TTC for 1 year +

[FlapJackered]

Does anyone want to join?

I have been TTC #1 for 15 months and had a MC at 8 weeks in February.
I am off to the GP tomorrow to try and get a referral to a reproductive endocrinologist.
Tried every trick and tip and old wives tale in the book to get a bfp!
It would be good to have a group of longer term ttcers to chat to.

Ah, I've just read the rest of this thread. @FlapJackered looks like we are in exactly the same boat! I didn't realise morphology was a thing! Sorry to hear this for you too xx

Hey ladies, so glad I found you!

Will be 2 years next month for us 😔 we’ve decided not to go to the GP though - I’d rather live with the hope it might happen one day than known for sure it won’t. And I don’t want IVF so it’s keep trying!

We’re quite chilled about it all, only tracking on ovia no opk or supplements or anything. And just dtd whenever we want (although I always secretly make sure we do it once or twice through fertile days!)

I’ve had a lot of harsh abdominal surgery since I had DD so I think that’s where my problems lie.

AF due again next Thursday but we can hope!

Good luck all

@FlapJackered sorry to hear about your DH. Didn't he have a SA before?

I just had a fertility clinic appointment on Monday, they're doing the blood tests, including the day 3 tests (convenient coincidence), DH had SA done this morning since it's been a while since the last one. Don't know any of the results yet but will have another appointment hopefully next week. He immediately said that Clomid is worthless and if you're ovulating without it, it does no good. Had ultrasound done as well, I guess my uterus is normally shaped and he could see a lot of eggs in the ovaries. Why am I not pregnant...

@Ilikeyourbeard welcome!

So we had our consultation at the fertility clinic today and it was really stressful. They were half an hour late seeing us and then my DH's results weren't on the system for some reason, even though the test was two weeks ago. He had to do another sample then and there and then we waited while they they tested it. That turned out normal luckily! My results were normal too but we were warned AMH is on the low side (10.9) so I may not have many eggs left. They recommended trying for another 6 months, then testing AMH again and if it's gone down at all we may need to go straight to IVF.

I'm feeling really down now because from what I read 10.9 really is low for my age (31). Also AMH is meant to be a good indicator of the likelihood of successful IVF.

Do any of you have any experience with AMH?

@Ilikeyourbeard Welcome! Sorry to hear about the abdominal surgery. I had a laparotomy in 2013 which was horrendous.

@FlapJackered, @PineappleC, they initially said my DH's morphology was 2%. But when they retested (because the motility and concentration results were missing) it was 4%. We're wondering if it's to do with length of abstinence. When we got 2% we'd had 4 days abstinence, and no days for the 4% result. Obviously that's pure speculation though...

@PineappleC doctors are so annoying I had to constantly chase my gps for results. I didn’t know you could log on and see them?

Did your gp just refer you to the fertility clinic after trying for 12 months? My gp said he won’t as my Husbands sperm results were normal and so were my bloods apart from the TSH level. He said to wait a further 6/7 months as no reason why it shouldn’t happen.

Also any thoughts on fertility acupuncture? I’ve been researching last couple days.

@RosettaR sorry to hear you’re feeling down. I know how you feel these last 2 months I’ve felt the worst I’ve ever felt! Literally can’t stop thinking about it all the test results etc.

@Mrs71 glad to see you're feeling better about it all and less stressed. Where are you off to on holiday?

@bunhead34 it does take a long time. We got the ok from the GP for a referral for the nhs clinic in May and still haven't had our appointment yet. I think it can be pretty quick though so hopefully it will be quicker for you.
I definitely recommend temping for a few cycles as it is good to see exactly when you ovulate, fertility friend app is good for monitoring it.
The first SA he had 5% morphology so it has gone down, but it's this with the sperm antibodies I am worried about, but not sure how bad it all is, we will just have to wait and talk to the consultant.

@PineappleC Yes exactly the same morphology, except my DH also has these sperm antibodies which don't sound good. What was your DH's sperm count, as I think if the count is good the morphology isn't so much of a problem. I have been doing A LOT of googling and there are lots of success stories with low morphology. I am just throwing everything at it, we have changed all our soaps etc to natural ones and DH has pretty much given up alcohol and reduced cycling so I hope that helps.
Have you got an appointment to discuss the results?

