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ginger 
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 Topic: What to expect at the specialist
Posted: 07 March 2007 at 9:15am |
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It's now less than a week until we see the specialist.
We were hoping to get into a seminar last night held at Fertility Associates, but if you've read my blog recently, you'll have seen that that didn't work out (they advertised the seminar AFTER it was full! Doh!). Hilariously, we're on a waiting list for the next one ...only a fertility (and perhaps even only *this* infertile!!) would find having to go on a waiting list for a seminar on fertility treatment fuuny I swear!
Anyway - a few of you have been the 'fertility specialist' route, and I'm wondering if you would mind sharing what happened when you saw your specialist.
What I'm wondering I guess, is if it's likely that he's going to see us and send us away to keep trying for longer, or if once you get to this stage, they dive in and set plans of attack etc.
I said to DH that since we're paying for private treatment, I think things will probably move quite quickly ...but that is a lot of me hoping that that is what will happen too! I mean, it's not like we don't know what we're dealing with, and it's not like we've only been TTC for 5 minutes either.
I'd appreciate anyone sharing their experience.
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Cuinn Lachlan 23.1.09 - 22:00
Antonia Helene 4.8.11 - 09:41
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Maya
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Posted: 07 March 2007 at 10:16am |
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I don't have any experience, but given that you've already had surgery and been diagnosed with endo+PCOS I'd guess they'll believe you that you've been trying for a while!
Whether they start meds or go straight for more aggressive stuff like IUI or IVF I would have no idea!
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 Maya Grace (28/02/03)
 (02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Lulu
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Posted: 07 March 2007 at 7:11pm |
At our first appointment we talked over what we'd already done in the way of tests. (make sure that you turn up with copies of all your results) Then I had a quick internal scan. Then DH was sent away for another sperm analysis. Once it was determined (within a week) that DH had the antibodies and we had next to no chance of conceiving naturally, the ball really started rolling. If you choose to go private (pay yourself) then it should all be pretty immediate. I decided on a Thursday that I wanted to go private, had an appointment the following Monday with the specialist, and as I was on day 2 of my AF I started IVF that same day! I know that you may be trying IUI but I believe that it would be the same timeframe really. Pretty immediate if you are going private. If you have unexplained infertility they make you TTC for five years before you can get public funding, but once again - Money talks! Good luck! 
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Lou
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Posted: 07 March 2007 at 7:47pm |
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Good luck ginger i cant really put anything in here as i just was with the specialist who removed my endo she tested cory then put me on clomid.
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emile
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Posted: 07 March 2007 at 9:10pm |
Hey Ginger
i dunno what the official process is but heres my experience and i dont wanna upset u but this is how it was for me
i went to my GP and said it wasnt happening and she referred me to the fert clinic at dunedin hosp
we waited then after about 3 months got an appt
We were sent for tests for HIV, hepitis and hormones and a sperm test
went back a few months later, where she told us - keep trying for a year AHHHHH
we did - i was furious - and as i expected - NO baby
went back had more tests - they said we looked fine and they cant understand why i wasnt pregnant and we needed more tests - same ones as last time
they got us back before xmas 06 and told us we could go on an ivf waiting list if we wanted - (if we wanted!!!!!!! oh course i wanted for goodness sake)they said to ring with my period date in jan and we could start end of jan on ivf
i ring jan with my dates and they say "no were booked up till feb march " i almost bite thru my tounge with anger because i am hanging on to this date for dear life - they say we could see u in april only we have easter holidays so it will be may before u can get an implant
Soooooo as it stands now - i rung with my feb date and they say come in in march with your date and get the drugs then
So i hate to say it but i am pscho wife 101 and if they darn well tell me any story other than pick the drugs up end of march and first implant is may
You will hear me screaming anywhere u r in NZ 
so good luck with your appt - im hoping going privatly will count in your favour my friend
take care - cant wait to hear how u get on
Emile
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JB
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Posted: 07 March 2007 at 10:42pm |
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Hi Ginger
We went along the public route after being referred by our GP. At the first meeting they discussed with us the results of our tests so far (the GP sent all copies to them)and then they talked us through the options that they would like to try. First option was clomophine - which we tried for 3 months but no result. We then had our second appointment (which they had booked when we had the first one) and they talked about next step for us was a scan and trigger injection at ovulation time (as i wasnt' ovulating). After 6 months of that (which worked from a cycle perspective but no BFP) we had another appointment where they talked about our next options - IUI/IVF etc. They wanted to do tests off the drugs so had to take a break for 2 months over Xmas then went back last week and they have put us on the IVF waiting list - YAH (although wait list is long in Auckland!!!). They also talked through our private options - specifically recommending trying IUI while we waited - which is what we are going to do. Straight after that meeting we met with the head nurse who explained the process and said we could start as soon as we wanted since we were going private. So we are just waiting for day 1 of my cycle to come round again and we start :-)
Sorry for the long rant!! but just wanted to share how it has worked for us. My understanding is that it all depends how long you've already been trying and what your situation is as to what they will/won't do. And if you're going private (and forking over the dosh!!) they will start you asap :-)
Hope that helps.
Good luck for your appointment.
ps. Love your Blog!!! i look forward to reading it everyday!! I can soooo relate to some of your stories!!!
Edited by JB
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SMoody
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Posted: 08 March 2007 at 4:08pm |
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I didnt go through a specialist as such. Back in South Africa I just had 2 mc's and went to go see a gynae that was recommended to me through a friend that works in the field.
