First visit to GP - what should I expect

[BigGreenFrog]

Hi All, After 9 months of TTC, having regular SWI throughout the month and using ov kits to pinpoint the best time, I've had no sign of a BFP. I realise this is early days still, but I'm 35 and DH is 40, so time is of the essence.
Can anyone advise what I am likely to be asked in this 1st session? Should DH come along too? I had one previous MC around 2.5 years ago, to my previous partner. Will the doctor be judgemental? DH has no children. I'm just a little nervous about what to expect, and am fretting over whether the doctor will look down on me for having been divorced and remarried since my MC, and that me and DH have only been married for a year (though we've been best friends for 8 years). As if the stresses of TTC aren't enough I'm stressing about how the GP will view me(!) I'm a 35 year old professional woman... but I feel like a schoolgirl in front of the headmistress :(. Any advice greatly appreciated. TIA

......and breathe! Nothing to worry about and no need to over explain your relationship history s/he'll probably only be interested in the context of not being able to rule out male factors . Take DH if it makes you feel better but there's no need to at this stage.

GP's in my experience can be variable. The one I saw first was very disinterested in me (never mind my OH or our relationship!) though she wasn't mean and did send me for blood tests (progesterone) to check I was ovulating whilst mumbling about most women getting pregnant sooner or later . Fortunately the results were picked up by another GP who was efficient in referring me and very kind in his manner.

GP's are interested in a brief history, your age and how long you have been trying. Age and length of time trying effect when/whether you will be referred if you need to be referred. I think above 35 you can expect to be referred after 1 year of trying but under 35 you need to have been trying for 2 years (may have these figures wrong).

Any how you sound v. stressed. I'm pretty certain this appointment will go way better than you think!

You'll also be asked about your lifestyle - job with chemicals, amount you drink, smoke etc, so they can rule out these as problems.

Good luck, it'll be fine :)

I would agree that GPs vary considerably, we have been very lucky. We went to see our GP about starting to try just after getting married and were sent straight away for me to have day 3 and day 21 bloods taking and DH for his SA. All results were fine so we were told to try for 6 months (I am 38, DH is 39) and come back if not pregnant. We went back after 6 months and were referred straight away to see consultant. We had our first consultant appointment last week.

They might ask questions like if you have ever been pregnant before or DH has any previous children. The consultant asked how long we had been together but nothing to worry about. I wouldn't worry about how they view you, they see every scenario going and don't go into that much detail.

Hi All, thanks for all the responses, it's calmed me down a bit :). Hoping I get one of the more agreeable GPs in the practice.. I've seen her before about other things and she has always seemed nice enough, but obviously never about fertility!! Thanks again, and I'll try to keep breathing:)

Hi All, just an update to say the GP was lovely and not at all judgemental. She said she couldn't refer us to anyone until 12 months was up, but she has told me to go back for a 21 day blood test, and booked DP in for SA, so by the time I get my results back from the 21 day test (sods law I'm day 25 today!!) it'll only be a month to wait. So nothing in the grand scheme of things I suppose. She seemed confident that 'most' couples get pregnant within 2 years, and told me 'not to worry', but though I know of one other couple IRL who are 'unexplained', there are loads of girls on these forums who have struggled for much longer. Still, I didn't think it was worth that discussion at this stage - it wouldn't get me pregnant! So I'll book in for my 21 day test this time next month and await DH's test. Lucky him :). Thanks again for your interest and responses :)