What to Do When You Can't Get Pregnant

1. 🩺 Appointment with a gynecologist
2. 🤰 Basic examination and analyzes
3. ⭐ Basic treatment

Specialists at Feskov Human Reproductive Group has been successfully treating infertility for more than a quarter of a century using reproductive programs IVF, surrogacy, donation. So what steps should you take?

Appointment with a gynecologist

There is no need to go straight to a reproduction clinic. To begin with, it is advisable to visit a personal gynecologist, who, if necessary, will issue a referral to a specialized medical institution. You can bring a partner with you, but this is not necessary. The following information will be helpful at your appointment:

• dates of the last six periods, even if they are regular day to day. A fertility calendar and basal temperature graph are also encouraged;
• a list of drugs taken on an ongoing basis by both partners. Since some medications, such as antidepressants and antihistamines, can interfere with fertility;
• existing risk factors or disturbing symptoms;
• exciting questions that you want to ask.

When discussing, even mentioning painful sex, increased hair growth, or decreased libido matters. Since, this may indicate a malfunction in the reproductive system. Male partner symptoms are also very important. Because, about 40% of families are faced with male infertility.

Basic examination and analyzes

The gynecologist may order an examination, which includes:

• a woman's blood test;
• analysis of the semen of a man;
• hysterosalpingography;
• vaginal ultrasound;
• diagnostic laparoscopy;
• examination on a gynecological chair;
• Pap smear
• tests for STDs.

Basic examination and fertility tests in 30% of cases do not lead to a diagnosis. Therefore, such couples have to be content with the diagnosis - inexplicable infertility.

Basic treatment

Based on the test results, your doctor may advise you to start taking action. For example, the following technique gives good results:

• clomid (clomiphene);
• femara (letrozole);
• metformin (which regulates blood insulin levels), often in conjunction with clomid;
• breast cancer drugs that increase estrogen levels.

If uterine pathologies or endometriosis are detected, the doctor may refer the patient to a reproductive specialist or reproductive surgeon.

Also, you must:

• stop smoking and drinking alcohol;
• if you are overweight or obese, try to lose weight. Since a large body weight may indicate a hormonal imbalance;
• start exercising in moderation;
• reduce the intensity of training with significant sports activities.

Such lifestyle changes significantly increase the chances of conception during treatment and have a positive effect on overall well-being. This is true even if the patient decides not to continue treatment. Sometimes, only the correction of weight and lifestyle makes it possible to get pregnant faster and easier.

Find a Fertility Clinic

If the basic manipulations have not been successful, or if the test results are beyond the competence of the gynecologist, the couple can be referred to the Reproduction Center. And since insurance usually does not cover these costs, you need to find a reliable institution with the level of medical care that people can afford.

Reproductive treatment is expensive. Therefore, you need to plan in advance the amount of spending, including the time it takes for travel and procedures. If the clinic is not nearby. And even more so in another state.

Additional fertility testing

In the selected reproductive clinic, they may want to do new or repeat the existing tests. For example, a gynecologist might check the level of follicle-stimulating hormone, and the clinic's doctors decide to do an antral follicle count or other study of ovarian reserve. With a history of miscarriage, the gynecologist could send fetal tissue for analysis. And the clinic can offer karyotyping or hysteroscopy.

Making a plan of action and starting serious treatment

After a second examination, the fertility doctor will suggest a recommended treatment plan. The clinic's financial consultant will tell you about the amount and payment options. A married couple can take the time to think and make the most informed decision, according to their capabilities.

Fertility treatments range from relatively simple to very complex ones. For example, with endometriosis, surgical removal of deposits on the endometrium is first done. Then, after recovery, you can try to get pregnant naturally or with IVF.

If a mother herself cannot bear the baby, she can use such an ART method as surrogacy. For example,VIP surrogate mother at Feskov Human Reproductive Group has a positive experience of participation in programs and all the necessary recommendations. And also, the couple can start implementing the program immediately, without waiting time.

Flexible approach to treatment

Fertility treatment rarely consists in one correct decision, but rather in an integrated and varied approach. When one thing doesn't work, you need to try another. It is possible to get pregnant in the first cycle, however, it often takes several cycles before success.

A good specialist will always make it clear when to stick to the current plan, and when to make big or small changes to it. Also, there are some restrictions. For example, Clomid cannot be taken more than 6 cycles in a row.

One failed cycle is not a sign that the treatment will never work. Even perfectly healthy couples, it takes 3 to 6 months to conceive a baby.

Sometimes, when you are tired of everything, you can take a short break. Delaying treatment will not reduce the chances of success, but will normalize your mental health. Since this is also very important.

Monitoring pregnancy

If the treatment ends in a successful pregnancy, the clinic will most likely monitor its progress for several weeks or longer. And also, it may be recommended to continue hormone therapy in the form of pills or injections.

Depending on the cause of infertility, the patient may need to be closely monitored during pregnancy. Since, conception after fertility treatment is not identical to the usual process. After all, even such good news that everything worked out, after all the torment, can cause stress.

The decision to move on

It is believed that not all infertile couples can conceive. This understanding alone plunges people into the abyss of despair. However, modern medical reproductive technologies that are successfully used at Feskov Human Reproductive Group, enable almost all people to have a baby.

Now, not only married couples, but also single people, without a partner, can experience the happiness of parenting with the help of a special programs for singles. Therefore, with any fertility problems, there is no point in despairing. You just need to find a reliable Reproduction Center, a guaranteed program with a fixed cost and all available services, and calmly go about the process. And after about a year, get the long-awaited miracle.

Authors, contributors:

Irina Feskova
Reproductive endocrinologist, medical director

published: 01 July 2021
updated   : 03 March 2023

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