go directly to RE? if so, which one?

[Anonymous]

I'm 36, just completed 5th month of TTC -- actively trying, with charting, using CBEFM, etc. I have conceived and had children before without assistance, most recently one year ago. I'm going to give it one more month to go with the 6 months of trying after age 35. My question is though, can I go directly to a fertility specialist if I am unsuccessful this month? Insurance referral is not an issue for me. But will the RE see me without a work-up being done first by my OB?
I want to get this show on the road and don't want to waste my time. Also, I'd be going to Shady Grove. Is there anyone you would recommend specifically? I am in Montgomery Co.
Thanks for any advice.

[Anonymous]

hello! if you don't need a referral then i would make an appointment. i had to wait about a month & a half for my first consult w/ dr. greenhouse at sg in annandale. i don't know of the doctors in MD.

there are some initial testing the RE will have you take. i think they want you to do an HSG (xray to show if your tubes are blocked), semen analysis, blood work (infectious diseases i think), yearly pap smear. also the RE will probably want your records from your OB.
once you do get started w/ the RE they have you come in on your 3rd day of your period for a baseline sonogram and blood work that will show them your fsh and estrogen levels....

oh and i have been very happy w/ sg. it's a large clinic but they have great stats and all of my appointments are quick and easy!

hope this helps, good luck!

[Anonymous]

I second going directly to an RE. You'll probably have an initial consult, followed by tests (you may be able to get out of the HSG since you're been pregnant before) and then a follow up appt to discuss options. This will take a month or to, and during that time you can keep trying on your own (so keep that in mind if you want to try for another month or two). If you'll be going to the SG office in R'ville, keep in mind that is is one of the bigger offices, so it can feel a bit more factory-like. But the REs are good. I know Dr Levy has a good rep and is well-respected by other RE's, but I don't know any patients of his, so I don't know what it's like to see him.

[Anonymous]

Thank you both so much for your advice.

[Anonymous]

Just wanted to add that SG will likely make you do a repeat HSG even if you have been pregnant before (they did for me) - because they said "things can change after pregnancy."

[Anonymous]

OP here. One other question. Will SG order all the tests? I don't need to have my OB do b/w first, do I? Again, insurance referral not an issue. Thanks so much.

[Anonymous]

I am at SG and insurance/referral also were not issues for me. You do not need to do any of the tests with your regular doctor and can go straight to an RE, which is definitely a good idea for you give your age (over 35) and months of trying. (I think the typical recommendation is to go to an RE after six months of trying if you are over 35.) SG will order all of the tests. It can take a few months between waiting for your initial appointment and doing all of the initial testing, so it couldn't hurt to go ahead and schedule an appointment at SG. Best of luck to you!

[Anonymous]

I also think go straight to RE. I didn't go to SG (I live in Virginia and went to the Muasher Center, very happy with it). My RE likes to do his tests himself. Beyond the timing of the 3 day tests, for instance, others (like the HSG) aren't just about when but how. So he's famous for redoing things that were done prior to him. Sounds control freaky but a big part of infertility treatment is art and not science.