First getting help in the uk (nhs)

[star_faces]

Hello, I'm not sure if I am considered a long time ttcer but I thought I would post here as you maybe more able to help answer my question, I hope nobody minds!
My oh and I have been trying for 15 months. I realise this is not that long in the big scheme of things however it has started to feel like a long time to me. I decided it would be a good idea to the doctors after a year of trying as every website recommends. After 3 months of hanging on (could be this month?) we went last week.
The doctor we saw was very nice and went through the questions I expected and has sent me for a day 5 and a day 21 blood test and a chlamydia screening. She has also referred oh for a sperm analysis. She said that should the results come back with in the normal ranges we would be asked to continue trying by ourselves. She did not say for how long etc.
The 3rd day bloods she has asked for Lh fsh oestradiol and rubella and 21st day blood test progesterone.

My question is does this all sound normal? Should I be asking for any other tests? Has anybody been in a similar situation and been asked to keep trying? I'm worried something maybe wrong but I'm also worried it may also all be fine and she will send us away to keep trying and it will be fruit less.

Any help or advice is most welcome especially anybody using the nhs.

Thank you

 

[Lemonade]

Hmm. I think she is doing the right things in terms of tests, but I think doctors have the "ok" to refer you to a fertility consultant if you have been trying more than 12 months. I believe they don't actually HAVE to refer you at 12 months though, unless there are fertility issues identified. I might be wrong!

My situation is a little different as I had known fertility issues, so was referred before 12 months HOWEVER I did have to get a second opinion as my first GP was no help at all and refused to refer me. It might be worth getting a second opinion for you too, if you are not happy about waiting, even if they don't find anything wrong. Every GP is different.

Good luck!

 

[Serenyx]

The tests she has asked for all seem a normal first step. Where I live you don't get referred to the hospital for specialist testing until the GP has completed all their basic tests. Once complete, they will then refer you for further testing.

I can't see them asking you to keep trying for too long given the amount of time you have been trying already. Whatever the results of your tests, you should ask her to refer you to a fertility specialist in your area. Ours will only refer after 12 months but all areas are different.

 

[VeryBigMelons]

Hey Star, my husband and i also have been trying for 15 months. I went to the doctors after I started using the clearblue fertility monitor which was showing that I wasn't ovulating. I've had my day 5 and 21 bloods done 3 times, which all showed low progesterone. I've also had my rhubella status checked and a swab done for chlamydia (these were done this monday) so just got to wait for the results of these to come back. My husband has had 2 semen analysis' done which both came back with really low morphology. So now we just have to wait for my results and then we are being referred to the fertility clinic (on NHS). So i think all your tests are pretty standard. My doctor told me you had to have been trying for 12 months to be referred, I'm guessing that if they pick up any problems with you or your oh then they will refer you straight away. Still the whole process seems to feel like it takes forever! I first went to see my doctor in March this year, and i feel like I'm not much further on now! Fingers crossed that you and your oh have all clear results tho!

 

[SandiHilde]

I didn't get a hold of her until the clinic was almost closed. Lol sorry need to vent apparently.

 

[Clovercandy]

I see you've gotten pregnant. Congrats !

May I ask did everything come back normal with the tests you did?

 

[Twelvty]

I was wondering about this! I've got my first appointment with the GP tomorrow after 16 months of trying

 

[VeryBigMelons]

StarFaces I'd completely forgotten that I'd met you on this thread already! Its very freaky how similar our stories were and then we both got our BFP's in the same month!! Would love to hear how you're getting on! I'm starting to feel a little more human now

 

[lilmissmup]

How did you get on twelvety? I am due to book my first appointment but scared too....

 

[DBZ34]

I went in after a year of trying and was told that I had to TTC for a minimum of 2 years before we could be referred (which sucked, but apparently that's the rule in my area of the UK). So, a little less than another year, we went back in and I had my appointment a few months ago...

I had a Day 21 and chlamydia tests and DH had his SA. Then we had a follow-up appointment to go over the results (we both came back normal). At this appointment, the doc said she didn't feel like we needed to wait anymore, so she referred us on to the fertility specialist. From there, it's been an informative ride...still no BFP, but we're hopeful.

 

[susan_1981]

Hi

I think 15 months is definitely long enough to start looking into getting some help. I fell pregnant pretty quickly at first but miscarried. After 7 months of trying every month, at exactly the right time, I decided to go to the doctors and she said that generally will refer people if they've been trying for 7/8 months with no luck, as long as they're having enough sex and trying at the right times - which I was.

I had the CD 3-5 blood test as well as the CD21 test that checks for ovulation. My husband had a sperm test which came back ok, but not as good as it could be. They then referred me to a fertility specialist which is what I think they should do for you, regardless of your OH's sperm results. I had an internal scan to check my ovaries, I had an HSG to check my tubes weren't blocked and finally, I had a lap and dye to do a more thorough check of my ovaries and that I didn't have endemetriosis. All my tests came back clear.

They then put us on the IVF waiting list which we were on for about 15 months I think. Then we were due to start the process in January 2012 but I fell pregnant naturally with my son in October 2011. I've since had another baby who was no trouble at all conceiving. In fact, just took one month!

So I think that you probably should be referred to a specialist as there's only so much that the doctors know and as we were trying for so long (3.5 years in all for my first), I actually felt I knew more about fertility than my doctor.

Good luck, hope you get there soon xxx