Ttc naturally with unexplained infertility

[Ladyinpink1]

Hello 🙋‍♀️ I couldnt find a thread for those ttc naturally on the infertility section, thought it would be nice to chat to others in a similar boat. 🙂

We have been ttc for more than 2 years now, with 2 mmc at the start of this time, and nothing since.

Tests have been normal for us both...not sure what/if there are going to be any next steps as it isn't our first child and we wouldn't be paying privately for anything but am waiting for an hsg appointment.

Hello! We are also still trying naturally although we are in the process of looking into IVF. We’ve been TTC for just over a year with a MMC and 4 CPs in that time so it’s taking its toll! All tests so far are normal too! We have a daughter already who was conceived very easily.

@RoseannesMamma I'm sorry for your losses. I have historically fallen pregnant easily also, so I don't know what has changed since my last mmc but I haven't had anything at all in the last 19 months. It must be so tough for you falling pregnant, getting your hopes up, to have several cp, such a rolercoaster for you.

Have you had an hsg? That is something I am waiting on, I have read good things about it but I just don't know how long the wait will be x

In a similar situation. Had all NHS tests and only option they have provided as a next step is IVF. Just seems like a massive jump from trying naturally.

I stumbled upon a clinic called Plan Your Baby and have spoken to them last week and have some steps to take before the leap to IVF so I'm really happy about that. And there's no waiting time either.

You can get a free initial consultation with a nurse and a Doctor consultation was just over £100 (if you browse their website, a popup will offer you a discount). Honestly the best £100 I've spent. I sent over my NHS blood tests in advance and even just from those he flagged a few things that were an issue that the NHS guy didn't look twice at including testosterone and thyroid.

I've now got a progesterone supplement to try for a few months (cost was £100 for 3 months) then the next step would be to try a ovulation induction monitored cycle. That would be about £1,300 I think and can all be done at a local clinic to me as they use satellite clinics.

I'm just delighted to be trying something and have a plan that doesn't take the massive leap to IVF.

Hey @HM2024 That's such a good price... for all of the things you mentioned. Did you have low progesterone or is this just something that can help conception?

I don't really know anything about infertility treatments, it's all new to me so interested In anything you learned from your appointment too 🙂

I'm glad you have a plan, it always feels better to have something new to try. I have bought a fertility cup for next cycle to try as my 'new thing' lol x

My luteal phase is on the shorter side, with spotting a few days before my period. I've had a few progesterone tests with the NHS and i've always been on the low side for their 'normal'. But from talking to other people on, the 'normal' for my consultant seems to be lower than others.

If you want to know more about the ovulation induction, there's an episode on the 'Don't tell me to relax' podcast with one of the doctors talking about it. "Everything you need to know about ovulation induction with Plan Your Baby".

Good luck with the cup! I considered them but decided they'd be super fiddly..

@HM2024 That's pretty bad that the nhs Doctor didn't think the progesterone levels were of concern especially with your spotting.

Thank you, I will look that up, because if I do see another Doctor at some point, I would like to be more aware of any possibilities.
Yes I wouldn't think they would be the most romantic but the instructions make sense about how it works, and it means I won't have to lie with the legs up 🤣.

Are there side effects from your medication? x

Hi @HM2024 , Thanks for the info about Plan Your Baby. I’ve had a look and I am intrigued! @Ladyinpink1 I’ve been told a HSG or HyCosy wouldn’t really be needed in my case as I’m managing to get pregnant (albeit barely pregnant!!) so they reckon tubes are open. I have been privately recommended a hysteroscopy so we’re looking into paying for that. Also NK cells testing has been suggested.

Like @HM2024 I’ve also managed to get progesterone to start from 3dpo from next cycle. I do experience quite a bit of spotting so hoping it will help. I’m having progesterone bloods at 7/8dpo this cycle though so I can’t use the medication till after.

I was very frustrated after the NHS consultant gave me IVF as the only thing to try.

Good qu re side effects. Copy/pasted them below (it's called Cyclogest) but from what I've read it is quite a low risk and low cost thing to try. So again, frustrated that the NHS didn't even consider it!

The most common side effects are fatigue and drowsiness, hot flushes, swelling or pain in your abdomen, constipation and breast pain. Serious side effects include allergic reactions.

Sorry to hear you have a lot of losses.

From what i've read about progesterone, it sounds like a good thing to try for you. If your progesterone is low, then I think it's more likely to MC as it effects the lining of your womb.

I was told to start taking it 5 days after my LH surge.

I had an HSG in Jan which was 'fine'.

Sorry for my late reply.

@RoseannesMamma That's really good you have progesterone to take next cycle (if there is a next cycle 🙂) but a pain you can't start it at the minute. What cd are you on?

