Just got back from a kinda dissappointing GYN appt.

So I went in to talk about TTC, and thought that she would basically tell me a lot of stuff that I know. And based on the length of my cycles, she painted a sorta bleak picture. Obviously I know that the longer my cycles are, the less chances I have in a year to get prego-- but she just seemed, I don't know-- she just didn't sound encouraging.

She also told me that after trying for 6 months, that we should see a specialist. I thought it was a year you had to wait-- anyway, the fact that she said 6 months leads me to believe that I am going to have a hard time

And to make matters worse, I am on CD25, and still no positive OPK so, I may not even be ovulating AT ALL!

Re: Just got back from a kinda dissappointing GYN appt.

It's definitely tough to find out that there may be issues during the process of TTC. However I feel like it's good to be proactive. We saw a specialist after 6 months and now things are moving in the right direction! Good Luck and hopefully you won't need to see a specialist at all!

Re: Just got back from a kinda dissappointing GYN appt.

I just was so not planning on this taking 6 months. At most I thought it would take 6 months-- based on the average length of time it takes healthy couples.

I will totally try to stay positive, but, I was really hoping for an easy TTC process. We have been through SO much over the last year, I was hoping that this was going to be as stress-free as possible.

Re: Just got back from a kinda dissappointing GYN appt.

It's true that you have less chances in a year of becoming pregnant than a women with shorter cycles because you ovulate less in that same time period, but that doesn't mean it won't happen!

Your gyno may be recommending 6 months because of your age. I don't know how old you are so that may not be relevant. Also, some doctors feel that since a good portion of fertile couples who are timing intercourse properly will get pregnant within 6-9 months, there is no point in waiting a full year to see a specialist. If you did end up having a problem. wouldn't you rather not waste those extra 6 months? DH & I agreed that if we are unsuccessful in 6 months, we will look in to getting him a SA & I will get a basic check-up.

As far as the OPK, are you taking it in the afternoon after holding your urine & liimiting fluid intake? Have you had EWCM? How long are your cycles typically?

Re: Just got back from a kinda dissappointing GYN appt.

How long are your cycles? Are they regular? Did she suggest any testing?

I know it is upsetting to learn you may have problems TTC, but the sooner you know of a problem, the sooner you can get on the right track to fix it.
No one plans on it taking a long time,or thinks its going to be hard, but its just one of those things that we have no control over.

Re: Just got back from a kinda dissappointing GYN appt.

6 months is usually because of age. I too have long cycles and didn't have the same amount of changes as other women. But since when we started TTC I was under 30 my gyno still told me 1 year (even though really I only had 8 cycles in that year). So after a year I went to the RE. Even my RE said lets give it another couple of months because you don't have the same chances as someone who has a 30 day cycle. So we did but in my case that didn't help.

Anyway.. You may have problems you may not. In my eyes it is better to know sooner than later.. So if you gyno said 6 months, I would give it six months.

Re: Just got back from a kinda dissappointing GYN appt.

thanks for your responses.

To answer some questions, I am 32. My cycles have been somewhat long and irregular off the pill, but I do get my period eventually. Even before going on the pill, I usually had a 34-ish day cycle. I do get EWCM and I actually think I may be fertile right now as a result of checking CM throughout my cycle. I also had very apparent EWCM about the same time last cycle, so there may be something to that.

I am thinking that I should invest in more expensive OPKs. I got the ones from babyhopes.com for costs reasons because I knew I would need a lot since there is really know way to predict when I would be ovulating because of my cycles. But, I think I should get the ones that test with FMU because I drink a lot of water throughout the day, and while I have been trying to curb liquid intake before I test, I may not be doing a good enough job. With FMU (even though I keep a glass of water next to my bed), I feel it will be the most concentrated urine I will get all day.

She didn't recommend anything else to do to predict when I would be ovulating. So, this is all I can do. Perhaps I am getting worked up over nothing-- I just didn't like what she had to say.

Re: Just got back from a kinda dissappointing GYN appt.

Maybe you should try the Clear Blue Easy Fertility Monitor? I didn't have problems with my cycles but it did help me pinpoint my exact days of ovulation. I bought my CBEFM on Ebay so it was cheaper. Good luck either way!

Re: Just got back from a kinda dissappointing GYN appt.

Have you tried temping? Temping will definitey let you know if you have ovulated or not.

Re: Just got back from a kinda dissappointing GYN appt.

Re: Just got back from a kinda dissappointing GYN appt.

I would make an appointment to further discuss this with her. I see that you would want my answers and or suggestions to your questions. If that does not happen then I would make an appointment to speak to another OB/GYN. This is just my opinion on what I would do.

~dancer and chef~
charlotte and michael

Re: Just got back from a kinda dissappointing GYN appt.

Randi - I am right here with you. I am also 32... I too have long cycles, never really had a regular period....they think I have a mild PCOS...but my tests were kind of borderline.....my doctor also said that after six months I should probably see a specialist .... but at the end of the day I have to keep telling myself that we have only just begun.

Did you get answers to all the questions you had? Would it make you feel better to possibly see another doctor or even have another phone conversation with him/her?

In the meantime try not to get yourself too crazy. I know they are expensive but at least for the first couple of cycles invest in the better OPK's. It will give you peace of mind. Know that you are doing everything you can and just try to enjoy the process as best as possible.

I am on CD 16, on my second box of the clearblue easy, no sign of a smiley face, no sign of EWCM and I have my moments where I get really frustrated too. Just try and hang in there. We are all here for you and I really believe it will happen for both of us!

Re: Just got back from a kinda dissappointing GYN appt.

Thats strange....34dayish cycles is what I have and I got pregnant on the second month trying!!!

Doctors can never tell you what your body is capable of!!

