Saw the GP today...

[Got2besoon]

Well after 16 months of ttc number 2 and one mmc at the start, I finally bit the bullet and saw the GP this morning.

She was lovely and she's going to order some bloods and a sperm analysis for DH. She also took a swab today (for Chlamydia I think).

I'm sad that I'm at this point and a little angry too. I thought my DS would have a sibling by now and I just want this fertility journey to be over. Definitely grateful to have DS but fearful no more will come.

Is anyone else at a similar stage in their fertility journey?

Oh that's interesting @Got2besoon , I have heard others recommending that book. I'll definitely download it on my kindle, could be one dip in and out of maybe. It's definitely a compulsion, I couldn't wait for the amazon man so went to my local pharmacy who only had cheap tests but I still bought 3 types because one said early detection. As soon as I got home the amazon man came.

I took all 4 and am really hoping that it's just too early for the cheap ones because there is a line on the frer but just a bit faint and off to the side. I don't want to get too excited because i know I'll just be even more disappointed so I'm going to test again tomorrow.

Well that's a definite positive on the FRER! 😬

Also, I think I see faint lines on the other three.

Oh really? I hope so @TheBirdintheCave , I've rubbish line eyes, I never see anything when people post pictures.

I'm cautiously optimistic- I'll have to keep testing. AF is due on Sunday so hopefully the lines get darker.

I'm sure they will, that FRER is so good for 12dpo, not faint at all! Congratulations! :D

@Jigglemonster That FRER is a BFP for sure!!!!!! Congratulations my lovely!!

@Jigglemonster Have you had any early symptoms?x

Thank you @Got2besoon ! No nothing symptoms-wise, I can't really remember when I noticed symptoms last time, but despite usually symptom spotting and noticing loads every month, nothing really happening yet.

@Jigglemonster that is definitely a positive in the Frer, no shadow of a doubt. Congratulations!!! I know it is really really hard but if you can, I wouldn't test anymore. The question of whether the line darkens or not doesn't really mean anything in my experience and may stress you out!x

@oliveroses you're right, I took another yesterday that I thought was fainter but had a bit of a family emergency today so won't be home this weekend which is probably better in terms of not testing. It's largely out of my control now anyway I guess.

I hope you're all doing ok, TWW time is long. Everything about ttc seems long really.

@Jigglemonster so sorry about the family emergency and hope that you are okay. Honestly the line on the test doesn't mean anything (other than that you are pregnant!) I did this to myself with my first after a chemical pregnancy and all was fine. Don't worry and just let the days go by x

Hi #@Got2besoon I’m so glad to have come across this thread. I’m just going into cycle 11 of TTC #2. I fell pregnant easily with DD on the first cycle, but things have been different this time round. I have now started the process with NHS of blood tests/sperm analysis. I’ve got my first blood test this Friday.

It has been so interesting to read about your journey so far. I really hope you see success with the intervention of the private clinic. I am considering going private myself, I don’t think I have the patience to deal with NHS. I’ll wait until these first tests are done and see how I feel.

Hi @vitahelp. Nice of you to join us! This journey really is a slog isn't it? What age is your little one?

I had my progesterone bloods yesterday. DH was late home from work so I had to take my DS but he was very well behaved bless him. I'm optimistic for results, although it was 8dpo rather than 7dpo as the clinic is closed on a Sunday.

Currently not feeling pregnant (only 8dpo but already convinced I'm out!)so I'm feeling a little sorry for myself.

Oh and I just got my invoice for the HSG. £505! Gulp, I had thought it was £400 or so. May have to pick up an extra work shift so I feel less guilty.

@Got2besoon Yes it is harder than I could have imagined. It doesn't help that I assumed it would be quick like last time, it has been a shock. My daughter is 4, so quite a lot of time has passed since I was pregnant with her. I'm 36 now and I'm now aware that there can be a big difference between early 30s and mid/late 30s. For some reason I thought the rule wouldn't apply to me..

How old is your DS? What age gap would you have liked in an ideal world?
We always wanted quite a big age gap and wanted DD to have started school before we had another one (she's in reception now). But now things are taking longer than we hoped, I fear the gap is becoming too big. However I would just be grateful to have another one at this stage though, which is something I'm not even sure will happen now.

