[Fi_80]

Hi all

This is my first post in this area and I hope you don't mind me joining. I stopped BCP in Dec 2010 and we have been trying since then with no luck (we are on our 12th charted cycle).

DH and I recently went to see my GP to have the tests organised. My blood tests were good and now DH needs to have a SA done and me an internal ultrasound.

The Dr said to us that most couples she sees that have reached the 12 month mark don't need any help to fall pg, and will eventually fall naturally. She also said that most people underestimate (or lie) about the time it actually takes them to fall pg.

While this made me feel better at the time, having thought about it, I'm starting to think that it can't be right. Does it sound right to you?

Fi

[babyinabackpack]

Hi OP!
As someone who has just hit the 2 year mark and who has had all tests (so far anyway) come back completely normal, I can say, that yep, sadly, that can be the case.

BUT, I certainly wouldn't go as far as to say it is normal.

I truly believe there is always an underlying factor, which for me, was a more irregular cycle than I had thought. I was regular, but since starting acupuncture and chinese medicine, my chart has really improved and I can now see that I wasn't as healthy as I had thought I was...

Has your GP spoken to you about any options for you and your DH if all of your tests come back clear?

Most people presume a fertility specialist is the next step, but there are definitely alot of other options aswell.

It could just be something as simple as a zinc deficiency! did you know zinc gives sperms the strength in their tails??

You could maybe speak to a naturopath? Or request blood tests from your GP to check your vitamin and iron levels..

Lots of possible reason and things that can be relatively easily fixed.. (says she who just his the 2 year mark! lol.. although i did just find out we were both really zinc deficient 1 month ago!)

All the best OP!
Come and join us in the TTC #1 forum if you like!!

[Fi_80]

Thanks so much for your response babyinabackpack

If our tests come back clear, Dr said that she could refer us to a FS but that they might also suggest that we try for longer before starting any AC. I guess I did presume that a FS and ivf would be the next steps for us, I haven't tried a naturopath or Chinese Medicine but I might have a look into it. Thanks

[Smudgied]

I too am at the dreaded 12 month mark. But have been going through ac for 6 months. FS will try other methods such as clomid, sperm antibody tests (which a gp doesn't organise), further hormone testing, injectable gonadatrophins and whatever method they find appropriate for your needs.
Yes, traditional Chinese medicine can *help* but there are also risks involved with taking herbs. Some TCM practitioners are careless and often when undergoing IVF an FS will advise not to take herbs as they can cause a "hard shell" around the egg. Also, I saw a TCM practitioner and ended up with a liver infection - read hepatitis scoring levels - from the herbs. This too hampered our TTC journey.
Acupuncture is highly recommended by IVF clinics as it increases blood flow, there for helping to create regular cycles, a better uterine lining and other health benefits. I'm a naturopath btw. So I'm more than open to alternative medicine, but I do my research and take calculated risks.
Best thing you can do is be open to therapies and research your options. All FS's are different and you should find one you are comfortable with asking as many questions as you want.
Good luck on your journey.

[HaleyW]

Hi there,
In my experience GPs can fob you off & not take your efforts to conceive seriously ... I'm not saying this is what's happening with you but in my case it was true. We tried in vain for 2 yrs. I read a lot about fertility & to be still trying after 12 months means you're in the minority ( 5-10 per cent). We ended up doing IVF despite our tests being 'normal' ... It took 6 mths to diagnose MF. All this despite conceiving our DD naturally on the first try! So if you're young (under 35) you may hit a wall with GPs..my advice would be see an FS with excellent reputation & take their advice. Saying this you could be one of the lucky ones and conceive in the next couple of months!
Good luck.

[polly1984]

I know how difficult it is once you get to 12 months ttc without getting pregnant. To conceive my first son took 18 months a two weeks before our wedding. We had decided that we were going to the doctor for further testing straight after we got married but didn't need to.

I read somewhere that the about 80% of people naturally conceive within a year and by 2 years without any treatment about 90% of people have conceived. So in other words half of the people that get to twelve months will conceive within the next year. So it is possible to happen naturally once your over 12 months. After 24 months ttc the rate it will happen naturally drop even further.

Good luck I hope it won't be too much longer until you get your pregnant

Polly

[AryaStar]

If I were you OP I'd be off for a second opinion. I've been in your shoes but I waited for 24 months before admitting to myself that we needed help and was finally brave enough to seek it.

I say this only because of your age. 32 is often seen as "young" in assisted reproduction circles but I wanted to add a caution that the process of testing, diagnosis and treatment can be quite prolonged so if I were you I would get the ball rolling.

It can take 6 - 8 weeks just to even get in to see a fertility specialist for that first appointment. I would also prefer to be liaising with a FS with regards to the choice of testing and the analysis and interpretation of results rather than rely on a GP to do this. Especially a GP who seems pretty blase about the length of time you have already been TTC.

If you do happen to be one of the lucky ones that falls pregnant naturally in the meantime you can always cancel any appointments or procedures knowing that someone else who is waiting would be very grateful to get a last-minute call to fill a cancelled spot if it became available.

ETA all of my and DH's results came back as "normal", with no identified issues and we fell under the umbrella of unexplained infertility. We eventually required IVF to conceive.

This post has been edited by Shady Lane: 09/04/2012, 02:23 PM

[Fi_80]

Thanks for your responses, they have been really helpful. I'm going to try organise an appointment with a FS in my area

[Bellefin]

I agree with what everyone else has said. I am 32 and got pregnant easily first time round. I hit 12 months this time and was fobbed off by 2 GPs but I insisted I was entitled to a FS referral so they gave me one to get rid of me. They did a 21 day progesterone test to confirm I was ovulating, then told me I was being silly. I went to FS and got a day 3 test which paints an entirely different picture. I have high FSH (I hope you never have to find out what this means OP). FSH is only relevant tested on days 2-3. I also have very low AMH and a huge ovarian cyst. So don't let a GP tell you your bloods are normal because they don't even know what they are looking for half the time. I went back to my GP and told him and he asked "what's AMH?" then apologized to me.
I've since been to a hopeless FS and gotten tons more info from a naturopath and a Chinese dr where I get acupuncture. They have helped me understand my condition much more.
Go to a FS not necessarily for treatment but for more specific testing.
The body is designed to reproduce so if you aren't getting pregnant, in my opinion something isn't quite right. Hopefully something simple. My friend took 16 months though, so it is possible!