First FS visit

May I also add that it is so important to have a support group like the ladies here, but once you are at a fs after having tried for a while, try not to get too caught up in all the home testing.

You are paying incredible specialists alot of money to do all the worrying and testing for you.

A few abbreviations that the TTC'ers used most:

AF - aunt flow (period)
CD - cycle day
SA - semen analysis
DPO - days past ovulation
FS - fertility specialist
TWW - two week wait
BFP - big fat positive
BFN - big fat negative
BBT - basal body temp
CM - cervical mucus
EWCM - egg white cervical mucus
HPT - home pregnancy test
LP- luteal phase (days between ovulation and AF)
OPK - ovulation prediction kit
POAS - pee on a stick

Hope it helps, I was just as clueless in the beginnig of my TTC journey!

Hello MammaL

Firstly you are probably really nervous. I was!

Truth is they are amazing and I find far better at this than a regular gynae.

So firstly you will need to take a small list of info. Medication both you and hubby are taking even if it is over the counter meds. Do you use a lubricant etc etc. You will need to tell them your last cycle date (start of period) and more or less how long your cycle lasts. Tell him everything. If you spot when you spot. If you have pain where and when does it occur. It might not feel great telling your doc all this however it is vitally important for him to know all of this.

What will he do?

He will probably do a pelvic exam and an internal scan. Nothing to fear and not painful at all. He will order blood tests that will need to be done on a certain day of your cycle. (if you have had any tests recently please let him know. He may be able to use them.)

Blood tests will test your hormone levels and test your thyroid aswell as prolatin levels. He may order other tests during the month to see if you ovulate.

He will order a semen analysis for your hubby. This is so so important as nearly half of all couples struggling have some kind of male fertility issues.

Once he has done the basic tests, he will discuss what to do from there and remember every couple has a different situation and will need different treatment.

This is the start of what can be very trying for a couple but a very positive step to having your dream become a reality.

These doctors are also amazing when it comes to supporting the couple and all clinics have councellors to help the couple through the treatment.

Good luck.

Thanks MamaL - keep in touch!

@Reluctant Mom

Yes that sounds fair enough. I will keep you all updated with my journey.

@MamaL

This topic is really interesting to most of us and I think MamaL if you do not mind telling us what you are doing and how it goes, that would be great for the rest of the uninformed (like me).

I know there are thousands of abbreviations lists floating around, but possibly if you could abbreviate and then use the full word/term initially so the uninformed (like me) know what the hell is going on.

<I have a fair grasp, but I know a lot of the Moomie moms don't>

I know that often the TTC ladies slip into lingo and that is great, but the not-TTC ladies want to offer support and encouragement and unfortunately because of the lingo it often excludes us from the conversations and it is hard for us to get in your corner if we do not understand what the hell you guys are doing.

Does that sound like a fair request?

Hi MamaL

Usually they will do a SA for your DF first.

Do you chart? Usually a FS will also ask you for 3 cycles of charts.

I had an internal exam after we got my DH's SA results back. Its nothing to be scared of. Its just abit unconfortable but its over in a few seconds.

I think on the 1st consulation they will just ask both of you some questions and then take it from there.

Good Luck!