What To Expect - First RE Appointment

By Sprite Nov 18, 2013

I was just referred to an RE by my ob/gyn on Friday, due to only ovulating with the help of Clomid, short LP and low AMH. Well, I just got off the phone with the RE and they had an opening tomorrow afternoon, so I took it. Usually it takes weeks to get an appointment, so I thought I had more time to research this! So now I turn to you knowledgeable ladies, can you clue me in on what to expect at a first RE appointment? I know I will be meeting with the doctor and their finance department, but that's about it. Is a physical exam usually done at initial RE appointments, or are they more to just go over my history? I'm sure I'll get to answer questions (are there any specific ones that I should ask though?) and will be sure to bring my charts and notes. What else should I know/bring for tomorrow?

I feel so unprepared for this big next step, but lucky to not have to wait a while for my first appointment!

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22 comments

Shutterbug
grapefruit / 4703 posts

Nov 18, 2013

@Sprite: I'm sure it varies a bit by clinic, but my first appointment was just a consult with the RE and my husband. We went over our history, and tests I had already had done. He ordered a bunch more tests (HSG, SA, full blood work) and explained those tests. We scheduled all the tests and a follow up appointment for about a month later.
Happygal
pomelo / 5000 posts

Nov 18, 2013

That's great! My first exam included taking our history. I had charts to show her, but she wasn't too interested in those. She did an ultrasound to measure my lining and see what else was going on. Then we talked about next steps for testing. It was one hour long.

I think you should be prepared to decide how conservative or aggressive you want to be with your plan of action. It took me awhile to figure this out, but I told my RE, "I want to have a plan." So now we say, "Ok, we'll try this for 3 months, and if it doesn't work, then we'll try that...." It makes me feel better.
Happygal
pomelo / 5000 posts

Nov 18, 2013

P.S--I had these same questions and think I even posted a question about this. I later saw on my clinic's website that they said there would be a physical exam for the first visit. Maybe that info is also hidden somewhere on your clinic's website!
T.H.O.U.
wonderful clementine / 24134 posts

Nov 18, 2013

Just wanted to say good luck!

If you can, maybe call and see if you can fax over copies of previous records, lab work, etc to have in your file. If you do it ahead of time, sometimes they will read it (versus just bringing a copy with you)!
jmarionsmith
nectarine / 2132 posts

Nov 18, 2013

at my first appointment they went over mine, dh and both our families health history.

he then gave me a few different options, but i didn't have to choose right then.

then he did a pelvic exam, which i was completely unprepared for... oops

we also set up appointments for a bunch of bloodwork (some that had to be done while fasting so couldn't be completed that day.)

good luck!
pui
bananas / 9899 posts

Nov 18, 2013

At my first appointment my RE talked to me about my symptoms and history and such. He then ordered a whole bunch of tests to be done in my next cycle (Blood tests, ultrasounds, HSG, ect). They took blood for my AMH test and did a Pap smear/Pelvic exam that day too. I didn't have to do that but I was already there so why not.
Mrs. Pickle
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21628 posts

Nov 18, 2013

Be prepared for lots of questions!

My first appointment my RE went over my and DH's medical history. She ordered blood tests for the both of us and I also had an ultrasound. I wasn't expecting that!
spaniellove
honeydew / 7916 posts

Nov 18, 2013

I'd be prepared for something a bit invasive because at my consults with two different clinics they ended up doing surprise exams or ultrasounds. At one of them they asked DH to do a SA but I don't think that's too common. I brought my charts to my first consult and they weren't very interested in them other than to establish that I was probably ovulating and I knew when, so our IF wasn't due to my cluelessness.

Something that surprised us was that they wanted to repeat the testing that we'd just done at the urologist before seeing them. They may not need to repeat your AMH testing, but don't be surprised if they want to do some of your testing over again, claiming they have their own way of doing it.
Mrs. Jump Rope
blogger / coconut / 8306 posts

Nov 18, 2013

@Sprite: I'm on my phone so I can't link you, but I did write a post about my first appointment with my RE!
In short, it was basic and long -- reviewing in depth family history, going over how long we've been TTC, a lot of talking about my cycle/periods and testing was ordered and scheduled.
Sprite
kiwi / 693 posts

Nov 18, 2013

Thanks @Shutterbug: this is great info. This is making me feel so much better, knowing all that could be thrown at me.

