Advice Please on Next Steps

[ZV123]

Hi all,

Myself and my husband have been trying for a year. I got pregnant last year but miscarried at 9 weeks.

Since then, I haven't been pregnant. I have had 2 blood tests and an internal and external scan on the NHS, all my results are normal. My husband is awaiting his tests.

I had a free 15 minute consultation with a hollistic fertility therapist who told me some of my hormones are low and that I have gut issues. She made me feel quite low about everything and said a full 2 hour consultation will cost approx £300.

I also received some advice to go the private route and get in touch with a private consultant and have more tests which will cost approx £250.

Others have told me that I just need to be patient, keep trying and wait.

Has anyone been in this position? What is the next best steps? I don't want to waste money, but I am happy to go private if it will help. I just don't know what to do next.

Thanks.

[Hidden]

How old are you?

I am sorry for your loss. And I know how hard it is when you miscarry and then think you will get pregnant again and it doesn’t happen - and even worse when it’s unexplained infertility so no obvious reason for it.

Did the holistic specialist do any blood test? Call me a cynic but it’s in her interests for her to find something wrong so you take a paid appt rather than just the freebie.

I think whether to go private or not depends on your age and AMH - did you get that tested? x

[LuxFleur]

I'm so sorry for your miscarriage last year. Many of us have been there and it's so hard.

I would be very, very wary of any "hollistic fertility therapist." 300 pounds for one consultation? I mean, "gut issues" is a bit...I don't know. Personally I would steer clear of this.

Your next steps will depend very much on your age, your general state of health otherwise. Are you within a healthy weight range? Do you have any issues with your thyroid? Endometriosis? Have you checked that your fallopian tubes are clear? Are you monitoring your ovulation?

Not sure what an "external" scan would be in the context of fertility tests. You'll likely know more when your husband gets his tests back.

What you should do next depends a lot on your age though! If you're in your 20s vs 40 or something like that.

[ZV123]

I’m 29. I’m not sure whether the nhs tested for AMH, I know they did two blood tests that looked at my hormones and all they said was that I was low in my immunity to rubella, so I need to get a top up and can’t try for 3 months. My weight is healthy. I was told I have no issues in terms of endometriosis or thyroid when I had my nhs tests done. I’m not sure they checked my tubes but I was told from my nhs test that everything was fine. I am monitoring ovulation.

The holistic lady didn’t do her own blood test but she looked at my nhs blood test results.

Thank you for your replies, any other advice you have I would be super grateful.

[CarlottaD27]

hello, I’m so sorry for your miscarriage and the painful months that follow it.

not the same situation, but I found out I had issues very shortly into my journey trying to concieve and the results of my AMH test came back as low for my age, meaning my egg count will likely run out sooner rather than later. This has resulted in me paying to have some private tests done instead of waiting for the NHS and I am now privately pursuing treatment. The first steps in treatment likely won’t be expensive and invasive like IVF. Maybe it’s worth doing an AMH test if you haven’t yet?

It’s then a totally personal choice based on age, money, how long you’re willing to wait, etc. I can share that I feel pleased to have spent a bit of money on private tests and treatment to feel like I’m making progress when, due to my low AMH, I don’t have all the time in the world.

It looks like spending the money on a dr will give you more concrete answers and potential next steps than spending a similar amount on the hollistic therapist.

Best of luck with whatever your next steps are! X

[Football61]

Hi, just to echo what the others have said above. If you have the money to go private, you should definitely do that - rather than see a holistic fertility expert. It might be worth carrying out a ‘Fertility MOT’ at a well-established fertility clinic - they can test your AMH and antral follicle count, etc. Where are you based? x

[Bed12]

hey zv123, echoing what everyone else said. I would get a copy of all the tests the NHS did so you know exactly what they tested and the result i.e. many blood tests are a range and then get a fertility MOT at a good fertility clinic. Good luck. Xx

[Eloquentia]

I am sorry you are going through this, I know how hard it is. I recommend reading 'It all starts with the egg', which has some very useful diet, supplements and life style advice. On the gut issue point, have you tried taking probiotics? Good luck!

[hoping_for_our_time]

It sounds like you are in the NHS system, and if the findings dictate you require IVF you will be referred for that. Once you got private you can't go back into the NHS system. Consider that a cycle can cost up to £10k......therefore if I were you I'd get in touch with the NHS (either GP or hospital, whoever is conducting the checks for you) and ask for a timescale for referral. You can ask for a copy of the results of all blood tests etc to be sent to you. It sounds as if they may have done the AMH already. You can then look online to see whether your results are in the normal range (or seek guidance on this forum).

If years of infertility have taught me anything is that you need to be assertive and advocate for yourself. Good luck! xx

[ZV123]

hi all, thank you for your responses. I think we are going down the private medical route. As my tests on the nhs were all normal, I have been told that I just need to keep trying. If I have no success for 2 years then they may do more tests. I’ve not been referred for IVF.

[AcuFertilityDoc]

Hi ZV123!

I’m an acupuncturist who specializes in fertility, but I also have a deep trust for Western Reproductive Endocrinology. That is your fastest route to pregnancy I would say. But you are young and shouldn’t feel like biologically you’re in a hurry. Some supplements can really make a difference. Do a google search to gather your own information. If you want more info from me let me know. Hubby’s sperm is equally important to anything going on with you. So get it checked if you have not already. There are supplements and prescription meds that can help any male issues. Bless you and best wishes. It may take a moment, but I believe you will get your baby. ❤️

[MontsJ]

How old are you? Do you have a copy of your blood results you can share on here. The bloods the NHS runs are fairly basic, did you have your Vit D checked, I would also want a full thyroid profile including thyroid antibodies. A hycosy/SIS scan to check your Fallopian tubes are open. And yes you need your husbands results..We went down the private route even for testing as it was going to take too long to have our tests done bit by bit. Be prepared if you go to a fertility clinic, if all your results are normal you’ll be labelled ‘unexplained infertility’ and with them you’ll be advised to have IVF. If you see the holistic doctor (who are they?) they’ll be trying to help you conceive without fertility treatment. There is a lady near me who does this and I trust her, but I guess not everyone in this feliejd are going to be as good as each other. It took a long time before someone told me the actual stats - 80% of couples trying to conceive will do do in 12 months, another 15% by 24 months, leaving 5% not pregnant by 24 months. If you do check your AMH and it’s low, it tells you nothing about your ability to actually conceive naturally. Just some thoughts x