Trying to conceive?

Some women are concerned that they may not be able to get pregnant. With all the scary statistics online these days, it’s easy to panic. If you’ve been trying without success for at least a year, consider getting an infertility evaluation. Discovering a problem could be the key to your success. Think of it this way: A good quality sperm has to travel through a fallopian tube to meet a good quality egg, form an embryo, and grow into a baby in the womb. All 4 areas must be investigated

1. Good quality sperm: this requires the man to give a semen sample to be tested.
2. Fallopian tube: is it open? A test called a Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) will check to see if both fallopian tubes are open. Sometimes if a woman has had an STD or other infection, this could block her tubes.
3. Good quality egg: this is done by a blood test during the first week of the menstrual cycle. If you have periods like clockwork every 28 days, there is a good chance you have good quality eggs.
4. Womb: this is also called the uterus . An saline-ultrasound or hysteroscopy can check for a normal shape of the womb where the baby is going to implant.

Keep in mind that 40% of infertility is due to female factor, 40% is due to male factor, and 20% is just unexplained. It is important not to start any formal treatment until you have had a proper evaluation by your gynecologist or fertility specialist. The good news is that many problems discovered during fertility testing can be overcome. Of course, younger age is always an advantage! Don’t delay.