@Ilikeyourbeard Welcome and sorry to hear you're in the same boat, that is great you are remaining zen about it all.

@KatBeCool Great to hear from you lovely!
That sounds really positive from the consultant although I know what you mean when there is nothing wrong it's like there are no answers to why it's not happening. I felt like that after our first appointment and actually felt a bit angry with him! Now it seems DHs sperm is the problem it is not great but it does feel like we know where we are.
He did have a SA about a year ago. His morphology was 5% then so still not great but they weren't worried as his count was high. Now it's at 2% and they tested for sperm antibodies which was 53% we have to wait until 6th August to know if this is bad news but I have had all the tests bar an hsg so I think it must be that. 🤷🏼‍♀️

@RosettaR I am so sorry you have had such a rubbish day. They sound useless and so frustrating to have to do the SA again.
I just had my AMH done too and did a bit of research. From looking online it does seem to split opinion as it can vary quite a lot from test to test and on its own doesn't seem to be a great indicator. I think they look at FSH with AMH to get an idea of egg quality. Was your FSH Ok? I know it is hard but try not to worry too much, 10 is a bit low but isn't very low. Have you had all the tests done now?

@Mrs71 I was very sceptical about acupuncture but I ovulated 5 days earlier after having it once so I am definitely a convert now. It is expensive though!

@FlapJackered I don't know my FSH but I was going to ask for all the results I writing. My antral follicle count was low too (8). The doctor didn't mention that and I only just googled it but 8 seems to be really low, so means a low chance of IVF success. I feel hopeless.

@RosettaR yes it’s a bitch isn’t it? I had my section then 8 weeks later had a left colectomy, which wasn’t working, so had a right colectomy a day later, resulting in a sub total colectomy and a permanent ileostomy. I basically only have a rectum left which is also due to come out, but my surgeon giving me time to have another baby first as it will be more difficult to carry after.

@FlapJackered I’m looking into I will call around some places on Monday. How much was roughly per session do you know? I’m willing to give anything a go at this stage. I’ve read a lot of success stories on acupuncture for fertility. We’re off to the states as can’t go anywhere with Zita virus! So annoying it’s like putting your whole life on hold.

@RosettaR If it's 10.9 AMH, it's still very good. But I'm reading different sources with different numbers, and in some 10 means really good, and in others it's not. Mine was 3.8 when they tested in September and most sources say that between 1 and 4 is optimal fertility. Maybe wait till you talk to your consultant?

@Ilikeyourbeard I'm so sorry to hear what you've been through, it sounds like you've come through a really rough time. I can see now why you wouldn't want to put yourself through IVF on top of all that. Do you have one child already?

@KatBeCool I think my figure is probably on a different scale, so I reckon it would be 1.09 on your scale. The doctor said it is just about OK, but if it goes any lower IVF will be a struggle. The news has hit me hard, I'd just assumed that at 31 IVF would be there for me as a last resort, but now it looks like that's in doubt, or we might need to try it soon to be in with a chance of success. It's out of the blue as well, plenty of women in my family have had babies in late 30s or early 40s so don't know why it's so different for me. I'm pretty devastated at the moment but I'll have to get over it and decide what to do.

@RosettaR you're still technically within range. As long as you're able to produce at least two eggs for an ivf cycle, that's all you need to give it a try. Your numbers are still where they will do an ivf, so it's not a rejection. You just might not produce 30 eggs like some (lucky) women. Don't write yourself off.

@Mrs71 I think it depends on the surgery, and whether you've signed up for online services. Maybe ask if yours does online records, then it's just a case of getting the passkey.

