Seeing doctor tomorrow about fertility, what are some good questions to ask?

[PumpkinZulu]

I am booked in to see a new doctor tomorrow, she does shared pregnancy care with the royal womens hospital and was who I was going to be seeing when I was first pg, but never made it up to my first appointment I will most likely be seeing her when I do finally get pg, as I would much rather go to the gp's office than a hospital, and seeing as I am not planning on birthing in a hospital, I just don't see the point. Anyway, I am hoping she will be really helpful in getting the ball rolling in regards to getting utd. I want to ask to be testes for pcos as I have a fair few of the symptoms and I haven't been ovulating. I also want to ask if she can somehow check for scarring on my uterus and ovaries, because after my d&c I got pid which caused quite a nasty infection. I aslo was on some medication a few years back which I have only just found out can cause infertility ALSO (lol, hope I don't bombard her) I would like to discuss clomid and other similar medications to assist my body in oing and making a baby in general. Has anyone got any stories/advice on their own personal experiences with this sort of thing, or any other questions I should be asking? I want to be thorough and consise and make sure she knows that I am there to get fertility help, not 'wait and see' because I am young. I have been ttc for 12 months next month, and three m/c's later, I just want to know what is going on. Thanks in advance

[Miss K]

Tomorrow she will more than likely get you and your DF to have BT's then she will more than likely (if she has one) give you an ultrasound to have a look at your ovaries etc... You can ask about the clomid this will probably be one of the first things she will suggest when your test results come back and if you are not ovulating on your own! Ask as many questions you can and don't be scared to bombard her thats what we pay them for!! And do explain about your losses and your concerns you will find the first step will be the BT's though

Good luck for tomorrow!!! And also if you don't understand something get her to explain on your level

p.s you're not too young!! better to get the ball starting now rather than later

[onthefly]

Good luck PZ!
Write it all down (if you haven't already) so you don't forget anything - and make sure she's got all your history (so she doesn't overlook the PID, for eg).
I'm not sure how long you've been ttc for... If less than 12m, and particularly given your age, she might be a bit dismissive at first, so really emphasise the fact that you've been tracking your cycles and know you're not ovulating.

[PumpkinZulu]

Marcellus, we've been ttc for 11 months.

MissK, awesome info, thanks.

[PumpkinZulu]

bumpity bump

[Elocin]

Don't worry about 'bombarding' her with questions - you are there to get as much information as you possibly can... her job is to assist you in getting those answers.

- print all of your charts out to show her
- dates of m/c (conception, date you found out your angels had left, D&C date)

I agree with MissK, she will probably lean towards Clomid once you have shown her your aren't Oing. I'm guessing she will do the same for you guys that my FS did for me and my DH last week - BTs, urine tests and U/S for me... swimmer test for your DF... I am also having a procedure similar to a lap and dye - a sonosalpingography to check to see if my tubes are blocked...

I'm guessing from what I've read on here and from speaking to gals IRL who have gone down the FS route that the things I've listed above are fairly standard tests.

Don't let her tell you that you guys are too young... as I have said to you in the past hun, 3 m/c's in 12 months is most definitely worth looking into - no matter how old you are.

Let me know if you need any more information babe

Nic xo

[Lisa B]

Hey PZ,

I think it's about all covered with your own knowledge and other people's suggestions. One thing that I would recommed is having your thyroid checked both TSH and antibodies. Untreated thyroid issues can result in re-current miscarriage and potentially impact on fertility. Ask for a printout of the tests. The lab range for TSH and what a specialist considered adequate for conception and maintenance of pregnancy is different. I have a dud thyroid. My endocronoligist says TSH needs to be between 1-2, but my GP says normal can be higher than this. I ended up on medication to lower my TSH.

Also, if you are considering a referral to a FS don't hesitate to ask for one. By the time you get your first appointment it will be another month.

Oh, if your intereted in a natural medicine approach ask for Iron Stores (different from just asking for iron) and Vitamin D. These are easily rectified with supplements, if required. My naturopath wanted me to get these checked.
Good luck hunnie.