Navigating the Maze of Infertility

5 Steps to Fertility Success

For couples that have tried in vain for months – sometimes years – to conceive a child, the diagnosis of infertility is usually met with a barrage of emotions. The most intense of all is often confusion, as a maze of possible problems and potential solutions spurs more questions than answers: Is it me, or is it him or is it both of us? Will I have to take drugs or have surgery? Do I need a specialist? Is in vitro fertilization (IVF) our only choice? Where do we start?

"The field of reproductive medicine has made rapid and incredible advances over the past decade in the area of infertility treatment options, and now the vast majority of infertile couples can achieve a successful pregnancy," says Dr. John J. Stangel, Westchester County medical director of Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut and co-author of The Unofficial Guide to Getting Pregnant (Wiley, 2005). "But a huge amount of new information has left many couples to navigate a maze that seems to be intimidating." This can lead to emotional frustration from not knowing which path to choose, physical discomfort from unnecessary or inappropriate treatments and even financial troubles from the cost of treatment and the confusion over insurance coverage, Dr. Stangel adds.

"Fortunately, although the sea of infertility solutions is vast and deep, there is a step-by-step system that simplifies the process of determining which path is right for each individual couple," Dr. Stangel says. "The first step, of course, is to consult a reproductive specialist – a medical doctor, often an obstetrician, trained and board certified in Reproductive Medicine and infertility." Then, after the following 5 steps, an infertile couple is usually on their way to a healthy, successful pregnancy:

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