[MamaAnna]

I have an appointment next month to start testing for fertility issues. DH hasn't had his SA done yet (I'm not sure I can talk him into it), but I just don't think his swimmers are the problem. I've always had hormonal issues and I really think it's something to do with me. Do you think they'd test me without his SA being done? What should I expect them to do? I would love any details you can provide. Right now I can just imagine them poking me with bunches of needles (I have a big fear of them) and I'm making myself go crazy. Each night I say I'm going to cancel the appointment when I wake up and then I talk myself out of it in the morning. We want a baby together so badly that I don't want to just give up and assume we'll never need birth control again.

[Lo_and_Behold]

Truthfully, I don't know everything that fertility testing involves b/c my obgyn makes her patients wait for a year. But she did start off with bloodwork & testing my progesterone levels & my TSH to see if that was normal. I also had baseline bloodwork-- a full CBC, lipid panel, etc etc. The whole 9 yards. I think they'd start with that first & work from there, but I'm sure the other ladies who have had more experience will be able to answer this better.
Good luck!!

[MamaAnna]

Did they take a lot of vials when they did your blood work? I'm light weight with low blood pressure so if they take more than a couple I usually need to have a snack with me or somebody else to drive. I read somewhere that they took six from one woman, but I'm not sure if that's the norm. I've wondered more than once now if my cm is the issue. I tried checking it for charting and I never seem to have much to check, even around O time. That's why it isn't being charted, there was just too little. When I get in the mood then we're good to go in that area, but I know they aren't the same thing. Would it be possible for that to be delaying things? I doubt DH would want to buy pre-seed unless my doctor says we need it. Right now he's assuming he has bad swimmers, but aside from high blood pressure and labyrinthitis he's a healthy 31 year old man that's in good shape. There's no reason really to suspect a problem with him in my opinion.

[LindsLuvsSi]

The first appt, is just a consultation, getting yoru family history, personal history, medical history, etc. THen he discussed about fertility and what possible infertility problems and treatment are and what route we wanted to go. When we had our fertility testing done, my fertility doc had my estradiol, TSH, LH, FSH and prolactin tested. Only 2 vials were taken thankfully. Then after the results of the bloodwork, he did a basica SA on DH. And had me come in for an ultrasound to check my insides. Which he discovered a cyst. Which made us wait 4 months, because fertility meds can cause cysts to grow, not good! Finally when the cyst was much smaller he gave us the fertility meds that helped us get our BFP.

Well, it is different for everyone so your best bet is to ask the doctors office. My RE required a semen analysis before the first appt, and I had a pap and ultrasound my first appt. And he ordered bloodwork. You may be bale to do the bloodwork on different days though, I have never done that but it sounds like it would be ok! But that was with my RE, and we have insurance. It is different for everyone. Good Luck!

[Jlynn]

I really think you should talk your DH into a SA. It's nothing compared to all the test they will do on you. That way if it's him then you can go from there instead of running test after test on you and finding nothing.

I just went in a few weeks ago. All he did was order an HSG test for me and a SA for my DH. No blood work or ultrsounds. Every dr. is different. Good luck!!
What day do you go in?

[MamaAnna]

My appointment is June 23rd. They ordered DH's SA on March 24th and I still haven't been able to get him to go in and get it done. I went in for my annual and talked to my doctor then. She said if after 3 months we weren't pregnant yet depending on his SA they'd start testing me. I'll call the office and see what, if anything, they would do without the SA. I'm going to keep pressuring DH, but it isn't something I can exactly force him to do. My pap did come back normal and aside from my pelvis and hip hurting when AF is here I don't experience any pain. The only things I've been able to think of are my cm and a hormonal imbalance. They had me on Yaz to correct it once before, but it made it worse. I'll go dig out the number right now and give them a call. I've really been going crazy wondering what's wrong and why it hasn't happened yet. If we can't have another for some reason I just want to know! It's the not knowing that's getting to me. That and the idea of all of the tests.

Update:
I called and my doctor is actually at the hospital today so they don't know if they'll be able to get ahold of her about a non-pregnancy case today or not. When I said he wouldn't get the SA done though the lady went "ew" so that doesn't make me feel much better! They're going to call me back as soon as they have an answer for me.

