What will the GP say? do for me?

[littlethings]

Hi all... sorry in advance for pouring my heart out.

I really appreciate anyone's advice or sharing of their experiences.

Me, 31 TTC our #1 We've been trying 3 1/2 years, and I don't know the exact reason why we can't... but I guess it's my weight, plus my age.

I am trying to lose weight and joined slimming World last month, and I've lost 1 stone up to now, I am still grossly overweight, and need to lose about 7 - 8 stone in total, to have a healthy pregnancy and for my own health and sanity.

My question is.... I want to go to GP for help with TTC, as I'm getting frustrated, hurt, older... and don't want to hear them dreaded words, it's too late. My mother and grandmother went through menopause at 38, and I'm scared I will follow suit. All I can think about is tick, tock.

My questions are:

Will the GP just turn me away, with being overweight? Has this happened to you? and what weight did they want you to lose? I want to be taken seriously, I know my weight can effect fertility, my plan is to lose 3 stone, and then go to the GP.

What can the GP do for fertility problems? Are there meds? tests? IVF is a last resort, which I would go down privately, but again you have to be a healthy weight, which I'm not there yet.

I'm really sorry to ramble, it's just eating away at me, and don't want to confide in my loved ones at this point.

Any kind words are appreciated.

Thanks
Claire

 

[cutestuff]

Hi Littlethings

I do not know what stones are in US measurements but I can guess probably somewhere around 10 pounds or so maybe more. I think it depends on the doctor. I have read online that when you get ready to go to a doctor for these issues, they look at timing of sex, the length of how long you are trying and your age. I am 30 (turning 31 in 7 months) and I am scared too.
If it was me, I would go to an OBGYN. They deal more with fertility stuff and the gp is only going to tell you what you already know... "relax, it will happen, loose weight, get younger" whereas the ob will be able to test your hormone levels and see if you are pre menopausal or not and if you do have limited time to get pregnant, they may be more willing to make the referral to an RE or whatever the fertility specialists are called before the gp would. They may even tell you just to go straight there anyway. I too am trying to loose weight--I had originally lost about 20 pounds then gained 10 back over the winter cause I justified it in my mind thinking I could be pregnant so I need to loose it again. I would love to be buddies with you... I am in a similar situation where the women in my family seem to get pregnant easily without trying and now I have been trying and my cycle is changing and I have never been pregnant or even got a false positive on a pregnancy test, I am worried. I dont have any resources to check it out either...

I think you have some valid concerns and I will be thinking good thoughts for you.

 

[littlethings]

Hi, thank you for your kind words.. I'd love to buddy up.. I've got no one in my life at mo who knows what we are going through. There is 14 pounds in 1 stone, I wish it was 10. Haha.. That's good advice, to get a referral to a specialist, than just seeing a GP.

 

[cutestuff]

Thats more than I thought... PM me and we will chat or something......

 

[Bee Bee]

First of all, you are not too old by any means! I am 30 this year so if youa re too old at 31, then theres def no hope for me, lol! Even if you did happen to hit menopause at 38, you still should have 7 more fertile years before that happens.

They might tell you to lose weight but they should also help you with what you are looking to fix. Definitely see if your GP can give you a referral. I personally think REs (reproductive endocrinologist) are a better option than OBGYNs. Either way, I would ask for a referral for a doctor that specializes in fertility. Yes, they will probably tell you to lose weight but they should also be helping you become fertile at the same time. But also, if you have an issue like PCOS (which I have) it will be hard to lose weight without treating the PCOS first, which a fertility doctor would do.

So, I say go for it! Honestly, if they turn you away at the door then go to another GP. Someone will be bound to help you eventually!

 

[Mrs. Tigger]

Hi Sweetie

I live in Denmark, so the policy might not be the same, but I can share my experience. I have been having trouble since going off of birth control pills, and, long story short, I was referred to a gyno specializing in fertility problems. She did some tests and I was diagnosed with PCOS. I was told that one way or another, she will get me pregnant, but that I first had to lower my BMI to 32. A low-GI diet is best for PCOS (I follow a low-GI/low-calorie diet). I have had a lot of success with this weight loss (its the first thing that ever actually worked for me) so I don't know what would happen if I couldn't lose the weight.

Sorry I don't know more and can't be of more help.

 

[nessaw]

Hi I'm in the uk and am way older than you so don't panic! I went to my gp after 6 months (as over 35)
. I was sent for cd21 blood tests as a 1st stop to check for ov. Make sure you do 7dpo if your ov isn't standard cd14. My oh was sent for sperm analysis. I was sent for an ultrasound to check uterus. At this point we were referred to the fertility consultant. We actually got pg just before the 1st appt but lost it so went back. At this point we were given clomid for 3 months then we discussed ivf. This was the only point that weight loss was mentioned. Healthy lifestyles were mentioned before. I had to be under 30 bmi and I was just over. Between my 1st and 2nd pg/loss I was sent for a hsg to check the tubes. If I had had the ivf there was a whole battery of tests for both of us prior to that. Hope this helps. My advice is to get going on it because referrals etc can take some time. Good luck.x