Frequently Asked Questions
Our fertility team shares the most common questions asked by our patients:
When should I seek infertility treatment?
Infertility is normally diagnosed after a couple is unable to get pregnant after one year of unprotected intercourse. However women who have irregular cycles or are over 35 are encouraged to talk with their doctor about seeking infertility treatment sooner.
What if I have a miscarriage? When should I seek treatment?
If you have experienced a miscarriage, the chances of having a repeat miscarriage may vary widely and may depend upon several factors including age.
The best time to get pregnant is between 20 to 34 years of age. Physicians usually begin investigations after three consecutive pregnancy losses, but it is also reasonable to begin extensive testing after just two consecutive losses.
Once you have undergone a series of tests, fertility treatment can then be directed toward correcting problems discovered during the evaluation.
Even though no cause has been identified in approximately 40% of couples, most will go on to have a normal pregnancy with no treatment.
I’m trying to have a baby? Who should I see?
While your regular OB/GYN may perform the initial infertility evaluation, it is important that you find a practitioner you trust and with whom you feel comfortable when dealing with fertility issues.
At Garrison Women’s Health Center in Dover, NH we have a special interest in the treatment of infertility.
Both Dr. Pamela Bertram and Jane Parsons, BSN, are members of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and through continuing education keep abreast of the current treatments and medication used.
What about the age factor?
Delaying pregnancy is a common choice for women in today’s society due to lifestyle choices.
If you’ve chosen to delay pregnancy, due to college or career for example, you may not realize that your fertility begins to significantly decline in your mid 30’s and accelerates in your late 30’s.
Some women even begin to experience a decline in their fertility in their late 20s and early 30s.
Fertility declines with age because fewer eggs remain in the ovaries, and the quality of the eggs remaining is lower then when you are younger. With age, couples also have an increased risk of miscarriage and chromosomal abnormalities.
