First infertility appointment and IVF info please!

amberhoney4 · April 2010

So I have my first appointment next week and I am curious as to what to expect...

I have already had an HSG (tubes clear save for 1 adhesion due to surgery from ectopic rupture last year) and have a history of ectopics. I am pretty sure I will be going forward with an IVF.

I am wondering what all do they usually do on the first visit, can I go alone (hubby works), and when do you usually start the IVF process? Also, for those who have had IVF, what does that process involve (yes, I've googled the technical process)? Does it hurt? Does it require lots of visits? Etc..

Any info would be awesome! Thanks!

mbjmaybebaby · April 2010

You can go alone to your first visit but it's a lot of info to process by yourself.

We were able to start the IVF process the next month (started BCP on CD!)

IVF can be very draining emotionally and physically. There are lots of injections and monitoring appointments. IVF doesn't hurt, I was a bit sore after the ER but nothing too terrible.

madelyn07 · April 2010

My first appointment consisted of going over medical histories, blood work, and ultrasound, discussing treatment options, meeting with a financial rep, DH did blood work and his first SA and we went over office policies, hours, insurance coverage, ect. I haven't done IVF.

erinandbrockv · April 2010

The only thing my husband has come to so far is the injection training. I had no problem going alone to everything-they just gave me reading material for me to take home to him.

I would suggest finding out if you have any IF coverage from your insurance (if you have not already-if you have disregard that!) Because the financial aspect is huge obviously.

The other big thing is that there are tons of appointments and I will admit it is a little frustrating to have to work around my work schedule and I am just starting my IVF-will begin BCP's in about a week! Once we had our diagnosis that IVF was our only option-we could have gotten it started as soon as we wanted to. GL!!

BigHairQueen · April 2010

I went to my first consult alone because DH couldn't get away from work. I didn't start out with IVF though. We discussed my diagnosis and what my options were, tests that we needed to have, etc. IVF is a very involved process. It requires lots of visits for u/s and b/w, lots of meds. I have also had an ectopic (with an IVF cycle), so when I have my FET, my RE will transfer the embryos lower than they normally would. I would ask you RE about doing this since you have a history of ectopics. Good luck! The ladies on this board are a wonderful source of support and knowledge.

steveandkim2 · April 2010

Ditto everyone else. The first appt is a lot of information. Definitely take notes or bring someone with you (mom, friend) b/c I found that when I got in the car to drive home my brain was like mush.

IVF is pretty involved, but its definitely manageable. You'll get a calendar/schedule and learn to live your life around it. YOu'll have appointments every other day (or every day at the end). The shots need to be given at the same time every day. I just did my ER yesterday and thought it would be a thousand times worse than it was. Just a little sore and tired, but it gives you a good excuse to have your DH do everything for you!

Susan&Courtney · April 2010

I'm doing IUI, not IVF but it was required by my RE that my DH go to the initial appointment. If he hadn't gone he would have still had to go by to do bloodwork and the SA. There was just so much information and the whole meeting took about 4 1/2 hours so I was glad that he was there.

jennim1984 · April 2010

Honestly I wouldn't go alone to that appointment. There's a ton of information for you to think about and having your DH there hearing all of it would be really beneficial. If he absolutely cannot go maybe you have a close friend or relative you'd be comfortable having there with you. I've been through the IVF process twice, and physically I think it's very tolerable. Just a lot of bloating up until ER, then some soreness after. Emotionally it can be tough at times. Once you get going you'll surprise yourself at what you're capable of! Good Luck at your appointment, and your testing!!

*Willis* · April 2010

I'm curious why you think you'll start with IVF? I think there are some situations where it is warranted, but not always.

The process depends on your protocol. Sometimes you'll be on BCP for a few weeks to "quiet" your ovaries. Then you start stimming with various meds (again, dependent on your protocol). The stimming involves injectables, which are typically given in your stomach. Stimming requires constant supervision, so you'll be monitored via internal u/s every other day or so. An "average" stim time is 10 days, although it widely varies on how you respond to the meds.

Once your follicles are mature, you'll trigger with HCG. Your doc will do an ER, which requires sedation. I had a fair amount of pain following the procedures. Your embryos are fertilized and live in a dish while the embryologists monitors them. You'll transfer them back in via a catheter and wait to see if they implant.

If this is your first RE appointment, they will probably want to run a lot of bloodwork and may want a repeat HSG. There may be other various procedures before they will start you on meds. Again, they may recommend less invasive options to start with, especially to see how you respond to the meds (which is important for IVF).

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First infertility appointment and IVF info please!

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