Hi Ladies,

My partner and I have been TTC for a year now, and are getting a little fed up. We were wondering if we should talk to the GP anout our problems and if we can try something to help us along.

Here is where the problem begins. I have a rare congenital disability, that thankfully I have an extremely small chance of passing on, but fear that we are just going to be told tough luck, and that they wont offer any fertility help due to my disability.

What are your thoughts? We would love nothing more than to have a baby, but are getting really overwhelmed with the lack of success. I have been taking a large dose of folic acid for the duration, and we have been staying away from factors that can harm our chances.

I have been on pain medication but have stopped it due to not wanting to harm the baby should I get pregnant. I worry that it may have caused some infertility. Im handling the lack of medication ok, its all worth it for a bub.

Any opinions would be greatly accepted.  Thanks

Thanks ladies,

Really helps having this support. We will go next week to the GP and see what help we can get.

It would just be nice to know what if anything is wrong, and hopefully it can be rectified. If not, then we will move on and adopt or look at other options. But for now we want to know we have done everything we can to help.

I havent been told that I wouldnt get help, and Ive been told that 'everything is in the right place' but neither of us have had anything tested in the way of fertility. I guess I was just expecting (worst case scenario) that they would say just be happy with what health I had, forget it and get on with life.

My disability entails the use of a wheelchair, but as Ive been a nanny for the past 5 years, Im pretty sure Ive got the capability to care for a newborn.

Thanks again, and I'll keep you all updated with our progress.

Incidentally, is there anything we should be trying that we are missing? And what do I need to remember to tell the GP? Anything in particular that will help us to get the point across to the GP?

PS. We are both pretty young, Im 21, and my partner is 20. We are mature for our age, and have both been childcare workers for years.

Thanks ladies!

Wow, this has all helped tremendously. Our GP is fantastic, not only does she charge a reasonable cost, but she keeps working behind the scenes to get what needs to be done, done. I love our doc, but its still a little nervewracking...

Will go next week, Im at Uni at the moment, so will have to find a n hour or so to go see her. Im on holiday at the moment until Monday, so making the most of it.

Yes I have been temping and charting, makes it a little difficult that I dont have a reliable temperature gauge. Since I was 16, I have had a weird 'glitch' in my internal thermometer, so I can be having a raging temp, and still only register 36.5 on the thermometer. Weird huh... Docs cant explain it, dont think they know where to begin!

Will keep you posted in the findings, and thatnk you once again for your support, really means a lot!

BTW, I have a regular as the moon 28day cycle, can time your watch by it. So thats not the problem...

Who knows...

Hi Ladies,

Well I guess I had better give you bit of a better backround. Im nearly 21yrs, and wasnt meant to live. To put it plainly, during the 'invitro' 'making' process, my spinal cord split, and joined back up, leaving a hole like the eye of a needle. (among other things, Im the only kiwi with my type)

I was relatively healthy until I was around 12-13yrs, then I had scoliosis (curvature of the spine) issues, that had to be repaired, from then on , my spinal cord hasn't played ball at all. Ive had 5 surgeries in the past 5 years.

Now although this all sounds dramatic, virtually the only thing in the right anatomical place is my ovaries and womb! (and thankfully my 'looks' werent affected) So picture this, Im 4ft 7in, and I weigh 43kg..................And DP is 6ft 3in....

So I'll give you a moment to giggle, sure know my parents did, 'when lanky met shorty'. (dont worry, the jokes abound in our family...)

We take the jokes all in good steed, and why not, it IS funny. I am really short and DP is really tall. He's really helpful reaching things on supermarket shelves...!

I just thought I would give you an idea of what breed of wheelchair person I am. Because believe me, there are many. I have been a nanny for the past 5yrs, and loved every minute of it. Which is why I know we will be good parents. We are always having the nieces and nephews (and believe me, there are plenty) over to stay, and they leave so happy. And we are invariably tired but oh so happy too.

Now we just need to give mother nature a little nudge, and as promised are off to the doctors this week. Sorry for the rant, and will keep you posted.

My thoughts exactly. Im 6 days out from testing, and Ive got butterflys. Ive just posted over in the 2WW post that Im feeling off my food a little, funny tastes, and in a rather low crotchety mood. Finally decided to drop my Uni papers back to part time instead of full time, I need the time to myself, and dont need the stress ontop of TTC! Plus Ive had an INCREDIBLE lethargy the past 4-5 days, so wasnt making it to all my classes. Im on iron + vit C so I know my iron is under control. Plus LOTS of folic acid for good measure.

Hugs to all,   and thank you for your support, it really helps, especially in the 'funk' Im in now. Have some choccy and try and shake it...

Probably go to the doctors tomorrow, or Thurs, or Fri... Someday this week.

