First doctors appointment advice

[Flutterby8]

So DH bit the bullet and spoke to the GP about the fact we havent conceived despite no contraception for almost 3 years.
Apparently the doctor was very suppprtive and is referring him for semen analysis and maybe bloods.
Due to Covid our surgery is only doing phone consults so I now have to have a seperate conversation about me to get the ball rolling for further tests.

I had bloods to check hormone levels (not the 21 day progesterone) and an abdominal scan over a year ago. Both were normal.
Is there anything I should and shouldnt be asking for? Obviously they will retake my bloods but are there any specific things I should be discissing at this stage?
My mind is just blank, it escalated very quickly and I honestly cannot think what I should ask about

Hi @Flutterby8, all my GP could do was blood tests and request a semen analysis for hubby. Once all these basic tests were done I was referred to the fertility clinic. I was lucky that the waiting list was only 12 weeks and from there I was referred for more investigations HSG etc and placed on the IVF waiting list. I would be asking your GP for a referral as its not a quick process so might aswell get the ball rolling and hope you get pregnant whilst waiting xx

Thank you for your reply @Mandy8885. I know they can only really refer for bloods at the moment. Wasnt sure if I can ask for a full fertility referral of whether its all dependant on the blood/semen analysis?
I feel so out of my depth all of a sudden and its all become a reality that we're struggling. I guess we have both been merrily getting in and not considering there may be problems.
Thank you for your advice

I know exactly what you mean! Hopefully there is no problem and it will happen for you but my advice would be to ask for a referral to the fertility clinic regardless of the blood results as they can do more tests and give you reassurance. My GP was really helpful so hopefully yours will be too! Xx

Hey!
You can usually ask for a fertility referral for yourself based on your own history.
When we were first referred they referred each of us separately and at the fertility clinic, they 'joined' both our cases. Convoluted but we got there.

Thank you @Dalooah and @Mandy8885 for your replies.
I did think it was odd that the GP couldn't send me for tests based on the consult with DH. But I guess having a chat through with a doctor myself may make me feel a bit better.
Its actually quite a lonely place this TTC lark isn't it?!
You don't want to talk to those you work with because of the pressures and with the current situations, lockdown just makes it so hard to see friends.
Who knew it would be such a struggle!

Hi all.
Hope you don't mind me joining?
DH and I have been TTC for some time now - haven't used contraception since May 2019 and still no BFP.
Finally plucked the courage to get a doctors appointment and she's referred me for blood tests. Hubby is awaiting call with the doc to discuss semen tests for him.
I suddenly feel so nervous though, how have you all coped?

@XPeach123 please feel free to join!
I've finally discussed everything with my GP. They are referring me for day 21 progesterone bloods and a pelvic scan. DH needs to have his semen analysed but he has to collect the sample and return it to the hospital within an hour which is brilliant as the hospital he needs to go to is at least a 45min drive away! 😂
I feel really apprehensive about it all.
I have had bloods and a scan before and everything was normal. But this time I feel concerned that I have an issue?
To be honest, I'm just going to try and take every day as it comes. I can't do anything else and it will hopefully give us an answer.
In the meantime I'm considering using OPK's again.
Wishing you lots of luck with everything too! I hope you get an answer soon

Hi, I have just received a referral to the fertility clinic after a year of ttc. I was really nervous about contacting the GP for initial tests, made it feel very real, but after a quick phone appointment, she ordered 21 day bloods test for me and a SA for my other half. The SA letter and pot (LOL) was posted out and the sample was done at home and had to be dropped off at the clinic. Anyway, results for both my bloods and his sample came back within a month of the initial drs appointment, and on the back of that (my bloods were fine but my other halfs SA had some low counts) we have had a fertility clinic referral. It's all happened really quick, I was prepared to have to wait for agaes for both tests and a referral. The waiting list for the fertility clinic might be a different story but I'll just have to wait and see as we were only referred earlier this week.

Good luck everyone and hope you get some help and answers with your initial appointments/tests!

@dogmam that sounds really quick! I heard that SA tests can take 3 months for the appointment alone so I'm glad it's not taking too much time for you. I hope things work well for you, please keep us updated.
It's the build up to the 21 day test and the fear of what the test results will come back with... Probably explains why I'm such a crank at the moment rather than oozing with pheromones and enticing my DH to be near me.

