What To Expect From Your First Visit With An Infertility Doctor
If you've been trying to get pregnant for a year or more and have not yet been successful, it may be time to see an infertility doctor. Specifically, this type of doctor may be able to help diagnose any underlying medical conditions in either you or your partner that could be preventing you from getting pregnant. An infertility doctor can also assist with any number of treatment options, ranging from fertility medications to in-vitro fertilization and everything in between.
If you've already scheduled your first visit to an infertility clinic, you may be wondering what to expect. While all practices are different, there are a few things that will likely occur at your first appointment.
Review of Your History
If you were referred to an infertility doctor by your regular OBGYN, he or she has likely forwarded along all your relevant medical information and records for the doctor to review. At the beginning of your appointment, you will likely sit down with the doctor to discuss this information and discuss other important factors, such as how long you've been trying to get pregnant.
Blood Testing
Your doctor will also be likely to order blood testing to check for a number of different hormone levels in your body. Even if this testing was already done by your OBGYN in the past, your doctor will probably want to re-do the testing for more up-to-date numbers. Specifically, your blood test results could indicate hormonal deficiencies or abnormalities that could be contributing to your infertility.
Referral for a Sperm Analysis
If you have a male partner with whom you're trying to conceive, it is likely that your doctor will also order a sperm analysis for him. This is standard protocol for infertility analysis and will help to determine whether the infertility factor lies within you, your partner, or a combination thereof.
Transvaginal Ultrasound
Finally, it is possible that your doctor will want to perform a transvaginal ultrasound during your first appointment. This can help to identify blockages in the fallopian tubes, as well as signs of other conditions that could affect your fertility (such as polycystic ovarian syndrome). These ultrasounds can also be used to monitor your body's production of follicles and eggs around ovulation time if you are ovulating.
Seeing an infertility doctor for the first time can be stressful, but this is an important step to receiving the treatment that may help you conceive. Contact a medical office like Women's Care Inc for more information and assistance.