When does this become 'long term'?

[amytrisha]

Hiya :wave:
Hoping not to offend anyone! I'm just wondering when people would start to class TTC as LTTTC?

Me and OH have been trying since we lost our LO 13 months ago, I haven't yet been to the doctors (too petrified of what they'll say). I'm almost 20 and OH is 29.
So also if anybody can give me any insight on what happens during a first drs appt that'd be a big help, I've been told they'd do blood tests but I've also been told they'll tell me I'm too young (although OH isn't) so that's mainly what has been putting me off.

Thank you for any replies xo

 

[Mrs B.]

Sorry to hear about your loss Everyone is different...if you feel you're at long term then you're at LTTTC. I moved here around 22 months TTC (although I popped in every so often in the months leading up to it). Some people feel LTTTC is at a year, others don't want to be LTTTC until a few years down the line.

How long have you been trying? A doctor should not base their judgement on your young age (the one exception of this is someone in their teens...which you are not), it should be based on how long you have been trying. If you have been trying for the last year or so with no success, plus however long you tried before LO was conceived...then you have been trying over the recommended year mark. Your doc can run some blood tests to check you're ovulating ok, and they can run a SA on your OH. The worst they can do is tell you to try for another 6 months and come back...if they do that you're no worse off than right now where you're nervous of going, so you haven't been. If you're unhappy with anything the doc says or does you can always request a different doctor and try again.

With me doc ran bloods at just over a year and basically said he would refer me to a specialist at 18 months. He did also (after I asked) send OH for a SA around about the 15 months mark. GL hun! xx

 

[SusieC]

I also wondered this question. This is the first time I've been on this thread. It's been 13 months for us now, which feels like a long time but I know some people have been TTC for years. I think when you're desperate for a baby even a few months can feel like forever. I guess I will prob start to pop into this forum, and prob spend more time in it as the months go on

 

[Blythe]

hello girls

i think anything over a year is LTTTC although i started feeling desperate around the 9 month mark....i have ups and downs and currently having an up period. My whole life started revolving around 2 week slots - the anticipation of ovulation then the 2WW. I started to avoid exercise as was worried about dislodging eggs etc but now I'm back exercising and feel back in control.

LTTTC is tough and i find this forum a massive help - my DH just does not get it...sure hes upset but he cannot fathom how i have been so upset about it in the past.

GL girls....having stalked these forums for a while it seems most get there in the end

 

[amytrisha]

MrsB - All together including before LO we've been trying 22 months.. I completely understand what you mean about some people not thinking of a year as long term that's why it's taken me a while to post in here I really didn't wanna offend anyone so thank you for being so nice
I agree what you said about the doctors, I really should go I'm silly tbf but what you've said has reassured me so thank you x

Susie - Me too hun, I'm definitely gonna start coming in here more, I feel odd in the TTC section because most people are only just starting to TTC.. See you around here x

Blythe - I try my best to relax every month but like you some months are so much harder than others :/ I think my main problem is seeing others conceive after a short amount of time but I reckon seeing success stories on here will definitely help me x

Thank you for your replies ladies xx

 

[karenh]

I would go to the doctor. If you have been trying for 22 months and have only had one pregnancy and it ended in a loss then you need some help of some kind, be it big or small. You should get checked for ovulaton and DH should have a SA. That is the starting point. If the dr mentions anytihng about you not needed to worry because of you age, GET ANOTHER DOCTOR. Just because you are 20 doesn't mean that you should have a baby.

 

[amytrisha]

Thank you Karen x
Do you know whether the doctor will see us together? Can you book a joint appt, were both with the same surgery but obviously we've never been together lol x

 

[karenh]

Thank you Karen x
Do you know whether the doctor will see us together? Can you book a joint appt, were both with the same surgery but obviously we've never been together lol x

Sometimes they can book back to back appointments and then you two can go back together and just have a really long time. Honestly, if only one of us has an appointment, and the other has a quick questions we just both go to the appointment. What are they going to do, say you can't be there to support your loved one? What kind of DR are you seeing? PCP, OBGYN, RE?