@dogmam thats a nice quick turn around for the results! Im hoping it will be as quick for us. Unfortunately though hubby has to go and pick up a sample pot from said hospital lab which is only open until midday and then take the sample back. With work its almost impossible to try and do it in one day unfortunately!
I am a bit confused though. 21 day bloods.
Ideally it should be taken 7 days before the start of your period. My cycles are irregular so i dont always have a 28 day cycle. How is this going to work? Do i still go with day 21 regardless? The doctor wasnt actually that helpful to be honest.

@fluttrrby8 I've only had my blood test arranged this week. My doc asked about my cycle and how regular I am. Explained that I'm normally 28 days but can be 27 or up to 31. All she said was I shod get my bloody at CD21 or CD22, after that the test couldn't work.
May be worth getting a second call with a different doc to explain maybe?

@xpeach123 try not to be too fearful of what your 21 day results will be, either way, it means you're one step forward to getting some answers and help. When are you booked in for?

@flutterby8 luckily my other half wasn't working (he was waiting to start a new job as had been made redundant) so the sample wasn't too tricky other than the race to the clinic to drop them off in the time frame! I imagine it must be like a level off the crystal maze if trying to juggle work though! Time off for a normal drs appointment is bad enough never mind having to 'perform' then deliver! What are you're cycle lengths usually? Mine can be anywhere from 26 to 30 and I usually ovulated day 17 but still just went on day 21 and hoped for the best.

So guess we are all in the same shitty boat of TTC for over a year ☹

@dogmam sorry to hear your other half was made redundant but glad he has got a new job now! What a relief given the current climate!
My other half hasn't had time to even get a sample pot yet so I feel his test may take some time! I'm going to try and book bloods soon, ideally want to avoid going anywhere near a hospital but I think my GP surgery is fully booked already!
My cycles vary, they're anywhere between 28 and 34 days long.
I posted in another thread as I've started to use the Clear Blue Advance ovulation tests this cycle. I hit my peak last night but not DTD yet. My BBT increased this morning so I feel deflated that I've missed the right time.

This TTC lark is so frustrating. Over 2 years (not far off 3) off contraception and nothing to show for it. There must be something wrong with one of us.
I hope you get your positive soon, I have my fingers crossed!

@flutterby8 I would maybe get your bloods done on CD22, hopefully they'll come back fine and confirms you're ovulating, especially if you're temping you're probably already confirming it every month anyway.
Sorry you're feeling deflated, I think as long as you've DTD in the lead up to ovulation then don't worry about it too much, I think we put too much pressure on ourselves.
If there is something wrong with one of you, then at least you can start getting some help towards your BFP.

@dogmam had my bloods today and been told to call in 7 days if they haven't called me.

@flutterby8 we are similar, it's 18 months for us and we've never seen a positive.

I've turned into an avid googler though which is never healthy. I started using clear blue ovulation kits and had one day of a smiley face and that's it but no signs in my cm and BBT barely dropped.

DH has struggled to get a doctors app due to being a key worker so he's waiting on a phone consultation still which feels very frustrating for me. Has anyone's DH tried a home semen test? If so, what was their experience?

Hi all, so been ttc for over a year I’m 28 oh 29 so age isn’t against us. Been tracking my cycles etc and been having Sex around ovulation day whilst trying not to make it feel like a chore. No luck and I went to my docs and found I was healthy etc. Trying not to make to much of it out would like him to go checked out without upsetting him

Welcome @jennyh29 having these talks is always difficult for both parties - I can imagine there's a bit of man pride affected too (purely based on how my DH has approached the whole situation).

How openly have you spoken with him about your test results and the reasons for why fertility can be a struggle sometimes? If he has a logical approach maybe talk him through statistics, or start by asking how he feels about the whole situation?

The biggest hurdle my DH has had so far is actually braving the phone call to the doctors - ended up doing an econsultatiom but they'll call him and ask the questions.

I found the easiest time for my DH to open up was when we were walking the dog or in the car. Sat on the sofa together felt a more difficult place to talk.

@XPeach123 I started to google literally every single symptom during my TWW and it literally takes over everything. Every twinge, any nausea, headaches I checked it all out and I've regularly convinced myself I was pregnant, but never have been.
I'm not going to google this month. Im just going to go with it and see what happens. I'm not hopeful but I do think the additional stress is doing me no favours at all.
Haven't heard of home semen analyais to be honest. Didn't even know it was a thing?! Would seriously question how reliable it is to be honest. Personally I'd leave it down to the professionals as there is a big margin of error which can be so detrimental to a relationship or someones feelings.

