First GP appointment for infertility

[orcadolph]

We’ve been trying for a year with no success so we have booked a GP appointment on Wednesday. We have booked an appointment each one after another but just wondering whether we need one each, I don’t want to be wasting GP appointments! Also any other advice on what to expect? I don’t want to be told to go away and try for longer! thanks 🙂

[GemSmith738]

Hey, me and my DH had separate appointments, my DH has been referred for a sperm analysis and I have had blood tests and referred to gynocology. Hope it all goes well for you!

[Jagzorx]

Hi! I'm both a GP and going through IVF so I've experienced from both sides.

Perfectly reasonable to see GP after trying for a year (nice guidelines would say start investigating at this point). Personally I don't expect the male partner to have his own appointment because usually it's a pretty easy referral for semen analysis that needs done.

You can expect to be asked for a history of your periods, any gynaecological problems you may have had in the past, whether you have ever been pregnant before, whether your partner has ever fathered a pregnancy before. Also they may ask a sexual history including any STI's or risk factors for these.

Usually I will want to know that your smear tests are up to date, your thyroid function, and where I'm based everyone needs a chlamydia swab before referral regardless of your history so don't be offended, it's nothing personal!

Depending on the results of above the next step should be decided. Usually I will refer to fertility clinic after a year but different areas may have different guidelines.

I hope this is helpful. Good luck my dear :-) x

[JandL2020]

I went on my own at first and referred for bloods, then my partner had to get another appointment (but that’s because he was wasn’t registered at the time at the same GP yet) - all our other appointments were together. What I would say if don’t trust everything they tell you because they’ll not experts in this field. I should in hindsight got print outs of results. Today I had my first appointment with consultant at hospital - GP had told us Incorrect information. We ended up going private for assessments as it was taking too long on nhs. This was relatively cheap and really does speed up the process. As they had a letter from the private consultation she was happy to not repeat the assessments and just start treatment without delay. Hope all goes well x

[orcadolph]

Thank you all so much, it’s nice not to be alone on this journey too, it’s been starting to really get to me now. I had my smear test a few months ago and asked them about when to start getting help and I was told to “get drunk as that ends in lots of (unwanted) pregnancies” needless to say I wasn’t impressed and I’m hoping we get taken seriously next week. Fingers crossed for you all x

[JandL2020]

You are definitely not alone although I know it feels like that. It’s such a lonely journey even with good support network in place. That advice was really unhelpful and becomes more hurtful every month goes on...I got told by my friends go book 2 week holiday in the sun and just relax arghh! I got told to not use OPKs today by consultant her words were “throw them away they add to the stress”. Everyone I have seen so far have been so lovely, got the tissues out for me straight away today when I had a tearful moment. Go with a list of questions written down as it helped me to not forget anything too x

[Jagzorx]

"You're still young"
"Just relax"
"at least you can have fun trying!"

People are full of "helpful advice"
I think people just don't know what to say so they say stupid things.

Fingers crossed that it won't be long before you have a little one and don't have to hear this nonsense anymore xxx

[Mycrazylife85]

I booked an appointment and then had a blood test. Waited nearly three weeks for the results and booked in for a scan. Not around a week and a half later I had the scan, (yesterday) then a call with the results today. I've a telephone appointment Monday then another scan in six weeks and my husband is to book a separate appointment with his GP for sperm analysis. We have different surgeries you see. It's been quick since the last appointment. I'd say if you are seeing the same doctor you could do one appointment but if not, two is best

[Mycrazylife85]

....that being said I'm currently cd80! 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

[orcadolph]

Yes people are full of “helpful” advice but I agree maybe they just don’t know what to say. I feel like we are doing everything we should be doing and now we are just treading water until we can get help. I had mid cycle bleeds for about a year and a half on the pill (none since stopping luckily so fingers crossed it was the pill) but it’s just making me more worried that something’s wrong. I’ve ended up coming off all social media too because I can’t deal with all the pregnancy announcements on there! @Mycrazylife85 I hope your phone appointment goes well on Monday

[Mycrazylife85]

Thank you @orcadolph good luck to you all too

[orcadolph]

So our appointment was this morning and we both decided to go along together to one appointment which worked well. Have been booked in for day 1-5 bloods at the end of Jan but otherwise told to “relax and enjoy trying” and not to use my app or ovulation tests!