GP appointment

[AnonKat]

We have been trying to conceive for the last 3 years, with no success. I had been on the implant and had no period for 10 years.

My cycle now is 32-35 days long, but every so often I miss a cycle. My last period was 2 months ago and it was really light. I've never had a pregnancy scare and I'm 34.

I have an appointment with my GP in a couple of weeks.

What should I expect and what should I be prepared for please?

Hia, when I went to docs with issues getting preg i/ we went through:
-day 3 bloods to check certain hormones (can’t remember think lh/ fsh)
-day 21 bloods to check progesterone (maybe others)
-male-sperm tests
-after bloods, ultrasound on ovaries to rule out (or in) pcos
-repeats of all again (not sure why)
-referral to fertility clinic eventually.

from first appt at gp to fertility appt at clinic was roughly 6-9 months but this was during covid so various delays etc

hope that helps and good luck

Hiya

Same as other response. Had the generic blood tests and hormones and partner sent for a sperm test. Once they have all of those they can then refer you to gynocology which unfortunately depends on where you are for how long it can take. We have been advised it's a 6 month waiting list for the clinic

Thank you! Very helpful. Very silly question, but how do they know when to take bloods. As my cycle lately has never been the same.

Initial bloods should ideally be around day 2 or 3 but I think 1-5 might also be acceptable for a first snapshot (this will be FSH, LH and oestrogen but you could also ask for prolactin, testosterone and TSH if they don't offer automatically). If your period start date ends up being way off expectation, maybe they'll be able to rebook at short notice.

Progesterone should be the mid way point between estimated ovulation date and your period starting. This probably won't be day 21 so ideally you should track your LH for a sense of timing. It can also be done at places like superdrug for around £40 if it's tricky to line up the date with your GP ahead of time.

Just stated this process to
day 2-5 bloods and day 21 done in June
partner sperm first lab appointment not till end August
I’m on wait list for the scan told Xmas time.
once all back and scan done told 6-7 month wait. So probs for a year from now I may get to the clinic. Fingers crossed happens in meantime and sticks. This is for first baby. Many many years of trying and seven loses

So sorry for your losses 😞. Fingers crossed the process is quicker than predicted. I regret not raising concerns quicker 😞. Fingers crossed you get your baby before that 🤞

I think it depends on your geographical area for the wait times, I think (can’t remember exactly) that they referred us around sept 2020- we had our first consultation at the fertility clinic end of jan 21, got my dates for the ivf to start in the may and started my first ivf cycle late June21. I also think it may depend on what they find in bloods and tests, ours was quite clearly male factor and because everything looked ok my side we didn’t need any further tests, however if it is unexplained I’m not sure if they do more testing.