Questions I often get asked about Fertility

Questions I often get asked about Fertility

Fertility can be complex, at Fertility Associates I often gets asked the same types of questions:

 

Question 1: Do I need a referral to see a fertility doctor?

Answer: I would suggest that it is good to let your GP know what you are thinking in terms of your fertility health. Having a referral often means that your first consultation will take place with more information, and test results. Many couples like to make an enquiry without involving their GP and self-refer to fertility clinics, this is ok too, but you should try and come with as much information as you can.

Question 2: I am 42 and have been trying to have a baby for two years. What are the options available to me?

 

Answer: As you get older, your chance of conception month by month, declines significantly. At 42, your chance of having a baby naturally is around 4% each month. It is entirely possible you have not conceived yet by chance alone, however I would recommend you see a fertility specialist.  Where you will be given an assessment of your chance of conception as well as some suggestions about potential treatments.  Check out www.biologicialclock.co.nz.

Question 3: I have a three-year-old and have been trying to get pregnant again for the past 18 months, without success.  What should I do?

 

Answer:  Your previous pregnancy doesn’t really change the rules about when you should seek advice, as there are many things that might limit your chance of conception (a man with a low sperm count is perhaps the most common). Fertility is all about chance. It’s important to understand how long “normal” is. On average, it takes a 27-year-old about four to five months to conceive but a 37-year-old will take around eight to nine months.

Question 4: I am single and in my mid-thirties. Is there a way to assess my future fertility?

Answer: There are good tests to assess the number of eggs you have, but without more complex investigations, it is difficult to know what your chance of pregnancy would be. The Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) test can predict whether you are likely to continue to ovulate for as long as most other women. It’s a useful test, however, for younger women who are thinking of deferring conception.  If the AMH is low (fewer eggs than you would expect), then they may change their plan or look at treatment options like egg freezing.
 

Best Wishes
Mary Birdsall