Lisa Hamilton was busy building her career in the fast-paced world of entertainment when she decided to look into her fertility. She booked an appointment with her GP and was encouraged to get an AMH test. “Excuse me? what is an AMH test?” she thought. “So limited was my knowledge of fertility that I had no idea that this test even existed!”
Following the expert advice, Lisa decided to take proactive action to support her family planning goals and get her AMH levels tested. When her results revealed that she had a very low ovarian reserve, Lisa had a lengthy discussion with her GP and began educating herself on the ins and outs of fertility.
Keep reading to find out more about Lisa’s journey, from chasing career goals to navigating a low AMH result, the realities of family planning and more.
When did you start thinking about your fertility?
“I truly don’t think I gave my fertility a thought until I turned 30. Like so many modern gals, I was too busy chasing my career. As the host of MTV Australia, my days were filled with interviewing celebs and recording news bulletins, so thinking about my fertility was something I pushed to the back of my mind. But then I met my now husband and I started to see a lot of my friends sadly experience miscarriages or face fertility issues. Almost overnight, it dawned on me that this is something I should probably look into.”
What were your expectations before beginning your fertility journey?
“I think I was incredibly naive! I had an expectation that I would fall pregnant exactly when I wanted to – everything would be wrapped up in a neat little bow, and we’d all live happily ever after. That was very delulu of me because we all know that’s not how life works. I think my unrealistic expectations and naivety ultimately came from a fear of the unknown. I didn’t want to face the realities of waiting to have children until after I’d hit my career goals because that was really scary.”
Medical Note: This is a common thought amongst most women and I believe this can be better managed by helping women access fertility information through education. Breaking down barriers and starting conversations can raise awareness and demystify inaccurate information.
When did you decide to start your fertility journey?
“When I decided to get serious about looking into my fertility, I booked an appointment with my GP, who is the most delightful woman in her 60s and always makes me feel so seen and heard. Women’s health is such an under-resourced side of medicine and I wish all women had access to providers who held them through the difficult, sticky parts of their health journey. My wonderful GP encouraged me to get an AMH test.
I went and got the blood test, then felt utterly devastated when my results came back as being very low. I felt like I had been hit with a brick and had missed my opportunity to become a mother. My GP encouraged me to get another AMH test at a different point in my cycle to see if it would yield slightly better results.
Medical Note: AMH levels are likely only to fluctuate a very minor amount at different times during the menstrual cycle and between menstrual cycles.
Off I went again to get the blood test, and unfortunately, they came back even lower. And with that, my doctor encouraged me to start trying to have a baby now as I would most likely struggle to conceive.
Medical Note: It's a common practice for doctors to advise patients with low AMH results to bring forward their reproductive plans. However, it is important to note that a low AMH result does not necessarily predict a person's ability to conceive naturally. If an individual has a regular month menstrual cycle, they are almost certainly ovulating an egg each month, and therefore they would have the same chance of conceiving naturally as someone with an in-range or high AMH result.
I felt a real mix of emotions. I went along to the initial consultation to get some information and now here I was faced with a huge decision – to start trying to have a baby now or prepare to perhaps never fall pregnant. My fiance and I weren’t necessarily planning on having a baby before getting married, but with COVID-19 lockdowns slogging on, we decided to give it a go.”
Medical Note: During the COVID pandemic, fertility rates were impacted as many couples delayed their weddings and were uncertain about the right time to conceive. Additionally, some fertility services were temporarily closed due to the lockdown measures.
Did you face any hurdles along the way?
“The initial consultation with my GP made me feel so incredibly uneducated on fertility. My wish for all women is to have greater access to essential information at an earlier age. I don’t regret for a minute chasing my career, but I wish I had thought about freezing my eggs earlier in life to take the pressure off.”
What was the most surprising thing that happened to you during this time?
“Honestly, I am reluctant to share this because I am incredibly mindful of all the journeys people are on when it comes to their fertility – however, the most surprising thing that happened was falling pregnant naturally after being told I have a low AMH.”
Medical Note: It's a misconception that a low AMH level means you cannot get pregnant naturally. As long as you're ovulating each month, your chances of conceiving are the same as anyone else of your age. AMH testing is also not an indicator of egg quality.
What was the most rewarding part of your journey?
“I have a very type A personality, so I like to have ALL the information and do my research on everything. But when it came to my body and fertility, I locked it away in a little box, scared to take a peek at it. So, when I was faced with confronting my fertility, it was an information overload. But as I continued along the journey, I loved learning about all of the ins and outs. The female body is a force, and I am so proud to own one in all its guts and glory. My only wish is that I had taken an interest in educating myself earlier in life.”
What do you feel is the biggest misconception surrounding fertility?
“Gosh, there are so many! I think the biggest one is that there is only one way to approach your fertility. You know your body better than anyone else, so don’t be afraid to seek alternative opinions and treatment options. Throughout my fertility journey, I have gained a greater sense of autonomy over my health and real agency to find providers who really listen to me.”
Medical Note: Accessing the counselling service at your fertility clinic can provide great support for those struggling with fertility issues. Fertility counsellors are specialised in their field and can offer guidance throughout the treatment process. This can be particularly helpful for those who prefer not to share their fertility journey with close family or friends.
What was the most helpful thing you did to take care of yourself during this time?
“For me, sometimes the mental side was far more daunting than the physical aspects of going on my fertility journey. Being kind to myself and practising mindfulness to ensure negative thought patterns didn’t take over was a huge part of this process. I wanted everything to be perfect, and when it wasn’t, I beat myself up over it. Training my brain to understand that logically ‘perfect’ isn’t always the best, especially when it comes to fertility, was and remains an important tool in my arsenal.”
What is the one piece of advice you'd give to anyone who hasn’t yet gone down their own fertility path?
“Make the appointment. Just make the appointment! Gather the information and educate yourself now so you have options ahead of you. Even if you’re not really ready to start thinking about having children, time is of the essence. Society has shifted so much to make way for strong, powerful women to take charge of their careers, but our bodies still have that ‘ticking clock’ regardless. Give yourself the time and space to breathe and have options. Make the appointment with your GP!”
Medical Note: This is great advice! Scheduling an appointment with your GP is an excellent starting point. For those who don't have a regular GP, it's wise to choose a GP who has additional qualifications or a particular interest in Women's Health.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to be medical advice and is not a substitute for medical advice. You should speak with a medical professional if you wish to assess your fertility and before making any decisions about healthcare, including contraception.
