Trying to conceive

[haz452]

Just looking for some advice.. Just new on here! Came off the pill last November after being on it for 18 years 😱
I haven't fell pregnant yet and my periods are really light and only lasting 2 days or less. The doctor has done two blood tests on day 21 and my progesterone was 24 and 29 he has now referred me to the fertility clinic does anyone know what happens now? And has anyone fell pregnant with this kind of low reading? Age 35 and half! Just looking for some help!

That's great that you're being referred to the fertility clinic, 8 months isn't that long to have been trying (although I absolutely know how it feels like it is when you're waiting each month!)

I know that they like progesterone levels to be above 30 to confirm that you're ovulating and for me mine were always below 30. I knew I was ovulating though due to keeping a track of my temperature and I honestly believe our problem was that I just wasn't producing enough progesterone after ovulation so my levels were dropping too quickly. I would spot anywhere from 7dpo before eventually having a light period and then spot some more. I got referred to a specialist after 2 years of trying (third baby so NHS wouldn't do much for fertility issues, got referred due to the spotting) and I asked the consultant to prescribe me progesterone pessaries which he did. The second month of being on them I finally fell pregnant at 39 so I'm sure that it was the pessaries that did it. I hope that you get the same outcome, good luck!x

Thank you for replying so quick! I was starting to worry about my age but if you were 39 least I can relax a bit! Can the doctor give me prescription? Or do you have to wait until you have been seen at the clinic as my the waiting list might be a long wait after Covid etc.

@haz452 I don't think the doctor can prescribe it frustratingly, you'll have to wait until you're seen by the specialist.

In the meantime though do you know how to temp? I found this massively useful in just working out a) if I ovulated and b) when I ovulated. Then it meant that when I went to the specialist and he said one of my problems could be that I wasn't ovulating, I was able to say that despite my progesterone levels showing that I may not be, I actually was. Otherwise he would have prescribed me Clomid to get me ovulating which wouldn't have helped at all! I actually had to ask him to prescribe me the progesterone as he hadn't thought of it as an option. Interestingly the month I was on it and didn't get pregnant I had absolutely no spotting for the first time in years, just a very straight forward 5 day period. So it definitely was lack of progesterone in my case.

Hope this helps a bit x

Had you spotted that MN has a conception topic?

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/conception

You may well find more posters with relevant experience and expertise there

@burtle4 Thanks for all your info! ☺️ So I have been using an app and recording all my temp etc but it's like am ovulating to late to close to my period so maybe that's why else am not falling pregnant as it's to close. How long did you have to wait for you app? X

@haz452 it sounds like you have a short luteal phase like I did, so sometimes my period would start up to a week before it was supposed to. I tried lots of things to try and extend my luteal phase (vitamin b complex, accupuncture etc) but in the end the progesterone was the only thing that did it. I can't remember how long I had to wait for an appointment, definitely a good few months but while you're waiting just keep trying and perhaps see if there's some other ways to boost your progesterone levels naturally x

@AuntieStella Thank you! Will have a look now x

@burtle4 yeh I think your right least I know for when I go to my app and have all my dates etc so it should be quite straight forward. Am taking vitamin b6 and a vitamin d and folic acid but going to start eating a bit more healthy my weight and bmi is good but just incase that can help a bit! Thanks so much for your help I will keep you posted x

Please do, good luck!x

@burtle4 Just wanted to let you know! ☺️ was still on the waiting list for the fertility clinic so hadn't had my appointment yet 😅x

Oh amazing!!! So exciting!! Clearly everything is functioning as it should so no need to worry 😊 thank you for updating me, hope you have a very happy and healthy 9 months x

@burtle4 I hope so I have been getting acupuncture done every week so think this has helped and the vitamins! Thanks again so much for your help xx

Fantastic news! Typical though - I remember crying outside my GP surgery as she couldn't see a reason why we were not getting pregnant. A week later I had a positive test result!