11 months and no BFP.

Hoping for some help on this subject.

DH and I have been trying for #2 for 11 months.
I have regular cycles.
I believe I'm ovulating- due to +OPK's and O pains.
We have decided to seek help if this cycle ends with no BFP.
I suppose the GP is the best place to start- will they run tests?
Or just refer us straight to a FS?
What tests do you think they'll run?


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They will probably order some BT's to make sure you are ovulating and rule out STD's. Unfortunately I didn't find my GP that knowledgable on TTC and the FS was more expensive but much more helpful. I got my BFP with DD1 on the 12th cycle, FX for a BFP for you next cycle :).

Massive hugs beautiful.

Thanks guys!

Do I ask for a specific FS? Or will they recommend someone?


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The GP can order tests. I think the first test you should do is a sperm analysis. Another test is to check if your tubes are blocked. I can't remember the name of that one but they put some die into your uterus and look to see where it goes. It's a bit uncomfortable but worth it to know.

Your GP can order whatever tests you ask for but they might not know exactly what's available IYKWIM. If you are more comfortable with a specialist, then ask for a referral straight away. ETA: If you know of someone, you can ask for them, but otherwise, the GP should be able to recommend someone.

Good luck with this cycle. I hope you don't need any tests.

Are you private? My SIL goes to a (male) specialist at North Park and is really happy with him.

sorry to hear that, I'm at the 5 months mark and still no bfp for me. I know I'm a bit behind, but it's still worrying for me. Hopefully you get your BFP this month or next month.

Oh yes the HyCoSy is where they inject die into your uterus and make sure it spills out of your tubes, under xray guidance. There are a few hundred dollars out of pocket with that one, but if your tubes aren't blocked it shouldn't be very painful. One of my tubes was blocked and all I felt was strong pressure.

SA is a must, as well as progesterone test. Other than that it's off to the FS, pick one that will be convenient for travelling to and from work because you might find yourself doing many early morning appointments there (I hope not though!).

xoxo

TTC sucks :grouphug:

Emma, when I went to my GP (at the 6 months ttc mark, because I'm >35) she did BTs for thyroid, STDs, made sure my pap smear was up to date, and did a full set of hormone bloods on CD21. She said to get DP to have a SA requested (we have different GPs.) She told me to ask around, phone any clinics I might like to go to, and even visit them to see where I feel comfortable, while I was waiting for CD21, and when I went back to her for results, she would refer me to whichever specialist/clinic I chose.

Decide which elements of care are important to you - vast experience, personal attention, good communication, same FS for every procedure, open at weekends and holidays if that's when your timing dictates you need something done... They all are quite different. Ask anyone you know (if you feel comfortable asking) for their recommendations, too, and ask why they think that. (My godmother suggested I DON'T go to one particular clinic because of 'moral' reasons - they help a lot of same sex couples, which is morally wrong for her.) Read their respective websites to get a sense of their philosophy, and conmpare their success rates for your age group for different kinds of procedures. Ask how many patients they see, which if it's lots, might make you think they're very experienced, and if it less, might make you feel like you'd get more personalised care, and less like an object in a production line. (For example, my clinic will have 10-15 sets of eggs/embryos in their lab undergoing the first 5 days, at any one time. that's not huge, but not small, either.) And, if it's important to you, compare their price structure. I chose an FS and clinic based on these kind of things, and so far I'm very happy.

Re the HyCoSy, it maybe wouldn't be the first test you'd do, because it is a step more invasive than blood tests and SA, and it may turn out to be unneccesary. SA or BTs may show significant problems which need attention first. I haven't had one because DP's sperm count was so low, so assisted conception would have to be ICSI, which bypasses the need for me to have open tubes anyway. One less procedure for me, and more money stays in our pocket. If bloods are fine and SA is fine, then HyCoSy and US of your ovaries through your cycle are likely to be the next tests, but most people would have these under the FS.

Thanks guys :grouphug:

I think I'll head to the GP and see what she says.
DH has been worded up and willing to do the SA anytime.
I'm not working- SAHM- so any appointment is doable for me.
I don't have private health insurance, so does that mean- I can see any FS and just be more out of pocket?
I have looked into north park, but they are a private facility.

Hi Emma,

I don't have PHI either. My understanding is most funds don't cover specialist appointments anyway. So it doesn't make a difference. Also, all clinics are private, unless you go through the Royal Women's Reproductive Services unit. There is a waiting list though (not sure how long).

Good luck!

Emma, my PHI will only contribute to the inpatient costs, eg, the anaesthetist and day surgery fees for procedures. All of the outpatient stuff isn't covered, though medicare pays for a part of many items. A good clinic will be really upfront about costs, and will be able to advise how much medicare will cover of each item.

Note that you should probably register for the medicare safety-net, and link your DH and yourself together, if you ahven't already done so. The safety net means that once you've had more than x amount of expense between you, medicare pays an extra 80% of the difference between the sheduled fee and the actual cost. And the safety net counts per calendar year, not financial year, so if you're watching the pennies, it's probably a good idea to get started in the new year, and not accrue too many expenses now.

I second the idea of starting in the new year, that way you are likely (FX) to only pay the gap once.

