First visit to fertility centre - what can I expect & should my partner be there too?

Sorry I know its been a long time since anyone has posted on here. I am going for my first appointment today and taking my husband. I am 28, have PCOS, haven't had a period for over 10 years. I wondered whether anyone had any similar experiences or had any advice or tips they could share with me, or stories of success. I am a little nervous, and also unsure that it will ever happen for us!

Joining in here..

had blood tests done..bloodclotting profile and 2-21 day tests...awaiting another test that they keep losing..urgh

weve been referred to FC but are still awaiting confirmation letter after couple weeks is that normal? appoinments Oct 9th.

im 41 and all my doctor said was they would need another sample of hubbys..and eggs extracted from me..which may i add has scared me to death ..surely not ivf already?

My DH had his initial SA done at his own request, via our GP. He mentioned to the GP that I was having initial investigations with another Dr at our surgery and the GP immediately gave him the form and told him where to take it, etc. He then had a second one done with the Fertility Clinic. I'd suggest your DH go to his GP and ask. It could save you time (even if the FC suggest another one).

We had all our other tests, Chlamydia, etc. done at our first consultant appointment. I was quite surprised I tell you, but easy enough to get most of them out fo the way that day (bar the HSG), though I am starting to think we have just had a good hospital/consultant helping us on our way.

I have first appt this week too and I'm really concerned because my GP has only sent me for Day 21 test and when I asked about DH having SA she said the hospital would deal with it. That was 4 months ago so now I'm thinking he should have just gone to his own GP and requested one??? I'm 37 a(nd a half) and every month counts, as you all know.

I just feel that we've wasted lots of time and will only end up having to wait again now.

I keep trying to find information about appointments and what to expect but it seems every area/hospital is different.

I'm also worried that we might not even be eligible for IVF as DH already has children from previous marriage.

Good Luck MsChutney

HI - just thought I'd give an update!

Our first appointment was very relaxed and the nurse there is lovely, she put us both at ease and went through medical history with us both. She was great and explained in detail our results from the GP and talked us through the next steps. I'm too old for NHS IVF so it's something we need to decide if we are going to go through if and when it gets to that stage.

I had an internal scan there and then and then went back a week later for another.

I've been back for another lot of bloods and the results from those are due this week.

I have a feeling that I'm going to be "Clomid"ed this week as it seemed as if my follicles weren't as big as she expected them to be at the 2nd scan.

I've got the paperwork ready for my HSG (or is it HGS?) and another lot of bloods. I'm to phone for an appointment for the scan and bloods on day one of my next cycle.

The funny thing is it should have been Friday (10th) or at the latest Sunday (12th). I've had some usual symptoms: stomach ache, sore boobs but nothing yet! I shall be keeping my fingers crossed for the next few days but considering I've not got a positive yet it would be hilarious if I did now.

Anyway if you've not been for an appointment yet really don't worry as from my experience it isn't anywhere near as bad as I had expected!

Thanks guys, that makes me feel alot better knowing that they may have requested the test to be done again anyway!

How bizzare is that that so many of us have appointments on the same day!

Hi IfAtFirst I think it would have been good for her to do it to put your mind at rest BUT the FC clinic may well have done it again anyway. I had already had Day3 and 21's done by the GP and the clinic have had me do them all again plus chlamydia and rubella (even tho I told them I had rubella vaccination as a teen) They said they wanted the blood sample to be available within the hospital not just the results. IDK why tho.

So thats is at least 4 people on MN who have FC appointments on the 9th that I know of and I am pretty sure there was a 5th mentioned on another thread. How very very synchronicitous. Perhaps I should start a support thread for that specific date and see if anyone else is. :o

I've been reading this thread with interest.
DH & I were referred to a fertility specialist in Feb after 3 years TTC
I actually got PG in the same month but lost it at 6.5 week.
The specialist had arranged for me to have chlamydia test & rubella blood test (had already had 21 day bloods and DH had a semen test).
Because of the pg & MC everything was put on hold, but after 6 further months TTC I have arranged an appt on Thursday to see the specialist again.

Unless he fobs us off (we were told to go back next March originally if no joy) I'm guessing that the tests will be back on the cards.
What really makes me angry, and the more I think about the angrier I get is that I had a smear a couple of weeks ago and I aked when I booked it if I could have the chlamydia test at the same time in preparation for Thursday. When I turned up, the nurse who I seen wouldnt do it twittering on about if I had chlamidia I would know about it by now, but in the same breath went on about how it was a silent condition

Is the chlamydia test compulsary?
Was I right to ask the nurse to do it at the same time as the smear, and was she stupidly wrong for refusing???

Yes, it seems to vary a lot but then if you think about it everyones situation is individual and there are so many different factors. Plus it depends on how far down the road your GP has taken you with tests etc. We were referred straight away due to my age but In a way my first appointment was a bit of a waste of time as we hadn't had my DHs SA results back yet (actually the GP had but they hadnt sent them through to the FC clinic, great!) and also our consultant was not available so we saw the registrar instead. No disrespect to him but the nurse seems more switched on than he did! So I also think individual service providers handle things differently. I hope we see the actual consultant this time!

Plus, our problems seem to be with DHs slightly low count rather than me as we know I am ovulating, therefore I think we would be offered IUI in between clomid and IVF. Was that not mentioned as an option for you? Will check out your other thread, there is also a Clomid support thread out there which might be good for you to have a gander at (might see you there shortly!)

And do you mind me asking how old you are? I am 38 so a bit worried I am beyond eligible (or will be soon)

Glad it went OK lozster I am surprised at the lack of monitoring during clomid as I was under the impression (from the NHS guidebook) that this is required. I think you should query that to be honest.

