Consult and first appointment

[Anonymous]

I am looking to the experts - all of you - as I embark on this journey. Can you share how many initial consultations you scheduled, how long each lasts and what sorts of stuff was discussed at the initial consult? Right now, I'm considering 3 for the initial consult. Then, once you've selected your doctor/ facility, what is your first appointment like? Do they start conducting tests at that time? I'm new to all of this so I truly appreciate any feedback. I'm fairly sure our issues are limited to male factor only and based my initial resaerch, we will need to go with ICSI/IVF from the start. Thanks again.

[Anonymous]

Good question OP. Also, will the RE you choose want to conduct all new tests or will they use results from tests your GYN already did? Do you bring them to the consult or wait until your first appt once you choose a fertility doc?

[Anonymous]

There have been numerous threads on this topic in this forum that you probably can find with a little digging around. My biggest piece of advice would be to bring your husband/support person. The initial visit is VERY overwhelming; they throw a ton of information at you and give you instructions to take a bunch of tests, some of which have to be done at specific points during your cycle and at different locations. It is good to have someone there with you. Also, I highly recommend "The Infertility Survival Handbook" by Elizabeth Swire Falker. She gives you a lot of good information about what happens during the initial visit and testing. I did not do any testing at my initial consultation. With regard to records from my OB/GYN, I think the RE's office had me fax the records to them before our initial consult. Also, I wanted to mention that we also had male factor issues and got pregnant through IVF. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

You may also want to peruse Dr. Gordon's (Dominion Fertility) Blog...

Free excerpts from his book...
100 Q&As about infertility.
http://www.100infertilityquestions.blogspot.com/

If you go in there with a little bit of knowledge, I don't think that you will be as overwhelmed with all the information.

[Anonymous]

I'm a former patient of Dr. Gordon at dominion Fertility and I still follow his blog, my situation was unusual and my DH and I were the subject of one of his blogs. If you plan to consult with a couple of doctors I would definitely recommend him.