IF Testing & Treatment w/o 10.5

keikilove · October 2020

This is a place for those of us who have already started TTC, but have started infertility testing and/or treatments. You can express your thoughts, feelings, and frustrations on infertility. TTC can be a long journey naturally, then add in the difficulties associated with infertility, and it becomes a whole new ball game. The road to infertility can be lonely, frustrating, and complicated, so let's make this a place where we can vent, ask questions, and support one another. Feel free to resurrect this thread at any point in the week if you have something to say. Treat this as an ongoing conversation.

Diagnosis (if you've been):

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA):

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?):

How are things going?:

Any questions?:

GTKY: What is the most spur-of-the-moment thing you’ve ever done?

optimisticoctopus · October 2020

Diagnosis (if you've been): no official diagnosis

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): IUI

How are things going?: Ugh. I posted about this in the dailies but I’m not done being frustrated yet so I’m putting it here too haha. Today is CD12 (took Clomid from 3-7). According to my RE (who had some truly terrible bedside manner - not my normal doctor), there is “nothing” yet as far as follicles go. She said she’s not sure if I’m not responding to the Clomid or if it’s just going to take longer to get there. So I’m going back on Thursday for more monitoring and I’m the meantime I’m hoping these follies get somewhere!

Any questions?: had anyone else had something like this happen? Can I just maybe be a late responder? Am I a lost cause for this cycle? I’m feeling so frustrated!

GTKY: What is the most spur-of-the-moment thing you’ve ever done? I went skinny dipping at a bachelorette party a couple years ago. Honestly it was so fun and definitely the most spontaneous thing I’ve ever done. I don’t do a whole lot without thinking it through first haha.

acleverusername · October 2020

@runningoncookies I am so sorry that you're having a not-great experience with Clomid this cycle. I don't really understand how the doctor could tell you "nothing yet"; there have got to be _some_ follicles. Maybe they're just not large enough? Did they take follicles measurements? The only somewhat similar situation I remember was @bbrahmbhatt who did Clomid cycle and ovulated later that her doctor told her she would (if I recall correctly, Dr. said she'd O on CD14; but it was closer to her usual timing of CD19). I would go back to them and ask for follicle measurements.

Diagnosis (if you've been): AMA, Unexplained, Hashimoto's, possible MFI

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): Clomid + OPKs + TI; additional testing for MH (physical exam, ultrasound, another SA) and I did some immunology workup to screen for additional autoimmune conditions.

How are things going?: I'm doing pretty well this week. My birthday weekend lined up with my FW so that was nice.

I'm also happy that my body responded in basically identical way to 2nd round with Clomid. Last year on my birthday MH proposed to me; I'm hoping this year's birthday gives us something else to celebrate. 🤞🏻

Any questions?: Argh the only thing that's on my mind is questioning our choice of fertility clinics. I'm a little ticked off that they don't publish blood test results or ultrasound information to the portal, unless I specifically ask for those. I feel like other (most?) clinics offer that information via the patient portal. Am I asking too much? I've also joined the local IVF/Infertility support Facebook group and people are mentioning that the clinic is very big and the care team isn't great; very easy to feel like a number. Anyway, the whole reason we went with this clinic was because another friend told me: "My friend went through 2 IVF rounds in NY without success; when she came over to UCSF, she got pregnant right away."

GTKY: What is the most spur-of-the-moment thing you’ve ever done? I honestly don't do many spontaneous things... project manager over here! I did mention a story a while ago whereby I, on a whim (24 hr notice), flew from SF to San Diego to rescue MHs car from an impound lot and drive it back to SF. There were so many spontaneous things I did during that trip: called up friends in LA whom I hadn't seen in years and we hung out; booked random Hotel & AirBnB with hours to spare... ended up really hitting it off with AirBnB owners; bought a new car battery for MH's car (that last one wasn't convenient but nevertheless a hilarious experience; thank God for AAA).

keikilove · October 2020

Hey friends! So nice to see some others here on this *quiet* Monday. Where is everybody? Oh right! Lots of graduates lately!😄

@runningoncookies Love the skinny-dipping at a bachelorette party! That’s pretty memorable. Impromptu skinny-dipping=best parties ever! Sorry for the RE being not so great. I hope your follies show up clearly on Thursday & you get the go-ahead to trigger.

