TTC. Is my Dr. going in the right dorection?

Question

I told my Dr. that we're ready to get preggers and we've been trying for about 5 months. He gave me a 6-month perscription for Pre-Natal pills and told me to come back if I'm not pregnant once they run out. Should we be doing more?

Answer 1

MsMac-

Do as planned and visit your doctor where you both can review your past 6 months of trying to get pregnant.  The Dr. may have some good suggestions after your conversation and may wish to do a further physical exam or test.  It may simply take another 6 months till you succeed in starting a family.  Try to be a little more patient with yourself and your Dr.

Answer 2

Well, I guess an important piece of background information would be a) your age and b) whether you have any kids already.

In any event, this is basically what doctors tend to do - they try not to intervene before you've been ttc for one year.

HOWEVER, he could have given you a bit of basic advice - but then, that's what the Internet is for.  

I have found it's helpful to know your body fairly well.  

If you can figure out when you're ovulating, you can time s*x for around then (you don't have to do it the exact day/time, but in the vicinity is helpful!).  If you're not sure when you ovulate, watch for signs such as more cervical fluid around that time (you may mix it up with vaginal fluid at first - or be creeped out by the idea of checking yourself!).  The one sign that isn't reliable is cramping or a "feeling" of ovulation - many women go by this but in general, those feelings can be triggered by many factors and are NOT a reliable indication of when you ovulate.

If you can, track when you get your period.  If it's regular, you're probably ovulating around 13-14 days before your period STARTS - NOT two weeks after your period like most doctors will tell you (they must think it's too complicated for us to understand :-P).

There is no difference if you have an exactly 28-day cycle, of course, but many women have been misled into having pinning all their hopes on day 14 when their own ovulation may be more like day 18, or 27, depending on how long their cycle is.  :-)

(and many doctors just tell you to have s*x two weeks after your period!)

Keeping a record of your cycles is also helpful in case you do have trouble ttc - you'll have good information to bring to your doctor or to a specialist.  But I really hope it won't be necessary!

The prenatal vitamins ARE important, by the way, especially folic acid.  Good time to quit smoking etc if you do any of that.  And sleep now while you can!  It helps your health in general and you will NEVER sleep soundly again... :-))))

good luck!

Answer 3

most docs will make you try for a year before they take any real action.

Answer 4

Many Dr's want you to try on your own for about a year and then some insurances wont pay for any fertility testing or treatment if you haven't been ttc for a year. I think its probably the best route to take and the most common. That is what the Dr did to me when I started ttc and after a year there is alot of test and your head will be spinning. So have fun with ttc for now and do your bbt charts so that your Dr can see your cycle and the way your body works after the year, if your not pregnant! Good luck!!!

Answer 5

Unless you suspect fertility problems there's nothing you can do right now except wait. Most doctors don't look into more serious solutions until you've been trying for over a year.  

Answer 6

You could start charting your basal body temperature and using ovulation predictor kits to ensure you are ovulating every month. Save your temperature charts and take them to the doctor with you when you go back. Remember to take your temp at the same time everyday. If your not ovulating your doctor can prescribe clomid or other fertility drugs to make you ovulate. Good luck.

Answer 7

Many specialists do not consider fertility treatments until after you've been trying for a year, especially if you are young. At least this has been my experience.

Answer 8

The thing about trying to get pregnant that if you try too hard, sometimes you can't get pregnant. Worrying about it can cause stress which can cause hormonal changes in your body. Try to live for today, enjoy your life and before you know it, you'll be pregnant.