’s a long time to struggle, and it could potentially put you at a disadvantage when you wait that long. Take the first step. We’ll walk you through it and hold your hand. You can’t get to the other side until you get to the first appointment.

You do not need a referral from your OB/GYN provider to speak with a Methodist Reproductive Health Specialist. Learn more about fertility services by calling 402-815-1915.