[fuzzysunshine]

I don't have any added info, since my Dr. wants us to wait a little longer, but I wanted to wish you luck for your upcoming appointment!

[jeanbean]

When we started looking for the problem, my doctor ordered all the bloodwork Lindsey mentioned. Some were on CD 3, others were on 7 DPO. DH had his SA done as well. The doctor said it was much easier to determine where the problem was, whether male or female, with DH having the SA done. He did it, and passed with flying colors. They then knew to look further into me. The doctor said a variety of things can happen with women so she wanted to rule out DH. My DH was a bit anxious about it as well, but once he found out he could collect the sample at home, he was much better. All he had to do was get it to the lab within 1 hour. He went directly there after he was done. Then, I had a transvaginal ultrasound, abdominal ultrasound, and an HSG done. Everything looked good with all of that. My doctor also ordered glucose and insulin bloodwork at that time as well. All good. Now, we are trying the clomid this month.

Good luck.

[MamaAnna]

I brought it up again and DH won't get the SA done for a long time.

[jeanbean]

I brought it up again and DH won't get the SA done for a long time. [/b]

Even if he does it at home? I told my DH I would even drive it to the lab for him, but he ended up doing it himself. I think he finally realized that I wasn't letting it go, and he pretty much understood why it was so important after I told him what I had to go through. He went with me for my first appointment prior to the HSG and ultrasounds, and once he saw the exam table and stirrups, he felt really bad for what we women have to go through every year. Good luck.....did you ask him why he won't consider it now?

[MamaAnna]

He knows it's something he would do from home. The doctor gave us the cup and everything. He keeps blaming finances acting like it'll cost hundreds or changing the subject completely. I think he may be worried about what they would say, but I don't know. All I can be sure of is that he doesn't plan on doing the SA for at least another year if ever.

[MamaAnna]

My doctor just called and said that without the SA there isn't anything they can really do. She wants me to come in for my appointment as planned and she'll go over my charts with me and we'll try to think up a few ideas. When we hit the 1 year mark then she'll give me a referral to a fertility specialist, but without the SA she said they'll only be able to help us better time things. For anything else they would require the SA and she's not even sure they would do that much without one. She asked about my charts and said that it does sound like I'm ovulatory which I figured, but it was still nice to hear. Since DH won't do the SA I don't see a point in seeing the specialist so if whatever we come up with next month doesn't help I'm just going to give up at the 1 year mark. Unfortunately that will be our anniversary so I don't think it'll be a happy one.

[mom 2 haley & tyler]

I'm so sorry dh is being cooperative. My dh won't do one either. He said we already have 1 kid and if it happens, it happens. Why can't they just understand our prospective sometimes? I'm here is you need to talk.

[MamaAnna]

Thank you. Right now I'm just trying so hard not to cry and trying to figure out how to tell DH. Who knows, this may be our last cycle of TTC. I just don't know anymore.

[jeanbean]

What about doing the at home test which involves no doctors. It is a bit pricey, like $100 or so, but then nobody else would know the results but you guys.

Here is the website.....
http://www.fertell.com/

DH and I almost did this one ourselves, but he knew I wouldn't be happy without getting the one done at the lab and I would make him do both. We only decided this after he had agreed to the one at the lab. But, if he's not going to budge about his decision, this may be an option. The only other thing is that your doctors may want to see the actual lab report from the hospital. But, if he finds that his results at home are okay, you may be able to convince him to get the one at the lab done. I'm not sure......just an idea! Good Luck!

[MamaAnna]

I finally managed to talk him into it tonight after talking to my doctor today. I think the terms "much more invasive" and "fertility specialist" helped. He says he'll get it done Monday. I thought he was doing it once before though and he didn't so we'll have to see what happens Monday.

[*becky*]

OH that is great news!! I hope that they can find out what the issue is, whether it be with you or him or both!

[LindsLuvsSi]

That's great your DH is willing to do the SA!!! good luck and hope it helps your doc with your appt and everything!

[Ash]

GOOD LUCK!!!!