Any advice on the way forward

[Girlieplease]

Hey ladies need your input. I know it is my decision but looking to canvas opinions. I have been trying unsuccessful to conceive baby 4 since June. I have three gorgeous babies conceived first attempt. So this is new terrority for me. I started out doing one attempt at positive OPK but this month moved to e3d's. I have had a blood draw taken in July and one in August but timing was wrong as I have irregular cycles. One cycle it was too early and the other it was too late. The late result it was a borderline result, given my af arrived two days later ( lp of 7 days shocking) my levels were probably on the way down at time it was taken. The must recent one, I think it was before I ovulated and the result indicated no ovulation. I think I have had pretty well timed attempts so think there is definitely a reason am not conceiving. Gp thinks I have been trying since March 2016 and has referred me for infertility appt. He said it could take 2 -4 months to get an appt. I was referred in July, I received a letter from them in August to say they would contact me 6 weeks prior to the appt and I have heart nothing yet so it is going to be at least two more months maybe more. I am finding the exercise and diet hard work and finding my motivation waning as I just think I won't conceive. I slipped massively off the diet the past two days, I had buns, pizza, chocolate, wine, crisps and not within the limits at all, but am hormonal and I needed a blow out!

My query is should I stop trying to conceive and wait until my appt and hopefully get clomid and then go for it then? I don't wish to lose any advantage I may have gained from the diet or exercise but also not sure I can face this cycle of getting my hopes up, dieting, exercising, attempting and then the frustration and upset when af arrives. My only concern is that the infertility people may not prescribe clomid and may want me to try longer before prescribing? If I continue with the diet and exercise it could be many many months before they give me clomid and I really feel I won't conceive without some assistance. Sorry for the rant am hoping writing this will help me process what I need/ should do! Any advice gratefully received! X

[kc15880]

drop the exercise completely & just go with the upper limits of the diet. I have been a couch potato for 31weeks now & have still lost 11kg in 31 weeks on the upper limits of LE. I have maintained a regular cycle between 28-33 days & have kept ovulating throughout even though I am still breastfeeding. You need fat in your diet to make hormones so it is really important that if you have been eating the lower amount of fat & exercising to the point of having reduced body fat as well you simply wont be able to make the hormones your body needs. I have been eating between 50-60g fat each day & I think this is what has really helped me stay regular. I found the months that I had reduced fat to 40g, lower cals & no eggs I also delayed ovulation & had a shorter luteal phase. I hope that helps.

[foxtrotmama]

You've lost a lot of weight, right? Close to 100 lbs? I'd drop exercise and be careful to eat the upper end of limits for sure. Even not being underweight, losing a lot could cause weird cycles for a while.

[atomic sagebrush]

I would have you simply go to a vegetarian diet, continue with exercise, and keep trying.

Too many of my swayers in the UK wait and wait for their appointments in the hopes of getting Clomid and are not given it when they have MUCH stronger medical reasons than you do. 8 or 9 out of 10 of my swayers in the UK who were referred to a specialist were not given Clomid nor any assistance at all really even when they hadn't had a period in ages!

I know it is a really frightening situation to be in but your body IS working to set things right. Things will almost always improve over time and increasing fat intake (and this does not need to be massively, small amounts make all the difference) and I think that just going vegetarian will really help you feel much less deprived, and continuing with the exercise will keep your sway strong. (Be sure you don't go overboard with soy foods as they may interfere with yoru fertility as well!)

[EnglishDame]

This is interesting to me what you are saying Atomic. I have been told my my doctor that I have PCOS and have been referred to the fertility clinic too. I was hoping that they would prescribe me clomid so was planning to hold off till then but it seems maybe there is no point?

Girlieplease I really hope your cycle improves and if not that the hospital will help, we haven't started trying yet but going by what the doctor told me we may have trouble as my fsh level is high. It's not easy. Crossing fingers and toes for both of us!

[atomic sagebrush]

I can't say for sure, English Dame, just that that is what I've seen time and again. People wait and wait for the appointment and they get there and are told "we don't believe in that" (people with very short LP, for example) or "you haven't tried long enough" (and I've had people trying for 12 months who were told that) or things of that nature and so it's just been a big waste of time for most of my UK swayers. Not all but just most.