Ttc 12 months 37 time for referral

[Pambo81]

Hi

Just after a bit of advice from people who've been at this stage so i know what to expect.

My doctor said that as im 37 once ive been trying for a year he'd refer me to a specialist. Years up now so I'll be making an appointment to see my doctor next week - what will normally happen next? How long does a referral take?
At what stage should my partner have his sperm tested?
Would also just love to chat to any ladies currently about to head to this next stage so we can support each other

Bump

I went to the GP after 18 months TTC and she organised blood tests and an ultrasound for me, and a sperm test for DH.

All were complete within 4 weeks, and then we were referred to the fertility clinic, just waiting for that appointment now.

Sadly the tests show we are very, very unlikely to conceive but I'm so glad to have some answers. Good luck with your journey, I hope you get good news!

@Enta

Thanks for sharing with me - i hope your appointment comes quickly and that there is some hope for you in your journey to conceive. May ivf still be an option?

Thanks Pambo, unfortunately IVF wouldn't be an option so it's looking like it could be the end of the TTC road for us.

I'm trying to keep positive and accept it, but I'm going through the anger/its-not-fair stage first. And of course my cousin just announced her pregnancy - conceived by accident while she was on the pill - I'm delighted for her, she'll be a fab mum, but the timing is cosmically cruel!

I'm glad you've got the ball rolling, hopefully your GP will order the first stage of tests (your bloods will be taken cycle days 1-3 & again a week after ovulation to check hormone levels) so at least you can cross a few things off the worry-list! Do you have any DC or are you trying for your first?

They do say it can take an average, fertile couple at least 12 months so definitely don't think the worst yet! Plus 37 is still young, my friend just had her second son at 38 and she was one of the younger mums her midwife was looking after x

Hiya; we have been trying for around 12 months now and have just started the ball rolling to get referred. OH had 2 sperm analysts done; first was slightyl abnormal; second was completely fine. So I’ve got to have a blood test for losts of things & day 21 bloods too. He thinks because my OH sperm is hit and miss this is why it could be taking a while and then hopefully il be ok (fingers crossed!) we have questionnaires to fill out too.
Please let me know how you get on; would be lovely to have some support from someone at similar stages to me. It’s very scary

@Enta it must be hard to be positive at this stage and noone could blame you for being angry. Is your other half being supportive?
No other children _ TTC my first. Thanks for the encouragement - there does seem to be more and more older parents everywhere.
Hi @GreyC fingers crossed for you! When will you have your blood tests ? Me and my partner have different medical practices. Will he need to go to his doctor desperately to get tested?

That should say separately to get tested!

We have the same doctor; so I’m not sure. Maybe get him to go for an appointment and ask.
I’m hoping going in 2 weeks for one blood test then my 21 day one next month (when I can get the time off) my OH had his done before i had even gone to the doctors

Hi @Pambo81, we went to the GP after 12 months (November) and they started the ball rolling with tests. I had cd1-5 and cd21 blood tests, plus ultrasound and triple swabs. Dh was referred for sperm analysis. He ended up going privately for that as the NHS wait was 5 months (he's still got it booked for March). The GP should have sent our referral off now waiting to hear from the fertility clinic. The GP said the clinic will likely want to re-do all the tests when they see us 🙄

My scan showed up fibroids potentially blocking my tubes but without all the other test results the GP couldn't refer us hence dh going private. Its a long time waiting. Its looking likely we will need an intervention but what we don't know yet. My bloods were fine, dh SA was fine, slightly below on motility but he had a very high count. He's started wellman supplements so hopefully that will help him.

We're on cycle 16 now. It's exhausting still hoping but the longer it goes on the more despondent I get. Fingers crossed for you

Well good luck @GreyC - keep us updated!

Hi @VenusStarr wow! Cant believe its a 5 month waut for the sperm analysis! Thats crazy but we definetely need to get moving on that front then!
Sorry to hear about your fibroids - i hope your clinic date comes through soon and that there is lots they can do to help you. Its hard not to feel down about it the more time goes on - fingers crossed for you too!