After a diagnosis of infertility, the next steps may seem overwhelming. You have so many questions. Where do you begin? What are your options? What are your first steps? Wouldn’t it be great if someone gave you a map for planning your fertility journey in Pasadena?
Fortunately, we’ve done just that. Whether you’re in Pasadena, Altadena, San Gabriel, San Marino, or anywhere in the greater Los Angeles area, we’ll partner with you on the road ahead and help you navigate what comes next. Here are the key steps to take as you embark on the journey of a lifetime.
Key Steps to Take On Your Fertility Journey
Your journey is fraught with emotional and physical ups and downs. When you know and understand what you should expect, it makes the path to parenthood a little easier.
Schedule a Consultation
Before you begin, schedule a consultation. When you meet with your fertility specialist, you’ll find out your options based on your diagnosis. Because there are so many factors that lead to diagnosis, each case is unique. Knowing what you should expect and creating a plan with your doctor is the first step in planning your fertility journey.
Schedule Testing
At the time of your consultation, your doctor goes over any testing they need before proceeding. These tests include imaging, checking your hormone levels, and semen analysis for your partner. Results help your doctor determine the exact path you’ll take on your journey.
Explore Your Options
Advances in reproductive medicine constantly create new ways of treating infertility. In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the most popular but does not address every diagnosis. Intrauterine insemination (IUI), third-party reproduction (sperm donation, egg donation, gestational carrier), and many other combinations of treatment are some ways doctors address infertility.
Create a Timeline for Procedures, Medication and Appointments
Sometimes, your diagnosis requires you to have a surgical procedure. That may entail removing scar tissue, uterine polyps, fibroids, endometriosis surgery, reversal of tubal ligation, and other procedures related to your diagnosis. Next comes the series of appointments that are the subsequent steps along the fertility journey. These include:
- Fertility Medication: According to your needs, your doctor prescribes a course of fertility medications, typically self-injections, that mature several eggs at one time. These are hormone-based and your doctor instructs you accordingly.
- Timing Ovulation: Your fertility team must track the timing of ovulation to schedule egg retrieval. This involves blood tests to assess hormone levels and ultrasound to look at your ovarian follicles. Expect a few appointments and plan accordingly.
- Sperm Collection: Your partner provides their sperm for fertilization. If there are any necessary preparations, they’re done at this time.
- Egg Retrieval: Once your fertility team determines your eggs are ready it’s time for egg retrieval. You’ll receive sedation through an IV and the doctor uses ultrasound while guiding a needle device through your vaginal wall. They then use a light suction to extract the eggs. At that point, your doctor sends the eggs to the lab. An embryologist examines your eggs while you’re in recovery. Expect some cramping, a feeling of pressure in your pelvic region, and possibly, some nausea. Your doctor may prescribe medication and you’ll continue your recovery at home for the next 24 hours.
- Fertilization: An embryologist fertilizes your eggs using your partner’s sperm, or donor sperm if necessary.
- Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT): Should you and your partner decide on PGT the embryologist tests the embryos 5-6 days after fertilization. This testing helps rule out certain genetic conditions which may result in miscarriage, stillbirth, or birth defects.
- Embryo Transfer: The doctor performs the embryo transfer by inserting a tube into your vagina, through the cervix and into the uterus, then places the embryo into the uterus. This procedure isn’t painful and doesn’t typically require any sedation. You’ll go home after and resume normal, non-strenuous activity. You may experience mild discomfort, cramping, bloating, breast tenderness, spotting, and constipation. These are all normal.
- Pregnancy Test: 10-14 days after the transfer, your doctor schedules a blood test. If the test proves positive for pregnancy your fertility doctor monitors you for 8-10 weeks and if all is well you’ll continue with your regular OB-GYN for the duration of your pregnancy.
Additional Considerations
Many couples experience emotional upheaval during the fertility journey. Your doctor may recommend a support group or counseling. You may need help with your lifestyle changes as well. There are classes you can take for relaxation and mindfulness during this time that may help you deal with the stress. If there is anything at all you need to make your fertility journey easier your doctor can help.
A Partner on Your Fertility Journey
The road through infertility is full of twists, turns, and forks. You’ll make decisions repeatedly, and, of course, you will question whether or not you made the right call. An essential part of the journey is finding the right doctor. Your doctor helps you navigate, educates you, and partners with you through it all.
At LA IVF, your goals are our goals. Please contact us and schedule a consultation so we may begin your journey together. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
