December 2016: Where it all began.

We decided to start trying for a baby. Knowing it could take some time, we decided to take it easy and just have some fun. One month, two, three, four, five months, six, seven. Period after period, month after month: no success.

OK I think it's time to get some checks done. I make an appointment at the doctors. Doctor tells me they really don't do any formal investigations until after a year of trying. But when you know something isn't quite right what else should you do? So we patiently wait until a year has passed.

August 2017, we move into our home, change doctors due to catchment area. December 2017, the "magic" year has passed, so we make another appointment. We've been trying for a year now, surely we can be sent for some in depth tests, I mean at 31, I'm not getting any younger - "No, Mrs Coleman, you can't be sent for tests until you have been trying for two years."

"I'm sorry, that's not what my last doctor said."

"Well we can send Nick for semen analysis first, as that's the easiest test and you can have a blood test to check your hormone levels."

That's a start I guess. At least it was something!

Fast forward to after the tests - the results appointment (some time mid 2018). Our GP asks "Your husband has a child from a previous relationship, is that correct?" I look at Nick confused as he replies "Erm no, I'd don't have any children."

The GP carries on and tells us that my hormone levels are fine and the sperm count is good enough for us to get to pregnant and that we should keep trying. However they want to send me for an ultrasound and internal scan to check my womb and ovaries. I go to a mobile ultrasound scanner who visits local surgeries.

Results come back - womb and ovaries are fine - just keep trying.

It's been almost 18 months now. How much longer until we are sent to a specialist? Who knows? Just keep trying they say. Have fun they say.

Well it's not fun to keep trying having a period come every month, when you would give anything and everything for it to be late and for that to mean we have been successful.