TTC Thread #3

[Daffodil21]

Continuing the previous thread:

TTC Thread #2 www.mumsnet.com/Talk/conception/3941503-ttc-thread-2

Oh @bam27 that's so frustrating for you. When you say you're putting it off because of covid, is it because you don't want to go to a doctor's surgery? Or what is making you reluctant?

AF today, coinciding with me taking a day off work. So that's a day in my bed sorted. Hoping my body wants to recreate a Christmas film, where the heroine after (over a year) of trying to conceive, gets her BFP on Christmas eve.
Now who would Hollywood like to cast as my leading man 😍

@Tofu35 it's more the fact that it's very difficult to get an appointment at the moment, so I don't want to take up time that others might need more.
Sorry to hear about AF 🌹but I hope you enjoy spending a day on bed.. I've got some time off work coming up so looking forward to relaxing

That's a very kind idea @bam27. If you do decide to pursue it, you could ask for a phone consultation that the GP could fit into their day (so they can get in idea about age/health/time you've been TTC, and put it on your record) and if they want to see you for any tests, you can take it from there.

Obviously getting a phone appointment might be as hard as getting a face to face one, but in my experience, they give a much more vague time "between 9 and 1pm" which suggests they phone when they don't have a person to see?

@Tofu35 yeah I might do, they will only offer phone appointments at the moment anyway unless it's an emergency. But it's difficult even to get them.

That must be so frustrating for you @Bam27, second what Tofy says though about going to Dr. And don’t think of it as wasting their time, fertility is a health issue the same as anything else.

I’m almost in my FW but taking a break this month. If we get pregnant next month, we’ll also be looking at a Christmas Eve testing, so fingers crossed for our Hollywood movie happy ending @Tofu35!!

@Bam27 you should definitely still speak to the doc. Covid could go on for many more months/even longer. At this point they'll probably just ask you how long you've been trying, your cycle length etc, then they'll get you in for blood tests at the beginning of your cycle, and 7 dpo. I went in for my 'day 21' bloods when we we were deeper into the pandemic. It absolutely was not essential, particularly as I'd already had them don't a year ago, but they didn't treat me like I shouldn't be there at all

@CEW19 @Daffodil21 Thank you, I will maybe ring them on Monday. I keep putting it off and I know. I shouldn't really, think part of it is me being scared and not wanting to admit that there is a 'problem'. Had enough of doctors and hospitals after all the treatment for endo, finally have that under control and think I just don't want to start another long process.

@Bam27 if there is something wrong (there may not be!) you need to know so you can get treatment. Treatment isn't always IVF etc, there are lots and lots of 'smaller' treatments before that. You might not need anything at all, but if you do you need to know, or you'll just be stuck in this loop forever when there could be something that's easily treated which will make it happen

@Bam27 when we got our fertility clinic referral I cried (at work! Thankfully no one in the office!) because it felt like I had to face the fact that something actually was wrong. Then when we had our consultation he said the best treatment for us was nothing for the time being because we are both healthy and the tests have shown we should be able to conceive naturally, even though my DH has low morphology. When we initially got the diagnosis from the GP I was mortified and thought it would never happen, but then the consultant explained that out of x million that still leaves x hundred thousand or whatever it was as healthy.

He was right. We probably don't need IVF, we just needed to be a bit more patient and keep trying. Sorry for long post, but I suppose my point is, make that phone call. See what happens, and if something is picked up it will almost certainly be able to be treated.

Obviously we seem to have more of a problem beyond conception, but that is really rare

@Daffodil21 thank you, I know your right. I will give them a call and see what they say. No need to apologise for the long post, I appreciate it.
How are you doing now? Really hope you can get some answers now x

@Bam27 you absolutely won't be wasting their time. You either need peace of mind or answers.

I don't really know to be honest, but thank you for asking. It's happened now so I'm no longer waiting for it all to kick off. It was worse than the other two times but it was manageable at home. It actually happened a year to the day of my last one, which I still can't quite believe. I feel like someone somewhere must be laughing at me! I had wanted them all to have their own days if you see what I mean, although I know that sounds a little crazy... they've warned us we may not get any answers at all. I have my own suspicions on what may be the problem, but we probably won't find out until January. I think we'll try again in the meantime though, I've ordered my bloody OPKs 🙄 you know how much I love those...!

Uggggh! Had my long awaited call with the fertility clinic, had all my info to hand that I thought they would ask about (bmi, cycle length etc). They ask about husband's semen analysis, which for some reason I hadn't looked out. I say he's had two, one private and one NHS.

