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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

Fertility testing criteria on the NHS

10 replies

ledlights · 04/09/2012 13:09

Does anyone know what criteria you need to fulfil in order to get fertility testing on the NHS? DH (35) and I (36) have DC, conceived first month of trying in 2009, and one angel baby (MC at 12 weeks), conceived first month of trying in 2011. We have now been trying to conceive for eight months or so since the MC and so far no luck. My cycles are very regular, I have used Clearblue digital ovulation test in previous cycles (given up now as was making me stressed) and got happy faces (so should be ovulating) but even though we have been religiously doing the deed pretty much every other day for months and months (and for two consecutive days after a happy face) there is no sign of a BFP. I know I am being silly and I am lucky to have my DC but I feel like time is running out and I want to have a sister or brother for DC, I feel exhausted and quite depressed. Is there any point in getting tested and would we fulfil the criteria?

OP posts:
ScarlettInSpace · 04/09/2012 13:15

Hi, I think it varies from one PCT to another - the old postcode lottery! It certainly does once you get to the big stuff [IVF etc].

Best thing to do is look on your PCT [Primary Care Trust] website, there should be more info there, or book a GP appt. As you are over 35 and have been trying more than 6 months they should be able to talk through your options and refer you for bloods etc as a start point.

StuckInTheFensAwayFromHome · 04/09/2012 13:24

ooh am interested in answers to this...
We've been dtd every other day and no success. At what point will a doc be prepared to talk to me? If I go at 6 mths will he just send me away till 12 mths?

StuckInTheFensAwayFromHome · 04/09/2012 13:28

this link will help you find your PCT

ScarlettInSpace · 04/09/2012 13:34

Stuck I think it depends on your age? If you are under 35 they usually won't do anything before 12 months, although my GP did bloods after 8 months do to previous surgery to put my mind at rest [for all the good it did, 1 year later I'm knee deep in IVF lol].

I think after 35 the guidelines is 6 months to get the ball rolling but I have read here a number of times that GP's sometimes need a nudge...

StuckInTheFensAwayFromHome · 04/09/2012 14:02

I've just turned 37, so this thread has inspired me (thanks ledlights) and looking at my doctors website I can request a telephone appointment.

By the way I live in one PCT, but my doctors is in another PCT. Both are a nightmare to try and find any decent info about their approach, hence deciding that the only way to find anything out is to speak to the doctor - and hopefully can do this over phone without needing to take time off work.

freelancescientist · 04/09/2012 18:24

FYI it is your GPs PCT that counts for funding purposes. Good luck.

ImpatientOne · 04/09/2012 19:51

I work in the NHS so was able to get on the intranet and look at the policy Wink before going to the GP for the second time (1st time 10 months, 2nd time 14 months). Interestingly the policy was out of date but there was no time before investigations should be offered but treatment would only be offered after 2 years.

I also looked at the NICE Guidelines and found the relevant sections which say;

1.2.2.3 People who have not conceived after 1 year of regular unprotected sexual intercourse should be offered further clinical investigation including semen analysis and/or assessment of ovulation.

Points 1.4.2.3 and 1.4.2.5 also refer to tests for women with irregular cycles.

When we went to GP we were there for about 5 minutes during which time we got a referral to specialist but semen analysis and 21 day tests while waiting for hospital appointment. My research was happily not needed and my appointment came through for only 4 weeks later (20th Sept).

kittykatskumkwat · 04/09/2012 20:19

From what i gather if you allready have a dc and have got pg again then you will not qualify for any treatment such as ivf etc and I think that they would make you wait at least1- 2 years before tests, I was told before dc it's 2 years until 30 then 1 year after

Piemistress · 04/09/2012 20:27

Your story is similar to mine. One DC then had a miscarriage and struggled to get pregnant again. I was 39. My GP was happy to refer me sooner rather than later as I got very upset and knew there was at least a 6 month waiting list at the clinic (and no private fertility clinics here) I got an appt through which wasn't for months so phoned them every day until I got a cancellation. Whilst I was waiting I went for acupuncture (am convinced this helped) and me and DP took conception vits. I actually got a BFP about 2 weeks after my appt.

Your GP should be able to do cd3 and cd21 blood tests for you though while you are waiting. My progesterone results were crap and very borderline so I also started taking an extra 50mg of b6 in addition which I'm sure also helped boost my progesterone levels.

StuckInTheFensAwayFromHome · 05/09/2012 14:10

ledlights - if your gp does phone appointments that may be the way to go... My doc has just phoned me back and had a good chat. She did say that generally they work to a 12 month trying rule, even for over 35's. But as Piemistress said there is an element of discretion with regard to your exact circumstances.
Which means that they are going to track down my notes from previous doctor and we can maybe start looking at a few options ahead of the 12 month point, given my circumstances and my age!
Now how do I tell DP that the first thing they do is test him!!!!

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