Initially, when couples are trying to have a child, there are lots of confusions. There is a first time for everyone, and unless and until one experiences it, one does not know. But the important question here is for how long one should try by themselves without the help of any medical expertise.
Usually, doctors advise that you should try getting pregnant for at least a year, without any medical interference, especially if you are under 35 years of age. If in case you are above 35 years of age then you should consult a physician. Also, many couples find it difficult admitting that they are facing some or any kind of problem. But in case you have been trying since a year, and have found no success, it’s time to take help.
Often doctors suggest for a pre-pregnancy check-up. It is especially important to consult your doctor if you:
• Have asthma
• Have diabetes
• Take medicine for depression
• Have epilepsy
In such cases, your doctor also gets time to change the medication as per the requirement and your body also gets time to adapt before you get pregnant. Other reasons for consulting the doctor before trying can be if you are:
• Overweight
• Underweight
• A smoker
Also, if you have a history of any of the following, consulting your doctor prior to trying to conceive would be suggested:
• Endometriosis
• Fibroids
• Irregular periods
• Thyroid disease
• Sexually transmitted disease
Another point to be noted is that it is worth considering is that if you and your partner have been trying for a year and have not been successful, then it might be possible that the problem is not from your side but maybe your partner’s side. Women tend to become less fertile after 35 and it keeps decreasing so on and so forth. But men too have a tendency to be less fertile with increasing age. And that too has to be kept in mind if you have been unsuccessful in conceiving.
Whenever you consult the doctor, book an appointment as a couple. It is imperative for both the partners to be checked by the doctor in order to provide better help. Many times, it is assumed that infertility is due to the female partner whereas this might not be the case. It is equally possible that the problem is with the male partner. And only a specialist can tell whether the same can be treated or not.
Going back to the original question, for how long you should try to conceive before consulting a doctor; in case you are less than 35 years of age, you can wait up to a year. Although paying a visit to the doctor after the first six months I not going to cause any harm either. But if it has been a year, you should definitely book an appointment. And in case you are above 35, booking an appointment after the first 6 months is advisable.
