When to ask for testing?

[Mog]

Hi lovely ladies,

Ok so went off the pill in April had withdrawal bleed, then nothing til late July, when AF showed (quite light). Now nothing again since then!! I know rationally that it can take up to 12 months (and longer sometimes!) for cycles to resume etc, but that doesn't stop me freaking out occasionally. Not all the time just some days (particularly when all the babies seem to be looking at me as if they know ).

I will be 31 in 9 days and was just thinking it might pay to go see my doctor/get tested? Just wondering what you even ask for, and if it's better to see my own GP etc? Any opinions greatly appreciated!

[Marley&Me]

Hi Mog, given your age I would definitely start investigating. I say this probably because I am 29 and have been ttc for 2 years and waited 12 months of crazy cycles before getting help. I wish I had stared earlier as it can take quite some time to diagnose a problem.
If your GP is uncooperative, get a second opinion. Some GP's just aren't interested before 12 months of ttc, and they will be no help in the future. Doesn't hurt just to get all the basic tests to start with!

good luck

[Mog]

Thanks Tasha, that definately puts it into perspective for me...I shall get to the doctor quick smart. Hope you get some good news soon!

[WannabeMum]

I went to the dr at 29 when I didn't have a cycle for 4 months after coming off the pill. But I have PCOS so I knew that might be contributing. I pushed him for a referral to a FS who didn't care how long I'd been trying, just investigated then started me on clomid.

Saying that though, we didn't get pg with him, and it wasn't until I saw a naturopath that DS was conceived. I would suggest finding a good naturopath as they can trigger AF too and provide herbs that stimulate ovulation and regulate cycles. I am a nurse who wanted a naturopath who would work alongside the FS and found one who used to be an IVF nurse herself. If you're in Melbourne, I can give you her name if you like. It may be a good place to start, and you never know, it could work!

We tried for 12 months to get DS (including 4 clomid cycles), and since seeing the naturopath I've had 4 cycles and 3 pregnancies.

[Marley&Me]

I went to the dr at 29 when I didn't have a cycle for 4 months after coming off the pill. But I have PCOS so I knew that might be contributing. I pushed him for a referral to a FS who didn't care how long I'd been trying, just investigated then started me on clomid.

Saying that though, we didn't get pg with him, and it wasn't until I saw a naturopath that DS was conceived. I would suggest finding a good naturopath as they can trigger AF too and provide herbs that stimulate ovulation and regulate cycles. I am a nurse who wanted a naturopath who would work alongside the FS and found one who used to be an IVF nurse herself. If you're in Melbourne, I can give you her name if you like. It may be a good place to start, and you never know, it could work!

We tried for 12 months to get DS (including 4 clomid cycles), and since seeing the naturopath I've had 4 cycles and 3 pregnancies.

I am doing the same, I have a number of a good one I have been recommended by a friend. I am waiting to see if we have any luck this cycle and if not, I am grabbing that phone!

[Lillypilly]

Hi Mog, I'm a believer in being proactive when it comes to health-care in general and TTC in particular, especially for ladies in their 30s. I reckon a trip to the GP will either provide reassurance or perhaps let you know when to start being concerned. If you're quite stressed about it, some more info and an expert opinion could help put your mind at ease and hopefully minimise the 'freak outs' (as you put it). Good luck, whatever you decide.

[WannabeMum]

Tasha, if you have no luck with the number you've got - and it might be for Natalie anyway - PM me and I'll send you her details. She got my friend pregnant too, they just had a healthy bub

[Mog]

Thanks guys. Wannabe mum..I am certainly not adverse to seeing a naturopath, but I am in Adelaide unfortunately. I have looked a couple up who specialise in fertility, so will give that a go after I see my GP on tuesday.

And Lillypilly, you are so right. Ultimately it's up to me to choose the direction of this journey (and DP!!). I think I have been a bit naive to be honest .

Thanks again for the advice

[Marley&Me]

Tasha, if you have no luck with the number you've got - and it might be for Natalie anyway - PM me and I'll send you her details. She got my friend pregnant too, they just had a healthy bub

Thanks WannabeMum, the number I have is for a lady named Teresa, she's supposed to be excellent.If I don't have any luck I will definitely PM you though. I won't be seeing her till next month (depending on my luck this cycle )

[Allusivepond]

I was 25 when I started trying to have a baby. I just did basic testing. Hormone levels and immunity levels and doc said to go for it. During the 1st year my cycle was all over the place after coming off the pill, but by the 2nd year it returned to normal. After 2 more years we were getting married and put it off for 6mths. After that we saw a fertility specialist who after some initial testing told us we had unexplained infertlity.

It was another 3 yrs of full on IVF, before we finally fell pg with our gorgeous boy. So for us from starting to try until we had our son was 1 mth shy of 7yrs. Even if its just the basic testing at least you have somewhere to start.

Regards
Allusivepond

[Mog]

Thanks Wannabemum but I'm in Adelaide unfortunately. I have been looking into some naturopaths, so I will see how I go at the doctor's on Tuesday. And Lillypilly I agree totally, but to be honest I think I have been quite naive. And to think I am a well educated and successful person in other areas of life haha!

[Bloom]

I would definately go and get tested. Basically, there is no downside, even if they tell you everything is fine.

I was only 26 when we started TTC. After four months, I was a bit worried so I went to the GP and said we'd been trying for "almost 6 months". She was happy to order tests and we found out that my DH has such poor sperm we have virtually nil chance of conceiving naturally. We were very glad to know that so we could start on IVF.

[Lillypilly]

Mog, I wonder if it's all those years of sex ed and trying NOT to get pregnant for the first part of our adult lives that kind of promotes uncertainty or a lack of awareness about what's what?! Hopefully your GP can provide some guidance on what to do next. It's their job to know what tests to send you for, not yours, don't be too hard on yourself.

Bloom, your experience is really interesting. You raise a great point that we have nothing to lose from getting tested - knowledge is power and all that!

[sloane]

i hope you get some answers or at least some support from your GP mog

i was also going to suggest acupuncture/traditional chinese medicine. they can really help with regulating cycles as well. i think that, along with naturopaths, it's the fact that those sort of practitioners look at your body as a whole rather than trying to treat a single symptom/problem.

good luck, i hope your ttc journey is a short one!

[Mog]

Haha so true Lillypilly, and thanks Sloane!! So had the blood tests done last week, he wants to see me tomorrow, so having been trying not to stress!! Strange thing though, on Wednesday I thought AF had showed, but only very, very small amount of dark mucous (sorry if tmi!)?? Lasted 2 days. Then convinced myself it was implantation . I guess I will find out more tomorrow, wish me luck!!

And always sending good baby vibes to everyone

[Lillypilly]

Good luck getting your results back tomorrow m'dear, hope it's all good news. It's always hard not to be stressed about impending results.

Hopefully you did have implantation though and none of it matters!