First RE appointment- moving fast! Need advice...

We finally went to the RE yesterday. Hubby has not yet had a SA, but Dr. got him on board quickly (whew)!

I brought my reports, my test results etc. and everything was normal. We reviewed my O charting and all is fine. I had an exam there too- no cysts.

At the end of our consultation, he said we should sign the paperwork so that when we return in 4 weeks, we can get the IUI process started. I said "wait- is that definitely what we are doing?" He said- 'that's why you're here, right?" and I got confused. He told me we would probably proceed with Clomid after our test results returned.

I came to the RE to explore every part of my body and my husband's body before we begin any process. I don't know if my lining is thin or if we aren't compatible or if there is MF infertility.

Did he jump the gun? or do you only find out the issues related with fertility when you begin the IUI process? Why do I need to go on clomid if I ovulate regularly and produce good follies?

Re: First RE appointment- moving fast! Need advice...

I would think the RE would want to observe you for one full cycle to explore a lot of what you said. My first cycle, they did CD3 bloodwork as a baseline (testing Estrogen, FSH, Progesterone, testosterone, etc.). Then at CD9 I went back for a saline u/s to look in my uteris and check my lining and follies. Then had a blood test approx CD21 to check levels again to see if I O'd. After all of that, I then moved to Clomid the next cycle.

Your RE's course of action may be right in the end, but I understand you wanted to be observed and know the full story first. If you're not comfortable, I'd get a second opinion from another RE.

Good Luck!!

Re: First RE appointment- moving fast! Need advice...

It is kind of surprising that your doctor would come up with a plan without having the answers to a crucual factor - your husband's SA. I would have your husband go soon for a SA. I know it is probably hard for men, but quite honestly, my husband kind of just got used to it, like I got used to morning monitoring of blood an ultrasounds. Good Luck!!!

Re: First RE appointment- moving fast! Need advice...

i would think your dr. would want your CD3 bloodwork first before starting a protocol. i did two rounds of meds before my DH actually did his SA - depending on your history the SA may not be the most important factor although it should still be done in a timely manner.
in most cases you will be put on some med, regardless if you ovulate or not. remember the goal is to get you pregnant, not to watch you try on your own. if all you want is some extra bloodwork and monitoring im sure an OB can do that just as well. the RE's whole purpose is to find and fix the issue. and in many cases many REs dont find the issue at all - they just hope to fix the issue (ie. get you pregnant) before they have to.
i agree that if you arent comfortable with this then either see another RE or see an ob/gyn who will likely take the slower approach. remember, most people who ultimately see an RE are not interested in taking things slow - they just want to get pregnant already. this in turn has trained many REs to do just that without finding and treating any other issues.

Message edited 4/30/2011 12:17:19 PM.

Re: First RE appointment- moving fast! Need advice...

It's a lot of trial and error. Clomid will increase the # of eggs you produce and up your chances of getting pregnant.

Did they do a sono? What CD are you? They will most likely have you go in CD3 for bloodwork and a sono to check for cysts and the lining. Then you will begin the clomid that night.

If your DH doesn't have any issues and you just want to do clomid, you don't have to do IUI also. Depending on your situation it might not up your chances by much.

Good luck!

Re: First RE appointment- moving fast! Need advice...

I really should have started by saying that he already has my CD3's and the other bloods I had done 2 weeks ago with my regular gyn.

He also said that because of my MS and my age, there is no time to mess around.

Do you think that after he looks at all of our tests in 4 weeks he could change his recommendation, or is this it?

I am trying to get pregnant on my own but if there is an issue to fix, I would lilke it fixed. I only wanted to do IUI or IVF if I had to.

Message edited 5/1/2011 1:56:33 PM.

Re: First RE appointment- moving fast! Need advice...

IMHO, he's not jumping the gun ...

I'm pretty sure the paperwork he had you sign is just to give permission for you to drop of your DH's sample, use his sample, etc. I don't know that its a guarantee that you'll go that route.

Since he already has your CD 3 results and other bloodwork, I think the only major reason he'd change his plan of action is if something comes back from DH's SA that needs to be treated first.

I also O'ed on my own and had pretty regular cycles. But after a year and half of trying on our own, I felt it was time to try something new.

Sometimes there isn't a MAJOR issue to fix. Sometimes our bodies just need a little help.

Clomid can help you produce more follies, giving more of a chance of success with each cycle.

The IUI helps to put your DH's guys closer to where they need to be.

That said, I do think you need to be your own advocate and if you DON'T want to go straight to IUI, maybe discuss doing a cycle with Clomid and timed BD?

Re: First RE appointment- moving fast! Need advice...

i felt the same way when i first started at the RE. their main objective is to get you pregnant and IUI increases your odds over trying on your own. and they can essentially move forward with IUI while they continue to gather more information about you. i started with natural monitoring IUI and did not move onto meds until all of my testing was done. i thought it was pointless to start taking meds like clomid (i also ovulate on my own) and produce multiple follicles if it turns out that my tubes were blocked.

however, if you want to take things slower definitely talk to your RE. sit down with them and either get the info you need so that you feel comfortable with their protocol or tell them you are not ready for IUI yet.

Re: First RE appointment- moving fast! Need advice...

I don't think he is jumping the gun, The RE is doing his job to get you preggo. Hope everything turns out great for you.

I just started my first round of bloodwork today, I go back on CD20 for another test then finally meet with my RE.



Keep us updated

Re: First RE appointment- moving fast! Need advice...

Wow thank you for shedding new light on the situation! I am so happy that I posted this question b/c you have made me feel so much better!

THANK YOU all so much.

Re: First RE appointment- moving fast! Need advice...

I just wanted to add something my RE told me when I was going through the process...

He said: there are many tests that we COULD do... we could do a laparoscopy, ect... BUT we have to think about what the next step in treatment would be... and it is pretty much always IUI, IUI, IUI, IVF.

If you have low MF: you would have IUI, IUI, IUI, IVF.

If you have low lining, they would monitor you, do precise dose clomid, IUI, IUI, IUI, IVF.

Poor egg quality? IUI,IUI,IUI, IVF.

If you have unexplained IF... same course (sensing a pattern?)

Don't get me wrong, you will have tests before that (hsg, blood work, lots of ultrasounds)... to make sure nothing stands out that needs to be "fixed": Ie blocked tubes, ect.

Good luck!

Re: First RE appointment- moving fast! Need advice...

wow, I am supposed to go to the RE on Monday and get all my results including the result of DHs SA.
I really did not expect them to say that to me when I got there but, maybe I should know that might be the next step. But, it really cant be for me because it is not covered under my insurance.