Infertility Next Steps

Infertility Doctors in Fort Collins & Loveland, CO

Difficulty or delays in conception or an infertility diagnosis can be painful and even traumatic. At The Women’s Clinic of Northern Colorado, we understand all of the emotions associated with infertility and the emotional toll it can take on women and their families. Our gynecologic specialists can evaluate your condition, address your concerns, and come up with a treatment plan to help you conceive. While we can never guarantee results, our team is here to give you the best chance of becoming pregnant. We’re here for you every step of the way, from scheduling the initial consultation to providing pregnancy care. Learn more about ways you can navigate your infertility diagnosis.

Discuss Your Diagnosis with Your Gynecologist

The first thing you should do after receiving an infertility diagnosis or with any concern about your fertility is schedule a chat with your gynecologist. Your OB/GYN has certainly dealt with this condition before, and they’ll have plenty of resources for you to help educate yourself and navigate complex feelings. Speaking with a trusted healthcare professional at the outset may also help you gain a hopeful outlook on the situation. An infertility diagnosis does not eliminate your chances of conception. Modern medicine has developed a wide range of solutions that have helped numerous women conceive throughout the years.

Understanding Your Feelings

Being diagnosed with infertility conjures up a variety of emotions, for both the patient and their partner. Everyone will experience the emotional and mental impact differently, but the team at The Women’s Clinic of Northern Colorado can offer some general advice for making sense of your situation. You may feel a sense of loss, thinking about what could have been. First, make sure to be kind to yourself. The shock often comes in waves and approaching your feelings with a sense of understanding and validation is crucial. Whenever you can, focus on the positive. An infertility diagnosis does not mean you will never have children. Our team will work with you every step of the way to find a solution, and you’ll have plenty of options to explore as we begin to understand more about your circumstances.

Dealing with Secondary Infertility

Couples dealing with secondary infertility may encounter different issues than those with a traditional diagnosis. Secondary infertility refers to a condition in which you cannot conceive, even after having children in the past with no fertility treatments. While you’re likely thankful for the children you do have, it’s still valid to feel a sense of loss for future children you hoped to have. Allow yourself to feel these feelings without shame. But don’t forget that you have several treatment options, and our women’s health care specialists are here to help. Here are a few tips to re-frame your emotions and improve your outlook:

  • Don’t worry about how others will perceive your decisions
  • Consider joining a support group
  • Think about other ways to grow your family—maybe adoption is for you!
  • Find what self-care measures work for you

How Do I Tell My Family and Friends?

You should never feel pressured to share sensitive information with anyone if you don’t want to. No one is entitled to your personal information. However, if you’d like to share your fertility struggles with family friends, our women’s wellness center can provide some advice. Below, you’ll find our tips for sharing your diagnosis, if you choose to do so:

  • Choose Wisely: Don’t feel pressured to tell just anyone. Think about which family members and friends you can trust with such information. It may be a good idea to choose people who are typically reassuring rather than those who want to offer unsolicited advice.
  • Tell Them What You Need: While you may feel your need for support is obvious, everyone responds to hardship differently. It may benefit you to approach your loved ones with clear expectations. If you’d like them to check in with you once in a while, tell them that. Perhaps you’d prefer they not ask too many questions. If that’s the case, be upfront about that as well.
  • Ask for Support: Sometimes, you’ll find yourself need more support than usual. Don’t be afraid to ask trusted family members and friends for a shoulder to cry on or a quick phone call to get your emotions out.

Exploring Your Treatment Options

At our women’s health clinic, we want to ensure that you explore each of your treatment options. After you’ve spoken with your gynecologist, you may already have a better idea of the path you wish to take. Our team will discuss your medical history, goals, and much more as we decide which of the following treatments will give you the best chances of success.

Medication

Fertility medications are among the most popular treatments for infertility. These are especially helpful for stimulating ovulation and promoting natural pregnancy. The team at our women’s medical clinic is familiar with some of the most effective fertility drugs, including gonadotropins, metformin, and many more.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

These procedures require the care of reproductive specialists and can significantly increase your chances of becoming pregnant.  We will provide recommendations for our patients to seek care from physicians who specialize in these methods.

Supporting Your Partner Through an Infertility Struggle

Dealing with infertility is a struggle for everyone involved. If your partner has been diagnosed with fertility problems, you likely want to provide the best support you can. However, it can be difficult to know exactly what your partner needs at this time. It may be helpful to work with your partner to reframe their narrative. Put the situation in perspective. After all, an infertility diagnosis does not mean you can never grow your family, and it doesn’t make you any less of a person. Your partner may also appreciate opportunities to vent about the situation. Infertility often leaves us feeling powerless, and having a safe outlet for frustration can allow for greater positivity in the long run. If you find yourself needing extra support, our women’s specialty clinic is always here for you.

Convenient Resources for More Information

Education is an excellent line of defense against negative feelings about your circumstances. At The Women’s Clinic of Northern Colorado, we’re happy to provide all the answers to your questions. However, you may want to do some research on your own. If this is the case for you, we can also point you to some reliable resources about infertility. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine, The Mayo Clinic, and the National Library of Medicine are fantastic places to start for general information. Our team can help you find a support group as well if you’d like to discuss your daily challenges with like-minded, understanding people.

Get in Touch with Our OB/GYNs

Regardless of the source of your infertility, The Women’s Clinic of Northern Colorado is here to help you. We’re proud to serve the communities of Loveland and Fort Collins with exceptional women’s health care. Our team has a deep understanding of the emotional and mental challenges of infertility. That’s why we stay by your side every step of the way, from our first meeting to talk about your options through pregnancy planning. Contact us today and let us know how we can help you.