I have more questions!

NYGirl02

So, I downloaded a 99 cent book written by the most respected REs in my city. I'm reading through it and these people seem intense! I mean, I know IF is intense, but it feels as though they think IVF should be the first line of defense. They also don't believe that charting is accurate. According to them, the temp rise can be off by 2 days in either direction of the temp rise. anyone heard this before? 

Also, what is considered an irregular period? Mine vary quite a bit month to month, as does ovulation, but they are always within the normal 25-35 day range. According to this book, irregular periods mean you are not ovulating. I'm sure that is often true, but temps and OPKs  (another tool this book balks at) always seem to line up.  

I probably just need to chill.  And if these people are supposedly the best REs near me (literally down the street from my house) then I am kind of scared.  It feels like they just want to do the most expensive treatments and make money.  

+SouthernMomma+

uhh, no offense but you should probably try to get your 99 cents back, girl! lol..

Good luck, & I hope you find a more reputable Dr. that knows what they're doing, and truly cares about your well being rather than $ in his/her pocket. 

KC1212

My first RE (before DS) was an IVF pusher too. I think IVF is great don't get me wrong but it is expensive and invasive. It just makes sense to start off with a sling shot, then try a BB gun, then maybe a rifle before one jumps to a nuclear missle - ya know?

And FWIW my new OB/ fertility specialist told me to buy OPKs!

Give your doc a try first - it may just be the stupid (no offense) book - lol.

CheesyPeas

IVF tends to have a really good success rate for most people, so i could see where perhaps they might be coming from a "let's get you pregnant; you've waited long enough" standpoint than a money hungry standpoint.  Jumping straight to IVF seems pretty radical to me though when a good chunk of people strugging to conceive have success with far less invasive forms of treatment.  I would give the REs a chance to see if perhaps the book comes off a little different than what they do in person.  Hopefully you'll feel like they have your own best interest in mind after seeing them and not that they're after your/insurance money.

As far as charting inaccuracies go, I think if temps and OPKs match up, you can probably feel pretty good about your ovulation date.  If they don't match up, then yeah, you might be someone who experiences delayed ovulation, slow BBT rise, or something else but by and large, I think charting is pretty spot on for most people and they're just wanting to be big know-it-alls in that book.

KC1212

Yes @cheesypeas said it perfect!

Sweetest116

Since I (used to) consider myself a charting pro I'll say that there's a large margin for human error, so maybe that's why they claim there's a two day variance.  But honestly like Cheesy said, if everything lines up to for a perfect orchestral climax, then it ALL can't be wrong.  As for irregular periods, ovulation is effected so many outside factors (stress, diet, mood, etc) that how can it a fixed date?!  So of course your period can vary.  I dunno... like Southern said, I'd get my 99 cents back.  And I LOVE what @KC1212 said, I've used that saying with my own health... I'd rather see a doctor who uses medicine like a sniper rifle than a bazooka. 

pettycrocker

First off, yea.. REs dislike charting because (duh) it's taking tons of money from them, they probably LOVE women that have no effing clue what is up with their bodies. My RE always acted like I was ridiculous for charting- well bitch, I might be ridiculous but I know EXACTLY when I ovulate. She also tends to act like it's nearly impossible to just get pregnant on your own, and honestly, how fucking laughable is that? I got pregnant without even trying, just a random bowchickawowwow and I was totes knocked up, AND she is pregnant with her second child, so I literally LAUGH at how dramatic she is about the whole process. 

My regular OB always supported the charting- their business is taking care of babies, not getting me pregnant. Boom tissss. 

Also, yea, I agree about IVF being the front line because it actually does have the highest success rate, and also because it is big fat dollars for the RE's, but it really does have a high success rate. It is also super mother effing stressful (so many little things can go wrong and cancel the entire cycle) as well as physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually taxing- and I am a person who has had a failed cycle, gearing up for ROUND TWO, and the thought of it is pretty effing terrifying. 

Have you been charting, or doing OPKs? How has your timing been? I just reread your intro and see you are just now at the 1 year mark. How many of those cycles have you had known well timed intercourse (backed up with charting or OPKs) If you KNOW you are having great timing, and things still aren't connecting, then it's a good thing to pursue your treatment options now, butttttttt if you've just been winging it for a year, then now would be a good time to buckle down, track your ovulation, and see if timing has been an issue for you, before you start to make yourself nuts with testing/treatment. 

Andplusalso, get a sperm analysis before you start treading the testing waters for yourself. There is just this one primary issue with the men, and about a billion issues that could be wrong with us, it's just exponentially simpler and most cost effective to rule out this issue first. 

KC1212

@mrs Castillo I seriously sat my phone down and gave your response a standing ovation

=D>

OP - she is spot on!

Sweetest116

It all comes back to making money - everyone is a marketing shister out to manipulate you when you're weak.  Castillo's got the right mind there, spot on.

NYGirl02

Sorry, I'm just getting back on here. I've been charting consistently for 6 months with good timing each month. The 6 months before that, I was really sporadic. I could never get a decent chart because DDs sleep was crap, so obviously mine was also. I did OPKs, but not super consistently. We took a lot of guesses, but we were DTD 3-4 times a week so I don't think timing was too bad then either. 

To be fair to the docs, the book is called Fast Track to Fertility, so it makes sense they would really highlight IVF. Just some of their other blanket statements were so irritating.

I'm thinking a SA is definitely the next step.