any advice/suggestions...

hi - just wondering if anyone has any advice or suggestions for me.
i have been ttc since feb. i got pg in april, but unfortunately mc'd in may. i started ttc again in july (i took 2 cycles off) and have been trying since.
last month i had a bunch of blood tests done, an ultrasound, and an internal sonogram. everything came back "normal." my doc says that infertility shouldnt really be a concern bc i was already pg once, but i am still very nervous. when should i take the next step? should i have dh tested for anything?
i know that there are many of you who have been ttc much longer than i have (in the scope of things, 9 months isnt really that long - my MIL ttc for 10 years before having dh), but if there is a problem, i would rather catch it sooner, than later.

TIA and sorry if this is so long...

Edited: FYI - I am 26 y.o.

Message edited 11/16/2006 11:15:41 PM.

Re: any advice/suggestions...

First, so sorry to hear about your M/C. I don't blame you for being nervous.

I kind of agree with the doctor; if you conceived once, infertility is probably not the issue. My niece experienced a M/C but just a few short months later got pregnant again and has a beautiful baby girl.

I would continue to try again. Prayerfully, you'll conceive and carry full term. Since you've done all the tests and everything is "normal" you should be just fine.

Re: any advice/suggestions...

Like Tannika said, you did conceive and although you miscarried, you can get pregnant. A lot has to do with your age. The general guideline seems to be if you are under 35, you should TTC for a year before going further (in your case, that means counting from July). If you are over 35, six months.

Also, remember that almost 1 in 4 first pregnancies end in miscarriage - sometimes your body isn't ready the first time, but by the second time it's prepared.

Good luck!!!!!!!!

Re: any advice/suggestions...

Firstly, I'm so sorry for your m/c.

Secondly, I just wanted to say this. Yes, I absolutely agree that you're problem quite normal since you conceived in April. But, on the other hand, there are many girls on here who conceived and m/c or lost a child and are now having fertility problems, me being one of them. I just turned 33 and have been trying to conceive for 13 months, after having a stillborn in July '05. Personally, I say go to an RE. Again, just my opinion -- if you have insurance coverage that will cover the tests, why not cover all the bases?

Good luck to you!!

Re: any advice/suggestions...

I agree with Lauren here - depending of course on your age.

I got pg last March and miscarried. We tried for months and nothing. Found out that my FSH was 14+ and DH had low morphology (which the first clinic didn't even tell us). Since you have had a few tests I would ask DH to get a semen analysis. Especially if it took his mom 10 years - maybe there is a history of problems on the male side and they don't even know it.

Vericoceles are very common and can affect male fertility.

Re: any advice/suggestions...

Hi,

I agree with Kara and Lauren
If you have insurance, I would just go ahead and start the process of ruling things out and verifying that everything is in order.

I started with the RE the last week of October ( CD3 bloodwork etc) we are in the process of a complete fertility workup.
As frustrating as this process is, it feels good to finally be taking some definitve action. I think it will make you feel better

It's really hard to decide what to do next, and when to take the next leap forward. ( I struggled with that decision as well)

Good luck-

Re: any advice/suggestions...

Thank you for your kind words and advice. I will certainly look into your suggestions.
Bc I am new to this I am a little unsure of some of the terms. What is FSH? Also, where would DH go for a sperm analysis...to a RE? Thankfully, DH suggested going to get checked so I didnt have to feel bad about asking him. Hopefully we will get some answers soon!

Thanks again and best of luck to all ttcing!

Re: any advice/suggestions...

I totally agree with Lauren, Kara, and Skygirl. I had a miscarriage two years ago and thought I could get PG quickly. This year I found out that I am hypothyroid, have PCOS and questionable tubes.

If you haven't had a HSG, I think this is one of the first things you should get done. This procedures checks to see if you have problematic tubes (blockage). You should also get your Cycle Day 3 bloodwork. There can be indicators on whether or not you suffer from PCOS or other diagnosis. You may want to get your TSH levels (thyroid) checked out. I had no idea that my thyroid could possibly be the reason for infertility.

FSH-follicle stimulating hormone
FSH is one of several reproductive hormones that our bodies should be producing at certain ranges during certain times in each cycle, in order for optimal ovulation to occur. It stimulates follicles to grow. Within our ovaries, follicles are the structures that contain the egg cells.

LISAW sent me this website....it is a hormone level chart.
http://www.fertilityplus.org/faq/hormonelevels.html I use this all the time when I get my blood drawn.

As for the sperm anaylysis, some RE's have it done at the office or they may send you to an offsite location. Your DH may be able to do the deed at home and take the sample within minutes to the clinic.

Hope this helps and Good Luck!

Re: any advice/suggestions...