When should I approach GP

[cori]

Another negative pregancny test. We have been trying for 6 months now. I cant understand what is wrong. I fell pregnant with DS with in two months. In all I have been pregnant 3 times ( one baby, one miscarriage, and when I was much younger)I assumed I was pretty fertile.
How long should we wait to approach GP for tests.

I think the accepted wisom is that if you go to a GP before you have been trying unsuccessfully for less than 12 - 18 months, they just check that you are having enough sex at the right times, suggest any lifestyle changes etc. After that they start taking a bit more interest. Think this wait is shortened to 8-ish months if you are classed as an 'older' mum. But I wouldn't panic - it took me 6 months to catch. But then, that was probably more to do with dh's attitude - 'You can do whatever you want, sweetheart, just don;t wake me up'

if you're over 30 you could try in the next few months and you might have a sympathetic gp who starts the ball rolling with tests, etc. otherwise they'll probably say wait 12-18m like AllIWant says.

ours said 6 months (i'm 22) poss it depends on the pratice you're in as well. best way is to go along and see.

You could forget all about ocnception and plan something else, like a friend of mine did. Soon as she started planning her wedding after a few months of trying for a baby bang! Then she had to worry about the dress :)

I am 34, I have heard that they want you to wait for up to a year, but I have had no trouble getting pregnant in the past, now its taking so long.
Does that not indicate something is not right..

I know I am ovulating due to charting for the past couple of months, what else would GPs be testing for.?
Also apart from not drinking and smoking, and general nutrion what other lifestyle changes do they suggest?

everything is probably fine, cori. Age is the biggest factor in delays in getting pg. I can't remember exact statistics but try looking \link{http://www.babycentre.co.uk/refcap/3535.html\here} as it contains some useful info. Also trawl round some of the ttc threads on mumsnet. good luck x

I think that if you are charting and can show a GP that you are increasing your luck ie. I ovulated here, had sex then and then they are more likely to do basic hormone tests at about the 6 months of charts mark. What they then do with those charts is luck of the draw from what I can ascertain.

my gp didn't ask to see any charts, neither did my consultant when i was referred. i think they both asked if i knew when i was ovulating and having sex, etc and took my word for it that i knew what i was talking about. we then went straight to the blood tests for me and sperm tests for dh.

Hi Cori,

It is not uncommon at all for women to fall pg almost "straight away" with the first child only to find that ttcing the second takes longer. Age also is a factor in such things.

Charting is not a definative indicator of ovulation and I would not rely on such charts alone. Many GPs and gynaes do not take notice of such charts primarily because they are so unreliable. It is possible to have periods without ovulating. Having said that, if your cycle is pretty much regular then chances are that ovulation is happening more often than not.

Your GP may want to start some simple investigative initial tests such as a blood test for you (ensure that both your LH and FSH levels are looked at and compared against one another) and a semen analysis for your man.

I would see if you can get some tests done.

HTH

Meerkats

THanks guys,
I think I will give it another couple of months and then approach the GP. Looking on the bright side, at least I am not pregnant at Christmas time, and can have a drink or two , or three..... :o

Cori
Know exactly how you feel. I fell pg with ds whilst on the pill so was a surprise (to say the least). We didn't take precautions in between ds and dd and it seemed to take forever to conceive (in fact it was 5 cycles). Actually went to see our doctor a month before we conceived and he said to wait another 3 months before he would start tests etc etc. Am now ttc no 3 and again it seems to be taking a long time - I am 32 and had dd in Feb. Stopped bf at the end of June and af returned end of July. Had a m/c in Sept (very early - at around 6 weeks) and af has been pretty erratic. This month had a 28 day cycle at long last and my ov day has seemed to get earlier each month, from cd21/22 to cd16/17 this month, which I guess is a good sign. Anyway, enough of my rambling, just wanted to let you know you are not alone and wishing you the best of luck. I should be ov between Christmas and New Year so may have to cut back on the old booze, which isn't a bad thing anyway......

I know how you feel Cori. After getting pregnant with DS 2nd month of trying it took a year to get pregnant again (m/c) and then another 7 months to get pregnant for the third time (also m/c). Before I got pregnant that time I went to my GP, who basically confirmed that it can just take a long time sometimes - isn't the average length of time something like 12 months? BUT he did refer me to the infertility clinic, stating that I'ld almost certainly be pregnant by the time an appointment comes through (there is a longish waiting list) - which I was. It doesn't hurt to see what your GP says. Best of luck - and enjoy your Christmas tipple while you can!