TTC for 9 months....whats the next step?

[Princess1979]

We have been TTC#2 for the last 9 months and nothing. I know 9 months is not a long time to TTC, and GP recommends trying for 1 year before starting to worry, but I'm just wondering whether to go see our GP and run some tests now, and when to start thinking about IVF?
What happens after you have been TTC for 1 year?

[Lucy]

How old are you sweets? This can make a difference in the attitude of the GP.........

Usually the first step a GP will take is to get you to have a blood test to make sure for 100% that you are postively ovulating.......ie he will send you off for a blood test on a certain day in your cycle to measure for the particular hormone that proves you ovulated.

Are you charting? Taking temps/timing your baby-making? If so, take these along with you to your GP so he can see that you are already maximising your chances.......

Good luck........

(BTW, we started investigating after about 9 months......at my insistence........because I had been charting and also I was "old" (over 30) and had been on the pill for so long.........my GP accomodated.........but if yours is reticent, FIB! Tell him you have been trying for 12 months already!!)

[Princess1979]

Hi Lucy,

Thanks for your reply. I'm 27 And DH is 29.I have been charting with FF but over the last 3-4 months FF hasn't been able to pin point my ovulation day. I also tried OPK but never got a positive one. I bought Maybe Baby today so I thought I'll try that.
Also I had light AF 3 times over the last 2 months. (I suppose you would call them light AF as most of the time it was a brown colour or pink) not my normal AF. So something is going on there.

[Lucy]

In light of all that, I would print off all your FF charts, explain to your GP what you have just detailed here about AF, and get him to get the ball rolling.

It sounds like you have a "feeling" something is not 100%, and simply by getting your GP on your side, get his support, get a plan together........this alone, along with the knowledge of your cycle, will probably help.

That way, at least you have a positive "plan" in place, which is always better than simply wondering.

Good luck!

[Tess]

Hi Princess
I agree with Lucy - you should take your charts and go see your GP. I went after 3mths as it took that long for my first period after being on the pill. They did blood tests and a pelvic u/s and then said the next step was my decision. We could wait for up to 12mths or see a fertility specialist. We waited another 6mths and hey presto.

Definitely go speak to your GP - you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Good luck.

[Lucy]

And if you don't get any joy/sympathy/action from your GP, or if they are unhelpful in anyway, change GP's!

[Princess1979]

I did go and see my GP and she's sending me for a pelvic ultra sound and she is going to do blood test on CD21 to check the hormone levels. So I'm on the right track now and hopefully the pelvic ultra sound will find nothing wrong.

[Sammi Jane]

Hi Princess,

Have you had your DH checked out? If not, I'd ask for a sperm analysis if I were you. It's a relatively easy test and you'll know if everything's ok with DH. We found out after 5 months that my DH had 0% morphology (& other problems) and we were devestated. It's since been fixed, but it was a waste of 5 months trying as we had no chance of falling pregnant. And it's taken 6 months to get to a point where we can actually fall naturally!! A very frustrating journey...

It's something you can rule out as a problem early on. Make sure an experienced doctor does it though, the regular blood places Douglas whatever don't do a good job of them. It's a hard test to do apparently, they look at the sperm with the naked eye to check morphology, so you need someone who knows what they're doing.

GL

[Princess1979]

Hi Samrus,

I thought I'd have myself checked out 1st and see how that turns out, then I will get my DH checked out.

[court79]

Hi
I am in the same situation as yourself princess. I am 27yrs old and TTC #1 for 14 months.

I am off to have a pelvic ultrasound and blood tests on the 4th so that we can check whether there are any problems.

I figure I may as well get myself checked out first before sending my hubby (29yrs)in for tests.

If you want someone to chat to during this process feel free to email me at courtneysymons@hotmail.com!!

Hopefully your tests go well!!

Courtney

[Loveinamist]

Hi Princess,

Have you had your DH checked out? If not, I'd ask for a sperm analysis if I were you. It's a relatively easy test and you'll know if everything's ok with DH. We found out after 5 months that my DH had 0% morphology (& other problems) and we were devestated. It's since been fixed, but it was a waste of 5 months trying as we had no chance of falling pregnant. And it's taken 6 months to get to a point where we can actually fall naturally!! A very frustrating journey...

It's something you can rule out as a problem early on. Make sure an experienced doctor does it though, the regular blood places Douglas whatever don't do a good job of them. It's a hard test to do apparently, they look at the sperm with the naked eye to check morphology, so you need someone who knows what they're doing.

GL

I am really interested to know what you did to improve your DH's morphology. We were told that DH had a good sperm count but that there were some morphology problems. I have had him on zinc since then. Is that what you did?

[Sammi Jane]

Hi Fishukie,

My DH was diagnosed with a varicocele. It's like variceous veins in your legs but it's near their testes. It makes the area hot which means the sperm don't develop normally. He saw a urologist who found the varicocele. He had an embolisation done, which fixed the problem, thank God! We're currently on our 2nd cycle since the good news, so hopefully we'll fall naturally now...

How bad is your DH's morphology?? If his numbers are good enough you may be fine. Zinc is very important, as is Vitamin C. I had my DH on a multi vitamin as well as Vitamin C.

Good luck.