@acleverusername I missed wherever you posted the story about YH’s car being impounded in San Diego. That sounds like a wild trip! Also sounds like you definitely made the best of it. Re: the Clomid response: how in the world do you remember those details?!?
ETA: @acleverusername Sorry for the frustrations w your clinic. It stinks that you’re finding out from others that they can feel like a factory. I hope you end up having a better experience! (PS: I can get some blood results in my patient portal, but not all, and definitely not U/S results.) It would be so much easier if we as patients could have equal access to our own info.

Diagnosis (if you've been): RPL, Elevated NK cells & activity, 3 blood-clotting disorders, AMA/DOR, suspected Immunologic Implantation Dysfunction

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): Trying au naturel while getting a new plan from a new IVF clinic, also getting treatment for implantation dysfunction

How are things going?: Eh. Lots of obstacles lately to getting the LIT treatment. We had our initial screening bloodtests last week, but had lots of confusion about what to order; spent hours on the phone & a couple of different visits to our local lab before they drew the blood for the correct tests. Then, had to change plane tix & airports because the rental car place at our original airport was going to be closed by the time we landed. More money, longer flight, more expensive rental car.<shoulder shrug> Ordered the additional tests we need from ReproSource but only one arrived in time today. Hoping the other one gets here this week before we leave for the doctors out of state. I have work meetings that I can’t miss that might interfere with getting the bloodwork done in time to make it back to FedEx in time. This whole week is going to be a juggling act.

Any questions?: Does anyone have a fairy godmother they can lend me for the week to make things go more smoothly?😁

GTKY: What is the most spur-of-the-moment thing you’ve ever done? So even though I’m a Type A with work & the parts of my life that require organization, I’m also a wild child at heart. I’ve done crazy impromptu nature hikes with nothing but a rope to scale the side of a cliff in order to get to a beautiful swimming hole, drove across the country several times, gone skinny-dipping after dark. I’m always up for an adventure!

acleverusername · October 2020

Hey friends! So nice to see some others here on this *quiet* Monday. Where is everybody? Oh right! Lots of graduates lately!

... and I hope it continues! 🤞🏻🙏🏻It's Fall after all; hopefully many of us can harvest the fruit of our TTGP labors.

@keikilove I honestly don't know how you manage to do it, and keep cool, calm, collected. I got 🥴just reading through everything you've had to do in the past week. I so hope that LIT works for you. Keeping everything crossed. 🤞🏻And if I had a fairy godmother, I would definitely send her your way.

keikilove · October 2020

@acleverusername Thanks, friend! Honestly, I’ve had high stress jobs for years & years so I’m used to it. I used to drink lots of wine to cope, but now I numb the stress with reality trash tv.😆 Watching 90-Day Fiancé right now while I work & scroll through TTGP, lol.

legallykate · October 2020

@runningoncookies I have never done Clomid but I hope your Thursday appointment provides some clarity! Is that an alternate to Clomid they will try if you truly aren’t responding? I remember when we discussed IUI with my RE it seemed like there were two different protocols.

@acleverusername Woohoo hope the birthday sex did the trick I’m sorry you are feeling frustrated with your clinic and concerned you might just be a number to them. FWIW I definitely don’t get any info in a portal, the doctor hands me a handwritten note with my US results at monitoring appointments and the nurses call with my blood work. A portal would be amazing though!

@keikilove Sorry about all the obstacles, that sounds frustrating and exhausting. I would pay good money for someone to just handle all the IVF planning/admin crap for me! I hope you are able to get it all worked out.

Diagnosis (if you've been): AMA/DOR

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WFFET today and then TWW starting tomorrow!

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): FET tomorrow!

How are things going?: Sorry for being MIA yesterday, I had an insane work day but luckily a bunch of projects got done so I am super hoping (and knocking on wood not to jinx it) that the rest of the week will be low key and I can relax and pamper myself some. I go in tomorrow at 9:45 for a 10:45 transfer. I am cautiously optimistic and trying to channel my inner @keikilove and do affirmations. I am also just really looking forward to the valium

I will probably stick around this week but may disappear next week heading into my beta next Friday. I am going to try not to test until 7dpt at the earliest but we will see how that goes.

