First RE appointment-What to expect

ktmitchell11

I'm not sure if anyone is interested in this, but I would have loved to read a thread like this before going.  I googled a lot and it seems I guessed pretty correctly on what we would do, but in case anyone has to go I thought this might be helpful.

My husband and I had our first RE appointment yesterday at 3.  I was on day 2 of my cycle.  I planned my appointment this way so we wouldn't have to waste a whole month.  I highly suggest doing this, as it worked out in our favor.  The nurse came and got us from the waiting room.  They got my weight (in front of DH I might add.  Ugh) and blood pressure.  We went into a small conference type room and she went over the questionnaires we had previously answered.  They were basically just questions about my period, drugs I'm on, alcohol, tobacco, family history.  They asked my husband about drinking and tobacco use as well.  

She left and the doctor came in and went over my past medical history with me.  He explained a lot about eggs and follicles.  I knew most of this, but it was nice to have a specialist go over all of it and I know it was good for DH to hear.  

We talked about our options at this point.  The first thing he did was give me a transvaginal ultrasound.  We decided to do an HSG dye test for me next Thursday.  This is to check my tubes for blockages and it can also flush said blockages out of my system. I hear these are painful.  If you have had one let me know.  We are doing a round of 50mg of clomid starting sunday (day 5).  DH is getting his swimmers checked next week.  He is being a baby about it.  I told him I have to do all this shit in the next month and all you have to do is have a damn orgasm in a cup.  Get over it.  We will then go in on day 14 for an ultrasound and a trigger shot so that we can time our first IUI for day 16.  I will then go back 7dpo for P4 bloodwork and hopefully Ill be going back the following Friday because my period never came.  At least that is the plan!

This is probably better suited for TTTC or infertility, but I only ever come to this board and a few people seem to have been TTC here for a little longer so I figured it couldn't hurt!

nlwz123

ktmitchell11 said:

I'm not sure if anyone is interested in this, but I would have loved to read a thread like this before going.  I googled a lot and it seems I guessed pretty correctly on what we would do, but in case anyone has to go I thought this might be helpful.

My husband and I had our first RE appointment yesterday at 3.  I was on day 2 of my cycle.  I planned my appointment this way so we wouldn't have to waste a whole month.  I highly suggest doing this, as it worked out in our favor.  The nurse came and got us from the waiting room.  They got my weight (in front of DH I might add.  Ugh) and blood pressure.  We went into a small conference type room and she went over the questionnaires we had previously answered.  They were basically just questions about my period, drugs I'm on, alcohol, tobacco, family history.  They asked my husband about drinking and tobacco use as well.  

She left and the doctor came in and went over my past medical history with me.  He explained a lot about eggs and follicles.  I knew most of this, but it was nice to have a specialist go over all of it and I know it was good for DH to hear.  

We talked about our options at this point.  The first thing he did was give me a transvaginal ultrasound.  We decided to do an HSG dye test for me next Thursday.  This is to check my tubes for blockages and it can also flush said blockages out of my system. I hear these are painful.  If you have had one let me know.  We are doing a round of 50mg of clomid starting sunday (day 5).  DH is getting his swimmers checked next week.  He is being a baby about it.  I told him I have to do all this shit in the next month and all you have to do is have a damn orgasm in a cup.  Get over it.  We will then go in on day 14 for an ultrasound and a trigger shot so that we can time our first IUI for day 16.  I will then go back 7dpo for P4 bloodwork and hopefully Ill be going back the following Friday because my period never came.  At least that is the plan!

This is probably better suited for TTTC or infertility, but I only ever come to this board and a few people seem to have been TTC here for a little longer so I figured it couldn't hurt!

Good luck next week!  My husband sort of complained, too.  Can you believe that?  They seriously have the easiest job in this whole process.

KaaaaaatieRN

I just wanted to say you're a badass for giving all this awesome knowledge. I follow the TTTC board, but it's really quiet there, so I definitely don't mind seeing this post over here. I appreciate it!

ktmitchell11

Glad it was helpful!!  I like this board!  It's more upbeat and I like seeing the BFP's on the TWW  

paigeed

I think you are super brave, courageous and bold. Thank you for sharing your story and stick around so we can see that BFP when it comes.

WaitingMay14

Pretty accurate description of what is to come. I think another thing to remember is to have DH come with you and prepare for anything. I went without DH and it was tough. I wasn't expecting what I was about to hear and it was a very lonely drive home. Thanks for sharing.

YouGoGlenCoco31

Whoa...I had my very first RE appointment yesterday, also on CD2, and I am also doing my first IUI this month. We are so aligned. It feels so good to have a plan, doesn't it? Good luck, girl!

pulling2gether

thank you for posting this! all the info is great and so appreciated.

I wish you the best on the tests.

