what can the RE do?

[Cheesecake]

So, after my next 2WW (so in just over 2 weeks actually) I'll be able to schedule my appointment with my RE for testing.

I'm wondering if you ladies know what my options might still be. Besides knowing if we even ever have a chance (which might take away the frustration), is there anything they'll still be able to do for us? (Like if DH's sperm analysis would be crappy, or that compatibility test or whatever that is?)

With my crappy kidneys I won't be able to take clomid or trigger shots or any hormonal therapies. Is there anything they can actually actively do without me getting any of that? I mean, I guess they could do IUI based on temp shifts and guesswork on O-dates, but is that any use if you're not taking any hormones/clomid/whatever other fertility drugs there are?

[sunflower22]

They definitely do IUIs without hormones! Do you know you're ovulating? As long as you are, I don't see why you couldn't just do an IUI. Has your H already had a SA? I know IUIs are also good for men w mild issues, since they concentrate the sperm before shooting it up there ( I don't know how to put that eloquently, lol).

[jewel]

I've only been to the RE once so far, but this is what I know:

They CAN do IUI without any drugs. The chance of success depends on what the issue is. It may or may not make any difference for you guys. I would probably try it anyway, based on how much you can afford.

My husband had low counts all around. The doc said it was likely because he had a vericocele (aka worm ball, lol). He had the vericocele fixed via surgery. This can greatly improve numbers for many men. It did not help my husband's sperm at all.

[Cheesecake]

We haven't done a SA yet, but we do know I'm ovulating an my uterus and endometrium look really good.
But this info does give me some hope.

I know my insurance pays 100% for a max of 3 rounds of ivf. No idea how much iui and such they'd pay. I assume at least as many as the ivf, possibly more.

Sent from my phone, please disregard typos!

[sunflower22]

Woooowww I am so insanely jealous you can have 3 IVFs covered!! Holy shit that's amazing to me, lol. If I had that coverage I'd be sittin back w my feet in the stirrups right now!

[jewel]

I second the HOLY SHIT!

You have the best insurance on earth.

[Cheesecake]

Dutch healthcare, it's basically universal healthcare. For people under 40 they can legally only place 1 embryo, people over 40 can have 2 placed, and women over 42 are SOL, not legal in NL at all...

Sent from my phone, please disregard typos!

[Cheesecake]

I need to get a referral for everything I ever need from my GP though. So people who have a less than assertive GP have a problem and really need to fight for their care.

Sent from my phone, please disregard typos!

[daisy24342]

Wow that's incredible! ( about the insurance) I thought mine was good covering the medications ( not the procedures for IUI/IVF).

I don't have anything to contribute to your OP....so far all I have had at my RE was SA, clomid/Femara/and HsG shot.

Are you able to get in quicky to see RE or do they take months there to get in?

[Cheesecake]

Since I've already been to see her once, I'm in the system and don't have a wait anymore. (Just the normal appointments that just fill up with current patients, which I'd be considered one of.)

And I just checked the new 2013 rules for treatments and it's actually better than I thought even.
1 IVF/ICSI try is considered the retrieval and fertilization of eggs and placing them back until they're all gone/until you're pregnant. you get 3 tries per succeeded pregnancy (pregnancy that sticks until the 13th week). So if after 3 full on tries you still haven't achieved pregnancy, you're out for good unless you pay yourself.
After you've succeeded in getting pregnant and staying that for 12 whole weeks, you get 3 new tries (so you can have successive children).

You get as many IUI tries as your RE thinks are appropriate in your specific fertility situation.

The only 1 embryo placed back rule is until age 38, not 40, and 2 embryos MAY (if doctor agrees) be placed back between age 39 and 42. If you pay yourself, you can place back cryos that are still left until the age of 45. After that it's illegal to place any back at all.

Everyone has a 350 euro per year co-pay for all medical issues in total, so from cold meds to IVF and hospital stays and whatever else medical you might have come up. You can voluntarily up the amount of co-pay in exchange for a lower monthly fee.

I guess I am pretty lucky to have insurance like this :-)

[sunflower22]

That's a pretty sweet deal!! How old are you?

[Cheesecake]

I'm 33, so I still have more than enough time within the system. With my kidneys I doubt I would be able to do IVF/ICSI though, because of the no hormones/trigger shots. Might mean that a doc will be willing to try more IUIs than for other people.

[changedname]

I "think" you might be able to do a mini ivf without drugs. A girl on the Nest is doing it.

They can also do cycle monitoring so at least your timing is good.

[ilovecandy]

I don't have anything to contribute but just wanted to say a tad jealous about the fertility coverage though I am very grateful and think my insurance is actually pretty damn awesome other than that.

[KaraOrNot]

So how does one immigrate to the Netherlands? lol!

[Cheesecake]

Just find a job here, that's all there is to it Kara We actually have super fun GTG with nexties here in the NL, so it's be double awesome :-P

[statlerwaldorf]

I think you can do IVF without meds. It wasn't an option for me, but it might be for you. I'm not sure if it's just for FET or if they can do a retrieval without meds.