https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 27 Apr 2026 08:59:35 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-seeking-medical-advice/page/2#post-274308 Wed, 29 Aug 2012 08:23:27 +0000 JoJoGirl 274308@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sweetooth: It's hard. Maybe give yourself a break and step away until your appointment? I know that's why you started that other thread but it might help to quit the charting, OPKs etc til then. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-seeking-medical-advice/page/2#post-274284 Wed, 29 Aug 2012 08:04:41 +0000 sweetooth 274284@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: I'm trying to get back into cooking more regularly, and go for daily walks. I think the biggest bummer for me is I made this appointment at the start of my last cycle, and here I am at the start of another cycle. And by the time I have the RE appointment it will be the beginning of another...and I just feel like the months keep ticking away and I keep getting my period. I also anticipate those tests that require scheduling on specific days not being able to happen next month due to the timing of my cycle and the appointment so I will lose yet ANOTHER month. </p> <p>It's just hard when you know it's not just you and your husband in the TTC process and getting the other "players" involved takes so much time and coordination. </p> <p>Enough whining :( Thanks for listening :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-seeking-medical-advice/page/2#post-274276 Wed, 29 Aug 2012 07:57:13 +0000 JoJoGirl 274276@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs Green Grass: That 35/6 months thing was the problem.. I'm 34/6 months and luckily insurance said I should go for it anyway. I'll call at the end of this cycle if we have no luck.</p> <p>@sweetooth: That's not so far away!! Set yourself some other goals to accomplish before then, maybe fitness, meditation, cooking? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-seeking-medical-advice/page/2#post-274270 Wed, 29 Aug 2012 07:51:27 +0000 sweetooth 274270@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: MY RE appointment is 9/27. Sigh. I'm loading up my google calendar with other to-dos to distract my brain. I don't want to wish away the days of my life just to get to that appointment. But hopefully if I have a fun September, time will fly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-seeking-medical-advice/page/2#post-273948 Tue, 28 Aug 2012 18:44:06 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 273948@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm commenting without reading the thread, sorry. Check your insurance for yourself - it's unlikely that your doctor will know. Mine didn't cover anything ever whereas the other insurance my company offers covered everything up to (not including IVF). It didn't have a specific time limit. But they say if you are over 35 to only wait 6 months.</p> <p>It takes awhile to get the initial testing done anyway and it's relatively cheap compared to the interventions, so I say go for it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-seeking-medical-advice/page/2#post-273625 Tue, 28 Aug 2012 14:28:18 +0000 JoJoGirl 273625@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sweetooth: Oh dear. Well, you MADE the call and did something proactive, which is the first step! Sounds smart to get your ducks in a row, then find any project you can to distract yourself while you wait for your appt. When is it? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-seeking-medical-advice/page/2#post-273489 Tue, 28 Aug 2012 13:21:24 +0000 sweetooth 273489@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I made the calls today, and was told the best thing to do is wait until I have my initial appointment with the fertility doctor in order to have my tests covered by insurance. Ugh. All I can do is focus on gathering my paperwork, medical records, and distract myself with house stuff and social activities to forget the fact that I'm out another month. AF arrived this week so I was hopeful I could schedule my HSG. I guess this is a sign, since I was already considering taking a month off and getting my head in the right place for the next steps. Still bums me out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-seeking-medical-advice/page/2#post-271344 Sun, 26 Aug 2012 12:50:05 +0000 sweetooth 271344@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jojogirl, I've been thinking about what you wrote. It has been overwhelming reaching the stage of having these hard conversations about how far we want to go into medical intervention in order to become parents. I think these conversations with your husband are hard to process because really, when you get married and decide together that you want kids, you never think that you'll have to discuss how to reach that goal with more than just the two of you. </p> <p>I think I'll continue to make calls and try to schedule the SA and the HSG test prior to my RE appointment at the end of September. Focusing on the goal is good advice. So is considering how I might feel looking back on this whole situation. No regrets. