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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

TTC for 2 years...what can I do?!

26 replies

strawberry2014 · 31/05/2014 17:46

Hi. I am 29 and my husband 30 we have been together for 8 years and we have decided to have a baby. After trying for 18 months I went to the doctor and had different tests and my husband as well and all came as normal. Now its been 2 years and still not pregnant. the doctors at the hospital told me last time that the next step would be IVF. Is there anything else I can do?!

OP posts:
jessplussomeonenew · 31/05/2014 18:09

Strawberry, what tests have you had done? There are some tests (AMH, hycosy/hsg) which aren't generally offered straight away but should be done before IVF.

(Not sure if a positive story helps, but we finally got a natural bfp after just over 2 years unexplained IF, a cycle or so after hycosy and a few weeks before we were due to go back to clinic for IVF!)

IneedaBFP · 31/05/2014 18:33

Hi strawberry I'm in the same boat as you been ttc 18 months had all the tests all clear my hubby's however came back 12% Mobility but they said it won't affect us ttc! I'm using the clear blue advanced fertilely monitor this month for the first time so fingers crossed!

I know how you feel, have you tired any of the monitors yet?

Original poster
strawberry2014 · 31/05/2014 18:36

Hi I did the hycosy, ultrasound scan , blood tests , my husband did sperm test and all came back normal nothing wrong. I always thought conception was way to easy for my sisters so for me it's taking time .i don't know if there is anything else that can be done. Thanks for your help;)

OP posts:
Original poster
strawberry2014 · 31/05/2014 18:38

Hi IneedaBFP I tried once those fertility strips and nothing happened after so I was dissappointed and didn't buy anymore of those. Not sure is it helps.

OP posts:
IneedaBFP · 31/05/2014 18:43

Hi yeah I tired the strips and thought they where useless too, the monitor is different it uses sticks like pregnancy tests to test for your fertile window. They are expensive tho Sad

Original poster
strawberry2014 · 31/05/2014 18:52

If only these monitors weren't so expensive , and even if you see it as an investment it might be useless. It might work for some .

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littlegreengloworm · 31/05/2014 18:54

Strawberry, we didn't bother with the monitor but dtd everyday from day ten until next period due date.

That was after a long time trying 18 months an it worked.

Might be worth a go.

Original poster
strawberry2014 · 31/05/2014 19:00

Thanks let's try that ... I have done it before and nothing happened , let's just keep trying .

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threepiecesuite · 31/05/2014 19:12

Strawberry, I'm the same except we have one dd who is 4. Now unexplained infertility for 2.5 years. I'm taking lots of vitamins, living cleanly etc just so I feel like I'm doing something.

It's very hard, I'm very down about it. Feel as though life is passing me by.Sad

Original poster
strawberry2014 · 31/05/2014 20:52

You can't imagine how I feel. My Inlaws have been asking me for a baby for years ... How frustrating when people keep asking when are u planning to have a baby bla bla they have no idea and it's the first. At least you already have one. I am taking vitamins , stopped drinking, eating healthy but still nothing ....

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threepiecesuite · 31/05/2014 22:56

I've heard some very good things about Pre-seed and Conceive Plus but haven't had success with either myself.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 01/06/2014 08:55

Who carried out these tests and were any of these done within the last six months?. Any test result done over six months ago should be discounted, both of you need up to date test results.

Unexplained is infact no diagnosis at all; all this means is that they have failed to find out what is wrong. Semen analysis should always be done more than once, that way subtle abnormalities in motility and morphology can be seen properly. It may be that actually you as a couple have not been adequately investigated. They are probably thinking male factor issues if IVF has been mentioned.

I would ask the GP to re-refer you back to another NHS unit because it is fair to say that some of them are far better than others. Do you yourselves feel that you as a couple have been adequately investigated?.

Original poster
strawberry2014 · 01/06/2014 11:39

I think they have done all the tests needed and it was done In January .I will go back to the Gp in July after my holidays so that they refer me back to the fertility clinic. I had all the tests done at the hospital nothing wrong was found , they didn't suggest any more tests to be done , they said that's it now just wait and see is it happens naturally if not I need to be referred back to them. Only Ivf was suggested.

