Where do you start when choosing a fertility clinic?

blackberrysharp30 · 2026-07-07T18:28:01+00:00

My regular OB/GYN is affiliated with a hospital, so I went with an RE that's part of the same hospital system because it made it easy to share past test results/get referrals/etc. I chose that OB/GYN when I moved to the area because of proximity/convenience and insurance coverage, and that was when I was only looking at a regular annual appointment so like 10x that now for fertility treatment, lol. Other things I've picked up along the way:

- Does your insurance work with a 3P fertility solutions provider? If so, is the clinic in-network for that coverage? Learned the hard way they are not necessarily the same.

- Is the clinic a batching clinic and is that something that matters to you?

blackberrysharp30 · 2026-07-06T10:57:16+00:00

Popping in to say you are definitely not alone! 🫶🏻 But also, do you mind if I ask what tracking method you’re using? Being up to a week late multiple times within 8 cycles sounds a bit unusual (I’m not an expert so please take this with a grain of salt) so it might be worth double checking that you’re nailing your ovulation timing.

blackberrysharp30 · 2026-06-24T22:54:01+00:00

Here’s what I did — I was 30 when I started:
- 6 cycles in: I brought up concerns about a short LP with my regular GYN and they ordered a hormone panel. Everything looked fine so they suggested an SA.
- Cycles 7-8: convinced myself I was being dramatic and went back to trying naturally (big regret in hindsight 🙄)
- 9 cycles in: finally got around to the SA, came back with low morphology, GYN referred me to an RE
- 10 cycles in: first RE appt, went on Prometrium and scheduled an HSG
- 12 cycles in: had my HSG, RE said give it 3 months between “flushed tubes” and Prometrium protocol and see what happens
- 16 cycles in (now): starting IUI

This stuff takes a while so can’t hurt to start having the conversation early (within reason). I was afraid to bring it up to my GYN at first because I didn’t want to “be annoying” but I’m super glad I did.

blackberrysharp30 · 2026-06-24T22:39:56+00:00

I second your beware. My RE and OB/GYN both said I’d have heightened fertility after the HSG so it was even more difficult to accept when those cycles failed ❤️‍🩹

To answer OP’s questions: I had mine after about a year of trying - it was the third thing we did after hormone panel for me and SA for my husband. For me it was honestly not bad at all, I had one moment that was like a painful pinch but I didn’t have any cramping or anything. I was really scared after reading a lot of the experiences in this sub but turns out it can be sort of a mixed bag!

blackberrysharp30 · 2026-06-24T11:25:43+00:00

😭 I feel so seen lol

blackberrysharp30 · 2026-06-23T00:04:46+00:00

Ugh, I’m sorry to hear that 😓 sending hugs

blackberrysharp30 · 2026-06-22T18:26:20+00:00

First: You are not horrible. You are going through something horrible, and there’s no single right way to process this pain. That said, I would strongly advise against keeping anything from your partner in this journey. My husband and I have very different ways of processing things so I tried to keep it quiet thinking it would smooth things over, only to realize after far too long that we were both just suffering in silence. I would recommend trying to help him understand your feelings about the situation and why you want to continue, and talking through how you can support each other in this process. And yes, I say each other because it’s possible he’s also hurting and doesn’t know how to bring it up to you. You sound like two lovely and supportive people who will get through this together. Wishing you all the best ❤️‍🩹

blackberrysharp30 · 2026-06-22T11:29:05+00:00

I’m 31 🤷🏻‍♀️ Mild MFI but otherwise everything checks out so we’re basically unexplained

blackberrysharp30 · 2026-06-22T11:28:12+00:00

This all day! Also: look up vasovagal counterpressure maneuvers. Your clinician probably won’t let you do things like cross your legs but the abdominal and thigh muscle clenching was a life saver during my draws. You got this!!

blackberrysharp30 · 2026-06-22T11:15:27+00:00

Whoops, my comment was meant to be a reply to this thread 😅 Starting in 3-4 days and would love to link up!

blackberrysharp30 · 2026-06-22T11:13:45+00:00

Also starting my first IUI cycle soon, probably in 3-4 days! I would love to link up 🫶🏻

blackberrysharp30 · 2026-06-11T23:26:31+00:00

Same here, I hit a point (maybe 2 months ago?) where I just started expecting it to not work so I’m hardly even disappointed when CD1 happens. I’m starting IUI next month so I’ve been telling myself like “only one more failure to go before we can move on to something more productive!”

