Tuesday, June 15, 2010

New doctor

We had our first consult with a new doctor today. This clinic is basically our only other option in this area. The bad news is they are more expensive with our insurance. The good news is hopefully they are more successful.

The appointment didn't get off to a good start since they didn't have my medical history from my current doctor. Another thing I need to check up on because I know I asked for them to send it. Anyway, he did an ultrasound and exam and of course asked a bunch of questions and did have some of DH's medical records from the urologist he saw. He didn't have much new for us in terms of a diagnosis. There is still our swimmer problem and not so good ovulation for me, but no identifiable (and thus potentially correctable) cause of the problems.

He recommended we go straight to IVF with ICSI. He said we could try IUI with FSH stimulation. His reasoning was that for most people the IUIs have lower success rates, so you end up spending all this money on IUIs and then need to spend money on the IVF anyway. When pressed, he did think we could potentially do another cl0mid plus IUI cycle, mainly because although technically we did it twice, the circumstances were such that I feel we only gave it one good shot.

Since I am leaning towards the IUI route, he recommended we have the sperm penetration assay. Anyone familiar with that? Basically it sounds like they try to see if DH's sperm can penetrate hamster eggs. If not, then there is little chance they could penetrate my eggs without ICSI. We have that scheduled for next week.

He also brought up getting screened for cystic fibrosis. While neither of us have CF, we could be carriers (Caucasians have a 1/25 chance of being a carrier). And if we are both carriers then any child would have a 1/4 chance of having CF. What do you guys think? DH is not inclined to get tested for this as it is not something most couples do and the test is expensive. And the chances of two people who don't have CF having a baby with CF is pretty low. I'm more inclined to get one of us tested and hope it comes back negative.

3 comments:

  1. I think it is good that you are getting a second opinion--I feel like it sounds like your doctor is optimistic, which is good! Unless being a CF carrier would make it harder to get pregnant, I don't see why that is even relevant, but if you are worried I would do as you say and have one person get tested. Anyway, good luck all around!!

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  2. I've been following your blog for a while now, but this is my first comment. I do hope this second clinic will be the answer you've been searching for! When DH and I were first TTC, my doctor offered us the CF screening (neither of our families have a known history with CF, it's just one of those options). For DH and I, we decided that a Dx of being a CF carrier would probably not deter us from continuing to TTC. Therefore, we opted not to do the test.

    I think the questions should be -- what difference would knowing your CF status make in the decisions you are making (if none, then perhaps NOT knowing is the best plan)? Would you and/or DH feel markedly better having ruled CF out of the equation?

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  3. Just an FYI, I live in a state where insurance is required to have some fertility benefits. As standard practice, the doctor's will not treat you until you have been tested for HIV and CF. You can just test one of you for CF, and only do the second if that person IS a carrier.

    I think the sperm penetration thing sounds like a good idea. I've never heard of it before, but it seems like it would give you some relief that it actually could happen with IUI, or if it'd be worth saving your $ for IVF. I have a similar diagnosis to you and was also told IVF w/ ICSI was our only chance. We did go this route, (3 times, now pregnant with twins) but I do have to say the insurance coverage made it a no brainer. I don't know what path I would have chosen if I was paying out of pocket.

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