First doctors appointment advice

@flutterby8 I know what you mean, the reality of actually needing to be referred is really scary and shocking. Not where I expected to be this time last year! I would honestly just book inn on day 23/24, sounds like you'll be getting referred regardless so the specialists will take over your care anyway but at least you won't be worrying about low results which you are likely to get back if you go again on day 21.

Hi @flutterby8 can you just book the appointment on day 23 or day 24 and your doctor wouldn't know otherwise?
Also, it seems strange that your gp said that if the 21 day bloods result was low again, they would refer you as 'unexplained' as that would confirm you aren't ovulating therefore you have an explaintion and can look to start treatment to help you ovulate rather than doing more tests to find out why you're struggling as you may already have the answer. Hope you get sorted though, it's a hard enough situation to be in without confusing gps!

I have just rang my GP as I was going to ring the fertility clinic to find out what the waiting times are, and suddenly realised I'm not sure where exactly we have been referred to. I'm assuming the local clinic attached to the hospital but wanted to be sure. The receptionist at my GP looked at my records and it doesn't actually say! She said it just says referred to Gynacology which I am now wondering does that even mean fertility clinic?! I have to ring back tomorrow to ask if they have found who I have been referred to!

@Flutterby8 if you don't have a standard 28 day cycle with ovulation on day 14 then your 21 day blood test should be done 7 days before your period is due. I had one done this month on cd 24 as this was 7 days before af was due (she is due today at 13dpo but not shown yet - got a bfn though)

@dogmam thank you for checking in. Hope you're well?

After 3 hours of trying to get through to my GP I've finally arranged a phone appointment for tomorrow. I'm partially glad it wasn't yesterday as we had a funeral to go to but the waiting is putting my mind into overdrive. I'm literally working out the worst case scenario and it's giving me a real fear of getting my results. DH finally called the local hospital to arrange his SA so is waiting on a call back.

Hi, how is everyone doing? We are still waiting hear from the fertility clinic after our referral a few weeks ago, in the meantime we are still trying and hopful It will just happen naturally!! My partner is starting wellman conception vitamins today so hoping they make a difference.

@xpeach123 let us know how you get on with your results today. Like you say, whatever the result it's a step forward. Good news about your partner finally getting the ball rolling with the SA too. I think it's normal that the only test he will get is that, and no bloods, infact I think it's more or less all they do for men, even with poor results, the focus of treatment is all on the woman rather than investigating/treating male factor.

@jennyh29 did you manage to speak with your partner? I know all GP surgeries are different but if it helps, when I had my first appointment with my GP and told her we had been trying for a year, she arranged both my 21 day bloods and my partners SA all in one, she just asked for his details, so he didn't have to have an appointment, then a few weeks later he received the pack in the post. He was told to ring a week afterndoppibg his sample off and we done it together, basically had the phone on speaker. Maybe you could do that, do all of your appointments together?

Has anyone else had their SA back yet? Trying not to worry too much about the results as I know they can change over time.

Evening all.
How are you all feeling?
DH finally got to speak to a Dr today and they've given him a referral code and to call the local hospital where they will do semen tests. Apparently that's all they do for me - no blood test. I found that strange.

I've already had a text this afternoon to call my docs on Monday to discuss my test results. That's not a good sign - but whatever they have to say is an answer I suppose. It's torture having to wait all weekend to call though!

Hey ladies thank you for your replies always such a difficult subject to bring up with them. I’m going to talk to him this weekend after a nibe dinner etc. Its not about that he can’t produce its what’s in it

Welcome @jennyh29 having these talks is always difficult for both parties - I can imagine there's a bit of man pride affected too (purely based on how my DH has approached the whole situation).

How openly have you spoken with him about your test results and the reasons for why fertility can be a struggle sometimes? If he has a logical approach maybe talk him through statistics, or start by asking how he feels about the whole situation?

The biggest hurdle my DH has had so far is actually braving the phone call to the doctors - ended up doing an econsultatiom but they'll call him and ask the questions.

I found the easiest time for my DH to open up was when we were walking the dog or in the car. Sat on the sofa together felt a more difficult place to talk.

Hi all, so been ttc for over a year I’m 28 oh 29 so age isn’t against us. Been tracking my cycles etc and been having Sex around ovulation day whilst trying not to make it feel like a chore. No luck and I went to my docs and found I was healthy etc. Trying not to make to much of it out would like him to go checked out without upsetting him

@dogmam had my bloods today and been told to call in 7 days if they haven't called me.

@flutterby8 we are similar, it's 18 months for us and we've never seen a positive.

I've turned into an avid googler though which is never healthy. I started using clear blue ovulation kits and had one day of a smiley face and that's it but no signs in my cm and BBT barely dropped.

DH has struggled to get a doctors app due to being a key worker so he's waiting on a phone consultation still which feels very frustrating for me. Has anyone's DH tried a home semen test? If so, what was their experience?

@flutterby8 I would maybe get your bloods done on CD22, hopefully they'll come back fine and confirms you're ovulating, especially if you're temping you're probably already confirming it every month anyway.
Sorry you're feeling deflated, I think as long as you've DTD in the lead up to ovulation then don't worry about it too much, I think we put too much pressure on ourselves.
If there is something wrong with one of you, then at least you can start getting some help towards your BFP.

@xpeach123 try not to be too fearful of what your 21 day results will be, either way, it means you're one step forward to getting some answers and help. When are you booked in for?

@flutterby8 luckily my other half wasn't working (he was waiting to start a new job as had been made redundant) so the sample wasn't too tricky other than the race to the clinic to drop them off in the time frame! I imagine it must be like a level off the crystal maze if trying to juggle work though! Time off for a normal drs appointment is bad enough never mind having to 'perform' then deliver! What are you're cycle lengths usually? Mine can be anywhere from 26 to 30 and I usually ovulated day 17 but still just went on day 21 and hoped for the best.

So guess we are all in the same shitty boat of TTC for over a year ☹

@fluttrrby8 I've only had my blood test arranged this week. My doc asked about my cycle and how regular I am. Explained that I'm normally 28 days but can be 27 or up to 31. All she said was I shod get my bloody at CD21 or CD22, after that the test couldn't work.
May be worth getting a second call with a different doc to explain maybe?

@dogmam that sounds really quick! I heard that SA tests can take 3 months for the appointment alone so I'm glad it's not taking too much time for you. I hope things work well for you, please keep us updated.
It's the build up to the 21 day test and the fear of what the test results will come back with... Probably explains why I'm such a crank at the moment rather than oozing with pheromones and enticing my DH to be near me.

Hi, I have just received a referral to the fertility clinic after a year of ttc. I was really nervous about contacting the GP for initial tests, made it feel very real, but after a quick phone appointment, she ordered 21 day bloods test for me and a SA for my other half. The SA letter and pot (LOL) was posted out and the sample was done at home and had to be dropped off at the clinic. Anyway, results for both my bloods and his sample came back within a month of the initial drs appointment, and on the back of that (my bloods were fine but my other halfs SA had some low counts) we have had a fertility clinic referral. It's all happened really quick, I was prepared to have to wait for agaes for both tests and a referral. The waiting list for the fertility clinic might be a different story but I'll just have to wait and see as we were only referred earlier this week.

Good luck everyone and hope you get some help and answers with your initial appointments/tests!

Hi all.
Hope you don't mind me joining?
DH and I have been TTC for some time now - haven't used contraception since May 2019 and still no BFP.
Finally plucked the courage to get a doctors appointment and she's referred me for blood tests. Hubby is awaiting call with the doc to discuss semen tests for him.
I suddenly feel so nervous though, how have you all coped?