What to expect from first IVF appointment?

[MrsBroody]

We have ours in November. We’ve already had all the standard tests done in the Gynaecology Dept of our local hospital (HSG, sperm analysis, ultrasound, bloods) and received confirmation from those that I have PCOS. Our local hosp has referred us to another NHS hospital with a fertility centre. We’ve just had the first appointment confirmed.

So my question is... seeing as we’ve already had all the preliminary investigations done, will they proceed with treatment straight away (whether that be Clomid or IVF) or is there likely to be more tests first?

What should I expect from that appointment?

I’m new to all of this so any help from those who have already been through/are going through this would be much appreciated

[physicskate]

They may get so more tests, they might start treatment. It's impossible to say. Depends on so many factors.

Good luck. It's a tough old road.

[MrsBroody]

Thanks physicskate. Have a feeling I might need the luck! :)

[Pumpkin18]

@MrsBroody we had our appointment with clinic 2 weeks ago and it was really good. They went through our results and made it clear what our options are - for us it's self funded IVF with icsi. As ours is male factor they gave my DH blood tests there and examined him. They gave us advice and answered any questions we had and now it's up to us what we do from here. We also went to an open evening at a clinic which was on the same day and I would definitely recommend that, even if you can't afford that clinic or don't need to go private. It was really informative and definitely helped my DH understand the whole process. We came away from the clinic appointment and the open evening feeling more hopeful and in charge of the whole thing and able to make more informed decisions on our next steps

[MrsBroody]

@Pumpkin18 that’s really helpful, thanks. I will be grateful to get more information about the process during our first appointment, if nothing else. Because I feel we’ve hardly been told anything so far. The Gyn’s input was really just ‘tick box’.

I’m eager to know how many more hurdles we have to jump before getting some sort of actual treatment. We first went to our GP about our fertility troubles in Jan! It’s taken us until this point just to have all the prelim tests done and referral made.. let’s hope the worst of the wait is now over :)

[ellesbellesxxx]

Is it an actual ivf planning appt or just first fertility clinic appt? At ours, I was scanned and they found low egg reserve. We were given the option of more investigations for me so I went on waiting list for lap and dye/hysteroscopy where it was found that my tubes were a mess and it would be virtually impossible to conceive naturally. We then had our ivf planning appt the following month!

[ellesbellesxxx]

From our clinic appt it was 8 months until starting treatment but 5 months was waiting for the Operation.
Hope it all goes well

[MrsBroody]

@ellesbellesxxx the letter doesn’t say what the appointment is - it just has the name of the consultant, date and time. The Gyn has already done the investigative ‘stuff’ and I’ve had a HSG and apparently tubes are clear. Husbands had sperm analysis and all good. The only thing they’ve discovered is polycystic ovaries and a small fibroid. So I don’t know what’s next?

I wish they gave more information. It’s a nightmare trying to get through to them by phone too, so it’s not like it’s easy for me to phone and ask either!

[ellesbellesxxx]

Hopefully it will be discussion treatment options then... 🤞

[physicskate]

Omg mrs broody you are me!! I have pco and a fibroid (caused by clomid though). Most fibroids are not an issue.

We had short protocol ivf a year after first investigations and 'unexplained'. Successful outcome (so far).

[Kay2705]

Hi @physicskate congrats on your positive outcome. How big was your fibroids starting treatment soon and I've got a small fibroids so hoping I can carry on with it

[physicskate]

I have one. It appeared the first month of clomid last October. At my last scan, it's now about 2.5 cm. but it's mostly subcutaneous (on the outside mostly) and so not an issue for fertility (they say and the research I've done also suggests this).

It's funny because my husband and I used to talk about it like a member of the family!