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-seeking-medical-advice/page/2#post-270499 Fri, 24 Aug 2012 21:44:33 +0000 marionberry 270499@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jojogirl thanks for asking these questions. This is month 5 for us. My husband is much older than me, 51 so while I think my cycles are good I wonder if he might be the reason why we haven't conceived. We agreed to do 6 months of trying before intervention so after that we will go see an RE. I'm already mentally prepared for IUI or IVF but I think if he had no other infertility factors I wouldn't feel that way. Best of luck in determining what's right for you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-seeking-medical-advice/page/2#post-270245 Fri, 24 Aug 2012 17:16:43 +0000 JoJoGirl 270245@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sweetooth: I say make an appointment sooner rather than later, like Monday. I saw a friend this week who spent 3 YEARS ttc - including 6 round of clomid, 6 cycles of IUI, all after a year of trying with monitors and whatnot. She got pregnant with twins during her first cycle of IVF and they will be 2 next month. She is still so angry at herself for not being more aggressive from the beginning and was trying to convince me to do the same. This is "only" cycle 6 for us so I was pretty overwhelmed by what she was recommending, but I see her point about not waiting and waiting just because interventions seem scary. So do what you need to do - it's not a failure or a weakness to seek help, as someone else said, just focus on the goal and do what you need to do to get there. Hugs. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-seeking-medical-advice/page/2#post-270133 Fri, 24 Aug 2012 15:50:28 +0000 sweetooth 270133@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJogirl: I just learned that my insurance will only cover fertility treatments if I go through an approved fertility clinic. Luckily the place I made our initial consultation with is on the approved list. Now I have to decide if I should just take a month to get my head clear for the next steps - or if I should try to pay out of pocket to begin some of the tests and have answers sooner. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-seeking-medical-advice/page/2#post-263517 Sat, 18 Aug 2012 20:34:29 +0000 BSB 263517@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went to my OB/GYN for my annual and told her we were trying for 5 months. She remembered that my DH has some health issues and I was healthy so she said she would recommend me go see a fertility clinic. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-seeking-medical-advice/page/2#post-263479 Sat, 18 Aug 2012 18:43:24 +0000 anonysquire 263479@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: Oh ok. That is so weird they didn't seem more concerned til you are 35? That is crazy! I was 23 when they started me on clomid. This is only my 3rd month! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-seeking-medical-advice#post-263239 Sat, 18 Aug 2012 09:43:07 +0000 JoJoGirl 263239@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kemma: Thanks :)</p> <p>@anonysquire: I saw two different docs before we started TTC (not for that reason, but for other reasons and also mentioned we were about to start), and neither seemed concerned or wanted to do any testing... granted I was on the pill, but both said "meh it'll take you 6 months just to regulate your cycles so don't worry...". One told me "have my first before I'm 35" (oh well) and the other wasn't concerned at all about my age. It seems as long as I'm ovulating we just need to give it some more time. What cycle is this for you again? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-seeking-medical-advice#post-263162 Sat, 18 Aug 2012 07:17:16 +0000 anonysquire 263162@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I might be the only one but I got advice before I even started. I had long cycles so I went in to my doc and got out on clomid before we even started, just to help me ovulate and regulate my cycles. Never too early! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-seeking-medical-advice#post-263094 Fri, 17 Aug 2012 22:32:09 +0000 Kemma 263094@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Stroller: I really like what you've said in your reply here! If you do decide to start investigating your fertility, then you may need to emotionally prepare yourself for not so pleasant news (I think the phrase ignorance is bliss could come in to play here!)</p> <p>FWIW it took DH and I two months of NTNP and ten months of actively TTC'ing to get our BFP so sometimes it does just take a little extra time for everything to fall into place (I'm 30).</p> <p>All the best with whatever you decide to do and TTC!. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-seeking-medical-advice#post-263054 Fri, 17 Aug 2012 20:51:43 +0000 JoJoGirl 263054@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@dharmainitiative: @MK0180: @hellobeeboston: Thank you all for your input and weighing in. I really appreciate hearing all your stories - I know I'm not alone here! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-seeking-medical-advice#post-262896 Fri, 17 Aug 2012 17:22:42 +0000 hellobeeboston 262896@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had been trying for about 7/8 months - maybe 9 - and I had made an appt with an OB at my docs office to discuss and get a referral to an RE maybe - but luckily after I made the appointment I got pregnant.... I ended up finding out 5 days before the appointment so I went anyway.... But at that point I felt it was time to do something - I am 32. