What to expect at reproductive endocrinology appt?

[scoobydrlp]

Hi folks. After 20 months of TTC with no luck, I've decided to take the referral to a reproductive endocrinologist that my ob/gyn recommended. I've had the normal diagnostics done already, and the only thing notable was that I didn't ovulate the month the bloodwork was done. HSG was normal. My husband had a SA and they said the results were abnormal, but they didn't say what the problem was.

So my question is, any idea what we should expect from this first endocrinology appt? Do we both need to go or can I go by myself? If they recommend drug therapy, will they let me start right away, or will they want to do more diagnostics?

Thanks in advance for any information you guys have for me!

 

[ashleyjean]

I had my first RE appointment last week. I had already had most of the tests done at the GYN - HSG, hubby's SA, Day 3 bloodwork - which it sounds like you had all of that done already too. I went alone since it's hard for DH to get off work and I figured I may want him there even more at appointments down the line for actual procedures if that became necessary. It's not necessary that DH is there since it's a very conversational appointment but if you need another pair of ears there to catch things you might miss or ask questions you may not think of, it might be good for him to be there. Also I would say since there may be a problem with his SA, it might be a good idea for him to go... At mine he just talked about the things that looked slightly abnormal in my blood work (my FSH # being a bit high) and talked about what they could do, the chances of each option working, when they would move on to the next level treatment, etc. I was terrified of the actual appointment just because I felt like it was such a big step to actually go to an RE but I walked out feeling great. They definitely made me feel like it was absolutely their goal to get me pregnant as fast as possible and that they were very good at it, haha. Good luck!!

 

[ashleyjean]

Oh, and I would go to where ever the SA was done and get a copy before you go to the RE. Really, you'll need all of your test results to go to the RE so they can look at all of them... But I would go get the SA results as soon as you can because most likely the lab report will have the numbers AND the normal levels/range on there so you can see what is abnormal about it. That was you'll know going into the appointment what you're most likely going to be talking about.

 

[scoobydrlp]

Thanks so much for the info!! I agree with this being a big step. My ob/gyn recommended this referral 3 months ago, and I've just now decided that I'm ready to go. I'm excited but scared to hear what they have to say. Anyway, thanks for sharing your experience, it's nice to know ahead of time what to expect.

 

[ashleyjean]

No problem! Good luck!! Hopefully if there is just a minor male factor issue they can just do IUI and get you pregnant right away!

 

[Tnkrbell15]

I went to the RE for having both infertility and Endo/ and PCOS. Ashley is right, you will mainly discuss all of your prior tests, further options, as well as many *humph personal aspects of your life. The RE may also do a pelvic exam...mine didn't trust anyone else's exams but his own. Just be open, and take a lot of notes. I brought a voice recorder to my appt. LOL. Good luck for a BFP to you both.

 

[LadyDaisy]

I started seeing a FS recently also, I can tell you that I had most of my tests done at my lady doc prior to seeing the FS and my husband was sent for 3 SA prior by a urologist. At my FS they wont talk about the SA if the male partner isnt there he would have to sign a consent form. Also at our first FS appointment the doc gave my husband a physical exam even though he had one already, and set up furthor testing for my husband that day. Hope that helps

 

[scoobydrlp]

Thanks ladies! I finally got in touch with the right person and was able to schedule an appt for October 5th. I was hoping they would have an appt sooner than that, but guess I'll just have to wait. Should I bring my fertility friend charts with me, or will they find that uneccessary?

 

[ashleyjean]

October?! Good grief. It's amazing how crazy booked up these people can be. I guess I'm just lucky to live in Atlanta so there are enough REs to go around.

You'll probably be receiving a massive packet of paperwork to fill out before the actual appointment - where you will fill in all the details about your cycle (and seemingly every other aspect of your life from the time you started having a period) that would be in the FF charts and from that the RE can see that your cycles and normal and/or that you are ovulating.

 

[Amber_Lynn822]

My RE re-did pretty much all my testing, and I am so glad he did! My first appointment was just talking about expectations, questions, setting up the next appointment. The new patient paperwork was HUGE!!! The first month was a whirl wind re-doing bloodwork, sperm check, ultrasounds....

But we found out I have mild pcos, and although as far as numbers my hubby's sperm count was normal only 5% were normal. It completly changed everything for us!

Good Luck!!!