[pinkplane]

Hi,

I apologise if this is in the wrong section but I'm just after a few answers on what to expect at this stage of our ttc journey.

I've been off the pill since Feb 2012 but didn't actually properly start tryin until June. I fell pregnant first try but it ended in a chemical pregnancy.
Ever since then my cycle has been all over the place, sometimes it's 34 days long, sometimes 26. Average is 29 and I have a long luteal phase as I usually ovulate around day 11-12.

I charted obsessively until December, we've been timing everything right for so long but it just isn't happening!

I've had an ultrasound and blood tests to see if I'm ovulating properly, they all came back fine. Have also had an u/s to check for any blockages but there wasn't, everything seems to be in proper working order.

My GP has referred me to a gynaecologist and I have my appointment in 2 weeks time but I'm just not sure what to expect from here.
My GP said he will probably talk to me about clomid or something along those lines and considering my age (34) I'm happy to try it.

So I guess my question is what happens from here? I know I'm still classed as young in terms of fertility and I have had 2 healthy pregnancies, so is it likely the gyno will just tell me to keep trying? Can I actually ask to try clomid? How long to you stay on clomid for before they try something else, and what is the next step if it doesn't work?

Thanks in advance

[jessietroy]

Hello! Please please please do not take clomid if you are ovulating. Clomid is only there to help if you are NOT ovulating. They are giving out clomid to freely these days

[KRT]

I was in a similar situation, but was already seeing a gynaecologist (not a FS). Her approach was to continue to wait and see, but I had already had a laparoscopy and had endo removed, and everything else checked to confirm all was clear.

I did have success once I ovulated on day 14 rather than day 10/11. My theory was that while I was ovulating and all the tests said things were normal, either the eggs just weren't mature enough to fertilise, or my lining wasn't in just the right state at the point the fertilised egg was there.

However, I have no idea what happened that cycle to make me ovulate earlier, so I am no help there. I did a fair bit of research to see what was usually recommended for 'early' ovulation and came up with nothing - I guess it's not usually a problem.

[Dylan's Mummy]

My cycle became irregular after having 2 miscarriages. My doctor, who is an Obstretrician/gynecologist/fertility specialist diagnosed me with poly cystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) as I was having trouble concieving again. He prescribed me Metformin which is a diabetes medication which also helps PCOS. This help make the cycle regular. My doctor would see me ever 4 weeks and do a scan to see if I had an egg ready to be released and I would also have a blood test on a certain day of my cycle to see if the egg had been released.

After about 4 or 5 months of Metformin he prescribed me with a medication very similar to Clomid (I have Clomid written in my info bit below because I can't remember the name of the medication and they practically the same) and he continued with the scans and blood tests. I became successfully pregnant on my 2nd cycle of this medication.

I was 37 when I started on the above medications so my age is probably the reason for changing to the Clomid type one so soon. After another couple of those cycle he was going to try IUI (intra uterine I semination).

If you are going to take any fertility medication it is probably best that you see a fertility specialist because they can diagnose and monitor you properly whereas a GP wouldn't do this as thoroughly. With Clomid and similar medications you shouldn't take them for too many months in a row. I'm glad that I was able to see the same doctor for my miscarriages, fertility and pregnancy.

[cordyline]

I also don't think clomid is necessary when you are ovulating.

Has your DH has a sperm analysis?

[pinkplane]

I also don't think clomid is necessary when you are ovulating.

That's kind of what I was thinking as well, seeing as clomid is essentially used to encourage ovulation and I am already ovulating.

DH hasn't had a sperm analysis as our GP said we already have one child together so it probably isn't his sperm that are the problem (my first DD is from a previous marriage)

I guess seeing as we are still at the start of our journey, its all still new to us and we will probably find that the gynaecologist will order more in-depth tests than a GP would.

Thanks for your replies

[LilMissChatterbo...]

I would advise to still have the sperm analysis done. DH has two kids from his first marriage and his analysis came back not so great. FS said that with his results it is possible that he had this level of good sperm all along and still managed to get two kids. Also possible that his fertility is declining (perhaps even quickly) so definitely get it tested. Can make a huge difference to the things you do.

[Tammy Swanson]

OP I don't think your Gyno will give you Clomid even if you ask for it given your 'youngish' age and the fact that you have had successful pregnancies previously. Plus if your cycles are up 35 days long it means you have only really had half a dozen cycles since you have been trying. I think from memory they work on the basis of trying for 12 months if you under 35 and for 6 months if you are over 35 and then seek help.

Plus with clomid if you rush into it too soon you can only do 3 cycles I think before they recommend going for IUI and then IVF which is pretty full on considering your history of prev pregnancies and your short TTC time. I only managed one cycle of clomid whilst struggling to conceive number 2 and it was absolutely horrid!

I know it probably doesn't feel short to you as I know how the charting can turn any sane woman crazy! I think the gyno will honestly just say 'have more sex not just on the days you think you should' as that is what I was told plus 5 or so of my friends.
Good luck