Geriatric gang 🤰part 2

[niknaks37]

Hey geriatric gang, started a new thread, the other was full. I hope you will continue the journey. If I have missed anyone tag away.

@MK85
@Lifegivesyoulimes
@40andtrying1
@cornflakes86
@mommabear64
@Endomummy
@Stillwinston

Thanks @MK85 My lh is creeping slowly up, just hope it keeps going up slowly till I can get my hands on hubby! How are things with you?

@Butterfly2000 I'm currently 12dpo. Temp has risen so I'm fairly certain I've ovulated but my progesterone bloods came back that I haven't ovulated so I don't really know whats going on. I'm not really sure what I'm supposed to do next.
AF should be due Sunday .
I've had the most awful pain coming and going in my thigh all day so I've been tucked into bed all evening watching few movies which has been a nice distraction

@MK85 How long are you cycles? I've heard that unless progesterone levels are super low there can be a possibility that you've still ovulated

I'm back, took a break for a bit. Had a month free of OPKs and relaxed. So this months cycle has been and gone, last day of AF yesterday. I phoned my doctors this morning, explained the scenario. Turns out according to NHS guidelines, those under 40 have to try for a year before gp referrals, anyway been trying for over a year now. I'm now on referrals, then tomorrow morning I have an appointment for bloods.
Like i feel totally fine, regular cycles, gym 3 times a week, eating healthy and I very rarely drink. Now DH has crohns which he is medicated for, we wont know if his meds affect sperm quality until analysis.

Could anyone tell me how the next steps work? As in bloods, fertility referral? Dr was quite vague, I think she was Locum dr.

@niknaks37 Glad you've managed to relax a bit. I did the same in June and it felt really good. As far as I know it's bloods for both of you, sperm analysis for DH, possibly an ultrasound for you and then referral. My GP said the referral wouldn't be accepted without the tests. Hopefully one all your tests are done it's full steam ahead for you guys!

@niknaks37 great to hear you've had a relaxing time.
It seems they are all locum doctors these days, at least in my area anyway. None of the regular gps seem to want to take on any workload.

Most doctors aren't great with fertility related cases as its not their field of expertise. I was referred to gynae , which seems to be the norm with other mumsnetters.
Gp did basic bloods and a scan for me and that was it. Gynae then ordered more thorough bloods including full hormone profile, semen analysis and any extra tests if needed like dye ect.
In my experience, gynae are utter shit too, they have a basic understanding of fertility but I think nhs are rather reluctant to send you direct to fertility clinic and use their resources unless necessary.
We only got bumped to fertility clinic early due to his semen results and months of diabolical care with gynae. My OH complained to his gp about the care and andrology lab had already noted to refer us away to fertility anyway, so she sent the referral direct, without having to wait or complete care with gynae. When I say early , that's quite laughable considering how long we've been at this. I was referred when I was 33. It took 3 years to get a referral ( covid may have played a part) another 7 months with gynae before fertility clinic referral , which took 9 months. That was back in February and we had our second consultation 4 months later in June past , and fingers crossed we should we due to start treatment ( icsi) in the autumn.
It's good that you got the ball rolling as fertility related cases can take a really long time.
I've seen some say they got a referral in 12 weeks or so , so weather it takes weeks, months or years will depend greatly on your local waiting times.
My advice to you , is to check where exactly you've been referred to with your gp surgery , and then ring the hospital ect to find out the current waiting times for that department. It'll give you a heads up how long of a waiting time your looking at

I'm currently 14dpo , although I think I may have ovulated several days later this month going by bbt, in which case I may be only around 11dpo ( and I think we completely timed BD wrong)
ive absolutely no urge to test this month. I've kinda just accepted its not going to happen this way. Ive 3 more months of medicated cycles but un uncertain yet if I'll continue.

Chiming in on the fertility testing discussions. I'm scheduled for bloods next week to check ovulation, then again the following week. DH also has a date with a cup coming up. Doctor advised us not to DTD every day so we're trying every 2-3 days this month, which has taken some of the pressure off.

Hi, I’m 8DPO and I crumbled and tested this evening because I’m a serial tester. It was a very faint positive, it came up within a minute so not an evap or indent. Part of me wonders if this is actually our time, this is cycle 12, however the other part of me thinks no pony getting excited as it’ll just be another chemical.

@Lifegivesyoulimes that's fantastic! Have you been #TTC number 1 for 12 cycles? It's wonderful to hear a success story ❤️

@Lifegivesyoulimes that's so nice to hear! I totally get where you're coming from as I've had an MMC and CP this year so I don't think I'll ever get excited when I get a BFP but I do think you should be tentatively hopeful 🤞😉

@Angelsrose @Sez281 Thank you. Yes cycle 12 TTC#1. I had started to mentally prepare myself for the possibility that having a child might not happen for us. So I don’t think I’ll ever believe it. I probably need to stop reading so much MN, I think it skews your view to think miscarriage is more inevitable that it actually is. 🤦🏼‍♀️😂

Lovely news

@Lifegivesyoulimes congratulations .
I think im going to start gulping down that proceive every day

@niknaks37 The process has gone like this for us - GP referred me for bloods (two sets, day 1-4 and then day 21) and DH for bloods and then a semen analysis. All came back fine, so then had to make another appointment and got the referral to the fertility clinic. Clinic have done more bloods for me, semen for DH, internal scan for me, and HSG coming up. I think it's a bit of a lottery with which GP you get, and what area you are in. Hopefully things are moving for you now though!

