Doctors! My First RE Appointment

Doctors... well they do their job! I shouldn't expect a lot of western medicine physicians to be catering to my emotions. But this is still a service to me and in that aspect I expect more!

I had my first RE appointment today. I wasn't overly impressed with Dr. Bateman. He didn't give me a lot of opportunity to ask questions, though I got a few in. He was just very cut and dry, and to the point (which is a positive thing). He took my medical history and some very basic information about the miscarriage--basically only that it lasted six weeks and that I had a D&C, and my age when I got pregnant.

He asked if I use OPKs or any other ovulation predictors (no, but I’m looking for a Clear Blue Easy Fertility Monitor to borrow or for good price!). I told him I'm using the microscope and he asked if I'm putting my cervical mucus on it. I said no, my saliva. I don't think he knew you could use that too! Uuuuugh. Not sure though.

Then he did a physical, and an ultrasound. With both, he checked for signs of endometriosis (no history in my family of it) and saw none. He said my uterine lining looked good, and that he wasn't sure if I've ovulated or not. He couldn't see if any follicles had released yet. He also checked the cul-de-sac for some type of fluid that's present after ovulation. He saw some, but it wasn't conclusive enough to confirm ovulation. Oh and he also said my cervix appeared normal. I told him I was trying to get better at checking it for a fertility sign and he acted like he didn't know what I meant! Ugh. I said, uh, high and soft when I'm fertile?? Geez come on! Maybe he knew what I was talking about but it didn’t seem like it!He made an order for a lab test to check my thyroid and prolactin levels. I had that drawn right after the appointment. Forgot to ask when the results will be in.

What next?

If I’m not pregnant, I’ll do an HSG test in a couple of weeks (must be in a specific period of my cycle) to check if my fallopian tubes are clear (click for details here). Of course, he also wants to check DH's swimmers, and he said we could do that the same day. Have to sign off for now but overall I'm glad something is moving along and progressing.

CD 17 (cycle day 17)

I have felt much more empowered and confident this cycle of interpreting my body's fertility signs. If it's God's plan, we will have done everything "right" this go 'round when I walk into Dr. Bateman's office. Hopefully sperm will have met egg by then... then lil' embryo will be makin' its trip to settle in to make a good home for a good, oh, say, around 38 weeks!

It's my understanding that Dr. Bateman's office will see me up to three times if I get preggers while under their care. With a previous loss, I will so need to hear a few beta hCG test results. And, at least one ultrasound to see beating heart would be incredible. Ah, one step at a time!!

CD 10 (cycle day 10)

I'm feeling much better and more at peace about my decision to see Dr Bateman, the RE. I saw our cousin tonight who lost her twins at 20 weeks, and she gave a glowing recommendation of him (her friend uses him). I talked with Jason more and he also feels that it's a good idea at least to see if we're missing anything, or if there are any tests to run to see if anything obvious is holding us back. Sometimes I feel I'm being impatient and I'm not allowing myself to fully trust God's plan and timing. But maybe we need to go through this process. Besides, what if something is uncovered that could help us prevent another miscarriage? I doubt we will revel a medical explanation of why the first one happened. But who knows. You learn to try not to expect much in the process of TTC so you are not overly disappointed with each stage. It's a constant mind game with yourself.

CD 8 (cycle day 8) - Do We Need Help?

Soooo, we're off the "break." I have to admit that I was disappointed all over again this cycle, even though we were "on a break." However, I did relax more and it wasn't as nearly as disappointing as in past months. I do feel somewhat refreshed. The break was much needed.

I'm prayerfully and strongly considering making a consultation appointment with an RE - reproductive endocrinologist (i.e., fertility specialist). Part of me does not want to "waste" the money since all logical signs tell us we can still get pregnant naturally on our own. But say we go through the fertility testing--how can you put a price on peace of mind, knowing what could or probably won't go wrong? I'm also nervous about finding out too much information. "Over" educating sometimes gives you that much more to worry about.

With all that said, I'm probably still going to call and at least find out how closely they would monitor my first few weeks if and when we do get pregnant again. That is the emotional part I will need. When I asked my OB if more frequent ultrasounds would be ordered in a subsequent pregnancy, he simply stated that there is no evidence to support that ultrasounds positively affect the health of the baby. Well duh! How about my stress and anxiety levels that first trimester when you cannot feel movements yet? There is evidence that says the stress hormones are no good for baby! Stupid doctors! If the RE practice will monitor Baby K. closely with blood tests and/or ultrasounds, I will probably go ahead and make that first appointment. I am against taking fertility drugs at this point, but hopefully we will not need them since I appear to be ovulating and at least most things appear to be working properly thus far...

CD 3 (cycle day 3)

I have started reading on more natural methods to assist fertility. I've joined some "fertility alternative" online boards and started reading Fertility Wisdom: How Traditional Chinese Medicine Can Help Overcome Infertility by Angela C. Wu. Chinese medicine and acupuncture is all about finding the proper and natural balance in our bodies. Ms. Wu describes and illustrates many methods in this book that can be used and practiced throughout everyday life in conjunction with other natural methods or with a modern western medical fertility doctor. I look forward to learning more about these practices. I will also ask my friend who sees an acupuncturist more about what she has learned.

Also I called my OB-GYN and got the name of the fertility doctor (reproductive endocrinologist, or R.E.) that they refer patients to. The nurse gave me the name of Dr. Bruce Bateman at Martha Jefferson Hospital in Charlottesville. I plan to quietly ask around about him and other doctors in the area, just to gather more information in case I decide to make an appointment somewhere.

Jason & I have decided to "take a break" this cycle. The stress of trying will not be missed; though, I think we are getting better at keeping it fun ;) when the fertile time rolls around. We are not thrilled about the idea of a December baby. (My brother seems to get the "shaft" every year. His birthday is December 19.) However, if we are blessed with an "accident" this cycle, what a blessing it would be! And, there's always the possibility that he/she could come early (November)! Not knowing my ovulation date yet of this cycle, an estimated due date would be approximately December 8.

I am loving this blog! It's excellent to be able to get all my thoughts and many resources listed in one place.