ObMD Patient Education
Fertility care can be confusing. Find clear answers here.
Explore 40 simple guides about getting pregnant, IVF, medicines, embryo results, difficult choices, and getting help. These pages explain what we know and what we do not know.
How to use this site
Start with the question that matters to you. Each guide gives a short answer, explains key facts, and suggests a question to ask your care team. Your own doctor or nurse can help you understand what applies to you.
Safety: If you have severe pain, trouble breathing, heavy bleeding, or you faint, seek urgent medical care. Do not use this site to change a medication dose.
These pages are draft patient education materials. Each requires formal clinical and editorial review before public release.
Getting started
Getting startedWhy am I not getting pregnant?Getting startedWhat do my fertility tests mean?Getting startedWhat are my chances of getting pregnant?Getting startedIUI or IVF: How do I choose?Getting startedIVF explained: Step by stepGetting startedHow long does fertility treatment take?Getting startedWhat do AMH, FSH, and AFC mean?Getting startedHow much does IVF cost?Getting startedWhat are the risks of IVF?Getting startedWhat should I ask my fertility doctor?
Medicines, eggs, and embryos
Medicines, eggs, and embryosWhy am I taking fertility medicines?Medicines, eggs, and embryosWhat happens during ovarian stimulation?Medicines, eggs, and embryosMy follicles are growing slowly. Should I worry?Medicines, eggs, and embryosWhat happens during egg retrieval?Medicines, eggs, and embryosWhy did some eggs not fertilize?Medicines, eggs, and embryosWhy did some of my embryos stop growing?Medicines, eggs, and embryosWhat does my embryo grade mean?Medicines, eggs, and embryosShould I have PGT-A testing?Medicines, eggs, and embryosFresh or frozen embryo transfer?Medicines, eggs, and embryosWhat do my hCG results mean after IVF?
Feelings and uncertainty
Feelings and uncertaintyWhy is fertility treatment so hard emotionally?Feelings and uncertaintyThe two-week wait: What is normal?Feelings and uncertaintyI am afraid IVF will fail. What can I do?Feelings and uncertaintyMy IVF pregnancy test was negative. What now?Feelings and uncertaintyIs stress lowering my chance of pregnancy?Feelings and uncertaintyHow do I handle pregnancy news from others?Feelings and uncertaintyFertility treatment is affecting my relationship.Feelings and uncertaintyWhen should I ask for mental health help?
Choices about treatment
Choices about treatmentShould I try another IVF cycle?Choices about treatmentHow many embryos should I transfer?Choices about treatmentShould I change fertility clinics?Choices about treatmentWhat can I do after repeated IVF failure?Choices about treatmentShould I consider donor eggs or sperm?Choices about treatmentWhen should I stop fertility treatment?
Finding your way
Finding your wayYour IVF calendar: What happens when?Finding your wayI missed a fertility medicine dose. What now?Finding your wayWhich IVF symptoms need urgent care?Finding your wayHow do I make sense of clinic instructions?Finding your wayWho should I contact with fertility questions?Finding your wayWhat happens after a positive IVF test?