What to expect at GP appointment re possible fertility issues?

[BadHatHarry]

DH and I have been ttc for a year now with no luck so I have booked an appointment with GP for next Friday and just wondering if anyone can shed any light on what I should expect. Will the GP ask many questions and do any tests or just put a referral in to see a consultant, if they are going to arrange tests then does DH need to be there or can they arrange them for him on just my say so?

I've been quite relaxed about the whole ttc thing until now but booking the appointment seems to have made it a real possibility in my head that there may be problems and I'm getting a bit anxious. I'm hoping that understanding a bit about what's likely to happen will get me to chill out a bit.

IIRC they'll ask how long you've been trying, what your cycles are like and how frequently you're BDing etc.
They'll arrange blood tests for you to see if you're ovulating (day 3 and day 21 depending on the length if your cycles) and they may also arrange sperm testing for your OH.
I know some docs do things differently and it can also depend on your age. When we had our testing done the GP said they normally wait 2 years but she did the tests for us anyway as my cycles were irregular (it had been a year at that point).
Good luck!

Thanks Geordie
I am a bit concerned they'll send us away to try for longer as can't find anything online about the criteria for our area. My cycles have been irregular though (anything from 21 to 35 days!) so hopefully they'll be kind to us

Have you noted down your cycles? I had to get blood tests done first (Day 2 and 21, I think?), and your DH will likely be asked for a sperm test. Only then will you be referred to the fertility clinic.

They normally want you to have tried a year.

I've been tracking my cycles and when we've DTD since I came off the pill last January, the past couple of months I've used Clear Blue OPK (the dual hormone one) and got peak fertility sign on that so hopeful that I am ovulating but I'm getting niggling doubts now as it's been a year.

It's not helped by the fact that none of my blood related aunts have had children, obviously I don't know the reasons why but I'm sure all but one of them would have wanted to and it didn't happen so concerned there may be some hereditary issues (rationally I realise this is ridiculous as clearly my closest female relation ie my DM managed it!)

Depending on your age for how long you've been trying they'll send you for 'cycle monitoring' - various appointments at different points during the month.

This was pretty much immediate for me as it had been about a year and I was 30 at that point - although that doesn't seem too old to me!

What I would say is get your DH to make an appointment at the same time as you. Our issue turned out to be entirely male factor which we could never have predicted and it was severe enough for us to get referred to fertility clinic straight away.

Ps. I'm not sure if they can make appointments for your DH just on your instruction - wouldn't have thought so.

Can I ask where you are? We're on the waiting list for the assisted conception unit at Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

TTC for 12 months when we went to the GP. DH came with me to the appointment as it's a "couple" issue. GP ordered day 21 bloods for me and semen analysis for DH. It helped that we were both registered at the same surgery.

We're now waiting...and waiting. We were sent a letter telling us the criteria for IVF (still hopeful it won't come to that!). I phoned them (mostly to be nosy about waiting times!). According to the hospital, the waiting list to see the specialist was 4/5 months and we would receive notice 6 weeks before our appointment. So far, no news, so it looks like we'll have waited at least 6 months by the time we get to the specialist.

Sorry to hijack thread - baggyb I'd prepare to wait much longer than that for the GRI. For us it was almost 2 years

If you can afford it, I'd highly recommend Gcrm. Pm me if you want any other info.

And a and some for everyone. Ttc and not succeeding is totally, 100% shit.

I was sent for blood tests to check hormones.
Had a scan to check ovaries.
Have a hcg test in a few weeks. To check fallopian tubes.
Partner has sperm test in a few weeks.

I went to the doctors in September for first time so so far its been almost four months.

Trooper; I am! they said the waiting time for IVF is currently 36 months at the RI but that an initial consultation was 4/5 months. They were very clear that if IVF is required it's a whole separate waiting list and you go straight to the bottom! If it turns out that's the only option, we may go privately. If it's not too personal can I ask, has your treatment been a success?

I'm in Surrey baggyb so quite a way from you! Fertility treatment isn't even mentioned on our local hospital website so no idea where they'll send us or how long it'll take.

I was thinking that DH should come along, and he is very willing to, but wasn't sure if GP would frown upon as there are signs up in waiting room saying appointments are for one person only. Guess he can still come in even if he has to book his own appointment to arrange for his tests.

and gratefully received Troopers. I'd go for some too but I'm sure one of the first things GP will suggest is that I lose weight so best not!

I was asked very little.

Sent for blood tests on day 2 and day 21. Asked to send in my husband to arrange a sperm test.

They all came back normal so at the second appointment, we were referred to the fertility clinic at out local hospital.

You can find general NICE guidelines on the interweb. The local policies really matter when it comes to fertility treatment funding (postcode lottery nonsense).