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Infertility

Our Infertility Support forum is a space to connect with others in the same position, discuss causes, treatment and IVF, and share infertility stories of hope and success.

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Original poster

Where to start? Secondary infertility

12 replies

wand3rlust · 08/02/2022 11:16

I turn 37 in a few months and know I need to actively investigate why we're not getting pregnant. Is it best to start with GP for tests or go private straight away? I'm worried it'll take ages via the GP and suspect if we need further treatment I won't be eligible for any of it on the NHS as I already have a child.

My little one is coming up to 2, and we were so lucky there, conceiving almost as soon as we started trying. 2021 was spent half-heartedly ttc (with a baby around it was hard to find the time/energy etc). So despite my age, I'd waited past the 6 months as it didn't really feel as though we were trying 'properly'. Now it's been over a year and it's time for me to stop burying my head in the sand and actually see what's going on.

What would you recommend as my first port of call?

OP posts:

edibletreats · 08/02/2022 11:36

Hello,

I was in a similar situation. Had my daughter in 2016, conceived naturally within 6 months of coming off the pill. Started trying again in 2018 and no luck for 2 years.

I went straight to private bearing in mind this was at the beginning of the pandemic and I knew I was not going to get seen for ages on the NHS. My GP told me there would be reluctance to even start the investigations on the NHS based on the fact I had a child. The GP referral would only be on the basis of if I had an issue that was causing me pain or some other physical symptom.

After some initial tests which all came back normal, I pushed for a fallopian tube test (HyCoSy) which showed that both my tubes were blocked. This may have been caused by adhesions as I had an emergency c section. The only option for me then was IVF which I am currently undergoing.

I think if you can afford it, go private. Find a fertility specialist and do some tests. Relative to the IVF I had it was far less of a financial burden and the pace they move at is incomparable to the NHS.

Hope it all works out for you.

NorthSouthcatlady · 08/02/2022 17:11

I would get some baseline tests done privately to see if it’s anything very obvious e.g. your last pregnancy could have knocked your thyroid out of whack which impacts on fertility. Then take it from there. My understanding is in the UK you would not be entitled to NHS funded IVF. as you already have a chi old

EishetChayil · 08/02/2022 23:24

I'm in the same position, and I'm going private for initial tests. I want a scan to see if there's any damage to my uterus after my c-section with DD 17 months ago.

Original poster

wand3rlust · 09/02/2022 10:00

Thanks for all your advice. It's really reassuring to hear that I'm not the only one going through this.

Seems like my best bet is to go private straight away and hope that the tests will reveal what's going on.

@edibletreats Sending so many good vibes to you for your treatment. I'm really impressed you pushed them to actually find the cause. Would you say a couple of years is a normal-ish timeline from tests to treatment? (If you know!) Or were things delayed due to covid/life?

@NorthSouthcatlady Ah I suspected as much re funding. And hadn't even considered things like my thyroid - there's so much that can mess your body up during pregnancy/labour.

@EishetChayil Good luck with the tests! I hope they figure out what's happening quickly.

OP posts:

TTCafterIVF · 09/02/2022 10:32

I am in the same position too. I am beyond grateful to have had a baby following years of primary infertility and many rounds of IVF. I'm now TTC naturally. I found out during IVF that I have endometriosis which does cause me some pain so I wonder if I could at least have this looked into however I received very little help with primary infertility via the NHS so I am reluctant to even make an appointment to ask.

IsabelHerna · 09/02/2022 13:55

If you can afford it, go straight to private

Original poster

wand3rlust · 10/02/2022 11:12

@TTCafterIVF Sorry to hear that you had so little help last time. I can understand how that's left you fed up and reluctant to go to the Drs now.

Given you're in pain, I hope you do eventually muster up the energy to go in and see them. It might need a little pushiness, but they absolutely should be taking it seriously (in my lay person's opinion!!).

OP posts:

Original poster

wand3rlust · 10/02/2022 11:17

@IsabelHerna I wasn't expecting it to be quite so resounding an answer from everyone, but I'm glad it has been. I'm now booked in for tests next week and a consultation the week after.

OP posts:

IsabelHerna · 10/02/2022 17:30

@wand3rlust I'm glad you're taking the next step and I am sorry I may have sounded a bit "much", but it is how I wished someone talked to me a few years ago. I'm truly glad I helped, keeping everything crossed for you x

Original poster

wand3rlust · 11/02/2022 16:00

@IsabelHerna Definitely not too much! It's been motivating to hear so clearly I need to just get on with it.

OP posts:

IsabelHerna · 15/02/2022 10:39

@wand3rlust thanks it means a lot to me x

How is everything going? While waiting for tests and specialists you can read it all starts with an egg" it's going to help you so much in your journey

TTCafterIVF · 02/03/2022 07:40

Has anyone had any luck with their GP? AF has showed up again and as much as I want to go I think it will be a waste of time and upset me further. I'd just like to gauge what can I reasonably ask for? Blood tests, a scan?

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