Any questions?: Nope

GTKY: What is the most spur-of-the-moment thing you’ve ever done? Eek I am so Type A so admittedly not many things. When I was 23ish I randomly drove to the airport and jumped on a plane from LA to SF to meet up with a guy I had been on like two dates with for NYE. But that was a long time ago. I guess starting stims felt very spur of the moment since we skipped my suppression protocol at the last minute due to my doctor's vacation schedule.

akoros · October 2020

Diagnosis (if you've been): AMA, RPL, Factor V Leiden

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO, which is probably today

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): trying naturally

How are things going?: Fine, so far, cycle seems to be getting back to normal (about a day or so long, so next month should be right back as it was)

Any questions?: nope

GTKY: What is the most spur-of-the-moment thing you’ve ever done? Bought plane tickets to India. Had a happy hour with some friends, most of whom were going to India the next week to visit family and one to meet her boyfriend's parents for the first time. They were talking about all the stuff they were going to do, so my friend and I got all mopey and jealous about being left out. They suggested we come (this is after several rounds of drinks), so we decided to join them and bought tickets the next morning to fly out a few weeks later. As someone who typically plans trips months in advance this was crazy for me.

It was a similar happy hour decision to go to Hong Kong with the same friend. Unfortunately he moved not too long after that trip (and now I'm married), so no more drunk travel planning for me

acleverusername · October 2020

@legallykate So excited for your FET tomorrow! Everything on my body is crossed, hoping that it'll be it for you! 🤞🏻

@akoros Your spontaneous, "happy hour" stories make me think that it's maybe a good thing that your friend moved away? At the very least, you're probably saving a whole bunch of money.

@legallykate @keikilove Okay, so maybe I'm asking too much when it comes to info available through the portal? Another "internet friend" from the other fertility community gets such wonderful reports, and I'm super envious. That's my benchmark. (Including her report in spoiler.)

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5020794/uploads/editor/tl/384wpw4pi0ix.png

akoros · October 2020

@acleverusername Haha, I suppose, but now I've got a lot of unused vacation time! At the time I had a good-sized emergency fund, which doubled as my travel fund, and my previous travel buddy had gotten married the year before so I was lucky enough to be able to afford these trips using savings (they weren't the same year, btw, so each constituted my "big" trip for the year). My husband also likes to travel (in non-COVID times), but has far less available vacation time than I do, so I regularly "blame" him for dragging me down

optimisticoctopus · October 2020

@acleverusername I was honestly so flustered with the doctor that I totally forgot to ask for follicle measurements! As soon as I got home after work and was talking through it with DH, I realized all the questions I should’ve asked. Definitely going in on Thursday armed with things I want to know. Related to your patient portal frustration: my patient portal stopped working back in March, and no one seems to be able to figure out why. So I too don’t get any info from there and it really is so frustrating.

@keikilove that is so much to juggle. I really hope it all works out for you!!

@legallykate I’m not sure if they would switch me to something else or just up my Clomid dose for next cycle...def one of the questions I’ll be asking. GOOD LUCK tomorrow!!! I’m so excited for you!

@akoros buying spontaneous plane tickets is something I’ve always wanted to do! I probably never will, but it just sounds so fun and wild haha.

acleverusername · October 2020

@runningoncookies Don't be hard on yourself; hopefully you'll get many more answers on Thursday. I've actually been asking for my u/s reports after the fact, but they definitely don't get loaded into my portal by default. Btw, given all the side-effects to Clomid you had, I would seriously talk about Letrazole(Femara) with you doctor if this cycle doesn't work for you.

@akoros How do you/YH feel about solo travel? MH also has very little vacation, but I have unlimited PTO, so once Covid is over, I plan on making the most of it, even if I have to leave DH behind.

akoros · October 2020

@runningoncookies Same! That's the only time I've ever done it, both terrifying and fantastic at the same time.

@acleverusername We haven't talked about it, but it's a good idea. I don't think he'd be opposed to it, he has an annual trip he does every year with some high school friends, and once I did do a week at the beach without him. The bigger issue is more that I usually don't like traveling alone, and unlike his friends mine won't leave their kids/husbands for a few days so I'm limited in travel partners. However, I tacked on extra time to work trips to travel alone in Colombia and Poland (would've also added Japan, if not for COVID) and really enjoyed myself, so maybe I'm getting more used to it. This is something to think about...

krash_ · October 2020

@runningoncookies I hope you get more answers on tomorrow! Write your questions down and don't feel bad about hammering the RE with them! It's stupid how much we have to advocate for our own health information but 'tis the world we live in.
@acleverusername I hope the birthday magic is just the trick you need! FX for you!
@keikilove girl I can't even keep up with reading all of that! You have your work cut out for you and you deserve all the 90 Day Fiancé!
@legallykate thinking of you today!

