TTC no 2. Secondary infertility?

[Lala87]

I'm TTC no 2.

Took 9 months to get pregnant with DD who was born in 2021 via emergency c section.

I'm on cycle 15 now. Just over a year trying.

Day 21 tests show I ovulate. I track BBT and CM and all as they should be. I ovulate around day 15 in a day 27/28 cycle. Cycles are normal and nothing untoward to report.

My AMH is 7.45. on the lower end of the range for my age according to NICE guidelines. I'm trying to not focus on the numbers too much because I read that they have little impact on natural conception but they are more an indication as to whether I'd respond to hormone treatment for IVF.

I'm 36.

We've just started testing with the GP and LH and FSH within the normal range but the ratio isn't 1:1 but more like 0.5 which I read is indicative of low reserve which aligns with my AMH results. Awaiting partners sperm analysis.

It only takes one egg and I'm so hoping I'll get pregnant this year. At my age it could be up to two years right?

Just looking for some stories to share really. Anyone in the same position? Anyone got pregnant after this long trying?

Xxx

I'm in a similar position, we've been trying TTC #2 for 13 months, we conceived very quickly with DD. I'm really feeling down this month as I've all the signs of AF. I'm fast approaching 35.

I've just had my bloods done and received a TEXT so say "normal and in line with ovulation" basically feels like a big see-ya-bye get on with it. ☹️

I'm debating going for a private fertility scan as my GP was very much like "you've had one pregnancy so all will be fine, you won't need any scans" however I had a tough birth and recovery so I'm niggled with the possibility of scaring? Trauma? TTC is tough!

I also wonder if I have scarring because of my c section and I had a haemorrhage. I was told the same at the six month mark, you know you ovulate, you've got pregnant before and fertility doesn't decline that rapidly until 40... Here I am months later in the same situation. I hate it when they just fob you off. So many things can change. Do you know if you're able to push for scans on the NHS? I thought that they could at least do that? Once we have my partner's sperm analysis back then the GP will do our referral to the fertility clinic. I'm so impatient though :(

I’ve been TTC 10 months but also feeling time drag. Have been pregnant in that time but had a MMC at 8 weeks. Not sure if that resets the clock in terms of nhs investigations - I was told around 7 months I would be referred after a year of TTC (im 37 almost 38). Personally I feel I now need to take a break as it really does get to you after a while. Sending you the best xx

It's hard isn't it. It becomes very consuming. Really hope you get your BFP soon x

I have an anlmost identical situation to yourself OP. Had one chemical and one loss at 7 weeks whilst ttc. Decided to contact private fertility clinic and all tests normal, as was hycosy. I thought about it for a few months and decided to proceed with a round of ivf due to my age and hoping that in the event there are any frozen embryos left, could use them for baby no3, if it ever came to it. Expensive but I couldn’t take the continued disappointment every month. So hoping for the best that it works, but like everything ttc related it’s a game of chance.

I'm sorry about your losses. It really is disappointing each month when you find out you've not been successful. Even more so when all tests show as ok! I hope your IVF is successful. I think I would eventually explore this option. It scares me to put all my hopes into it but it would be worse if I never fell naturally and regretted not giving IVF a go. I think I'll give it to the end of this year and then make a decision on it.

For what it’s worth my GP was pretty useless in the grand scheme of things, she actually told me I would have to go private for proper checks, this was after a bit of a battle trying to get bloods done to test for HCG (pregnancy hormone). I get it in a way, they’re not specialists, but just made the situation seem all the more hopeless.

My advice would be to get the initial investigations done with a fertility clinic. Couple of hundred quid but worth it for the peace of mind.

Also they confirmed from the hycosy (or SIS as the fertility clinic called it) that I had no scarring issues from my c section, so that was a big relief to know as I did wonder about that too.

I second going private for some basic tests. Have you had your thyroid checked? GP should do this for you. They should also do Vit D and day 21 progesterone, if you’re happy to be pushy then ask for an antibody screen too

i liked The Impatient Woman’s Guide to Getting Pregnant. At your age (& mine) it shouldn’t be taking a year + to get a normal egg & a normal sperm (at least according to that book), so I would defo prioritise investigations.

Ps- agree that you shouldn’t worry about AMH and FSH, my specialist told me he doesn’t even bother measuring FSH as it varies so much from month to month!

I have my thyroid checked regularly due to medication, fortunately. Day 21 was fine but I'm interested in my Vit D! Thanks for the recommendation on the book! I'll give it a go. Losing faith 😭

also might be useful to know the clinic recommends the following vitamins before starting ivf (all high dose): folic acid, vitamin D, vitamin B complex and 600mg CoQ10 (which helps with egg quality). Also recommend a diet high in good fats, cold olive oil, avocado, nuts etc