Whether you are just now beginning to think about starting a family or you have been trying to get pregnant for more than a year, be sure to schedule an appointment to talk to your gynecologist about family planning, tips to conceive, or possible infertility concerns. Most OB/GYNs will tell you that the initial conversation about getting pregnant plays a significant role in ensuring a healthy pregnancy…
GIVE YOUR DOCTOR A HEADS-UP
Make sure that you tell the staff that you want to schedule an appointment to specifically talk about family planning or your infertility concerns. If you try to sneak in the discussion during your annual exam, your doctor may not have enough time available to fully discuss your concerns or address your questions.
INCLUDE YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER
Invite your partner to join you for this important consultation. It makes sense to have your significant other there, since the issue will impact both of you. Your partner may have additional questions or concerns and your gynecologist can provide information to both of you at the same time. If your partner cannot make it to the appointment, perhaps he/she would be available by cell phone to listen in on the conversation. If your partner is not available to attend the consultation with you, make sure you jot down any questions your partner may want you to ask.
TOPICS OF DISCUSSION
There are several specific topics that you may want to discuss during a family planning or an initial infertility consultation, such as:
- What lifestyle changes should you consider? You might want to discuss healthy eating habits or exercise programs. In addition, you should talk about the impact of alcohol and caffeine on your fertility, along with the effects of both on the fetus once you conceive.
- What supplements should you take and when? For example, doctors typically recommend that women take a folic acid supplement before they start trying to get pregnant. A multivitamin is often recommended while you are trying to conceive and throughout pregnancy.
- Will any medications that you or your partner are taking impact fertility or your planned pregnancy? While many medications are considered safe and have no impact on fertility, there are some that should not be taken while trying to conceive. Some medications impact the fertility of both men AND women. Even your allergy medication may affect your fertility, so give the doctor a complete list of any and all medications that you and your partner are taking. Of course, do not stop taking any medication without a doctor’s approval as some medications should not be stopped without a methodical weaning process or without a replacement drug.
- Talk to your doctor about any symptoms you may have, even if they might be embarrassing to mention. If you have any symptoms related to infertility, such as vaginal discharge, heavy or extremely painful periods, irregular periods, no periods, or unwanted facial hair, let your gynecologist know. Have the dates of your last six to eight periods available, especially if you have already been trying to conceive for at least six months or if your cycles are irregular. If your partner has erectile dysfunction, tell your doctor. This information will help the doctor determine any potential problems upfront.
- It is also important to note that sometimes the cause of infertility is related to a hormonal imbalance that also causes weight gain. If you resolve this imbalance, chances are much better that you can lose weight, positively impacting your chances of getting pregnant. Your doctor may need to perform blood testing or a physical exam before making a diagnosis or referring you to a fertility specialist.
DON’T DELAY
If you have been trying to get pregnant for twelve months or more, it is definitely time to see a reproductive specialist. In fact, if you are older than 35 and have been trying for at least six months, make an appointment right away, even if you aren’t experiencing any of the symptoms of infertility. Don’t put off making an appointment or getting the appropriate testing as infertility can get worse over time, depending on the cause.
If you are having trouble getting pregnant, consider making an appointment with a reproductive specialist soon. If you live in southeastern Texas, call our compassionate staff at the Center of Reproductive Medicine (CORM) today. Our highly trained specialists will work with you to diagnosis the cause of your infertility and help you determine the fertility treatment program that is best for you.