@Jennyh29 I was really worried about suggesting DH goes to the doctors. I've previously had bloods and scans and never found any issues but he has never had anything.
One evening I just bit the bullet and suggested it. Time isn't on our side and I just said we could go on forever trying this relaxed approach but if there is an issue we need to know and do something about it.
Once I explained how a womans fertility decreases with age and the greater risk of miscarriage or genetic abnormalities he started to understand. He isn't stupid but I he didn't know the statistics, and to be fair, why should he?
I booked him an appoointment and to be fair, he attended and has started the ball rolling of booking in for a semem test.
Its been fine and I think in a way it was easier just to come out and discuss it as adults.
It is still quite a taboo subject I feel. Women find it easy to talk to women but men just dont understand. DH has been really suppprtive so far which is great. It just took me to put my big girl pants on and tell him my worries and its been fine.

Just realised how terrible my spelling was above 😂
Predictive text does not work on MN and I should learn to read things back before I post!!!

Hey ladies thank you for your replies always such a difficult subject to bring up with them. I’m going to talk to him this weekend after a nibe dinner etc. Its not about that he can’t produce its what’s in it

Evening all.
How are you all feeling?
DH finally got to speak to a Dr today and they've given him a referral code and to call the local hospital where they will do semen tests. Apparently that's all they do for me - no blood test. I found that strange.

I've already had a text this afternoon to call my docs on Monday to discuss my test results. That's not a good sign - but whatever they have to say is an answer I suppose. It's torture having to wait all weekend to call though!

@Jennyh29 hope the chat goes well. Just remember you're in this together and you both want the same thing. Just have to do everything you can to make it happen.

@XPeach123 fingers crossed for your results! Just because you've had a quick call back doesnt mean there is a problem. Doctors have such a backlog at the moment they could just be being proactive.
If it helps, my DH has only been referred for a semen test, no bloods. I guess vloods for males would be done as a next step at a fertility referral?

Hi, how is everyone doing? We are still waiting hear from the fertility clinic after our referral a few weeks ago, in the meantime we are still trying and hopful It will just happen naturally!! My partner is starting wellman conception vitamins today so hoping they make a difference.

@xpeach123 let us know how you get on with your results today. Like you say, whatever the result it's a step forward. Good news about your partner finally getting the ball rolling with the SA too. I think it's normal that the only test he will get is that, and no bloods, infact I think it's more or less all they do for men, even with poor results, the focus of treatment is all on the woman rather than investigating/treating male factor.

@jennyh29 did you manage to speak with your partner? I know all GP surgeries are different but if it helps, when I had my first appointment with my GP and told her we had been trying for a year, she arranged both my 21 day bloods and my partners SA all in one, she just asked for his details, so he didn't have to have an appointment, then a few weeks later he received the pack in the post. He was told to ring a week afterndoppibg his sample off and we done it together, basically had the phone on speaker. Maybe you could do that, do all of your appointments together?

Has anyone else had their SA back yet? Trying not to worry too much about the results as I know they can change over time.

@dogmam thank you for checking in. Hope you're well?

After 3 hours of trying to get through to my GP I've finally arranged a phone appointment for tomorrow. I'm partially glad it wasn't yesterday as we had a funeral to go to but the waiting is putting my mind into overdrive. I'm literally working out the worst case scenario and it's giving me a real fear of getting my results. DH finally called the local hospital to arrange his SA so is waiting on a call back.

Hope everyone is doing well?
Are there any updates? How are people feeling?

I had my day 21 bloods done last week and got my results yesterday.
I dont know what to think to be honest.
My levels are 16 which my doctor has said doesnt confirm ovulation on this cycle. I pointed out that a day 21 test is great if you have a regular 28 day cycle, but I dont. Mine are between 30 and 32 days on average. He didnt seem worried about that fact at all. I know when I ovulated based on my BBT and positive OPK's and 21 days is too soon after ovulation to have an accurate reading.
They want me to repeat the test and if they are still low I will be referred for unexplained infertility.
I questioned him about having the test done on maybe day 23 or 24 but was told firmly that it has to be day 21.
Im so confused.
Debating just having the sample when i think its the right time but I really dont know.
Anuly suggestions at all?

No test results back yet for DH so nothing to report there.