When do you ask for a medical opinion?

[Debeez]

I've heard that you should TTC for 12 months before toddling off to the GP. But I've also heard some go after six months if you have already had a child or are over 30. I'm 28, 1 DS and ttc for 6 months now. We're been regular in our SWI and never go longer than a day without so I doubt we're missing our window.

Anyone gone down to GP at 6 months? Will they do anything?

I think NICE guidelines are 12 months under 35 and 6 month over 35.

Are you having regular periods? If not, you could try to accelerate things by having any iddues investigated on a non-fertility basis, if you see what I mean?

I think most people go at about 6 months - but tell the doctor that they've been trying for 12.

I was in about contraception problems about 8 months ago. They'd know from my notes. Periods are fairly regular. Been charting them using fertility friend along with SWI.

jeee do you really think most people lie?!
I went at 12 months. They reckon 80% of couples conceive within 12 months, 90% within 18 months. With NHS waiting lists as they are, GPs often refer people but stats wise you can imagine half of people conceive while waiting for their specialist appointment!

I'm gonna wait till 12 months. I'm a shit liar. Plus we're enjoying ttc. Just wondered if I should be going IYSWIM? Also wondered if I find out there is an issue (DP has had previous health problems and this may impact somewhat on our chances) will I be kicking myself for not going sooner.

I hate doctors and hospitals though and hate the idea of being messed about with and investigations. Wondered if I was burying my head in the sand a bit.

I think you are doing the right thing in waiting. The testing process is not exactly a barrel of laughs, so there is no point in going through it if you don't need to.

If you think the issue might be with your partner, you could get a private semen analysis done. I've seen that priced at around 80 quid. But personally at 28 I would just give it another 6 months and see what happens.

Did he have the health problongs before or after you conceived your DS? You conceived fairly quickly then... It might be worth mentioning when you next see your GP about anything else.

I think you are doing the right thing in waiting too. I went a few weeks ago after 7 months (and had just turned 35!) and the doc offered me blood tests to check I am ovulating, and DH an SA test. She said she couldn't do any more til a year tho, and said that it was in our best interests to keep trying without the additional stresses of tests. Got my results back from the 7dpo test which proved the ovulation is happening (which I thought so anyway as I'm using OPKs). DH is about to take his sample in!
I think the stress of all the tests might actually cause more harm than good - obviously unless there are underlying problems. Given your age I'd give yourselves a fair chance, leave it another few months, then go to the doc.
Good Luck.

Depend where you are, I have ttc for 12 months and they said they won't see people for 2 years :( I'm so upset, it's just do long x

12 months seems to be the standard. I got a referral after 6 months, but that is because I didn't have a single period during that time, so was obviously not ovulating.

They say that a perfectly healthy couple can take up to a year to conceive, so don't start panicking yet. If you are anxious about it you can talk to your GP so that something goes down on your notes, but to be honest they'll probably just tell you to come back after 12 months.

Thanks for all the responses. DS came into my world before DP so we have no comparison. Was an immediate conception previously though.

Your responses have really helped me clarify my thoughts. I'm gonna pop the the GP for a general health check, mention I'm ttc and how long for, so if we don't fall lucky in the next 12 months we can toddle along again and it'll be known how long we've been trying.

I'm of the same mind on the investigations not being a barrel of laughs, seen a friend of a friend go through it all on fb and it turned her into a whole different person. I removed her eventually as I felt awful seeing these heartfelt statuses, felt almost like prying. Did scare me as to what ttc can do to a woman.