Next Steps?

City Girl

Looking for some guidance from you ladies.

My husband and I have been trying for #2 for a year and a half without any success. I have been temping on and off and signs seems to indicate that I am ovulating. My period is very regular, etc. etc. During my last appt, my blood work was done and everything is normal. My husband has had sperm analysis that too is normal. 

My obgyn has now said that the next move would be for us to consult with a fertility doctor. Before we decide whether or not to do that, I am looking for some idea of what to expect for next steps (what type of testing they would do, etc.).

We are still unsure of how far we want to go with this...I will be 36 shortly and my husband is 34. It took us almost a year to get pregnant w/my son and he's 3 now.

Thanks for the help...this is all very new to me.  

ttcmbbaby

Other than the blood work the only testing that I know of is the hsg or laproscopic surgery to check for blockage... other than that the specialist will just try different meds to see what works and monitors... If your not ready to continue on then you should keep doing what you are doing. A few things to look at (and really there's no judgement here from me just what I've noticed helps after nearly 4 years)... 1. check your diet - is there alcohol, caffeine, lots of carbs, or lots of white sugar? All should be cut out completely or very minimal. 2. do you work out? And not just the I walk here and there like really do you do anything that elevates your heart rate at least 3 times a week? 3. After sex do you immediately get up or lay there? I've noticed if I lay there and take a nap or just go to bed for the evening without ever getting up I actually get pregnant (happened twice just not sticky). 4. Are you stressed? Stress in any form is not good at all. I struggle with this one, but I am definitely making progress and trying to just let stuff go. Other than what you are already doing with the temping I have no more advice... I'm hoping the best for you!!!

74dragonfly

I would not wait. Time is not on your side. I would go see the fertility Dr. Did they do posterone testing? Day three blood tests?

74dragonfly

KKDRAGONFLY:

I would not wait. Time is not on your side. I would go see the fertility Dr. Did they do posterone testing? Day three blood tests?

sorry to be harsh. But getting older makes it harder.

City Girl

The blood work done in the obgyn's office was just done after my regular appt, so not day three blood tests (not sure what those are, but pretty sure this wasn't it). To be honest, I am not exactly sure if they tested for posterone or not, although it does sound familiar.

My doctor said that pretty much exhausts what they can do out of their office, the next step being a fertility specialist. I know every case is different, but wondering what to expect from a first appt there. 

nawlinsgrl

The fertility specialist, known as a reproductive endocrinologist (RE), will do day 3 (of your cycle, i.e. day 1 is your period) labs.  They will likely also have you do a HSG test, which is short for a long-worded test that essentially checks to see if your tubes are blocked (in my case it showed that one of mine was blocked).

Your husband should also have a semen analysis to rule out any male factor infertility (MFI).  There may be issues discovered with one or both of you in terms of your fertility, and this is important to know.

This information will be used to help get an idea of what your diagnosis is, so you can decide how aggressively to pursue treatment.  In my case, due to my age and dx, we went straight to IVF.

mama_cito95

HSG to check for blocked tubes. If HSG is normal and it is not your RE's protocol I would also request a sonohystogram to check for fibroids or uterine polyps which can act as a natural IUD and prevent implantation. Might as well get the full work up before proceeding. But agree with pps that it does get harder as you get older and RE was quick to remind me about that when we decided to start trying for 2 at age 35 for me. GL.