When it comes to your reproductive health, it may seem reasonable to expect regular OB/GYN visits to cover everything you need to know. But it’s very common to have years of OB/GYN appointments where fertility doesn’t even come up! When we surveyed our Dandi community, a whopping two-thirds of women expressed frustration over the lack of proactive care from their OB/GYNs. 

Our upcoming Poppylist X Dandi webinar will offer a deep dive on why OB/GYNs alone may not be enough, when to push for a specialist referral, and how to get the personalized support you need to make informed decisions early in your journey. But as a fertility nurse who’s struggled with secondary infertility myself, I’d like to kick off this conversation by highlighting 3 key reasons why it’s important to be proactive about your fertility (even if your OB/GYN is not)!

1. Your OB/GYN Won’t Bring It Up 

There are a number of reasons that your OB/GYN won’t start a proactive fertility conversation: from focusing on your more immediate needs to simply waiting for you to ask. And while we would love for our in-laws to have this kind of tact re: family planning, not having a proactive conversation with healthcare providers can set you back!

It’s never too early or too late to ask your OB/GYN for fertility resources – particularly when it comes to understanding your cycle and getting connected to specific fertility resources. You might ask:

  • "What red flags should I look for that might indicate an issue with my cycle or ovulation?"

  • "What fertility tests do you recommend for someone who isn’t trying to conceive right now but wants to plan ahead?"

  • "Are there fertility preservation options or specialists you recommend if I want to have kids some day, but am not ready yet?"

2. Fertility Knowledge is Power

There are a few key tests that can be incredibly helpful to get ahead of fertility planning, but they’re not exactly standard of care if they aren’t indicated by a family history or current struggle to conceive.

  • Female Fertility Blood Tests can be done with your OB, at an outside lab, or even through your PCP depending on what your insurance covers. As a woman looking to assess your fertility proactively, the main numbers you’re going to want to know are your Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) – both of which serve as indicators of ovarian function and egg reserve.

  • For a more direct assessment of ovarian reserve, Antral Follicle Count (AFC) – the number of small follicles in your ovaries – can be measured via transvaginal ultrasound. A normal ovarian reserve is considered to be a count of 6–10 follicles, while a count below 6 indicates low ovarian reserve and a count above 12 indicates high ovarian reserve.

  • A hysterosalpingogram (HSG) is an X-ray test that can help identify any structural issues with the potential to prevent pregnancy, such as blocked fallopian tubes or an irregularly shaped uterus. HSG is usually prescribed by a reproductive endocrinologist but can be prescribed by your OB/GYN as well! 

3. Second Infertility Can Be an Unwelcome Surprise

Secondary infertility can be uniquely painful. You can expect at least a few well-meaning but hurtful comments like “at least you have one child!” and it can be incredibly confusing to be unable to conceive when you’ve successfully done so before. 

The causes of secondary infertility mirror many of the factors behind primary infertility, so being proactive with the assessment of your numbers and risk factors can help you stay ahead of the curve here as well.

Taking Charge of Your Fertility with Dandi

At Dandi, we provide 1:1 fertility planning at every step of the journey. It’s never too early or too late for fertility planning, but if you can book with us proactively, the sooner the better. We cover everything from when should I see a fertility specialist to interpreting lab results to IVF and so much more! 

And don’t forget to register for our Poppylist X Dandi webinar on November, where I’ll provide a deeper dive on common missteps and delays that can happen under OB-GYN care and how to advocate for a referral to a fertility specialist when you suspect it's time!