DEAR HARRIETTE: My husband and I have been married for five years. For the last three, we have been trying to have a baby, but with little success. I've had one miscarriage, which broke both of our hearts. I really want a child, but I'm feeling hopeless. We are considering looking into in vitro fertilization or other options, but are apprehensive due to it being very costly and not guaranteed to work. What do you think I should do? A part of me is also nervous to go to the doctor out of fear that there is something wrong with me and I won't ever be able to conceive. -- Baby on the Brain, Philadelphia
DEAR BABY ON THE BRAIN: What you dread the most is what you must do immediately -- go to the doctor. A complete physical examination will help you know what's going on in your body. If you need any medical attention or assistance, your doctor should be able to figure that out. Your OB-GYN can also help you determine whether you and your husband are viable candidates for IVF. While there are no guarantees that your doctor can make, you can get support and recommendations for next steps.
You may also want to consider holistic support. I had a miscarriage three years before I had my daughter. One of my healthcare professionals was a Chinese medical doctor and acupuncturist. Through allopathic and homeopathic support, I was able to conceive and bear a child. Perhaps this can be true for you.