Anyone else starting investigations this month?

[babypleasenow]

Hiya just wondering if there are any ladies on here who have been TTC 1yr+ and are seeking help from GP this month as I've just requested a call from my gp to discuss and would like someone to buddy up with as I'm scared! 😂

Hi @beth1311 welcome!

About your bloods.. have you made sure to time your Day 21 test properly from ovulation? It needs to be taken in the middle of your luteal phase. That's normally around 7 days past ovulation. If you take it any earlier or later then it won't be accurate. The best thing to do is call up when you get a positive ovulation test and then book the blood test for 7 days later.

You should also be having a CD3 blood test done by your GP. This looks at:
FSH
LH
Prolactin (if you have very irregular cycles)
Testosterone
Estradiol (depends on the CCG)

You will also normally need a MMR/rubella antibodies test, an up to date smear and STD swabs. You might also be sent for an internal scan and your partner should be sent for a semen analysis. Then you should be referred to the fertility/gynae clinic at an NHS hospital.

I think you should call your GP and tell them that you need a referral to the fertility clinic and insist that they book you in for all the necessary tests. The wait from referral can sometimes take a few months. E.g I went to my GP in Dec 2020, referral was sent in March 2021, first appointment is in September 2021. So it's taken quite a bit of time. If you do go private, normally you can get appointments very quickly. But honestly I would recommend getting simple tests like bloods and swabs done by the NHS first as it's all free and shouldn't take too long. Then if you don't want to wait for the NHS fertility clinic appointment, you can book in for a private consultation with them. It's the fertility clinic wait which is the worst imo because the GP can't give any information or support about fertility, all they can do is order your tests and then refer you.

Hi @acaciabluebell thanks for all the tips!

My GP rang me back today and was very unhelpful. Said he isn't willing to do anymore 'day 21' tests as it's like guess work, and when I mentioned other testing he said no, I'd have to wait for the fertility consultant appointment.
My friend is currently waiting to see the same consultant and has been for over a year.

I'm a bit disappointed really because it was kinda a "oh just wait and see" attitude (he actually said just wait and see) and I don't feel like it's being taken seriously.

I've booked to go and see someone privately for all of those things, at least I'll know where I stand then xx

@acaciabluebell he suggested I might be ovulating late but still refused another blood test. But I thought if I was ovulating later, and I'm too far ahead with the blood tests, that my progesterone would be more than

Wow your GP sounds like an ass (no offence). I don't see why they wouldn't do a repeat test for you. It's not guesswork if you use an ovulation predictor kit and then book your test from there.
Also it's very possible you are ovulating later. Most people don't ovulate bang on Day 14. I often ovulate late, sometimes CD22 or CD23. So if I did my Day 21 blood test on day 21, I wouldn't have even ovulated by then! And my progesterone result would be very very low and inaccurate.

What was your progesterone result, was it less than 1? And when did you get your period that month? Normally progesterone rises after ovulation, it peaks mid-cycle, and then goes down again before your period. When I did my test, I called up on my ovulation day and booked my test for 6-7 days later. My result was under 30, so it indicated I probably am not ovulating properly / strongly enough and my progesterone is likely not high enough to sustain a pregnancy.

Also it's really surprising that your GP won't do any other tests. Normally there is a long list of tests you need to have before a referral can be made. Whereabouts in the UK are you?

Sorry @beth1311 forgot to tag x

@acaciabluebell normally he's brilliant, it just seemed like I was bothering him with something he couldn't fix.

I've had the test done 4 times now, once I came on the day after the test which is very unusual for me as it was only a 26 day cycle.
The other 2 I came on around a week later, and this one now I'm still waiting, but it's been 7 days already and no sign of AF.
They've all been less than 1.

I don't know. Everyone says "oh just relax it'll happen" and I feel I'm stressing about this bloody less than 1 thing, but if I don't push the matter I'm worried it'll be too late xx

@acaciabluebell sorry, it's a pain not being able to read the message when replying!

I'm in South Wales, they seem happy to just refer you off to someone else Willy nilly.

I'm going to take my temping and ovulation sticks more seriously and really focus on getting a result. I'll set an alarm so I temp as soon as I open my eyes lol xx

Morning ladies!

