https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 23 Apr 2026 22:43:12 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-should-i-see-a-reproductive-specialist#post-1320607 Sun, 05 Jan 2014 12:28:17 +0000 farawayyama 1320607@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am currently NTNP with PCOS. We plan on trying come August, as that is when our finances are likely to be in a better place. My obgyn wants me to try 6 months intervention free, then 6 months on medicines she gives (Chlomid +Metformin), then will refer me to a reproductive endocrinologist. Therefore it will be a total of one year TTC under and OBGYN plus about 8 months NTNP. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-should-i-see-a-reproductive-specialist#post-1316489 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 04:59:36 +0000 tequiero21 1316489@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We tried for about 3 years when my hubby finally agreed to get tested. Turns out, they never found a problem. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-should-i-see-a-reproductive-specialist#post-1153567 Wed, 16 Oct 2013 16:24:20 +0000 LindsayInNY 1153567@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs.Someone: We've talked about things but never set a firm timeline. He's on board with testing at the one year mark but wants to hold off a bit on any further intervention which I agree with. As for anything else, I don't know yet... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-should-i-see-a-reproductive-specialist#post-1153544 Wed, 16 Oct 2013 16:10:47 +0000 Mrs.Someone 1153544@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LindsayInNY: Yep, its all a big unknown. Statistics are in your favor, but it depends on how long you're willing to wait before having some answers. Have you talked to your DH and set a gameplan that you're both happy with? We've set timelines a few times and it has helped. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-should-i-see-a-reproductive-specialist#post-1153535 Wed, 16 Oct 2013 16:06:37 +0000 LindsayInNY 1153535@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs.Someone: In September, my doctor prescribed progesterone post-O and recommended the OTC supplement Pregnitude, massage and acupuncture. Not sure I'm ready for all of that all at once though. I don't even know if I want to start the testing at the one year mark. I think I'm just being optimistic that we/I don't need it? I don't want to deny thinking about the next step but also don't know if I'm ready to accept it either. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-should-i-see-a-reproductive-specialist#post-1153521 Wed, 16 Oct 2013 15:59:03 +0000 Mrs.Someone 1153521@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LindsayInNY: I was where you are about a year ago. I was ready for some testing, but not ready for an RE. I talked to my OB and asked about acupuncture, she agreed it was a good idea. She also ran the standard cd3 tests which didn't show much of anything. Eventually (as you know) I moved on to a nauturopath almost accidentally, but it has been a good middle step for me before heading to an RE. </p> <p>I think 6 months of good timing with no luck is definitely cause for looking into what is going on, but you have to feel ready, because it could lead to a TON of testing and appointments. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-should-i-see-a-reproductive-specialist#post-1153447 Wed, 16 Oct 2013 15:26:03 +0000 LindsayInNY 1153447@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At my annual in September, my doctor said to come back at the one year mark (December-ish) for testing. Thing is, I know some cycles haven't been timed perfectly so it makes me want to put off going for testing. Plus a chemical pregnancy means I *can* get pregnant, so what's the point? At least this is what I've been telling myself... As far as I know, I'm Oing but just have post-BC irregular cycles. Not that December is fast approaching, I don't know if I want to go in for testing. I don't foresee waiting until 2+ years. If anything, maybe around the 1 1/2 year mark of TTC? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-should-i-see-a-reproductive-specialist#post-997336 Wed, 07 Aug 2013 16:52:05 +0000 swedishfish 997336@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I knew I probably would need help getting pregnant around age 25 when I was told I wasn't ovulating. When we began TTC at age 28 I gave it three months and went to my OBGYN. It was confirmed that I still wasn't ovulating and that my DH had issues as well so we were off to the RE. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-should-i-see-a-reproductive-specialist#post-997311 Wed, 07 Aug 2013 16:43:00 +0000 PurplePumps 997311@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pui: LOL. omg! I remember the pee US, that was torture! I seriously thought I was gonna pee myself on that table. I know what you mean though. We go in for round after round of blood word, hold pee, get poked and prodded .. will probably have to drug ourselves.. and they resist jerking off into a cup once. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-should-i-see-a-reproductive-specialist#post-997236 Wed, 07 Aug 2013 16:16:27 +0000 pui 997236@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PurplePumps: Ugh what is with men!? It was like pulling teeth to get my DH to do his SA! It came back normal, but geez! I mean it's way better than getting poked with a whole bunch of needles and needing to hold you pee until you feel like bursting for an ultrasound! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-should-i-see-a-reproductive-specialist#post-997222 Wed, 07 Aug 2013 16:12:39 +0000 PurplePumps 997222@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sweetooth: @blackbird: I know!! So aggravating. He thinks just cause he's healthy and all that his swimmers must be good. I don't know why he can't comprehend the fact that males can have an issue too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-should-i-see-a-reproductive-specialist#post-996781 Wed, 07 Aug 2013 14:31:42 +0000 raintreebee 996781@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted three months. DH had a varicocele, so we went in for testing early. He turned out fine but then we learned of my problems. