Once you realize your fertility journey is going to be a struggle, what are you supposed to do next? We spent some time talking with Dr. Emma Giuliani, MD from The Fertility Center, located in Grand Rapids, to get insight on where to start, options, and other resources.
Where to Start
Recognize when to seek help and don't wait too long.
Women ages 35 or above should seek intervention after 6 months of unsuccessful pregnancy attempts.
Women below age 35 should seek intervention between 6 - 12 months of unsuccessful pregnancy attempts.
Irregular periods are indicative of requiring intervention and do not need to follow the wait time guidelines.
You can self-refer or be referred by your OBGYN
The first steps after your initial consult will be to take a series of reproductive tests for both females and males seeking treatment.These tests look at hormone levels and reproductive anatomy structures.
Options for Men
Sperm count, motility (movement), and morphology (shape) are tested with a sperm sample. If a sample comes back irregular, another will be conducted to obtain an average.
For hormonal challenges such as testosterone, Chlomid is used for men in some cases.
Other options may involve surgical procedures for cases with structural concerns.
Recommended Books
It Starts with the Egg by Rebecca Fett
It Starts with the Egg Fertility Cookbook by Rebecca Fett
Bearing the Unbearable by Joanne Cacciatore and Jeffrey Rubin
The Underwear in My Shoe by Brett Russo
IVF A Detailed Guide by Bianca Smith
Fertility Treatment Options (Leased Expensive to Most)
Oral medication (Chlomid or Femara) with monitored cycles using ultrasounds and timed intercourse.
Oral medication with injectables to aid in ovulation with monitored cycles using ultrasounds and timed intercourse.
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) transfers the sperm into the uterus.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) takes an egg from the female or donor and fertilizes it in a lab. The fertilized embryo is then transferred to the uterus for implantation.
Common Road Blocks
Surgeries to remove a septum, polyps, or endometrial strip.These concerns would come out after the initial testing is completed.
Takeaways
You are not alone. Infertility is more prevalent than realized.
Reproduction is unfair for women given recent trends to wait to have children.
Take each process day-by-day.
The first attempt often does not work.
Roughly 3 months is the longest you should give a fertility treatment method before trying another.
Support is integral which includes family, friends, and a counselor.
The road to growing a family can be heartbreaking, but we hope you were able to take away one thing to help you on your journey. To watch the full interview, click here.
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