What to expect at gynaecologist appointment

[mrphyemma]

Hi Ladies,

I have my first appointment on Monday and I guess I would just like to know what to expect. I have my hopes pinned on being given clomid and then falling pregnant at the drop of a hat but I know I'm being unrealistic and don't want to set myself up for disappointment.

I am 37, have 3 children aged 15,11 and 6. We have been ttc number 4 now for 14 months and not even a sniff of a BFP. I have very regular cycles of 30/31 days. CD3 tests all came back "Normal", 7dpo progesterone tests came back low on two consecutive months (levels 24 and 25), trans-vaginal ultrasound came back as "normal", was sent for an hsg which they were unable to perform due to difficulty in getting to my cervix and have been told a gynae has to perform the repeat hsg. DH sperm analysis came back as "Normal".

So....Up to press the only thing found to be abnormal are my progesterone levels. My gp surmises that I am not ovulating. My FF charts would dispute this but my gp shook his head and said temping is an "amateur" way of tracking ovulation.
Do you think the gynae will put me straight on clomid or want to do further tests first?
I'm also panicking that I will get refused treatment as I am old and overweight.

 

[WannaB]

Hey Mrs! I have no idea what your gyno will do for you, I went for totally different reasons so my visit will be pretty useless to you. I hope they do give you a try in the clomid, it may be a good thing your gp thinks you dont O and passed you on, the lower progesterone could be from the folicle stage of your cycle, clomid will give you a stronger O and the folicles will then up their production of progesterone after the egg pops out. I can say though that mine didnt bother with the re-testing of the hormones even though as you know my progesterone came back the same as yours. My issues with mc would have probably not warranted any more of the hormone tests because they ovbiously are working for me to get pregnant all the time. Keep us updated, it will be interesting to see what he's willing to offer you to get that bfp, mine didnt bat an eyelid at the fact I was 41 so I wouldnt think yours would kick you to the curb about your age hun! Oh and PS I would take a printout of your charts, your gp might not be bbt friendly, but the gyno may be, mine was interested to see my charts, if he's not it cant hurt!

 

[mrphyemma]

That's great advice, thanks WannaB xx

 

[DillyC]

Oh Mrphyemma....

Just wanted to say good luck for tomorrow....I will be thinking of you. hope she gives you more helpful info than your GP.....I think GPs aren't the most up to date on fertility treatments/tests, they have so many fields to specialise in, so its understandable. You should def keep temp charts but consider LH urine testing for accuracy also.

I agree with WannaB....take copies of charts etc... Also has your partner had an SA yet??

My advice would be to write down all your questions before going to appt and make sure they have all been answered before you leave.

With regard to treatment I know Lambeth won't do IVF/ICSI if one partner already has children, but age is not a problem. Not sure which borough you come under...but ask the question.....

Good luck x

 

[DillyC]

Oh Mrphyemma....

Just wanted to say good luck for tomorrow....I will be thinking of you. hope she gives you more helpful info than your GP.....I think GPs aren't the most up to date on fertility treatments/tests, they have so many fields to specialise in, so its understandable. You should def keep temp charts but consider LH urine testing for accuracy also.

I agree with WannaB....take copies of charts etc... Also has your partner had an SA yet??

My advice would be to write down all your questions before going to appt and make sure they have all been answered before you leave.

With regard to treatment I know Lambeth won't do IVF/ICSI if one partner already has children, but age is not a problem. Not sure which borough you come under...but ask the question.....

Good luck x

 

[mrphyemma]

Thanks Dilly,

Yes DH has had a SA which came back as "Normal". He is also having a repeat SA on 16th March. Writing down questions to ask is a good idea, but only if you have some questions to ask I don't know what to ask other than "Can I have some clomid please?" Have printed off 7 FF charts to take with me and to be honest they do look crappy compared to most people's charts so maybe I aren't ovulating
I'm not sure what Borough I would be under for ivf either as I have never looked into assisted conception but it would definitely be a no go regardless of age as we have three children together already

Well, must go get my clothes ready and write my name on my wee bottle (65p from the chemist as doctors surgery no longer dole them out...tsk!).

Will update when I get back tomorrow. xx

 

[DillyC]

Haha.....thats a fair question....don't leave till she gives you clomid!!!!!

Just ask whatever pops into your head, can she give you an idea of what might be stopping you getting pregnant considering your history? what are your options? do you need further tests? ( what is your FSH BTW?) How long will tests take? can you arrange a follow up before you leave to go through results etc? GIVE ME CLOMID!!!???

Cheeky that you have to pay for pot....RIDICULOUS!

 

[mrphyemma]

Ooooh Dilly can I take you with me? You know exactly what to say! I walk in somewhere and my mind goes blank. I can walk in the library and forget the names of all my favourite authors or into the supermarket and not have a clue what I went for until I'm almost back home again in the car. I put it down to the hypo-thyroidism and "brain-fog" but more realistically it is probably my age!
Just going to root around and see if I can find my FSH results (just after I have reminded myself what FSH actually is!) x

 

[mrphyemma]

FSH was 5.4 Dilly. Make of that what ye will xx

 

[WannaB]

Your FSH level is beautiful! Mine was 34, totally crap! Looking forward to your update, hope it went well hun!

