Starting the Journey

I’ve been in this business for 15yrs and recently I’ve become aware of the lack of good solid information for women dealing with conception issues.    

This video is targeted for the woman who are at the beginning point of understanding why they are not getting pregnant.

Generally, most women will go to their OB as their first step in identifying a potential fertility problem. 

Your OB is a great step if you are young (under the age of 34).

If you are “older” over the age of 35, your best step is to connect with a Reproductive Endocrinologist (RE) and bypass the OB.

If you are visiting an OB. I highly recommend you ask your OB to do the following:

  • Blood work to include FSH and AMH.  These are two very important hormones that can indicate your success in utilizing western medicine (IVF or IUI).  Most OB are thorough but some do not measure these important hormones.  Make sure to ask your OB to include this in the blood test, which is taken on day three of your cycle.  It’s very important information for you to have. 
  • Preforms an hysterosonogram – an ultrasound procedure to determine if there are any issues inside your uterus which would stop implantation of an embryo, such as fibroids, polyps and endometriosis. 
  • Rule out disorders related to thyroid, PCOS, diabetes, irregular cycles or ovulatory issues.

If your OB recommends any fertility drugs to you (such as clomid, follistim) make sure your doctor is monitoring your ovaries.  If your OB doesn’t monitor, be cautious of the following:

  • Using an over the counter fertility monitoring kit- it may not give you the correct results as fertility drugs can shift hormones, thus missing your window of opportunity to conceive. 
  • A follicle can develop into a cyst.  Cysts can cause your cycle to be irregular and create abdominal pain.
  • You may produce multiple follicles leading to multiple pregnancies.  Do you want more than one baby in the same pregnancy?
  • Is the follicle growing properly to the dose of drugs you are taking?

It is also critical to understand your insurance policy.  Does insurance count “medicate cycles” with your OB towards your fertility benefits? You would be surprised how fast fertility coverage can run out, leaving you to pick up big bill associated with IVF ($15,000 to $20,000). 

At this point, you will get a “diagnosis”.  Sometimes the diagnosis is very helpful.  Sometimes it’s not helpful at all. 

Watch my next video to recognize where to go next.    0