First gp visit to discuss ttc.. help

[Vintageling]

So now we are on cycle 10 we are talking about the next step of visiting our gp.
This is first time ttc so first baby so ladies who have been to the gp please help.
How do you approach the gp with this do I take in my fertility friend? What questions should I be asking ? What do I need to push for test wise?
The only person I know that didn't go private and did it through normal gp and nhs is my mum and I can't ask her because I don't want to spoil the surprise of a grandchild unless we need to go through Ivf then she will have to know because if I'm at hers she will see me needing to do meds ect.
I'm worried about this first appointment because I don't know what to expect or what to ask ect. Oh is seeing the gp beginning of Jan so he is going to ask for sperm analysis while he is there save booking an appointment for him to ask for that in 2 cycles which won't be long be chase ive a 26 day cycle and that will fly by.

 

[liz85]

I went to my gp round about same stage as you. They took my history did some blood tests and a small health check. They took my weight and height asked me about my diet and how often I dtd . I spotted every month before af I was told it was normal. I felt that it was a reason why I wasn’t getting pregnant. I demanded an ultrasound as I was beside myself at this point. I got one ended up having a laparoscopy due to large ovarian cyst now Iv a wee boy after over two and s half years of trying. I’d ask for seman analysis aswell.

Good luck x

 

[Vintageling]

I went to my gp round about same stage as you. They took my history did some blood tests and a small health check. They took my weight and height asked me about my diet and how often I dtd . I spotted every month before af I was told it was normal. I felt that it was a reason why I wasn’t getting pregnant. I demanded an ultrasound as I was beside myself at this point. I got one ended up having a laparoscopy due to large ovarian cyst now Iv a wee boy after over two and s half years of trying. I’d ask for seman analysis aswell.

Good luck x

Thanks hun I don't really spot before I get a tiny little bit literally the night before but I get full flow in the morning so I think it's the start of my body being ready I ovulate the same day every cycle and get AF 13 days later so I'm really regular but I think my bbt is quite low so we will see I haven't done bbt for a couple if cycles now because I was driving myself mad with the temps after I had ovulated

 

[MoominGirl]

I also went to the GP at a similar stage. It was really straightforward and they just ordered the bloods. In my area they also referred me for an ultrasound but lots of people get that after they're referred to the fertility clinic. It just depends where you live. My OH just made a phone appointment and asked for a sperm analysis. They left the kit at reception for him to pick up. He did the sample at home and took it in. A lot of people on here talk about partners having appointments for this. Again I think it depends on area. Good luck!!

 

[Peony1]

My husband came with me to my first appt and that really helped me because he was able to remember things the doc said that I’d forgotten about. And the doctor booked him a SA while we were there and gave us the pot so we could book the appt with the hospital immediately. Although he did end up going to hospital to do his SA as it worked out a lot easier due to time restraints etc.

It did feel a bit overwhelming going to that first appointment as it’s like admitting something might be wrong and be prepared that you might have several tests to do over the next few months which for me I found stressful, but was totally worth it all.

Is your smear up to date? If not, defo worth getting that done.

Also, did you have your mmr jabs when you were a child? I hadn’t done (not my mums fault!) and they wouldn’t refer me to fertility clinic until I had them done which delayed us trying for 2 months. So make sure you check with your gp that you have had that as it’s important to be immune when you’re pregnant anyway.

Hope it all goes well and smoothly for you and in the meantime I hope you get your bfp x

 

[Vintageling]

Thanks ladies
Yea I'm all up to date on my jabs mum was very good about it when we were kids and we got all the ones we were supposed to get she didn't want to risk anything after the hell she had to have us which I totally understand now but also she nearly lost us the day we were born so totally understand why she was very protective when we were kids. They even taught us how to do first aid incase one of us got hurt while we were out playing as when we were about 8.
I'm not up to date with my smear I'm actually dreading it which I know is silly but I'm dreading it lol.

 

[Peony1]

Thanks ladies
Yea I'm all up to date on my jabs mum was very good about it when we were kids and we got all the ones we were supposed to get she didn't want to risk anything after the hell she had to have us which I totally understand now but also she nearly lost us the day we were born so totally understand why she was very protective when we were kids. They even taught us how to do first aid incase one of us got hurt while we were out playing as when we were about 8.
I'm not up to date with my smear I'm actually dreading it which I know is silly but I'm dreading it lol.

