Going to enquire about fertility tests

[catlover1987]

After a year of trying, we've taken the plunge and have a dr's appointment on thurs to enquire about having some tests done. In the last year, a friend has had a baby and 3 other friends are now pregnant. Feeling a bit sorry for myself today. I just don't understand why it's happened for them and not me. Hopefully we'll now start the journey to getting some answers. Not really sure why I'm posting. Just needing a hand hold I think. Thanks for reading x

Aww good luck , I hope theres baby dust heading your way soon!

Hi Cat, go with an idea of what outcome you want. I'd suggest you'd want to be referred for hormone tests to check you're ovulating and your OH for sperm analysis. Some GPs will refer you for an ultrasound (mine did not but I had day 3 and day 21 blood tests). Also go prepared with details of your cycle, how long, is it regular, have you used ovulation kits or looked out for signs yourself. I have spotting every month before AF properly starts and now that I'm at fertility clinic stage it has been relevant. Anyway I know you just wanted a hand hold but hope a bit of practical advice helps.

Hi JeNe out of interest what did they say about you spotting before af properly starts?

Hi Stick, not that it's the same for everyone but it looks like in my case I don't always ovulate even though cycle is regular (29-31 days). I had day 21 blood tests done twice, once the score was 24 which is a "might have ovulated" and another time it was 47 which is indicative of ovulation (over 30 is good).
I'm currently on Clomid with a view to this making me ovulate every month. Will havr another test to see if it has improved things.

The spotting could be progesterone dipping too soon, I have another appointment in September so will see what else can be done if it is the problem.
Plenty of women with spotting get pregnant but if you've been trying a while it is worth mentioning it to your doctor or consultant.

I'm thinking about going for tests soon going to wait a few more months then if no BFP I'm going to book

Thank you for the info though and really good luck to you!

Thanks all and thanks for sharing your experience JeNe. I've been tracking my cycle for a while now and hopefully have all the info they'll need. My cycle is fairly regular and I've had positive opks consistently on CD 14 so we'll see what they say. I have a fear of blood tests so not looking forward to that, but hopefully will be worth it.

That's interesting about your spotting by the way. This month I had a lot of spotting a few days before AF properly came on, which is quite unusual for me.

Good luck Stick, hoping you get BFP before long.

Cat I used Clearblue OPK for 6 cycles and always got peak but consultant said it proves the hormone surge happens, which is good, but it's not proof that I've ovulated. I ditched the OPKs for a while, going to try the cheap ones this cycle and temp which I never tried until 2 weeks ago, it was interesting to see the temp dip as the spotting started.
I will emphasise though not to worry that you've had spotting, the last thing you need is extra stress. I'd never really thought much of it, just thought I had a long period but the experts seem to agree that CD1 is first day of proper blood flow. I bleed for about 4/5 days before that every month so I had not known what counted as CD1. You don't learn this in school when they're saying you could get pregnant from a sidewards glance from a boy!

Meant to say with the blood test, tell them you're nervous and if really bad ask if you can lie down rather than sit. I used to be nervous but an unrelated issue meant I got used to them. I still don't look at the needle though. Good luck.

Thanks for the advice everyone. Just back from drs. Getting my day 21 bloods done tomorrow (will actually be day 20 so hope it's accurate) and my DH has been asked to do give a semen sample. She's referring us to the fertility clinic straight away but the waiting list is 4-6 months, so getting the preliminary tests out of the way in the meantime. She was lovely and I needn't have worried. Just have to get the blood test out the way without passing out now!

catlover I massively sympathise, I'm a terrible needle wuss. So many people are, just be totally honest and as already suggested you can always lie down if it helps. My other tips are: drink loads today - getting really well hydrated makes things easier. And secondly take something sugary in your handbag - I usually take a bit of chocolate or something. A nice treat for after, plus if I do feel a bit on the queasy side a nibble of chocolate really helps me. It's normal to be nervous, but you'll be fine

TryingToStayRational thank you so much for your advice. I'm just back and it went well! The nurse managed to get blood out of my arm first time (normally I'm so nervous my veins just collapse and they have to try my hand.) I ate a cereal bar afterwards and actually feel ok. Just the wait for the results now...

Well done you! Great positive step :-)

Thank you! That's so kind of you x

Well I got my day 21 blood results today and have been told they are 'equivocal.' I'm assuming that means ambiguous or borderline? The receptionist wasn't particularly helpful! Have to go back next month for a repeat test.

Strange word to use! I'd be tempted to ask if you could have a quick chat with a doctor about it - do your practice offer telephone appointments? I got one from my GP and he explained the numbers in a few minutes, which I found really helpful. Try not to worry, it's normal to have occasional cycles without ovulation, plus ovulation timing can vary from month to month, so a single borderline result doesn't necessarily mean anything. Plus there is lots that can be done to help if you do have any ov problems.

Cat this was us about 10 months ago. We're now further down the line, have had an HSG and I've tried clomid too and waiting for IVF. Can completely sympathise with friends getting pregnant around you and thinking why me? Well done getting the ball rolling though and good luck to you. Taking up to a year is totally normal and you could have a nice natural surprise BFP any month.

Jamon, thank you for taking the time to reply and I really hope the ivf works for you. My dr won't prescribe me clomid as my bmi is too high, so working hard to lose weight at the moment in case I need it. But perhaps it won't come to that, time will tell. Off to a baby shower today, which will be difficult but you can't avoid pregnant women and babies forever can you?x

Sorry my post should have read 20 months! We're coming up to two years TTC. Hope you're doing well and the baby shower was okay.

Hi, I'm at same stage of testing but arranged for doctors appointment for when results came back to talk me through them. This was helpful as it was all explained to me. Perhaps worthwhile for you?