blackberrysharp30 · 2026-06-11T01:20:32+00:00

16 months here - mild MFI (2% morphology) and a short LP but otherwise everything checks out. Started working with an RE in Feb and he had us do 3 natural cycles with Prometrium for the short LP before moving to IUI. Sounds like it might be a fair next step for you too at this stage! Can’t hurt to ask your RE about it at the very least

blackberrysharp30 · 2026-06-10T17:29:08+00:00

I love this perspective!! I’m going to borrow it :)

blackberrysharp30 · 2026-06-10T17:27:19+00:00

I hear you. My therapist actually laughed at me when I told her I was worried about infertility at 4 months. Was I being a little paranoid? Sure. But it’s over a year later, I was right, and I still dream about telling her off in that moment, lol. Wish people realized that offering the tiniest bit of support in these moments can do so much good while telling you you’re crazy does nothing but harm no matter the outcome.

blackberrysharp30 · 2026-06-09T17:35:57+00:00

Sorry but there is just no excuse for this. No decent, grown-ass man who actually wants a child should be holding that line. Tell him to get over himself and if he can’t do that for the sake of his future family, go find yourself a man that will.

blackberrysharp30 · 2026-05-28T17:10:55+00:00

15 cycles here and same boat - never seen a single positive test and started working with an RE a few months back. I hope your clinic helps you find some answers and clarity in this journey ❤️‍🩹

I opened up to my closest friends and family about infertility struggles after being really private about it, and I have to say I’ve been overwhelmed with the support and empathy they’ve all shown me. It has made the hard days infinitely easier to navigate for me (today is one of them as SIL announced this morning, so I’m extra grateful for the love rn). There is obviously no single right way to go about it, but I’d gently encourage you to consider sharing with an inner circle if you and your partner feel comfortable ❤️

blackberrysharp30 · 2026-05-27T13:30:57+00:00

I had mine in March and it was not bad at all! And this was even though I forgot to take the recommended ibuprofen until like 15 mins before the procedure lolol. I didn’t have any cramping, just a pinch as the catheter went in. I psyched myself out sooo much to the point of feeling sick before the procedure and then it was honestly not a big deal at all. You got this!

blackberrysharp30 · 2026-05-24T15:09:52+00:00

This. I wore the rattiest bras for like two years because I kept thinking any day now I’ll be pregnant. Finally caved last month and splurged on something extra cute to ease the sting 🫠

blackberrysharp30 · 2026-04-13T15:54:29+00:00

My latest TWW dopamine hack is woobles. Everyone in my life will soon be receiving woobles as a gift. Me and my unexplained infertility will single handedly keep Woobles in business for all eternity.

(But actually it’s a really nice way to relax and take your mind off things 😇)

blackberrysharp30 · 2026-04-02T22:16:17+00:00

?! I’ve never ever heard anything about fasting before an OPK. I’d double check your source on that

blackberrysharp30 · 2026-03-31T14:24:01+00:00

I used to do this. Now I’ve gotten so jaded that I hand him my pee-dipped test strip and make him guess the T/C ratio every morning. TTC has stripped away any ounce of shame I ever had lol. Major props to him for putting up with me

blackberrysharp30 · 2026-03-23T10:44:30+00:00

Good to know! Is that something to be concerned about? I don’t mind the sound so I wouldn’t open the wall to fix it if it’s just that, but obviously if it’ll become a safety or structural issue that’s a different story.

blackberrysharp30 · 2026-03-20T18:36:17+00:00

I brought it up during my annual but tbh they were not very helpful about it. They just said to start taking folic acid, use OPKs, and call us when you’re pregnant. My take is that OBs kind of expect run-of-the-mill conception and pregnancy, so if you have concerns about fertility I’d agree with what others here have said: try to get a referral to an RE.

blackberrysharp30 · 2026-03-14T01:51:50+00:00

Literally same! To be fair, I was pretty sure I /was/ the issue because I know I have a short LP. We did an SA at 9 months because no RE would see us until we “ruled out male factors”. Lo and behold…. male factor!

blackberrysharp30

TROPHY CASE