Many couples come to the clinic saying: "Everything is fine, there's no reason we can't get pregnant... but there's still no pregnancy."
The truth is that some causes may not show up in the basic tests.
Causes that may not show up in basic tests
- Weak or irregular ovulation, even when periods still come.
- Poor sperm motility, even when the sperm look normal.
- A slight blockage in the tubes that doesn't show on a regular ultrasound.
That is why we always need to complete the tests and understand the whole story from start to finish.
The first step when pregnancy is delayed
There's no need to start with a big step like ICSI on day one.
- First we ask: is intercourse regular? Does it happen on ovulation days?
- We request a semen analysis for the husband. It's a simple, easy and very important test.
- We check the wife's ovulation with ultrasound and hormone tests.
There's no need to worry too soon. Some causes are simple and easy to treat.
The key tests for delayed pregnancy
These tests are very important before any treatment:
- Hormones: FSH, LH, AMH, prolactin and TSH.
- HbA1c (average blood sugar) if there is excess weight.
- Semen analysis for the husband.
- Transvaginal ultrasound to follow ovulation and check the uterus.
Every step brings us closer to the right treatment. If you haven't done these tests yet, ask your doctor about them.