When is it Time to See a Fertility Specialist?

One in eight couples has difficulty in getting or staying pregnant. If you’re having trouble starting a family, you are not alone. Know there are options and help available to you and your partner.

Here’s what you should know about when it’s time to see a fertility specialist and the key questions you should ask them.

The 4 Reasons You Should Seek Help

If you’re experiencing fertility issues, seeking a fertility clinic that offers personal specialists is a great path to pursue. But of course, identifying fertility issues can be challenging.

Here are four common signs that indicate you should seek the help of a fertility specialist:

You’ve Had More than One Miscarriage

Miscarriages can happen for the following reasons:

• The fertilized egg fails to develop normally. This often occurs when the egg or sperm carries chromosome abnormalities.
  
• The egg does not implant properly in the uterus or has structural defects.

• Health conditions, such as diabetes and thyroid disorders. These conditions can lead to abnormal conception and pregnancy.

If you’ve had more than one miscarriage, reach out to a specialist who can monitor your health during conception. They can identify underlying conditions you should be aware of.

You’ve Been Trying to Conceive for a Long Time

What is considered a “long time” depends on your age:

• You are under 35 and have been trying to get pregnant for more than a year. It generally takes five to six months to conceive, so if it’s been more than a year, it’s time to contact a fertility specialist who can discuss your experience and guide you on next steps.
  
• You are over 35 and have been trying to conceive for more than 6 months. As women get older, their egg quantity and quality can decline, making the chances of miscarriage higher. A fertility specialist can walk you through options such as IVF.
  
• You are 40 or over. If you fall in this age range, you are at a high risk of having a miscarriage or stillbirth. As women age, they have higher chances of getting health conditions, such as high blood pressure and heart disease. These conditions can be harmful to pregnancy. We recommend you seek the advice of a fertility specialist if you are 40 or over.
  

You Have a Chronic Medical Condition

As we indicated earlier, chronic medical conditions can inhibit a healthy conception and pregnancy. The most common medical condition is thyroid problems. Up to 60 percent of women who have thyroid disease are not aware they have it.

If you have thyroid or other chronic medical conditions, speak to a fertility specialist. They can work with you on monitoring your health and help promote a healthy pregnancy.

You Have No or Irregular Periods

Having no, irregular, or heavy periods can indicate a fertility problem.

• No periods can mean you aren’t ovulating (ovulation is required for fertilization).
• Irregular periods can mean you have a hormonal imbalance or ovulation issues.
• Heavy periods can indicate uterine or endocrine abnormality.

You can speak with a specialist about these issues to assess next steps.

Meeting with a Fertility Specialist

As every person and family has unique needs and circumstances, there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to building a family. Therefore, a fertility specialist or coach offers the individualized care you deserve.

What to Expect

Here’s what you can expect when seeing a fertility specialist:

• Expertise: A fertility specialist has the required credentials to answer your questions and guide you through options. At Future Family, all our fertility coaches are registered nurses (RNs). They will debrief you after doctor visits and personalize your care, explaining all options available to you.
  
• Compassion: A fertility coach offers you and your partner support and compassion. Alternative fertility options, like IVF, are big commitments; you want to make sure you’re working towards the best outcome. A fertility specialist will ensure everything (your doctor appointments and treatments) goes smoothly.
  
• A plan: Based on your labwork, a fertility specialist will be able to offer you personalized options and possible next steps to help you move forward on your fertility journey.
  

For more information, learn about how fertility coaches can improve your IVF experience.

6 Key Questions to Ask Your Fertility Specialist

During your first meeting with your fertility specialist, you’ll discuss your needs, conditions, and options. It can feel overwhelming going into this initial meeting, so to help you prepare and feel more comfortable, below are some key questions to ask your coach. These questions are intended to initiate honest conversations that can strengthen your relationship with your specialist and steer you in the right direction.  

• Based on our history, what are our chances of getting pregnant?
• What are the tests/procedures required in the conception process? How long will it take?
• How and when can I contact you if I need anything?
• How often should we meet/have a call?
• What resources do you recommend my partner and I look into to help us avoid misleading information?
• Can you kindly provide an outline as well as timeline of our options and treatment plans and what we can expect?

Future Family Is Here to Help

At Future Family, we are proud to work with fertility specialists and clinics across the U.S. to offer their patients financing so they can move forward with their fertility treatments like IVF or egg freezing. If you have questions on next steps please email us directly at info@futurefamily.com or apply to one of our loans at www.futurefamily.com.