JP927

Thanks for sharing this! We are still a few months away from seeking an RE but it is nice to hear about what to expect if we get to that point. Good luck!

sweetpoet

Thank you for sharing. Really helpful to hear all of this. We are also just beginning the RE process. Good luck!

ktmitchell11

@wendylee31 hopefully we both have our BFP's this month!!  Around June 10th or so haha.  Nice to have a cycle twin!  Hoping this first IUI does the trip because this shit is not cheap.

YouGoGlenCoco31

@ktmitchell11...you're not kidding, girl.  If DH and I do end up with a baby after all of this, we will be too poor to send the kid to college.  I love the idea of Cycle Twins, because TTC makes me crazy and kind of cheesy.  Hope you get your BFP!

march2008

We are also doing a medicated cycle this month for the first time along with IUI, but I took Femara on CD 3 - 5 instead of Clomid. I had my follicle scan this morning and all looked good so I'm just waiting for my +OPK hopefully tomorrow or the next day if all goes as usual for me and then we'll go in the following morning for the IUI. They told me a trigger isn't necessary for me since I usually ovulate around the same time every month. It would be so great to get lucky on the first attempt!!

Good luck this month!!

Everycol0r

I've had an HSG. It sucked big time, but I had a blocked tube and they tried to push some pressure with the fluid to unblock it. That's what was painful to me. But I knew going in I had a blocked tube, they could see my hydro via ultrasound. I've heard for a lot of women it's not nearly as painful so FX!

ktmitchell11

Thanks!  I'm not sure whether to wish for the pain or not.  Because if there IS a blocked tube, it could be the reason I haven't conceived this past year and if that's the only problem I would totally be ok with an immense amount of pain to fix the problem. 

ktmitchell11

How long does it take if you don't mind me asking?  Like how long is it painful for?

Everycol0r

ktmitchell11 said:

How long does it take if you don't mind me asking?  Like how long is it painful for?

I think it lasted about 10 minutes from start to finish and the pain was sharp & sudden for me. Gone after they stopped pushing the fluid. It's really not terrible but definitely not my favorite thing to do.

Edit: Every infertility issue has its hurdles. My hydro takes me from 20% every month to 1-2%.

pulling2gether

@ktmitchell11

I saw that you posted about your HSG dye test in another thread. Is this something you would consider discussing to continue this thread? (Totally okay if this is something you prefer to keep private)

ktmitchell11

Of course!  Do you have any specific questions or just curious about the procedure as a whole?

pulling2gether

ktmitchell11 said:

Of course!  Do you have any specific questions or just curious about the procedure as a whole?

Well first, I just saw your post about the all clear. Fantastic news! I want to ask how it went, but didn't want to over reach.

I did some quick googling to get an idea of what the procedure is and why one would have it. I saw that @everycol0r also talked about hers. I am curious how the procedure was and your overall thoughts/experience as well now that you've had it done.

edit: words

ktmitchell11

Well, I was pretty nervous about it because I had heard things ranging from it was slightly uncomfortable to it being the worse pain in the whole entire world.  DH went with me because I was scared.  The tech explained everything that was about to happen (hope this isnt TMI).  I got in a hospital gown and laid towards the edge of a metal table.  My RE inserted a speculum.  He then wiped the cervix three times to clean it.  This wasn't pleasant, but not painful either just kind of irritating.  He then put a catheter into my cervix which wasn't painful.  There is a small balloon on the end of the catheter that they then expand to seal the opening so the dye doesn't come out.  This part was uncomfortable.  Felt like a bad period cramp and then pressure.  After that the radiologist came in and the doctor inserted the dye so the radiologist could take pictures.  This was the worse part.  Really bad cramping, but they took two pictures and the dye part was over in about 15 seconds.  They took the catheter out and I was good to go.  

My doctor said that even though there were no blockages which is good, however at first I was on the fence.  If there had been blockages that may have been an answer that I didn't have before.  I feel better about it now because my doctor said that even without blockages the HSG is therapeutic and can still make things easier when TTC.  I'm thrilled we did this the week before my IUI.  Sometimes it just feels good to be proactive about things.

The procedure cost me about $1500.00.  My specific insurance covers 0% of anything fertility related so that comes out of pocket.

My experience was good, however I'll be singing HSG praises even more if I get KU this month!

pulling2gether

ktmitchell11 said:

Well, I was pretty nervous about it because I had heard things ranging from it was slightly uncomfortable to it being the worse pain in the whole entire world.  DH went with me because I was scared.  The tech explained everything that was about to happen (hope this isnt TMI).  I got in a hospital gown and laid towards the edge of a metal table.  My RE inserted a speculum.  He then wiped the cervix three times to clean it.  This wasn't pleasant, but not painful either just kind of irritating.  He then put a catheter into my cervix which wasn't painful.  There is a small balloon on the end of the catheter that they then expand to seal the opening so the dye doesn't come out.  This part was uncomfortable.  Felt like a bad period cramp and then pressure.  After that the radiologist came in and the doctor inserted the dye so the radiologist could take pictures.  This was the worse part.  Really bad cramping, but they took two pictures and the dye part was over in about 15 seconds.  They took the catheter out and I was good to go.  

