Fertility referral questions

[MildredH]

Hi,

Have double posted this here and on conception hope that's ok..

Our ( apologies-long!)  story is the I had a MMC at ten weeks at Christmas. We had fortunately conceived very quickly- 2nd cycle of trying ( and first cycle was using KY jelly which we later discovered was not sperm friendly!). Following that, I had irreg cycles. Previously 25 days spot on and now anything up to 32/33 days. Also periods just not quite the same as before..

I knew something must be up and asked for day 21 bloods. My progesterone was 27 - should be over 30 so possibly not ovulating. A gynae I knew suggested a month of progesterone tablets to try and "reset" things. 

Last week I repeated the day 21 bloods to see if this had worked and progesterone now 10.7. 

Obviously pretty upset. Have appt to see gp Monday and ask for referral which she has agreed to already. I am guessing I may need clomid? 

I'm a bit anxious about how long I might wait in the NHS system.. I'm guessing this will vary from area to area but does anyone have a rough idea on timescales to actual treatment? ( we've had the bloods/ pelvic USS/ semen anal)..

Secondly- we would consider seeing someone privately. Does anyone know approx how much money we'd need set by for this? I don't want to embark on it unless I know we can afford it..

Thanks in advance!
Xx

[JethroTull]

Sorry that you've had a shitty time Mildred

It's taken us almost 3 years to get to where we are. We decided in the summer to go private. It's going to cost us about £7k but we are having Array CGH testing which adds about £2.5k.

In does depend where you live but my advice would be to investigate private clinics. You don't mention how old you are? If you've got time on your side then waiting within the NHS system might not be an issue. If your getting on a bit like me, then age is a massive factor. I wish we'd gone private last year.

Good luck with everything

[summerintherosegarden]

Hi Mildred,
I'm so sorry to hear about your MMC and all the ensuing difficulties.

As Jethro says, timing depends so much where you live. Between my GP's referral and our first appointment at the fertility clinic there was about a 3 month wait (IIRC - once the wait is over, it doesn't seem so long after all...) and then a further month before I actually got the clomid.

I don't know about the cost of going private but I'm pretty sure that all the various consultations, tests and treatments will add up quickly, so if you can bear a bit of waiting then it might not be a bad idea to stay with the NHS at this stage at least. If it looks like you are going to need more rigorous treatment than, say, clomid, at that point you might want to reconsider going private.

Also, do ensure that your clinic provides monitoring while on clomid - usually an u/s in the first cycle and day 21 bloods in all cycles.
Good luck and I hope your wait is a short one.

[Happilymarried155]

I am just currently starting the whole process, but i only had to wait three weeks for my appointment at the fertility clinic, my go said there is no waiting list in my area, a friend of ours had her first bout of IVF three months after her first fertility appointment so think it totally depends on the area your in to how long you will have to wait! Good luck!

[Pocket1]

Hi Mildred I?m so sorry to hear about your mc ? I had one this year so I know how heartbreaking it is.

Its good that you?ve already had some tests as that will help speed things up ? and ensure you get the right treatment. I?m afraid I don?t know about NHS waiting times (due to my age we had to go private) or Clomid (but a friend of mine conceived using it ? and now has beautiful twin boys!).

If you?d consider sharing your eggs, you could get free private treatment ? I had donor egg ivf and my donor received free treatment. I?m with a really lovely Dr (Dr Venkat at Harley Street Fertility hsfc.org.uk/). She is honest and kind and I?m pretty sure they?re open on Saturdays too so you could call them tomorrow if you want any more info about egg donation ahead of your GP appointment on Monday.

Best of luck to you and really hope you get your BFN very soon.

[Pocket1]

Aaarrrggghhhh sorry Mildred i meant that i hope you get your BFP very soon.... sorry

[MildredH]

Thank you all for advice and support. Sorry haven't replied sooner- VirginMedia been down over the weekend

We went to the GP this morning and she agreed to the referral. She did a choose and book referral and pulled the options up on the computer right in front of us. The shortest wait was 22 days but that was for a community hospital out of our area. The local DGH was 38 days so we have an appt in late Oct.

We will have had the SA/ scan/ bloods by then so hopefully saved a little time.

I feel much better now I know this is coming up. (Although she did the obligatory "just relax, you may not even need this appt..." grrr!). I think the limbo bit where you know things aren't working but nothing is happening is the worst part.

Thanks again and good luck to others trying..

ps- no worries at all about the BFP/BFN thing.. lol x