I made an appointment with the RE

For next Thursday.

I'm nervous, but excited, and happy now that I feel like I'm taking control of the situation. Well, as much control as I can take at this point.

For the ladies who have been to an RE - what can I expect?

Re: I made an appointment with the RE

Good luck! They will sit with you and discuss your history. Where are you in your cycle? They will probably want to give yuo CD 3 bloodwork

Re: I made an appointment with the RE

I've been charting for 2 months - should I take a copy of the charts with me to the appointment?

I'm CD26 today. I should be getting AF tomorrow or Wednesday, so I'll be on CD7 or CD8 at my appointment.

What's the CD3 bloodwork?

Re: I made an appointment with the RE

I just started my first cycle with a RE after trying to get pregnant for the past 14 months. Prior to our visit, they sent us a boat load of paperwork to fill out (my medical history, DH's, family history, etc....)

Our initial consultation went like this:

40 minutes with the Dr. to discuss medical history and what our next steps would be.

Ultrasound followed by 18 viles of blood being taken (DH had bloodwork done too).

New script for DH to have another SA

If you haven't already had it done, most likely they will advise you to have a HSG done (dye test) to make sure your tubes are clear.

We then met with the nurse I will be dealing with, and she went over in more detail the way my next cycle was going to work.

Then of course, of final meet was with their finance department to discuss our insurance coverage, any out of pocket expenses, etc...

Any questions you have, or as you think of them, you should write them down so you don't forget to ask anything.

HTH

Feel free to FM me if you have any questions.

Re: I made an appointment with the RE

Um, wait, I was planning on going to this appointment alone? Is that a problem? Dh thinks I'm crazy for going to a specialist so I don't think he'll be happy to volunteer to come to this with me.

Re: I made an appointment with the RE

Re: I made an appointment with the RE

Re: I made an appointment with the RE

I wouldn't worry about bringing him-usually that is for IVF discussions to make sure your spouse is on board. I would bring your charts.

Here is some info from a website:

Basic Infertility Evaluation
At the time of your initial consultation, the doctor will start by taking your history. The doctor will ask you questions about your past and try to get clues as to the cause of your infertility. These questions will encompass your gynecological, medical, surgical, and "lifestyle" history.

A review of fertility related documents from other doctors that you have seen is also important.

A physical exam, which may include a pelvic ultrasound, may be performed. The ultrasound can help the doctor discover any abnormalities within the uterus, fallopian tubes and/or ovaries. Sometimes evidence of pelvic scarring can be discerned. The doctor can also obtain information regarding your potential for adequate ovarian stimulation for infertility treatment cycles by counting antral follicles.

An assessment of ovarian reserve will be important to determine your remaining egg supply. This is usually done with a Cycle Day 3 (CD3) FSH and estradiol testing along with the ultrasound assessment of ovarian volume and antral follicle counts. The FSH and estradiol is a blood test which can be performed either at our clinic or at a lab local to you.

Another important test which should be done early in the evaluation process is a semen analysis. If a severe sperm defect is discovered, the testing of the female partner may be modified and therapy can be immediately directed to the problem. About 25% of all infertility is caused by a sperm defect and 40-50% of infertility cases have a sperm defect as a contributing cause.

Some additional blood tests that might be needed for better assessment of you and your partner include the CD3 FSH, luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin, estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), HIV, HTLV-I and II and other tests as recommended.

In checking for tubal factors, it may be recommended that you undergo a hysterosalpingogram (HSG), which is a test to assess the anatomy of the endometrial cavity of the uterus and the fallopian tubes. About 25% of all infertility is due to a tubal factor.

Re: I made an appointment with the RE

I went to my first appointment by myself - DH had to work and they never said anything about him being there/not there. I sat with the Dr. for a while, going over my history, etc. We discussed various options and the pros and cons of each.

I had temped for a month before going and I brought a copy of my chart and my records from a previous RE. At the first appointment they took blood and did a pelvic ultrasound to check my uterus and ovaries. All told I was there for about an hour. He gave me prescriptions for an HSG and an SA for DH.

Because I wanted to start Clomid right away, he told me to call on my next CD 1, then come in on CD 3 for bloodwork and to get the Clomid prescription.

Your RE should be as aggressive or laid back as you want to be. It's up to you.

Best of luck

Re: I made an appointment with the RE

Good luck with the RE! DH went to our first appt. but it wasn't necessary. I brought my records from my OB/GYN and charts. I had sent back the paperwork they asked me to fill out already. We did a medical history, 5 vials of blood, and an internal sono. I was sent for a HSG and DH was to give a sample for a sperm analysis and then we began Clomid/trigger/IUI. Worked the second time we tried...we're PG!