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Fertility Crushers

Are Common Mistakes Keeping You from Conceiving?

By Teri Brown

Because the desire to have a baby is so strong, many couples find themselves rushing headlong into fertility treatments without doing their homework or giving the process proper thought. Valerie Cook from Powell, Ohio, assumed, after trying to conceive for 17 months, that she and her husband would have to explore more invasive options. This was something they stressed over for quite some time.

"We suspected that we may have some fertility issues, but were very reluctant to begin evasive procedures and medications," Cook says. "We decided to try to get pregnant again. After five months, we still had not conceived. A friend told us about Conceivex, (an FDA-approved, at-home reproductive system). It was not intrusive, expensive or [required] medications. The first month we used it, we got pregnant."

Looking back, Cook wishes she would have explored all her options before stressing out over more traditional fertility treatments.

Dr. Charles R. Barker Jr., a general practitioner and medical advisor for Conceivex, believes that searching out all your options before you make your next move is crucial. "The mistake I see most frequently is couples not looking at all the options available and neglecting to consult with their primary care physician prior to walking into a specialist," he says. "Most patients know that fertility issues are not going to be covered by insurance. This causes many of them to bypass the crucial first step of visiting their primary care physician to gain valuable insight and to start the process."

Once you have explored all other options, it may be time to look at clinics. Dr. John Zhang, medical director of New Hope Fertility Center in New York City, believes couples need to thoroughly check out the clinic they are considering. "Success rates can be important, but make sure this is not the only item you are looking into," he says. "Many clinics reject patients based on age and high FSH, making their statistics look good by eliminating difficult cases. Look for a clinic with experience treating patients with issues similar to your own."

Want to see more?

• Temperature Rising: Should You "Temp" for Fertility Signs?
• What's Next? Making Crucial Fertility Decisions
• Fertility Truths and Myths: Dispelling Fertility Myths
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• Check out our Article Library.
• Talk about it!