What happens?

[Armi]

DH and I have been ttc for well over a year. I am 35. I have been desperately putting off seeking medical advice as I have a general dislike of going to the doctor/medical stuff which possibly stems from being overweight - 'Ah, an infected cut on your finger? Well what do you expect with a BMI of 33?' etc.

Apart from being told to lose weight (which is in hand - am going to the gym and subsisting on healthy fodder)what can I expect to happen? Whilst I have the utmost respect for medical science (am not one of those people who thinks people can be cured with lavender oil and sugar pills) I am very resistent to our attempt to concieve becoming an all-consuming medical 'issue'. I don't want to pop to the doctor's and suddenly find myself on an stoppable chute of invasive tests and pill-popping.

Any advice?

anunstoppable* chute

Hi Armi, I have been TTC for a while and just gone through all manner of tests.

I am not an expert but they will probably start with basic blood tests for you (to check you don't have PCOS or any other hormonal imbalances) and a sperm test for your DH.

If anything shows up then the tests get a bit more invasive but it's worth having the first lot just to put your mind at ease.

I was also quizzed about exercise and diet and my DH was given strict instructions to stop smoking ... so all the usual things really!

Do you have any DCs already if you don't mind me asking?

Thanks, gardenpixie.

We don't have any DCs.

I am sure you'll be fine and the test results will at least be a weight off your mind!

We don't have any DCs either which is why we wanted all the tests done that we could get just to double check everything.

Fingers crossed all round!

Hello - I was TTC from the age of 35. Had 1 miscarriage then nothing for 3 years. I too didn't want to go down the IVF / testing route so had sort of resigned myself to the fact that I wouldn't have children. However, I did go to the Docs and was put on waiting list for initial tests (ie sperm counts etc). In the meantime I decided to destress my life a bit (went part time at work, started doing pilates) then hey presto, found myself pregnant at 38 (tested positive on the very day my appointment came through the post for the IVF clinic!). Now have a lovely little girl that I never though I'd have. Oh, should also mention that unbeknown to me, my husband had downloaded a fertility application on his Ipod. Apparently he was making a b-line for me at the right time of the month!

If you really want kids then I'd definitely go to the doctor's to try and get some tests underway. As far as I understood from my last doctor a few years ago, if you need IVF you get 2 courses free on the NHS if you are under 40 and none if you are over 40 so it's worth sussing out if there's a problem in plenty of time for that. Of course, that may have all changed now. I was told this a good 4-5 years ago.

Thanks, chaps!

Sorry can't really help with the Dr stuff but have you looked at 'Fertility Friend website (sorry, don't know how to do links!) I found it quite helpful. Best wishes!