https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 23 Apr 2026 02:17:52 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/us-re-doctors-experiences-and-costs#post-2485887 Sun, 06 Mar 2016 21:53:25 +0000 bloomingflower 2485887@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you for the thoughts. I will look into the test mentioned and thank you for the info, </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/us-re-doctors-experiences-and-costs#post-2485394 Sat, 05 Mar 2016 22:03:44 +0000 Amorini 2485394@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bloomingflower: Sorry that you are going through this! I really hope Clomid works this next time, but just in case, I think it's a good idea to have a backup plan and set yourself up with an RE consult. It can take time to get in the door, re-do any tests, etc. before starting treatments. Some girls get pregnant before even starting treatment, but sounds like you are eager to get going!</p> <p>I have the same questions for you about day 3 testing (LH, FSH) and AMH. An RE will start there and also repeat them and a SA if not done recently. Don't be surprised if they start over on all the other diagnostics (HSG, saline sono).</p> <p>We had no IF coverage and paid for everything, including diagnostics and meds, out of pocket. It was painful but we didn't want to regret not giving it a try. I was able to get some diagnostic bloodwork done under my insurance, but that's it!</p> <p>We didn't get very far into diagnostics before finding DH has severe MFI, but given my age (was also 39 at that point), the RE clearly was concerned about egg quality as much as sperm count, etc., even though my FSH was only borderline high and normal for my age. At any rate, my point is that while an OB may not bring up age/egg quality as your biggest hurdle, the RE undoubtedly will and will suggest aggressive treatment as the PP mentioned. The big 4-0 is the statistical age cliff in the RE world and statistics are the basis for everything! </p> <p> Due to MFI, IVF/ICSI was the only option, so we paid out the wazoo (won't scare you with those numbers!). If you're not dealing with MFI, you may be recommended to start with IUIs (most aggressive IUI route would be medicated IUI) which may cost as much in meds as actual treatment (monitoring, labs, IUI). </p> <p>Whatever happens, you can totally do this! There are a ton of great bees to lean on and learn from. Wishing you so much :goodluck: !</p> <p>ETA: ...and I'm now 10w pregnant at 40 (with eggs retrieved at 39)! Yay for science and fairy dust! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/us-re-doctors-experiences-and-costs#post-2485369 Sat, 05 Mar 2016 21:20:31 +0000 BSB 2485369@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bloomingflower: this might give you an idea of what to expect. </p> <p>Though my response almost 3 years ago has changed. I ended up doing 6 IUI cycles which were unsuccessful and now have 6 month old twins through IVF.</p> <p>I would recommend seeing a RE because they are more aggressive. If you want to get pregnant soon, I would see a RE. Then again, I saw two REs at two different clinics before I was finally diagnosed and had the right treatment. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/us-re-doctors-experiences-and-costs#post-2485228 Sat, 05 Mar 2016 15:18:00 +0000 gingerbebe 2485228@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My HMO runs its own RE center. Its a flat $10,000 for each round of IVF, with meds payable separately. The flat fee does not include PGD, ICSI, and FET. I don't know if it's the policy but all my labs and ultrasounds were billed under my regular coverage (which is great so I paid nothing or $10). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/us-re-doctors-experiences-and-costs#post-2485223 Sat, 05 Mar 2016 15:13:09 +0000 misolee 2485223@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did a lot of clomid/femara cycles with my OB hoping to do an IUI. They monitor sort of (on certain dates). I suspected my body ovulated later and so the dates they monitored, nothing had happened and the cycles were deemed failures. I was sent to a local RE and they used the tests that The OB gave me to tell me what other tests I can do or not do. That helped with costs. My husband had to do one other test and that was it. With that information, we were given options of how to proceed. Doctor suggested ivf for a higher chance but I was hesitant to jump into it. We decided to do injectables, monitoring, and IUI. Monitoring was rough bc literally I went everyday for a ultrasound out of pocket. And like I suspected, the ovulation was later than the "normal" time which translated into more monitoring. I triggered at home, we did back to back IUI for maximum opportunity and fortunately, we got pregnant on the first try and now have a beautiful baby boy (three weeks old). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/us-re-doctors-experiences-and-costs#post-2485206 Sat, 05 Mar 2016 14:47:23 +0000 shortcake 2485206@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In my experience, RE's are pretty aggressive so if you start being treated by one they will likely recommend more interventions very quickly. Their only job is to get you pregnant and they have an arsenal of tests they run and formulate a plan pretty quickly. Did you do cycle day 3 checks and hormone levels and ovarian reserve ultrasound already? If you current OB hasn't done this and other easy to diagnose testing, then I would see an RE right away so they can help you with a plan. It might be continuing on clomid, but you will already be under their care if that doesn't work instead of waiting another few cycles and then doing a consult. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/us-re-doctors-experiences-and-costs#post-2485145 Sat, 05 Mar 2016 13:11:30 +0000 bloomingflower 2485145@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So I am trying to debate when to throw in the towel on the Clomid and go to another recommended RE. See this is month 4 on Clomid, Cycles are normal 27 days ish with a luteal phase of about of about 11-13. </p> <p>I am really hoping this month or one of the next two months will do the trick (this month plus two more would be the max of 6 months). </p> <p> My current OB has RE experience so we have done the basic tests, the Fallopian tube (dye catheter) test, ultrasounds and so on all came out fine. Then progesterone to confirm ovulation. It appears from everything test that we have done confirms that I am ovulating (on the clomid and maybe before without it) and that my SO sperm is ok, (except morphology of 4% which is a bit low). But my OB wants to recommend me a actual RE for more options I can choose to go now after month four or try clomid for two more months after that then go. </p> <p>But I am 39 (will be 40 in Nov) and this is our 11 month trying. I would say we really did not get the timing down and such until about 6 months ago for sure.</p> <p> Only reason why I am hesitant to start with the RE is insurance and costs. So far my insurance has covered everything with the OB/RE (as it is initial diagnosis testing. but it does not cover actual fertility treatments. I pay for my clomid script. Which is nothing big. And we have savings but I hear that the RE can cost 5-10K depending on the treatment. </p> <p>Anyway long story short, can anyone give me an idea of what the next step they went through with the RE are. How were your costs? Were there alot of tests? I am going to call the RE's monday but interested to see what your experiences have been. </p> <p>Thx and sorry for the long post. </p>