First visit to the GP

[catweasle]

Hi I,m new to mumsnet and was after some advice. DH and I having been trying for 8 months TTC1 and I have finally plucked up the see the GP.

Questions are what tests do I need to ask for and when in my cycle do they need to be taken. My cycles are normally 32 to 34 days and regular.

Thanks for any advice this ttc malarky is starting to drive me nutty than usual.

How old are you? Your GP is unlikely to send you for tests unless you've been trying for a year, unfortunately.

Hey Catweasle, I didn?t want your post to go anunanswered, the first thing I would tell your doc is that you have been trying for a year (unless you are over 35) as many docs won't listen as many healthy couples can take a year to conceive . Do you know if you ovulate every month...i.e. through temping, opks and ewcm? I believe you will need day 21 progesterone checks plus day 3 tests to check hormones but I think someone else on here will clarify exactly what needs to be done. It may be worth getting your other half checked out too if you?re going to get tests. Good luck, it?s infuriating but it will happen!

Depends if your partner is older too - ours did tests at four months because DH is an old fart older than me.

You need to keep a diary of your periods and of when you have sex. Also cut out alcohol, fags etc. and do some exercise. If you can show you have been doing everything right it'll speed your referral IME.

A day 21 test is normally the first step and a sperm sample.

Hi Catweasel Welcome to MN
I've just been to the GP about TTC and she was surprisingly understanding and proactive. But I have very irregular periods and it's that which is being investigated. I have to go for an ovarian scan, but I doubt that you're looking at that. I really recommend taking notes with you (even if you have to write them all down now if you haven't been keeping them all along) about your cycles, any symptoms you get for ovulation, temp charts if you do them, and any other information you think may be relevant. My GP went through my little notebook carefully and I think that prevented the off-pat "go away and monitor what goes on for six months" response.

Hope it goes well