One year mark/when to call question(s)

[sterl724]

So we officially hit the one year mark in March. I know the standard rec is to see the doc after trying for a year.

I got a bfp (first time ever) the first week of January, and had a loss the first/second week of February. I just got my first post-loss period a little over a week ago. (It was like a 50-something day cycle, based of the m/c dates.) The most recent period overlapped the one year mark.

During the loss, doc told us to to wait 3 months before trying again, so we are sidelined until my May cycle.

When should I move forward with getting help? Doc knows we've been trying since March of last last year, because I saw her about a month after stopping my pill for my annual. I'll likely wait at least another month to let my body regulate a bit more after the loss. But since the loss happened right around the year mark and threw my body out of whack, I don't want to jump the gun, but I also don't want to wait/waste time either. Plus, I don't know what the wait time might be like for some of these things or where to start. (Basic hormone panel etc from obgyn? Straight jump to a rec for an re?)

Fwiw, neither H or I have any health issues (though I did have a previous doctor tell me I had a fibroid after some period issues while on the pill, but that was about 5-6 years ago, and haven't really been an issue since), but have never had any testing done in regards to ttc. I'm 31, H is 33.

[kellikans]

Go straight to an RE. And I would call now to get an appointment. Depending on your area, it could take a while to get in to see someone.

I started with a HSG to make sure my tubes were clear, along with blood work. DH also had blood work and an SA done before we moved on to treatment. We are unexplained.

[PatBenatar]

I would call an RE now. The testing can take a while to schedule. Our RE was part of my OB office so it was a little easier to schedule. We did a consult first and they outlined what to expect.

Also my OB scheduled some of the tests as well.

[grover]

We were able to schedule our first appt in Feb when I called the RE in March. Our first appt coincided with CD 21 bloodword so I did that that same day. H received a sample cup to take home, and I was given instructions to call on cd1. Then I did cd3 bloodword and ultrasound and a cd 8 saline sonohystogram. We were told to go back to discuss the results at the next appt, which we were able to schedule for mid March. Only H couldnt get off and that's when we discovered that I'm a genetic carrier so we postponed that appt til after vacation, since we wanted to have H's genetic testing results back first, plus we knew we'd have to wait four weeks after vacation.

[konapoppy]

I would call the RE now to start testing. Apologies, I forget - was your loss ectopic? If not, I might be tempted to start trying earlier given recent research.

[sterl724]

konapoppy it was not ectopic. The sac was abnormal and never developed a heartbeat. My body did it all on its own - no medicine or procedures.

I guess my biggest concern was how a loss influenced the timeline. Since we have hit a year, I want to call, but didn't know if the loss reset the timeline or influenced it in anyway.

[awick14]

I would call a RE as well.

I honesty am not sure how a loss effects the timeline with most doctors, but I pushed back against mine and was able to get some testing and help anyways. (I had to push a little but not much, but my cycles are not regular and I don't always O, so that may have made a difference.)

[konapoppy]

Apr 4, 2016 15:40:31 GMT -5 sterl724 said:

konapoppy it was not ectopic. The sac was abnormal and never developed a heartbeat. My body did it all on its own - no medicine or procedures.

I guess my biggest concern was how a loss influenced the timeline. Since we have hit a year, I want to call, but didn't know if the loss reset the timeline or influenced it in anyway.

That sounds like my first loss. I wouldn't wait until May unless you need to emotionally. This is the recent study: www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/trying-conceive-soon-after-pregnancy-loss-may-increase-chances-live-birth

As for the year mark, I have been trying for two years, but have had two losses. I haven't gone a full year without a pregnancy, but the RE was willing to see me anyway. 

[sterl724]

Apr 4, 2016 19:27:39 GMT -5 konapoppy said:

Apr 4, 2016 15:40:31 GMT -5 sterl724 said:

konapoppy it was not ectopic. The sac was abnormal and never developed a heartbeat. My body did it all on its own - no medicine or procedures.

I guess my biggest concern was how a loss influenced the timeline. Since we have hit a year, I want to call, but didn't know if the loss reset the timeline or influenced it in anyway.

That sounds like my first loss. I wouldn't wait until May unless you need to emotionally. This is the recent study: www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/trying-conceive-soon-after-pregnancy-loss-may-increase-chances-live-birth

As for the year mark, I have been trying for two years, but have had two losses. I haven't gone a full year without a pregnancy, but the RE was willing to see me anyway. 

H is so crazy busy at work at the moment it might end up being next month before we have the right timing anyway. We may just throw caution to the wind this month and see what happens.

What you mentioned is what I'm worried might happen - that since it hasn't been a full year without a pregnancy that the clock resets.

For those who do see an RE - did you start with your reg doc and get a reference and/or a recommendation? When I go through my health providers site, RE isn't a specialty listed, and I can't seem to find anyone with that listed. Is it a sub-sect of the ob/gyn dept?

[konapoppy]

The RE was willing to see me, so you don't need to be worried

I have a PPO, so I just reached out to the RE directly. Cigna has them listed under Reproductive Endocrinology/Infertility.

[PatBenatar]

I asked my doctor specifically if my MC reset the timeframe and she said no, however my timeframe was only 6 months given my age and infertility issues.

[kellikans]

I started with my ob/gyn (which I don't recommend), did initial testing and 2 IUI's. When both of those were unsuccessful, I decided to see an RE. I have a PPO, so I had done some research on my own of who to see, but asked her for recommendations. We had one that matched up, so that's who I went to see.

[vanillahip]

An OB will turn you away until it's been ~12 cycles. An RE will not turn you away at any point for testing, particularly if you had a loss.

DONT go to an OB! They're great with pregnant people, not with GETTING you pregnant (almost always)

[cabbagecabbage]

Deleted. I was accidentally on the wrong board. My apologies.

[msmerymac]

I'm sorry for your loss.

I have a friend who got pregnant around cycle 13, on her own, right after contacting an RE. It turned into a loss. After testing, though, they discovered she has PCOS and she has not been successful since, even with some assistance. So while getting pregnant on your own is a good sign, there are still possible diagnoses that could be addressed with testing. I'd do it.

Also, by the time you get an appointment and finish testing, if they recommend something like IUI, you'll likely be 2-3 cycles out from now.