When you say progesterone bloods, is this similar to the blood test I will have around Day 21? Where they are checking you have ovulated? Or is your blood test more specific and looking at other factors?

I hope you're ok. I find 8dpo onwards a very challenging time. I'm on CD2 today so not much going on here, just dealing with the residual disappointment of another failed cycle. I've also had an odd reaction to starting the ball rolling with investigations, I thought it would cheer me up since I like to be constantly 'doing something' but instead I feel very upset and have been close to tears several times today - not like me at all. Perhaps fear of something bad being discovered, or just the reality dawning that I am now having to seek help.

Blimey, well it is good to have a rough idea of the costs associated with going private! I'll prepare myself and start saving now!

@vitahelp Oh no, I'm sorry you're having a down day. Absolutely, for me I find the hardest days are around 10dpo until AF. I think my hormones go a bit haywire then.

To be fair, I've found it a little easier the last few months as all optimism is gone and I'm expecting those BFNs.

My DS is 3. We were hoping for a 2 or 3 year age gap, but as you say, all specifications are now out the window and we just want a baby at any time (please and thank you!).

Yes, my test is the same as the day 21 test, just making sure I ovulated. As it's my first month on Clomid, the doc wants to ensure I don't need a higher dose.

@Got2besoon ouch, pricey! But worth it I'm sure. Don't worry, 8dpo is way too early. That's where I am now too, I think. Nothing to report really. No expectations as I was so ill earlier in the month. Also have a couple of stressy work things this month so not very relaxed. One of them was yesterday and it was fine, so that's something.

Ah glad it went well; it sounds like your job is so stressful at the moment. Never ideal, but especially when TTC.

I'm trying so hard to not symptom spot but it's tricky when your body does things. Ooh, a random gas twinge, that must be implantation! Wow, 10% more creamy VD than this day last month, definitely pregnant! Feeling slightly nauseous; is it the extra large coffee I just necked, or could it be increasing HCG?!

As I say though, this month there really hasn't been anything to write home about. Hopefully just too early, as you say.

@Got2besoon yeah, stress is not ideal! After this week I should be clear of high pressure things for a bit. I was feeling happy because my weird mid cycle cramps hadn't arrived yet this month but they have started in the last half hour. Ffs. Still. At least it's not 6dpo like last month ... thinking of skipping ahead straight to private at this point...

@Got2besoon How long is your luteal phase usually? Mine is anything between 12-14 days, overall cycle is 26-28 days. Quite thankful for shorter cycles as it gives me more 'opportunities', not that it has served me well so far..

It seems funny thinking back to planning age gaps etc doesn't it. I naively thought I could decide when I wanted my second one. I even told several people I was starting trying for another one because I was so sure it would happen quickly (only close friends & family). I'm quite grateful of that though as it has forced me to share this experience with them which has helped me a lot.

Ah ok, was it found that you weren't always ovulating or are they issuing Clomid/doing the test just to be 100% certain? I assumed I was ovulating as I get a temperature shift every cycle, but I'm not sure if that is enough to confirm ovulation with 100% certainty.

@oliveroses I have to say, I'm happy with our decision to go private; I am just not a patient person.

@vitahelp My luteal phase was stuck at about 10-11 days for a while but now seems longer (about 13 days). No idea why, maybe because my body is fully 'recovered' from breastfeeding DS, which caused a really short luteal phase for quite some time.

No, I think I have been ovulating (although not 100% as my Progesterone was always just below the ideal number), but the Clomid was still suggested in order to increase my chances each month. I was more than happy to oblige!

However, I now realise I've really gotten my hopes up this cycle, which is not a good thing🙄

@Got2besoon It's not a bad thing to be hopeful, even by writing that I can tell you're tempering it just in case which is the best way to be really. Hope for the best outcome but be ready to deal with the worst. There's every chance it will happen for you this cycle :)

Thank you @TheBirdintheCave
We're all only human! Some months the emotional rollercoaster is tougher than others.

Ah well, I have a child free day today so catching up on work, which always makes me feel a bit calmer.

I hope you other ladies have been a bit more level headed than me this week!