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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

TTC 2 years

88 replies

Lasagne30 · 09/03/2021 08:59

Hi all,
Me and my partner have been TTC for almost 2 years now, just looking for some friends in a similar situation. I am currently undergoing fertility testing. My partner has super sperm so it would appear that the problem lies with me. I also have adenomyosis, however I was told that this does not neccessarily affect fertility. Yesterday I had a HSG test, which was quite unpleasant, I experienced really bad cramps which I am told can mean I have blocked fallopian tubes, although the doc that performed the procedure said everything looked good. Just waiting on results. Anyone else experiencing any similar situations?
TIA
Lasagne30

OP posts:
ljayc · 18/03/2021 22:58

@Lasagne30 We are definitely in very similar situations! So hard not to worry and stress about it, and the long waits between tests and appointments is frustrating. My partner is also much more laid back about it all than me - he’s definitely less conscious of the fact that fertility declines with age for women and talks about how it’ll be nice to one day have a big family as if I’m still in my 20s haha. I haven’t told anyone we’re TTC either, for the same reason as you. To be honest, one of the only good things about lockdown for me has been avoiding certain social situations haha - seriously I don’t know how many more friends and family events I can handle, being the only woman without a child and repeatedly asked by people why I “chose” not to have kids. I’m usually vague and say I still might do, they then remind me I’m no spring chicken, but rather that than pity! And yes, hopefully the HSG trick works for us both - wouldn’t it be great for us to moan about pregnancy instead of TTC for a change haha! Smile

Original poster
Lasagne30 · 18/03/2021 20:32

@ljayc ooohhh hopefully it happens first try! Wouldn't that be exciting!
Yeah they say to write down all your questions so you don't forget any at the time, it is very overwhelming with all the info. I was the same. My partner said "make sure you ask all the questions, don't let them do anything you're not comfortable with" and then at the actual time I just go blank and forget everything I wanted to ask haha
Yep, I was the same, had to book all my own appointments but got knocked back several times when I first tried to do it. They sure as hell didn't make it easy.
Yeah everyone keeps saying that stress is no good for TTC but how can you not?
My partner is very chill about it and he says it wouldn't bother him if we couldn't conceive but I think he just says that because he doesn't want me to feel bad.
It's definitely nice to have someone to talk to who can relate. I haven't told anyone that we are TTC just in case we had problems and here we are. I didn't want all the 'poor girl' sympathy if you know what I mean. But the down side to that is I can't vent to anyone about it. So thanks for that haha

OP posts:
ljayc · 18/03/2021 12:34

@Lasagne30 Oh mine was on day 9, so ovulation should be coming up and I’m usually like clockwork. I’ve heard a lot of people saying they conceived in the months after the HSG as the procedure can clear minor blockages, so I hope that’s all it needed!! I’m definitely kicking myself now for not asking questions at the time of the HSG. I was very quiet in my initial consultation too - it was all new, I was trying to take everything in and it was a lot of questions and information in a very brief phone call which ended with her saying she would send out all the relevant info to me anyway and that in the upcoming weeks I would receive appointments for the HSG, Ultrasound and follow up with her. I waited a month and started chasing it up to find nothing had been arranged, I called all the hospital departments myself to get booked in so not sure what happened there. I started off this process very chilled but more recently I’ve become more impatient and google the hell out of everything. I have a million questions ready for her at my follow up haha I might actually prepare a list. But I’m also conscious that stressing about it all won’t help! How are you finding it all? x

Original poster
Lasagne30 · 18/03/2021 11:09

@ljayc What day of your cycle did you get your HSG? They say that it can increase your chances by up to 30% for the next 3 cycles so here's hoping the next 3 months are full of baby making time! Unfortunately I missed my first one because I ovulated earlier than usual and missed it which was annoying.

Lasagne30

OP posts:
Original poster
Lasagne30 · 18/03/2021 11:05

@Curlymarbs I agree, this must be so difficult for you. I hate how they say that, unexplained fertility. Nothing should be unexplained. There has to be a reason, they just can't find it haha Wishing you the best of luck xx

OP posts:
ljayc · 16/03/2021 20:40

@Curlymarbs oh that must be hard, I suppose the benefit of actually finding something is wrong, it can then probably be fixed, or you at least know where you stand sooner rather than later. I’ve been tracking cycles for over 2 years and definitely know myself very well now haha. Ive heard lots of couples say it happened when they stopped trying so hard, so I really hope that ends up being your story too Smile Do you know how long you’ll be waiting for IVF?

