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Tests to ask for

8 replies

MissTinaTeaspoon · 01/07/2011 13:23

Hello

We've been trying for no 2 now for a year. After 6 months of trying I went to the gp who sent me for a scan, which was fine, and my dh had a sperm analysis done, which showed a good volume, mobility and count but slightly low normal forms and 'clumping'. The gp was happy with that but advised him to take vitamin c and come back for a repeat. Anyway, the next cycle I got pregnant but mc at 11 weeks. Several cycles later we're still trying and I'm about to start another af (I've got all the usual signs, I know that I'm not pregnant). I intend to go back to the gp next week, with dh. What should I be asking for? And should I stick with the NHS or should I be exploring other options? I really don't feel like I can take much more

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MissTinaTeaspoon · 01/07/2011 13:25

Also I had an emergency cs with dd, could that be a factor? (she was conceived on our first try). I don't have any Ashermans symptoms but is it something I should mention to the gp?

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eurochick · 01/07/2011 13:50

Have you had blood tests? The first step for me (and it seems many others on here) was blood tests at days 3 and 21 (by which they really mean 7dpo). The day 3 test will be for LH and FSH. Many drs throw in a bunch of other tests then for things that could affect ttc (for anaemia, thyroid probs, etc). The day 21 test is for progesterone levels (to confirm ovulation and that you have high enough progesterone to support a pregnancy).

We are getting as much done on the NHS as possible as private treatment is so expensive but I suspect we will end up getting impatient and going private because of my age (I am 35 and ttc no.1).

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MissTinaTeaspoon · 01/07/2011 14:42

Thanks euro. I haven't had any bloods, just the scan. I'll head to the gp on Tuesday then! That sounds like a good approach - get what we can on the NHS and go from there. We're lucky that so far our gp has been understanding, and if it comes to it there's a really good fertility clinic literally 5 minutes away, although their online price list made me go eek!

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MissTinaTeaspoon · 05/07/2011 10:51

Ok...another question! GP has given me a form for day 21 bloods (no mention of day 2/3 bloods) except for me day 21 is a Sunday. Which means no clinic to take bloods. I have a fairly regular cycle so I expect to ovulate the Sunday before that so day 21 is the day I need the bloods doing! She just said that I should go on the Monday, will this affect the results though?!

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freelancescientist · 05/07/2011 20:24

Monday would be OK for your D21 blood test, if you think D21 is actually sunday, 24h won't make a massive difference.
It is probably worth DH repeating his semen analysis. Clumping could be an indication of antisperm antibodies which may reduce chances of fertilisation (and hence taking longer to concieve - so not impossible just a bit trickier). Has he had any accidents/swellings etc in that area since you got pg with your first baby?
Bad news is there will be a limited amount the NHS can do for you as far as fertility treatment goes as you already have a child together. Rather than waste time going down that route it may be as well to ask for a private referral, but see what tests your GP can do for you first - bearing in mind that some private clinics repeat these anyway (esp semen analyses).

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eurochick · 05/07/2011 20:51

I had mine down a day early because Day 21 fell at the weekend. That should be fine.

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eurochick · 05/07/2011 20:51

done not down....

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MissTinaTeaspoon · 05/07/2011 22:21

Thanks again ladies! Yep, we've got forms for another sperm analysis, spent the day chasing up the gp and when she failed to be useful fertility clinic (NHS one that does very limited treatments, luckily if I need it there's a great private one 2 floors down!) to find out when he needs to take the sample in. No injuries that I know of apart from dd jumping on him regularly as kids do!