Fertility nursing

Nurse Ratched, RN · Feb 27, 2003

PM's can always be addressed to Brian, adminstrator of the board, who makes decisions in regards to new forums. I'm not sure we've had any fertility nurses actively posting here (which may account for a lack of its own forum) - can you tell us a little about your role and what a "typical" day might be like? :) Sounds interesting!

Lifeisabeach · Jan 25, 2004

i have been an REI RN for the last 3.5 years and love every minute of it and i agree with you NY, i have been searching everywhere for other nurses like me, REI to chat with and such, so many things to discuss. I realize this was posted last year but i hope someone will see this and we can get more fertility nurses or a forum going for Reproductive endocrinology infertility nurses because they no longer have certification for REI nurses, so i think just a little something would help to have others in the field just to talk to:p

Gompers, BSN, RN · Jan 25, 2004

Not a fertility RN, but I had a question for those who are. I have PCOS, but at this point in time I am not looking to concieve. I just want treatment for my symptoms. My family practitioner is following me (I just started Glucophage) but I think I want to see a specialist. Would a reproductive endocrinologist see me even if I'm not seeking fertility help right now? I'm planning on trying for kids in a few years and would like my PCOS to be more controlled by then.

THANKS! :)

nynurse22 · Jan 25, 2004

Many women of all ages and backrounds have PCOS. As a fertliliy nurse we commonly encounter patients who come in for consults regarding treatment for PCOS and they may or may not wish to conceive. You should definitely see a Reproductive Endocrinologist for further testing and confirmation of that diagnosis. Good Luck. If you are in NY and need a referral, feel free to ask. All the Best....

Lifeisabeach · Jan 26, 2004

i agree with everything NY has to say definately go see an REI MD for your pcos, then your established when you want to try and conceive. good luck with the glucophage and your future fertility:)

Gompers, BSN, RN · Jan 26, 2004

Thanks for the support! I go back to see my regular doc next month for a check-up, but I'll also make an appointment with my hospital's REI. I did think it was a good idea to be working with one BEFORE the time came to think about kids. The only worry I have is that my hospital is Catholic and I'm afraid the REI won't approve of my being on birth control for PCOS...

:confused:

Lifeisabeach · Jan 27, 2004

Not everyone who has pco has to go on birth control, hopefully that wont be you, i have seen cases where the woman has to be on both birth control and metformin at the same time due to the testosterone levels being elevated, but not everyone has to go on them. besides, its for a medical condition however, i am not catholic, so im not too too familiar with the beliefs.

Gompers, BSN, RN · Jan 27, 2004

I do understand that not all women with PCOS are on birth control, but it does help and I also want to be on it for protection. But originally it was prescribed for the PCOS, and the particular type I'm on right now is pretty expensive and they have me on that one because of the continuous hormone release. As far as the Catholic hospital thing, would you believe that my insurance doesn't cover birth control, even if you have a physician note sent to the insurance company stating it's for medical use? So I'm not even counting on them prescribing it.

That's one of my beefs with Catholicism. The belief is that birth control is wrong because of certain statements in the Bible. As a result, I have to pay $40 a month for my prescription when I have wonderful insurance otherwise. You don't have to be Catholic to work at a Catholic hospital, so what right does the hospital have to tell the insurance company not to provide their employees with birth control prescription reimbursment?

msdeeva · May 7, 2005

Hello everyone, I know that this thread is over a year old, but I was wondering if anyone has found any luck with the search for REIN information.

windsormom · Apr 17, 2006

Hello,

I have been an REI nurse for 3 1/2 years. I know there are many REI nurses out there but I haven't figured out how to contact them. We have no certification exam available to us and no support/forum at this site. I really need some support right now. Anyone out there care to listen?

JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP · Apr 18, 2006

Question for a fertility nurse:

I know a number of people who struggled with infertility for years, and then had a child. After that, child #2, 3, or even 4+ seemed to come easily, closely spaced without any special intervention. What is the biological explanation for this? Does the experience of childbirth somehow prime the reproductive tract to make acheiving a pregnancy easier the second time around?