Gynecologist

• If you are certain that you have been engaging in unprotected intercourse at the right time of the month for 12 months (or six months, if you're 35 or older), speak to a gynecologist about your efforts. Most gynecologists can do an initial assessment of your fertility, and identify any problems that emerge. A typical initial workup includes a physical exam; blood work that will assess your hormone levels, glandular function and ovarian reserve (the number of eggs remaining in your ovaries); and a sperm analysis. If warranted, you may also be asked to undergo a procedure called hysterosalpingogram (HSG), which will determine whether your fallopian tubes are blocked. If you suffer from painful periods, you might also need to undergo a procedure called a laparoscopy, which will determine whether you suffer from endometriosis---a condition that causes infertility.
  
  

Reproductive Endocrindologist

• If your gynecologist is unable to help you get pregnant, she may refer you to a Reproductive Endocrinologist (RE). An RE is a doctor that specializes in reproductive medicine and infertility, and can administer aggressive fertility treatments. The RE may ask you to take additional tests and will sit down with you to formulate a plan to get pregnant, depending on the results of those tests. Typically, an RE offers fertility treatments such as artificial insemination, hyperstimulation of the ovaries, intrauterine insemination or in-vitro fertilization. You may also be asked to consider using donor eggs or donor sperm.
  
  

Non-Traditional Family

• If you have tried to get pregnant with the help of a gynecologist or RE or have decided that fertility treatments are not for you, you may want to consider a non-traditional route to having a family, such as through adoption or foster care. Adopting.org will give you the basic information about domestic adoption, and rainbowkids.com offers a wealth of information on international adoption.