RE

bundleoluv11

Oh ok everyone this will be my first time I ever went to see a RE and I do have a few questions on everyone experiences on their first visit. How did you feel? what happen? do you still work with one? And what advice can you give me about my first time?

kristi&p

I started with an RE right away. My first appointment included an ultrasound and discussing with the doctor about types of genetic testing I wanted done. I also met with the financial counselor. I was given two lab slips one to get done that day and one to get done on cd3. I was told to start opk testing cd10 and to call the evening of my positive for the iui next day. Now that I had the problem with iui 1, we talked right away about medication for iui number two. So just bring all of your questions. We also had to see a physiologist to get enrolled in their donor insemination program, not sure if that is common. I wish you the best of luck with your appointment.

bundleoluv11

Thank you for your story and giving me advice on this. I hope for the best for you and your wife and I hope you keep me updated and we shall see what happens in the next few weeks to come.

Manada

I am not sure if you are mobile bumping or not, but if you're on a computer the newbie link on the TTTC board may be really helpful to you in terms of information about tests and treatments. It is a link at the top of the board when you view on a computer.

Just know that board has a very distinct culture to it, and it's mostly people who are TTC their first child. Secondary IF may also be a good resource I lurk there but they seem friendly....

Otherwise my best RE advice is to write your questions down in advance and make sure you get them all answered. Be prepared for a lot of info to be thrown at you there, it will take some time to process it all!

songbird31

Our first RE visit was pretty eventful. She was referred to me by my very well trusted doctor and independently from my OB. I made the appt for my cd 11 or 12. We met in an office setting with the RE, the only time I saw her for the first 3 months of treatment actually. She talked to us about all of our options, my age, S's age, egg quality, options for treatment, and about our freedom to kind of decide at what point we would move to medicated treatments, injectibles, etc.

She also told us specifically about the IUI procedure. At the time, we were seriously discussing, even having legal paperwork drawn up for a KD. She told us something that definitely surprised us. That at the clinic we went with we had to have his sperm frozen for 6 months before we could use it, according to FDA regulations..... We would also need to pay for his testing and his wife, since he was married. The vials would be quarantined and he would need to be retested for HIV and other things after 6 months and then we could move forward.... We also were required to see a specialized therapist separately because we were using donor material and the KD and his wife also went to the therapist. I have to say she was kind of firm and was pretty realistic with us (it wasn't fun, but she got her point across). I also went in for an u/s and they looked at follicle size. We ultimately ended up going with a open ID donor, but the waiting period was not reason, so we were able to start sooner than our original plan.

 

You can see the details in my sig, but we had one natural cycle, one missed O, then on to drugs. 2 clomid and I actually asked to be put on Femera the cycle that took for us.  They were very supportive and wrote the script. It was expensive though!

 

We will definitely go back to her and this clinic. Like I said, she had a firm hand in her approach to treating and was willing to move forward with medication quicker than she had initially said.  But they have great results and when the time is right we'll go again. Our 7 vials are already in storage there.

bundleoluv11

Wow !! Songbird!!! That was a lot of information and thank you for share that with me I needed to hear that and I wish you all the best in your pregnancy!!!!!

songbird31

It's no problem! I was super interested before going about what was going to be covered.

 

But I meant to tell you... She did some initial bloodwork on me, but I can tell you we didn't do the egg reserve blood work until 3 months in and if cycle no. 4 hadn't have worked, that's when we would have done the HSG to check for tubal blockage. So, she tested what was needed, but I appreciate that she waited on the more in depth testing until she thought we needed to do it.

I would also get an idea of cost form them about IUI. The procedure is one thing, but the thawing of samples costs some, the counting of sample costs some. It seems at first like it's a little nickel and diming, but as long as you're prepared for the total costs, it's much easier to swallow. 

Good luck to you! 

clairmeij

My first appointment was fairly simple. I had already been charting for about 8 months, so I had an idea of what I was looking for. He ran some tests, and said that since my cycles were really regular, that he would start off low intervention and no drugs. He recommended clear blue digital OPKs and had me starting on my next cycle. 

bundleoluv11

Well thank you ladies for the advice and I'm going write down some questions and see what happens!! I do have one for you all ? if you don't mind me asking you ladies this. how much is are your meds? I know i'm coming out of pocket for this so I kind need a ball park range of what i'm looking forward to