I am 7dpo today. I hate the tww, it's such a rolercoaster of emotions x

Have you started your progesterone now then? @HM2024 Hoping you dont get any of those side effects, but no matter what I'm sure it will be worth it for success. I didn't realise low progesterone levels effected the womb lining.
I'm not sure If you have seen the info about success in the months after the hsg?
Obviously I don't know how accurate it is but it's one of the reasons I was keen for it.
I phoned to chase it at the start of the week but still don't really know how long it will be.
As we said before it's just good to have a future plan to focus on x

Thank you @HM2024 ! I really hope the progesterone is helpful to both of us!

Hi again @Ladyinpink1 ! As it’s past midnight I’m now on 7dpo… so just a day behind you! I’ve also seen about people having success after HSGs so fingers crossed they get you in soon!

Hello!

No not started yet. Waiting for LH peak in the next few days and then will wait 5 days.

Re the HSG, my NHS consultant gave me a good tip that got me an appt after a month instead of 3 months. Basically he suggested to phone and ask if there's any cancellations (if you know you won't have period and haven't had any unprotected sex) and I got one quite quickly. A lot of people cancel (for these reasons) so there's often space.

I did see the higher chance within 3 months after.

@RoseannesMamma I early tested... dont know why i do this to myself lol but bfn and I kind of know it's not "the cycle". I was thinking of not tracking next cycle... I did this before and the tww was easier as I didn't know how many dpo so not as obsessive.
How are you finding it so far? Hope you have been stronger and more sensible than me 🙈 x

@HM2024 That makes sense and is a good tip... thank you.
That's right, you said you were waiting to get bloods done first. Would you be quite chilled in your tww? x

Hi again @Ladyinpink1 @HM2024
I tested today at 9dpo and to my utter shock I’ve got some strong lines!! To be honest, after 5 losses in a row the hope is drained from me! But these are probably the best lines we’ve had since our 3rd loss in July and I’m now armed with progesterone so… I really hope but omg every little twinge scares me!

@RoseannesMamma oh wow, that's amazing 🎊. I think having the progesterone for you this time will make a good difference. x

Thank you @Ladyinpink1 , I do hope so! I had a bit of a bleed after (sorry TMI) a bowel movement earlier and it just made me so sad. It’s just very light pink now so I’m praying it’s just the cyclogest. I’ve switched to taking it rectally just in case. Oh gosh this is a scary ride!

Hi @HM2024 sorru to bump up a slightly older thread. Wondered how you got on with Plan Your Baby, did you have any further interactions with them? I’ve just booked a consultation, feel I probably need progesterone too

I'm still in the 3 months of trying progesterone at the mo. Also I have medication for underactive thyroid (which wasn't picked up by the NHS but Dr Sami mentioned straight away) and also taking DHEA to try to increase my testosterone.

Let me know how you get on with your consultation :)

Oh that’s good he picked up on that! Did you have separate bloods done with Plan Your Baby? I’ve had recent bloods elsewhere so have shared ahead of the appt. I just had a day 21 progesterone test back from the GP that was lower than ones I’ve done before, but at least in time to take to discuss with him 🤞🏻

No, i used blood tests from the NHS and sent them over.

For thyroid. He wanted another test result before describing and I managed to get that from my GP.

He was quite happy to prescribe Cyclogest progesterone (I went in expecting to have to convince him) but he crashed happy to give it a try. 3 months cost about £90 from my local pharmacy. They were a bit confused with the online prescription but the nurses@ have been so helpful and sent a copy directly into the pharmacy which helped.

Ok great that’s really encouraging, thank you for sharing

Hey 👋 can I join. I am struggling to conceive a second child. I used to conceive ok and then I had to terminate for a fatal condition at 15 weeks and since then I have been unable to conceive. I have even had my c section scar defect removed and stage 4 endometriosis removed. My bloods all appear to be ok so I am at a loss and really struggling with all the pregnancy announcements around me

Sorry to hear you’re struggling. I’m also struggling with hearing pregnant announcements, and finding myself avoiding seeing or speaking to other friends who are TTC or likely to be pregnant as worried about the announcements. I felt bad for feeling like that!

I had both my first session of acupuncture yesterday, and consultation where I was prescribed progesterone so really hope that helps. I’ve noticed issues with my actual period (really light but painful cramps) and interestingly it arrived last night much more “normal” with no cramps, would be amazed if that’s positive impact from acupuncture already!

@Muddysocks1 I have been trying to avoid it as well but my colleague is pregnant and coming up to her 20 week scan so she is getting a bump so it's right there in my face.
I feel so lost about what steps to take now.