@akoros I hope you can find a way to use up some of that vacation time and travel fund soon!

Diagnosis (if you've been): blocked tube

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): TWW

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): MH had his SA on Monday. I am anxiously awaiting the results because my OB said to schedule a consult after his results are in.

How are things going?: The SA was a bit frustrating. MH kept saying how busy he was with work and how he wanted to reschedule. I think he just didn't want to do it because he seems to make time around his meetings to work in the garage or run errands. He has been busy at work but I think that was just an excuse. This was the exact stress that I didn't want to cause him or our relationship with moving forward with IF testing and treatment but it is over and done with now so hopefully we can get some answers.

Any questions?: None at this time but I probably will after we get the SA results back.

GTKY: What is the most spur-of-the-moment thing you’ve ever done? Another Type-A planner over here so I haven't done much spur of the moment. I did get a 6 week old puppy when I was a junior in college that I didn't really put a whole lot of thought into but after she was mine I was committed to her so I found a new place to live that allowed pets (yes the apartment I was living in when I got her didn't) and I was buying her $60 bags of food while surviving on ramen myself. She's 10 1/2 now and she is such a good dog!

krash_ · October 2020

A quick turnaround update: MH's SA came back normal. He needs to sign off on a thing for them to release his results to us, like they need permission to email him his own results which is just stupid but that's healthcare in the US for ya, so that I can send them to my OB to review. I need to schedule a consult now.

Does anyone have any insight on what my options are and what questions I should ask my OB? I have asked about egg quality and the nurse said that there's nothing they can do to look at egg quality but can't they still do some ultrasounds to look at the follicles on the healthy side? I know my healthy tube can pick up an egg from the other side but I guess it would be helpful to know what side I am ovulating on. I just already feel defeated because I feel like they are just going to tell me to continue to try naturally since "you can still get pregnant with just one tube."

acleverusername · October 2020

@krash_ good to hear YH's SA came back normal! (Btw, I was going to comment that MH really procrastinated getting his done... to the point that I was starting to get upset with him; I think men are subconsciously afraid that they'll be the root cause which could be a blow to their masculinity.)

In terms of next steps, I think you'll want to try medicated cycles (Clomid or Letrazole) which would likely produce more than 1 follicle, and likely on both ovaries. That way, it's less work for your functioning tube. But that's my rational brain talking i.e. How do you increase chances of conception? Try to increase the number of things to be fertilized. If your OB doesn't suggested it, I would press her on it.

krash_ · October 2020

Just called to schedule the consult and my OB is "out of the clinic" until the 19th which would be CD 7 of my next cycle. I said ideally I wont need it because I'll be KU but I'd like to have a tentative plan for the next cycle. I also asked what "out of clinic" means like is she on vacation vacation or just working elsewhere and the nurse said she didn't know and it was the first she was hearing that this OB was out for so long. Ok great! She is going to send a message to both my OB and another OB and see if my OB responds or if the other one wants to review my chart.

_orchid_ · October 2020

Hi! I re-intro'd earlier today and hope it's ok if I jump into this thread. We started testing with a RE in July and due to timing/redoing tests are finally getting some answers.

Diagnosis (if you've been): low morph and a blood clotting disorder

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): Had a repeat blood draw last week to check my cardiolipins. They came back out of range in July, and my RE said I'd have to wait 3 months to check again. They were more out of range this round so she's recommending I meet with a hematologist. Started the phone calls to make that appointment yesterday so hoping I can be seen soon. In the meantime my RE recommended starting baby aspirin and is open to trying an IUI next cycle. MH and I are deciding if we want to start or wait a cycle or two to see if I can get in with the hematologist first.

How are things going?: going ok! All the other tests (hsg, genetics, etc) have come back fine and I was wondering if we'd get labeled unexplained IF. MH, who is normally NOT superstitious, has been taking all of this (losses and length of time we've been trying) as a sign we shouldn't grow our family anymore. Now that there's *something* there he's feeling less like it's a sign about the size of our family and more that it happened for a reason so I could find out about whatever this issue is. Surprisingly, finding out I have the issue and that it's often not found until after RPL has helped me find peace with my losses. I cried quite a bit yesterday about them after talking with my nurse about the blood test results, but it was a good cry and I feel like I've let go of a lot of the guilt I was carrying about losing those pregnancies.

