After paperwork was completed, we were taken to the consultation room where we met with two residents. They took a full history, and we discussed my prior treatments. With Shaun and I both bring healthy adults with no risk factors, they decided we were in the odd category where they don't know what's wrong or why we haven't conceived on our own. When they'd asked all of their questions, they consulted with our reproductive endocrinologist, or RE for short, Dr. Erika Johnston-MacAnanny.
Our doctor is awesome, and not only spent over an hour talking with us and answering our questions, but she also performed my ultrasound. Though IVF was the recommended treatment plan, there were other options offered, including:
1) increase our clomid dosage and try another round of IUI, but since three cycles of IUI failed, it's not likely that it'll work
2) undergo a laparoscopy to get a better look at the small endometrioma that we've been watching for a few months, which includes anesthesia, intubation, and surgery, and may not show anything helpful
3) change to injectable medicines and try timed intercourse or IUI, which will only increase our chances of conception by about 5%
Once we heard our options, it strengthened our decision to start IVF! Once the decision was made, I was whisked away to ultrasound to look at the endometrioma, and to check my follicles. Since I'm not in any pain, we decided not to remove the endometrioma at this time, especially since it hasn't grown much in the past year.
After the ultrasound, we met with someone to discuss finances, and were given our orientation packet. One cycle of IVF is estimated to be $11,000. They would like to perform ICSI on half of the eggs retrieved, which means that they'll crack my eggs and put Shaun's sperm directly into it to ensure fertilization. This process will be an additional $1200-$1600 depending on how many eggs are retrieved. There's also a $900 charge for cryopreservation - the process of freezing any fertilized eggs that aren't transferred during IVF. Medications are also not included in the estimate, and they are estimated to be around $2500. So, in total, one cycle will cost approximately $17000, and the money is due up front!
After finances, we met with our goto nurse, Roxy. If we have any questions, at any point, we are to call Roxy. With this meeting, we looked at a calendar and estimated when we should start trainings and medications. In order to start IVF, we have to go through a medical teaching class where we learn more about IVF, specifically how to mix and administer drugs legally!
We have our training on October 21st, and should start our first series of injections the same week! We discussed which medications I'll be taking, but the meeting was extremely brief since Roxy will be leading the training in two weeks. When we'd finished our meeting with Roxy, we were sent for blood work. Shaun and I both had to be tested for sexually transmitted infections due to FDA regulations, and I had additional tests, such as my AMH level to check egg quality. The photo below shows Shaun's required blood work on the top, and mine on the bottom. Every sticker was a different test, and a different vial.
They took around 12 vials of blood from my arm, and a urine sample. After blood work, we were finished with our first appointment. We celebrated by going to IKEA and Dave & Busters in Charlotte.
Only a few days until we get started! Fingers crossed that this works, and we conceive a healthy pregnancy on the first try!
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