Still trying after 3 years...

Preparing For Your Next Pregnancy
1

Hi all,

Just looking for a bit of advice from somebody in the same position, it’s been 6 years since my EP, I had my right tube removed and was told the other looked fine. We waited a while before tying again but it’s been 3 years since we started TTC again and we haven’t got pregnant.

Trying to make an appointment with the GP is almost impossible. I managed to book an appointment for a fertility check up but was only booked to see a nurse who did a blood test, I can only assume it was to check my FSH levels as I wasn’t told what it was for, only to come in while Aunt Flo was visiting. After ringing to find out my results I was told everything was ‘normal’

That was a year ago and we still have not conceived. Has anyone else struggled for this long to conceive and if so, just looking for some advice on what to do next?

I can’t afford to see a fertility specialist but I desperately want to know what’s wrong and what I can do to fix it and have my rainbow baby. Any advice would be welcome, thanks :slight_smile: xx

2

I’m so sorry to hear you’re in this position. I really think your GP should be doing more and you should be getting further investigations. I would keep on at them and be very persistent. I’d probably cry and get frustrated at them but that’s just me! I think you should request a hycosy or laparoscopy and dye test to check the patency of your remaining tube. It may be blocked. Your partner should also request a sperm analysis and you should ask for more information about the blood tests you have had done.

3

Also are you using anything to help e.g ovulation testing or bbt? Are you timing sex and having enough? Ie every other day throughout your cycle?

4

Thanks for the advice, I definitely feel like crying at them too! The trouble is getting to the doctor in the first place as taking time off my job is difficult but I’ve got some time off in the next few weeks so will definitely get back to the doctors and ask about a hycosy and laparoscopy dye test. When I was in hospital for my ectopic I really wasn’t told much so it would be good sense to check the other tube is OK.

We are using bbt and ovulation tests and are usually pretty good at timing sex throughout the month as much as we can especially in the fertile window, I think that’s why it’s so confusing as i would have expected some luck by now.

I’m 29 but my partner is 37 so I will definitely ask if he will get a sperm test too, I think he is worried that the problem is him because of his age. Your suggestions have been a great help, I think I will give the GP a good stern talking to so I get some actual answers too, thank you so much!! Xxx

5

Dear kimB21515,

I am so sorry to hear of your ectopic pregnancy and struggles to conceive.

I very much understand that strong desire to conceive. I appreciate how frustrating it can be if it isn’t happening as quickly as we would like. Conceiving successfully can take time and can take some couples more than a year or so.

While generally it is possible to conceive after an ectopic pregnancy, the amount of time it takes varies from couple to couple. Factors include age, general health, reproductive health and how often you have sex, among other things. It may be comforting to know that 65% of women are successfully pregnant within 18 months of experiencing an ectopic pregnancy and some studies suggest this rises to around 85% after two years.

In addition. having regular sex means having sex every 2/3 days throughout the month. Guidance from the UK’s National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence advises that having sex around the time when the woman ovulates causes stress and is not recommended. We here at the EPT suggest having intercourse 2/3 times between days 10-20 of their cycle when trying to conceive.

Regarding trying to conceive, the EPT advises that women under 35 should seek medical advice following 12 months trying to conceive and those over 35 should seek advice after 6 months. I know you mention it is difficult to get into your GP but most surgeries are still taking telephone calls. Also look on your surgery website and see if they offer EConsultations, where you can electronically send in your queries. As you have been TTC for a number of years, I would advise speaking to your GP for a referral to a fertility specialist.

Sending much love,

Karen x

The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust

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