11 - What we've learned so far - (April 2005-June 2008)

Here are some of the important things we've learned in this process so far:

1) LEARN, LEARN, LEARN as much as you can about infertility and the IVF process. This is why I knew I needed Day 3 blood work and questioned that it wasn't checked off on my IVF work-up sheet. It is also why I insisted on having an antibiotic prior to my HSG exam.

2) ASK MANY, MANY QUESTIONS. We asked a lot, but I wish we had asked more. I wish we had asked more about the insemination (if this is an appropriate step when the issue appears to be the sperm morphology). Also ask a lot of questions about the costs - insist on having detailed cost statements printed up front.

3) IF THE ISSUE IS SPERM MORPHOLOGY, INSEMINATION IS NOT A PRACTICAL SOLUTION...YOU MAY WANT TO TRY IVF RIGHT AWAY. I read this online, and then our doctor at CCRM confirmed it. Basically, we wasted $2,000 on our insemination. Ouch.

4) IF THE DOCTOR REQUESTS THAT YOU GET A SONOHYSTOGRAM, INSIST ON A HYSTEROSALPINGOGRAM (HSG)instead. The cost is the same, the hysterosalpingogram is more accurate...and it doesn't hurt nearly as bad as many of the horror stories claim. Just take 800mg of motrin 1 hour prior to the procedure and insist on an antibiotic (doxycycline).

5) SEE WHICH PROCEDURES/TESTS CAN BE COMPLETE THROUGH YOUR OB/GYN OR GENERAL PRACTIONER'S OFFICE. There is a much greater chance of insurance covering some of the costs when it is through these offices instead of the fertility clinic. Some clinics, however, require that a lot of the tests are performed in their office. Check with the clinic you are working with.


This is a summary of what we've learned so far. The rest of the posts on this blog will be current. We leave for Colorado on Tuesday, June 17th and our ivf work-up on June 18th.