Sorry if I'm hijacking this post.
A few days ago I booked my fertility appointment privately, filled out all the paperwork yesterday and through the postbox came my new pack of ovulation sticks!

2nd morning wee, I thought "ah why not try"... do these look positive to you?

I'm really keeping everything crossed thst there has to be something going on in there, and maybe I'm ovulating super late? According to the 4 apps I use for tracking, my period is due in 3 days time 🧐
Xx

@beth1311 yes they’re getting there! I would test again tonight and tomorrow morning and as soon as they are the same colour or darker than the control line they’re positive! Mine usually look like yours the morning of or the night before I get my peak. I also ovulate late - this month it was day 21.

Had another very short LP again this month so just on my way to go and buy some seeds and give seed cycling a go to see if that balances things out a bit! Willing to give anything a go 😂

@Riviera90 I'll try another one in a few hours. Don't want to get my hopes up but feel a bit more positive about it!

I'm on day 31 now, I don't know if i am ovulating because that seems VERY late. Who knows. I'll just play it day by day and get lots of practice in haha xx

Did you get a positive OPK @beth1311? Xx

@Riviera90 probably about the same, maybe a touch lighter so I don't know!
Are there more reliable ones? My sister in law said about the clear blue. I think I need something more than judging a faint line lol x

Yea I do like the clear blue advanced ones that give you a flashing then static smiley! You have to use those ones in the morning but I actually find that easier 😊 I think they’re worth splashing out on! X have you thought about temping to confirm ovulation? X

@Riviera90 I might have to get some. Maybe use the cheap ones until I get a line then use the clear blue ones to really figure out what's happening and when.

I was temping but kept forgetting, but now I've set an alarm so I'll do it everyday, providing I don't fall back asleep again or get up with the dog haha xx

@beth1311 yea good idea! After 2 years of tracking everything I can tell when I’m about to ovulate so end up just using 2 clear blues a month before I get a static smiley and then I only take my temp a couple of days after that and as soon as I get a temp over 36.50 i know I’ve ovulated! So much cheaper and less hassle than it used to be. Hahah I know I do the same with the dog 😂
I’ve just ordered some proceive supplements for me and DP from Boots because they had some really good reviews! I think we’ve decided we’ll keep trying naturally until the end of the year and then it gives us a bit more time to save for IVF as well

I'm pretty sure I'm at my peak now?!

My temp over the last 3 days has gone up from 36.3 to 36.4 and today it's 36.6!

Also, this test is a solid positive/peak isn't it? Please say it is 😂

@beth1311 yes that’s definitely your peak!! 😁😁 better get DTD!

Hi everyone
Sorry for the long post!
Came across this thread that is actually recently active so hope it's OK for me to join in! I did start another for investigations but it's rather quiet and the other I am on has most ladies already going through IVF. Wanted to find somewhere from investigations onwards and still natural trying TWW support.
I'm 35 next month and have been off contraception since Sept 2019. I wouldn't count every month as trying because my husband works away adhoc but definitely would be over 12 cycles of nothing happening. Never had a BFP ever. Got in touch with the GP in April with day 21 bloods done which all came back fine. GP referred us straight to fertility clinic (age and time trying) however failed to mention that we just phone to book in OH sperm analysis 🤦‍♀️. Got a video call app through in June and luckily phoned because OH wouldn't be there for the appointment to be told it would be to go through SA results. Explained he hadn't had it done as we were waiting for app to be sent through. Managed to get him booked in before the video call thankfully but made me realise GPs really don't know too much about this process so keep that in mind for just starting out.

SA thankfully came back better than normal which made me think great there must def be something on my side of things! At video call app I was told the next step would be to book me in for internal Ultrasound and Hycosy test with the Hycosy test basically optional as if anything did show in that the outcome would still be referral for IVF. I honestly thought IVF comes in as a completely last resort but in my experience it's almost seemed like the first option since referral 🤷‍♀️. Wasn't expecting appointment till Sept however a cancellation came up last Thursday.