Unfortunately infertility is expensive. Without insurance we are out of pocket $4700 for this IVF cycle, and we have already met the safety net limit.

xoxo

Good luck with everything. All the pp are right with bt's

After 2.5 years ttc my dr sent me to an obgyn who done exploratory laparoscopy, which revealed endo, a stenotic cervix and he removed the cysts from my ovaries. I also had the
Hycosy done while under so I didn't feel a thing :) this was all covered by Medicare at his preferred hospital. 2 months later I got A BFP :)

Wishing you all the best on this long emotional journey!!

Hi Emma - sorry it's taking longer than you thought :( sucks big time.

I'm with PPs about the tests, doubt they'll be invasive straight off. GP can check quite a few things before heading down other paths. We had sperm analysis, blood tests pre- and post-ovulation and I also had an ultrasound to check that things were ok structurally. Do you have a good GP? I reckon if they encourage you to just keep trying, put your foot down and ask for some basic testing.

With the FS, I'd ask around or do a bit of googling on people in your area. Ours was highly recommended by friends.

Our PHI didn't cover fertility assistance so yep, we were out of pocket too. But covered for hospital services, so that helped a little; and we got a bit back when we hit the Medicare threshold. It's an expensive business, this baby-making!

Good luck, I hope you get some answers and a BFP really soon x

Thanks guys :-)

TBH- I'm not so worried about the money- we have some rainy day savings.
I'd just like to have another baby :cry:

:hug: can't put a price on that x

Ok- going to revive this thread, instead of starting a new one.

GP appointment on Wednesday :dance:
I am assuming they will write me up for a CD21 progesterone BT, an overdue Pap smear and a sperm analysis for DH?
What about an US? To check that I have working 'bits'?
I just want to know what to ask/insist on....

Sounds about right. Yes, if you want one, ask for basic ultrasound as well. They can either do it before you expect to ovulate to see how follies and lining are developing, or right after, so they can see if you popped an egg (an check lining there too). I had one immediately after. During the u/s they may ask if you want internal as well - if you're cool with it, say yes as it means better images and a comprehensive check (especially as you're paying for that sucker!).

Hope the appointment goes well Emma.

You might also like to ask for a HSG :) it's where they put dye into your uterus and tubes under X ray to make sure there are no adhesions or blockages etc. Sometimes if there is a mucus plug it will dislodge it.

I rang around FS's before even going to my GP for a referral so i could ask for a referral to a particular person....
Im glad I did cause the FS said not to bother getting the GP to do any tests cause he would like to do them himself.
Because we had a baby naturally before alot of the tests a GP would run he deemed redundant....so I didn't have to do a lot of the tests the others have listed....


Goodluck

You may need to have your boxing gloves on as most GP's think 12 months is an average time to ttc for a woman your age and history. I would tell a little white lie and add a few months

The girls have all made good suggestions - I would definatly include thyroid tests

I have a name of a FS/Gynea who is a woman, who works for one of the Major IVF clinics ans she has an office in Epping, she is beautiful, so lovely my DH wanted to call our baby after her. I will Pm you her details, just as a back up if you need it one day.

Emma,

I didn't have PHI either. I had my GP refer me to the RWH Reproductives Services and I didn't have to pay anything for my appointments, HSG or blood work up. You may have to wait a bit longer to get an appointment but if money is an issue then the wait might not be so bad. I didn't have to do anything else as I ended up falling PG the cycle of my HSG so not sure if anything else would have cost.

From memory when we had our initial testing before we headed down the IVF path I remember having an US to see if I was ovulating (cant remember what CD it was though) as well as BT at certain points in my cycle. DH also had a couple of SA.... that was pretty much the starting point

Best of luck with your appt today.

Good luck, Emma. Thinking of you today.

All the best! Thinking of you!

Thank you all so much :grouphug:


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Good luck for today Em. Hope all goes well.

Hope it goes well Em and you get that BFP very very soon.

I agree with the couple of others who mentioned that an FS may well want to do his own US and HSG. Diagnostically, US is only as good as the sonographer, so a lot of specialists will ask you to go to a specific clinic where they know they gets a certain standard of results. They also do a better job if they know what they're looking for, ie,l if your FS suspects something in particular.

As a minimum, from the GP I'd ask for full bloods for all hormones and at cd21, bloods/swabs for stds (infertility is a complication of several common ones, so they like to rule them out, too) sperm analysis, pap smear and breast exam if you're not up to date.

The more specific tests can come later.

Good luck today, Emma.

Best of luck Emma x

Thanks ladies.

My appointment today was excellent!
I had a pap smear, my first one :redface:
I have a referral for CD21 bloods, a pelvic U/S and a referral to a FS from Melbourne IVF.
DH has a referral for his SA.

The GP knew what she was doing and was extremely thorough.
I will see her again if the test results show any abnormalities, otherwise- she recommended I see the FS in January.
If we have 'unexplained' infertility- then it could mean IVF for us.

I feel very positive that we are moving forward :)


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Awesome! I hope the tests show nothing serious :)

Yay ! Im glad your happy with her attention to detail : I have been a patient at MIVF would u PM me who she refered you too.

I might suggest ringing and booking the appt with MIVF now (as a backup) as certain FS's can take months to get into, that way your ready to go at the very start of the year :D

I second what Bengal said! I am with MIVF and It takes months to get an appointment with my FS.

I hope you won't need it!!! fx

Can I say who my referral is to, in here?


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Emma, that's wonderful - I'm so happy to hear you sounding positive.

Jan, that's like only a few weeks away. :D

When is CD21?

ETA: good idea... make the appointment now...

CD21 is the 19th of December :)


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Yeah, you can post their name. Just no one say anything about them!!