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-should-i-see-a-reproductive-specialist#post-996763 Wed, 07 Aug 2013 14:25:43 +0000 sweetooth 996763@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsCB: I have to agree with you. Although, the 18 month mark is when they recommend anyone who is &lt;35 move on to a reproductive specialist. So by that point the article has said that you may have been through the basic testing with your OB or PCP, but then it's time to see a specialist. </p> <p>It's also hard with the insurance component. Not that you couldn't pay for testing out-of-pocket. But some insurance companies won't provide coverage unless you have been trying for a year and that is documented in your charts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-should-i-see-a-reproductive-specialist#post-996755 Wed, 07 Aug 2013 14:24:23 +0000 blackbird 996755@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So interesting and I hope this helps someone. I didn't see an RE after my second m/c, but my OB correctly diagnosed it. Guess I"ll just be grateful she caught it. If i have issues with the next baby(s), i'll keep this in mind. </p> <p>I did meet with an RE previously for my endo and he told me if I wasn't knocked up in 6 months to come back and see him. Six months! So we always knew it was a possibility.</p> <p>@purplepumps, hey he could have an issue, too! you never know! Men always think it's the women but it's really 50%! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-should-i-see-a-reproductive-specialist#post-996738 Wed, 07 Aug 2013 14:18:41 +0000 sweetooth 996738@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PurplePumps: Sure thing! And let your husband know it's a 50/50 situation between the two of you. He needs to do his part and get tested. No pinning the problem on you - baby-making is a tricky miracle that takes two! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-should-i-see-a-reproductive-specialist#post-996735 Wed, 07 Aug 2013 14:18:09 +0000 ShootingStar 996735@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think that's a great article. I had to see a specialist sooner than most because I only had one cycle on my own after coming off BC. After that they were 50+ days and needed provera. My GYN wouldn't do anything for me except tell me to see an RE, so I did after 2 or 3 provera induced cycles. And I'm really glad I did.</p> <p>The only thing I would disagree with the article on is how long it advises you to wait. I think no matter how old you are, if you've gone 6 months of trying with no luck, it can't hurt at all to do the preliminary testing that they mention. If you're &lt;35 it might still take a few more months and that's totally normal. But if there is something wrong, better to know sooner rather than waste 18 months when it's not going to happen. And of course if you have irregular periods, there no reason at all to wait - go get it checked out and taken care of immediately. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-should-i-see-a-reproductive-specialist#post-996722 Wed, 07 Aug 2013 14:13:49 +0000 PurplePumps 996722@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you for posting this. I need to show this my husband. I don't think he understands this process and what the fact that I haven't gotten pregnant in a year really means. He still takes it lightly, and says things like, 'let's go get you knocked up', 'quit holding on to them eggs, and lay one already!' (I have very irregular cycles). And he so far refuses to get a SA saying that I'm the problem since I'm not ovulating regularly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-should-i-see-a-reproductive-specialist#post-996684 Wed, 07 Aug 2013 14:02:49 +0000 spaniellove 996684@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH had known since childhood about his varicocele, so we saw a urologist at 3 months and an RE shortly after. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-should-i-see-a-reproductive-specialist#post-996662 Wed, 07 Aug 2013 13:57:43 +0000 Sunshine1810 996662@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was diagnosed with PCOS the month after we started TTC so I knew that we might have some difficulty. After being put on Metformin, and 9 months of TTC, I figured it was about time to see an RE. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-should-i-see-a-reproductive-specialist#post-996657 Wed, 07 Aug 2013 13:56:49 +0000 BSB 996657@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted at 6 months but...</p> <p>I didn't know I needed to see an RE at 6 months but I asked my OB/Gyn at my annual and she recommended it. I was hoping just the thought making the appointment with the RE would be what I needed to get my 'body' ready. </p> <p>It wasn't until I was at the RE trying for my first IUI is when it really set in that we needed some help. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-should-i-see-a-reproductive-specialist#post-996641 Wed, 07 Aug 2013 13:53:06 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 996641@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We knew we would need to see a specialist at the 9 month mark. It was another year before we met our RE. We spent some time working with an urologist first. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-should-i-see-a-reproductive-specialist#post-996640 Wed, 07 Aug 2013 13:53:05 +0000 KT326 996640@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've always known I would need to see a specialist. I didn't get my first period until 16 and it ended up being my only one. Plus my mom had fertility issues so it was always in the back of my mind, wondering if I would be the same way. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-should-i-see-a-reproductive-specialist#post-996626 Wed, 07 Aug 2013 13:49:16 +0000 Mrs. Polish 996626@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't know until my doctor told me it was time. I figured I could just keep trying Clomid there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-should-i-see-a-reproductive-specialist#post-996600 Wed, 07 Aug 2013 13:41:02 +0000 sweetooth 996600@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It has been a year since I took the first steps to admitting that it was time for me to see a reproductive specialist. At this time last year we had already been trying for a year, and I found out from my insurance that in order for anything related to infertility to be covered, I had to see a specialist in the preferred network.</p> <p>It was a hard moment, I'll never forget. Telling myself that it was time, time to move forward and get some answers. It was scary at first because of the unknown. I always thought, <i>"When I'm ready to have a baby, I'll just make love and voila!"</i> I never thought that a doctor or medicine would be a part of the equation.</p> <p>The link below is one that I received from my fertility clinic today. It hit home for me as I reflect back on this past year. I know that there are many of you working closely with a reproductive specialist now. But I thought I'd post this for those that make there way to Hellobee and wonder, when should I take that next step? I think this link makes a lot of good points.</p> <p>And as hard as it is to admit that you need to take the first step, once you do just know that there's a great support system here on HB.</p> <p><a href="http://blog.shadygrovefertility.com/2013/08/02/5-sure-signs-you-need-see-a-reproductive-specialist-now/" rel="nofollow">http://blog.shadygrovefertility.com/2013/08/02/5-sure-signs-you-need-see-a-reproductive-specialist-now/</a> </p>