 

[amytrisha]

I have no idea aha, just a normal doctor I'm guessing.. I don't know if they'll pass me onto someone else though.
Ill book an appt just for me and if they want oh to do an SA ill book him a separate appt while we're there.
I really have no idea how it'll all work cos I don't know anybody who's been through this x

 

[karenh]

Your normal everyday DR is a PCP (primary care physician), personally I wouldn’t go to my PCP to help me get pregnant, but that is just me. My PCPs have never been very helpful in that department. They have too many other things to do with. If you aren’t ready to see an RE (reproductive endocrinologist), and I wouldn’t blame you if you aren’t, I would suggest seeing your OBGYN (obstetrician/gynecologist). They are in the business of women’s health, babies, and making families. You can call and make an appointment to talk about family planning. My OB started me on my medicated road to ttc. He also ordered DH SA and reviewed it. He is the one the referred me to my RE when he couldn’t help me anymore. Absolutely take DH to that appointment. Building a family takes two, and the appointment is for both of you. There will be decisions to make and it is nice for both of you to hear the info so you can talk about it late. Each of you will remember different things. I would say don’t wait for your DR to recommend a SA. There is no point in you spending time and money on treatments when there is an issue with him and he only needs one simple test. Good luck with whatever you decide. Sorry to bombard you with so much info. Feel free to ask any questions you like. I will answer to the best of my ability. I have been at this for a long time. We don’t have any male factor though so I don’t know much about that.

 

[amytrisha]

No thank you for the info, like I said I don't really know much about this kinda thing & don't have anybody to discuss it with irl so it's much appreciated
Are you in the UK? I've only got a normal dr and I think they'll refer me to wherever I need to go but is there a place I can ring myself to get an appt with an appropriate person?
I didn't realise there was so much to it tbh, I figured I'd only need to go to my normal dr rather than any kind of specialist.. I'm gonna have to look into it all definitely x

 

[karenh]

Oh, no, sorry. I am in the US. Healthcare is a lot different between our two countires. Sorry. I pay out of pocket formost of my fertility treatments. There are a lot of women on here that are in the UK though, maybe some of them will be helpful.

 

[xxshellsxx]

The only way to see a FS in the UK via the NHS is with a referral from the GP. GP will order the initial blood tests usually CD3, CD'21' (7dpo) and usually a full work up of blood counts TSH (thyroid) and cholesterol type checks... Often they will request DH does a SA as well. Once they have the results they will then refer you to a FS at the local hospital. Be prepared to wait! NHS are not quick in most places with getting an appointment and some PCT's do have age restrictions for some treatments (i had to be 30 to get ICSI! I was 23 when i found out my previous issues!) Many also have restrictions if you or your partner have previous children x

 

[amytrisha]

Yeah I got a little confused then haha UK and USA are so different, thanks though x

Shells - I don't mind waiting I just need to get the ball rolling, it could be something so minor affecting us but we just need to take that first step. Neither of us has any children though. Thank you for telling me what process well have to go through.. Really helps to prepare me x

 

[YearningHeart]

amytrisha - Sorry to hear of your loss1 I hope you dreams come true veeeery soon! Shells summed it up pretty good, thats how it works and yeah it can be a little wait therefore its good go start on it.

I actually once thought that too, that when will it be classified as LTTTC - Honestly I think its upto each individual and what LTTTC means to them. Iv feel I have been TTC forever! lol (Its 5 years for me! Im starting IVF veeeery soon and I pray that works out)

xxxx

 

[V2R]

Hi I would say normal ttc is 1 year....Anything over 2 years is long term ttc. You should go to the doctor & have them do a blood test to see if you are ovulating also get them to do a test for chlamydia (if thats how it's spelt) X

 

[amytrisha]

I've had an sti test and they've also scanned my ovaries for cysts but both tests were negative x

Yearningheart - I agree, i feel as though I've been TTC forever but obviously it's minor compared to some ladies, 5 years is a long time I hope you get your LO soon.

Thank you for the advice ladies I've booked my appt, ill keep this updated xx

 

[YearningHeart]

amytrisha - Thanks! I really hope I do have a baby in my arms soon and I wish you the best! Good luck with your appointment! Keep us posted. x

 

[amytrisha]

I will do and thanks again x

 

[Cookie_88]

Hi amytrisha, I just wanted to say I've just been to my dr about starting the ball rolling. I'm 24 and OH is 25. I was worried about what the dr was going to say, even about my age but I left feeling like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders and that I'm finally getting somewhere. Not once did they mention my age. I've been ttc for 3yrs and had an early mc 18months ago. I am now booked in for blood tests end of the month and we are arranging a sperm analysis for OH.

What I'm trying to say within all this rambling is that your dr is there to support you so don't worry about going, trust me you will feel alot better