Hi :)

Hi everyone, I'm new here. I've been stalking for a few weeks now, but decided to post.

DH and I got married in 2008 and I went off BC in early 2009. We weren't TTC - but we were assuming if anything happened then it was a blessing.

We knew we would have difficulty getting pregnant due to DH undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments about 6 years ago, but we now know that our only option will be IVF or something of the sort (I don't know much about this all yet, so please excuse my ignorance )

I'm nervous and excited and at the same time feel akward talking to any of my friends or family about it. Everyday it seems like another friend turns up pregnant and a knot forms in my stomach because I don't know if I'll ever be in their situation. I feel horrible for not being as happy for them like I should.

Sorry, that was long - but I look forward to sharing the journey with all of you ladies! I don't feel like I have anyone in my life right now that can understand this.

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Hi and welcome. Sorry you have to be here. We all can relate to those pangs of jealousy when friends seems to pop out ofnthe woodwork pregnant from looking at their DH!

Have you spoken to an RE yet? I found this board to be such a great support and help. I don't have anyone IRL who has gone through IF.

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Welcome! You are at the right place! We all understand what you are going through. I have no idea what I would have done without this board. Are you seeing an RE yet?

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Honestly, once you are ready I would say see an RE. They are specialized in fertility issues and getting women pregnant. If you want, you could see your gyn just for your normal check-up, pap, etc. and maybe get a recommendation on which RE to see.

Usually they say to see an RE if you are under 35 and TTC for a year. In your case, you know there are issues, so you know will need ART (assisted reproductive technology) to get pregnant.

I know in my case and many other ladies on this board, I wish I had gone to an RE sooner and started trying sooner. FYI, I am 31 and have been TTC for 3 yrs and have been diagnosed with unexplained IF.

This will be my 7th iui and if this doesn't work, we will be moving onto IVF. Sorry, I hope I didn't scare you, just trying to let you know where I'm coming from. Best of luck to you!

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Hi! Welcome! I'm sorry to hear what you and your DH have gone through. I guess the good part is that he is OK! We can all relate to the pain of others getting PG at the drop of the hat. You are happy for them but sad for yourself.
If you know you need to do IVF, you might want to set up a consult with an RE just to go over your history and see if there are any tests they want to do. This way, if you want to start in the spring you'll be all set!
Ask us any questions you have. This board is a wonderful source of support for me and I'm sure it'll be the same for you!

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Just wanted to wish you luck!!

My DH has severe male infertility issues. I also have PCOS. It can't hurt to make an appointment with a RE soon. The testing is time consuming. There's no harm in going soon so you know exactly where you stand. We're very happy we went early because things were much more complicated than we anticipated.

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Welcome, hope your stay here is super short!

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Thank you so much. Just reading through everyone's posts makes me realize how important it is to have support through this!

Just out of curiousity, how long did it take from when you all started the process until your first IUI or IVF procedure? Couple of weeks, couple of months?

Personally, I'd be ready to go tomorrow, ha, but DH and I agreed this spring - and I don't want to push him.

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My DH was like that, too. He's definitely come around. I didn't want to rush him, but once he went to the consult he realized it was important for us to get started.

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Welcome. This board is an excellent source of information and support. When you guys are ready, a RE is the right way to go. Because I had long cycles, I felt like it took me forever to get all my testing done. I went for my first consult on 8/12/10, and had my first IUI on 12/1/10! I don't think that's necessarily a typical timeframe though.

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To answer your other question, it depends on the doctor and how fast you want to get started. You can definitely go in and just explain that you want to get started with all your testing. The testing might take a month or so. You can then wait to start treatment until you are ready. No one will rush you, but at least you'll have peace of mind knowing what your plan will be.

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Just want to let you know that consults and testing may take some time, so starting a couple of months ahead of time may actually get you started with an IUI of IVF in the springtime like you guys have planned. One of the worst things about IF treatments is the long wait between everything

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Wow! So if we were thinking April-ish, maybe setting up a consult at the end of this month isn't a bad idea.

I don't need to worry about my insurance approvals and what not before we go for the consult, do I?

Thanks everyone

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Based on my experience, consults have been covered by my regular insurance and not my infertility lifetime maximum. In other words, it should count as a regular Dr's office visit. It really depends if your insurance requires preapprovals in general, if whether you will need one or not.

Not that I want to push you into going for a consult ASAP but you should start doing some research to pick the right RE for you. To start with SART.org is a useful website to compare statistics between clinics.

Message edited 1/3/2011 10:11:45 PM.

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Posted by AnnaBella816

Wow! So if we were thinking April-ish, maybe setting up a consult at the end of this month isn't a bad idea.

I don't need to worry about my insurance approvals and what not before we go for the consult, do I?

Thanks everyone

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Best of luck to you...this board is really helpful, b.c there are not many others who understand the process...here everyone supports and is full on info. I too am not that knowledgeable about all this!!!

to you!

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Welcome & best of luck to you! the girls on here are so supportive & knowledgeable. Don't be afraid to ask questions

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welcome! lots of luck to you

all of the ladies here have been super helpful and supportive. it is a great resource to have when going through IF.

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Welcome!! I hope your stay is not long. You are in the right place for support and information. The women on here are amazing and understanding.