Anonymous wrote:

M21 and its competitors are not FDA approved at all.
Most diagnostic tests are not.

hm, ok then - sorry for the misinformation! thanks for the correction, PP!

like 08:54, my OB said M21 isn't FDA approved if you are under 35.
Maybe the Wilson Genetics Center at GW can help you?

thanks, PP - yep, IVF....but she didn't even mentioned that when I called. I'm not worried, per se, I just didn't want to received a $1000 bill because insurance didn't cover it (I'd still get it if it were OOP, but I'd want to know ahead of time, ya know?)

I have no reason to believe anything will be wrong, though the news stories about 1 in 50 children having autism was pretty terrifying....sigh...

So heads up in case anyone wants to know, MD IPA told me that it "should" be covered as a diagnostic/lab test, I pay the copay ($50) and that should be it. There could be a lab fee because GW farms something out (the blood work, maybe?) but they said it shouldn't be outrageous.

I think the insurance company SHOULD know more than just to tell me that I shouldn't be charged a lot, but....that's all they knew <shrug>

For those interested, B.Fit Barre on 14th St is offering a barre class for moms-to-be/new moms on Sunday at 2pm. I haven't been released to work out regularly yet (not until I'm finished with my Progesterone/Estrogen).

So if you're interested, it should be good! Hopefully they offer this more regularly. I'd LOVE it

hey Peanut...
DOD civilians UNITE! Supposedly our furlough notices go out Friday (of course, a friday).

It f'in sucks having to worry about money. I am NOT a high GS, so it'll burn. AND it cuts in to our leave earning. It's just great. My DH is also in the military, so trust me - I know the sacricifices military families make, I've been there....but we are not sharing THIS burden equally. So frustrating. I'm trying to find the silver lining - to me, it's a day of rest, I can plan all of my OB appointments on my furlough day, and try to take care of myself for a day, which will hopefully be good for the baby. And since it'll be warm when it starts, I plan on walking outside on that day instead of going to the gym.

MD IPA doesn't know what an NT scan is. On hold with them now while they figure it out even though I told them.

my DH had a set of twins in his school growing up named "Boya" and "Boyb"

because they were labeled "Boy A" and Boy B" by the hospital when they were both. Their parents, Korean immigrants, thought the hospital had named them. On their own, they aren't really that bad but knowing why that's their names makes them great. At least it's a great story behind the names.

I can't find this on my insurance web site, and I'd like to call them as a last resort (since they're generally unaware of anything there!).

I have MD IPA - the web site says "one ultrasound" is covered - I had one yesterday. Does this really mean they don't cover more, or I just pay the contracted amount?

More importantly, is the NT scan covered at all? We'll do it regardless, but I want to make sure we don't get bill shock coming in the mail.

thanks!

She was great - the 2300 M St location is great (well, a little pain in the butt getting there with all the road construction - I took the Circulator and walked up to M), it's not very busy and I was seen pretty close to on time.
She's very sweet and just had a baby herself 8 months ago, so she knows what she's talking about and what you're going through.
She explained stuff to us, but because I had already done a "preconception appointment" at Sibley, a lot of stuff wasn't new to me so I skipped it and asked my questions.

But still, no extra monitoring I go back in a month and have my NT scan then as well. She recommends it for everyone, even if you won't do anything about your pregnancy because information is power. She does rotate and there is a chance she wont deliver you, but at 34 weeks she recommends making your weekly appointments with the other docs to get to know them. I'm fine with that - I don't really need her to deliver me, I seem to be less concerned about child birth than a lot of people (maybe because of what it took to get pregnant?)

The office staff was fine and I'll tell you, it was the most painless blood draw I ever had - and this is coming from IVF where I had my blood drawn almost every day.

I recommend her, or at least the 2300 M St location. But, the caveat is I don't have much to compare her to because I never really had an OB before (my GP did all that). I wasn't put off by her at all, she didn't lecture me about weight, and I felt I could talk to her about my concerns. And she laughed at my DH's "I'm uncomfortable in here" jokes. heh

My doc said 10 weeks, too (just went this morning).
I'm looking forward to not having to remember to take them!

Were you all also on estrogen?

I gained WAY too much, but I had been on weight watchers and had been VERY active prior to that point.

I did get pregnant and have not yet been released to working out like I used to prior to IVF. I've been told I can when I stop progesterone/estrogen.

I'd say if it's bothering you mentally, definitely do something you can within your control - go to a farmers market and get some fresh, local produce....go for a walk on the Mall. Something YOU can control since IVF is so very, very much out of your hands.

I can't imagine worrying about this aspect of prenatal care (worrying what my doctor/provider might say about what I ate).
I'm overweight, gained too much during IVF after losing a lot (thanks, Weight Watchers!) and my doc today was like "well, that happens - we just have to watch and probably do an early GD scan....and you'll be able to work out again soon). What a relief to not be lectured, but instead spoken to like a patient who clearly knows right vs wrong (my issue isn't really food, I gain weight very quickly if I'm not working out a lot)
If you can't keep anything down, and find that white toast or whatnot is all you can eat, why even worry about what they say? Calories are important, and this isn't the time to worry about good vs bad if you can't keep anything down.

I dont have a taste for ANYTHING but have found a toasted bagel and some yogurt for lunch fills me up and is easy to digest. I also have protein smoothies most mornings before I feel gross. Maybe this is something to try? Put some fresh ginger in it?

Hope you feel better soon!

according to my doc, per today's appointment with her, M21 isn't FDA approved if you are under 35....so just a heads up.

Good luck with whatever decision you make, but I think you'll be fine. I'm 31 (32 next week) and doc said anything above 1 in 500 was negative. That's what I heard, anyway lol

Anonymous wrote:I like Dr. Smith. I also did IVF and she has been very willing to get me in for a little extra monitoring/ultrasounds which has eased the transition from the heavily involved style of care you get with an RE and the more laid-back, hands-off approach that I found with OB care.

this is what I worry about (sorry to thread jack) - I'm going to bring this up with Metz....given the high emotional/physical/financial cost of IVF, I'm hopeful that she'll understand.