GETTING STARTED
Most of us never thought we’d need help getting pregnant. But after months and even years of trying, we find ourselves seeking fertility guides for answers. Don’t fret. Recognizing that you and your partner (providing that you’re not doing this alone) need help is the first step toward achieving your goal.
First, you’ll want to rule out any risk factors that may be preventing you from becoming pregnant. To assess your risks, take a minute to find out your fertility profile by clicking here.
If your profile shows that you have one or more risks factors or waiting is not an option due to your age, then you’ll want to find a fertility specialist. Others may wish to try non-medical alternatives first.
One way to do this is to identify and chart your monthly fertility signs. We have described how to do this in What to Do When You Can’t Get Pregnant. If you already have a copy, you’ll see a Fertility Forecasting Chart in the back of the book.
For your convenience, we have provided a PDF of this chart. Each chart covers a week so you’ll want to print several. Charting will only take a few minutes, and once you establish a pattern you’ll know if you’re ovulating. But keep in mind if you have any doubts you and your partner are wise to seek medical intervention.
If you’re like most people and you’re tired of waiting, you’ll want to make sure the specialist you find is the right match. We go into this in more detail in Chapter 1, but to save you time we’ve provided a questionnaire to help you find the right doctor. Feel free to print it and take it with you. Don’t let the doctor you choose interview you; this is your chance to interview the doctor that may treat you for what may be many months.
The documents this page links to are in Adobe Acrobat. You can get a free copy of Adobe reader by clicking below.
