Tips for surviving hospital appointment

[Bristol]

My husband and i have our first ivf appointment next week. First lot of tests and scans, with a history of csa any tips to help me survive this? Neither hubby or doctors know about past so i need to find a way to get through this on my own and im so anxious and stressed about it its all i can do not to run away at this point! I see my T tomorrow night but thats the only session between now and the appointment but hoping for some practical tips.

Oh and the doctor is a guy

 

[dulcia]

Wow, that's a lot to deal with. I, unfortunately, don't have any good advice for you. But I will definitely be sending good vibes your way.

 

[Bristol]

Thanks @dulcia

 

[The Albatross]

Make a list of things you want to address for the appointment & bring it with you. Make a decision to deal with the appointment as best as you are able to "at that time" and nix the stress and anxiety inducing guessing stuff - stick to the facts as you know them and don't let your mind run too far up the road (for my mind it's usually, "Hold on, wait a minute there brain, you can't possibly know that and I ain't getting on the hamster wheel... stick to the present.") Use it as an opportunity to exercise and utilize stress management before, during and after your appointment being mindful of what you did well, what you could improve on and where your experience was neutral or positive rather than negative because it sets the foundation mental/emotionally for the rest of your experiences. (???) And bring it up in your T session maybe a role play?

 

[Bristol]

Thanks @The Albatross that is really helpful. I need to stop google searching because that just fueling the anxiety and stress even more so. I love the idea of picking out what is positive and neutral rather than assuming ive failed if it goes badly, thank you

 

[KerriJ]

If you have to get some sort of invasive exam, practice some breathing techniques, and be honest with the Doctor. Have your hubby step out and say simply, "I have a trauma history, so if we could take it slow that would be very helpful."

Something that helps me in doctor and ER visists is if the doctor EXPLAINS everything they are doing and why they do it, that way nothing catches me off guard. Breathing exercises through IV's, ultrasounds, etc has really helped me.