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Original poster

Doctors appointment for infertility

29 replies

Thefaceofboe · 19/09/2020 12:10

I initially booked an appointment in March as we had been trying for a baby for 18 months with no luck. My appointment got cancelled due to Covid and it’s now been 2 years we have been trying for. I feel stupid ringing to rebook my appointment as I’m sure they are only taking ‘essentials’ but I don’t know how much longer I can wait Sad it’s affecting my mental healthy, my job, my relationship Sad

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Bahhh · 19/09/2020 12:17

I spoke to my doctor re infertility a week and a half ago asking for a referral and already have a hospital date for November.

Why haven't you even called and asked OP?

Fertility services have been open for months now.

We've had private tests. I hope this moves things on.

CycleGirl20 · 19/09/2020 12:18

@Thefaceofboe I went to my doctor after 6 months, last month. I'm 34 but wanted to get the basics like bloods done now before a second spike. I absolutely don't think you should hold off or feel like you should leave them to deal with only essentials. I got my blood appointment and results really quickly. I think many people aren't going and my doctor has a specific phlebologist who's there to take blood. I paid privately for a scan because I'm going to be working in Germany for 6 months and the NHS appointment was after I'd be in Germany. It turns out I have a fibroid taking up 1/3 of my womb. I'm hoping that's a fairly easy fix, so it's absolutely worth finding out as you might have something like a thyroid problem, a vitamin issue etc which are a quick fix. Good luck

Papertigers · 19/09/2020 12:18

Phone them! You’ve had your referral and an appointment cancelled so you’re entitled to be seen. I had 2 phone consultations over lockdown and then a letrozole prescription and 2 scans over the last few weeks so things are moving again! (In south London at least... not sure about other areas of the country) But it’s important and it’s your life so do what you can! Good luck xx

Original poster
Thefaceofboe · 19/09/2020 12:22

I haven’t had a referral, I booked my initial appointment to speak to my doctor which got cancelled. I think I haven’t rang to ask because I’m so nervous and I have been putting it off so much. I heard my doctors is only taking essential appointment which is why I haven’t bothered. Thanks everyone, I’ll just have to give them a call next week xxx

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MabelG · 19/09/2020 12:25

@Thefaceofboe please don't be worried about calling them OP, I really wish I had been more persistent at the beginning of my infertility journey xx

Moominmiss · 19/09/2020 12:25

I am over 35 and had been trying for over 6 months and had 3 losses. I rang my gp in June, she referred me straight away. By the end of June I’d had a letter from the fertility consultant, and by August my partner and I had had all blood tests and semen analysis done. I’ve just this week had my final appointment with her for scans to check my follicle numbers and uterus condition.

So from being referred in June to having all investigations completed by mid September.

There are a few more blood tests she’s happy for me to have (AMH, and some looking for clotting disorders), but I doubt I will do them as feel j have the answers I need.

If I was you I’d phone your gp. They can only say no. But fertility obviously declines with age so I wouldn’t want to keep leaving it. I think the way we used to see our doctors etc is long gone for the time being and this is the new normal for now, so I think you should just go ahead and try to get rebooked in!

Original poster
Thefaceofboe · 19/09/2020 12:26

@MabelG my anxiety is through the roof with it all and I’m so nervous for the appointment itself Sad I know the longer I leave it the worse I’ll be which is why I’m trying to get a grip and get things moving x

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Bahhh · 19/09/2020 12:28

OP why are you nervous about the GP appointment? They're just going to ask basic details and refer you on. It's a really simple process. You'll be fine! Good luck

RuthW · 19/09/2020 12:29

We are not taking appointments for just essential and apart from about two weeks in March, never have been.

Yes you will need a triage phone app first, but it's business as usual in gp land.

Original poster
Thefaceofboe · 19/09/2020 12:30

@Bahhh i think I’m just scared of finding out what the problem is but I know I’m just being silly. I wish I’d gone after a year like you’re advised to do and I’d be much further on with it all

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Moominmiss · 19/09/2020 12:31

OP my initial appointment with my GP was literally just a telephone appointment. She just asked some basic questions about how long I’d been trying, the losses I’d had etc. That was more or less it. She was lovely.
Just remember GP’s have heard it all, it’s nothing to be worried about. They’re there to help.