@FlapJackered thank you thats reassuring! My DH doesn't actually have his results in detail as he is at a different surgery to me, and just got a call. But they said everything was normal other than that, so assuming count was ok. He's requested a copy. Sorry that yours is a bit more complex. My dh is going to limit cycling too and also wear more "breathable" boxers. He drinks shitloads of coffee but is adamant that there is nothing "proven" that says caffeine affects it, so he's not going to change that at all. That's annoyed me as I have literally done everything I can, even if it's not proven!! 🤷‍♀️

Ppl who have had tests....what normally happens next?! Downside to finding out online is that I've no idea what I'm meant to be doing now. Going to try and get an appt tomorrow as surely that's not the end of it!?Also ordered Floradix for iron 👍👍

Hi ladies.

So I have my first acupuncture appointment in a couple of weeks she is Zita West trained so they specialise in fertility. The lady was lovely on the phone she told me to bring along all my blood test results and the first session going through all of it etc. She did also say to me my TSH level is extremely low I have had it retested on Thursday so just waiting for the results, I still don’t know if my gp will do anything. This can have a massive effect on fertility if it’s not treated with tablets etc. That’s what she told me anyway so I’m now thinking about going private for that one blood test and having a second opinion. Im not sure what to do?

@Mrs71 definitely get second opinion.

DH just picked up his results from GP. His sperm count is 81m which looks at the higher end of normal...So thinking that even with morphology of 2% that doesn't sound bad!? I'm going try and get a follow up appt for me today.

@PineappleC I’m not sure with all the results my DH had a sheet with what’s it’s supposed to be as an average and the result next to it which was really helpful.

I don’t know how to go about this private test for my TSH levels. Shall I go to a fertility clinic or private hospital that offers it.

Another month out for me 👎🏻👎🏻 feeling so pissed off and deflated

Thanks @KatBeCool, I'm starting to calm down now. I was in a proper panic all weekend about it which is not going to help my chances of getting pregnant I'm sure!

@PineappleC I don't know what happens next either! We were basically just asked whether whether we wanted to try for another year or self fund IVF now. There's one GP at my practice who's been really sympathetic about ttc stuff so I'm going to her for a second opinion, but not until 15 August. Apparently you need to be ttc for two years to qualify for IVF on the NHS. Although that might vary by area so might be different for you. Do you have a decent GP you can ask?

@Mrs71 I've signed up for acupuncture too but I'm not starting until 15 August. It will be interesting to compare notes. I hate the idea of the needles but I reached such a low point over the weekend I just needed to try something to give me some hope! It's good to hear you're finding it useful @FlapJackered. Maybe it will be the miracle we all need...

@queenqueenqueen sorry to hear that. It's horrible isn't it.

@Mrs71 I would talk to the GP first and see what they say, but otherwise I personally would call a fertility clinic and ask them about getting tested. It is worth it for peace of mind.
That's great you have found a good acupuncturist. My sister went to a zita west one in London and says she is amazing.

@PineappleC 2% morphology is not great (same as my DH) but the count definitely makes it less of an issue. Was everything else ok? You doc will be able to tell you if he thinks it will cause a problem I am sure. We have lots of questions for the consultant about the test and also lifestyle things like cycling/booze/coffee.

@RosettaR I am sorry it's not the news you wanted. As Kat says there is still a lot of hope. Did the doctor recommend any supplements that may help?

@queenqueenqueen I am sorry lovely, it doesn't get easier ❤️

@RosettaR I got a follow up appt today. Must admit it's the first time I found myself a bit frustrated with a gp. She wasn't very helpful, just said they hadn't contacted me because everything was fine. I (diplomatically) said it's not "fine" because it's not working, and also that the tests don't test egg quality, reserve, pelvic conditions etc...So how do we know it's "fine". So, she had a think and said maybe she should refer me for a pelvic ultrasound, and see if the fertility clinic will take a referral. Bottom line is it took a lot of pushing but at least something is happening...Maybe it's worth asking again if there's anything else they can do for you? I think you're right that it varies between location, I'm in London. I felt like such an inconvenience the whole time though, really crappy!

@FlapJackered All his other results were at the better end of normal and his GP also said that if there's a long time between the "sample" and the test then this is likely to affect morphology. Do your results show the time lapse? DHs was about 1hr which is quite long apparently. Will be interested to hear what your consultant says, as I suspect it'll be another 6 months til we can go to one!