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[Post New]01/14/2013 07:36
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Anonymous
I'm calling Shady Grove (Annandale office) this morning to make my first appointment. I don't know what to think or expect at the first consultation. I have one child and my OB has been stringing me along saying "Oh, you have one child that means you and your DH MUST be compatible. You don't need any help."

I left that practice and now have a referral in hand. I've already had pelvic ultrasounds done, Sonohystogram done, CD 23 testing done. What are the initial tests that SG does? Will my husband be expected to give a sample at the first office visit?

There are so many questions. Thanks for any advice you may have.
[Post New]01/14/2013 08:12
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Anonymous
No, I doubt that your husband will have to give a sample on the first visit. That is something that they will schedule. Your doctor at SG will just sit you down to review your history/medical information and perhaps discuss what your medical protocol will be moving forward. I found them to be very empathetic. You should have a list of questions with you that you'll want to ask during the first visit.
[Post New]01/14/2013 09:29
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Anonymous
I had my first consult with Shady Grove they were very aggressive. Meaning, you are here, so lets get the tests done and the drugs/iui's started. I wasn't ready for that and was just wanting someone to dig a little deeper to see what the problem was so I was very put off and left in tears. It would have been fine if I was ready for that, or prepared, so just wanted to give you a heads up! Good luck!
[Post New]01/14/2013 09:56
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Anonymous
the first appt will be a consultation, but depending on where you are in your cycle, you might be able to start the tests right away. (i got the HSG the day after our first consult.) you'll go over your medical history, and you'll briefly discuss the various options that are available -- they won't make any recommendations. from what i remember, you'll need CD 3-5 bloodwork, annual pap (from your gyn -- needs to be within the year), depending on how old you are, a mammogram, and regular bloodwork. your husband can schedule a sample drop-off and he'll also need bloodwork. we were able to get it all done within 4 weeks, had our final consult soon after and started right away with an IVF.
i've been very happy with shady grove. they are very straight-forward (but i appreciate that since i don't have time to waste), and everyone i've met from receptionists to doctors,nurses, ultra-sound techs and even other patients in the waiting room have been very kind and compassionate. good luck and take care!
[Post New]01/14/2013 10:03
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I had my first consult with Shady Grove they were very aggressive. Meaning, you are here, so lets get the tests done and the drugs/iui's started. I wasn't ready for that and was just wanting someone to dig a little deeper to see what the problem was so I was very put off and left in tears. It would have been fine if I was ready for that, or prepared, so just wanted to give you a heads up! Good luck!


I totally agree with this. (And I was at G W, not Shady Grove, so I think my problem was with the whole IF field in general, actually.) I wanted a more comprehensive, "let's see what your medical problem is," type of approach. I felt (and continue to feel) like the IF field just pushes us all into the lockstep march of "Ok, let's do these tests, get you on clomid, that doesn't work? ok, then we'll up you to IUI, that doesn't work? ok, then we'll move on to IVF," routine. I wish this field were better about looking into WHAT IS THE CAUSE of a particular couples' IF and TREATING THAT and then letting you go, problem solved, to happily procreate on your own.

I know, it is like I am wishing for rainbows and unicorns, right? But a girl can dream.
[Post New]01/14/2013 10:13
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jindc
Member Offline
Anonymous wrote:I totally agree with this. (And I was at G W, not Shady Grove, so I think my problem was with the whole IF field in general, actually.) I wanted a more comprehensive, "let's see what your medical problem is," type of approach. I felt (and continue to feel) like the IF field just pushes us all into the lockstep march of "Ok, let's do these tests, get you on clomid, that doesn't work? ok, then we'll up you to IUI, that doesn't work? ok, then we'll move on to IVF," routine. I wish this field were better about looking into WHAT IS THE CAUSE of a particular couples' IF and TREATING THAT and then letting you go, problem solved, to happily procreate on your own.


I didn't feel that - we had a pretty comprehensive Q&A session with Dr G at GW. But, IVF is our only option with the MFI we have, which I gather is much easier to diagnose than unexplained. However, I do with there'd be a bit of "well, for the next three months try this (supplements, put him on clomid, whatever) but our morphology is so poor I doubt it would have done anything. Which is eactly what Dr G said.

I do think that a husband providing a sample that day can save you a lot of heartache and time just in case - you never know. My DH was born with undescended testicles, so we knew there'd be a significant chance of him having issues which is why went in right away when we started TTC - time is precious in fertility IMO so the more you know early on, the better.
[Post New]01/14/2013 11:09
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Anonymous
OP, we did our consult with Shady Grove and had the same experience as 8:12. Didn't feel pushed; they talked a lot about the tests/ screenings and how things would be ruled out/ruled in, and told us we could decide how to proceed from there with a variety of treatments. We waited about 5 months before actually starting anything (the tests took about a month between making all the appointments and getting results back), so we weren't rushed.
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