OB Tests?

AlmostLoCo

Hi Ladies,

When I saw my OB for my pre-conception appt. he told me to try with OPKs for 3 months and then he'll run some tests on me and DH if I'm not pregnant. Well, my 3 months are up and I haven't called him yet. I am already past the point of CD3 testing since AF came over the weekend and then I was sick, but I'm wondering what other tests an OB typically runs?  If I call him today, is there stuff he would do now or is it all later in the cycle (I am CD6)?

I guess I'm asking because I'm trying to work up the courage to call the office and get the process moving, which is kind of a scary thing. If I knew there was a time sensitivity with it, maybe that would be the kick in the butt I need to make the call.

I know they can probably do an SA at any time, but I sort of feel like I don't want to put DH through any tests until I am going through them at the same time.

rach2100

Hi there....your OB may run additional tests with b/w (blood work) for your thyroid (TSH) to make sure you don't have too much or too little.  S/he should have reqeusted an SA for sure.  Honestly, I cannot remember all the initial tests...I just know they took quite a few vials of blood from me.

If...and this is a big if...your OB suggests clomid, please please please insist on getting monitored with b/w and u/s BEFORE taking it.  Clomid can cause cysts and it also thins your lining...so monitoring is uber important.

GL!!

ToshaGirl

3 mos is pretty eary IMO to be starting up testing. Usually 6 months is the rule of thumb for ttc+35. But in any case. Testing usually goes like this (not always in this order).

S/A, B/W, HSG, Ovarian reserve count (u/s). 

B/W and HSG are cycle day sensitive. Oh and S/A is easy to do - and the only thing a man has to put up with. So I wouldn't "feel bad" about that if it gets ordered first.

 Also, an OB is generally not as well versed in fert as a RE. So I would hope that you get a RE referral for those tests (unless your OB is an exception and is a fert expert).

 GL.

 

kinsalebride

I'd call your OB and set up and appt. to go in. ask what they feel the next steps are, what testing needs to be done, etc. Also, if you know you ovulate regularly clomid is likely a waste of time. that's really only used for women who don't ovulate regularly to try to get them to ovulate. but often it's one of the only medical steps an OB can take before referring you to an RE. I know mine put me on clomid for that exact reason and it did nada cause i ovulate regularly. After that talk with your OB you may want to assess if it's best to just go to an RE. Many times an RE will redo all the tests that you had done with the OB (incl. the SA) because some RE's use stricter guidelines, etc. So if you want to avoid doing repeat testing and your OB thinks you should, you might want to consider the RE route. good luck.

AlmostLoCo

Thanks ladies, this advice is very helpful. I'm thinking I'll do some basics with my OB but if and when I hit 6 months I'll switch to an RE. It's a bit of a unique situation since my OB practice shares office (and, I think, lab) space with a very good RE practice, so switching back and forth between the two should be pretty seamless.

As far as the testing at 3 months - yeah, my OB is really aggressive and I was surprised when he said 3 months, but he does manage a lot of patients in their late 30s who are TTC (that's NYC metro for ya!) so I'm going with what he said. I figure if there is an obvious problem, better to know and get myself to an RE even sooner.

kikibird

Hey Lori, just wanted to add that my gynecologist is also being aggressive and told me to see her within 3-4 cycles as well (I turn 40 the end of this month so I think she figures time is of the essence).  I was also nervous about "taking the plunge" to go get testing done, of course hoping for a BFP this spring/summer so I wouldn't need to, but I'm on cycle #5 now since the wedding.  I bit the bullet and called for an appointment.  I'll go see her next Wednesday, the 18th.

The scheduler said I need to see the OB/GYN before any tests could be requested, so I guess I'd be ready to set up tests for next cycle if need be.