DP is currently playing music up quite loud, and unusually its irritating, must just be the hormones. Sheesh Im a moaning Nancy....

Thanks for lettling me vent a little

Amber I agree, that does make sense, but I have forms that have to be filled in for a few agencies, and they are really getting on my back about it, so it has to be done. I will still talk to doc about the issues we have been having, and will also tell her about the possible pg, although Im trying to not get my hopes up about that. That way at least if AF does rear her ugly head, then we can move on with testing and the such. Better to know I guess.

Will def keep you all updated on the progress. May even go to the docs tomorrow. Since I have dropped my hours back t Uni, I only have two lectures tomorrow.

DP made my fav damper bread this evening, and although I enjoyed it, when he brought out the banana cake (he's a bit of a baker) I nearly had to leave the room, I dunno what it is with the banana flavour atm, but it sends me right off, not nausea so much as just finding it revolting.

We shall see...

Oh yes, I am very lucky. He likes to cook too... He does a fantastic spaghetti bolognaise and an even better lemon chicken. He even on occasion makes his own potato chips (a bit like bluebird kettles) But usually I have to beg for him to make those!

At least I dont have to worry about putting on weight, I have trouble enough as it is keeping it on, and have ben the healthiest weight Ive ever been with his cooking! I felt really bad about my reaction to the banana cake, coz he made it with a hodge podge of ingredients, and just used what ever he could find in the kitchen. Wasnt like the recipe at all...Poor DH, he did do well... Told him it wasnt anything personal!

He puts up with a lot, and takes it all calmly, would have to with all my dramas. He is great with kids, so we cant wait for bubs to come along.

Oh, he does a fair bit of house work too... dishes, laundry, picking up the dog deposits in the back yard...

Oh, and just had a thought. To get an idea of the extremes in height between myself and DP, in the pic next to my ticker below, he is seated, and I am standing... we are the same height pretty much when I stand and he kneels. My family think its really sweet how he crouches to hug me when Im in my wheelchair (which when in the sporty looking chair, is really low, had it designed that way for picking up kiddys when nannying)

My power wheelchair isnt so bad tho, its a little higher, but just got word yesterday that my new $17,000 chair has arrived in town, so just waiting for the rep to pull finger, and get it out here! This chair on the other hand is tiny and low, so what will DP do? Kneel probably... (hows this for timing, as I write this, got the call that chair will be here 9.30am Tuesday morning! YAY!)

Oh Im getting so impatient to test, or get AF, its the waiting thats doing my head in. Woke up this morning feeling nauseous, but it faded when I ate breakfast. Been peeing more too. Grrr, waiting!

Well Ive made the appointoment for 10.15am tomorrow (Friday) to see the doc, but it wont be our usual. Which is kinda scary as she is fab, but im told (by her) that they are all just as lovely. So fingers crossed, and onward and upward. Have really adjusted my diet to be healthier, for my packed lunch at Uni, all I have is fruit and veges. Yay me being healthy, amd I LIVE for junk food! Still drink the occasional V or Coke, but nothing on my old record. And My 'stress levels are way down atm due to dropping some hours at Uni, so onward and upward!

I just typed out this long ranting post, and I lost it! Never mind, this will jsut be a bit shorter!

wrxchic, yeah Ive asked about the manual myself, but no-one seems to know anything about where to get one, I guess no-one has mangaed to produce the perfect child yet!

I hope Il be a good Mum too, I spent so many years as a nanny, that I think I have gathered a few ideas on how to, and how not to do something. I loved being a nanny, and believe I was good at it, but it is a little sad when one of your charges one day calls you Mummy because you are around them more than Mummy is. Dont get me wrong, we nannys have our place, but not 24/7!

Thanks all, and will post after the docs visit tomorrow morning. Will start the ball rolling for testing fertility just in case I get a bfn when I test in a few days.

Keep you posted...

Incidentally, Ive still been feeling off, smells seem way stronger, and when Im hungry I dont feel like the usual foods, and have been craving just fresh fruits and veges. Which is no bad thing, but odd for me. And Im still dog tired all the time. Tummy feels a little different too, a bit fluttery. Hard to explain, but just trying not to look too much into it as I dont want to set myself up for disappointment. Damn AF better not be playing tricks on me! I dont feel any of my usual pre-AF symptoms either. Tummy cramps, bloated, and bitchy.

Gosh I dunno...

Thanks ladies, well I had the visit and Im really happy with this doc.

She got me to do a poas test, but it was 'inconclusive' (long reason for this, has to do with bladder surgery) so she has given me a test to do at home later.

And she has ordered a semen test for DP, a prolactin and thyroid function blood test and a FSH, LH, and progesterone blood test to do at a certain point in my cycle.