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-seeking-medical-advice#post-262850 Fri, 17 Aug 2012 16:36:53 +0000 MK0180 262850@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Insurance not covering certain procedures because of age is a little odd. I know my insurance will not cover infertility procedures but it has nothing to do with my age.</p> <p>I went to my OBGYN after 10 months of trying. I had bloodwork done to check hormones, and then I scheduled an HSG and my husband had a SA. I am 32. My doctor said that a year is usually the general timeframe but she knows that it gets frustrating so she was perfectly fine in ordering bloodwork and giving me orders for scheduling the HSG and my husband's SA. I think, if anything, these three things should be done at any time that you would like to, regardless of how many months you've been trying. All but the SA was covered by insurance (the SA was around $100).</p> <p>As we approach our one year mark of trying (bleh) I am glad we went to the doctor a little bit earlier than what is considered "normal" and had the standard tests done. I actually wished we went earlier at 7 or 8 months of trying b/c I am in freak out mode right now and every month that goes by just keeps getting more and more frustrating. </p> <p>My HSG showed open tubes and hormone levels were good - my cycles range from 28-30 days. SA showed borderline low motility. He's taking some fertileaid supplements to see if that will work. If we are not able to get pregnant in the next couple of months on our own my doctor gave me a couple of REs to contact for an IUI and other fertility testing. *sigh* TTC can be a cruel game sometimes and I wish you the best of luck and lots of baby dust :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-seeking-medical-advice#post-262748 Fri, 17 Aug 2012 15:21:20 +0000 ChuckNorris 262748@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: I'm so glad you posted this. You know how incredibly on the fence I am about seeking medical help next month... I'm in the same boat, 7 days away from our six month mark. </p> <p>This thread made me feel better about wanting to go, but I think I am going to push it back to 9-10 months like some PP's suggested. I'd say for age reasons, it's perfectly normal for you to go in at six months. It's not like something magical happens on your 35th birthday, I feel like that's "close enough" to cause concern and there would be a way to get it covered if it's true they won't... </p> <p>Most doctor's say "insurance won't cover it" as an excuse, too... I work very closely with them and I know they do that! I also agree with Jho, "Doctors that are not REs generally don't know squat about anything fertility-related. They know all about general health, an OB for ex knows how to care for your vagina if you have an infection or check your cervix if you're pg, but they are REALLY clueless about fertility testing and treatment." VERY true! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-seeking-medical-advice#post-262715 Fri, 17 Aug 2012 14:49:59 +0000 JoJoGirl 262715@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Stroller: I've been charting for 2 months and using OPKs for 5 - all signs point to ovulating. And that's good advice on the emotional side of going to an RE. I felt more shaken than I expected from DH's email about his conversation with insurance because they talked about everything from co-pay of the RE visit itself to details on what's covered for IVF. Eek.</p> <p>@jholler25: Makes sense. My LP is normalizing, I think, so maybe calling when I O is a good idea.</p> <p>@Trailmix: Thanks :) That's part of why I want to start making calls at the beginning of cycle 6 instead of waiting much longer. I'm not in freak-out territory yet, but do want to start to know what my options are. </p> <p>@GreenThumb: I never got around to calling my doc today, but I think he'll have a sense for which direction to go (ie if he wants to do the tests on me or refer me to an RE). And yep, I definitely don't "think" something is wrong, but the peace of mind would be helpful - I'd rather know sooner that we're fine than know later we're not. If all checks out and they say "just keep trying", that would be fine by me :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-seeking-medical-advice#post-262626 Fri, 17 Aug 2012 13:51:41 +0000 GreenThumb 262626@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not to overwhelm you with info, but my GYN actually wrote the orders for our first fertility diagnostic testing - an HSG for me and SA for DH. My doc actually did know the basic drill for infertility testing, so he knew what test results my RE would want to see before we had our first appointment. I know it sounds weird, but I never actually had the bloodwork to test for hormone issues since my GYN correctly identified that I didn't have issues there. You could speak with either your GYN or the RE that you are referred (or both) to just to ask about what tests you might need prior to a visit. It is hard to generalize what tests an RE might do since we all have our own specific issues. They will be able to provide you with all the info you need if you get to that point.