When should you seek medical help? And other frustrations about ttc

[Hiker1]

Hi all! I'm ttc #1 since January. Well, I guess March is more like it, since the first 2 months, I thought you got pregnant just by going off the pill lol. I remember my doctor saying to try for a year before getting help or being concerned. I'm 34, and have been married a year and a half. I definitely want to get the ball rolling here with starting a family! I want to be patient, but also am aware of my age and don't want to waste precious younger years if there may actually be a problem.

Today I'm 12 dpo and no AF yet, but my temp continues to plummet, so I know how this story is going to end. It's like I don't even get my hopes up any more, and ttc is becoming a chore.

On a side note, It's hard especially to see so many friends of mine who got married after me, gettting pregnant, and already having babies. A friend of mine who we were so excited because we thought we'd become pregnant together, I went to her baby shower last weekend and took maternity photos of her and her husband. She's stopped asking me every month whether I got my period.

Anyway, to my original reason for posting, is it time I contact a doctor to test me and my husband? Don't know whether I'd want any sort of fertility treatments, but do just kinda want to know if everything is "working properly" with both of us. Thoughts? Thanks for reading and your support

 

[Isme]

If you are concerned, then I would go ahead and see if you can make an appointment. We have been trying for nearly the same amount of time, and all I have is a chemical pregnancy to show for it. I am "only" 31, but I am also feeling some concern about waiting too long to get answers. Since you are a bit closer to 35, I think it is reasonable to seek a professional opinion after 7-8 months of well-timed intercourse with no results. Good luck to you.

 

[Orglethorp]

I'm 27, and we've been trying since Oct 2014 (13 months, but only 10 cycles due to 2 extremely long ones). In October I went to my doctor (GP) and asked for a referral to an OB/GYN, and she had no problem referring me, but then I got the call a week later telling me that my appointment at the doc I've been referred to is in January. Ugh! Apparently I'm not high priority. Definitely go start asking your doc questions at this point, if you feel the need to do so.

 

[awnmyown]

I agree with the others, speak to your GP now and see if you can get some testing done. I'd be tempted to even say you started last January, just because some are real sticklers about the whole "Wait a year" thing. It's not like you can't cancel if suddenly you get your BFP.

A lot of the basic tests your physician can get a requisition for and get you started on without a referral (at least where I am). Sperm Analysis and a lot of the basic bloodwork (checking for hypothyroidism, potential PCOS, anemia, low hormones, etc.). Then they can have you referred to a specialist which often takes a while anyways. Better to get the ball rolling now!

 

[Hiker1]

Thank you all. I got my AF today, so it adds to the frustration. I made an appointment for Dec. 7 with my Gyno - they said they will start there with the various bloodwork and testing, then perhaps test my hubby as neccessary. I checked my insurance and if I read it correctly, 100% of any infertility treatments would be covered. Whew!! I hope I dont need them, but now I don't feel so hopeless knowing that I am at least taking some steps to see what's going on and might get some answers.

 

[lilmisscaviar]

I've been to several doctors trying to figure out why I keep miscarrying and am now suffering from secondary infertility so don't feel ashamed in looking into it if you're concerned. People do it all the time and there are lots of women just like you going through the same ordeal. My insurance probably hates me for jumping from doctor to doctor but I just want answers. Finally I've found one who is trying to look more into it but I had to get a referral from my OB-GYN for a high risk doctor at the maternal fetal medicine unit, which took 3 pregnancy losses before I even got in to her. They'll probably do an ultrasound next, and then go from there. Hopefully you get some answers.

On a side note, it is best if you try not to view starting a family as a competition. I know its hard... I'm the same way, as are probably many of us on here. My best friend is pregnant and we were going to be cycle buddies, but then I miscarried and she went on to have twins! You can only imagine how I was feeling...

 

[Scarlett P]

Sending you massive hugs. It took 12 months for #1 to come along for us and by the end I just felt it was totally soul destroying and would cry every time I heard another pregnancy announcement.

Think you've done the right thing getting the ball rolling for some tests, especially since these things can take some time and it can mean more waiting.

But in the meantime, have you tried looking at yours or OH diet to see if there's anything that could be affecting things there? Or would you consider acupuncture or reflexology whilst you're waiting for the tests? Just thought I'd suggest as you'd said you weren't sure about fertility treatments.

Really hope you get your BFP soon xx