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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

Original poster

Still Not pregnant - What will the Drs appointment be like?

10 replies

MittensForKittens123 · 16/10/2021 11:06

I’m 36 and we’ve been TTC for 6 months now, so according to NHS website should be making an appointment for fertility testing.

I just wanted to know from those who have already reached this stage, what to expect, and what information we should take. And also if it’s normal to take DH with me or if the Dr will think that’s weird!

Thanks!

OP posts:
LondonladyTTC · 16/10/2021 11:13

Hi @MittensForKittens123 ,
I am going through the process now, so can speak to my experience but not sure if it is the same everywhere!
I had my GP appointment in July, following this appointment they referred me for a pelvic scan at my local hospital and day three bloods. I was told that these tests, and DH having a semen analysis were required for referral to the fertility clinic (apparently it's a relatively new policy to get a few tests before seeing a specialist). DH had already sad a semen analysis a few months before privately so they accepted that result.
I only just had my pelvic scan on Tuesday (so I advise going to GP ASAP everything takes longer than expected!), and have a follow up with the GP to discuss the results and my referral on Thursday.
I was told that when referred, I would receive a link to the booking portal and would be able to book my first fertility clinic appointment and would also get an estimated treatment date upfront (which will be very helpful for us as we are toying with the idea of just paying for ivf privately if the wait is very long).
I can give you an update on Thursday if you like!
I feel I have been quite lucky with my GP so far, he has been very understanding and sympathetic.
I have been trying for over 18 months and really getting to the end of my tether now! I am feeling very excited and positive that the end of TTC may be in sight, and I am at least being supported by the experts.

Original poster
MittensForKittens123 · 16/10/2021 11:22

@LondonladyTTC, thank you so much for your response. It’s really helpful to know what to expect. I am also in London, so I imagine it will be very similar.

Best of luck on Thursday, and fingers crossed the wait isn’t too long.

With regards for paying for private treatment, I had a look at the local CCG guidelines (NE London), and they said 3 rounds of IVF, but they would deduct from that number any that you had had privately before hand, which seems a little unfair. I guess it’s all part of weighing up to decide on private or not.

OP posts:
LondonladyTTC · 16/10/2021 11:41

Ah nice to meet someone who lives nearby! Smile
I think they deduct as the more cycles you have the less likely they expect it to be successful. I if we get told the waiting list is a year (which we are expecting) we will probably have a private round at ABC ivf in between as thankfully we meet the criteria and the price is really good compared to other clinics. By the sounds of it three rounds is actually a lot better than in other parts of the UK, I have heard a lot of people saying that they only get one round.
It is all so stressful, I hope your GP appointment goes well and you manage to get all your tests done quickly. Smile

ChocolateCauldron · 16/10/2021 11:53

I went on my own, and my GP was extremely helpful. She booked me in for a hydroscopy (my periods were irregular so suspected PCOS) and put the referral through at the same time.

I wasn't prepared for how emotional I felt when I got the letter for my appointment. The words "Fertility Clinic" really got to me. It made it all real somehow, and lots of other things I'd been in denial about.

No success after initial treatment, or 1st round of IVF, but blessed to say 2nd AND 3rd attempts worked!

So be gentle with yourself. It's something we spend years trying to avoid, and it's a shock when it's not as straight forward as stopping contraception.

Holskey · 16/10/2021 14:13

Honestly, I'd be wary of telling them you've only tried 6 months. It's enough for them to refer you for tests, but if they get to referring you to a fertility specialist, that doctor may advise to try longer if they find nothing wrong. The NHS fertility specialist I saw expected me to have been trying 2 years (age 35) before referring me to IVF and outright told me to tell the ivf clinic that I had been trying for at least 3 years. You'd be surprised how little they seem to care about the fact you're getting older all the time!

Sorry if that's controversial. Perhaps others have different experiences, but this it what happened in my case (unexplained infertility).

IsabelHerna · 19/10/2021 12:21

I am sorry that you've found yourself in this part of the forum. I am going through the process atm. The first appointment is just going to be about getting your medical history and giving tests for you to do. I would say start preparing some general questions you have in order to ask them then. Basically in this appointment, you're not going to get a clear picture of what you're going to do next.

Good luck with the tests dear!

Miller2021 · 19/10/2021 15:30

@Holskey

Honestly, I'd be wary of telling them you've only tried 6 months. It's enough for them to refer you for tests, but if they get to referring you to a fertility specialist, that doctor may advise to try longer if they find nothing wrong. The NHS fertility specialist I saw expected me to have been trying 2 years (age 35) before referring me to IVF and outright told me to tell the ivf clinic that I had been trying for at least 3 years. You'd be surprised how little they seem to care about the fact you're getting older all the time!

Sorry if that's controversial. Perhaps others have different experiences, but this it what happened in my case (unexplained infertility).

I was thinking about doing this (age 41, been trying for a few months), but surely your GP would just check your medical records to see when you had your coil removed / came off the pill and you'd get busted?
Hopefulhedgehog · 19/10/2021 15:48

I had my first appointment last month. I booked 2 appointments one after the other for me and DH. Dr spoke to each of us, fairly standard questions that I would expect - cycles, diet, lifestyle etc. Referred me for day 21 bloods which I have had and now referred us to fertility centre as the bloods were fine. I was fairly painless and I was pleased with how quickly we got referred. Good luck.

Hopefulhedgehog · 19/10/2021 15:49

Ps I must admit I did add a few months onto the time we had been trying

FantasticJurassic · 19/10/2021 18:56

Hi...
I've been hovering around reading posts for a while but finally felt I had to reply to one! I've been going through this stage myself and so far it's been surprisingly OK...
We just had a phone appt each, but I did feel it would have been easier if all 3 of us were just in a room, so def not silly to take him along.
I really thought my GP was going to just tell us to go away and just keep trying but he immediately booked us both straight in for some initial tests- bloods for both of us and semen analysis. And yes the basic questions others have mentioned about weight, general health etc. They came back very quickly with my results too, now just waiting for his to see where we go next.
Hope you get on OK, I know GPs can be a bit hit or miss 😊

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