Questions about Clomid...and need some peace of mind!

LyssRob

Hoping to get some advice from the ladies that have already gone through this. Because I do not get my period on my own, my OBGyn said that if I do not finally get it by mid-December we will begin Clomid. From the posts I have read, it seems many people do not trust OBs to be administering this...should I be going to RE instead? (I asked my OB this on the phone and she said no, I would do it with her.). Also, what can I expect in terms of testing before beginning Clomid? Is it something they would start pretty soon after my appointment or not really? I'm a little nervous and a lot overwhelmed. TIA for any advice/stories you have...

kelly_renee

My OB started me on Clomid due to irregular periods and after testing my progesterone levels (which were very low). I was on Clomid for 6 months before getting my BFP, I was to be on Clomid for 6 months before being referred to a fertility specialist. My daughter is now 3 and we are getting ready to start TTC for #3, will start Clomid in 5 months after trying the conventional way.

Hope this helps!!

KdgTeacher

IMO, yes it should be done under the care of an RE and NOT an OB/GYN.

Before beginning Clomid MH and I had the following done: SA for MH, CD 3 b/w. 7DPO b/w, HSG, and a SHG. 

After that testing was done I started Clomid.  You should also be monitored while on Clomid which 98% of OBs don't do.

KdgTeacher

kelly_renee:

My OB started me on Clomid due to irregular periods and after testing my progesterone levels (which were very low). I was on Clomid for 6 months before getting my BFP, I was to be on Clomid for 6 months before being referred to a fertility specialist. My daughter is now 3 and we are getting ready to start TTC for #3, will start Clomid in 5 months after trying the conventional way.

Hope this helps!!

I would ask about this as Clomid generally has a lifetime max of around 6 cycles. 

Gregermis

OB's are fine to administer clomid so long as they make sure to monitor you.  Many OB's don't monitor their patients who are on clomid, and there in lies the issue.

LyssRob

Monitor in what way? Bloodwork throughout the cycle? What exactly are they monitoring?

sbrowns08

LyssRob:

Monitor in what way? Bloodwork throughout the cycle? What exactly are they monitoring?

You should have midcycle monitoring through ultrasound as well. Clomid can thin your lining, making implantation impossible. It can also cause multiple follicles, leading to higher order multiples. Don't forget that you need a semen analysis and HSG to check your tubes first too!

sekura

sbrowns08:

LyssRob:

Monitor in what way? Bloodwork throughout the cycle? What exactly are they monitoring?

You should have midcycle monitoring through ultrasound as well. Clomid can thin your lining, making implantation impossible. It can also cause multiple follicles, leading to higher order multiples. Don't forget that you need a semen analysis and HSG to check your tubes first too!

  What they said.  Generally not recommended to use Clomid for more than 6 cycles, and 1-2 internal ultrasounds per cycle are valuable to be sure everything is working correctly, and you're not developing cysts or too many follicles.

pugznploons

I am on my first round of Clomid right now (50mg).  I am doing it under the care of my obgyn, but I was only comfortable doing this as he was recommended to me by several friends/acquaintances, including two doctors that have worked with him and used him as their own doctor for fertility troubles/pregnancy.  While his primary business is caring for pregnant women and delivering babies, he has a long history of helping women get pregnant as well, and very low rates of multiples.

He is all about the monitoring, which means he does bloodwork and ultrasounds to closely monitor my follicle growth while I am on fertility drugs.  Before I started Clomid I did cd 3 bloodwork and dh had a semen analysis.  I did my HSG just this last week as well.  If after 3-4 cycles I am not pregnant he is going to refer me to an RE.  

I lurked on this board long enough to know what questions to ask when I met with him to discuss fertility treatments.  I think if there is any question as to your obgyn's comfort level and competence when it comes to monitoring Clomid or any other fertility drug, it would be wise to go to an RE.   

good luck! 

AKB090609

My ob put me on clomid she had me do blood work and an HSG and monitored me well (I knew because I was on here) we only moved on to an RE because it was required for us if we wanted to do IUI.