“Couples Have No Patience…” Expert Questions Rushing to Doctors When Pregnancy Doesn’t Happen, Advises Waiting

New Delhi: Couples struggling to conceive often rush to doctors at the first sign of difficulty. However, gynecologist Dr. Shobha Garg advises patience, explaining that waiting is essential before seeking medical intervention. In a recent discussion, Dr. Garg outlined how long couples should try naturally and when it is appropriate to consult a doctor.

Common Issue: Couples Eager to Conceive
Many couples attempt to conceive naturally, but when success doesn’t come immediately, they seek medical help to identify potential underlying issues and begin treatment. Often, impatience leads to unnecessary stress, and couples approach doctors too soon.

Expert Advice: Wait Before Consulting a Doctor
Dr. Garg points out that people frequently lack patience, starting treatment prematurely. She emphasizes that couples should ideally wait at least one year of regular, unprotected intercourse before consulting a doctor for fertility issues.

Defining Infertility Properly
Explaining further, Dr. Garg said, “It is important to understand the proper definition of infertility. If a couple has been living together for 12 months, not using any contraception, and engaging in regular intercourse without achieving pregnancy, only then should they consult a gynecologist.”

Risks of Early Intervention
She noted that some couples visit a doctor after just a few months of trying. Instead of explaining that immediate treatment isn’t necessary, some doctors prematurely prescribe ovulation-stimulating medications. This can complicate the process unnecessarily and cause avoidable stress.

Patience is Key
Dr. Garg concludes that couples should allow nature to take its course. “If, after 12 months of regular, unprotected intercourse, pregnancy does not occur, a medical check-up is warranted. Even if no issues are found, couples may be advised to wait an additional six months before exploring further treatment,” she said.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general guidance only. Navbharat Times does not take responsibility for its accuracy or applicability to individual cases.