where to begin

[joelnjessica]

I all , never been on a forum befor but trying to seek some answers. We have been TTC for 2 years with no help as firstly thought it would just happen when were ready, but its not happened. Iv been to the Dr and had a scan of my overies and all is ok with them and my partner is going to dr next week to get sperm tested so will have answers about that soon to. I would just like to know what I sould be requesting at the Drs as Im not having much luck with them taking me seriously, the first one told me to quit smoking then come back, the second one told me to eat healthy and get exercise then see how I go (and by the way im only 70ks so im not that overweight) and the third told me to get my partner tested.... I feel like i am not getting any help with finding out whats going on with my body... what sould I do. is there a specilest I can go direct to or do I have to get refered from my Drs..?

[myturn]

Welcome JoelnJessica

Sorry to hear you are on a long journey

I guess it might be different depending on how old you are.... I suspect if the GP has not been worried so far, you are probably in your 20's??

Nevertheless, you will need to get a referral to a Fertility Specialist from your GP - after two years trying, no matter how old you are, I think you should be able to 'insist'. All the testing the GP is doing, will be helpful for the specialist though, so whatever you are doing so far it is not a waste.

You should also get a blood test to check your hormone levels etc (someone else around here might know what specific tests you need - I can never remember!)

I think the main thing I can suggest, is to keep pushing! You are entilted to ask for a specialist referral.

Good luck - maybe join the 12mths + thread - and chat with the girls in there for some extra support.

Here's the link for you https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...C-12-months-18

best of luck - hopefully you get the longed for BFP (Big Fat Positive!) and won't have to hang around the TTC threads for long. x

[juniper76]

Have you been charting BBTs to confirm ovulation each cycle and to check that your timing is good?

I agree with myturn that, after 2 years, you are well and truly entitled to a referral to a fertility specialist. In fact, you can seek a referral after only 12 months (and only 6 months if you're 35+). Heck, I was offered a referral after only 8 months when we were TTC#1 (I was 31 at the time). You need a referral for the specialist's fees to be eligible for medicare.

There's a lot of testing that a specialist can do and their labs are generally better-equipped for fertility testing since that's all they do. There's a lot of different test that can be run depending on where you are in your cycle and what information your Dr wants.

If you wanted to do some preliminary testing before seeing a specialist, I'd probably just suggest a progesterone test to confirm ovulation. It would need to be done at 7dpo (or approx 7 days before AF is due, assuming you have a 14 day luteal phase). I've always had to pay for those sorts of blood tests though when I've requested them through my GP and they're not cheap. Charting BBTs can generally give you the same answer, but for the cost of a thermometer (about $20) - it just takes longer.

[HomeStyleMumma]

Just had a squiz at this thread & thought to put in that I happened to be talking to someone 'in the know' about hormone level testing and she said if getting it done don't get BTs but to INSIST if necessary to get saliva tested coz bloods are nowhere near as accurate. Just something to keep in mind/look into

[juniper76]

Just had a squiz at this thread & thought to put in that I happened to be talking to someone 'in the know' about hormone level testing and she said if getting it done don't get BTs but to INSIST if necessary to get saliva tested coz bloods are nowhere near as accurate. Just something to keep in mind/look into

I've never heard of that (aside from using a saliva microscope to test at home for the oestrogen surge)? We did 2.5 years of testing and treatments with fertility specialists while TTC#1 and I've never had that done... I'd love to see more information if your friend can point me in the right direction?

[HomeStyleMumma]

Well she just owns/runs local heath food & supplement shop. But she knew a lot about it (pretty sure she's had some personal experience) gave the impression that doctors didn't usually do it coz they just don't usually do it iykwim! But that any good natropath should recommend it. I don't honestly remember enough of what she precisely said to say anything else now.... I'll try ask about it when I go to town next!

[beth987]

Hi JoelnJessica!

Just letting you know i'm going through the exact same thing as you! The Drs didnt want to send me anywhere as im only in my early 20's so i pushed until i got a referral. My fiance and i have had all the testing done and all that come up with was me with PCOS and since then i have lost a lot of weight to try to rectify but sadly still no BFP!.

If you are worried definatley push for a referral it is your body after all! I would def have your partner tested just to rule that out!

Hopin you get a BFP soon

[Lily Dust]

Hi and welcome

If it were me, I'd be bypassing the GP in regards to any tests. Grab a referral from your GP and head off to a FS who will have much more idea on what to test for. In our experience any tests they ran our FS didnt bother with anyway and just redid his own. But yes, getting both of you tested for things is the best idea
Im not sure if you know much about unexplained infertility and Im certainly not saying this is you but even if nothing is found there are a percentage of couples who have what is deemed 'unexplained infertility'.

I hope you get some answers soon.

[joelnjessica]

thanks to all the replys and I will say just from this one site I have learnt more about what I can and should be doing to help the process along then what I have eva been able to get from any Dr or any friends as no one I know seems to have any insite into any of this. I will be requesting to see a FS as im 28 and think its time to know and my body is telling me to. please remember im new to this type of comunication so still trying to get ahang of it but will let you know how we go with the test for him on thursday and ill keep reading on the site as I now feel like im gaining more control so thanks again.

[starz01]

Hi joelnjessica,

I've only just read your thread and am wondering if you have had luck with your GP giving you a referral for a FS yet?

My DH and I were TTC for 12 months before my GP gave me a referral. He kept doing the same sort of thing, taking bloods and ultra sounds and the only thing he ever told me was that I was too stressed and once I relax and stop stressing so much it will happen. Well after I hit the 12 month mark I had had enough so he finally gave me a referral and as soon as I got booked in and saw the doctor they started doing some REAL investigation. I'll be beginning my first course of Clomid to help me ovulate this month. Other than that they haven't found any problems but my experience has told me that GPs are never any good at helping when it comes to problems TTC.

I wish you all the luck in the world and I hope that you can find out what is delaying a pg asap!