What happens at a Fertility Clinic??

MrsRM · Jan 1st, 2010, 13:36 PM

Hey Ladies
As some of you may know my GP has made a referal for me to the a Fertility Specialist on the premise that he thinks i have low progesterone.

Im happy that he has doen this and am looking at it as a positive step. However im really scared and quite nervous. Not knowing what to expect??? Do they test everything or do they just focus on one thing...i would like the full MOT as its not just one thing im concerned about.

Can anyone tell me what happens or share their experiences with me? Would be very grateful.

Muchos baby dust xxx

Nise · Jan 1st, 2010, 13:55 PM

Hi MrsRM. When I went for my first appointment I was asked a lot of questions about my monthly cycles and life style habits etc. It's good to get a print out of any previous tests you've had and take it with you if you can. I also took my temp charts in - though they might not pay much attention to them, Many modern FS see bbt as 'the old fashioned method' They will probably re-ordered all the blood tests again CD3's and progesterone, they may book you in for a US Transvag scan - First they do it rather like a normal scan (jelly on the tummy) you will need to have a full bladder then they let you empty your bladder and they do it via the vagina this is nothing to worry about and doesn't hurt a bit (despite the alarming size of the wand) and they can tell quite a lot from this (mine was able to tell me I had ovulated from the right ovary!). They will also want your DH to do a sperm test. What happens after this will very much depend on what they find if anything. Good luck with it all, I hope you will get a lot of peace of mind from it.

MrsRM · Jan 1st, 2010, 15:27 PM

Thank you so much hun...that has really helped...will see if i can get a print out of the results (will they let me have them?) fingers crossed that i can get the appointment quickly. x

Nise · Jan 1st, 2010, 16:01 PM

I just got the receptionist to print mine out. They didn't ask any questions so I assume it is a fairly normal request.

MrsRM · Jan 1st, 2010, 16:03 PM

Will do, thanks again x

Deb111 · Jan 1st, 2010, 16:10 PM

So now I'm a little scared!

I appreciate the info about what happens when referred to FS, but I lived with primary vaginismus for many years (which I have had counselling for and got over) but still have a VERY difficult time getting through a smear test. Managed my last one after 3 attempts but she was unsure if there were enough cells and said that if there weren't and I had to have it done again, that they would give me a mild tranq - luckily it came back ok.

So I was worried about what type of tests the FS will do and I don't like the sound of the transvaginal one

I know it may be something I have to go for if I want a baby ... which I do ... and I'm sure I will deal with it if I have to.

I know no one finds smear tests pleasant, so for anyone who's had a transvaginal scan, how does it compare to a smear test?

Nise · Jan 1st, 2010, 16:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deb111

So now I'm a little scared!

I appreciate the info about what happens when referred to FS, but I lived with primary vaginismus for many years (which I have had counselling for and got over) but still have a VERY difficult time getting through a smear test. Managed my last one after 3 attempts but she was unsure if there were enough cells and said that if there weren't and I had to have it done again, that they would give me a mild tranq - luckily it came back ok.

So I was worried about what type of tests the FS will do and I don't like the sound of the transvaginal one

I know it may be something I have to go for if I want a baby ... which I do ... and I'm sure I will deal with it if I have to.

I know no one finds smear tests pleasant, so for anyone who's had a transvaginal scan, how does it compare to a smear test?

Please don't worry about this lovely, it is nothing like a smear - and I am exactly like you with the smear. They don't use that horrid thing to open you up and they don't insert the wand in very far at all and they use a little lubricant - It really really doesn't hurt at all - and I am the biggest baby when it comes to smears.

Deb111 · Jan 1st, 2010, 16:16 PM

Thank you for putting my mind at rest hun

BizyBee · Jan 1st, 2010, 16:29 PM

It depends on where you live as fertility clinics tend to vary. When I was referred, I had already had many rounds of bloodwork, the HCG test, and a transvaginal ultrasound (from my OB-GYN). My OH also had a semen analysis and I started taking Clomid. The FS reviewed the results in my file and did some further blood testing and another ultrasound. They then decided what the next course of action would be. They monitored me while on meds and put me on a progesterone supplement. Hope this helps. Good luck!

