What should you expect from your FS and nurses??

[Onja]

Hello all

My DH and I are doing IVF with PGD. We just completed our first cycle with a negative result.

I just wanted to get an idea as to what is a normal expectation from your FS people. I have seen my FS twice. Once was an introduction and the next to 'start things off' both meetings lasted no more than 15 mins. Since I started my cycle I have not heard anything at all from my FS - not even when I called my nurse to tell them I had my period. I have had four different nurses throughout the cycle at Monash. I was told that you have a 'specific' nurse throughout your cycle but get someone new every time....

Is this normal? I can't say that I have felt any support or consistency throughout this process - thank goodness for this place as I think I really would have no clue as to what is expected and what happens next. I didn't even get told that I possibly had a chemical pregnancy. (My acupuncturist had to explain it to me)

I finally got a call from my FS's receptionist on Friday who said as the Dr is going away I would be expected to wait untill she comes back before starting my next cycle...

Any feedback will be much appreciated!!

[S'rose]

I only see my FS for issues/setting up IVF and at transfers (and not even that at the last one - had an OB do it this time)...

I have a group of nurses I see at the clinic, and they manage all the general stuff with FS consultation when required. I find some nurses better than others, but we don't always connect with everyone. I find that its much easier to ask lots of questions to get the nurses to understand the level of information you want provided, but often it seems like everyone is in a hurry.
BB is a great support for those moments, as there is more time and understanding here.

And yes, it can be a real pest when the FS is away for your next cycle, but that's simply out of our control even though we would love to be able to control it all, all of the time.

Hang in there hun, it gets easier to understand in time. Although we hope that you won't need to understand it!

[juniper76]

I see my FS very regularly. He does all the ultrasounds and we always talk for 5 mins before/after too. He visits his patients in person in recovery to let them know how many eggs they retrieved and he has done all of my transfers (and all my IUI's before that). He has even done trigger shots and hcg booster shots for me in the past and was the one that showed me how to use the Puregon pen.

The only thing he doesn't do is take the blood for the b/w or give me the results (I call his receptionist for the results). So, the only time I don't see him when I go in to the clinic is when I just need b/w done... And if I say I want to speak to him on one of those days I am usually able to.

[melbel]

Different clinics operate under different protocols...At Monash the nurses do pretty muh everything. At MIVF where I went I hardly ever saw the nurses except to pick up drugs etc....My FS handled everything else...he did all the scans in his rooms, epus, transfer etc, except for one EPU where he was out of the country at a conference and his offsider did the egg pick up. So I developed a really good rapport with him and was able to throw questions and ideas at him without feeling like a nincompoop. he was/is a wonderful wonderful man.....

[wouldloveabubba]

Hi Onja

MelMel is right, Monash is practically run by the nurses and MIVF is more by the FS. I email the nurses and my FS with what ever querie I have, and I allways get a response at Monash. I make an appointment to see my FS to discuss a treatment order in advance, as I cannot stand waiting to get back in.

If you are wanting to start a cycle before FS returns, call the receptionist and let her know what you would like to do. She will have someone covering for her, and sometimes it's good to have a different FS doing epu or et ..

I find, you reallly have to be actively involved and drive your own cycle, but I guess that comes down to experience, which unfortunatly I have

We are all here to support you, so if you need advice just PM or post, I would be more than happy to give you my two cents worth.

I have had a consult with your current FS

Most importantly all the best with little snowcone

[Possums]

I am with Sydney IVF in a regional area...i hardly ever see my FS, who is located in a different town, and mainly deal with the one lovely nurse all the time

good luck with it all

[Onja]

Thanks S'rose, juniper, melbel, wouldloveabubba, juniper and possums

Gosh I just gotta say how damn lovely everyone is here!! It couldn't say that in any other way without swearing but it is very nice had to read out your responses to DH.

Well it was all good advice and you know how things go... Guess who called ME today? She said that she would write a permission to allow me to start my next cycle this month. She was very nice and I ended up feeling much better

I will remember what you said - as I think you are all right about being in a little more control and 'driving' my cycle. I will def be asking more questions and now I know a little more of what to expect will know when I need to 'take the wheel'

Thanks so much xo

[entreat]

My FS is in Perth & I more or less don't see him outside of the initial consult, egg harvest, and transfers.

I too feel a bit under-supported & I don't think they are great about informing me of what's going on & what I'm meant ot be doing. They do this every day & know what it important this is my first attempt & I don't know what I'm meant to be asking them. You don't know what it is that you don't know until someone tells you that you don't know it!

Sometimes, I'm sure the nurses sound impatient to me. Like harassing them for blood results today. We had to use the 'emergency' number because there was no answer on the regular number. But I'm glad we did - I had to have my trigger today & wouldn't have been told that until Monday if I didn't harrass them (had to call them 3 times!).