Fertility advice please

iheartcoffee

I don't know much at all about charting, FF, infertility options out there etc.... Even though we only have 1 tube to work with, I have been hoping for it to still "just happen" for us. I don't think it is. 

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I need to find a new OB. ((The one I saw when my tube ruptured did not call me back the night it actually ruptured. So he was out. The one I seen with my last m/c left the practice and I didn't care for the other nurse midwife)) So now that I am wanting to explore my options and have a fertility work up my question is.... Since I have not been charting is that something I need to do for a few months for I make my appt? Or should I just make an appt to meet and greet and see what they expect? I can be impatient when I have made my mind up about something and I don't want to make an appt and expect one thing and get another. I need advice. What should I do? How do I need to prepare? TIA!

Gregermis

Sorry to hear that you only have one tube!  Honestly, in your position, I would find a new OB soon, and then get a referral to an RE.  They are going to be much better equiped to handle your situation.  DH and I have been struggling with IF, but I do still have both tubes.  There are a few girls over on the infertility board that may have a bit more info for you.  With only one tube, you will definitely be welcome over there.

While your waiting for all this to happen, pick up a copy of Taking Charge of Your Fertility or go to the FF website and read their tutorials. That will give you a great start on charting. 

 

iheartcoffee

Gregermis:

Sorry to hear that you only have one tube!  Honestly, in your position, I would find a new OB soon, and then get a referral to an RE.  They are going to be much better equiped to handle your situation.  DH and I have been struggling with IF, but I do still have both tubes.  There are a few girls over on the infertility board that may have a bit more info for you.  With only one tube, you will definitely be welcome over there.

While your waiting for all this to happen, pick up a copy of Taking Charge of Your Fertility or go to the FF website and read their tutorials. That will give you a great start on charting. 

 

OK thank you! I was thinking after I posted this that going ahead and making an appt might be best and go from there. I can't really have any expectations when I have no idea how this goes. Ill post this over there too and see if they can give any insight. Thanks again!  

pinktrojanbride120107

I also don't like my doctor, and will be shopping around for a new one, but I'm realizing that I'll probably have to be my own advocate once I'm ready to be.  In that case, I know I'll need to be well informed about myself and my body, which is why I think charting is a good idea -- I'm hoping it will empower me to make good decisions once I have a few good cycles of information up my sleeve.

NBBride05

I recently switched doctors myself and I was better prepared to ask the right questions because of this board and charting. 

BootsOrHearts

Definitely find an RE (reproductive endocrinologist) or an OB who is a fertility specialist (I don't know the difference to be honest). They will do a full work-up including bloodwork, ultrasound, and possibly HSG, etc. to see what's going on and give you some options.

It might help to chart temps or start using OPKs until your appointment to see if/when you're ovulating but I don't think it's critical. I would go ahead and get an appointment and just do some tracking until then. Even just tracking your cycle days to know if they're consistent is helpful info. 

Good luck with your TTC journey!

buckeyebaby814

Gregermis:

Sorry to hear that you only have one tube!  Honestly, in your position, I would find a new OB soon, and then get a referral to an RE.  They are going to be much better equiped to handle your situation.  DH and I have been struggling with IF, but I do still have both tubes.  There are a few girls over on the infertility board that may have a bit more info for you.  With only one tube, you will definitely be welcome over there.

While your waiting for all this to happen, pick up a copy of Taking Charge of Your Fertility or go to the FF website and read their tutorials. That will give you a great start on charting. 

 

This is all wonderful advice!  FWIW, a friend of mine who had been TTC the same amount of time with me only used OPKs (no temping) and was referred to a RE.  It's helpful for you to know what's going on with your cycles but REs will monitor your cycles for you if you move forward with treatment.  They will run tests before considering treatment so they will know what course of action is necessary.

Good luck to you! 

DaisyZH

I would go ahead and make the appointment.  My doctor wasn't interested at all in my charting (although she should have been).  You could always ask the receptionist when you make the appointment if they expect you to have charts.  Good luck!

tdmd09

I would definitely make the appointment now. You may have to wait a bit (or a while) for an appointment for new patients, so waiting to make the appointment may only delay things further.

Also, a lot of doctors I've seen and heard of don't always believe in charting. The first RE I saw told me to quit temping and only use OPKs because "I'm sure it's stressing you out" (he's also an idiot, but that's beside the point). Anyway, point being, they may or may not be interested in your charts.

