Newb Intro

Noodle9912

Hi ladies,

I'm Alicia. I'm 36, been married for 6 years and TTC for 5.  After too many months of being too afraid of getting bad news and telling myself that it'd just take one more month, I finally talked to GYN in September.  HSG showed no blockages and all my bloodwork was normal except for a slightly elevated DHEA-S, but a TVUS showed no cysts, so no PCOS.  

After an agonizing month of waiting, my first RE appointment is tomorrow.  I'm trying not to worry too much about it, but honestly worrying is kind of what I do best, except maybe denial and magical thinking.  Any advice about what I can expect?  Thanks!

somewhereinnyc

@Noodle9912 sorry that you’re finding yourself here. I can tell you about my experience in the work up process if that helps.. they took my hx, did day 3 FSH, AMH, and an ultrasound to count follicles. That was pretty much it (besides the hsg). They’ll likely do a sperm analysis on your partner too. All in all, the work up didn’t include too much. 

They tend to start us unexplained ppl w clomid and IUI, which apparently does not have a great success rate. And if that doesn’t work after a few tries, then IVF. 

Noodle9912

Thanks @somewhereinnyc that helps me stress less!

inthewoods23

@Noodle9912 sorry to see you here. Our first RE appointment was going over our medical history and looking at the testing we already had completed (we had already done an HSG and SA). They basically told us they want me to call them on CD1 to schedule a baseline blood work and ultrasound to find any underlining issues. Sometimes those tests will give you a diagnosis, sometimes not (unexplained). From there they'll will give you your options. My RE for unexplained likes to try 3 IUIs before moving into IVF.

Don't be afraid to ask them any questions!

Noodle9912

@inthewoods23 thanks for your kind words. We’ve already done those tests too, and AF is about a week away, so I’m glad I won’t have to wait too long for more answers. Having to wait a month for the appointment was hellish. 

inthewoods23

@Noodle9912 we waited about a month for ours too, but I don't think that was as bad as the wait between the first appointment and when my next cycle came to do the baseline BW and US. Based on where I was in my cycle I thought I would only need to wait 2 weeks but I O'ed a week later than originally predicted so then I ended up waiting 3 weeks! Glad your wait won't be as long as mine!

mbradfo2

@Noodle9912
Wow, you could be me! Married 11 years (gah, we were such babies!), TTC for over 6. We also waited a long time to get to the RE and OB/GYN -- kept thinking "maybe next month" for 3+ years. Nothing abnormal on all initial testing -- bloods, HSG, sperm analysis, etc. Another one of ye olde 'unexplained's. 

There is a fair amount of waiting when you are working with an RE -- whether it's waiting between ultrasounds or cycles, the TWW or just waiting for AF to arrive. Some of the bigger clinics actually have to schedule IVF cycles several months in advance since they are so busy -- imagine that waiting o.o !!! 

My RE also likes doing 3 IUI's for unexplained and then moving to IVF if no success. He also prefers to do frozen transfers rather than fresh since he thinks it gives the embies a better chance of success (freezing the embryos gives you time to build up your lining and make everything as perfect as possible, including timing). 

TW

We found success with our first frozen transfer so there is hope for us unexplaineds! 

You've found a great community of ladies to help you through the process

Noodle9912

Update:

Officially unexplained infertility.  We're doing 2.5mg of Letrozole on CD3-7 and IUI for 3 cycles, but it might have to wait till next month because if AF comes when I expect, they would be doing the IUI on Christmas. I didn't realize it at the time to ask, but I doubt they would work on Christmas.

inthewoods23

@Noodle9912 I have the same question because if letrozole makes me O earlier than normal then my O date this month would be right around Christmas so I'm not sure if they would do it then! I need to ask my RE when I go in for the baseline stuff in the coming days.

Noodle9912

@mbradfo2 I'm so happy for you that you have a success story! It gives me hope!

@inthewoods23 my app just jumped ahead with 3 days with my prediction so now I have no idea what's gonna happen, or at least not what Clue is thinking, but I'm going to try to relax and deal with what comes as it happens instead of trying to plan. Never tried that before, it should be tons of fun ;P