The fertility journey looks different for every woman.
- Some women have watched family and close friends struggle to conceive, and worry about what the conception process will look like for them.
- Other women have been trying to get pregnant for a few months and are feeling the pressure of seeing that first positive pregnancy test, even though ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) guidelines don’t encourage their OB’s to start investigating fertility struggles until they’ve been trying to conceive unsuccessfully for 6-12 months.
- Some women are in the middle of a long and arduous fertility journey, perhaps burdened with the label of “unexplained infertility,” and facing the reality of the next steps in their fertility journey being unknown.
These days, just saying the word “fertility” feels expensive, as reproductive clinics come with both a big price tag and the promise of an incredible gift. If you’re looking at reproductive technology, you’re likely wondering about the cost and what other options are available.
The Cost Of Fertility
On average, the cost for just an initial visit to a reproductive endocrine fertility specialist costs between $200-400 dollars, at which time, they recommend a slew of testing and medication regimens. Although not all clinics are the same, you may see prices near $400 worth of blood testing, up to $300 for semen analysis or up to $3,000 for a hysterosalpingogram — and that’s before any treatment has started.
After that, infertility treatments such as IVF can cost $11,500 on average per cycle, not including the cost of medications. Even lesser interventions such as Clomid monitored cycles of IUI can quickly reach up to $4,000 per cycle. And insurance? It’s not often covered — or if it is, not until high deductibles have been met, and only if the prices don’t exceed policy lifetime maximums.
Investigating the root cause of subfertility is absolutely essential but sometimes it’s hard to know what level of conception support or fertility support you need.
You might ask yourself:
- Who is the right reproductive endocrinologist for me?
- Can my OB/GYN, primary care practitioner, or a nurse practitioner help me get pregnant?
- Do I need to work with a fertility specialist?
- Is there someone who can help me get pregnant naturally without expensive interventions?
Unfortunately, many women’s voices are left unheard in overly busy OB/GYN offices, especially those tied to the ACOG’s infertility guidelines, which prevent them from investigating causes of subfertility before 12 months of trying to conceive (TTC) unsuccessfully (if <35 years old) or 6 months of TTC (if >35). In many cases, their hands are tied, they are very busy, and it’s hard to find compassionate care in the current medical system.
Virtual Fertility Consultations
At Premom, we see the gaps in fertility care and aim to improve your access to and relationships with the fertility specialists you need, from fertility awareness method instructors and fertility specialized nurses to nurse practitioners and doctors to reproductive endocrinologists and OB/GYNs.
Our virtual fertility consultations — available through the Premom app — are the ideal way to meet with a fertility expert of your choosing and discuss your reproductive concerns and needs, from the comfort of your own home, via secure messaging, phone call, or video consultation. And let’s be honest, they’re a great alternative to long doctor visits (mostly spent in the waiting room) and an affordable alternative to expensive fertility routes.
It may be just what you need if you’re:
- Wondering why you still aren’t pregnant
- Curious if you are tracking BBT, LH and CM correctly
- Wondering what the next steps in your fertility journey should be
- Unsure about your intercourse timing
- Confused by your irregular cycles
- Hoping to get pregnant ASAP
Find The Right Fertility Specialist
Have fertility questions you want to ask but don’t want to pay the high fees of a fertility clinic — or can’t get in? Premom virtual fertility consultations range from as little as $40 for a 30-minute virtual consultation, up to $200. Since we know that nothing about fertility is one-size-fits-all, in the Premom app, you can browse our wide variety of fertility specialists, read practitioner bios, and find the perfect provider to fit your individual needs.
Here is a list of the types of fertility experts available to you through Premom:
Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) Instructors
There are many different types of fertility awareness methods, and FAM educators are extraordinarily helpful in improving any FAM technique’s efficacy and accuracy.
Our FAM instructors may specialize in any of the following FAM methods and many more!
- FEMM (Fertility Education and Medical Management) – FEMM is a comprehensive women’s health and wellness program that teaches women to understand their bodies, as well as hormonal health.
- Marquette – A method of natural family planning that uses an algorithm to help women and couples find their fertile window by interpreting biological signs of fertility.
- Creighton – A method of natural family planning based on a woman’s observations of cervical fluid or mucus.
- Sympto-Pro – A method of natural family planning based on a woman’s observations of cervical mucus, basal temperature and cervical changes.
- Sympto-Thermal based techniques – A method of natural family planning that makes use of a woman’s observations of her cervical fluid, basal body temperature and other biological signs (e.g., changes in the cervix) in order to identify the fertile and infertile times of her cycle.
- Billings Method – A method of natural family planning based on a woman’s observations of cervical fluid or mucus.
