1st Appointment HELP!

Hi!
I'm new to BB and to the whole IVF process. I'm excited yet nervous at the same time.
My husband and I have been trying to conceive for 8 years. I have had 6 miscarriages and about 6 years ago I was diagnosed with PCOS. Recently my husband had a sperm count done just to be sure that we both weren't having issues but it came back above average. Which is good but it also made me feel a little bit more depressed knowing that our misfortune was definately all my fault :(
We have our first appointment booked with Fertility Specialists of WA in about 4 weeks and I was wondering if anyone out there can enlighten me as to what will happen during the first appointment?

im in wa as well and altho i havent been in ivf alot of my mums friends have so if u would like me to find anything at all out please feel free to email me

jess_livee@hotmail.com

Shannan, the first appointment can often be a bit of a let down. You go in with so many questions and wanting the answers then and there... but fact is that the first appointment will usually end up being the FS asking you all the questions, sending you both for heaps of tests... and then, at the second appointment, you can start getting your answers when your FS knows exactly what they are dealing with and have enough information to form a plan.

Good luck with it all - it can be overwhelming at times, but you'll find the support here is amazing.

BW

Hey Shannan -welcome to BB!

We're with FSWA - so far I've found every staff member to be fantastic - so lovely to deal with. Which specialist are you seeing? I initially saw Mike Aitken over a year ago, but he is currently (or was) on holidays so now that we're ready to continue our TTC journey we saw John Love a few weeks ago instead. He was good - very to-the-point but thorough.

I'm having a laparoscopy in a week (including the dye test to check my tubes are clear) and then if all is well, will start ovulation induction. DH's sperm test came back above average which was good.

For the 1st appt it will cost around $180 (you'll get around $71 back from Medicare) - this does however include the sperm analysis. Be prepared for them to be running late. Even if it's a morning appt :redface:

It's probably a good idea to make a list of any questions you have before you go, as you'll probably be bamboozled during the appt and forget them all!

Things you need to think about (that you'll be asked about) are:
-details of your menstrual cycle, when you got your first period, any painful periods, absent periods etc, also your mother's cycle (find out if she had any issues)
-any previous pregnancies
-any family illness that may affect reproduction, or any illness you or your partner have
-how soon you want to get started with assisted conception :)
-if you have private health insurance


Hope that helps!

Thanks guys!
I'm not sure which doctor we are seeing at this stage...
But will keep you all informed :)

Had my pre-op consult today - did not get off to a good start when Dr Love asked "So when was your last cycle?"

Ummm

TWO YEARS! That's why I'm HERE, remember? I guess he does see a lot of patients so he's not exactly going to remember me, but he could have glanced at my file quickly!! Doh.

The rest of the consult went fine though. Afterwards I had to go to a piercing place so they could take out my belly ring - can't have that in for a lap!! Feels a bit odd now, it was there for 11 years! I don't think I'll put it back in though.

Anyway I'm going a bit off topic - Keep us informed Shannan!!!

Good Luck with it all Shannan

Hi Shannan,
I hope that your first (and subsequent) appointments go well:). You and your DH have been through alot, so I hope that this is the start of a positive turnaround.

I know that it is really difficult, but pls dont be too hard on yourself about why you are having to go down this pathway. Even if the medical probs are 'yours', they are not your fault - you did not create them, cause them, or ask for them, so dont punish yourself:hug:. Try and be kind to yourself.

Good luck
FG

Hey guys!
Thanks for all the kind words.
Received my "info pack" with papers today. Will be seeing Dr Hart for the initial appointment. I've heard he is pretty good, so I'm fairly happy about that :)

Well, I had my first appointment with DR Hart. Got the usual. Could have saved myself $230. Lose weight and take metformin. Hello, I went off metformin becauseI got sooo sick last time. Also got told my 35kg weight gain (in 2 years) was not the PCOS it was my genes. Funny how he knew that when he never asked a single thing about my parents weight. Just once I wish I could go to a doctor who themselves actually has PCOS or their wife or daughter does. Not that I want to wish this upon anyone else but I would just like a doctor who doesnt actually blame ME for gaining 35 kgs in 2 years. They might actually be a bit more sympathetic rather than basically saying you are a fatty get out and come back when you are skinny so it makes their success rate higher. Especially since I dont eat or exercise any differently than I did the 2 years prior... no wait thats a lie, I actully eat better and exercise more! Over it all!

Hi Shannan,

Sorry your appointment didn't go so well for you.

Do you think Dr Hart was really listening to you? Perhaps you should try someone else? Either at FSWA or elsewhere?

I'm rather annoyed at FSWA at the moment myself. We were supposed to start ovulation induction this week but they stuffed up and didn't organise a series of blood tests that I was meant to have before starting the OI (I had no idea about these tests) so we've been delayed by another month now. Grr.

That said, I'm still really happy with the service we've received from Dr Love. So maybe you could try him?

:hug: