Just made appointment to see gynaecologist to find out why I'm not pregnant yet

[Terramirabilis]

Title says it all really. Only took four months first time. This time, six months and no dice. I'm also having really long cycles which I read online could mean I'm not ovulating. Anyone know what to expect from a first appointment with a gynae for someone in my situation?

Lots of blood work & scans. Possibly spearm analysis of your OH.

Sorry but what happens the first time has no bearing on what happens in the future, and six months really is nothing. I wouldn't panic yet. You do need to check you're ovulating though but that can be done at gp surgery.

I would panic yet. I got pregnant within 2/3 month with my first 4. My fifth took me 2 years.

I'd also say that 6 months is far too soon to panic (and I say that as someone who panicked a lot at 6 months!). It is very common for it to take 1-2 years to conceive naturally. That said, it never hurts to have some basic tests done, both you and your other half, if only to put your mind at ease. Good luck!

6 months is no time at all. And no time spent trying to conceive will be the same.

I have PCOS and it took 20 months for my first. When we began trying for our second we had prepared ourselves for a long wait and it happened in 3 months.

I was under the impression at least couples should have spent 1-2 years trying before investigations would happen depending on individual circumstances/age etc.

You will have blood tests but these should be carried out on certain cycle days (3 and 21 if I remember correctly), possibly a scan and your OH should have a semen check too.

But really, try and relax, 6 months is not in itself a concern.

Unless you are over 35 or going private, the NHS won't start any investigations until at least 12 months (or more in some cases like mine :()

About 80% of couples should expect to conceive in a year and about 95% in two years.

I was devastated when they ran my thyroid tests at 11 months ttc (history of thyroid issues) and everything was ok...

They've told me to try for another 12 months (been ttc since last April) because I had a chemical last cycle. They said it showed I can get pregnant...

Ttc is shit but no reason for you to freak out after 6 months.

Are you going to a private doctor? In my area you have to be trying for 12 months or more for them to even start investigating. I'm also 6 months in and feeling fed up, so I know how you feel, even though I know it's still perfectly normal at this stage. Good luck!

I'm in the US and my health insurance allows me to go straight to a specialist without a referral. TBH it is more normal here to just go to a gynae for women's issues rather than bothering your family doctor. I would only see my family doctor for very basic stuff like a smear test. Those people here who are fortunate to have good health insurance would laugh in your face if you suggested that after they - or their employer - shell out thousands of dollars for coverage, they should then wait a year or more before seeing someone about any concerns. Once you turn patients into consumers, they expect to get something for their money.

I'm actually not anxious about my situation - I hope this explanation clears up that in this country it's very normal to be proactive about seeking help with a health concern early on, and not an indicator that I'm terribly worried. There's a different mentality among patients here.

I'm also 36 so the clock is ticking which makes me more inclined to seek help earlier.

I was just interested to know more about what might happen at an initial appointment, that was all.

As you are operating under a different medical system, it probably won't look exactly like it would look in the UK.

But vaguely, they may do an examination, ultrasound, take bloods, sperm analysis and then proceed accordingly depending on results. Or they might not do any of that??