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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

Original poster

Going to GP for tests?

28 replies

katiegd · 13/06/2017 08:23

Hi all, hoping for a bit of your expertise.

I'm nearly 33. We've been TTC#1 for about 18 months, but due to OH health issues and then operation last year (all now fine) the number of cycles we've been trying is probably about 10, maybe a few more.

We'd talked about going to GP in Sept if nothing before then but am now thinking perhaps we should go sooner. I've convinced myself that our issues are due to OH sperm quality as he drinks and smokes a lot. I think that if it is low quality, having confirmation of this would encourage him to start planning behaviour change (so much easier said than done!).

Of course, it might be nothing to do with that and might be related to me, or unexplained, but I suppose I'd rather just know.

So my question is, how do you go about getting tests through your GP? Do you book an appointment together to talk about it? Or do you go separately? What do you ask for?

OP posts:
sunshineandsea · 13/06/2017 16:33

We went to the GP after 10 months too. We went together and she referred us for blood tests and scan for me and sperm analysis for DP. I'd suggest booking a double appointment if you can as there were lots of questions she had to ask each of us so it took longer than 10 mins.

I'd agree it's not a very quick process, it's taken about 5 months to do all those tests and only now have we been referred to the fertility unit for the next steps, which will be another wait. I'm glad we went when we did as we're now 15 months in and still no hint of a bfp!

Best of luck op x

Heratnumber7 · 13/06/2017 16:01

Guidelines may have changed, but 20 years ago we were told not to worry until we'd been trying for 2 years without success.

Although youngsters seem to get inappropriately pregnant at the drop of a hat, your fertility window is incredibly small. Just about 48 hours each month.

GP might give you some leaflets etc about getting your timings right, but I'd doubt they'd refer you for tests yet.

florafoxtrot · 13/06/2017 15:58

Hi Katie,
We went about 6 weeks ago which was around 10 months of actively trying (so same as you)
We went together to discuss that we had been trying and hadn't had any luck so far and she offered to do 21 day progesterone tests for me and a sperm analysis for my husband.
I would definitely recommend going together as sometimes if you see different GPs then referrals can be more complicated or confusion is caused etc.
I had my blood tests at my GP surgery and hubby had an appointment at our local fertility clinic to drop off his sample.
They will ask about smoking and drinking and your hubby might want to be prepared for a bit of a lecture but on the other hand - it might be a non-issue and its good just to get into the system and have things moving.
It's not been a very quick process for us thus far.
Hope that answers some of your questions.

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