Fertility MOT???

[lynseyward1984]

Hi
I am a 27 year mum of one who works full time. Childcare is so expensive that my hubby and I don't think we will be able to have kids for a few years - but what if it's to late...ahh. I really want more kids and have heard that MOTs or assessments (which give you an idea of how long you have before the chances of having kids naturally is slim!) - has anyone had one?
I understand Hope Fertility at Nuffield in Glasgow do these tests. Has anyone heard anything about this new clinic?
Thanks for any help you can give me.
Lynsey

I guess you refer to hormonal tests (FSH, LH progesterone, AMH)... By all means do them, but as I understand they are a good predictor in the short- or at stretch medium-term, not long-term.

Example I am 39, had FSH of 5 18months ago. Two months ago took another test - now it is 25 (very very high). Last month I got pregnant naturally after having years of IVF and a natural pregnancy last December (gave birth in June due to strepB at 24+1, dd died from being so premature, but was perfect in any other way).

If you want kids and are ready, just go for it. There is never a "perfect" time... something always creeps up financial or otherwise...

Thanks for the advice. That is great news that you havea little one after your heartache. I have decided to book an appointment to get tested - might as well see what they say.

Really would rather be able to provide for the kid(s) I have rather than struggling to get by, don't think it would be fair and my family lives in Ireland while I life in Scotland so travelling home would be alont harder - flights are not as cheap as they use to be.

Thanks again

Getting my fertility test done tomorrow, I am really excited to find out the results. Although I only had Darcey a couple of years ago, I am still keen to check how long I have left to have my next child. I am still pretty young (26) but with the current economic climate I know I won?t be having another child any time soon.

Excited but nervous my friend went to Hope fertility in glasgow and said they were great - will let you all know how I get on!!
Lynss

Just had my blood test! The people were so nice and the hospital is lovely. The nurse explained that we are born with the amount of eggs we will only ever have and the blood test will let me know how any many eggs I have left and guidance of how long I have left to have any more kids. The next appointment in two weeks is the internal examination which will let me know how my ovaries look etc. Can?t believe the nurse will talk me through all the results in two weeks. Then I can start planning my future family. Fingers crossed everything is ok; I think it is but you never really know.

Lyns

Well got my results yesterday. A bit disappointed - only got four eggs left (avergae for someone my age is 20). The doctor explained that this means I should really consider trying for another child in the next two-three years at the latest or I may be focused to use methods such as IVF to conceive. Can't afford that but not sur we can afford a child just now - not sure what to do. Great to know though as I thought because I am only 27 I thought I had a number of years to go before I would have to worry about infertility.
I was really shocked as it didn't take me long to get pregnant the first time but the doctor explained that someone can experience post pregnancy infertility.

I also had an internal examination (a bit like a detailed smear - which included looking at your ovaries) - all good there thank goodness.

Well I will keep you updated on my decision on my family plan.

Well we have decided to take the plunge and expand our family! As everyone says there is no right time!

Came off the pill a couple of weeks and hope that falling pregnant will not be too diffcult (I am like a dog with a bone when I get something in my head)

AS Thunderbolt is, I too am trying to make sense of the '4 eggs' thing! Are you sure you haven't mis-understood? I don;t think there is a test that can identify the precise number of eggs - the AMH is the closest equivalent that I've heard of. An AMH of 4 would put you in the low fertility category whilst an AMH of 22 would put you in the normal fertility category. These aren't normed per age group. Maybe worth asking of these results printed out so you can make more sense of them?

The '4' that lynsey refers to sounds like her AFC (antral follicle count) which is a marker of how many eggs started to grow in that cycle. This along with AMH can be used as a marker of ovarian reserve. AFC is not as reliable alone as AMH but taken together they give a good indication. A 27 yr old would be expected to have an AFC of about 20.

It doesn't mean she has only 4 eggs left, but her ovarian reserve is more like that of someone older.