I would, however, try to get a copy of your medical records to bring to your appointment with your new OB so they can review your specific case (and don't read them unless you want to cry a lot).

Good for you for being your own advocate and seeking a new doctor, and good luck with the appointment! 

iheartcoffee

I didn't even think about getting my medical records. Duh! Thank you for reminding me! That will make me seem more prepared then I probably will be! So thanks!

I did post this in the infertility board and got a lot of great advice. I still havnt brought it up to DH so Im not sure how it will all go down. Im not sure If I am ready to go straight to a RE, I keep going back and forth on that decision. Since I do not have an OB currently I think it may be a good idea to get established with one first. From internet research the closes with be a few hours from me (The RE), and I don't know if they deliver babies or if I would have to go to an OB once everything works out, and I don't want to drive a few hours for regular OB appointments when that time comes, IF they do deliver. (My research has not gotten that far) 

So I am still trying to figure it all out. BUT thank you for all the wonderful advice so far! I appreciate it!!  

buckeyebaby814

iheartcoffee:

I didn't even think about getting my medical records. Duh! Thank you for reminding me! That will make me seem more prepared then I probably will be! So thanks!

I did post this in the infertility board and got a lot of great advice. I still havnt brought it up to DH so Im not sure how it will all go down. Im not sure If I am ready to go straight to a RE, I keep going back and forth on that decision. Since I do not have an OB currently I think it may be a good idea to get established with one first. From internet research the closes with be a few hours from me (The RE), and I don't know if they deliver babies or if I would have to go to an OB once everything works out, and I don't want to drive a few hours for regular OB appointments when that time comes, IF they do deliver. (My research has not gotten that far) 

So I am still trying to figure it all out. BUT thank you for all the wonderful advice so far! I appreciate it!!  

I think your plan sounds like a good one, get established with a new OB first.  I did this last summer and I started by finding OBs within 45 miles of me and googled their names.  There's lots of sites that offer doctor reviews and I must say, based on my research and now personal experience, I think I found the best OB practice ever in my area!

A RE will typically see you until 8-12 weeks of pregnancy, for early and frequent monitoring then release you to the OBGYN for the rest of your prenatal care.  

 

iheartcoffee

buckeyebaby814:

iheartcoffee:

I didn't even think about getting my medical records. Duh! Thank you for reminding me! That will make me seem more prepared then I probably will be! So thanks!

I did post this in the infertility board and got a lot of great advice. I still havnt brought it up to DH so Im not sure how it will all go down. Im not sure If I am ready to go straight to a RE, I keep going back and forth on that decision. Since I do not have an OB currently I think it may be a good idea to get established with one first. From internet research the closes with be a few hours from me (The RE), and I don't know if they deliver babies or if I would have to go to an OB once everything works out, and I don't want to drive a few hours for regular OB appointments when that time comes, IF they do deliver. (My research has not gotten that far) 

So I am still trying to figure it all out. BUT thank you for all the wonderful advice so far! I appreciate it!!  

I think your plan sounds like a good one, get established with a new OB first.  I did this last summer and I started by finding OBs within 45 miles of me and googled their names.  There's lots of sites that offer doctor reviews and I must say, based on my research and now personal experience, I think I found the best OB practice ever in my area!

A RE will typically see you until 8-12 weeks of pregnancy, for early and frequent monitoring then release you to the OBGYN for the rest of your prenatal care.  

 

Thank you. I think I know which OB I'm going to use, he had great reviews on the internet and a few friends have used him. I think its the first good step... And thank you for the info on the RE, I didn't know how that would work out. 

Laurakat81

I would make an appointment with an RE and find a new OB. I would also start charting just to be more familiar with what is going on in your body.

I lost my tube in November and my RE recommended IUI and Clomid to up our chances of getting an egg on the left side. Good luck!

iheartcoffee

Laurakat81:

I would make an appointment with an RE and find a new OB. I would also start charting just to be more familiar with what is going on in your body.

I lost my tube in November and my RE recommended IUI and Clomid to up our chances of getting an egg on the left side. Good luck!

Im sorry about you having one one tube too =( I will definitely make an appt with the new OB of choice and find a RE. Thank you.