First GP appointment-what to expect?

[Summer1986]

Hi ladies, I have my first GP appointment next week and wondered what to expect, a bit of background...
I'm 31 and DH 30, both generally fit and well although I have asthma and am a bit overweight.
We had a MMC at 9-11 weeks 3 years ago, conceived after coming off the pill 2 months before. Stopped TTC after this for a variety of reasons.
Went back on the pill for 9 months before stopping it again last August.
Spent 3 months not obsessing just waiting to see if we caught which we didn't.
Since January have been cycle tracking and using ov tests, have also introduced pre conception vits for us both, fertility reflexology sessions, reduced caffiene intake, pressed lube.
Both have healthy diet, non smokers and a low alcohol intake, we both get plenty of exercise.

I had one chemical pregnancy/early miscarriage in July of this yr.

Hi Summer. Sorry you too are having to journey through this.

There are two options: The GP may say to come back a year after your last miscarriage (that's what my GP said. My chemical was when I'd been ttc for 12 months). Option 2 is they might order a few tests to be run. Generally: day 2-5 blood tests, day 21 blood test ( or 7 days before expected af) and they might arrange for an ultrasound. I would recommend that your partner gets in to see his GP for a semen analysis.

The GP may also make the suggestion to lose weight, diet, folic acid, lifestyle changes etc... Oh and to dtd every 2-3 days.

Very sorry for your losses. Good luck. Be strong. My GP was an ass (not just because he wouldn't run any tests).

Thank you Kate. If you don't mind me asking, did you conceive again after your MC? I'm glad I'm booked to see a lady Dr who I've found to be sympathetic and understanding in the past.

I would suggest booking a double appointment and going with your DH. When we went, the GP said it was really useful that we were both there. He sent me for 21 day bloods and DH had to give a sperm sample at a hospital almost 2 hours away from home We then had to make another double appointment to go back and discuss the results

Hi OP,

The first step for me was to be referred for a number of blood tests, including the day 21 test (pointless for me as my cycles are really long), and recommend DP gets his semen tester.

When all blood tests were normal I was referred for a scan of my ovaries, which looked potentially polycystic, then a follow up scan two months later which showed all cysts gone and completely normal womb and ovaries!

My next appointment is in a few weeks, and this is all following on from a miscarriage last November.

I haven't. That was back in March. I was able to self-refer to a fertility clinic on the NHS who said they did (for the purposes of fertility) not 'count' my chemical in terms of a miscarriage as they are so common. They WERE sensitive to me about it, even if that doesn't make it sound like they were... They said I did the right thing in going to see them at about 15 months ttc.

The utrasound showed a ginormous number of cysts on each ovary and the Nurse Practitioner who 'booked us in' seemed to think I might not be ovulating every cycle. She was very interested in my list that I'd written of all cycle lengths since ttc and when I think I ovulated.

I've got my second appointment next Monday, but not getting hopeful. Every time I expect something to happen, it doesn't and I then kinda fall apart. So LOW expectations is the name of my game. Basically, worst case scenario is that they say nothing is wrong but I don't have rubella antibodies (which they tested for), so I can't ttc for at least 3 months once I get the rubella shot.

Thank you all for sharing your experiences. I've had multiple ultra sounds done before, one about 8 yrs ago when my GP thought I had PCOS (I didn't) then 3 around my MMC 3yrs ago. Can you develop PCOS over time or is it something you either have or don't?

Hi OP, sorry to hear you've had a hard time TTC, and for your MCs.

In terms of going to doctor I think it happens differently depending on your GP practice, but can tell you my experience. It also might be different if you've had recent mc as they might say you have to wait a year after that.

I went for first appointment in July with my partner. GP asked us some questions and then basically sent us for all the tests at once. She referred me for a scan, did a chlamydia test, told me to contact reception and book in for blood tests on days 1-4 and days 19-20 of my cycle, and also referred my partner for sperm analysis.

We weren't able to book in for bloods/sperm tests until end of August due to work commitments/holidays over the right days in my cycle, but we technically could have had all that done within a month. My scan referral resulted in an appointment within a month and I went for that in mid-August.

In the end I actually found out I was pregnant a couple of days after the scan, so we didn't go for bloods & sperm testing. I am really aware though that if this pregnancy doesn't succeed (I'm only 5+3 so still in the risky zone) we'll be sort of back to square one again and might have to wait another year.

Good luck with yours, I hope you get a nice GP .