And she took me seriously! (which is a rare thing for me) she was lovely, kind, and on the ball. She asked all the right questions and didnt get all wrapped up in my disability. And she checked up on my current meds. Oh, and she has booked me for a pap smear (  ) too as the fertility clinic wont take any notice until all the protocol has been followed.

Fab. so really happy, just have to get DP to do his thing for the litttle plastic jar, and Il go and get my blood test at the same time.

Ive only had an hour and a half of sleep, but Im still really happy with the result. So now just have to hang out to test, which may actually be sooner than I think as I may have my dates a little out. She has ordered a pregnancy blood test all the same so will know soon enough. Cheers ladies for the help and encouragement. Will keep you posted.

There we go, have updated the ticker, Im sure of my dates now. Im desperate to test, but Im dreading seeing the bfn, so I dunno.

I will take a stand on this, I will test tomorrow (Sunday) and if a bfn, then I will wait another 5days, if no AF, then will test and cross everything for a bfp!

Watch this space...

PS. Have convinced DP to get up early so we can get his stuff to the med lab, sooner we know the better I guess.

Hi Noodle,

Nope havent tested yet, but we sleep on a different time cycle than the norm, so have only woken up about 20mins ago... LONG story...

Im still way nervous about testing, and I know I said I would, but I just dont want to see that bfn. And Im trying not to get my hopes up that it COULD in theory be a bfp this month, but I guess with my logic Im thinking that as long as I dont test, there is still a chance isnt there...?

Yeah, messed up I know, as Ive said on the 2ww post, sorry for the rant , but it just feels like you ladies are really the only ones to truly know how Im feeling and how this all works. Ive told DP a little, but Im sure he is just humouring me at times and hasnt a clue what is going on, all he knows is that Im hormonal, and have been crying occasionally at TV ads... Yes I know, a new kind of low...

So I may go and test when I get up to do the bathroom business, but for now Im sitting happily in bed until Im really busting!  Yay for laptops that can sit on your knee in bed. Ahhh...

If anyone feels like telling me Im being a pillick and should just og and damn well test already thenplease, do say so, I welcome your opinions, and sometimes it does help to have anothers perspective.

Ok so Ive decided Il wait for a few days, my reasoning being, that if I did test tonight, and it was bfn, then I would just reason it away in my head as being too early to show up (funny how the mind works...) and kick myself for not waiting. So I may as well wait for 3 or 4 days. then if AF shows up, I know Im not pg, and if no AF, then there is a higher chance of being pg, at which point testing should prove they are in there...

So thats my reasoning, wrxchic, yeah I used to be test happy, but after 12 failed cycles I dread the negative answer now so put it off. Im really at the point where if Im pg, GREAT, and if Im not then hurry up AF so I can put in my hormone test on day 21. So keep an eye out for posts on Wednesday-ish, as that is what day Im aiming to test. And just pray that AF doesnt rear her head before then.

I guess at the end of the day you just have to take it as it comes, and eat a fair ammount of choc and ice cream and candy and junk to get over it...

DP says Im an emotional trainwreck at the moment, he has jsut cause to say so, he came in and found me in tears on the couch crying over the news, and then again over an ad on telly. Sad...

Will keep you posted, but for now Im off to the supermarket to get some junk, feel like a pick-me-up...

Well I dont have to worry about the testing now, as AF arrived this morning. Im a little sad, but at least now I can do the 21day test in my cycle the doctor ordered.

So Il fix the ticker, and get to counting and charting properly this month. Plus I put DP's sample in to the lab today, so should know by Friday how that is.

Thanks for listening ladies, needed a wee vent. I just have to look on the bright side, Im not too stressed to get AF, and it means things are at least working and on time.

See you over in the Limbo Land post I guess...

The 21 day tes is to test the levels of FSH, LH, and progesterone. It has to be done 5-9 days before your period starts, well thats what doc said anyway.

Just to test that all the levels are normal, and that things are doing what they should, and at the right time. Yeah right...

What really sucks is that Ive got really extreme cramps,   and fell asleep on the lounge floor tonight (until DP woke me to see if I was ok ) if I sat up I felt really bad nausea. I knew it was going to be bad, as I hadnt had any of the pre-AF signs and symptoms I usually get a few days before, so there was no build up to it, just BAM! Its a little better now, and I managed to get some housework done and have it reasonably tidy, coz Ive got my physiotherapist arriving in the morn to deliver my new wheelchair! Yay, Ive been waiting for months and now Im getting that 'night before christmas' feeling! Its really exciting, so it is helping me take my mind off of my stomach. Good to have something nice thrown in the middle there!

Will keep updating, been thinking of starting a blog, your thoughts? Anywhere to get a decent blog site for free? Would anyone actually be interested in reading it?  I do wonder if that matters tho, just the act of writing it all out would be therapeutic I think.