If I can't get pregnant, what happens next?

[Greyhorses]

Feeling very negative at the moment so please forgive the moaning.

I have been off the pill for 2 years, not preventing pregnancy for 6 months (ie waiting to see what happens!) and then actively trying for 6 months after that, so not using contraception for a year at least.

I started off thinking it would happen when it happened but we are now trying most things including ovulation tests.

I have ovulated every month according to the test and we have dtd before, during and after ovulation at least every 2nd day sometimes more, which is difficult as we work shifts and often have to plan to meet inbetween shifts! I have long cycles of around 30-35days.

Every month I get symptoms. For example this month I ovulated cd17, now on cd32 and have had cramping for 3days, sore breasts etc so had hope but the cramps have worsened and this is typical of AF being on it's way. I had hope but now know it's definatley Af and I am now sat waiting for it to arrive.

So, what happens now? Do I make an appt with the GP? Do we go together or seperately and what do we ask for? Or is there something else we should try first?

We have time on our side, I am 25 and DP is 30 however we are desperate to have a family. It seems so unfair, we both have good careers, own our own home, have savings etc etc yet it just isn't happening! Two of my best friends are pregnant which has put more pressure on I think as I want to join in so badly.

Any words of wisdom would be much appreciated

Go to the GP. The first thing they'll do is arrange blood tests to check your progesterone levels at different points in your cycle. Good luck

You've been trying for a year so there's nothing stopping you getting tests. Make an appointment with your GP.

Go see your gp, get bloods done and get in the system. What is your luteal phase? You should both see your gps, if you are at the same surgery go together.

You say your doing opks, make sure you are dtd for at least three days after a positive. Remember a positive opk means you will ovulate up to 2 days later!

Thank you. I will speak to Dp about being tested too. We go to different surgeries (registered in different towns before we lived together and it's hard to get re registered here) so would have to go seperately.

I currently ovulate anything from 17dpo to 23dpo. My cycle length can be anything from 30-35days. I am not always 100% regular and never have been

Sorry cd17-cd23, head isn't working today!

I feel your pain, in a similar situation here! I went to the GP after a year and he didn't bother doing any tests for me(as they do them at fertility clinic anyway), sent dp for a sperm test and referred us to the fertility clinic. Dp had to work so GP gave me the forms/pot for him. It didn't matter that he wasn't there but probably because we have the same doctor.
It has made me feel a bit more positive, in that at least I have been proactive. I'm hoping not to need the appointment.

Also - ovulation kits don't tell you that ovulation has happened, they tell you that you have had the lh surge which indicates ovulation is about to occur. You can have the sure and not ovulate. You can start temping if you want to be sure you are.

Good luck!

Sorry I didn't reply to this sooner.

Today I tested on the off chance and got BFP. Totally in shock and worried as I am cramping badly, I really hope this isn't a bad sign!

Haha often the way! Congratulations cramping is completely normal, which is why pg symptoms are confused with AF and vice versa.

I had a dull ache for 2 weeks after BFP which was sometimes proper cramping. As long as there's no bleeding, it's normal as your uterus stretches. If it's really bad and I think on one side, it can be a sign or ectopic, but you'd have to ask someone else for those symptoms.

Congratulations!

Thank you to both of you

I have already got a GP appointment for 'fertility' so that will come in handy!

Congratulations. I got my BFP just after I'd been to the GP and had my bloods done