Congrats! So happy for you! Fingers crossed that it all works out ❤️

I'm on cycle 3 and still trying for kid #3. My periods are a bit strange lately. I had 3 days of spotting before AF really showd and ofc I thought I might be pregnant 🙄 and it also lasted longer than usual.... I fear this might mean I'm entering perimenopause 😱 I'm going to be 41 in October 🙄

@Lifegivesyoulimes that is absolutely wonderful and gives so much hope to us TTC #1ers! Be blessed! Wishing you the very best.

Thanks @Angelsrose. I thought I was out yesterday as my BBT fell off a cliff so I tested with FMU which was completely negative. Tested again last night and I got a clear positive, the line was stronger than it was on Thursday so I’m still hanging in there. BBT this morning had come back. Period isn’t due until Tuesday or Wednesday.

Good evening ladies. AF arrived last night ;(
I think this is going to be our last cycle trying naturally

@MK85
Firstly sorry to hear AF arrived, hopefully your onward journey will come with a happy BFP.

Super thank you for the information and advice! Sounds like you have had a lot of hassle along the way, as if the journey of ttc isnt hard enough!

Well I had my bloods taken, 3 viles! No idea it was going to be that much.
I rang today but 3 results aren't back yet, hormones I was told are normal, liver function notmal, electrolytes normal, bone density and thyroid normal. Not entirely sure what the last 3 are that I am waiting on though! So I am thinking I'll see what else comes back, wait for the appointment for DH analysis and then take it from there? Need to see where he is at especially with his illness and taking medication already, I can see in his face he is worried. I said it is better knowing and get the help we need if needed.

Did I read some newspaper article recently about NHS using private clinics to tackle waiting lists? I'm hoping this is across the board to include fertility, there is bound to be a longer list now due to covid delays?

@hennie222 I missed your post and seen after I reples to mk85!

So far bloods normal, waiting on last 3 and then DH for semen analysis appointment. GP has already added me for fertility referral due to long waiting lists, she asked if I had tried the private route and I said their was no way I could afford, so must be bad waiting times 😭.

@niknaks37 I think they test FSH and LH on day 3.

I'm not sure , but here in N.I they are still only using nhs clinics. Although years ago, OH had his sperm checked through nhs and it was with a private clinic ( no nhs fertility clinic was established here at that time) so I know they must work with private clinics in some instances .
Lists are absolutely disgraceful. To think this is how far I've got after 4 years with nhs. Although saying that, I've seen poeple on here saying they've been referred , in and out , had ivf in the space of 1 year so I guess it greatly depends on local waiting area times.

We got our fertility clinic ivf letter today that said we've reached the top of the list for treatment and to sign our consent forms. We can defer for upto 3 months but we're thinking of just cracking on with it as after 3 months of clomid we've been unsuccessful trying naturally. I don't know if there's much point continuing all 6 cycles. I've already started this month now as took my first before the post came in so I'm going to have to commit to this month and then move on.
From the sounds of it, they are looking us to start within the next month or two as the letter outlined the treatment plan and they are ready to give us access to their portal to communicate with the clinic nurses and sort out the meds.
I'm absolutely dreading it if I'm being honest. It just sounds gruelling , physically and mentally but I don't think I've ever forgive myself if I didn't try everything as I just desperately want us to have a family. I feel a child is only thing missing from our life.
We haven't told anyone we're doing ivf so it feels incredibly daunting to be going through all this alone.
I know our families would never judge us but for me, It just feels all so uncomfortable and embarassing talking about it with anyone IRL. Does anyone feel like that?

@mk85 it's a small world I'm from N.I!

I can't imagine what you are feeling right now, as I am not that far ahead in my journey. If it is of any comfort I understand your embarrassment, and it can be a lonely journey when families dont know what your going through. I almost feel like I would be judged by my family due to age. I'm keeping hush about my ttc journey.
The positive is you are moving onto the next step, and hopefully in the not too distant future a wee bean will grow.
We certainly dont have it easy, with our bodies being poked and prodded, but focusing on the end goal will help.

How long did it take for OH semen analysis appointment to come through? My Oh has been referred to the Royal vic for his appointment. I thought it would have been the ulster?

@MK85 sorry it hasn’t worked out for you. I really hope you get the outcome you want from IVF.

AF arrived today. I knew I was getting ahead of myself for believing this could actually be our time before missed period. So that’s chemical pregnancy 6 for me now. On a whim I ordered the Hertility testing kit hopefully it arrives in time to test on CD3. It’ll be annoying if I have to wait another month. Other that that I’m not really sure what my next steps are. I still look at it as a positive that I do seem to be able to conceive. I can’t get a referral to gynaecology/fertility due to my BMI. I may speak to my GP about a referral to recurrent miscarriage but presume that’ll be blocked due to BMI too.

@niknaks37 Semen analysis was very quick. Only a couple of weeks and results were back within few days. Surprisingly, the SA was the quickest part of the whole process.
He did the SA in Craigavon hospital but
all correspondence we've had from regional fertility tho have came from the Royal as I believe that's where the clinic is based.

We only got referred on early for ivf because of his results. He has low morphology