Maybe make that your New Years resolution to book that in? I think they might ask you to get it done amongst the other tests anyway. Don’t feel silly for dreading it though! I used to be a nervous wreck before mine but they don’t faze me anymore. And I’ve never had one that hurts...more just uncomfortable. I more dread opening the letter with the results! Just think it’s about 3 mins (max!) of your life feeling a tad uncomfortable but it’s so important to get it done! Sorry, I’m not trying to preach but I do this to all my friends too lol if you know of any nurses that you feel comfortable with, ask for that nurse...also tell the nurse in the appointment that you’re dreading it....they’ll know how to make you feel better. Also get an appointment in the morning so you don’t have to spend all day worrying about it!
Glad you’re up to date with all your jabs though. That’s one box you can tick done before you even see the gp

 

[Vintageling]

Yea mum was good on all that. Yea I'll have to book it in just makes me majorly nervous and I'll he with a new gp surgery so I don't know any of the nurses

 

[Mandy123]

Hey vintageling. It’s a big step but honestly I think it’s better to know what is (or isn’t - hope that makes sense!) going on. Well done for making the decision.

I didn’t go to my gp but went private for a full fertility MOT. I’m not suggesting you do the same but what I did think reading your post was perhaps it might be helpful to read up on fertility clinics sections on this as a start point to understand what tests are and what they do - they are usually explained in a blurb and then there is usually a package with a list of tests (may need wider research on some of the tests!). The fully comprehensive tests are the full basic ones as I understand. So I had cycle day 2/3 bloods which check for FSH and a couple of other things - AMH (egg reserve - mine wasn’t great!). Then day 21 test for progesterone to check ovulation (I hadn’t!). Then before cycle day 14 (estimated ovulation) I had an internal scan and a hycosy. The hyscosy part is a dye flushed through the Fallopian tubes to check they are ‘open’). As a result i didn’t require at this point any further investigations. My husband had a semen analysis (so easily for them lol!).

I only tell you this because I was literally so naive. I knew nothing or where to start (how do we? We aren’t really taught any of this - only mainly how not to get pregnant lol!). We just booked a clinic because it had weekend appointments and we went to two different clinics in the end. So the first clinic we went to did some tests (minimal now I’m more educated) and in our final consultation told us to keep trying and to come back in 6-12 months if we had no luck& they would check my tubes...well I thought they had done that but it was a ‘hidden’ extra & I wish I’d done my research into a) clinics (although on face value it looked pretty impressive) and b) just to understand the tests available & what the steps are in a fertility investigations process. So the next clinic I found I made sure this test was included (as explained above) this clinic also found my husbands antibodies in his sperm (they noticed it and further tested it - which was lucky - and apparently a sign of a good clinic! it was caused by injury in his teens so I should have pushed on that on the first place! I think however it was quite rare - not come across anyone with same issue).

So my point is as although you may feel like it’s admitting there is something wrong I’d clue up. Our results weren’t easy to take - but at least I knew why we hadn’t fell pregnant... yet. What I’ve since learned is there are so many factors that can lead to issues. I listen to quite a few podcasts on things now and I’ve learned so much. often we end up telling our gps what we want! After our private diagnosis I went to gp as they found I hadn’t ovulated and I demanded a day 21 blood test for monitoring (so I could decide to go on something like clomid for a while if we didn’t want to go straight to IVF/ICSI). The doc said just do opks but I told her that’s pointless as they can pick up a surge and not actually tell you you’ve ovulated! She agreed and let me have the blood test.

As to your smear - please do that. I know it’s a worry but honestly it’s better to be in control. (I have been emergency referred for abnormal cells a few years back so I do know how it feels). Being up to date on smears is also something (I don’t just think with my clinic) that is asked for if you do require treatment (not saying you will though!). You won’t want this to delay anything should you need to venture on treatment.

I wish now I had enjoyed the months when I assumed everything was fine so please don’t be too hard on yourself. You are being proactive and there are lots of ladies on here that will have been through all sorts of tests and will be here for support and help! I hope my advice can help - I’m sorry it’s from a different angle. Sometimes though we do just want to not think about it (I currently have about 2 books and 2 docs to watch onIVF and I just can’t! lol I’ve been pretty overloaded though the past month/s!).

