Secondary infertility

[Soulcakequack]

Hi I’m not sure there is a suitable current thread for me. If there is please send me in the right direction.

It took 2 years and missed miscarriage before I was lucky enough to conceive my first child (now 3 1/2)

We’ve been trying for a second child for 2 years. Ive had an early misscarriage and eptopic pregnancy last year. Not luck since getting the all clear from my eptopic last Xmas.

Gp has told me my progesterone is far too low at 16 to fall pregnant nautrally. At nearly 38 I’m not sure what my next step should be really. The stats from my local clinic for over 37 years aren’t encouraging (33% rate of confirmed pregnancy which I suspect is simple to most places but depressing to see in Black and white). I don’t want to regret not trying but I’m wary of spending a fortune on a pipe dream.

My DH seems to think a fertility clinic will result in a baby. I don’t think he is ready to acknowledge it’s a chance not guarantee.

We were incredibly lucky to conceive our first child naturally and carry to term. My progesterone levels at 21 then were 5.....I found out I was pregnant with my first child 7 days later.

Due to be so lucky then it’s harder for me and DH to be realistic now..I realise how incredibly fortunate we where last time, still expected another miracle.

I assumed I’d be able to try clomid for a few cycles but ivf keeps being mentioned by my GP.....am I too old for clomid? Is ivf the only option? It seems a big first step?

[JoJoSM2]

I think a fertility clinic might be a good option as the GP doesn't sound great.

Why do you want to go on Clomid? Are your cycles irregular?

With regards to progesterone, you could just get some pessaries in the second half of your cycle and throughout the first trimester. However, you'd need to be monitored and it would all need to be managed by an appropriate doctor so a fertility clinic is a very good shout.

When you talk about the 33% success rate, is that for IVF? I don't think you'd necessarily need it as the fertilisation bit seems to happen for you. Low progesterone means that the embryos just don't stick to your uterus so that's the part of he problem to address.

[JoJoSM2]

PS Just for reference- I've just done a medicated frozen embryo transfer so didn't ovulate on this cycle and need to rely 100% on hormone replacement for my progesterone. I just use 2 pessaries a day and that keeps my progesterone at over 100(!).

[Soulcakequack]

Thank you, I think you’re right my gp isn’t the right place for information.

I thought clomid as my progesterone is low and I was due to start the month I conceived my son. My cycles are regular but It looks likely than most are anovularatry ( no temp shift and 21 day test results between 5-16).

I’d expected some form of progesterone treatment but was told ivf at my age by gp.... time for better advice.

[Soulcakequack]

Sorry crossed post. Wishing you lots of luck with the transfer. Thank you for taking the time to offer advice when you’ve so much more to deal with.

[JoJoSM2]

Yes, it does sound like a fertility clinic would really help.

Also, I'm a year younger than you and whilst we aren't spring chickens we're not quite ancient in fertility terms either ;)

[Famara]

Just spotted this today. This whole thing is so shit and makes my depression even worse. I went to the GP to discuss the fact that I've been trying for baby #2 for over a year and he's telling me I've had one already so I'm timing things wrong. I informed him that I've been timing and tabbing my ovulation and still nothing so he's finally put me through too have all those tests done

[JoJoSM2]

Famara, some GPs are shocking... I saw mine after 1y ttc and he sent me away. I saw him after over 2 years ttc with a diagnosis from a private clinic and he still wouldn’t refer me... We changed our GP and the new one is luckily normal.

[Ploppie4]

Clomid through a fertility clinic or GP. Either is great but ensure you have a day 21 progesterone test each clomid cycle to check the strength of ovulation. It’s a wonder drug and you’d be daft not to give it a go. You may only need the lowest 50mg dose or 100mg because you have clearly just have slightly immature eggs rather then no cycles at all.

[Ploppie4]

Look I was you! Similar cycles/temps/progesterone levels. The issue is probably very very easy to resolve with clomid. I now have 4 children, 3 clomid kids (not triplets) after secondary infertility. First kid conceived after one year. 4 miscarriages. 2.5 years TTC second child with GP dragging it out before giving me lowest 50mg dose. Went private for 3rd and 4th but needed 100mg (still low dose). Those two kids cost me a total of £400 to conceive 😀. So cheap as chips.

Where do you live op?

[Ploppie4]

Go private. Pointless dragging out the pain of infertility when it’s easily and quickly and cheaply resolved privately

[Famara]

JoJo that is awful! Things like this just make me wonder whether I need to move to private health care

[JoJoSM2]

Famara, tbh we went private in the end. The nice GP referred us but the waiting times for the most basic NHS fertility appointments were months and months in our area. And the consultant refused to proceed without repeating everything. Having said that, a lot of couples seem to have better luck than us on the NHS.

[Soulcakequack]

Ploppie I’m in hampshire. We’d always planned 3/4 children so it would be amazing if we really are similar :-)

Did the clinic offer you any treatment to support early pregnancy? I know pregestrone in early pregnancy isn’t common in the uk.

[Soulcakequack]

Sorry to hear other have gp issues. I’m a bit cross with myself for putting my faith in them again. They seriously let me down during my eptopic pregnancy. I ended up paying for a private scan to get enough proof for the urgent early pregnancy unit referral I need. Plus the words ‘it’s not the end of world as you have child’ while true wasn’t a helpful response to my latest test results.

[SparkleBaby]

Hi everyone!
I am a mother of a beautiful girl. She is now at age of five. I was ready to get pregnant again. I started with prenatal vitamins, I reduced my working hours... But, 5 months later, stil NOTHING. Anyway, after my first pregnancy, my uterus somehow does not stand where it should be. It is lied out in some way. The doctor said that the difficult first birth is the reason for this. And now, I don't know just what to do...

[Soulcakequack]

Sparkle I know it’s horrid but depending on your age 5 months ttc isn’t worryingly long. The advice I had was to wait 1 year under 35 and 6 months over before seeking fertility assistance.

Have you been doing any ovulation tracking? That might help you

[Squidge123456]

Hi everyone,
I’m 39, been ttc since Feb, had mc at 6 weeks at the start of April and then nothing since. DC is 3 and a half and was conceived really easily so I’m really starting to panic now. DH says if it doesn’t happen by 40 he thinks we should stop because of the high risks of DS etc.
Been to see my GP but she was no help and just went on about my age and said the nhs wouldn’t pay for IVF because I already have a child. She did do some blood tests (day 21 progesterone being one) but apparently everything has come back normal. I don’t know where to turn next, I guess I should go back to the GP but her attitude hasn’t really encouraged me. Shall I try a different GP? I’m not sure what to do or what I need to ask for. I’ve started tracking everything on Ovia and also OPKs but it’s really getting me down and tbh dtd deed has become a chore as I feel so down all the time. Everyone around me has at least 2 children or is pregnant and it’s really getting to me.
Help, I need some good advice!