Original poster
Thefaceofboe · 19/09/2020 12:32

@Moominmiss Thank you that’s reassuring. I really don’t know what I’m worried about but I feel sick I’m so nervous

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Goose365 · 19/09/2020 12:37

After posting in the infertility board (been off contraception for 6 years) I finally called the doctor last week. I had a telephone appointment on Tuesday this week, face to face appointment for pelvic exam yesterday, and the referral is moving forward pending blood tests and semen analysis. There will be a delay for us since I’ve missed day 21 for my progesterone and DH has to make an appointment in another town for the semen analysis, but it’s all in progress.

You’ll feel much better once you’ve made the call and you’re moving the right direction.

Original poster
Thefaceofboe · 19/09/2020 12:39

@Goose365 thanks for replying. glad things are moving forward for you. 6 years is a long time Flowers

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Moominmiss · 19/09/2020 12:39

It’s ok to feel anxious and worried about the possibility of finding out potential issues. But remember that you might also find that things are perfectly normal.

It could end up being something that can be easily fixed, like a hormone imbalance that can be sorted with medication, or fibroids or cysts that can be easily removed.

Or in my situation there was literally nothing to be found. Nothing at all. Uterus is great, lots of follicles, I’m ovulating fine, producing enough progesterone at the right times, my oh’s semen analysis was fab. It’s just one of those things for us. Likely that due to my age my eggs are just of lower quality so it may take some time to hopefully find that one good egg that will fertilise and implant successfully.

I promise once you’ve managed to get that first appointment out of the way you’ll look back and wonder what was so scary. The majority of doctors and nurses that work in the fertility field are just wonderful, and incredibly informative and reassuring. They understand how tough the whole process is and will want you to feel comfortable in talking to them.

MabelG · 19/09/2020 12:40

@Thefaceofboe I understand it can be very nerve-wracking but once you've called to make the appointment you will have taken that first step towards getting help

dogmam · 19/09/2020 12:57

@Thefaceofboe hi, I know how you feel about being nervous and not wanting to know if there is a problem or not. I have been off the pill, not using protection for nearly a year, so I know that I should really consider going to the doctors, but I'm talking myself out of it because I've only been tracking and using opks since may/June time, so can only confidently say that we have been dtd on/around the right time for 5 months or so. That's not to say though that the previous 6 months, we weren't, I just wasn't tracking so can't go back to look. Realistically though, we have been having unprotected sex for nearly a year and never had a positive test. I change my mind on a weekly basis about ringing the GP because I always feel like 'this will be our lucky month'.

@goose365 I seen your thread and am pleased to hear you have got the ball rolling and getting some help, I hope it works out.

It's really hard and I know how you feel. I'm CD1 today so not sure again to try this month or to just ring the GP on Monday. I'm 30 in a few weeks ttc our first baby.

Original poster
Thefaceofboe · 19/09/2020 13:01

@dogmam I feel like I could of wrote that myself. We didn’t start tracking ovulation for the first 6 months so for a while I did class that time as actively ttc. I used to think every month would be my lucky month but as the months have gone on I’ve really lost hope. My advice would be to go ASAP (rich coming from me!) but I really wish I’d gone last year and I feel like I’ve wasted so much time.

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dogmam · 19/09/2020 13:10

@thefaceofboe I think I might ring on Monday, are you going to do the same? Let's make a pact!

It sounds ridiculous but even just ringing and having to speak to the receptionist and tell them why I want an appointment, makes me feel ill! What do you even say? Fertility, bloods, infertility (I hate using that word and trying not to associate myself to it)?

Original poster
Thefaceofboe · 19/09/2020 13:45

Yes yes! I’m dreading the phone call, never mind the appointment. I’ve never suffered with anxiety but ttc has riddled me with it. I’m off work Tuesday so going to call and see what they say. Flowers we got this

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Original poster
Thefaceofboe · 19/09/2020 13:46

Also I will probably start crying on the phone Grin good luck to the receptionist!

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TheDaydreamBelievers · 20/09/2020 11:50

@Thefaceofboe - I'd recommend writing down what you want to say to the receptionist and what you want the outcome to be.

They will be SO USED to people crying and will not mind if you do. They know how much people calling want this and how stressed they are

Original poster
Thefaceofboe · 20/09/2020 15:03

@TheDaydreamBelievers that’s a good idea, thank you. I’m going to call Tuesday when I have the afternoon off work

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Original poster
Thefaceofboe · 22/09/2020 07:19

Making the phone call today Grin

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TheDaydreamBelievers · 22/09/2020 08:06

Good luck @Thefaceofboe Smile

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