"We Can't Get Pregnant Again"

How Long Should You Wait?

The amount of time you should allow before consulting a fertility expert operates on a sliding scale according to age. (Remember: Even at the peak of fertility, a woman's chances of conceiving during any given cycle are about 30 percent.) If you are under 30, give it 12 months; if you are over 30, you should try for 6 months.

Many ob-gyns have attended infertility workshops and are competent to perform basic diagnostic procedures and to prescribe ovulatory medication, but they have received only a fraction of the training of a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist. If you've had no success after six to nine months of treatment, see a specialist. (If you need help locating a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist in your area, log on to the Website of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, at www.asrm.org).

The good news: Secondary infertility is more likely to be treatable than primary infertility. If you act promptly, consult with a specialist, and faithfully follow the prescribed treatment plan, you have every reason to feel confident that eventually you'll have another baby.

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