She literally gave me one look and said I think you have PCOS but lets do a scan and check you out from top to bottom. All the stuff I was always embarresed about (like facial hair ect) was explained to me. Did the bloodtests ect.
So I asked her about Clomid and all that and she said we will talk about that after we have done everything and tried everything naturally. I was really depressed about all that but when I finally did get my act together and tried everything from my side I was lucky enough to concieve naturally. Did have complications by losing the twin and having bleeding for 4 months.
My advice to you is just be as honest with the guy as possible and tell them your feelings as well and remember they are there to help you. Best of luck.
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busymum
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Posted: 08 March 2007 at 4:37pm |
Ginger I have no experience on this side of things (as you know) but it sounds like the very best thing to keep in mind is to make the next appointment while you're at your first.... I hope it goes really well for you and that you don't have a long wait. 
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JB
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Posted: 08 March 2007 at 8:17pm |
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I agree with busymum - make sure they book the next appointment at the end of your first one (and that you know what your plan is inbetween :-)
My specialist always does that at the end but if your's dosent' mention it make sure you ask - otherwise it can be hard to get in on short notice.
Edited by JB
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ginger
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Posted: 11 March 2007 at 10:21am |
Thanks everyone for your input and experiences. Thankfully, it's only a day and a bit until this thing is underway ...I can't wait!
It does sound like going private was probably the less stressful avenue - Emile, it sounds like you've been through a bit!!
And now I'm off to go and follow Lou's advice, and get all and any paperwork/results I have to take in with me on Tuesday!
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Cuinn Lachlan 23.1.09 - 22:00
Antonia Helene 4.8.11 - 09:41
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My3Sons
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Posted: 11 March 2007 at 11:05am |
Hi Ginger!!
I got a referral from my GP to a gyno/obstetrician who monitiored my clomid treatment (7 rounds ) after which he referred me on to a specialist from fertility associates as that was all that he could do. Specialist went over test results, and the first thing he recommended before any further treatment was LOSING WEIGHT!! Now I wasnt hugely overweight (I needed to lose 5-6kgs) but he said the chances of any treatment working depended on my weight being down a bit. He also told DH to stare drinking low alcohol beer much to his DISGUST lol!!! Anyway my plan of attack was injectable meds which we got set up with, and then after my 7th clomid round I got unexpectedly pregnant, sadly miscarried and while waiting to start injectables when I got my period back got pregnant again!! This was after 2 years of drs, pills and appointments.
I wish you the best of luck, let us know how your appointment goes!! Will have to go check out your blog!
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emile
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Posted: 11 March 2007 at 9:41pm |
Hey G
Got my fingers crossed for u buddy
Good luck - cant wait to hear how u get on
Emile
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ginger
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Posted: 12 March 2007 at 8:56am |
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I'm curious about this weight thing ...
What is the 'ideal' weight range?
My BMI is 23.5 (I used an online calculator) ...
I'm 169cm and 67kg at the moment(after the easter egg incident, and a little stress eating of late) ...usually I sit comfortably on 65kg. I should probably be about 60, but my body seems to like 65.
I hadn't even thought about the possibility we'd be chucked out the door because I'm a bit too 'lovable' around the butt/thigh area! Sh*t.
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Cuinn Lachlan 23.1.09 - 22:00
Antonia Helene 4.8.11 - 09:41
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mummy_becks
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Posted: 12 March 2007 at 9:00am |
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Ginger you weight is fine. They say to people with a BMI over 30 that they need to lose weight. Good luck with the specialist.
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I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived!
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My3Sons
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Posted: 12 March 2007 at 9:26am |
Ginger, I promise you wont get chucked out the door!!
My specialist bless him was rather....blunt!! I was approx 78kgs, and really needed to be in the early 70s, through lots of hard work I did get down to 72kgs. His point I guess was that if we were going to spend hundreds of dollars on injections, scans etc we might as well give it the best possible chance of working by being at my ideal weight. Also, weight is usually (but not always) a problem in women with PCOS, typically around the middle which is where I hold it (no, nothing to do with all the creme eggs lol!!).
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busymum
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Posted: 12 March 2007 at 12:43pm |
*ahem Ginger* if the online calculator you used is the same as the one I just used (for myself and then on your behalf ) - and I'm sure it is! - then doesn't it say that your ideal weight is 54 - 71 kgs????? Stop worrying yourself silly! Busy yourself at work today, tomorrow will look after itself - it has to, you've done everything you can!
(Unless you're gonna lose a few kg overnight, in which case you can let me know your secret formula )
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ginger
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Posted: 12 March 2007 at 1:57pm |
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Cuinn Lachlan 23.1.09 - 22:00
Antonia Helene 4.8.11 - 09:41
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busymum
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Posted: 12 March 2007 at 2:01pm |
Anyway... it was nice of you to look that up since we are the same height!
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ginger
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Posted: 12 March 2007 at 2:30pm |
I'm most pleased to have been of assistance busymum
And I do *not* want to know if you're skinnier than me ...especially since you just had Krystiana! 
I need lipo ...bollocks.
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Cuinn Lachlan 23.1.09 - 22:00
Antonia Helene 4.8.11 - 09:41
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Sarah Beth
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Posted: 12 March 2007 at 2:32pm |
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ginger - I will tell you now, you don't need to lose weight! You are gorgeous!
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What to expect at the specialist