Any questions?: I have no idea about blood clotting stuff so this is all new. I think I'm more concerned with issues outside of TTC. If we decide to do iui I will have a ton of questions lol.

GTKY: What is the most spur-of-the-moment thing you’ve ever done?

Like most of you I think some of my most spontaneous things have been travel related! I waitressed/bartended in college and always had a fund of tips to go visit friends studying abroad. Traveling with people I didn't know what well in college either meant great trips or terrible trips lol- no in between.

_orchid_ · October 2020

@runningoncookies good luck tomorrow!! I hope your follicles have grown!!

@acleverusername happy belated birthday!! I wonder if your clinic doesn't have a portal on purpose, so that you're not able to access the information without a Dr explaining what it means. My regular OB is like that and won't give information until a nurse or Dr is available to discuss it. That being said, for bloodwork I set up an account with the lab my stuff is sent to and they post results so I get in that way lol.

@keikilove ♥️ I've been thinking about you. I hope your week is going well and you've been able to get some of the calls and arrangements done that you need to.

@legallykate !!!!! I hope everything went well this morning!!! I hope you were able to rest today and can take it easy the rest of the week!!

@akoros glad your cycle is getting back to normal! Also I want to be your happy hour buddy!! 😆

@krash_ glad to see you back!! MH dragged his feet on his SA too bc he was nervous about the results- he thought I'd be mad at him if it showed MFI. His morph did come back very low and I was very upbeat and praised him a lot for getting it done and finding out. We are able to joke about it which helps him A LOT. Maybe YH was dragging his feet bc he was worried. Glad his SA came back normal though! That's one less obstacle for you guys.

fingerscrossed1 · October 2020

@runningoncookies Hi! This is my third cycle on clomid. My RE usually wants to see me 3 days after my last clomid pill for an ultrasound and blood work. If you're not responding by that time, then it's possible the dose isn't right and your RE may increase it.

It's possible your right on the edge and your RE can't tell - perhaps the follicles started growing a little, but not a lot, so your RE is waiting a few extra days to see if they grow more. When you go in tomorrow, you should definitely ask about your follicle growth and how it compares to the results from Monday. If they haven't grown, don't lose faith at all - there are options. Good luck tomorrow and keep us posted!

acleverusername · October 2020

@_orchid_ welcome back and sorry that you find yourself among the IF crew. 😕It's good that you've been able to get some answers re: your losses. It doesn't help with the pain, but hopefully will prepare you against any future losses. I think @keikilove has a lot more experience with blood clotting disorders, and she's a frequent contributor to this thread which might be a good place to check out: https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/12748971/pcos-mthfr-blood-disorders-other-challenges#latest

@legallykate I hope today went well; looking forward to your update.

A quick update from me, even though I complained about it on the Dailies and in the Chart Stalk/Questions thread. Leading up to yesterday I had been feeling increasing pressure in my pelvic/ovary area, and by last evening the pain was probably an 8 out of 10. I was basically doubled over... I thought it might be OHSS and started searching Google re: what OHSS on Clomid might look like. I also frantically emailed my clinic. Luckily by this morning, the pain had improved (probably to a 6/10; I still couldn't make it through my 30 min morning walk; I quit after 10 min). When I finally heard back from the clinic, the nurse said that it was likely O pain. I mentioned that it didn't happen last cycle (also Clomid, but triggered), she suggested that maybe my natural ovulation is more painful than triggered. The bizarre things is that I never had ovulation pain pre-medicated cycles. Anyway, I'm not super eager to experience that again, so if we do more medicated cycles, I'll ask for a trigger.

I also got a lead on another fertility clinic that seems to have better value/pricing so once MH completes all his testing, I'll be booking a consult with them. That's my "win" for the day.

optimisticoctopus · October 2020

@krash_ I’m glad YH’s results came back quickly, but that’s so frustrating about your doctor being out of the office! That’s such a long time to be out. Hopefully the other OB will be able to look at your chart and give you some idea of a plan.

@_orchid_ I have the cardiolipin antibodies as well, and from everything I have seen it seems as if you can kinda live your life with almost no effects from it unless you’re TTC. My RE wasn’t overly concerned, but is letting me take baby aspirin since it makes me feel better. He said he will for sure put me on blood thinners when I get KU though.

@fingerscrossed1 thanks for the input!! It doesn’t look like I had a whole lot of growth at my u/s today, which was frustrating, but I’m trying to stay positive!