My doctor said that even though there were no blockages which is good, however at first I was on the fence.  If there had been blockages that may have been an answer that I didn't have before.  I feel better about it now because my doctor said that even without blockages the HSG is therapeutic and can still make things easier when TTC.  I'm thrilled we did this the week before my IUI.  Sometimes it just feels good to be proactive about things.

The procedure cost me about $1500.00.  My specific insurance covers 0% of anything fertility related so that comes out of pocket.

My experience was good, however I'll be singing HSG praises even more if I get KU this month!

Thank you for being thorough! I don not think most things on this board are TMI. I find it utterly ridiculous that all things fertility are not covered by insurance, but that is a whole other thread. Sounds like an over all good outcome for you!

ktmitchell11

Agreed about insurance.  Guess we see it as, "What's more important than being a mom?" and they see it as, "Being a mom is not necessary in our eyes."  Womp Womp.

thenali

I just wanted to say thanks for sharing, this is so informative! Best of luck to you on this journey

ktmitchell11

Just kind of keeping this thread up for any one who is curious.  DHs semen analysis came back.  Number was good, motility was good, morphology is not.  The nurse didn't seem to think that was a huge deal, but I'm still a little nervous about what that means.  From what the nurse says, had they checked  before scheduling the IUI, they would have wanted to do the IUI anyway.  

ecmb

ktmitchell11 said:

Just kind of keeping this thread up for any one who is curious.  DHs semen analysis came back.  Number was good, motility was good, morphology is not.  The nurse didn't seem to think that was a huge deal, but I'm still a little nervous about what that means.  From what the nurse says, had they checked  before scheduling the IUI, they would have wanted to do the IUI anyway.  

I've read on other threads here about SA that they're not even sure if the morphology actually matters that much or not.  That they're way more concerned about number and motility.  You may find some of those posts if you do a search for SA or semen analysis.  They were pretty recent, prob from April maybe?

Glad his numbers and motility were good though!!

ktmitchell11

Thanks! I did look up a few past threads but I stopped because it seemed like there was some conflicting answers and I didn't want to panic! I'm obviously a worrier...

KaaaaaatieRN

@ktmitchell11 .. I'm a worrier too, so I completely get it! I hope you find the answers you need!

Quazel

Thank you so much for all of this info!! FX this is all you need!

ktmitchell11

Glad people are getting things out of it!  I will continue to update.  Next Tuesday I will go for a transvaginal ultrasound and a novarel injection to kick start ovulation.  

YouGoGlenCoco31

Hey there, IUI Cycle Twin...we are so in sync.  My DH got his SA results back today as well, and everything looks good.  Is it wrong that I was secretly hoping that he was the problem, and not me?  I wish I was doing the ultrasound and trigger shot now, instead of just Clomid.  Keep us all posted and good luck!!

ktmitchell11

Hey twinsie!!  No it's not bad because I had those thoughts too!  

What are you doing this cycle if you don't mind me asking?  Are you doing the clomid and an iui withought the trigger shot?  My doctor went ALL in, which I am ok with, but I definitely didn't expect to be doing all of this so fast.

Also, do you know when your hubs will have to give the sample for the IUI.  I'm assuming it's the morning of.  Seems like a lot of pressure.  Like, "hey hubs, YOU HAVE TO HAVE AN ORGASM or we're screwed."  I think I'm more nervous about him not being able to give a sample.

YouGoGlenCoco31

Yep, just a plain old IUI with Clomid this cycle.  I wanted to go straight to IVF (because of my age), but we had a cycle to wait while we did the testing (my ultrasound and rubella screening and his SA).  So, here we are. 

You hit the nail on the head with the timing!  It's so stressful for the guy.  I just wait for a positive on my OPK and call to schedule the IUI the following morning.  Fortunately, we only live 20 minutes from the clinic, so he can do his part at home and I can run his sample over for the IUI.  I think I saw that your DH won't be with you for the main event (I get it -- I'm an attorney as well ), and I'm a little sad that mine won't be with me, either.  

Hope I'm not hijacking your post!  Just glad to be able to compare notes.

Edit, because I made the first emoticon a laughing smile, and it was frightening...chill, smiley.

ktmitchell11

Phaha.  Over-eager emoji.  You aren't hijacking.  I'm glad someone is doing the same thing as me at the same time.  Hopefully we can move to the BMBs together and know someone there isn't super crazy.  We live close enough as well for him to do it at home, but it still seems like so much pressure.  

Yea DH won't be there, but I understand.  It comes with the territory.  It has to be tough for you as an attorney to make sure your schedule is flexible enough to get to the doctor when you need to.  Really hoping we both get BFPs this month!

bsckgb7

I was searching for info about RE appointments and found this. I was curious how the OP and others did with their cycles?