Elderberry Pavlovas Unite - the over 30s TTC number 1 (thread 3)

(blood tests - just shows that some words come naturally!)

Ah, not only am I not the only one desperately trying to have a baby, but I'm also in good company when it comes to judging people for really unimportant things like holding a pen properly! I hate weak handshakes too, always makes me lose respect for a man (I know, that probably make me a bad person).

Glad to see everyone had good weekends, and that many of you are lucky to have found good GPs. But for those of us without, it seems getting to know our bodies better and pooling information is a great tool. I've had a similar situation as you, captain, seeing lots of different consultants who don't know what the key issue is (on a non TTC issue). In the end I started every consultation with a 30 sec summary of the issue and steps taken so far. They didn't always like it but I found it cut to the chase.

Thanks Boodle for the sympathy - I felt really guilty for being upset when my best friend announced her pregnancy at Christmas - I was/em genuinely happy for her, and wouldn't want her to wait for ages like me. And she was really sensitive about it, not shoving it in my face or going over the top. But it still felt like a kick in the teeth. And while I can't wait to rub her belly and feel the baby kick, it'll also be bittersweet.

Twinkle - we're married 2 years in Feb too. I glanced at our wedding pics the other day and thought how well I hid the fact that I was so cold I couldn't feel half my body! As for bunny and happy, I think a little exaggeration with dates is fine. viv is right - we'll be kicking ourselves later for not acting sooner. And there's no harm in just getting some bloody tests. I'm planning to have a whole load when I get back from my hols, and go armed back to the doctor - after consulting you wise ladies for advice on what it all means!!

Bunny - I think we must be living parallel lives!
Twinkle - glad they're not making you wait 2 years, that's a crazy amount of time!
Viv - I don't use this term lightly: LOL

Captain - it's 2 years at my GP too but they're referring me early as they can see I'm doing all the right things.

Captain - it's 2 years at my GP too but they're referring me early as they can see I'm doing all the right things.

...when he wrote me a cheque afterwards that's how he held his pen.

Pip, I think I've slept with your consultant.

Thanks Captain, yes I'm in on Thursday.

Viv, I missed the last line on your earlier post - good luck with your volunteering tomorrow!

Bunny Horse eh? Lucky thing nudge nudge, wink wink..

I went to the GP after just under a year of trying, but told her it was just over a year. She said where she'd been a GP before you have to wait 2 years!! before you can get treatment. Thankfully, she got me going on tests etc straight away. I'm not sure of they've taken DH's age into account, as he's nearly 40 (I'm 32), and men do have a fertility slump post 40 too.

Pip I don't understand how anyone can write like that. He is clearly a weirdo.

Good luck for your op this week (it is, isn't it?), thinking of you.

It's probably best that you don't go in honking, happy; you'll probably get a referral but it might not be one you want! On a serious note though, if you are 35 next month then just get on in there as you're right; the advice is 6 months for 35+.

Glad you had a good weekend, bunny!

Honking = hoping! Bloody iPhone!

Cross post Bunny. Yes I'm 35 next month so honking I can get away with telling them I've been trying about 8 months?

Thanks all. I thought the NHS advice was to go after 6 months for over 35s? Can bend the truth a little bit but I was on the pill before TTC so can't lie too much!

Hi ladies, sorry to barge back in! Glad to see you are all well and walking like John Wayne after all the DTD

Happy when I had my coil removed (aged 33), the woman at Family Planning told me to go to my GP if I wasn't pregnant after 9 months of trying.

I agree Viv, Happy lie about how long it's been. The only problem is if you were using prescribed contraception and then they would know.
And Bunny it's a long time before you get as far as me. I'm not sure when we started with the GP but I know that DH went for his SA last New Years Eve.

The doctor held his pen between his middle and ring fingers, made me twitch!

Happy, even if I was as young as you, at 34, I would lie to my GP about how long I've been trying. Five months isn't a long time but if you leave it 18 months and then start investigations, before you know it you'll be 36 or 37. Again, this shouldn't be a problem, theoretically, but you will kick yourself hard if you find, at the age of 37, that you need assistance. Your GP will first of all order day 3 blood tests (FSH, LH, etc) and day 21 (progesterone confirms ovulation).

I start my voluntary work with Manchester's addicts tomorrow. Wish me luck.

Did you have a good weekend away Bunny??

I too am thinking of visiting the GP soon. Can I ask how long did you all wait before first seeking medical advice? It's only been 5 months but am getting impatient. Given that I always get a positive OPK and temp dip on cd11, temp rise and OV pains on cd12 and my luteal phase is always 14 days what are they likely to do first?? DP has already been tested and given the thumbs up.

syllable!!

Pip, laughing my head off at your consultant's gay grip. I always think any man with a dodgy grip will be shite in bed. Hey, Pip, do you think if I drop it into the conversation that I was one of the physicists who discovered the Higgs Boson my consultant will start using words with more than one syllabul?

Hello, Bunny. I should imagine the fact that you have told the girl who waxes your legs has rather taken the decision out of your hands as to whether you should tell others Seriously, though, I'd've gone insane by now if I hadn't told people what I was going through. It's like trying to hide a rather prolonged episode of eczema

Viv we aren't really TTCing this month but we certainly aren't preventing either. When I spoke to the nurse at the pre op she didn't say I needed to prevent it, not like when you have an HSG.

I think I might ditch the CBFM too, I still use a regular OPK to double check anyway, so why bother. I do honestly think that all these things are a little bit like having lucky pants. Someone says, "Oh, I got knocked up the cycle when I wore red knickers every day." and we would all run off and buy red knickers.
Really it just makes us think that we are actually doing something while we wait for nature, or in my case operations, to take their course.

As for the attitude of GP and Consultants, the last time I saw the consultant he started to explain the lap and day and then said, "are you both teachers?" and then his language changed and he talked to us both like adults. That said his attitude was great to start with. He held his pen with a very poor grip though that made me wince.