Curlymarbs · 16/03/2021 06:08

Definitely not on your own, 5 years in now and after all tests diagnosis of unexplained infertility. Consultant said there is literally no reason that it shouldn't have happened by now and that it must suck - which was lovely for someone to acknowledge that in such a straight talking way. We are 35 and 39. We were told no rush fertility wise but obv a rush in terms of how long this has been going on for us so we are on the waiting list for ivf and still trying in the meantime. I stopped tracking etc long ago as I was driving myself mad and also by 60 cycles in I pretty much know my days for everything off by hard. Wishing you both lots of luck with everything

Original poster
Lasagne30 · 16/03/2021 06:02

Yeah, I too, made the mistake of googling reviews on it haha I wasn't too concerned about it. I get bad cramps every month so I was prepared but it still sucked because I couldn't move at all. Yeah, I have heard that they do the lapo if your ultrasound shows lesions or fibroids so maybe it's subject to that.
Fingers, legs and arms crossed 🙂

Lasagne30

OP posts:
ljayc · 16/03/2021 00:29

Must be one of the lucky ones then - it was no worse than a smear test. I’d heard a lot of horror stories before going so definitely not as bad as expected. The not knowing results is worse! I suppose there’s no harm in calling and asking - 2 months is a long time for you to wait and wonder. My Dr hasn’t said much about treatment options yet (drugs, surgery or ivf), I guess she’s waiting to see if the issue is tubal blockage/damage, so I only know what I’ve read online about possible next steps. I guess I’ll find out in a months time, but hoping tubes are fine and don’t require a lapo for treatment or further investigation. Fingers crossed for us both!

Original poster
Lasagne30 · 15/03/2021 21:42

Ahh so you are one of the lucky ones haha As soon as they pushed the dye through for me I broke out in a cold sweat and the pain started. Not pleasant at all. Yeah I wish I had asked what the result was too because now I have to wait 2 months to find out. I was almost thinking of calling and seeing if they will email me the results; my doctor has done that for me when I checked my progesterone levels.
My ultrasound showed no abnormalities apart from the adenomyosis so as far as the laparoscopy procedure, I am hoping she doesn't want me to have one. Last I spoke to her she said that the HSG was the last test she would like to do before prescribing some fertility drugs like letrozole.
And to be honest I am kind of over being poked and prodded. Just give me the drugs haha
Is the laparoscopy the next step for you after the ultrasound?

OP posts:
ljayc · 15/03/2021 19:39

No, you're not on your own :) I had my HSG today and it wasn't half as bad as I was expecting but I have no idea of the outcome. They didn't give me any indication and just said the images will go to my consultant who will discuss it with me in my follow up app which is in 4 weeks. I saw the images on screen but couldn't make much of them myself and wish I'd asked more questions now. I've got an ultrasound next week, so will see if that tells me anything.
Are you expecting to have to have a laparoscopy next?
L x

Original poster
Lasagne30 · 14/03/2021 22:46

Yes I understand it can take quite a while to get booked in, a lot of the nurses don't make it easy but occassionally you find a good one that goes above and beyond for you. Good luck with your HSG. I have my follow up appointment mid May. Stay positive and keep me updated. It's nice to know I'm not alone :)
Lasagne30

OP posts:
ljayc · 14/03/2021 15:01

Hello @Lasagne30
I'm in a similar position.. Came off contraception 3 years ago and just thought it'll happen when it happens, then after 12 months I started tracking cycles and actively TTC for 2 years. Now undergoing testing. It has taken 12 months just to get through all the initial tests... Bloods, semen, smear etc which came back as normal. I've got my HSG tomorrow, an ultrasound the following week and 2nd appointment with consultant mid April. I have no symptoms that suggest what might be wrong, except for not being able to get pregnant - I have normal regular periods, no unusual pain etc. We're both 33 & no children already. The waiting and not knowing is the hardest part. Hope you don't have to wait long for results.
Good luck
L x