New To This Section - Advice On What To Expect

[Cookie_88]

Hi ladies, Ive never posted here before but feel here is where i belong.
Intro and questions
Im 24yrs old and have been ttc for over 3yrs. I had an early mc Nov2011 Me and my partner have been trying to have our little miracle for so long now and have tried EVERYTHING!
Well after my mc it took my body a very long time to get back to normal. I was back and forth to the Drs trying to get my body back on track. After having another bad period and no luck with TTC I decided it was time to see the DR.
So yesterday I went for my Appt and the Dr I saw was amazing!! She was very understanding, especially since I freak out in Drs surgeries and had to wait ages to be seen so by the time I got in to see her I was in a right state and very nervous I dont know why I get so upset lol. Anyways... She is happyto start looking in to why its taking us so long to concieve
So I have to go for blood tests 1week before my next af is due to test my hormone levels etc... I have a regular 28-30 day cycle so she is pretty sure im ovulating but she will double check that to. They also want to see my OH to do a SA so I need to arrange that for him.
I just wondered whos had the blood tests, what are they testing for? and whats the next step as she was saying after the bloods I may need to go for a scan to check my ovaries are ok and then possibly refer me. Sorry for the ramble im just really scared but really excited at the same time.

Thankyou for taking the time to read this

 

[Fizzyfefe]

Hi, Cookie, so sorry about your loss.

She's probably checking your hormone levels such as LH, FSH, prolactin, androgens, etc. She might also be checking your thyroid function. Do you have the lab slip that she gave you? It might say what labs she ordered.

As far as the scan, did she say what kind of scan? If it's an ultrasound/transvaginal ultrasound, then there's no pain associated with it. It's just a little uncomfortable, as you have to have a full bladder and the wand is inserted in to your vagina.

 

[Cookie_88]

Thank you for taking the time to reply to me.
Yes I have the lab slip, didn't even think to look at that lol. She has ordered full blood count, electrolytes, creatinine and eGFR, FSH, liver function test, luteinising hormone, progesterone and thyroid function test. I don't have a clue what any of that means though lol.

She didn't say about what sort if scan she would be looking at doing but I assume she said that as I raised concern about cysts or something like that. I don't really know.
I'm not worried about it being uncomfortable, I just want answers I guess.

Has your partner had a SA done? My OH needs to go in for one and we don't really know what to expect with that either? Is he given a pot to take home or does it there?

Sorry about all the questions I'm just a bit unsure and nervous about it all.

Again, thank you for taking the time to reply to me. You've been very helpful x

 

[Fizzyfefe]

Full blood count and electrolytes will check your red blood cells, white blood cells, sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium, etc., etc., to make sure they're all normal. The list is too long to write.

Creatinine and eGFR (glomerular filtration rate) will check your kidney and urinary function.

Liver function tests (LFTs) are to check your liver.

LH and progesterone have to do with reproduction. She will be checking after ovulation to see if they are at the proper levels to make sure that you don't have a luteal phase defect. There is an increase in both LH and progesterone after ovulation.

Your thyroid controls lots of functions in your body. She will probably check your TSH (thyroid stimulating level), T3 and T4 to make sure they are all at proper levels. Basically, if you have too low or too high levels on any of these tests, your body cannot maintain or sustain a pregnancy.

If you did mention cysts, then I think it's safe to say she will be doing a transvaginal ultrasound. You have to have a full bladder when they do it. Then they take a look around with the wand at your uterus and both ovaries. They will be able to see if your ovaries are releasing eggs, or retaining them and forming cysts. They will also be able to see if you have fibroids or not. The only thing an ultrasound cannot diagnose is endometriosis.

I completely understand that you want answers, hun. LTTTC is so, so frustrating, especially if you don't know what's going on with your body. I think it's great that your doctor is being so thorough. She really seems like she wants to help.

Sorry, I cannot give you answers about a sperm analysis, as my husband has never had one. There are lots of other ladies here, though, who can help you, I'm sure.

Don't ever apologize for questions, hun. Knowledge is power!

 

[Cookie_88]

Thank you thank you thank you! That really helps. Wonder why she is testing my liver though? Random lol. And thank you for the info on the scan. She said we would possibly scan depending on my blood results so we shall see.

I think she is being extra thorough because as I said in my original post, I find going to the drs very stressful and was on the brink of tears when I walked in, very embarrassing lol. But she was just wonderful and made me feel so much better and said she will be with me through all of this which is very reassuring.

Thank you again, I hope your bfp is waiting just around the corner for you xxx

 

[River54]

My dh has an sa done recently. They just gave him a sterile container, and he made an appt for when to drop it off so they can analyze it right away.
The sample could be no more than 30 min old by the time it got dropped off. He also had to write on it the exact date and time it was ..produced..the sample had to be kept in contact with his body so it did not get too hot or cold during transport.
Timing was everything as well - they said 3 days since the last ejaculate.

Others could be diff, but that was our experience.

Good luck!

 

[Cookie_88]

Thank you for replying. We were wondering how it would work with him because he was worried about being sent to the toilets at the drs with a pot and not really getting anywhere lol. But that makes more sense to go home and drop the sample off. If we have to hand it in within 30mins then it's quite handy our surgery is only 5 mins away lol.

I hope your dhs results were all ok and you have a lucky 1st cycle with clomid xxx

 

[karenh]

In my experience, abdominal ultrasounds you need a full bladder, but transvaginal you need an empty bladder. I have had countless transvag us and my RE ALWAYS has me empty my bladder right before he does it. If you have a full bladder it can hide things.

My DH always does his SA in office because we can't guarantee that we will make it on time, and he has a hard time carrying it around.

It sounds like your DR is going to be very thorough. That is great! Good luck! I am so sorry about your loss.

 

[Fizzyfefe]

In my experience, abdominal ultrasounds you need a full bladder, but transvaginal you need an empty bladder. I have had countless transvag us and my RE ALWAYS has me empty my bladder right before he does it. If you have a full bladder it can hide things.

That's interesting. I learned in nursing school, and the sonographer told me, that a full bladder helps displace it. Otherwise, the uterus would be hidden.

 

[River54]

My transvaginal scan was done on an empty bladder- they were pretty specific about it

 

[xxshellsxx]

When i had an ultrasound i needed a full bladder, they couldn't see much (i was too fat) i was told to empty my bladder for the transvaginal scan too - very clear pictures