When should I worry?

[ssophie]

Hi, so I'm 35 & have a 3 year old. We've been ttc our second for 6 months with zero luck & I'm wondering at what point should I worry?!
I know time isn't on our side, but when should I see a doctor? Will they even do anything as we already have a child? I'm clueless!

I think 12 months trying is standard below 38-40.
You should be eligible for fertility services in terms of tests and medication.
IVF is mostly out of the question if you already have one child, not even your biological child for that matter.

I'm over 35 and the NHS guidance says to contact GP if you've not had any success after 6 months. But when I went to the GP, she said they won't refer until 12 months.

We have a 3 yr old DD and wouldn't get funding for IVF. But have been referred and got blood tests, sperm analysis and HSG on the NHS.

Are you tracking cycles?

@ssophie all the advice I've seen is 35+ to speak to GP if you've been trying for 6 months without any luck, it's worth pushing for help now I think as even when you do get in touch it can be slow going.

My GP was not enormously helpful, basically sent me for some blood tests and when they came back normal didn't suggest anything at all as a next step, so if there is an issue (which there well may not be, 6 months isn't that long in terms of TTC though I know it feels it!) it's good to get the ball rolling ASAP!

You can also do some hormone testing at home with Hertility which tests AMH, thyroid and various bloods that the NHS test for, but it's a fuller picture of hormones and what's going on than the NHS do to begin with. The one thing I wish I'd done sooner is a (good) ultrasound as that revealed problems which have taken a while to resolve

Thanks so much everyone! I've usually tracked using the sticks but will try Brinsley face ones for one more cycle & then call my gp & see what they say

You won't get funding on the NHS as you already have a child, so to be honest, I would just go straight to a private fertility clinic and ask for tests. You are 35 so time is of the essence and everything in the NHS takes forever.