My stats: 35yo , TTC 7 months, PCOS 

A) Considering a Fertility Center. The Ifs, when, & whys ... 

B) 4 Processes that one goes through while seeking out options for fertility treatments

C) sharing Helpful Tips about health insurance and shopping around for medication (FYI:  since fertility is rarely covered in health insurances, sharing your experiences could help others in their search for saving and getting reasonable pricing )

My Journey Journal:

Just started my journey with getting help for our Fertility Journey.  It was a hard road to come to, mostly BC you don't know when is the time to finally just get the help.  I am 35, TTC for baby 1 for 7 months, and I have PCOS.   That is what drove me to know that it was time to see an expert.  We did our due deligence and found someone we felt could help us and make us feel comfortable to go through this journey with.  At consultation, a pre screening / baseline diagnostic plan was hashed out to retrieve the fertility data from us. As the woman is deemed so " lucky " to bare this gift, the essential data is based on our cycles. So during the consultation the doctor covers, the spectrum test he/ she needs to extract & pinpoint our reproductive health. ( diagnostic test are : CD 2-3 blood work, Baseline ultrasound, HSG, & Progesterone blood work) depending on this, a plan of action is than executed, which brings us to Phase 2, oral medication, like Clomid, or Injections of gonadotrophins or a cocktail of both, or metaformin (PCOS) Phase 3-A is surgical procedures, or 3-B <a href="https://glowing.com/glow-fertility-program">IVF</a>, <a href="https://glowing.com/glow-fertility-program">IUI</a> , and keep in mind that if needed all three phases can be used at once to achieve pregnancy or just one phase is all that might be needed . It all depends on each individual and what your doctor comes up as the best game plan for your needs. 

What we have done to date, is the consult, Progesterone bloodwork, CD 3 bloodwork & baseline ultrasound, and HSG is in 3 days from now. 

Cost : Progesterone      $60

Now I am overseeing what the Health Insurance is covering, Which is nothing... AT ALL.  The Fertility Offices that we are going to, were very quick and efficient in getting us this info with a price breakdown of each of the testing.  I won't share pricing because  that varies for everyone and every state. This is what I have learned that I thought would be beneficial though.  You can shop around for better pricing for your fertility medication instead of your go to pharmacy. Your paying out of pocket so you should try to fish for the best price out there. This is where I am currently at. Keep you posted on what I find. 

To be continued ... 

1-22-16

Update: During my Baseline Ultrasound, I got to see the Eggs, ( 8 to 9 in each ovary), my uterus, and a fibroid (might be next to a fallopian canal - HSG might reveal if it blocks it - this might mean surgery, this makes me nervous, BC of $$$) .  Bloodwork was also withdrawn for FSH 

 Cost : Baseline Ultrasound $320

            FSH - lab work          $60

health Insurance: Have confirmation that they cover nothing. But in addition it is not considered a "medical necessity" so unless if they can cover these test under some condition for why you are getting tested this test will not be covered. In addition, none of these expenses goes toward our deductible.

Positive News: The doctors office I am attending are quite empathetic and helpful. They help ppl like us who are coming out of pocket. In addition, I don't have to shop around for medication, they have someone they pay to do this. 🎉 yay! 

To Be Continued.... 

1-27-16