Make a fertility resolution that will bring you one step closer to welcoming a baby

January is a time when everyone wants to start fresh and get off on the right foot as we move into a new year. Many people make New Year’s resolutions that focus on losing weight or saving money. However, if you’ve been trying to conceive, you might want to make a fertility resolution instead. Our Manhattan Beach fertility doctor, Joshua J. Berger MD, PhD, recommends resolving to have your first fertility visit in 2022.

What happens at your first fertility visit?

If you’re feeling nervous about scheduling your first appointment, it might be comforting to know that this appointment focuses on conversation and relationship building. Dr. Berger wants to get to know you, your partner and your family-building goals. He’ll also ask questions about your medical history and any past pregnancy attempts or fertility treatments. This helps him learn more about you and determine why you might be having trouble conceiving.

Our Manhattan Beach fertility doctor also wants you to get to know him so that you feel comfortable during your visits. That’s why he encourages everyone to ask lots of questions about everything from the clinic to potential treatment options. Dr. Berger’s goal is that you walk away from your first fertility visit feeling informed and empowered.

After this first visit, Dr. Berger will recommend a series of fertility tests that can help him reach a diagnosis for you. Some common tests include fertility bloodwork, an ultrasound and a hysterosalpingogram (HSG). Once he receives your test results, Dr. Berger will explain what they mean and then work with you to develop your customized treatment plan.

How do you know if it’s time to make this fertility resolution?

Our Manhattan Beach fertility doctor and his team know that it can be difficult to determine when it’s time to have that first fertility visit. Thankfully, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) offers some guidance to help you when making your fertility resolution.

• If you are under age 35, you should visit Dr. Berger after trying to conceive for one year without success.
• If you are 35 years old or over, you should make this appointment after six months of trying.

Additionally, if you have a history of irregular periods or known fertility issues like endometriosis or PCOS, you’ll want to see Dr. Berger as soon as you think you want to conceive. Certain conditions can make it harder to welcome a baby without help from a fertility doctor. As a result, it’s often more effective to visit a doctor before trying on your own.

If your fertility resolution is to visit a fertility doctor, Dr. Berger and his team are here to help. Contact us to schedule your first fertility visit, and we’ll help you take the next step on your path to parenthood.