Struggling- don’t know where to start

[Hoppyhops]

DH and I have been TTC for 2 years. I had early MCs in March and July 2020 and nothing since. We paid for private fertility tests in Oct. it came back that I had mild PCOS and DH fine. Consultant advised us to just keep trying.

I’m just so fed up. Today our best friends announced their having a baby, my best friend from school is pregnant, close family members are having babies- there seem to be constant reminders everywhere!

I just need some form of action plan but I don’t know where to start. We can’t afford private treatment so does anyone know what we need to do to best approach this subject with the GP? What they may recommend we try, etc.

Just having a hard day today and fed up. Thanks.

Go to your GP and ask for a referral to your local nhs fertility clinic. You'll like need repeat bloods/scan/semen analysis to give a full and up to date picture but they can then create a plan of attack to help you. You've already been trying for 2 years so there's nothing stopping you getting more help.

@YouBoggleMyMind Thank you. I just needed someone to tell me what to do and reassure me that I can get help. I will contact the GP on Monday and get this ball rolling properly.

Def go to docs and tell them you have been trying two years. They should put you on waiting list for IVf. Google your local CCG to see what treatment you can get on the NHS-hopefully you get a free round. Good luck.

No worries. Don't be fobbed off in this appointment, you're entitled to more help whether this is IVF/IUI/Ovulation Induction.

Hey , yes go to your GP and tell them you been trying for 2 years and that is enough time for them to have to help you , they will probably start by making appoitment for you to take bloods like day 21 progesterone , to see if you’re ovulating at first . And then sperm test for partner , and it’s better if you go both together as well . And then they take few more bloods for other things . And depending on the results they can refer you to fertility clinic where they will do more tests like hycosy which checks your tubes , to make sure they are open and not blocked . And then from there they will suggest what to do next , if tubes are open they will most likely prescribe clomid for ovulation if your not ovulating propley .If tubes are blocked then assisted conception , ivf ect , Good luck OP

Thanks so much everyone. Just having some ideas on what to do is really making me feel so much better. I was stuck in a bit of a helpless fog earlier with no clue.

Again, your replies really have helped. I already feel like I can see a plan and way forward. I really appreciate you taking the time to reply.

Definitely speak to the GP and request a referral but it really depends on your age - some areas have 36 as a cut off for providing funded ivf treatment

Just on the "can't afford to go private" bit - full time childcare usually starts at around £1k a month or the cost of you giving up a national minimum wage job to be a stay at home parent more like £1,100 a month - we lived like we had a child for a year - saved £13k and that got us 3 rounds of ivf

Private treatment can be affordable x

Anyone who has been TTC for 12 months+ should be able to get a referral to the fertility clinic for further investigations and IVF if you need it. You're entitled to this so go back to your GP.

Thanks guys. I’m 31 so I really hope time is on my side - but I haven’t looked at cut off points etc. so I will have to make sure of that.
@ivfgottwins Fair point and good tips. In my mind, private is extortionate, but that would be manageable if necessary.