Dont listen and dont let it get you down....

Youre young and healthy and who knows...may conceive the first month trying!!! YOU NEVER KNOW!!!!

Enjoy yourselves and dont let the stress take over your life!!

Re: Just got back from a kinda dissappointing GYN appt.

I can see how you feel like that but I do have to commend your Dr for saying that. Most Dr's will not. I think she is aggressive and looking out for your best interest.

If your cycles are 34 days and you haven't O'd yet how long is your usual luteal phase? Are you into natural or Eastern medicine at all? There are some great books out there that may help yuou regulate your cycle with herbs/diet. You can look into fertilaid(search google) and evening primrose oil. There are lots of others but let me know if you're interested first then I'll do the research for you. GL!

Re: Just got back from a kinda dissappointing GYN appt.

Well, my cycles are not 34 days, that's the problem.They are like 45, etc. I have only been ff the pill for one cycle-- but I was off the pill about a year ago for a few months, and my cycles were usually not under 40 days.

I have no clue how long my LP is, no idea when I O or have any indication as to when my period is coming-- that's the problem, since there seems to be no rhyme or reason to my cycles.

For the evening primrose oil-- just take it every night as a supplement? That I can do.

I don't want to get *too* worked up at this point. This is technically our first month trying-- although, we are not sure when to try . All I have really is the CM guiding me, but I know that that is not a fool proof method.

Next month or the month after, I'll get the CBEFM, and use that to see what's happening with my cycle. I don't want TTC to take over my life, especially if it's going to be a long road.

Thanks to everyone for your input-- I really appreciate it!

Re: Just got back from a kinda dissappointing GYN appt.

Randi,

I thought this would be an easy process too, the one thing stress-free, but its been 6 months so far. My dr. said the year mark was when to test, but I also was seeing an acupuncturist/herbalist who right away wanted to do a sperm analysis, I felt that was too much pressure early on, so we're still trying. I use OPK. Also, I was highly irregular before I went to the accupuncturist/herbalist - she gave me things to get my period on a normal cycle, i started to be 28 day cycle when in past I was 35. Maybe look into that as well? I was taking vitalex and a special herbal formula.

Good luck, i know its frustrating.

Re: Just got back from a kinda dissappointing GYN appt.

Here's what I know.....You can get pg at ANY time. Yes you're more fertal when your oing, but pg can happen at ANY time as long as you are not using protection. I'm sorry you're so dissapointed and I was too when I talked to my NP. My cycles are 36 days. Try to stay pos and have fun. This should be fun.......I'm not looking forward to the point where it becomes "work", and I fear that will come much sooner then I want. I really don't think ANYBODY wants to wait once they decide to concive, but we all have our challenges and this is ours

Re: Just got back from a kinda dissappointing GYN appt.

Do not be discouraged. I know how hard it is to hear certain things from the doctor. If you aren't sure about your cycles and when you O, might I suggest the saliva tests for ovulation. They are reusable. They helped me tremendously!! If you have any questions about them, please FM me.

Re: Just got back from a kinda dissappointing GYN appt.

I'm sorry. This is such a frustrating process. I just went to my gyno after six months of TTC. She told me that average is 6 months because some people get pregnant right away and some take a year. Also she mentioned something called "the pill effect". She said that some people on the pill experience reduced fertility for a year after coming off the pill. She said that its hit or miss. Some people come off the pill and are able to conceive right away and some take a year. Good luck with everything.

Re: Just got back from a kinda dissappointing GYN appt.

Re: Just got back from a kinda dissappointing GYN appt.

Posted by medic6809

Here's what I know.....You can get pg at ANY time. Yes you're more fertal when your oing, but pg can happen at ANY time as long as you are not using protection. \

Re: Just got back from a kinda dissappointing GYN appt.

Posted by melijane

Posted by medic6809

Here's what I know.....You can get pg at ANY time. Yes you're more fertal when your oing, but pg can happen at ANY time as long as you are not using protection. \

Sorry this is not correct. You can get pregnant within 5 days before you O Because sperm can live up to 5 days in optimal conditions, or about 24 hours after you O.

Message edited 2/3/2008 9:36:31 PM.

Re: Just got back from a kinda dissappointing GYN appt.

Posted by medic6809

Posted by melijane

Posted by medic6809

Here's what I know.....You can get pg at ANY time. Yes you're more fertal when your oing, but pg can happen at ANY time as long as you are not using protection. \

Sorry this is not correct. You can get pregnant within 5 days before you O Because sperm can live up to 5 days in optimal conditions, or about 24 hours after you O.

What I said is correct becasue of her cycles being so long unless she knows by using opk's her o day my not be what she thinks. My sugg o day is 14 days but it's not really until 20-22 days and I did not know that until I did a lot more research

Re: Just got back from a kinda dissappointing GYN appt.

Posted by SweetTooth

Posted by medic6809

Posted by melijane

Posted by medic6809

Here's what I know.....You can get pg at ANY time. Yes you're more fertal when your oing, but pg can happen at ANY time as long as you are not using protection. \

Sorry this is not correct. You can get pregnant within 5 days before you O Because sperm can live up to 5 days in optimal conditions, or about 24 hours after you O.

What I said is correct becasue of her cycles being so long unless she knows by using opk's her o day my not be what she thinks. My sugg o day is 14 days but it's not really until 20-22 days and I did not know that until I did a lot more research

Everyone's "suggested" o day is at CD14 because the assumption for every women is that she has a 28 day cycle. However as we all know, this is not true.
But what you said above about being fertile at any time, just being *more* fertile around ovulation is incorrect. You are not fertile at any time. You are only fertile for the few days before you ovulate.
Maybe you didn't word it in the way you meant.