OB vs RE

MsFaith15

Hello ladies! So everything I've seen here and on TTGP says go to an RE when you start testing. I have taken this to heart. When I asked my OB for a referral she said she can order the blood test and HSG. I thought this was weird so I called the fertility department. They said they usually take patients after your OB has done all the testing and a couple rounds of Clomid. Then they said you could skip that and have a consultation with an RE but it would be $450 and insurance wouldn't typically cover it. I am ok spending the money but this just sounds weird. Now I'm confused and I see red flags. And this is the largest hospital system in the state. Shouldn't they know what they are doing? So confused! Thanks for any thoughts.

cateyes543

Some OBs work with REs so they can do all your testing and the RE will meet with you after. If the RE's office is ok with it, then I would say go for it. It would only be iffy to me if the RE said they will not accept the testing and want to do it themselves. I would do any treatments with the RE but testing could go through an OB. 

SND1231

Sometimes RE's will accept the testing done through an OB and  quite often insurance will cover it with the OB even if your insurance doesn't cover IF. If that is the case there is no harm having the testing done with the OB. But if your RE does not accept the testing through the OB and plans to repeat it all, it doesn't save money or time. However, on to the Clomid with the OB DO NOT DO IT! There are numerous stories here and on other boards about taking meds through the OB that leads to very serious issues as OBs do not know what they are doing. OBs are great for keeping you pregnant and REs are great at getting you pregnant. I am sure others will chime in with why and how OBs are not right for medications for IF. Good luck!

ETA: spelling errors

MsFaith15

Thank you! That makes me feel a little better about testing with her. So it sounds like if she were to suggest Clomid after that then it would be a good time to go to the RE.

MsFaith15

@SND1231‌ thank you. I typed my response at the same time. You just confirmed that!

Remylove1011

Agree with PP's testing through OB is fine as long as RE will accept it. I'd call your insurance to see if anything is covered for infertility. On my previous plan nothing was convered, but our current plan coveres quiete a bit so you never know! I hope your testing goes well!

MsFaith15

@rainbowbridge14‌ my OB specified that I need to get the HSG before I ovulate but didn't say a specific time to get my blood work done. She just said to go to their walk in lab. Does that sound right? Anyone else please chime in as well.

Karenb676

If you can go straight to the RE do it! ! ob had me go for all the testing first, she determined that from my hsg test and then an mri I had a bicornate uterus. She then wanted to start me on clomid. My sister and acupuncturist urged me to go straight to a well known fertility center near me. My RE said clomid was NOT the drug to give me with a bicornate uterus because that type of uterus can not hold twins and clomid could produce twins. Wow how scary that could have been off I stayed with my ob. Then to top it off, after my 3d sonogram my RE and his expertise, found out that I do not have a bicornate uterus. Yeah!!!
So protect yourself and your body, go to an RE asap!

MsFaith15

Thank you all! So very knowledgable. :x

BunnyBerry

This is a red flag for me...if an RE's office is telling me to do "a few rounds of Clomid" with an OB before coming for a consult, I would seriously consider going to a different office. How would they know whether Clomid is an appropriate treatment for you? For that matter, how would the OB be sure of that - this is why we want an RE to interpret our results and order any specialized testing that seems called for. I would shop around for a different RE.