OBGYN Issues - Help please!

I have a question to ask. Please tell me if I am over reacting and/or this is normal practise.

We have been seeing my OBGYN since January this year. He currently has me on Clomid. From the start he has put me on lower than normal doses to what I hear and read everywhere (bearing in mind the internet and Dr Google can be dangerous!). He started me on 25mg's that didn't work, I went to 50mg's that didn't work and now he wants to put me on 75mg instead of the normal 100 then 150mg's. Also, he is on leave all the time! DH and I want to have a laparoscopy done to check there are no blockages etc and effectively wasting our month on Clomid. I've only got 2 more shots at it and we would like to cover everything off and give it the best possible chance to work.

DH has just spoken to the receptionist and she has said they have a locum dr helping out but only for the neonatal patients, in other words not us. I know everyone is entitled to take leave but it's really frustrating, I feel like I am inconveniencing them when we are paying a stack of money for his service!! When we ring up we have to wait agesssss for his return call. We understand there are people that require his urgent care and we have always been patient and friendly on the phone etc (even though I am lucky to have a full 5 minutes of his time)

We are not sure if we should wait until he comes back before starting the next round as we would prefer to have the laparoscopy before we start it. We feel like we have to push for things which he hasn't mentioned and are normal for others being treated on this.

He does have a great reputation and he is one of the best, but I just feel like he is way to busy and he just wants to push me off to IVF so he doesn't have to be bothered with us.

If we ask for a laprascopy publicly it may take months to have it done.

Are we being unreasonable here? I thought we had one of the best in Melbourne

I would look for a new obgyn personally. I don't have experience with ttc, but I hope it works out for you soon xx

Yeah I think I would be going back to your GP and asking for a referral to someone else. If you're not happy, or have doubts about the treatment he is providing then I think it makes sense to go to someone you're more comfortable with.

You are not being unreasonable at all - although OB/GYNs generally do give preference to the OB side of things because (1) they are on a countdown and (2) (cynically) they generate higher fees. My OB does stuff at the fertility clinic but only as part of a group - he no longer does Gyn stuff as he just doesn't have the time. It's not fair I know.

Can you try to find (or get the OB to recommend you) to a straight GYN? I had my lap done through one who doesn't also do OB stuff so the wait to see her was much less and it was easier to schedule things.

But I agree it is a good idea to do some diagnostic things (ie a lap if you think it is necessary) before doing the clomid as you may be missing an issue.

I'd look for someone else too. It sounds like his focus is elsewher - getting a fertility specialist may serve you better
All the best

Peachey, get e second opinion / referral to someone else. So much of TTC is waiting and when you get to needing fertility assistance frankly we just don't have time to faff about - especially if the provider isn't listening to your needs. Don't be afraid to go see someone else to get the treatment you want. I've had the works (lap etc) and while invasive, am so glad I got it done to rule everything out and know clomid had the best shot.

Good luck hon

My ob/gyn did the laproscopy before he would even consider putting me on clomid. He wanted to make sure there were no physical problems before moving onto clomid. Sounds like it might be an idea to look into another Dr. My dh also had to have a SA before I went on clomid as if there was a problem there it is usually straight to ivf.

My Ob/Gynea I started seeing was hopeless. I saw him after my 2nd m/c and he told me I had to have 3 for him to investigate and they were so early he wouldn't even class me as been pregnant (5&6week gestation) I then went to see him for infertility and he said come back in a yr. 9months later I had an ectopic pregnancy which he refused to flush my remaining tube and said return in a year if I am not pregnant by then. Every time I saw him he dismissed our troubles and told me to return in a year (even almost a yr after he first told me to come back in a yr) After my ectopic and he refused to flush my remaining tube (which the Dr who removed my first tube and pregnancy said was damaged) I went and saw another one who had me in surgery 3weeks later to have the surgery I asked for through the public system. The new one recommended IVF within 6months if I wanted which is what we did. He was very proactive. I'm so glad we swapped to the new guy as although it took 11cycles after our laparoscopy we did get our next BFP which resulted in our darling daughter.

Can you see a FS instead? They tend to be more dedicated to getting you pregnant then an Ob/Gynea. I'd definately see someone else.

Find another OB/GYN. He is just being cautious with upping your dose slowly. A high dose can be very dangerous if its not needed. Are you sayin its not working because of the day 21 blood test or because your not pregnant yet?

Just a slightly different point of view...
Are you overweight at all? If you are, most good FS and gynos won't give you a lap because of the high risks involved. I am not sure a lap is best for blockages anyway. Laps are to remove endo and fibroids, etc. Blockages are determined by hysteroscopies.

Has your partner had a semen analysis? Again, a good FS would consider this before lap surgery.

Clomid is not prescribed at high doses unless absolutely necessary because it can cause problems with the endometrium.

My experience is most specialists - especially good ones- are not available by telephone. I doubt you would fare any better with a different doctor.
Finally, I am 99.9% sure there is an international conference for FS and gynos ATM. Your gyno is likely attending.
Of course, if you are not happy with any doctor, you should look for one you are happy with.
Good luck!!

So that's where my FS is n2l!