I need some opinions. My DH and I have been TTC off and on for a little over a year. No success. Our first child, now 4, was conceived our 2nd month of trying - very easy. There were a few months we didn't try at all, a several months we didn't try very hard, and I had surgery in May, so we didn't try at all in March, April, May, June or July. Last year I remember trying, and I went to my OB (who delivered my DS). She wasn't much help.
We BD usually during the week of ovulation. I've only been seriously charting a few months. I was going by CM alone....just started temping again last month.
Ovulated on day 14, 15, or 16 (chart said 15), and today is day 27 - period started today (along with very painful cramps and very tired/depressed me. My breasts hurt so bad yesterday I had to take some advil - I thought this might be a sign, but nope.
I'm due for a well check -
which brings me to my question -- do I see a regular ob-gyn or a fertility specialist? I'm sure insurance will cover the ob appt., not sure about the fertility specialist. Also - I don't want to do a bunch of high tech methods, I simply want to know if there is a reason we have not conceived yet. (Maybe it's not meant to be, or maybe its something medication can help, like clomid?) In other words, I'd like to have some tests done and try some fertility medication - but not push it. I strongly believe that God will give us what is best for us. If that means we have only one child - well that we'll have to accept. Until then I'd like to at least know why we've been having a problem.
Thanks for any advice.
Thank you everyone. Sounds like I should make an appt. with an ob -- that's what my instincts were saying too :) We'll see how it goes - hopefully i find a good one! And I WAS diagnosed with hypothyroid a few years ago - was on synthroid, but it evened itself out (far as I can remember) and my dr. took me off the medicine. Guess it might be going down again --
I have recentley been through the same thing. It seemed that every one was quick to tell me I needed to do invetro for thousands of dollars. I ended up tring incemination in my regular OB's office for a few hundred dollars and now I have a 10 week old baby girl. Let me know if you need a good OB or if you have one just ask about it.
Hope this helps
A.
If your OBGYN sends you to a fertility specialist I would suggest Dr. Barnett in Plano. I went to more than one fertility specialist and felt the most confident with him. Good luck. Infertility is a frusterating issue. We did IVF after several attempts at artificial insemination. Its not for everyone but it worked for us. We feel really blessed that there is such a method or we might not be expecting our first child in about 1 1/2 months. Good luck to you.
I would see your regular OB/GYN first. I would highly doubt that most fertility specialists would see you at this point given you've not been through a well woman check (at least as I understood your posting) recently. Also, given that you've successfully given birth seems highly unlikely that you have any major fertility problems. The bad PMS/painful menustration may be a reflection of your need for some nutritional supplementation such as Essential fatty acids, B vitamins and vitamin E. In addition, magnesium can help with the cramping. You also may want to ask your OB/GYN to check your thyroid levels - low thyroid function can reduce ones fertility. There's lots of other symptoms, including bad PMS. Also, stress can have a big impact on fertility. IMHO, there's lots you can do without any medical intervention at all and all the things I've mentioned are worth looking into before becoming pregnant as they can all impact the health of your fetus, outcome of your pregnancy and an infant long term (e.g., if you have an untreated thyroid problem, that can impact your baby, etc.)
We just had our first daughter after a long hard fight against infertility. We started with my regular OB-GYN, who took me through some routine treatments like clomid. When I didn't respond to that, I was referred to an RE (fertility specialist), who proceeded with further diagnostic and treatment methods. We eventually underwent IVF to conceive, but there are many other methods that can be effective.
To answer your question though, you should discuss your efforts thus far with your OB-GYN and decide how to proceed. I don't know that most OB-GYN do much diagnostic testing, so your doctor may refer you on to a specialist.
I saw Dr. Le at Advanced Reproductive Care Center in Irving, and I don't have enough great things to say about him.
If the OB doesn't get you anywhere, I would suggest looking into a Reproductive Endocrinologist. I have thyroid problems as well and was having significant trouble with "secondary infertility" My daughter was conceived with little to no effort and we tried for over a year to conceive again. After seeing my RE, we were able to conceive 4 mos. later; (my son just turned 3!)
Hormones play a MAJOR role in your ability to conceive and if you've had previous thyroid problems that could be the culprit. An RE can help you get your hormones in balance in order to conceive naturally.
If you decide, Dr. James Douglass in Plano is AWESOME! He specializes in reproduction and his mission statement is that all of his patients become parents!
Good Luck!
My doctor had me try under his care for 1 year prior to a referral to a fertility specialist. I would discuss with your OB/GYN.
