First Doctor's Visit

[BookGeek]

Hello ladies!

I made an appointment today to go talk to a doctor for the first time about my fertility. I'm nervous about it, and am not really sure what kinds of questions I need to ask the doctor, or what kinds of questions to expect to be asked. I know DH needs to come with me, both for emotional support and because they are likely to test him before they start testing me. I made the appointment for the first week in February, since that will be the start of a new cycle for me, and that seemed to make sense as a good time to go.

I am currently on my 12th cycle of actively TTC without success. I am still TTC my first, and I've never had a miscarriage or chemical pregnancy, so I don't even know if I can get pregnant right now. I have been off of BC for the past 18 months, and have tried everything from just going with it during the cycle to actively temping and taking OPKs and the whole nine yards. I'm nearly 30, and by all odds if we were going to get pregnant naturally, we should have by now.

My husband and I are officially tired of the platitudes and being told to wait and see. If I have to hear one more well meaning friend or relative ask me about "when we're going to start a family" or tell us "it will happen when it happens" or "stop stressing and just believe" I may scream. Nothing we can do on our own is working, and we are ready for real answers.

Any advice about what to expect now that we're taking this step would be much appreciated. Thank you!

 

[Holly ttc]

Be prepared for a lot of questions. I think the packet I had to fill out before going in was about twenty pages long. They'll go over your medical history like any new doctor if course. My consultation ended with an exam on me to make sure everything at least appeared alright to make sure I didn't need to see another doctor too. I'd suggest writing down any questions you have over the next few days as they pop up to make sure you ask everything you want and feel comfortable with the doctor. If you're not confortable with them the whole process is ten times more stressful.

 

[K.N]

My first appointment - wasn't all THAT eventful; Here in NZ though it's a bit different. Here you have a GP and they refer you on for anything more specialised than general cold and flu type stuff. so my first technical appt, they didn't ask too many questions - they just ran some blood tests, swabs etc. Which all came back normal, so they referred me to a fertility specialist.

My first fertility appt I really actually didn't take a lot in; I was more in shock than anything that I was there. But definitely don't be afraid to note down any questions you may have in your phone notes or something. I didn't have many questions in that first appointment - because there wasn't really a whole lot to question until the tests have been carried out and until they themselves know a little bit more. I found my second appt the better question asking one

Definitely be prepared for them to ask you questions though - and lots of them! Again my first appt - they asked all the questions; they did a scan on the spot and they ordered several rounds of different blood tests and so-forth. The first appt is all very much a case of 'is there anything wrong?' and 'if so, what is it?' more than anything. So don't feel bad if you don't get answers straight away xx

Hope it all goes well for you though - go with your gut instinct, don't take no for an answer - and make sure they do thorough checks on everything

 

[Peanut112]

I hope the doctors can find something out for you! and I hope its a simple fix and you get your BFP soon!!! It's frustrating to see everyone getting their successful BFP's and having the pressure on for your BFP, just makes it harder on us and our bodies. Good luck to you, BookGeek!!! Please keep us/me updated.

 

[BookGeek]

Thank you all for the advice! I'm not expecting a whole lot from the first appointment since it is just with my Primary Care Provider. But knowing that she is going to ask a lot of questions and hopefully get my scheduled with a specialist is good to know. I'm assuming the questions are going to be along the lines of how long we have been trying, when I stopped taking birth control, dietary habits, life-style habits, what we've done other than BD a lot, and stuff like that. Hopefully I will be able to start getting past the questions and moving towards answers soon! Waiting another two weeks for the appointment is going to be so long!

 

[Holly ttc]

I don't know how helpful it would be, but I can send you the new patient packet from my re if you'd like. That would at least show you the type of things they might ask.

 

[BookGeek]

That would be really helpful, Holly! Thank you!

 

[Holly ttc]

It's on this page. If that doesn't work for some reason I'd be happy to email it to you. https://arizonafertility.com/patient-support/patient-forms/

 

[mrsberries]

They ask a lot of the expected medical history questions of course.

For me I had never been pregnant so the scheduled me for a foam test (kinda like a dye test but less painful) to check that my tubes were open. I guess they may do a similar test on you even though you have had a child, just to make sure there are no polyps, fibroids or scar tissue giving blockages.

They also sent me for blood work to check hormones.

My husband was ordered to do a sperm analysis & also blood work.

So our testing all came back fine but hubbys counts weren't great. They said that's normal did a second test and they were much better (anxiety I guess the first time)

So basically she offered us to keep trying naturally or move on to IUI.

We chose IUI with clomid.

I can tell you that if there are any polyps of sorts they often do a D & C to clear it away.

I know exactly how you feel by the way, your post could have been my own. Good decision to get to the doctor a year is long enough. my husband & are are 28 & 29 trying for about 17 months but finally getting some answers with the fertility doctors! Good Luck