First visit to fertility centre - what can I expect & should my partner be there too?

Hi ladies, would you mind me asking how long it took before your GP referred you? Thanks!

Hi there ladies,

Hope you don't mind me butting in as well (am sensing that referral to FC is looming).

Hi Keziah - did your GP arrange all the tests you have listed? Quite a contrast to the bloods I had taken. We are going to get the results from DH's SA this week so I might mention that it would be good to get some of the tests you mention done, esp. if there is a long wait for the appointment at the FC.

Good luck to all you ladies for your variuos appointments.

Hi,
I had my first appointment last month. The appointment letter said my husband had to attend as well, and he was asked questions about his medical history during the appointment. I was prescribed Clomid straight off at the appointment without any further tests being done. From reading other people's experiences I am wondering if that was the best thing though as other people seem to have had more investigations both before and during Clomid.
I had had blood tests done by GP but not on the right day (couldn't be done on day 21 as I hadn't had a period in months), so I have to have those repeated but not before starting the drugs. My husband had booked a semen test but the appointment wasn't until after the clinic appointment and that was ok. He also referred me for something he called a dye test but I don't know what its proper name is, but I've not had a letter to tell me when that is yet. I've never had an ultrasound scan and only have to have 3 blood tests (one for FSH and LH, one for rubella and one for day 21 progesterone) before the next appointment at the end of October.
Hope everything goes ok for you at your appointment and you get some answers.

Hi hope you don't mind me butting in on this thread.

I have first appointment on Wed so am interested to hear all your experiences.

How long have you had to wait between appointments?

I am so desperate to get cracking!

Hi,
like others have said it is important for you both to go to the first appointment, as they:

• ask detailed questions you both need to answer
• may order tests there and then which may involve him.

If possible it would be good to ask your Gp to get your bloods tested more than once - as the hospital will insist on this - and also make sure your smear is up to date and ask the practise nurse to give you a chlymdia test. Treatment will not be given before these basic tests are done. When I had my first appointment the doctor ordered:

• 2nd semen analysis
• more blood tests for me
• chlymdia test
• Full blood count tests
• Transvaginal scan - to check health of uterus/cervix, check for fibroids and cysts

The 2nd time I went he ordered more bloods, a 3rd semen analysis (as dh's not good results) and a HSG for me.

sorry forgot to say good luck! We have our 2nd appointment early sept too, which DH is definitely coming too :D

I would take him. I went alone to my first appointment as the letter was addressed only to me and it wasnt until it was too late for DH to get the time off that I realised it probably would have been a good idea for him to be with me. When I got there the registrar said it wasn't a problem he wasnt but that 'of course partners are always welcome' I could answer most of his medical questions myself but in hind sight it would have been nice if he had been there just for moral support and to ask questions on his own behalf (on the other hand it was kind of easier talking about our sex life without him there ) Also if your FC clinic is in a hospital then its likely the waiting room will be in the Mat ward which means you will be surrounded by pregnant people, which can be a little disconcerting under the circumstances, I would have been better off with someone to distract/support me.

As someone said to me when I asked this question on another thread 'you are both trying to make this baby so it makes sense for you both to be involved' As already mentioned there will be later appointments he wont be needed for.

Our clinic asked to see both of us a the initial appointment. Before they prescribed me clomid they did (another) ultrasound, rubella and chlamidia screening and semen analysis on my partner. They would have checked my hormone levels but already had the results of these from my GP. I was initially prescribed 3 months and if we are unsuccessful I have to go back to have my tubes checked. Atilla is right, you should be monitored with ultrasounds and blood tests whilst on clomid. I haven't taken my partner along to these checks as I had to go back 3 weeks running but I believe tube checks can be a bit nasty so you might want someone with you if you need that done. Hope this helps and good luck.

You should both attend the initial appointment if at all possible as such appts can lead to considerable nerves. Apart from providing each other with moral support he can ask questions too of the staff as well.

Would suggest you write down any questions you want to ask well ahead of time - no question is daft. They will ask you both questions about your lifestyle, medical histories and general health and your menstrual history.

Semen analysis is a test that often requires repetition; they should test you both further to find out exactly where the fertility problem lies.

They should arrange further tests for you in terms of blood tests and internal ultrasound scans to assess the state of your uterine cavity and ovaries.

You need a diagnosis first and foremost.
With regards to clomid you should be monitored whilst on it as it is actually quite powerful stuff. No monitoring is a no-no as you would not know whether its doing its job or not otherwise.

Do not leave there thinking, "oh I should have asked xyz". It is vital too that the three of you can work as a team. Also ensure that you are both fully conversant with both how and why they are going to do subsequent tests.

Good luck, you will need to be persistant in order to get answers.