</p> <p>I also wanted to reiterate what @mrs. stroller said. I also have several friends and my own sister who all took longer than 6 cycles to get pregnant with no fertility issues at all (all between ages 28 and 33). I just had a feeling for myself that something wasn't quite right. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-seeking-medical-advice#post-262606 Fri, 17 Aug 2012 13:37:13 +0000 Trailmix 262606@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jojogirl Obviously every dr's office works differently but for my CD 3 bloodwork, I just could go in without an appt on the right day (and I could do Day 2 or Day 3) so don't stress over those specifics until you have your first appt and go over everything with the dr...<br /> Also, be prepared that it might take a couple of cycles to get all the tests done, so the process is slower than you'd probably like. For example, one of the diagnostic tests at my place is a HSG, which has to be done been CD 5-CD10 and of course I was on vacation during that time this cycle so I have to wait until Sep to do that... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-seeking-medical-advice#post-262598 Fri, 17 Aug 2012 13:34:10 +0000 PrincessBaby 262598@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh and PS: Doctors that are not REs generally don't know squat about anything fertility-related. They know all about general health, an OB for ex knows how to care for your vagina if you have an infection or check your cervix if you're pg, but they are REALLY clueless about fertility testing and treatment. So I'm sure your dr was just making a random generalization about the 35 thing, without really knowing since he/she never bills for fertility testing.</p> <p>You'll see the difference when you actually get to meet with an RE:) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-seeking-medical-advice#post-262591 Fri, 17 Aug 2012 13:28:46 +0000 PrincessBaby 262591@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Maybe call when you O and try to get something lined up for 2 weeks later??? Hopefully you can get in just for an initial consult in a couple of weeks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-seeking-medical-advice#post-262585 Fri, 17 Aug 2012 13:26:49 +0000 PrincessBaby 262585@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: I'd shoot for when you think AF will arrive..Even if you're wrong and you end up in there on like CD 35, they'll just give you the bloodwork orders and tell you to hang on to them and then go to a lab on CD 3. So you just want to make sure you get in before CD 3. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-seeking-medical-advice#post-262582 Fri, 17 Aug 2012 13:23:46 +0000 Mrs. Stroller 262582@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not sure what kind of insurance you have, but it sounds strange to me that it would have an age limit for testing. I was 33 when I started getting tested. I had 3 miscarriages in 5 months, so I met the definition of "infertile." My RE said that he sees anyone who has had 3 or more miscarriages in a row, who have been trying to get pregnant (well timed trying) unsuccessfully for 1 year if under 33 and for 6 months if 33 or older.</p> <p>ETA - I just read through the comments and wanted to add that I have five close friends who took over 8 months each to get pregnant after coming off b/c. I think it's possible to not ovulate during that time(?). Are you charting? I found that really helpful. </p> <p>I don't want to sway you against going to a RE, if your instincts tell you something is wrong, but I found some of the routine procedures really painful. Emotionally, the appointments (the first appointment in particular, which was just a consult) were very overwhelming for DH and for me. Before you do make the appointment, just make sure you and DH are on the same page in terms of thinking that there may be an issue and at the point of wanting medical advice/intervention. An RE is there to get you pregnant, so it can be very overwhelming to sit in a room and have your TTC plan mapped out on paper by someone you're meeting for the first time. Good luck, I hope you get your BFP soon :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-seeking-medical-advice#post-262577 Fri, 17 Aug 2012 13:20:41 +0000 JoJoGirl 262577@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@blackbird: @jholler25: Ooh good advice. Except how the heck am I supposed to know when CD3 will be further in advance than 2 days before? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-seeking-medical-advice#post-262505 Fri, 17 Aug 2012 12:37:32 +0000 PrincessBaby 262505@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jojogirl: The RE office you decide to go with will run your insurance prior and let you know if anything isn't covered specifically. I had to give mine my ins info when I made the appt and they called me back and told me my coverage. So I dont think it's a bad idea for you to go ahead and schedule an appt &amp; ask them to check your coverage beforehand. Also, fyi- diagnostic fertility testing for you needs to happen on CD3, so you may want to plan according to that:) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-seeking-medical-advice#post-262503 Fri, 17 Aug 2012 12:35:48 +0000 blackbird 262503@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Good news about the insurance! Try to set up an appt with the RE, though, because some of them are booked far in advance. I met with one a few years back and I had to schedule early. </p>