How long did you wait before you went to the doctor?

[Jaxie086]

We've been trying for almost a year. I technically got pregnant last october but it didn't stick. I haven't gotten pregnant since.

I really thought I was pregnant this time around. I was burping constantly and had some bleeding gums when I would brush my teeth. Both symptoms are highly unusual for me. I also had a few short spurts of mild dizziness. But, took a test yesterday when af was due and got a bfn. Then today my af arrived. I am heartbroken... again.

Until now, I've kind of chalked up not getting pregnant to our current stress. Both my husband and I are just not happy where we are living right now and my husband is so unhappy with his job. We are moving next year but, for now, this is where we are stuck.

But now a part of me is worried that it's not just stress.

For those of you that have been to the doctor, what kinds of tests did they do? I have no information to give my doctor that point to anything that might be wrong. I have regular cycles, I track my ovulation, I feel fine, I'm relatively healthy. What tests do they do when you come in with no idea why you're not getting pregnant? How long after ttc did you wait before you went?

 

[Ferry]

This will be more helpful if you're in the UK - I've no idea how stuff works elsewhere.

We went to the drs after trying for a year. First thing they did was blood tests to check for ovulation. After that, they checked my tubes to make sure there were no blockages. OH also had to do the "man test" where they took a sample and checked motility etc.

In the UK (well, Scotland at least) you can't get referred for IVF until you've been trying for three years. They will start sending you off for tests after the 12 month mark. If they find issues there are things they can do like prescribing clomid etc. Unfortunately (and to make you aware, a lot of people fall into this category) when they investigated me and OH, they put us under the heading "unexplained infertility", which meant there was nothing they could really do until we hit the magic 3 year mark and then we were sent for IVF.

It depends where you live, but I didn't have to wait at all - I got straight in. I think I had my first appointment at the clinic less than three months after the dr at the hospital referred me.

 

[sarah2211]

I went in after 6 months, but just to my family doctor. I knew I had PCOS and that they say 6 months is long enough to try on your own with PCOS. My GP ran some basic blood tests and based on those results we got referred to a fertility specialist around the 8 month mark. I also started Metformin about then too. We aren't quite at the 12 month mark but from everything I've read, 12 months is long enough to be trying on your own before you seek help.

I had basic hormone tests, like FSH, LH, prolactin, testosterone and androgens, and progesterone. Based off those tests the referral came through. The fertility specialist ordered another progesterone test (to confirm ovulation) and an ultrasound for me. DH did a semen analysis. That's as far as we have gotten with testing. We are seeing a new fertility specialist on Thursday because our first one was useless.

 

[CaliDreaming]

I went at the one year mark but if I had to do it all again I would have gone in sooner. I believe that most women know when something is wrong and it's a shame to have to go through all the ups and downs of infertility for an extended period for no reason. I have seen some recommend that if it hasn't happened after three tries with well-timed intercourse (e.g. with OPKs), then you should consider going in. I'm not saying that it might not happen naturally or that every couple should go in after three tries, but if you're worried then you shouldn't wait just to meet some arbitrary deadline.

For people in the U.S., I think the one year mark is how long you have to wait to be seen for insurance purposes, but there really is no reason why you have to wait longer.

 

[jules87]

OP many to you!

It is possible that stress is affecting you guys. That's no fun to hate where you live, and dislike your job on top of it. What is it about your area that you two don't like? Is it possible to change your home set up or routine/ anything to alleviate the stress?

As for starting to seek help with infertility, your doctor will take the reigns according to the information he or she gets from you initially. I would continue to keep track of your cycles, basal temp, ovulation, etc. Make sure you have that information with you during any visit. The doctor will also take into consideration your age, and lifestyle.

Good luck to you!

 

[PhotoPassion]

We waited almost exactly a year after having our miscarriage. I probably would have gone a little sooner but insurance didn't cover anything until the one year mark.

We already have a son so weren't really sure what was wrong. They ordered some blood tests to start (FSH, estrogen, prolcatin, and TSH) for me. I also got an HSG and hubby got a semen analysis. I think those are pretty standard first tests in the US.

 

[jcleary10]

We started actively trying in June 2014 and I went for my yearly checkup in January 2015 so that's 7 months. I had been off birth control before June though and just didn't get pregnant. I talked to my OB and she said that we could be aggressive and start looking into a few things, or we could wait it out a few more months. Of course I wanted to know if something was going on. However, she didn't really move in that direction for us and only did a SA for my husband and checked my ovulation, which she said was not good, but made no other recommendations.

The first tests we had was to check my ovulation - through blood work and my husband had a semen analysis - which showed low motility, low volume. Both didn't come back all that great but yet she did NOTHING and I kept asking her, but she drug her feet.

So, we started seeing a urologist for my husband's issues. My husband started taking Clomid and we thought that would fix things. Fast forward to November 2015 we still weren't pregnant, so I found an RE that would see me without a referral. So we started seeing an RE and I am glad we did. I REALLY wish we would have started seeing him sooner. FOr one, he is amazing and two, at that point, we had been off of birth control for 2 years, and actively trying for a year and half.

He did other SA's-which showed the clomid was working for DH and his numbers were great.
He did CD3 bloodwork for me, which showed low ovarian reserve. I had elevated FSH and low AMH. So, I started tons of vitamins, herbs, and supplements.

He also did an HSG and SHG- both showed normal results.

He did an AFC- which showed 13 follicles, which should be more like 20-25 for my age, also indicating low ovarian reserve.

Then we started IUI with femara. IUI#1: negative, but IUI#2: positive, however I miscarried.

So, we did genetic tissue testing and everything came back normal. So we are now doing all the genetic blood work to see if there is something else going on. And that's where we are now. Waiting to hear back from blood work.

I would be proactive in YOUR treatment because sometimes you are going to run into doctors that won't be proactive for you. They will drag you on and on for years. At least with my experience. If you feel that you are ready to pursue testing, I say go ahead. I was worried and stressed about it, but in the end it is great to have knowledge and to understand what you are dealing with. And for me, with it being DOR, time IS NOT on my side.

 

[BelleNuit]

I went in requesting basic testing at around the 9th cycle (CD 3 & 21 bloodwork, and a SA for DH). Will be getting the HSG next cycle (which would be my 14th cycle). Still not at the one year mark, but my cycles are on the shorter side and I feel like we've had more than enough tries as it is already.

 

[soon2 b wifey]

By golly, I waited six years. Didn't want to believe my body couldn't make a baby.

 

[Nolimitxox]

We waited 2 years to sit with a doctor and over 6 for treatment because of insurance and costs.