@acleverusername that stinks that your natural O pain was so bad when you’ve never had any in the past. Interesting how the trigger can change how it feels!

I had my next monitoring appointment today, and got my actual RE so he gave me plenty of information. I have a 13mm follicle on the left and a 12mm on the right, so “very slow growth” was what he said to me. He said they are going to look at my estrogen levels and see if they look good. If they’re low he will put me on another round of Clomid. Otherwise, he said to continue to DTD in case I O from a small follie, and come back in on Saturday for another u/s. So a little bit frustrating but I’m feeling a little better than after my appointment on Tuesday with the other doctor.

krash_ · October 2020

The other OB got back to me late yesterday and basically said that we should continue to try naturally. She said that a blocked tube is very common and usually doesn't affect fertility and that if I wanted to explore an unexplained IF diagnosis I would have to wait for my regular OB to come back in the office. I get that it is common and I know that the healthy tube can pick up an egg from either side but we are month 11 how much longer do we need to try naturally? She also said that a medicated cycle or IUI increases the risk of multiples and that with my history a multiple pregnancy would be extremely high risk. Shouldn't enough monitoring reduce that risk? Needless to say I am going to reach out to an RE today to hopefully set up a consult. It's just frustrating.

acleverusername · October 2020

@runningoncookies glad to hear that you had a better visit with your regular doctor today. A 12 and a 13mm follicle are really good. The good thing is they’re in sync (unlike in my case where I had a 26mm follicle and a 17mm). So hopefully a few extra days will get then to the right size for trigger. I can empathize with your slow groth frustration though.

@krash_ I am sorry that you’re getting the run around from your OB. If you’re under 35, the rule of thumb is after 12 months, you can be deemed “unexplained”. But that’s if you don’t have contributing factors, like a tubal blockage! It is absolutely the case that even 1 blocked tube is root cause for infertility: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3911818/

I’m can’t fathom what’s going on in your OB’s (or that other OB’s) grad but I suspect they’re not wanting to continue infertility testing/treatment. Do you go to a very busy OB clinic? I got a similar run around at a clinic (just kept getting referred away to specialists) and was told by others that it’s because they’re such a busy clinic.

At this point, I’d say RE is your best bet. Good luck.

legallykate · October 2020

Still playing catch up at work even though I somehow ended up working a full 8 hours yesterday despite being away for 2.5 hours, lol, so I will come back for tags later, but just wanted to say thanks so much for all the support yesterday! The transfer went smoothly (I greatly enjoyed the valium) and it was cool to get to watch the process and get photos of our little dude. Now we wait! Feeling pretty zen (for me) about the whole thing and hopeful that he will decide my uterus is a nice enough place to nestle in, thin lining and all. I keep talking to him and promising that he will have a really nice life if he sticks around

krash_ · October 2020

@acleverusername thank you for that. It's nice to hear that my frustration is valid and that I'm not just over reacting. They probably are pretty busy and they are a part of a major health system in the metro. One of the reasons I chose them is because they deliver at the main hospital that has a brand new birthing center that is connected to the Children's Hospital so they are probably used to just normal OBGYN care. I'm going to start with the RE that MH went to for his SA.

_orchid_ · October 2020

@runningoncookies thanks for the info! That's what I was concerned about. I started taking baby aspirin this week and I'm just wondering if that's something I should always be doing. I'm glad you saw your regular Dr today and left feeling better than Tuesday, but sorry about the slow growth. I hope things are looking better on Saturday!

@krash_ I would feel frustrated too. I think your concerns are definitely valid. I would definitely call around to RE offices now- it might be a month before you can get in for an appointment so that would take you to 12 months anyway.

@acleverusername ouch!! Sorry you had so much pain!! I didn't realize the trigger shot made that kind of difference. Glad you were able to get info about another clinic! I am a big believer in guy feelings and if you're not comfortable where you are now it's definitely worth looking at other places too.

