Post by akcheryl on Jan 25, 2007 18:17:09 GMT -5
I thought I'd write and tell you all about my first visit to the fertility clinic!
When my husband and I arrived at the clinic, we had to fill out the typical first visit paperwork, give our insurance cards to the receptionist, etc. The office was clean, modern-looking (very impressive), and quiet. One thing that really stood out was that one entire wall was covered in baby pictures - I'm assuming ones that were born as a result of the fertility clinic's help - and there were SO many pictures with two or three babies!
Immediately after we finished signing all the consent forms, etc., we were taken to the doctor's office to be interviewed by one of the nurses. It wasn't your typical doctor's office where you'd have a check-up; it was more like an office at a bank. The nurse asked my husband and I a battery of questions and wanted to know about both of our health histories, what medications we take, etc. The nurse then asked if it was okay if a resident sat in (it was).
Then the doctor arrived. She told us that because of my stage of endometriosis (4), that IVF is our best shot at getting pregnant. She said that women with severe endo don't respond well to other therapies. She also explained that with any stage of endo, there is an immunologic factor that, although they don't yet know all the mechanisms of it, inhibits conception. The doctor also said that I have so much scar tissue as a result of the endo, that she doesn't think there is even a way for sperm to meet my egg.
The doctor further went over all my health problems and gave my husband and I plenty of opportunity to ask questions. We told her about how I had high prolactin on day-21, and how my progesterone was only 3ng/ml. We're getting all my records from my various doctors sent to the fertility clinic, and we'll also have some other testing done there.
After explaining a little about IVF (most of it I already knew, but besides that it was really difficult to concentrate as my mind was racing), I was taken to an exam room for a transvaginal ultrasound.
If you haven't had a transvaginal ultrasound before, I'll explain the process briefly. I had to empty my bladder and then undress from waste down. The doctor covered the ultrasound wand in lube, put a sort of "condom" over it, and put some more lube on. After the wand was inserted, she moved it around until she had good views of my uterus, left ovary and right ovary. She froze the monitor at each of these three views and printed the pictures.
I had told the doctor just prior to the US that last month I started my period on Dec. 27, ended on Jan. 3 and it started again (very light) on about Jan. 6 - 10. I was also due to start my period on January 21, but it still hasn't started (I took a pregnancy test last night, which was negative).
When the doctor looked at my uterus she could see a thick endometrial layer, but there was also some sort of layering that indicated to her that I did not ovulate this cycle. My right ovary looked okay, but there is a large functional cyst on my left ovary. These are quite normal and it should resolve itself, but it is further indication that I did not ovulate.
We then went back into the doctor's office and went over my medications, and we decided to stop a couple of them (the doctor said taking Prozac is okay). She also put me on birth control (Femcon Fe), starting today. She said that she puts all her IVF patients on birth control for one month prior to starting injections of FSH & LH (for IVF). The BC is to "help coordinate your cycle and assist with prevention of ovarian cysts."
We are going to call soon to schedule a Saline Infusion Sonohysterography (SHG), which "consists of imaging the uterus and uterine cavity using ultrasonography while sterile saline is instilled into the uterine cavity. The purpose of sonohysterography is to detect abnormalities of the uterus and endometrial (uterine) cavity." I'm having this procedure done prior to starting IVF injections.
So, it looks like we're definitely doing IVF! We're nervous (about the cost, the shots, etc), overwhelmed, and excited. And if IVF does work on the first cycle, we'll have a new baby (or babies!) for next Christmas!
I'm sure there's a ton of information I forgot to write. If anyone has any questions, please feel free to ask!
When my husband and I arrived at the clinic, we had to fill out the typical first visit paperwork, give our insurance cards to the receptionist, etc. The office was clean, modern-looking (very impressive), and quiet. One thing that really stood out was that one entire wall was covered in baby pictures - I'm assuming ones that were born as a result of the fertility clinic's help - and there were SO many pictures with two or three babies!
Immediately after we finished signing all the consent forms, etc., we were taken to the doctor's office to be interviewed by one of the nurses. It wasn't your typical doctor's office where you'd have a check-up; it was more like an office at a bank. The nurse asked my husband and I a battery of questions and wanted to know about both of our health histories, what medications we take, etc. The nurse then asked if it was okay if a resident sat in (it was).
Then the doctor arrived. She told us that because of my stage of endometriosis (4), that IVF is our best shot at getting pregnant. She said that women with severe endo don't respond well to other therapies. She also explained that with any stage of endo, there is an immunologic factor that, although they don't yet know all the mechanisms of it, inhibits conception. The doctor also said that I have so much scar tissue as a result of the endo, that she doesn't think there is even a way for sperm to meet my egg.
The doctor further went over all my health problems and gave my husband and I plenty of opportunity to ask questions. We told her about how I had high prolactin on day-21, and how my progesterone was only 3ng/ml. We're getting all my records from my various doctors sent to the fertility clinic, and we'll also have some other testing done there.
After explaining a little about IVF (most of it I already knew, but besides that it was really difficult to concentrate as my mind was racing), I was taken to an exam room for a transvaginal ultrasound.
If you haven't had a transvaginal ultrasound before, I'll explain the process briefly. I had to empty my bladder and then undress from waste down. The doctor covered the ultrasound wand in lube, put a sort of "condom" over it, and put some more lube on. After the wand was inserted, she moved it around until she had good views of my uterus, left ovary and right ovary. She froze the monitor at each of these three views and printed the pictures.
I had told the doctor just prior to the US that last month I started my period on Dec. 27, ended on Jan. 3 and it started again (very light) on about Jan. 6 - 10. I was also due to start my period on January 21, but it still hasn't started (I took a pregnancy test last night, which was negative).
When the doctor looked at my uterus she could see a thick endometrial layer, but there was also some sort of layering that indicated to her that I did not ovulate this cycle. My right ovary looked okay, but there is a large functional cyst on my left ovary. These are quite normal and it should resolve itself, but it is further indication that I did not ovulate.
We then went back into the doctor's office and went over my medications, and we decided to stop a couple of them (the doctor said taking Prozac is okay). She also put me on birth control (Femcon Fe), starting today. She said that she puts all her IVF patients on birth control for one month prior to starting injections of FSH & LH (for IVF). The BC is to "help coordinate your cycle and assist with prevention of ovarian cysts."
We are going to call soon to schedule a Saline Infusion Sonohysterography (SHG), which "consists of imaging the uterus and uterine cavity using ultrasonography while sterile saline is instilled into the uterine cavity. The purpose of sonohysterography is to detect abnormalities of the uterus and endometrial (uterine) cavity." I'm having this procedure done prior to starting IVF injections.
So, it looks like we're definitely doing IVF! We're nervous (about the cost, the shots, etc), overwhelmed, and excited. And if IVF does work on the first cycle, we'll have a new baby (or babies!) for next Christmas!
I'm sure there's a ton of information I forgot to write. If anyone has any questions, please feel free to ask!