A visit with a FAM instructor provides you with fundamental insight into your chart, including discussion of your BBT, LH strips, and cervical mucus. They help identify issues in intercourse timing, when and how you take BBT, or how you use LH strips.
Perfect for getting to know your cycles, learning to track cycles, and basic troubleshooting.
NFP Registered Nurses
Registered nurses with Premom graduated from an accredited nursing program and taken specialized training in fertility awareness methods. They can provide additional insight on your BBT, LH strips, intercourse timing, and cervical mucus observations, combined with their experience in hospitals and OB/GYN and reproductive endocrinology clinics.
Perfect for getting to know your cycles, learning to track cycles, and basic troubleshooting.
NFP Nurse Practitioners
Nurse Practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses. They are mid-level practitioners trained to assess a patient’s needs and order/interpret diagnostics. Our NPs have a strong background in fertility awareness methods.They also may be able to help identify trouble areas in your menstrual cycle and provide education on a variety of cycle variances that could be contributing to your fertility issues.
Perfect for women with irregular cycles, missing LH peaks, and absent BBT rises, and mid-level troubleshooting.
NFP Doctors
Our physicians provide invaluable fertility resources from the front lines of fertility clinics and medical offices. Our providers have seen a wide variety of fertility complications that can be identified through review of cycle charts, LH strips, BBT, CM and an assessment of menstrual cycle history. These experts can provide valuable insight and education on potential obstacles to conception, beneficial lifestyle improvements and potential next steps you may need to take or investigate in your fertility process.
MD/DO
MDs and DOs are traditionally trained physicians who often work in fertility clinics, medical practices or family medicine practices.
OB/GYN
Medical doctors with a specialty in obstetrics (pregnancy) and gynecology (female reproductive health).
Reproductive Endocrinologist (RE)
A subspecialty of OB/GYN with additional training in hormonal fluctuations and treatment as they relate to fertility.
Naturopathic Doctors (ND/NMD)
Naturopathic doctors take an integrative approach to fertility issues. They often use a “root-cause” approach, incorporating dietary and lifestyle changes in addition to therapeutic supplementation, as needed. These specialists utilize a combination approach of eastern and western medicine techniques.
Preparing for pregnancy? Consider working with an ND 3-6 months before trying to conceive (TTC) to ensure your cycles are regular and your body/home are ready for a healthy, easy conception process.
Perfect for women who have been TTC for more than 3 months; have irregular cycles, miscarriage history, recurrent pregnancy loss, unexplained infertility; or are unable to afford or get into a fertility clinic
Midwives
Midwives are medical professionals who help healthy women and children with the childbirth process, and the training is similar to that of a nurse practitioner. They are mid-level practitioners trained to assess various needs and order/ interpret diagnostics.
Like nurses and other professionals, midwives can also provide additional insight on your BBT, LH strips, intercourse timing and cervical mucus observations. They also may be able to help identify trouble areas in your menstrual cycle and provide education on a variety of cycle variances that could be contributing to your fertility issues.
Perfect for women with irregular cycles, missing LH peaks, and absent BBT rises, and mid-level troubleshooting.
What to Expect During A Fertility Consultation
Not sure where to begin? Take our fertility quiz! Concerned about your menstrual cycles, want to get pregnant as soon as possible, or just want some help nailing down the basics of using LH strips and tracking BBT, book a virtual consultation today. Just tap Schedule Consultation under the More navigation item in the Premom app.
What to expect during your virtual consultation with a Premom pregnancy advisor:
- Any and all of your questions answered about charting, intercourse timing, other options, and identifying next steps in your TTC journey
- Chart interpretation: assessment of BBT, LH surges, CM readings, and intercourse timing
- Recommendations on how you can improve your charting and zero in on your fertile window
- A discussion of your fertility concerns and frustrations
- A safe place to be heard and supported
While Premom does not currently offer diagnosis, prescriptions, or lab testing through the app, virtual consultations offer invaluable cycle insight, data interpretation, and education to help you conceive naturally and determine the best next steps of your reproductive journey.
Ready to get started? Open your Premom app, and tap Schedule Consultation under the More navigation item, to set up a consultation today.
References
- Wheeler, K. J., Miller, M. K., Pulcini, J., Gray, D. C., Ladd, E., & Rayens, M. K. (2022). Advanced Practice Nursing Roles, Regulation, Education, and Practice: A Global study. Annals of Global Health, 88(1). https://doi.org/10.5334/aogh.3698
- Carson, S. A., & Kallen, A. N. (2021). Diagnosis and management of infertility. JAMA, 326(1), 65. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2021.4788
- Katz P, Showstack J, Smith JF, et al. Costs of infertility treatment: results from an 18-month prospective cohort study. Fertility and Sterility. 2011;95(3):915-921. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2010.11.026