They explained my right tube and ovary all look fine (7 follicles there) but couldn't find my left one as apparently they can move about and it was too high.... Who knew. After having the catheter inserted twice and having the senior doctor also take a look they came to the conclusion my left tube is likely blocked as I had some pain there with the fluid going through. I was in there for about an hour and left feeling like it's plausible but I don't know quite how much they seen to come to that conclusion and also no idea what my left ovary is like because they couldnt see it. Hycosy in general was uncomfortable but not as painful as I thought it could be hearing all the horror stories. From here I will be getting adding to the IVF waiting list in 3 months time then 4-6 months on the waiting list before IVF. I was also told I'm still quite able to get pregnant naturally and that an egg from the left ovary can be moved over and come through the right tube....mind blown 😂.

Hoping that something happens naturally before then though so any tips you've found out about would be much appreciated! I've been OPK checking on and off and tried preseed the other month.

Hi @Belle2210!

It sounds like you’re at a similar stage to the rest of us. That was lucky about the cancellation!

Yea the body is amazing I’ve heard that before about the tubes 😮 It’s good all the other tests have come back ok so far though!

I feel like I’ve tried everything but no BFP either. Don’t have any other tips for trying naturally I’m afraid as nothing has worked for me yet x whereabouts are you in your cycle?

@Riviera90
Its just crazy is it really. All you get told growing up is how to prevent pregnancy and not anything about how difficult it can be to get pregnant!

I'm not actually quite sure what CD I'm on right now. Hycosy was Thurs day 20, Sunday/Monday I had light bleeding then overnight/today its like a heavy period 🤷‍♀️. If I go from Sunday thats day 23 which is wayyy early as my cycles are generally 26/27 days. Think the Hycosy has kicked things off a bit early. Been trying to research it and apparently can be common to have an odd period afterwards. I'm assuming I'm day 1 today. Going to track all my OPKs this month so I ll hopefully know. Usually get a positive around day 12. TMI but it has had quite alot of clotting so I'm hoping maybe this is the clear out my tubes needed 🤞

How long have you been TTC for?

@Belle2210 I know I laugh when I think about that now can’t believe I used to be so paranoid about getting pregnant after one missed pill!

Ah ok I didn’t know it could do that! 🤞🏻 Fingers crossed for you, that’s what I was hoping too.

I stopped taking the pill in July 2019 so think this must be cycle 25ish

Temp has gone up to 36.8, faint ovulation tests and negative pregnancy. No sign of AF.
What is happening?!

Roll on a few weeks when I see the consultant 😞

@beth1311 that’s a good sign that your temp has gone up as it’s likely you’ve ovulated! I would probably wait 12 days from when your temp started going up and if AF hasn’t arrived take a pregnancy test then 😊

Hi ladies I hope you are doing well! Any updates for any of you? Still no change over here, about to start Cycle 21 of TTC 🙄

But I did have my initial NHS fertility appointment - finally!! Only took flipping 9 months 😂 I can't believe this thread started in February and I'm only now doing an update in late September!

We discussed my results - everything is normal except I have low Day 21 progesterone and slightly elevated prolactin. I've had a repeat blood test to check if my prolactin is still raised. For the progesterone, the gynae doctor briefly considered putting me on ovulation induction (e.g meds and progesterone support) but then when she saw my husband's semen analysis results (0% normal morphology) she very clearly said that it looks like our main cause of infertility is male factor. So, my husband is being referred to a urologist/andrologist to check if there is any underlying pathology.

For me, I had a Chlamydia swab and I've been referred for a HSG. Not gonna lie, I was hoping that I would get prescribed some medication like Clomid/Letrozole today just so I could have something different to try, if that makes sense? Rather than just continue to TTC naturally, which is getting so tiring now! But the doctor was saying there's no point starting ovulation induction if we don't know my tubes are open, which I guess makes sense. Plus, with the male factor diagnosis she said we are likely going to skip the ovulation induction and go straight to IVF ICSI.

Our follow up appointment will be in 2-3 months, so around December time, and I'm hoping we will get our IVF referral then - if we haven't conceived naturally of course! It works well because December we will have reached Cycle 24 / 2 years of TTC. (I may have fibbed a little and told the doctor we were already on cycle 24 because I didn't want them to send me away 🤭). If all goes well I really hope we can start IVF in 2022 🤞🏽

I'm quite nervous about the HSG/Hycosy can anyone share their experience?

Would love to hear you updates! @Riviera90 @beth1311 @Belle2210