11th cycle...stressed and uncertain about next steps

[BabyFeet92]

Hi all

I'm 9 DPO of our 11th cycle now (baby #1) and I am dreading the next few days. As much as I hate the TWW, I'd actually choose it over finding out this is another failed cycle. Just wondering if anyone feels the same?

I have an OBGYN appointment for the middle of Feb, so this is the last cycle before we'll start taking fertility tests (and possibly treatments) so I think that's making this month so much more difficult to stomach. Can anyone please share experiences on what that journey looked like for them? I really don't know what to expect.

Thanks

Hi @BabyFeet92, we're just giving your thread a bump in case anyone's around to give you a bit of advice and support.

Hi @BabyFeet92 here's mine, it's not representative of everyone, of course.

TTC 12months, went to GP, had day 3 and day 21 bloods (for progesterone and FSH/LH) plus follicle count ultrasound. DH referred for semen analysis. All ok/normal apparently.

Continued TTC 6 months as per GP advice.
Returned, told to wait for referral to women's health dept. Took 9 months. Had a phone consultation but was useless.

In the meantime had a HyCoSy privately to check tubes, all clear.

2.5y TTC, no joy, about to pay private IVF for unexplained infertility and finally got a nice NHS consultant who referred us.

Had a blood test within 2 weeks of referral at clinic, found out I had low AMH and low follicle numbers (not many eggs, also immature when released each month).

Recommended IVF, did 1 round in Nov. Just one embyo from that cycle, currently 9 weeks pregnant ❤️

If I could go back, I'd have paid for the AMH bloods privately at 12months TTC. It was a direct ticket to NHS IVF for me with those numbers, NHS was happy to accept private test results (we monitored DHs sperm quality with private tests). If you can afford testing, keep your results organised and share with NHS consultant's secretary, you can speed up the slow part: the diagnosis of a potential issue.

Best of luck, it's so daunting, but it can be ok once you know what your issue is. Others aren't so lucky, I do appreciate that, so just presenting one timeline!

@JoMumsnet thanks for the bump!

@notsofertilemyrtle thanks so much for sharing your story! I really appreciate it. I'm so glad that things worked out for you guys and I hope you'll have a very healthy pregnancy!

It really helps me so much to know more or less what to expect and that I'll need to advocate for myself. I think we'll definitely try to go for private testing. The sooner we start getting answers the better.

@BabyFeet92 I have been ttc for a year, however I have irregular periods so haven’t had that many cycles!

I have just spoken to my gp this week for bloods, and a referral has been sent for a scan so I have been added onto waiting list for gynae! The longer time goes on, it gets so difficult doesn’t it! Wishing you all the best!

@Peonies94 it's so difficult yes! At the start you can still tell yourself it's normal for it to take time, but as you get to a year it becomes harder to believe every month.

Thank you! Good luck to you too. I hope the bloods and scan can shed some light for you soon. Stay strong!

@BabyFeet92 it’s so hard when you want something so badly isn’t it! I know, each month I find it more stressful!!

Thank you!

TTC since march 2020 (no living children). Hugely irregular cycles.

Conceived Sept 2020, MC at 11 weeks in Nov 2020.
March 2021 referred to NHS gynae, huge wait list.
Private testing August 2021 showed no problems on scans but no ovulation for me at all, no problem on DH side. Said overall DX is ovulation disorder, not PCOS.
October 2021 NHS gynae saw us. Said is PCOS.
November 2021 referred to NHS assisted fertility.
Initial telephone call offered for Feb 2021.
We will pay for private hycosy as NHS hycosy has 8 month wait list!!!

We anticipate more NHS waits. Our overall time trying before treatment will be over 2 years

@BabyFeet92 I'm nearly at the point you are at but I've already had day 3 bloods for everything (normal), day 21 for progesterone, my OH has gone a SA and next week I go privately for an AHM test. Get the testing started and as the other lady said, book a private AMH test - they don't offer it via the NHS. In London it's roughly £100 and I get the results on the same day. X

@TheDaydreamBelievers thank you for sharing your journey. I'm so sorry for your loss and all the heart ache you've had ttc. Those waiting times are insane - it must be so frustrating. I hope you can get some clear answers and a happy ending soon!

@FlyOnTheWall89 it's great that you are being so proactive. The more stories I hear, the more I realize how necessary that is. I hope your tests will give you the answers you need!