You know what they say about the best time to start something.

Well in the case of assessing your fertility, the best time wasn’t yesterday. It was likely a ways before that. Wah wah. Cue the world’s smallest violin. But I promise it’s not all bad news.

Just by reading this post and thinking about your fertility status, you’re taking the first step towards reaching your goals.

Here are five signs it’s time to go ahead and make that appointment.

You’re started thinking about it

Personally, I started wondering about my fertility status years before actually doing anything about it. Years, people. But it’s like I was afraid to say it out loud. Maybe that would make it true? I’m not sure. Regardless, if you’re spending time thinking about your fertility status, it’s time to think about getting tested.

You have a family history

Personally, I have a family history of endometriosis. If someone in your immediate family has struggled in the past, you have a higher chance of issues. Same deal for your partner.

You want children in the next few years

One thing I failed to take into account is how friggin’ long the process takes. I started googling reproductive endocrinologists at the age of 32. I got up the nerve to actually make the appointment at age 33. I walked in at age 34. You see where this is going. All in all, I crammed together several cycles of IVF before successfully carrying my twins, yet the entire process from start to finish took nearly four years.

You “have a feeling”

Not to get all woo-woo on your, but intuition is a powerful sign. Personally, I always suspected I may struggle with getting pregnant. Although I had no pain, I found out I had stage three endo and required surgery before trying any reproductive intervention.

You’re willing to be your own advocate

Although I loved the reproductive endocrinologist and center I ultimately chose, I firmly believe that if I hadn’t pushed and questioned, I’d still be trying. Your RE likely has hundreds of patients to keep track of. It’s up to you to keep things on track in terms of appointments, medication orders, reminders, and more.

Next up: Read about how my first egg retrieval went.