Consult with your doctor if you:
- Want children but have been unable to become pregnant after 1 year of having sex without using birth control.
- Are a woman older than 35 who has been unable to become pregnant after about 6 months of sex without using birth control.
- Have had three or more miscarriages in a row.
Watchful waiting
Before seeking medical help with conception, you can increase your chances of becoming pregnant by practicing fertility awareness. This means charting your basal body temperature and using home tests to let you know when you are likely to ovulate and be fertile. For more information, see Home Treatment.
Who to see
For initial fertility questions and testing, you can see:
For complete fertility testing, see an obstetrician/gynecologist with special training and experience in fertility problems. This doctor may be called a reproductive endocrinologist or fertility specialist. When looking for a specialist, ask what percentage of a doctor's practice is fertility treatment. Also ask if he or she has training in reproductive endocrinology.
To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.