GP appt tomorrow

[Lucie99]

Bit of background:

Took five years to conceive our first child. During this time we had various investigations which all concluded unexplained infertility.

DS is now 3.8yrs. We had a miscarriage three years ago.

I'm turning Forty the year.

We've not used contraception since the miscarriage but no further pregnancy.

I feel time is now running out so I'm off to see the GP tomorrow to talk about options. I'd like her to prescribe Clomid.

Do you have any advice on what I should be saying/requesting?

I've tracked my cycles throughout so can share this info if necessary.

We desperately want a second child.

Thanks

Lucie

Do not, under any circumstances, have clomiphene from your GP. It is a very specialist drug and you need to see someone who knows what they are doing. If you take it and there isn't anything "wrong" then you can actually reduce your chances of conceiving.

Firstly you need a referral to a specialist unit. Unfortunately as you have a child you won't be eligible for NHS funded IVF etc, but there may be other treatments hat you can have.

Whilst you are waiting for an appointment from he hospital you need to have some bloods done. Between day 2 and day 5 of your cycle (day 1 is the first day of full flow) you need to have your lh, fsh, oestradiol and testosterone tested. 7 days before the expected onset of a period (so if you have a 28 day cycle this needs to be day 21) you need to have your progesterone tested. You should also have tests of chlamydia and rubella (these are standard) and, ideally, a pelvic ultrasound.

I know you've had these tests before, but if nothing else you should have your hormone levels checked. Thing can change in 4 years, so you need to make sure that these are still ok.

Please please, get thee to a hospital specialist. Even though you aren't entitled to the more expensive treatments, you are still entitled to specialist opinion etc. GPs are generally very good at what they do, but please don't go down the clomid route with them - please. It could actually do more harm than good.

Good luck x

Actually it would also be worth DH having another semen analysis. Again, just in case, just to make sure that all remains as it was

I'm not sure if a GP is able to prescribe clomid, did you take this to help conceive your DS? It will only help if there is a problem with ovulation, and I think you should ask for the fertility tests to be repeated so that you can have the appropriate treatment. It may be that IVF is your best option and as time isn't on your side I would be tempted to ask for a referral to a private clinic as I don't think the NHS will fund you for ivf because you already have a child. If you are prepared to wait a bit then you might be able to save yourself some money by having the investigations done by the NHS.

Thanks all.

GP can't prescribe clomid. I had 21 day bloods taken today plus liver function, rubella and various other bloods (four virals) going back for vaginal swabs next week and more bloods on CD3. Husband has been given pot to provide semen sample for analysis and when the results are back we'll be referred to a private clinic for next steps.