Nervous about taking the next step

Hi, all. I posted here about a week or so ago, knowing I have to deal with the issues surrounding the fact that DH & I can't seem to get pregnant. I can't seem to make the next step.

My Ob/gyn told me to try for 4 more months (me being in mid- 4th month right now) and contact him if nothing happened. Well, I NEED to take the next step, but I don't know if I should call my regular dr. or go right to an RE to save time.

I have NO IDEA what an RE entails, as far as insurance (and DH has good insurance, so I *think* we'll be okay), testing, money out of pocket, anything. MY ob/gyn is new to me, so I'm not as comfortable going to him w/ questions, and I'm just kind of floundering...

I really want to be a part of this community, but I feel so "outside," I don't even get all the lingo, and I feel bad asking for support when I hardly know any of you, but I'm at such a loss right now.

Any words of advice on where to start? And thank you.

Re: Nervous about taking the next step

While I'm not completely there yet, the first thing I did when I thought we were having difficulties is call my insurance company and get a printout of what is and isn't covered by my insurance plan with regards to infertility. This was very eye-opening for me!

We are both under 30 and tried for 6 months before thinking something could be wrong. After 9 months, DH got an SA done from our regular physician, and results came back normal. I spoke with my ob/gyn and she recommended waiting until the one-year mark before seeking further treatment. After our 11th month, we made an appointment with another ob/gyn from the same office who is more knowledgeable about fertility. He gave us a game plan! Basically since I was mid-cycle at the appointment, he set us up for CD 3 bloodwork if AF comes this month and for an HSG. He said we will go from there.

He didn't think other testing was necessary yet because all of the signs point to the fact that I DO ovulate on my own (CBEFM, temps, OPKs) so that was one thing we didn't have to worry about for now he said. Also, he said that many doctors might recommend Clomid, but he didn't feel this was necessary for us and would only increase our chances of possibly having multiples in his opinion.

I hope this helps! We're 12 months into our TTC journey, but just beginning our IF journey so I'm sure many of the women here have much more advice for you!

Re: Nervous about taking the next step

Thank you SO much for replying! We are on our 12th month as well, but I am 33, while DH will be 31 next month.

We DID get pregnant last November, but nothing since. And I'd been off of BCP since January '07. People say stress counts, and DH lost his father and grandmother within 3 weeks of each other, and I'd like to consider this, but it was back in Feb/March, so I'm not sure.

I'm pretty sure I am ovulating because of OPKs/CBEFM/temps AND the fact that we were pregnant last year, I just don't know why it's not happening again.

I guess what I want to say is I feel like (apart from age) we have a somewhat similar situation, and you give me hope. I do want DH to go for SA, I think it will take some encouragement unless it comes from a doctor. Wish me luck there.

Thank You so much for replying!

Re: Nervous about taking the next step

Call your insurance company and find out what your coverage entails.
Go straight to an RE, you will feel much more comfortable asking them questions as this is their specialty. Plus, they will be very pro-active regarding treatment. There will be no "wait a few months and see what happens". They are in the business of getting you PG and that is what they will do if they can...in as short a period of time as possible.

Re: Nervous about taking the next step

Thank you, Gerty. This WILL be my next step. If someone would be so kind as to kick me in the a s s and get me started, it'll be a done deal. I's a'scared!

Re: Nervous about taking the next step

Like the other poster said, I think your first course of action is to take a look at your insurance policy - see what it covers, whether you need pre-approval to see an RE, and for how long you must be trying before you see an RE. If you have a PPO, you don't need a referral and can go straight to an RE, which is my recommendation if you've been trying for a year. An RE's job is to get you pregnant as quickly as possible, so my perspective is, you might as well go to the best source as soon as possible.

If you don't need a referral, make an appointment with an RE - several ladies on here can recommend someone. Before your appointment, it's really helpful if you have 1-3 months of your cycle tracked on something like fertility friend. This will give them a basic understanding about your cycle, whether or not you seem to be ovulating, whether you have a luteal phase defect, etc.

Once you meet with the RE, they will do bloodwork, ultrasound and start scheduling other tests to get a better idea as to what's going on, including an SA for your dh.

Good luck!

Re: Nervous about taking the next step

I would first check your insurance. Do you need a referral from your ob/gyn to go to the RE? If not, I would call the RE directly and make an appointment now in case you are not pg this month. That way, you don't waste any more time. I know it's hard to take that first step, but I saw it as just another step closer to a BFP.

I have found everyone on this board to be extremely helpful and knowledgeable, so if you have a question, just ask it.