We've been trying for right at the 1 year mark. I thought I'd done all my research about what tests we needed next, what doctors we should see next, etc.
Then I actually went to the doctor only to discover that all my research was done in English and based primarily on the American/Canadian system. And here (French speaking doctors in Belgium) the system is very very different. I was just told yesterday that they don't even have Reproductive Endocrinologists (RE) here. They basically have gynecologists and gynecologists who specialize in IVF.
I was also told there was no need for an HSG because I have no evidence of endometriosis or PCOS and my Chlamydia blood work came back negative. And an ultrasound gave no reason to be concerned. I am there for very low risk and don't need it.
It really does seem that you do everything except IVF with a gyno. Oh yeah - and blood work shows I am ovulating regularly so we'll just do IUI without a trigger - home OPKs are sufficient for the first few tries. (These first few tries will be almost completely cost free to us. In fact, almost all IUI is nearly completely covered by national insurance and IVF is also largely covered.)
It's just so hard to navigate the differences and find a supportive community. How does your fertility system work where you live? And where have you found the best support?
______________________________________________________________________________
Trying to conceive #2
Me: 36 - slight DOR (AMH: 1.1), decent OAR; DH: 41 - Morphology 4%
NTNP July-Aug 2014, ATTC Sept 2014-Present
October 2014 - CP
July 2015 - Clomid + #1 IUI = BFN
September 2015 - Clomid + #2 IUI = CP
October 2015 - Letrozole (5 follies - yay!) + #3 IUI = BFN
November 2015 - CP
December 2015 - CP
February 2016 - Letrozole + #4 IUI = CP
April 2016 - CP
May/June 2016 - IVF #1 and IUI #5 (Estrace + Follistim + micro-hCG + HGH) = BFN
Struggled to conceive #1 2012-2013
Me: Chronic Pain Condition since 2009, DH: Slightly Abnormal SA
Clomid #1: March 2013 - BFN; Clomid + IUI: May 2013 CXL;
BFP on 4/22/13 = Baby Boy #1 1/1/14
Re: Trouble TTC - how does it work where you live?
Two friends of mine here have dealt with IF. We live in a city with an amazing university hospital, and they have what is called a "desiring a child office hour" where people who are having difficulty TTC go to get advice and treatment. You could look
BFP1: DD1 born April 2011 at 34w1d via unplanned c/s due to HELLP, DVT 1 week PP
BFP3: DD2 born Feb 2013 at 38w4d via unplanned RCS due to uterine dehiscence
Me: 36 - slight DOR (AMH: 1.1), decent OAR; DH: 41 - Morphology 4%
NTNP July-Aug 2014, ATTC Sept 2014-Present
October 2014 - CP
July 2015 - Clomid + #1 IUI = BFN
September 2015 - Clomid + #2 IUI = CP
October 2015 - Letrozole (5 follies - yay!) + #3 IUI = BFN
November 2015 - CP
December 2015 - CP
February 2016 - Letrozole + #4 IUI = CP
April 2016 - CP
May/June 2016 - IVF #1 and IUI #5 (Estrace + Follistim + micro-hCG + HGH) = BFN
Struggled to conceive #1 2012-2013
Clomid #1: March 2013 - BFN; Clomid + IUI: May 2013 CXL; BFP on 4/22/13 = Baby Boy #1 1/1/14
BFP1: DD1 born April 2011 at 34w1d via unplanned c/s due to HELLP, DVT 1 week PP
BFP3: DD2 born Feb 2013 at 38w4d via unplanned RCS due to uterine dehiscence