[RazorbackRN]

I'm new to posting but have lurked for some time now. My DH and I have been TTC for appx 15 mths. I have an 8 and 10 year old, so this is kind of new to me, as I had no problem with conceiving them. I'm 32 y/o

Anyway, I have made an appt to see my OB doc on Thurs. I talked with him about it back in Sept at my yearly exam and he did labs and an US at that time which were all Ok. He had told me to come back when I was ready.

So, my question is: what do you think I can expect from my initial visit?

Thanks!

He might order an HSG test - where they inject dye into the uterus to see if your tubes are blocked or if there are any other physical problems causing you not to get pregnant.

Even though you have two children with your DH, he might order a sperm analysis on him, its been a while since you have had kids and you never know if something changed.

And he might give you Clomid to help you produce a more mature egg and it can also make you produce 2-3 eggs so you have a better chance.


Good luck!!! and if he wants the HSG - its not that bad and worth the try

[Gina1978]

I dont know how it works in the US,but here,they always start with bloodwork and go from there.The bigger tests are usually left for last (tests like HSG etc).
My first OB visit was ok.I had a pap and a full check up,then I mentioned that I had been TTC for 4 months and didnt think I was ovulating etc.
(Im 29 and also have 2 kids who are 7 and 10 years old).
Last month I was put on Clomid.I was in my 6th month of TTC.I think that doctors tend to make you wait things out if you dont say anything..so if that happens,dont be affraid to speak up and ask for (or suggest) certain tests etc.
In my case,my OB co-operated amazingly with me once she realised how much I understood on the subject and that I wasnt willing to go home without an awnser Do you chart? If so,take them with you..
Good luck!

[JellyBean]

I don't have any advice for you, I haven't had one of those appointments...yet.

But welcome! You'll love it here. The ladies here are great and there is tons of support!

[RazorbackRN]

Thanks for the warm welcomes and information!

I'm really nervous, but I'm also ready to find out what the problem is.
I will check in after my appt. and post an update.

Thanks for the support!

[dzine21]

Welcome! Be sure to write down any questions you have and take them with you so you don't forget. that's all I've got at the moment. Good luck!

[Bug-n-Ed]

Various doctors like to do things differently.

First things they normally do are cd3 and cd21 bloodwork. Cd3 checks various hormones -- prolactin, FSH/LH, estrogen, TSH -- that's all I can think of but there may be some more. Cd21 tests your progesterone level. This tells them if you are ovulating or not. It's actually best if this test is done 7dpo, but if you aren't sure when you possibly ovulated then cd21 is the standard. Even if you are ovulating, it may not be a strong enough ovulation, meaning the egg doesn't fully mature and a sperm won't be able to penetrate it. Clomid or other fertility meds can help with ovulation.

The also will usually want to have your dh get a seman analysis (S/A). A lot can change in regards to sperm count, sperm mobility and morphology in even 6 months time, so since it's been such a long time since you've had kids, it's quite possible his sperm may not be up to par anymore. He'll probably be embarressed about giving one, but it's the least invasive test as the tests for women are much more invasive.

A HSG is usually done as one of the first tests as well. They insert a catheter into your uterus and inject dye through it to see your uterus. This will tell them if your tubes are open and if your uterus is shaped normally or if you have fibroids or polyps in there.

A vaginal u/s is sometimes used to look at your ovaries to see if there's a lot of cysts. If nothing else is found they may want to do a laparascopy to see if you have endometriosis that's blocking your ovaries from producing the egg. Even if you don't have endo on the ovaries, just having endo in general messes with your hormones and can cause problems getting pg.

If you've had a c-section or other abdominal surgery, you could have scar tissue that's blocking things or causing your tubes to be twisted so it can't catch the egg.

I hope they'll be able to find what's going on with you and help you to get pg. There is always the possibility that there's nothing wrong with you or your dh and it's just age that's being the factor. It gets harder to get pg the older we get as the eggs start to deteriorate.

[RazorbackRN]

Various doctors like to do things differently.

First things they normally do are cd3 and cd21 bloodwork. Cd3 checks various hormones -- prolactin, FSH/LH, estrogen, TSH -- that's all I can think of but there may be some more. Cd21 tests your progesterone level. This tells them if you are ovulating or not. It's actually best if this test is done 7dpo, but if you aren't sure when you possibly ovulated then cd21 is the standard. Even if you are ovulating, it may not be a strong enough ovulation, meaning the egg doesn't fully mature and a sperm won't be able to penetrate it. Clomid or other fertility meds can help with ovulation.

The also will usually want to have your dh get a seman analysis (S/A). A lot can change in regards to sperm count, sperm mobility and morphology in even 6 months time, so since it's been such a long time since you've had kids, it's quite possible his sperm may not be up to par anymore. He'll probably be embarressed about giving one, but it's the least invasive test as the tests for women are much more invasive.

A HSG is usually done as one of the first tests as well. They insert a catheter into your uterus and inject dye through it to see your uterus. This will tell them if your tubes are open and if your uterus is shaped normally or if you have fibroids or polyps in there.

A vaginal u/s is sometimes used to look at your ovaries to see if there's a lot of cysts. If nothing else is found they may want to do a laparascopy to see if you have endometriosis that's blocking your ovaries from producing the egg. Even if you don't have endo on the ovaries, just having endo in general messes with your hormones and can cause problems getting pg.

If you've had a c-section or other abdominal surgery, you could have scar tissue that's blocking things or causing your tubes to be twisted so it can't catch the egg.

I hope they'll be able to find what's going on with you and help you to get pg. There is always the possibility that there's nothing wrong with you or your dh and it's just age that's being the factor. It gets harder to get pg the older we get as the eggs start to deteriorate.[/b]

Thank you so much for all of your information. I will check back in tomorrow after my appt.

[RazorbackRN]

For the update:
I went to the doc today and as most of you said, he has ordered and HSG and for DH to have a sperm analysis. Evidently, I am too far along in my cycle to have the HSG this month, so I will schedule that for after my next AF. I had labwork and a uterine US done a few months ago and all was normal, so hopefully these tests will be too. Maybe it's just because I'm getting old

Anyway, thanks again for the information and support!