@Happygal: very good points. DH and I actually had A Serious Talk this weekend about how far we are willing to go to have a family. And I need to poke around the RE's website some more! I would actually love to get an ultrasound, considering I've been on unmonitored clomid cycles with my ob/gyn. Although maybe it will depend on where I am in my cycle if they want to do one.

@T.H.O.U.: Thanks! My ob/gyn faxed over all my test results and everything this morning. Hopefully they actually read it.

@jmarionsmith: good to know, I better be prepared for a pelvic!

@pui: Thanks! I remember seeing the long, long list of tests your RE gave you. Hopefully mine will be committed to getting some testing and answers too.

@Leialou: thanks. Tonight I think I might make a binder or something with all of my cycle notes, to help field all of the questions that will be thrown at me.

@spaniellove: Also good to know they might reorder tests. Although that would be annoying considering we're paying out of pocket. But at least now I'll be prepared if they do suggest that.

@Mrs. Jump Rope: I'll go look up your post, thank you!
Sprite
kiwi / 693 posts

Nov 18, 2013

So it sounds like a lot of you brought your husband's to your first appointment? I was originally thinking I'd bring mine, but when I asked the receptionist, she said most husbands don't come in until "bigger" appointments, so I told DH he was off the hook for now. Although he doesn't have any concerning medical issues or history, and is willing to take a SA whenever needed, so hopefully it will be ok to go solo tomorrow.
Happygal
pomelo / 5000 posts

Nov 18, 2013

I went by myself. I did answer questions about his work and known family health history. He came to the 2nd appt to hear our results and discuss options.
spaniellove
honeydew / 7916 posts

Nov 18, 2013

@Sprite: I don't know if you saw that I walled you recently, but I wanted to tell you that your AMH isn't terribly low. Maybe on the lower end of normal but nothing to get scared about! Mine was 0.25 (on the cusp of undetectable) a year ago and I'm pretty sure it's even lower now but after the right treatment I'm currently pregnant!
Sprite
kiwi / 693 posts

Nov 18, 2013

@spaniellove: eeek, I didn't get an email that you walled me! Off to reply right now...
Happygal
pomelo / 5000 posts

Nov 20, 2013

@Sprite: how did your first appointment go?! Hope it was a positive experience for you.
littlek
GOLD / squash / 13576 posts

Nov 20, 2013

@Sprite: How did it go?
pui
bananas / 9899 posts

Nov 20, 2013

Hope it went well!!
LovelyPlum
eggplant / 11408 posts

Nov 20, 2013

Thinking of you-I hope it went well!
marionberry
pomelo / 5041 posts

Nov 20, 2013

At my first visit, the RE just sat down with my husband and I and looked over my charts, listened to us about what we'd done so far, and then he talked over his diagnosis and future steps. Because I had literally started my period that day he was able to do some blood testing that day and then schedule everything to allow for our IUI that cycle. Good luck!
Sprite
kiwi / 693 posts

Nov 20, 2013

Ok, to follow up on this, here is how my RE appointment went. I checked in, filled out some paperwork, and then I met briefly with a nurse to take my height, weight and blood pressure. Then the doctor called me back and we spent about 45 minutes going over my cycle history, any questions I had, and she laid out her recommendations on next steps, which luckily lined up exactly with what I was expecting (HSG for me, SA for DH, then moving on to IUI if all is clear). Then I met with someone in their Finance department for a few minutes and she went over the costs of the procedures, so we'd know up front what to expect (the only variable will be which meds we decide on for the IUI cycles). I was really glad they were willing to be flexible too, since my insurance is kind of sucky and pretty much nothing is covered, but they set me up to go to another place to do my HSG where my insurance will cover it.

Overall, it was a really positive experience, and I am very glad to now have a plan of action, instead of just stressing and wondering if the unmonitored Clomid cycles I've been doing are working. And no pelvic exam, yay! Although I am very glad I was prepared for the possibility, thanks to all of you lovely ladies
mediagirl
hostess / wonderful persimmon / 25556 posts

Nov 20, 2013

@Sprite: I'm so glad you have a good plan in place now! Fingers crossed you get that soon!!
LovelyPlum
eggplant / 11408 posts

Nov 20, 2013

@Sprite: I'm so glad that it went well. It's so great that you have a plan to move forward. Hoping a sticky baby is very much in your future

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What To Expect - First RE Appointment

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