If you’ve been trying to grow your family and it’s taking longer than expected, you’re not alone.
Fertility challenges are more common than many people realize. Still, the experience can feel deeply personal, even isolating. What has changed in recent years is not just awareness, but the number of safe, effective options available — and the way care is delivered.
Our gynecologists understand that every patient is different. We’ll meet you wherever you are—and help get you where you want to be. Make an appointment online, find a provider or call 404-778-3401 to schedule an appointment.
Today, fertility care is more personalized, more precise and more supportive than ever before.
At the Emory Reproductive Center that evolution is central to the approach. Care is designed around the individual — bringing together advanced science, clinical expertise and a deep understanding of what each patient hopes to achieve. As Jennifer Kawwass, MD, explains, treatment decisions are shaped by evidence, the patient’s clinical picture and, just as importantly, their goals and values.
One of the most common—and most difficult—questions is knowing when to take the next step and seek the help of a fertility specialist.
General guidance offers a starting point:
But fertility does not always follow a predictable timeline.
If something feels off — irregular cycles, a known condition like PCOS or endometriosis, a history of more than one miscarriage or prior medical treatments that could affect fertility—it may be worth seeking guidance earlier.
“Earlier evaluation can provide clarity, reassurance and more options moving forward,” says Dr. Kawwass.
Taking that first step can feel like a big one. The good news: you don’t need to have everything figured out before you begin.
A few simple steps can help you feel more prepared:
Beyond the practical details, it’s also important to acknowledge the emotional side of the process. Fertility care often comes with uncertainty — and with it, a mix of hope, stress and anticipation. Having support, whether from a partner, friend or counselor, can make the experience feel more manageable.
Your first visit is centered on understanding you — your health, your history and your goals.
You’ll have a conversation with your provider about:
From there, your care team may recommend initial testing to better understand what’s happening.
This often includes:
“In many cases, this diagnostic process is completed within a few weeks,” says Dr. Kawwass. “The goal is to move forward with a clear, informed plan — one that reflects your unique situation.”
Fertility care is not a single pathway — it’s a range of options tailored to each patient.
For some, treatment may begin with relatively simple steps, such as medication to support follicular development and ovulation. Others may benefit from additional support, such as IUI or IVF.
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a relatively simple, minimally invasive procedure done in the office. Around the time of ovulation, a concentrated sample of sperm is placed directly into the uterus using a thin catheter. The goal is to help more sperm reach the egg at the right time, improving the chances of fertilization. IUI is often used as a first step when at least one fallopian tube is open and the semen parameters are close to normal.
For situations in which the semen parameters, tubal status or future family building goals are not optimal for IUI, in vitro fertilization (IVF) may be recommended.
IVF is a multi-step process that begins with medications to help the ovaries produce multiple eggs. Those eggs are then retrieved during a short outpatient procedure and fertilized with sperm in a specialized embryology lab resulting in embryos. After several days of development, embryos can either be frozen for future use or transferred, one at a time, into the uterus. In some situations, the embryos undergo genetic testing before being frozen. IVF allows fertility specialists to closely guide each step of the process and is often used when other treatments haven’t worked or when there is a desire to extend future fertility options.
There are also options that support future planning or specific medical needs, including:
“At Emory, patients facing time-sensitive medical treatments can often be seen within one to two days, ensuring that fertility preservation is not delayed when it matters most,” says Dr. Kawwass.
Equally important is the recognition that fertility care is not only physical. Emotional support, clear communication and coordinated care all play a vital role in helping patients move through the process with confidence.
At the Emory Reproductive Center, our team performs about 1,800 IVF cycles each year. That experience means we care for a wide range of patients — including those with more complex medical needs — and tailor treatment to each individual.
Just as important, our results reflect that depth of expertise:
But what often sets the experience apart for patients is the emphasis on individualized care.
“We work very hard to make sure patients never feel like they’re in a factory,” says Dr. Kawwass. "Every patient has a real relationship with their physician.”
That philosophy translates into care that is:
Our team of 100 professionals includes reproductive endocrinologists, a genetic counselor, a dedicated urologist specializing in male fertility, and a full complement of embryologists, nurses and sonographers.
Patients are also supported by a broader care team, with access to financial counseling, patient coordinators and emotional support resources — helping to make a complex process feel more navigable.
Choosing a fertility clinic is an important decision, and asking questions is an essential part of that process.
You might consider:
Clear, transparent communication can make a meaningful difference in how supported and informed you feel.
For many people, the hardest part of fertility care is simply getting started.
At Emory Reproductive Center the goal is to make that first step feel approachable — offering expert guidance, personalized care and a team that understands how important this journey is.
Whether you’re just beginning to ask questions or ready to explore treatment options, you don’t have to navigate it alone.
Schedule a consultation to learn more about your fertility and the next steps available to you.
Adapted from an article by Emory University’s Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics.
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