When should I seek help?

[secretmission]

Hi Everyone,

I am hoping this is not a stupid question ... I was wondering how long (realistically) you need to be ttc before you go and seek help?

My GP and most people said that I should try for 12 months before seeking help and so far I have been trying for 4 months. I know that's not a long time compared to a lot of the people but I really would like to rectify the problem early if there is a problem.

I read a few threads and a few ladies mentioned a naturopath Antonia Ruhl in the city and I was wondering whether it'd be beneficial to see her now ... her initial consultation is $220 which isn't exactly cheap so I would like to seek some opinions before making that appointment ...

I thought I'd also include my charts here ... I guess I don't have the problem of short luteal phase and by the look of the dips, I probably did ovulate as well. So it probably doesn't look like there is a problem? But I just would like to do everything I can to shorten the ttc journey because it is just killing ...

208319 Ovulation Charts

Thanks everyone!

[jmmum]

How long you wait generally depends on your age. This varies from 12 months of TTC to 6 months. Personally I feel I left my run a little late. My DD was born when I was 41 through IVF now I would have love to have had another bub but just feel that time is fast running out. Chat to a health professional sooner rather than later as you can't turn back the hands of time!!!!!

[LisaL]

Hi Secretmission,

Hun, 4 months is really not a long time. Its really only 4 "tries". Honestly, just have some fun with ttc, dont get overly worried about it. It can take a healthy couple up to 12 months to fall pregnant. I know what the wait is like, but remember that stress is not good for ttc either. Think positive, be healthy and happy, and your little one will come...

best of luck,
Lisa

[Muppity]

Good luck with your TTC journey.

[satya]

Unless you are over 35 I wouldn't suggest you see your doctor until after 12 months. It's considered perfectly normal to take around 12 months to conceive. Many pregnancy books say it's about a 20% chance each month (and your chances don't increase each month, it's still the same) so you just have to keep at it til you hit the jackpot.

I've been through 2 lots of investigations for fertility problems and I would only recommend it after you've really given nature a good chance to take it's course. It can put a lot of pressure on you (emotional & financial) and your partner. Nothing was ever found wrong with me medically (apart from a so called fibroid that's never been seen in any of my pregnancy scans) and I ended up conceiving without any assistance.

Eat healthy, cut out caffeine (mind you I conceived this bub whilst having huge amounts of caffeine), eliminate transfats from your diet and take folic acid.

[Amaunet]

Hi Secretmission,

I'm in the same boat as you! Not TTC for very long (6mnths of "serious" TTC for me). I decided to go to my doctor and she was happy to send me for a referral and hubby is getting checked out too. For me it is about "taking control" - If there is a problem, I want to know. I am also 30 and I guess age starts to become a factor. As for people saying "it will happen", "relax" etc...I feel like there are no guarantees, for me or anyone , it might not happen? Noone can promise that it will! I just feel like I am meant to be a mum, it just might not be an easy process! OR, it might happen tomorrow!

GOODLUCK!!! I will send some prayers your way!

Kylie

[Willow]

I would agree with the others but personally, I wouldn't wait 12 months just because people told me to wait 12 months iykwim? If your cycle is in any way irregular, you are over 32 (fertility rates actually start to decline at 32) or you have any other reason to suspect that something could be up, my advice would be to get checked out sooner rather than later. A few simple blood tests to check your hormone levels and ovulation is a good place to start and it doesn't do any harm to have them done early.

The other thing is to make sure you're having sex at the right time in your cycle - I actually know a few people who took 6 months+ to achieve a pregnancy simply because they weren't timing sex properly! I haven't had a look at your chart, but the fact that you're doing one would indicate you've got this part covered.

Four months really isn't a long time hun and it's far more likely than not that you'll be pregnant very soon, but I've also seen people wait 12 months only to be told they should have seen someone much earlier. When you want a baby badly enough, 12 months is a very, very long time.

[secretmission]

Willow ... now that you mentioned, it is strange but before I started ttc I actually had really short cycles. I wasn't temping, but I remember that I would have AF almost twice in a month. For some strange reasons since I started ttc and temping, the cycles seem to become too long now (37 days).

I went to the GP for blood test and she tested TSH but didn't test hormones at all. Looks like I should probably go in for another test.
I thought I'd also let you ladies know that I made a time to see Antonia on 7/July. I guess I am just dying to do something and I thought that I will see how I go with the intial consult anyway. Will update you all on how I go.

[Mummyof2under2]

I haven't had this problem myself but from what i have read and heard it seems to be the norm for medical experts to let you try for 12 months before they will look into any possible problems. I know that it must be hard and seem like forever.

GL

[Batcoat]

I would agree with the others but personally, I wouldn't wait 12 months just because people told me to wait 12 months iykwim? If your cycle is in any way irregular, you are over 32 (fertility rates actually start to decline at 32) or you have any other reason to suspect that something could be up, my advice would be to get checked out sooner rather than later. A few simple blood tests to check your hormone levels and ovulation is a good place to start and it doesn't do any harm to have them done early...
...Four months really isn't a long time hun and it's far more likely than not that you'll be pregnant very soon, but I've also seen people wait 12 months only to be told they should have seen someone much earlier. When you want a baby badly enough, 12 months is a very, very long time.

The OP is only 27 so it's not like her clock is ticking. No need to clog up the waiting lists for people who have fertility problems.

FWIW, you should try for 12mths under 36 & 6 mths over 36.

OP, if your cycles are regularly around 37 dyas (doesn't look like you've updated your chart), then they are still classed as regular cycles. Give it another 6mths or so charting & I bet you'll have your BFP.

[bj28]

I was like you wondering what to do. I was on the pill for many years and went off it 9 months ago. After 4 months I could tell things were not right so I saw my GP and he referred me on.

I guess what I am trying to say is if you are concerned go and talk to your GP. hopefully yours is good like mine. He referred me after 6 months and we have since found I have PCOS.

We are on our way to sorting everything out - so if you are worried talk to your GP.