As to telling your mum, if your close id think about it. I didn’t initially but as friends fell pregnant around me I’d get so upset /frustrated and down so in the end I did and I said that we were having investigations. It made the news of us needing IVF easier to deliver too. She has been great - bought books etc to try and understand the emotional side but also at times talked me down when I’ve been insane. Lol. Obviously the decision is up to you but please don’t be too hard on yourself and add pressure is what I think I’m saying! Sorry for the long post xxx

 

[Sugarpop]

It depends on your area. Some GPs won’t consider referral until the 12 month mark.

I think it’s pretty standard to have Day 3 & 21 bloods done and then a referral to infertility / gynae but I know some GPs order semen analysis & can also set up ultrasounds too. All depends on your area again sadly. It’s very frustrating that everywhere is different.

 

[miamia]

When I was seeing my doc at my 2nd clinic, I asked about their success rates in my age group, how they calculate it, what will happen if my treatment fails and how many visits I will need.

 

[Vintageling]

Thanks ladies that really helps as I know nothing about what tests I need to be seeing happening ect I'm going to push my gp though as I know they say 12 months but I think that's purely to ensure you have had 12 cycles.
I will look up some clinics in my area and see what they say on their websites that's a good call I just don't want to venture into private care unless I really have to as it will cost us an arm and a leg which means saying goodbye to our savings.

 

[Bambi42]

Ask them to check your thyroid as well. I found out after over a year of trying (and having seen a specialist) that the thyroid is one of the basic tests that should have been done at the start.

Its worth paying to have your AMH blood test taken if you can't get it on NHS, it costs arund £100 and gives you your egg reserve score which will help you decide how long you want to keep trying naturally. I was terrified of having this done, because of my age I was told to expect a really low score, and it turns out that I've got a good score....although still not pregnant. So easier said than done, but try not to be afraid because once you know what's going on with your body you can make decisions instead of guessing and hoping and letting your imagination run wild and worrying yourself silly.
Good luck xx

 

[Vintageling]

Ask them to check your thyroid as well. I found out after over a year of trying (and having seen a specialist) that the thyroid is one of the basic tests that should have been done at the start.

Its worth paying to have your AMH blood test taken if you can't get it on NHS, it costs arund £100 and gives you your egg reserve score which will help you decide how long you want to keep trying naturally. I was terrified of having this done, because of my age I was told to expect a really low score, and it turns out that I've got a good score....although still not pregnant. So easier said than done, but try not to be afraid because once you know what's going on with your body you can make decisions instead of guessing and hoping and letting your imagination run wild and worrying yourself silly.
Good luck xx

Thanks hun

Oh spoke.to his gp today about ttc and he's turned round and said we have to wait up to 18 months I'm not having that so when I go see him I'll be telling him exactly what I think and end of the day it's 12 months meaning 12 cycles where I'm from just 40 mins away same nhs yes in Wales but I'm not having him play me to wait 18 months before they even look into anything.

 

[Peony1]

It says on the nhs website 12 months, so I’d show them that if they try and fob you off with 18 months. Probably just a rubbish doctor who doesn’t know the lastet guidelines. Try speaking to a different doctor in your surgery too x

 

[Sugarpop]

Unfortunately this depends on your particular NHS trust. Some demand 2 years.

 

[Peony1]

But on the nhs website, that’s info for everyone and it tells you to see your gp if it’s been 12 months if you’re under 35. Or do you mean that you can see the gp but they may tell you to come back later anyway. It annoys me that it’s not the same for everyone! x

 

[Sugarpop]

But on the nhs website, that’s info for everyone and it tells you to see your gp if it’s been 12 months if you’re under 35. Or do you mean that you can see the gp but they may tell you to come back later anyway. It annoys me that it’s not the same for everyone! x

Yeah I think so. You can see your GP but it doesn’t mean that they will refer you on up until later. Most GPs will run basic tests but will then refer you on.

 

[Peony1]

Ah ok. I should have known, the postcode lottery is so unfair!

 

[Vintageling]

He said to oh 18months just for the basic stuff he can do that's not to be referred not having that