Where to start/what are the basics?

[Anonymous]

I wasn't sure whether to post this on TTC or Infertility forum, so apologies if this is the wrong spot for this.

I am on my fourth cycle TTC. I have two other children who I conceived on the first cycle each time, so this is new for me. I use the Clear Blue ovulation sticks, and they show I am ovulating.

I am wondering what I can be doing to boost my chances of conception. My OB won't see me til I've been TTC for six months with no pregnancy, but I'm hoping there are some behavioral/holistic things I can be doing to increase my odds, but the internet is overwhelming and my doc is blowing me off. I'm 36 and my husband is 37.

Accupuncture? Supplements? What else?

[Anonymous]

Switch doctors. You are now considered AMA. You can see an RE who will run bloodwork to check your hormones, AFC etc but will your insurance cover it?

[Anonymous]

First visit to SG fertility they put all AMA women on OvaVite, it’s a pre-conception vitamin and COQ10. https://theralogix.com/products/theranatal-ovavite-preconception-vitamin?selling_plan=5036900540

Get your vitamin D, TSH, and day 3 hormone levels checked. Just make an appointment at Shady Grove. I didn’t have fertility benefits but the initial consultation and labs were covered. I got a lot of good information from the consult and labs. Ultimately, I perused treatment somewhere less expensive, but the baseline consult was helpful. No need to wait 2 more months.

[Anonymous]

Oh, supplement for your husband: https://theralogix.com/products/conceptionxr-reproductive-health-supplement

For both it takes about 3 months to see the effects of the supplements.

Other things: meditation, acupuncture, moderate exercise, healthy weight, and nutritious foods. It’s really annoying to say, but feeling stressed hurts not helps. (I know, how can you not feel stressed?! But it’s true.)

Mindset is big too.
….And sometimes nothing works even if you are doing all the “right things”. Don’t hesitate to embrace reproductive technology!

[Anonymous]

Skip the OB and go to a fertility clinic for baseline testing. It will take a month or two to schedule a consultation and another month for bloodwork and other tests. By then, you’ll hopefully be pregnant on your own. If not, you’ll have other options available to you.
From experience, once you’re mentally ready to pursue help, the delays feel huge.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Skip the OB and go to a fertility clinic for baseline testing. It will take a month or two to schedule a consultation and another month for bloodwork and other tests. By then, you’ll hopefully be pregnant on your own. If not, you’ll have other options available to you.
From experience, once you’re mentally ready to pursue help, the delays feel huge.

Yes, this. Get things rolling now so you’re ready when you need it.

[Anonymous]

You can also just tell them you’ve been trying for six months.

[Anonymous]

Up to half of fertility issues at these ages are male-factor.

OP, you are not alone in your post of listing only things about you which could be issues. But you need to bring your husband in and get him tested.

Avoid the “at home” semen tests; those are nearly useless.

It’s best to go with him to make sure. A friend scheduled her significant other, and after waiting for results for weeks, she eventually learned he had just blown off the appointment to be tested. Long story but she eventually broke it off with that guy; he had commitment issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Skip the OB and go to a fertility clinic for baseline testing. It will take a month or two to schedule a consultation and another month for bloodwork and other tests. By then, you’ll hopefully be pregnant on your own. If not, you’ll have other options available to you.
From experience, once you’re mentally ready to pursue help, the delays feel huge.

Yes, this. Get things rolling now so you’re ready when you need it.

Agree - and tell anyone who asks that you've been trying for 6 months.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Skip the OB and go to a fertility clinic for baseline testing. It will take a month or two to schedule a consultation and another month for bloodwork and other tests. By then, you’ll hopefully be pregnant on your own. If not, you’ll have other options available to you.
From experience, once you’re mentally ready to pursue help, the delays feel huge.

Yes, this. Get things rolling now so you’re ready when you need it.

Agree - and tell anyone who asks that you've been trying for 6 months.

We only did IUIs, but from the date of the first visit to first IUI was two months. Part of it was a delay caused by my misunderstanding of timing. But some tests have to be done on certain days of your cycle so depending on when you go you might have to wait a whole month. I happened to go ON that day so we went right over to radiology to do the test. Totally forget what it’s called when (I think?) they check your tubes are open. HSG?

Just sharing as a way of emphasizing just go now and say it’s been six months. They aren’t going to ask for details, just dates of your cycles.

[Anonymous]

Have to just toss in that I don’t believe stress level makes any difference. Stressed out women get pregnant all the time. Just not infertile ones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Switch doctors. You are now considered AMA. You can see an RE who will run bloodwork to check your hormones, AFC etc but will your insurance cover it?

This is what I was going to say! See an RE. Your ob is not the one to see until you are pregnant. I started at 35 with my ob but maybe should have gone straight to an RE it took me seven years to conceive.

[Anonymous]

Same hostory as you OP but my nightmare didn't end with getting pregnant. After never having to try to conceive in my life I lost 4 pregnancies in a year. 3 years later, still no baby. All started at 36.