I get at least 2 messages a week asking me this questions. Endeavoring in the journey of getting answers can be overwhelming. I will share what we did. This is in no way the "correct" or "right" way, but it worked for us, and we got answers fast! Everything is purely a suggestion.
First off if you are under the age of 35 doctors ask you try consecutive for a year before coming in. If you are over 35 they ask you to try for 6 consecutive months. If you have health conditions you are already aware of like PCOS, undescended testicle, endometriosis ect... Its something you can go in earlier for, or at least bring it up at your next appointment with your gynecologist.
Just know you are NOT alone! There are SO many people around you who are struggling too! Build up a supportive tribe!!!!
THINGS TO DO BEFORE YOU GO!
1. Download an app to help you track everything. I like the app, Ovia best!
2. Study up on your anatomy. I talk to a lot of girls who don't know what their cervix is. Study male and female reproductive systems! Youtube has some great educational videos.
3. Buy ovulation tests! Click on HERE to see the ones I order. They are MUCH more at Walmart.
4. Make sure you track everything on your app! You want at least a couple months tracked before you go in. I had 8 months, and my doctor was able to move faster because of it.
Its been a year, so what do we do?
Well I did my research! I had a friend that used Dr. Jason Gunderson in Idaho Falls and really liked working with him. I looked more into him and he had good reviews for dealing with infertility. One review said that he wont waste your time trying to fix something he cant, keep you waiting, and he will send you to a specialist without hesitation. PERFECT! I hear so many stories of people who spend years at the gynecologists trying to figure something out. Once they went to a specialist everything moved really fast!
Our initial meeting went very well! He sat down and talked to us about the most common factors, got health history, and ordered a semen analysis for Sean and an ultrasound of my uterus, and 21 day progesterone test for me. He told us the faster we got our test done, the faster we would get answers. SO, we got both done that week! I had the results back within 4 days! My test was great, and Sean's test... not so much! However they wanted us to know how common it was, and that they wanted us to see a specialist. So we were referred us to the reproductive care in UT. The next week we to Sandy, UT and met with Dr. Blauer ( he comes to IF every month... I think-ha). What a kind man he is! He ordered more tests for both of us. Luckily my insurance covers infertility testing! RCC ( reproductive care center) is great and SO helpful! They give you a cost sheet at the beginning to show the cost of each test if you are paying out of pocket vs. insurance. They also have payment plans for IVF and income based financial assistance. We got a lot of blood test, ultrasounds, ect... there are other blogs that talk about that!
After testing you hopefully get answers. I felt very informed by Dr. Blauer, and he took his time with us. He has so many people and connections to set you up with immediately if you need it. He offered cheaper solutions for us. He understands us, because he took the time to get to know us. He suggested we go back to Dr. Gunderson for IUI ( instead of making trips to UT) and if we want to do IVF he will be in IF in December. So, that is where we are now!
I hope this was somewhat helpful! Just don't get stuck in an obgyn's office. Be proactive and get answers!
Baby dust to you all!
