Fertility Specialists

We are now considering seeing one. It's been 2 years TTC. I thought this would be so much easier...

What should we expect on the first visit? Any questions I should ask? Did your spouse come with you and get 'checked' out as well.

Any guidance or suggestions would be appreciated.

Re: Fertility Specialists

My Dh came with me but he had no tests done that day. I had a ultrasound and some blood taken. He went back with his sperm sample to be tested.

Re: Fertility Specialists

I have gone to two.

First time I went, was to a RE in manhattan. They only had hours in the early part of the day and I had to take a day off from work. I thought he would do an exam, but all he did was "talk" to dh and I. Ask basic questions and then sent us home with this long list of bloodwork that had to be done "there' on other days,...(would have to take off more days of work) and he said we needed to take a class on "injections".

I was frustrated when I left that RE. I felt like, they had me taking off from work, and then of course, I realized, how would I ever be able to get any bloodwork done with them, if I work in queens and live on long island. So that very day, I made an appt with a RE in mineola.

Now, I go to Dr. Saketos in Mineola. Reproductive Specialists. When I met Dr. Saketos, Dh, didn't go with me. I expected to have a "conversation" again, but this time was different. Dr. Saketos did a vaginal u/s and was able to tell me my follicule size and when I would ovulate. She was correct....and I was so happy....that I finally had someone putting me on the right track. She told me to come back for progesterone test 7 dpo...and when I did, I learned I had low progesterone. Suppositories were ordered for me and delivered to me, that very day.

What's great about going to an RE is that, they have all the 'machinery' available. They can give you a bloodtest, and an ultrasound, and you get the results that very day. They monitor you closely, and come up with "plans of action". I highly recommend going to one.....they are usually successful, in helping couples conceive and have beautiful babies. However, they don't usually supply you with loads of information....you still have to be on top of your own 'healthcare' and do a lot of research.

Re: Fertility Specialists

I was referred by my Gyn. to Dr. SanRoman in Stonybrook. When I made the appointment, they requested that DH come with me.
He did a vag. sono (asked DH to come into the room), explained what we were seeing to both of us and then sat down with us and told us what to expect for the next couple of months and what our problem was. I had to go to a lab for a bunch of blood tests and DH had to go to a lab for a couple of blood tests. He also had to give a sample for a semen analysis.
There is a lot of back and forth...I can't tell you how many times I have been there in the last month, but they are very thorough and like redstar said, they have all the equipment there.
Good luck!

Re: Fertility Specialists

Here is a list of questions to ask your RE at your frst appointment.

Q: What are the first steps you will take to determine and/or treat our specific fertility problem?

Q: Should I be charting my basal body temperature (BBT) each month?

Q: What are the different treatment options for fertility medications?

Q: Can you explain the difference between intrauterine insemination (IUI) and In-vitro Fertilization (IVF)?

Q: What are the costs of treatments and how much does my insurance cover?

Q: What are the side effects and risks of fertility drugs, including the chance of multiple births?

Q: When I am in treatment how often do I need to come to the office for appointments and can you be flexible to accommodate my work schedule?

Q: What are your pregnancy success rates?

Q: Can I do all the necessary testing and procedures in your office or will I have to go out to separate laboratories or hospitals?

Q: Is there someone I can call for questions at any time?

Hope this helps!

Re: Fertility Specialists

DH did go. He asked us all questions about our background and reviewd some of the testing my gyno did. He took a pic of us for the file.
He also did a sono the first visit to check out things down there. They look to see if you have any cysts on the ovaries, and to check the uterus.

Best of luck

Re: Fertility Specialists

I agree with Gertyrae...there can be alot of blood tests. OPK's don't really work for me so I was going in almost every day for bloodwork to see if I was getting ready to Ovulate. I am lucky because my RE's office was right around the corner from my house and I pass it daily on my way to work.