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Infertility Support and Discussion
advice on when to seek professional help with ttc..
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Anonymous
| I've been ttc for about 10 months now for child #2. We were lucky with #1 and it was so much quicker/easier. Neither of us ever anticipated how difficult it could be and we're getting worried. My husband's job is much more stressful and I'm concerned it's affecting his sperm. My cycle is also a bit out of whack, so I'm wondering if I should see an acupuncturist. Have an appt with my o/b in a few weeks to discuss, but wondering if i should just skip the o/b and reach out to a fertility center.. any help/tips/advice ?? |
Anonymous
| The general rule of thumb is to seek help from an RE if you've been trying for a year if you're under 35 and for six months if you're 35 or older. I am under 35 and met with my regular GYN after about seven months of trying. Since I didn't have any apparent issues (regular cycles, etc.), he ordered a semen analysis for my husband as a first-line test. He got checked out and then we started seeing an RE at the one-year mark. Keep in mind that it often takes 1-2 months to get an initial consultation appointment (at least at Shady Grove) so you might want to go ahead and make an appointment. Good luck! |
Anonymous
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I would do a consult with an RE. I found that OB/GYNs often lack knowledge needed to make an infertility-related diagnosis. An RE will do sonos, bloodwork, and anything else they believe is indicated, as well as analyzing a sample from your husband. You are almost at the year point -make an appointment for a month or two out. Maybe your luck will turn and you will conceive, if not, you will have an appointment with a skilled professional to ease your worries.
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Anonymous
thanks for the response.. curious, how do we go about getting a semen analysis? does my DH have to physically go to the office or is it something I can bring from home? Not sure how cooperative he will be with this and I'm a little clueless. turning 35 in april so it adds to my concerns. |
Anonymous
Typically done in office. Just about every hubby balks at this. Mine shut up about it when he went to an appointment where I had a transvag. ultrasound. |
Anonymous
| Some clinics let your hubby produce the sample at home, but it needs to be in their office within a certain timeframe and during certain office hours. If you live far from your clinic or your hubby has an early work schedule, then that might not be an option. |
Anonymous
| Are you charting? |
Anonymous
haven't been charting. really just didn't expect it would take this long and was trying the "lets not stress over it and see what happens" attitude. but I've used the opk a couple times with no luck. my cycle is a bit messed up, sometimes 28 days, sometimes 30, 32 days. and my dh is also traveling a bit which is making it more difficult to time everything. |
Anonymous
| At Shady Grove they encourage him to produce the sample at home and then bring it into the office within two hours. |
Anonymous
yeah.. i figured as much. I'm thinking of just telling him he needs to come along, but being a bit "surprised" at the sample.. |
Anonymous
interesting.. thank you. I've read good things about shady grove and dominion fertility. any input as to preference?? |
Anonymous
I would search this forum for SG, Dominion, and Columbia (CFA) -these seem to be the most used -and, of course, there is a vast spectrum of opinions on each. |
Anonymous
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After we had been TTCing for 10 mos my DH went to his GP. His GP ordered the SA from Quest Diagnostics, and gave him the collection cup. They only do them at the Shady Grove location (or one near Baltimore.) You collect the sample at home, then need to get it to them within 2 hours of collection. They then sent the results to the GP.
Now that we have been TTCing for 14 mos, we went to a new doctor. He commented on how useful it was that we had already had the SA done b/c that ruled out that as a problem. |
Anonymous
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I would definitely recommend bringing your husband along for the initial consult with an RE. I was pretty prepared for it and had done alot of background reding, talked to friends, etc., but it is very overwhelming. They throw a lot of information at you and give you a list of tests that need to be done at certain times during your cycle and at certain places. I am a big fan of "The Infertility Survival Handbook" by Elizabeth Swire Faulker. It gives a ton of background information and helps you know exactly what to expect at your initial consultation.
As far as SGF vs. Dominion, there are numerous threads on this board on that topic that you should be able to find with a quick search. I go to SGF (Dr. Widra in DC) and have been happy with him and SGF generally through both unsuccessful cycles and my successful cycle. My only issues with SGF were with the billing/financial people. |
Anonymous
Thank you.. yes, I've been researching the threads on the two. Definitely pros/cons to both, as with anything. I also just learned that my insurance will only cover diagnosis and corrective procedures, and any infertility drugs. Therefor now I will need to consider the cost if IVF is necessary. need to do some more homework but may make an appt with both just to get it on the calendar. |