Fertility Specialist Questions and Answers

If you have been having issues conceiving, and it has been over a year of trying, it may be time to speak to one of our fertility specialists. So don’t think much and come to The New Hope Center for Reproductive Medicine! For more information, call us or book an appointment online. We serve patients from Virginia Beach, VA and surrounding areas.

What does a fertility specialist do?

Fertility specialists are also known medically as obstetrician gynecologists; however, they have far more experience, training, and knowledge in reproductive endocrinology and infertility. Obstetrician gynecologists provide specialized support to their patients for all aspects of reproductive care. Reproductive care includes:

• Infertility treatments
  • Clomid
  • Intrauterine Insemination
  • Surgery
  • Male factor
  • Natural cycle
  • Sperm injection
  • IVF
• Genetic diseases
• Fertility preservation
  • Egg Vitrification
  • Cryopreservation
  • INVOcell Procedure
• Uterine issues
• Ovulation issues

Many women will seek out a fertility specialist in order to undergo a fertility assessment before trying to conceive a child, or if they’re looking to plan their reproductive future.

The first thing a fertility specialist will do is a complete medical history of the patients. The fertility specialist will want to review any prior fertility testing or treatments you’ve done.

If you are visiting a fertility specialist, be aware there will be full tests done to find out the cause of your infertility or assess your reproductive potential. The fertility specialist may conduct hormone tests, a transvaginal ultrasound, endocrine screening, hysterosalpingogram, saline-infused sonography, office hysteroscopy, endometrial biopsy, semen analysis, and preconception screenings.

All of these tests will be referred throughout the appointment process; your fertility specialist may only choose a few tests or all, depending on circumstances surrounding your infertility.

Is An OBGYN a fertility specialist?

Obstetrician-gynecologists normally go through extra training to help their patients who are dealing with fertility difficulties, to know if your obstetrician-gynecologist has done this extra training, they will be board-certified in reproductive endocrinology. If not, they still will be familiar with a few of the most common fertility treatments.

However, a fertility specialist has specialized training to be an approved reproductive endocrinology doctor. These specialty doctors have gone above and completed an extra three years of training in a fellowship program in addition to their obstetrician gynecology residency. If you are looking for a fertility specialist that focuses solely on fertility, it’s best to find a clinic that specifically focuses on the female reproductive system for fertility purposes.

When should a woman see a fertility specialist?

Depending on a multitude of factors will determine how soon you need to see your fertility specialist. If you happen to try to conceive, and you’ve been unsuccessful for a minimum of 12 months, and you’re under the age of 35, now would be a good time to schedule an appointment with our fertility specialist. However, if you were 35 years of age or older, and you have and trying to conceive for a minimum of six months, now would be a good time to schedule an appointment with our fertility specialist.

A great step before going in for an appointment with our fertility specialists would be to have a goal in mind. What do you want to get out of this appointment in the end?

There are many lifestyle factors that can cause issues with your fertility. A few things you can do to help increase your chances of becoming pregnant include:

• Well-balanced diet
• Avoiding processed foods
• Take prenatal vitamins
• Limit your caffeine intake
• Avoid smoking, recreational drugs, as well as alcohol
• Moderate exercise

If you are just starting your fertility journey, getting a head start by increasing your chances by making a few changes can help immensely.

How do I prepare for a fertility doctor’s appointment?

The best thing you can do before your first fertility appointment with a fertility specialist is to be prepared!

• Bring copies of your medical records
• Have a list of questions you want to ask the fertility specialist ready
• Bring a notebook with you and a pen to write down any instructions or details
• If you both want, bring your partner to the appointment as well

For a consultation or more information, give us a call or schedule an appointment! We serve patients from Virginia Beach VA, Rudee Heights VA, Lynnhaven VA, Linkhorn Estates VA and Dam Neck VA.