They say the NHS one is invalid due to the out of date tub (which means he's had two failed NHS tests). I didn't have all his data from the private test and it doesn't automatically show on his NHS record. So the clinic are calling back on Thursday.

FML. I just want this part done to find out what's next!

I decided to stop taking the boots conception vitamins and take folic acid + Vit D now instead, but for the last two months since I've changed over, my ovulation has been later and I can feel it too. So having cramps similar to af around ovulation. Anyone else had this? I'm in my FW now but we're taking a break this month, so not sure if I should switch back to the multivits for December, or if it means that they were affecting my cycle and now I'm on a 'normal' cycle.

@CEW19 are you taking high strength vit d? Might be worth it if you're not. Also maybe look into taking folate instead of folic acid (folate is the natural form of folic acid, which our body converts folic acid into, but sometimes our bodies aren't capable of converting it properly) - source is Rebecca Fett's book

@Tofu35 that sounds like a very frustrating phone call - doesn't sound like they were being particularly helpful!

@Daffodil21 so sorry for really late reply! I seem to. I must have missed the notification amongst my many online shopping emails 😂... I have Doctor calling, I phoned on Monday and made a phone call appointment. So I will see what they suggest.

That's a bit of a cruel coincidence that it was a year exactly. I don't think you sound crazy for wanting them to have there same day at all, I can understand that.
Waiting sucks hopefully Christmas can be a nice distraction in the mean time although I know sometimes it can do the opposite. I tried to stop using OPKs but I just end up getting my hopes up when my cycle is longer when really it's just because i ovulated late. Like this month, I'm on cycle day 42 no signs of period coming and don't know if I've even ovulated and of course pregnancy tests are negative.
@Tofu35 that's frustrating! Hopefully you can get some answers soon.
@CEW19 I changed over to the boots folic and vit d as well and my cycles have been really long and ovulating late, but mine were all over the place anyway so could just be a coincidence.

Bleurgh, all this testing and monitoring and taking vits and eating different things and trying not to exercise too hard or eat too much sugar and not drinking in TWW. When some people just get pregnant by mistake. So fucking annoying!

@Bam27 please let us know how you get on, and don't be afraid to push for what you want. Yeah I don't plan on doing OPKs long term, I just want to know how long it will be for my cycle to return to 'normal'. Have you ever thought about acupuncture to help regulate your cycles? Sorry if we've spoken about this before. Mine sound similar to yours and my acupuncturist sounds like she has no doubt she can regulate them. I've only had one proper session with her because I got pregnant that cycle, but we're starting again on Monday. I'll let you know how I get on but might be worth a thought. She sounded so sure that I fully believe in her!

@CEW19 I know. It's beyond frustrating isn't it. I re-wrote our vitamin/supplement plan last night and died a little inside at having to do it all again! Part of me thinks none of it makes any difference, but it at least feels like we have some control over the situation. Then part of me thinks something must have done something last cycle to help so maybe it was because we were taking xyz. I suppose there's no harm in giving it all a go. Really hope it happens soon for you 🤞

@Daffodil21 I will do. Got a lovely doctor calling me so hopefully won't have to push too much. I've thought about it but never looked into it, is it expensive?
@CEW19 I know that feeling, makes me so angry.

@Bam27 I think it depends on where you live. Mine is £45 for an hour session, but she talks through things with me too so it's almost like a bit a therapy on top! I'm having one session every two weeks but of all the things I've been trying, this is top of my list and I don't mind spending the money on it

The fertility clinic call went ok. I'm now on a 3 month waiting list to get the dye test to check the tubes are clear.

Husband, ever the impatient element of the marriage, is now emailing private clinics to see if we can get this done any quicker. Finding £500 so close to Christmas...eek.

@Tofu35 that's good that they are going to test your tubes. Also think it's good that your husband is so keen to get it done sooner. My OH is sure there is nothing wrong 😂 even with the fact that we already know I have endometriosis!

Have spoken to the doctor and having blood tests done but need to wait for cycle day 5, they are going to test hormones and thyroid. She mentioned that I could have polycystic ovaries.

@Bam27 you might have to push for a PCOS diagnosis. I still don't have one 2 years on and I'm pretty sure. If you do have it, it is likely your prolactin levels will come back high, and then they'll do more blood tests to check your liver function etc to rule out those things.

@Tofu35 it's great your husband is being proactive!

@bam27 @daffodil21 it is good he's enthusiastic, but sometimes it's like if he could take the pregnancy on and not me, he'd give it a good go! But I'm so laid-back it's probably why I liked him in the first place, he's 'now! Go go go!' whereas I'm a "let's sit and think about it, worry a little and then decide another day".

Good luck with your blood test, Bam! Hope it gives you some answers.