Fertility Info

You could be on the point of seeing the doctor hoping to find out why you and your partner haven’t been able to have a baby even though you’ve been trying for almost a year. Maybe it seems easier to go on in the bliss of ignorance for a little longer. Anyhow, with this list of what you and your partner can anticipate at your first fertility consultation you have no reason to procrastinate any longer.

This is what the doctor will want to ask about.

• At what age did you start puberty? For the women, even though you would probably like to forget that day, you must try and recall when your periods started. Delayed or premature puberty may be indications of a problem.
• Any health issues you have at the moment or that you have had in the past are important. That includes childhood illnesses such as mumps, diabetes, acne – anything! The sickness itself or even the medication for the illness could influence your fertility negatively.
• Have you ever had any surgery at all? Tooth extractions, appendectomy, tonsillectomy – again, anything!
• Any chronic medication (prescription or not)? Ever taken chronic medication previously? Try to recall any supplements or vitamins as well.
• At what age did you lose your virginity? Have you been with many sexual partners? Ever been infected with any STDs? STDs could bring about infertility and if girls become sexually active before 18 years old their cervical wellbeing can also be affected.

For the ladies:

• Women only: How is your menstruation? Predictable or unpredictable? Long or not? Very heavy or rather light bleeding? Severe cramps?
• On average how many times a week do you do the baby dance? It’s clear that not doing it often enough can be a problem, but doing it too frequently can reduce the quantity of sperm.
• How does your sexual intercourse correlate with the woman’s fertile times? This is to confirm that you are having sex close to or during ovulation.
• Have you already had a baby or become pregnant before? It sounds like an odd thing to ask but from time to time couples do battle the second time around. Also, a history of miscarriages might also suggest a problem.
• What intimacy enhancing products (i.e. lubricant or vibrators) do you make use of? (If any.) Some lubricants are hostile to sperm – hence the awkward questions.
• Do you or your partner have any sexual problems? Failure to reach orgasm? Vaginal dryness? Discomfort? Problems getting an erection? Yup, it becomes rather delicate – but your doctor needs to know everything to make a precise diagnosis.

You may not be feeling too stable after such a grilling, but your specialist will also want to know how you are coping psychologically. Keep in mind though, now is not the occasion to be shy, if you haven’t revealed all of these with your partner in the past, it could be a wise idea to share before you get to the specialist so that there are no painful surprises in the doctor’s room!

Your doctor will probably also do a thorough physical examination, which includes an internal for the ladies. It might seem like a huge amount all at once, but it’s a good idea to try and remember that the specialist only wants to help, and that internal exams are part of the process. Trust me, when you are in labor at some point you’ll be begging for an internal so you can get an idea of how much longer you have to go!

When he (or she) has given you a thorough inspection you may need some infertility tests. This can include ultrasound scanning, tests to check for STDs, blood tests, pap smear for the woman and semen analysis for the man. Any ‘plumbing problems’ on the woman’s side can be checked via hysterosalpingogram or laparoscopy – if it gets to that.

That wasn’t too bad was it? It was? I understand that having an virtual stranger ask you intimate facts about your sexual and medical life history is a nightmare, not to mention the various pokings and proddings as well. Just keep in mind that this is to help you conceive – and believe me when that tiny hand folds itself over your finger one day, this will all feel very small in comparison.

Here is more information on Infertility Costs. Here is a website with a free mini-course dedicated to Infertility.