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Conception

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Original poster

Tips on speeding up getting to fertility clinic - advice please

30 replies

Mirry71 · 08/02/2007 15:51

I wonder if anyone can give me some advice. I'm 35, about to turn 36 in a couple of months. DH and I had been trying for a year and went for tests in November. Went to GP in December to be told the initial tests all showed everything was normal and that we would be referred to our nearest (large London) assisted conception unit for more tests/whatever happens next.
Have heard nothing and asked at GPs yesterday when I went for something totally different.
They rang back today to say that because of the backlog we would not even HEAR about an appointment for another 6-8 weeks - not even to get an appointment.
Is this totally run of the mill? Is there anything I can do? I don't think I've got the money but if I scraped together my savings would I miraculously get an appointment and if so how much would it cost?
Any advice gratefully received mumsnetters. Am at the end of tether. Was 34 when I started ttc, looks like I'll be 37 before they even get round to doing anything at this rate!

OP posts:
Eeek · 08/02/2007 16:10

why don't you give the clinic a call and ask the question. We can give you all the advice in the world but it is a field where things change quite quickly. The rules in one Health area differ from those in another apart from anything. I always found the reception staff at the clinic we used (Hammersmith) to be helpful, understanding and remarkably well informed. Do give them a call. It won't cost you anything after all.

Original poster
Mirry71 · 08/02/2007 16:07

Liath that's very interesting - did they not make any problems about the fact that you had paid for your own consultation and hysterosalpingogram when you went on to the IVF waiting list (and dare I ask how long the wait was?). And should I be asking for one? I've only had the blood tests so far and I don't know what I should be doing next. I just feel so helpless!

OP posts:
liath · 08/02/2007 16:03

I went private to speed up the inital consultation - it was 3 years ago & cost about £120 for the consultation then I had a hysterosalpingogram privately which I think was around £150. I then went on the IVF waiting list which was the same length of time as it would have been if I'd been put on it from the NHS infertility clinic. So all in all it cost me £300 or so and saved me a few months of waiting time - worth while I thought.

Fell pg the month before I was due to start IVF, which was nice!

Original poster
Mirry71 · 08/02/2007 15:56

Thanks so much eeek
Yes I guess it is. It makes me want to tear up all my ethics and go private but I don't have a clue how much it would cost and then I think I've read stories that means you would not get the NHS cycle of IVF that theoretically you are eligible for if you have gone private at all.....

OP posts:
Eeek · 08/02/2007 15:52

Absolutely standard in my experience. Sorry - I know the waiting is hard. Didn't want to leave you with no reply