Hi all. Not sure if anyone here remembers me - I was blessed to be a grad with a natural bfp right before I turned 41, after 2.5 years of trying (3 iui's, 2 ivf's). I've got some extra issues besides my age - only one ovary, endo and hashimoto's. Am a proven poor responder, first ivf try converted to iui due to poor response, and had only one embie to transfer in both ivf's, even with highest of stim's.

Dh and I have been trying on our own for a #2. I managed to get pg in the spring, but it turned out to be a blighted ovum and I had an m/c. It was pretty shocking to get that far though, as it never happenned during the 2.5 years of ttc for #1. I'm 43 now. Not sure if DE is right for us, and want to give OE their best chances for the next year or so before thinking about other options.

I'm thinking about a consult at Cooper with Dr. Check. I haven't had any testing done in over two years though. Don't know what my fsh is now (never had amh tested). Don't really know anything. For those who consulted with Dr. Check, did Cooper have you do any testing beforehand? I feel like it would be wasteful to meet with him without knowing anything about my current hormone levels. Just wondering what to expect from a consult with him.

(just want to add that I do know how blessed I was to find success the first time. I have survivor's guilt about posting here. I want so much for everyone to find the success that I lucked into.)

He'll look at your records, so make sure you get them. He doesn't really tinker with the low dose formula, from what I've seen, so it will be more interesting to see if he's positive or negative for you. Given your circumstances, maybe he'll have some suggestions. I don't think FSH and all that really has that much bearing. Do like Z did and detox before you cycle. GL!

I had a consultation with Dr. Check at the end of July. He didn't have me do any testing before meeting with him. In fact, they sent me a medical history form to complete before my meeting with him. I was going to complete it and send it back in the mail two weeks before my appointment. However, the receptionist I spoke to just told me to hold onto the form and bring it with me to my appointment. They ran a bunch of tests (ultrasound, bloodwork, sperm analysis) while my husband and I were there for the consultation. We were there for a little over four hours.

We have a lot in common. I am also trying for #2 and I had an early miscarriage in December 2010. I also have endometriosis and only one ovary. Good luck!

I remember you ekb - you haven't been away all that long

Don't feel you can't share the good fortune you've had on here though ! It can sometimes make people wonder " well when will it be my turn?" but it's nice to hear that, even if it didn't work out, you're getting pg on your own still. I'm on a cancer patient support group too and the people who have reached "no evidence of disease" (most of us won't ever be told we're cured) are always posting to give hope to others. I think it's always lovely to hear that it's worked for others....go you ! I mean, it's not like you used all the babies up ! There'll still be one for me if I can get my body (and bank account ) to cooperate.

Good luck trying for #2. If I had more info on Cooper I'd offer it but I only did a phone consult with Brasile and had my bloods done already as part of the post-IVF wash-up.

best wishes !

Al

No guilt, you are an inspiration.

I wouldn't bother getting any tests prior to seeing Check, you'll waste your money. He never cracked open my file, wanted to do his own tests and didn't care much about FSH until just before cycling, to prescribe estinyl if necessary. Your story above told to him at the meeting in 60 seconds I would think should be enough.

Good luck!