@legallykate !!! Glad yesterday went well!! Stick, baby, stick!!!

acleverusername · October 2020

@legallykate so happy to hear the transfer of your lil' guy went well! FX that this is it! But girl... you need to stop working so hard!

krash_ · October 2020

So I got an initial consult appointment with a RE, I just went with the same place MH had his SA, but it's not until the 27th

If we can get our paperwork filled out though we will be on the wait list for cancellations. One thing that struck me is that the nurse stressed that the Dr won't see IF patients if the females BMI is over 30. It's not an issue for me but I whole heartedly loathe BMI and think it is a terrible measure for health so I'm not sure if that makes me want to keep looking for a different RE or if that is standard. It just makes me question how up to date on health data he is.

mvt2003 · October 2020

**lurking**

@krash_ I agree, BMI is a very outdated way to look at health, but a lot of the larger clinics unfortunately do still use it. My clinic never once mentioned it to me (and I am at a nationally known clinic with locations in 7 states), but I know for example Shady Grove is VERY serious about it. They require weigh-ins before your baseline us for a cycle. If it's unlikely to affect you, then not really a huge concern beyond the fact that it's outdated (but weight bias persists in the medical field even as they advance in other ways), but if your BMI is anywhere close I would seriously think about it - I've seen multiple procedures cancelled due to failed weigh ins.

Also, the standard wait for my clinic for a consult is about a month. It sucks, but it's all part of the "hurry up and wait" crap.

@legallykate Congrats!!!! FX for nestling in!!!!

bows22 · October 2020

@krash_ that would be a turn off for me. I’m curious to hear what others have to say about their REs. Mine never mentioned anything about that. I am under 30, but not by much. So I’m thinking if they have a threshold it’s not 30. The fact that they made such a point to say it seems gross to me

keikilove · October 2020

Just jumping in for a sec to say @legallykate Congrats on being PUPO!!! I was thinking of you all day yesterday & you were on my mind when I went to bed last night (not in a creepy way!). Sorry I didn’t get to post a message of support but I hope you felt the positive vibes being sent your way! Praying that your little bug snuggles in tight. I love that you’re talking to him & convincing him what a lovely life he will have if he chooses to stick around.😍 Love that you’re feeling very zen despite the work schedule. Keep it up!

acleverusername · October 2020

@krash_ I would agree with @bows22. Not a concern for me, but I think that would just sour my impression of the clinic/RE. And you don't want to start a relationship with an RE with pre-disposed negative feelings; you'll just end up looking for other things not to like. I also think that it's a way for clinics to "pad" their SART scores.

Of course, if you're limited in your choices, then it's a whole different story.

optimisticoctopus · October 2020

@krash_ I’m glad you were able to get an appointment, but that really is so annoying about the BMI rule. That would definitely put me off a little bit.

@legallykate keeping everything crossed for you! Keep up that zen attitude!

Bonus update for me today! My RE is putting me on another round of Clomid this cycle: 100mg instead of the 50 that I took CD 3-7. I guess based on my follies and bloodwork, they are considering me to be at “baseline” at the moment. So here goes another 5 days of fun 🙄 come on ovaries, get it together please!!! Next monitoring appt is a week from today and HOPEFULLY then we will be able to schedule an IUI date.

acleverusername · October 2020

@runningoncookies not sure if I should say "yay" or "good luck with the sideffects". Probably both!

_orchid_ · October 2020

@krash_ that would make be wary too. Mine hasn't said anything one way or another. They do have a nutritionist on staff and informed me that my insurance would cover some nutrution sessions, but it was not delivered in a way that made it seem like a requirement. That being said, I would still want to meet with the doctor to see what my impression is there. I have a few Drs that I love but who's office staff leaves a lot to be desired.

@runningoncookies are you starting tomorrow? Good luck and I hope the next 5 days aren't too bad!

optimisticoctopus · October 2020

@_orchid_ starting tonight! Hoping maybe my body won’t freak out so much since we literally did this one week ago lol.

@acleverusername both sentiments are appreciated 😂 that’s kinda how I feel like yay I’m doing something but oh no it could be terrible haha

acleverusername · October 2020

Good luck @runningoncookies

Small update from me: I complained in the Dailies yesterday that MH hasn't booked any of his f/u appointments from the urology consult. Finally today I called up the office and we booked everything together while on speakerphone. And of course, the first available f/u appointment with the urologist is on Nov 17. 🙀Anyway, he's going in for a physical, SA and u/s between now and Oct 20, so we'll have some of those results back. And I asked asked the urologist's assistant to put us on a waiting list in case there's a cancellation.

acleverusername · October 2020

Ah @keikilove I'd been meaning to respond to your comment re: missing the part about where I flew to SD to retrieve MH's car that had been impounded... it was actually part of the "biggest adventure" that I had shared in this week's GTKY. I went back and realized that I didn't give any specifics around that particular portion of my adventure.

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