RE appointment next month (newbie question to follow)

Hegi627

I'm not new, but I'm new to the world of in/fertility treatments. So I am asking all of you wonderful ladies who have been there, what do I need to know to avoid looking like an idiot/falling for the slick talk of an idiot RE? I've read a lot of stories on here of ladies getting horrible advice from their RE's and blindly following it. I will be bringing my charts with me, I will be not agree to any medication until we have run diagnostic tests, and I plan on running any treatment plans by the board. You ladies are always so helpful, and I trust your judgement. Guide me, O wise ones!

Hegi627

@packerfan4life thank you! They did tell us they would be mailing us a packet. And I creeped onto the 3T board and found the link to the blog. Thank you again!! That will be a lifesaver over this next month and a half as I try not to get too anxious about this appointment.

kwicks

We just had our first appointment last Thursday. Like packerfan4life, we had to fill out a long questionnaire, and also do our testing before the initial visit. Unfortunately, I couldn't get the HSG done because the only do them on Fridays in my area, and that fell on the 4th. Thankfully, they didn't make me wait for an appt. We got in pretty quickly- the next week.

We did the usual bit with the nurse, then went into the RE's office. We talked a little about the process, he "re-set" our expectations as he put it, letting us know the chances we have each month, etc. I haven't ovulated since going off bc last year, so there wasn't a whole lot to talk about regarding my cycles, timing, etc. We went into an exam room to do the ultrasound, and he noted polycystic ovaries on both sides, and mentioned that was the most likely cause of my anovulation.

We went back into his office, and he explained about PCOS, the treatment options, his recommendation, etc. He's sending my husband to an Infertility Urologist in the bay area, as his SA came back abnormal both times he was tested. We discussed the different scenarios (assuming my HSG comes back clear) with my husbands sperm, and the processes for monitoring, IUI's vs IVF, etc. Once I get the HSG and we figure out what's the deal with my husband's swimmers, we will start treatment.

Overall, I am really thankful I've been a part of this board as long as I have. My husband was on a little bit of information overload, but because of my time here I was pretty prepared and well informed on the topics we discussed. Our RE was pretty awesome, realistic but encouraging. We immediately felt comfortable with him, and my husband kind of surprised me by asking quite a few questions about his situation, and we both left feeling realistic, but good.
I think if you've been hanging around here long enough, you'll know the warning signs of an incompetent RE and run.

Feel free to PM me with any questions, Good luck!

Edit- Stupid block formatting

 

catlover790

My initial appointment sounded pretty much like @packerfan4life‌ said, although mine won't do any treatments until all testing is complete so there might be slight variations. I would recommend that your DH comes too if possible so that he can hear everything too.

I would also check with your insurance beforehand so that you know what to expect in terms of cost. Our RE also looks into this too but it was nice for me to know how much was covered (testing only!!) so that I was sure that we can afford some treatments before I made the appointment. Do you have any specific questions? Good luck!

Hegi627

Thank you @kwicks and @catlover790‌! I don't think I have any specific questions, now that I know more of what to expect. We did talk to our insurance already, and our plan is actually pretty good, unless we need IVF. They have worked with our RE before, so he is familar with the ins and outs of getting their approval. Hubs will be coming with me, he has an SA and a testosterone level check at their office a week before our appointment, so he will get his results then. I guess I just felt like a little kid going to the dentist for the first time. Anxious and a little afraid because I didn't really know what to expect. Reading casual references to RE appointments doesn't really help to know what happens when you are actually in one, so I was just nervous at the thought of the unknown. Thank you ladies for telling Mr about your experiences and what I could (and should-it sounds like you have great doctors!) be able to expect from.my appointment.

catlover790

@Hegi627‌ It sounds like you are already very prepared! That's good! It's good that you have some coverage from insurance too, yay! I had that nervous feeling too, and once we were there the nurses and doctors were very understanding and sensitive. They know that this is a very difficult process. Once I went the first time I felt glad that I would be able to finally get some answers and not have this frustrating feeling. I feel like my RE will (hopefully) be able to help me get pregnant and that makes me happy!

I just thought of something else; do you know if your office is on its own or in a building with other doctors? Ours is a separate building so everyone going there is dealing with IF. I have heard some women on here say that their dr is in another building where they may share the waiting room with people who are pregnant. Just wanted to give you a heads up to prepare yourself in case!

Good luck! I hope your consult goes well!

Hegi627

Thank you @catlover790‌! I didn't think of that. I know there are additional offices in the complex, but I'm not sure if they share a waiting room. I appreciate the heads up!

BabyCowbell

@Hegi627‌ good luck at your appointment. I'll be going to my first one in a couple weeks too.

Follow up questions for our local experts. Will the RE want to know about my moms fertility issues? I wanted to ask her before I go to my appointment but at the same time I don't want to bring up a sensitive topic for her unnecessarily. I know she had around 10 miscarriages over a several year period but I don't know anything more. Will the doctor want to know about that? Or it doesn't affect me anyways so it's irrelevant?