 

[DillyC]

I agree....great FSH, Not sure if I am too late....but hope it goes well....let us know how you get on x It sounds like clomid is just what you need, just gotta get those eggs out and sliding down the slippery slope!

 

[mrphyemma]

Clomid may be what I need but Clomid I did not get

Bitterly disappointed. Basically I have to have bloods done again on Cd21 and CD24 *sigh*
DH has to have repeat SA and I have to have the HSG done again next month (they tried to get me in this week as I am on CD4 but alas fully booked. grr) Gynae wants to see me again in 3 months. Had to hold back tears of disappointment. 7th June seems like an eternity away. Fertility drugs were mentioned but he said as I have regular cycles I am most likely ovulating and he doesn't like giving clomid out to women who are ovulating naturally. Depending on the outcome of the next set of bloods clomid may be an option for me. He seems to think the HSG will be a waste of time too as in his words "it is highly unlikely I have any blockages etc". In a nutshell he thinks I can conceive but may struggle due to my age. I tried to mention the FF charts but he waved his hand impatiently at me like I was going to show him a book of witchcraft or something.
So all I can do is go along with all the tests and stuff, wait for 7th June and keep bonking in the meantime.

xx

 

[WannaB]

Aww bugger Mrs, Im sorry it wasnt a more positive experience for you hun! Now go out and get pregnant just to spite him!

 

[DillyC]

Seriously hon.....

Haha...like the witchcraft comment!! God forbid you might actually have an opinion of your own or might have a good idea about your cycle!! Do you actually have any nice Doctors where you are...you seem to be meeting the worst of the bunch there!!

I know what you mean about the wait, we saw the fertility nurse on the 4th of Feb all tests done and dusted, but have to wait till 26th May to see the FS....ho hum, I was the same got in the car and started crying, (was also D1 of my cycle so I blame it on that!) If everything else is OK have you considered LH testing kits (urine ones) you might already use them?? But once you get a positive line you can pretty much guarantee ovulation between 24-36 hrs later. If you use them alongside temp chart its pretty accurate.....

In the meantime enjoy the.... !!

x

 

[mrphyemma]

Thanks Ladies,

Can't really blame the doctor, he was absolutely fine, it was me going in with high hopes as usual. I don't do waiting very well! I always want everything done yesterday!
Yes I have used opk's. Stopped using them when gp told me I probably wasn't ovulating due to low progesterone levels. Now I am told that I probably AM ovulating I had better go buy some for this cycle. They will make their blooming minds up!!
Don't know what to hope for now. Do I go with hoping FS is right and I am ovulating, (if so then why am I not knocked up by now) or do I go with hoping I aren't ovulating so that I get the clomid in June?? Mind-bending stuff this ttc malarkey

 

[DillyC]

In my opinion...people get hung up on D21 Progesterone without looking at the individual....if your cycle is 28d then def test on D21 if cycle longer/shorter then might be easier for you to work back 1 week from there and that might be a more accurate progesterone level?

Not a lot you can do except go with the FS way of thinking and try .......and if not preg, when you see him again he will have to consider other options ... at least he will have up to date results to help him too x

 

[mrphyemma]

Thanks Dilly,

I just have to try my hardest this next 3 months to get pregnant au naturel and if not I have the back-up plan of the clomid in June.

 

[WannaB]

Ive had a sticky at your charts before and they always look fab and perfectly normal! Have you tried every bd plan and position to see if that makes any difference? I was thinking that perhaps as it was hard for them to get into your cervix for the hsg, the sperm might be having a bit of trouble?

 

[mrphyemma]

WannaB that had crossed my mind too. Still not sure about that whole HSG debacle to be honest. I have had many a smear test over the years, had internal examinations and have given birth three times and nobody has EVER mentioned any abnormality. Was hoping the gynaecologist was going to examine me yesterday to put my mind at rest but he didn't and didn't seem to concerned when I broached the matter.
Without being too graphic we do BD in several different positions, it is knowing which is the correct one for me. Maybe TMI but I have noticed that I lose a heck of a lot of DH's love juice afterwards when missionary compared to the other way.
I have to have another HSG next month so lets see if they have problems too or if it was just one hell of an incompetent doctor last time.
As for BDing plans we usually start at around CD10 and do every other day until just before O when we try and do every day. We definitely cover all the bases BDing wise so who knows why it isn't happening. Time will tell. x

 

[WannaB]

Well sound like you well and truly cover your bases! I will give you some tmi now, I find too, doggy the better one and I make sure I give myself a good time iykwim, after he finished and there is pretty much zero leakage! I dont know if thats the reason Im so successful at getting up the duff, but its working whatever Im doing, my bd is the same as yours as well!