Do they know why you aren't ovulating? And have you considered acupuncture? Its might be possible to get you ovulating again if it a hormonal imbalance that is stopping it and might also help if you have any side effects from the Clomid.

Loads of luck with it, keep us posted. I have 2nd appointment next week and will be SO much more prepared thanks mostly to MNers.

Hi - lozster you should not be sent away for not having all the tests, but why don't you go to your health centre and ask the receptionist for a nurse appointment for a smear and chlymdia test - you should easily get that done in August and don't need a gp to refer you - you just make an appointment I would think, or you could see your gp first if you wish.

Boba 12 weeks is a longish time, but it doesn't matter as long as it is done before you go back in January - and although a long wait, I didn't get HSG test ordered till my 2nd appointment and it seems like you have all tests, plus urine, that I have had over 8 months! I felt when having tests that at least there was a reason for delay and things were happening at last. But then it has been 6yrs of ttc~1 and 2yrs waiting for treatment!!! Feels like it might actually happen sometime soon.

Had good apptmt today. Had internal check and bloods done. Have booked me for HSG and ultrasound and they will monitor my hormones over 10 weeks via urine samples. THe usual gap between now and next apptmt would be 4 months but due to our holiday in 8 weeks ours will be 5 months which is xmas time so I go back 7th Jan.

Feels like an age away but this is mostly due to this urine malarky with me. HSG waitlist is currently 12 weeks at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

DH given all clear due to new research on SA, he is 'normal' afterall.

Hope this is of some use to anyone waiting.

Starlet - would definitely get your FSH and LH repeated while you wait and get a 2nd SA for your dH, plus an up to date smear and chlymdia done at the same time - and any other tests you can get your gp to do! Starlet, we go tomorrow for our 3rd apt with NHS fertility dr's. Seen different dr each time, but under one consultant who I have seen once. Hopefully tomorrow they decide on what treatment we need, as long as my HSG and scan results were ok.

Boba - our wait was about the same time as yours. Hope it has gone well, your apt. Wonder if you come out with more tests - that is what happened to me the first time.

MsChutney - yes according to NICE gp's not meant to give out clomid as it is meant to be monitored at a hospital and also if there other problems not found out it is not going to work. Might be worth asking gp to order a 2nd SA for dh, as hospital will ask for that when you go and it will save time when you go. I have learnt this the hard way!!

I'm so glad I found this thread. We've just been referred so we're waiting for our first appointment and stupidly I didn't think to ask the Doc what would happen and now I'm fretting!

Doc has said we should hear within four weeks so I'm hoping that the appointment isn't too long a wait. She also said that they weren't able to prescribe Clomid at the Docs any more so I have to wait for that. Bit of a shame really as I wanted to get started to feel as if something was happening.

I've had blood tests (5 I think it was) and a smear and all ok. MrC has had his sperm results and all ok as well although one part of the test was slightly low. Again I wish I'd asked more questions!

So now it's just a question of waiting!

Thanks for the information, Keziah. How are things? X

Starlet - my Gp ordered the tests, and they can do so easily. However, I didn't have the HIV and Hep blood tests till we knew we needed IVF as no need for them till get to that stage:

• rubella antibody test
• HIV, Hep(all of them), FBC, Thyroid check, Prolactin blood test (prolactin if high may be reason not ovulating so better to test that
• Smear test and chlymdia test - can be done at same time
• LH and FSH tests - on day 3 of cycle and 7 days post ovulation (known as 21 day test assuming a 28 day cycle!!)

Then the dr at fertility clinic ordered me the Trans Vaginal scan the first time I went, a 2nd set of bloods for me as my progesterone low and a 2nd SA for dh.

On 2nd visit to fertility clinic they ordered 3rd SA as dh's results not good (poor morphology) and hormone profile for him and a 3rd set of bllods for me.

We have been told due to dH's results we will need IVF or similar, so clomid is out of the question as first line treatment.

Wanting - I am 34, been ttc for at least 2yrs and Gp referred me after initial tests and because of the length of time ttc. Took 12wks to see dr at clinic and then 3mths between first and 2nd visit adn 8weeks between 2nd and 3rd visit. Go on Thursday and hope to find out out treatment options then and queue for those. Need certain time between apt's as some tests depend on cycle length etc.

If any abnormalities in dh's SA we learnt that a man renews his sperm every 3mths throughtout his life, so testing 3mths after first test may provide better/worse results (worst for us.)

Sorry, I have waffled.

Thanks ladies

Saladbomb I'm 28 and my GP referred me straight away as I'm not ovulating every month. We have been TTC for over a year now. GP did initial blood tests, smear and chlamydia test on me & 2 SA on DH. Letter came through approx 2 weeks after referral and approx 12 week wait for appointment at clinic.

stegasaurus I'm no expert but the 'dye test' could well be HSG, this is where they fill your womb with 'dye' and take an x-ray, its actually just saline solution and is clear (which i find slightly disappointing ) They may have put you straight on clomid to get you ovulating if you haven't had a period for ages. I would ask at your next appointment if you are worried.

Boba82 think they aim for 8 weeks between first and 2nd, thats when I've got mine, might be slightly different between FC's tho?

Wanting i think it depends on circumstances. How old you are, how long you have been trying and if you already have kids. I am 38 and been trying for 3 years and never been pregnant so got referral straight away although it did take a while for an appointment to come thru.

I know 30+ you need to have been trying for a year and 35+ for 6 months, no idea if -30 tho.