what to ask RE in IVF consult?

halfnhalf

I'm apologizing right off the bat, because I know this has been asked before.  I scrolled back a bit and didn't see anything recent though, so I'm going to bite the bullet and ask again!  (Bear with me!)

Meeting with the RE tomorrow about the possibility of doing IVF.  What should I ask?  What do you wish you had asked, if you've been down this path already? 

If it helps to know my background (I post here and there but I'm not completely a regular), I'm a PCOS girl who failed to respond to Clomid and had minimal responses to Femara.  TTC for 16mos - a few non medicated and cancelled cycles in the mix.  Also may do a cycle or two on injectables, but RE thinks it's time to at least have the IVF discussion.  Gulp.

TIA!  I appreciate it.  (I'm going to make a list of questions tonight!)

Dragonfly1226

I asked what he thought our chances of success were and what my protocol would be. He described what the cycle would entail.

We also had to sign a bunch of forms, but we did not do that until we went to our IVF class. 

jennim1984

I'd ask if he thinks you'd have a chance with injectables and IUI first. But since you're having the IVF talk as well I'd ask what protocol they'd plan on putting you on. This helped me research the best price on meds. They will discuss the process and the risks, and probably send you home with a lot of information. Just try and get as much information as you can. Don't worry if you forget to ask something, you'll have plenty of chances. Good Luck with your appointment!

XXXXX222

Here are some questions from "The Couple's Guide to In Vitro Fertilization":

Do you think my partner and I are good candidates for IVF?  Do you see any major obstacles to my getting pregnant via IVF?

Have we overlooked a less invasive treatment that might work?

What are your most recent live birth rates for women in my age group and couples with our condition?

What tests will we need before we begin?

What type of protocol would you use for someone like me?

Do you think we might require a special service (such as ICSI, PGD, or egg donor)?

When will I be able to begin a cycle?  What is the basic timeline?

Will you be my exclusive doctor or will I see all of the doctors on staff?

Whom shall we call when we have questions?

What's the ballpark price tag of our total treatments?  Are there any "hidden costs" we need to know about?

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And, here are some I wish that I had asked before we got started:

When exactly is payment due?  How much is due up front?

Do you work with any companies that offer medical loans at better interest rates than credit cards?

When will my husband need to come in for his semen analysis and freeze?

Do you tend to favor either 3 day transfer or blastocyst transfer?  Does one yield better success for you over the other?

nikinikinine

Dragonfly1226:

I asked what he thought our chances of success were and what my protocol would be. He described what the cycle would entail.

We also had to sign a bunch of forms, but we did not do that until we went to our IVF class. 

this. There isn't a whole lot of asking, it's mostly a lot of listening. Don't be surprised if you don't "get it". I didn't really understand what was going on until we were actually cycling, then everything I heard and read made so much more sense. 

halfnhalf

Thanks everyone!  Sulfababy - wow thank you.  I was looking for a list like that online but I wasn't finding anything.  This was very helpful ladies, I'm glad I asked.