OP posts:
threepiecesuite · 01/06/2014 12:10

Just to lift the thread ever so slightly, I have 3 friends who had unexplained infertility and did get pregnant naturally in the end.

Original poster
strawberry2014 · 01/06/2014 17:35

Fingers crossed. Hope it all turn out to be as natural as possible.

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AttilaTheMeerkat · 01/06/2014 19:29

"I had all the tests done at the hospital nothing wrong was found , they didn't suggest any more tests to be done , they said that's it now just wait and see is it happens naturally if not I need to be referred back to them".

TTC without success for two years suggests that there is a problem with either one or equally both of you contributing to the overall subfertility.

Do you feel that as a couple you have been thoroughly enough investigated?. It is often the case that some tests are missed off. Were you both tested at the same time?.

My guess is that not all the tests were actually done and that something fundamental has been missed here. Its a poor show on their part and now you have to wait again.

Original poster
strawberry2014 · 01/06/2014 19:51

Honestly I don't know if there were other tests that could tell me more , we were tested weeks apart. I don't know if when we get referred back to the clinic they will do it again . Does anyone know if IUI if can still be done by the NHS and if it works ??? My husband used to work with a lady that had this done and it worked a few years ago, her husband had some problems . I don't know if it's still sound on the NHS . It's seems less invasive than IVF. I am already going nuts and thinking about alternatives .

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Butler4 · 01/06/2014 20:16

Attila your comment is wrong about there having to be an issue with either the op or their partner. I know many couples who have had unexplained fertility issues and have taken longer to conceive and it has not been because there was something wrong!

I only have hsg to go but all our tests have come back and the consultant I saw said that this can often happen so your comments are misleading.

jessplussomeonenew · 01/06/2014 20:28

Strawberry, the NHS does do iui in some places, but I seem to recall for unexplained IF it's not considered to be much better than well-timed trying naturally so it's not really recommended so much any more, unless there's a specific problem they think it should be able to help with.

Whiteshoes · 01/06/2014 20:55

Hi. I was unexplained until my ivf clinic tested for blood clotting issues and that, third, round of ivf worked for us. However, I also got pregnant with dc2 without ivf after being treated for asymptomatic slightly underactive thyroid. In fact, my ivf clinic now tests everyone who comes through the door for thyroid issues.

That's all just a unnecessary preamble to say it's worth getting your thyroid tested and for fertility you need a tsh under 2.5, which many gps d don't seem to know.

Good luck.

Original poster
strawberry2014 · 01/06/2014 20:57

Yeah I read somewhere that the chances os working were the same as trying naturally . I was just curious because it worked with someone I know , but I guess it depends on each one circumstances .

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Original poster
strawberry2014 · 01/06/2014 21:03

I think I when I had blood tests done my thyroid was checked and it was fine but blood cloths I had no idea. I guess a lot of things we are not totally aware of and the doctors at the Gp have very little time to say anything in 10 minutes .

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threepiecesuite · 01/06/2014 21:10

Blimey I've just looked at the symptoms of underactive thyroid and I have every one. I need to find out if it was tested for in my blood tests. Is it usually?

Grittzio · 01/06/2014 21:16

Hi, having had unexplained infertility for 6 years, 2nd round IVF resulted in DS, 3 years later after using no contraception conceived DD, prior to 6 mths conceiving her I suffered with back trouble on and off for years and seeked help from chiropractor, she found my pelvis out of alignment, which would also explain horrendous birth with DS. I didn't go to her to get pregnant but thinking about it now just maybe my pelvis being out would result in my tubes being out. I don't think there is a lot of research to support this but I truly believe my chiropractor helped me and seeing your post wanted to share this with you. I seeked all sorts of alternative therapy each one thinking it was going to help me, it's a tough time, one I still dwell on even though I have 2DC, I hope it happens for you soon. Good luck x

Whiteshoes · 02/06/2014 20:36

Threepiece, it wasn't tested by the nhs in my experience as part of their fertility checks. Worth a look.

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