Seeing GP

[Repunsal]

Hi
I had my coil taken out in 2010 but so far haven't managed to conceive. I have made an appointment to see my GP tomorrow to have a chat about things.

Just to say I am 31, fit and healthy in all other respects weight fine, eat well and don't drink. In 2006 I had an operation to remove one of my fallopian tubes after it had twisted, but my then GP said I should still be able to conceive naturally, but it may take longer.

What I would like to know is what to expect at the appointment?

Thanks

In your case the GP should refer you onto the specialists.

In view of your operation to remove one of your fallopian tubes, I'd be now insisting on a referral to a subfertility unit.

If you've been TTC for of a year you should be referred. No fuss no muss.

Do you have regular periods? Do you know if you are ovulating?

Thanks for replying! Yes I do have regular periods and think I am ovulating so I guess I should just wait and see what tomorrow brings feeling a bit emotional about it and that's not like me at all! My husband is being so lovely and says it might be him not me and he will go to see his doctor.

Thanks again xx

Might be worth while you are waiting for your referral to start doing ovulation testing. Cheaply ones on amazon. Then you'll know for sure that you are getting jiggly on the right days. It's actually quite a small window for conception so if you are a late or early ovulator you might be missing it.

Hi Repunsal,

I'm so glad you posted your thread today. I got AF yesterday, again (12 months TTC), and this time really did me in. I have been thinking of checking in with the GP but you always have those what if's moments and OH has been saying we should just keep going, the stress of it not helping.

Could you let us know how you get on? I've been told by others that you need to be TTC 18 months and be using OPK's before they will do anything. I had an ovary issue in my teens, so maybe like you they will test me at the very least.

Hope all goes well for you, good luck xxx

I'd arrange routine screening bloods including a day 21 progesterone to confirm you are ovulating, check your smear is up to date, get swabs arranged and refer you on.
And yes, before you have any kind of invasive test, your DH will be asked to provide a semen sample.

Good luck tomorrow .

Just an update for anyone who is interested.
Went to my appointment this morning and saw a lovely locum GP lady. I told her my history and she then asked if I had any children or had ever been pregnant and did my husband have any children answer no. She asked if we have been having regular intercourse (yes), she wanted to know how long we have been married (3 years, together 16), if I am a smoker and how much I drink. I told her about my tubal surgery (left hand tube removed) so she wanted a few details for that, she asked if I had ever had apendicitus (no).
Based on that lot she said she would be looking to refer me which I was pleased about, as sitting in the waiting room I was thinking I hope I don't get fobbed off!
I am waiting for her to call me later today with the rest of the information as there were a few things she had to find out. She said she would do like to do the 21 day test on me like Pacific mentioned and that my husband would need to provide a semen sample which we would have to drop off at the hospital in person to ensure it is as fresh as possible- think he is a little alarmed at this prospect!!!
She said it would make sense to do all those things before we get our appointment at the clinic so once we get there can get on with things.

I have been doing a bit of research this afternoon about fertility referrals within my primary healthcare trust, this is what I have found for my area:

General access criteria for all services;

Couples must fulfil all criteria for referral for IUI, IVF, ICSI

Both be registered at same GP
No living or adopted children
Have been non smokers for 6 months prior to referral
BMI 19-29 for 6 months prior to referral (female)
BM1 under 35 for 6 months prior to referral (male)
Woman aged between 30-35 yrs
Men under 55
Stable 3yr relationship
Have regular unprotected intercourse for 3 years prior to referral within same stable relationship.

It also says the clinical definition of infertility is 2 years of unprotected intercourse and that patients should not be referred before that.

I will update again when I have any news

Thanks for that Repunsal!

2-3 years, omg so just in time for any prospect of natural fertility to fall off a cliff. Marvellous. Let's hope my PHCT is nicer than yours. My GP appt is next Thurs.

Pinki it's worth looking into your area obviously they are all different but you may be pleasantly surprised. Let us know how you get on at your appointment good luck! The doctor rang me today with what she has found out, firstly my husband has to pop into surgery to collect the letter and his sample pot for the sperm specimen then apparently we have to ring hospital and tell them we are bringing it in as they won't accept it without an appointment. At our hospital they do it on a tuesday and as its about 50 odd miles away has to be kept warm on the journey and next to skin! I have also made my appointment for my 21 day test which is actually going to end up being a 23 day test due to the Easter weekend. Once we get the results back,within a week for both then we get a choose and book appointment at the clinic phew what a lot going on! Think that us all for now.

Just to say the NICE guidelines are definitely referral after a year. www.nice.org.uk/usingguidance/referraladvice/detail.jsp?action=raByGuidance&guidanceId=10936

I think the more restrictive criteria would apply only for IUI/IVF. Lots of fertility stuff should be available to a wider range.

I'll definitely be asking for a referral if I'm not pregnant after a year.

Oh LadyMedea! Thank you for your post. I feel so much better prepared for GP visit now!

Pinki,

re this part of your comment:-

"Could you let us know how you get on? I've been told by others that you need to be TTC 18 months and be using OPK's before they will do anything"

Not so at all. Referral should be made after a year according to NICE guidelines.

OPKs can be beset with problems and are not worth using particularly in the event that the menstrual cycle is irregular.

"I had an ovary issue in my teens, so maybe like you they will test me at the very least"

This needs to be mentioned.

Hope all goes well for you, good luck xxx

Repunsel

Your H would be better off doing the sample at the hospital rather than carrying the pot all that way. Semen samples deteriorate rapidly and it may not be fit for testing by the time it arrives there.

Such testing as well is often repeated, GP should refer you rather than mess you around like this.

Repsunsal just to say I also had a tube removed in my teens due to it being twisted and I have DC1 with another on the way. It is possible! It took us a long time to conceive both pregnancies (18 months and 2 years) but that is because you only have half the chance of someone with 2 tubes. We went through 2 cycles of failed IVF before conceiving DC1 naturally and DC2 with Letrozole. Good luck and keep trying! (I know it becomes a trial!!)

Jen thanks for you post made for uplifting reading, it goes to show there is hope for us 'one tubers'!

Yes indeed! I am also polycystic and have a blood clotting disorder. Miracles do happen :)