Jan 1st, 2010, 13:36 PM	#1
MrsRM Trying to conceive (TTC) Active BnB Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Somerset Posts: 254	What happens at a Fertility Clinic?? Hey Ladies As some of you may know my GP has made a referal for me to the a Fertility Specialist on the premise that he thinks i have low progesterone. Im happy that he has doen this and am looking at it as a positive step. However im really scared and quite nervous. Not knowing what to expect??? Do they test everything or do they just focus on one thing...i would like the full MOT as its not just one thing im concerned about. Can anyone tell me what happens or share their experiences with me? Would be very grateful. Muchos baby dust xxx

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Jan 1st, 2010, 13:55 PM	#2
Nise Other BnB Elite Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: London Posts: 12,414	Hi MrsRM. When I went for my first appointment I was asked a lot of questions about my monthly cycles and life style habits etc. It's good to get a print out of any previous tests you've had and take it with you if you can. I also took my temp charts in - though they might not pay much attention to them, Many modern FS see bbt as 'the old fashioned method' They will probably re-ordered all the blood tests again CD3's and progesterone, they may book you in for a US Transvag scan - First they do it rather like a normal scan (jelly on the tummy) you will need to have a full bladder then they let you empty your bladder and they do it via the vagina this is nothing to worry about and doesn't hurt a bit (despite the alarming size of the wand) and they can tell quite a lot from this (mine was able to tell me I had ovulated from the right ovary!). They will also want your DH to do a sperm test. What happens after this will very much depend on what they find if anything. Good luck with it all, I hope you will get a lot of peace of mind from it.

Status: Offline

Jan 1st, 2010, 15:27 PM	#3
MrsRM Trying to conceive (TTC) Active BnB Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Somerset Posts: 254	Thank you so much hun...that has really helped...will see if i can get a print out of the results (will they let me have them?) fingers crossed that i can get the appointment quickly. x

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Jan 1st, 2010, 16:01 PM	#4
Nise Other BnB Elite Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: London Posts: 12,414	I just got the receptionist to print mine out. They didn't ask any questions so I assume it is a fairly normal request.

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Jan 1st, 2010, 16:03 PM	#5
MrsRM Trying to conceive (TTC) Active BnB Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Somerset Posts: 254	Will do, thanks again x

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Jan 1st, 2010, 16:10 PM	#6
Deb111 Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Birmimgham, UK Posts: 5,266	So now I'm a little scared! I appreciate the info about what happens when referred to FS, but I lived with primary vaginismus for many years (which I have had counselling for and got over) but still have a VERY difficult time getting through a smear test. Managed my last one after 3 attempts but she was unsure if there were enough cells and said that if there weren't and I had to have it done again, that they would give me a mild tranq - luckily it came back ok. So I was worried about what type of tests the FS will do and I don't like the sound of the transvaginal one I know it may be something I have to go for if I want a baby ... which I do ... and I'm sure I will deal with it if I have to. I know no one finds smear tests pleasant, so for anyone who's had a transvaginal scan, how does it compare to a smear test?

Status: Offline

Jan 1st, 2010, 16:16 PM	#8
Deb111 Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Birmimgham, UK Posts: 5,266	Thank you for putting my mind at rest hun

Status: Offline

Jan 1st, 2010, 16:29 PM	#9
BizyBee Trying to conceive (TTC) BnB Addict Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: New York, USA Posts: 7,701	It depends on where you live as fertility clinics tend to vary. When I was referred, I had already had many rounds of bloodwork, the HCG test, and a transvaginal ultrasound (from my OB-GYN). My OH also had a semen analysis and I started taking Clomid. The FS reviewed the results in my file and did some further blood testing and another ultrasound. They then decided what the next course of action would be. They monitored me while on meds and put me on a progesterone supplement. Hope this helps. Good luck!

Status: Offline

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