First Fertility Clinic Appointment Tomorrow

Yeah I think I’m saving any possible counselling for further into all this @PurpleUnicorn01. I have general anxiety and it’s just cranked right up by all of this, my body is not playing ball!

Yes that sounds stressful. I know a lot of people find counselling useful through this anxious time.

I think that’s why I’m going to get a hycosy done anyway. Because it will put my mind at ease I’m functioning properly I suppose, or should be able to, even if they don’t think I need one when I get there.

@PurpleUnicorn01 yeah, the time passes so slowly, it’s frustrating. And my 38th birthday will be right after the appointment, it’s stressing me out a bit.

I started taking an anti-anxiety medication today that the dermatologist gave to me. My ovulation looks like it’s going back to being late again after a month off from acupuncture and it made me very anxious this morning when I realised. Hoping the drug will help me be less stressed about it all after a couple of weeks.

@thislittlebird everything seems far away when you go through this process. We understand. Yes get them to put them on for you. . Ive tried to plan little things in between to look forward to, or else it drags

My understanding is they don’t worry about checking tubes with hycosy or hsg if you’re having IVF. I guess it must work without it, not heard of it being an issue anyway.

My appointment still feels so long away, it’s getting me down. I can’t try this month, next month I’m not sure yet, and then it’s still ages until mid May. I guess I’ll call them with the request to put documents and scans on file.

Yeah fair point @dogmam - I sort of assumed everything else had come out fine for you but if there's MFI or similar then they'd skip HSG as there's little point.

It's a bit flawed though cause if you have blockages I'm pretty the embryo can get stuck in the wrong place even with IVF - but I suppose the risk is much smaller then.

Also @dogmam don't worry i haven't had a HSG either just the same tests as you.

@dogmam how are you?

Yes apparently there's an 8-12 week wait on the scans and SA so I've booked them privately to avoid any lengthy delays it was much less stressful, maybe that might be an idea? My second appointment is also end of April so can't afford to miss that due to the delay. Also call your drs secretary weekly and try getting cancellation slots.

@juno231 oh gosh that is really disappointing, i hope your next appointment goes well.

@dogmam with mine, they only do HSG if the internal scan (and SA) is OK. They don't need to do a HSG if you are going straight to IVF. I've got that next, because our other stuff is fine. But had it not been, they wouldn't have bothered. Its annoying you have to wait for results though- they just told me on the day of my scan (I had an appointment straight after to speak about it). I've found the nhs OK so far with no delays. So we'll see how it continues. I honestly expected them to be useless but I cannot fault anything so far......

@dogmam that would stress me out as well, especially if it's something that could be sorted without IVF. Did they not even do any day 3 tests this time around? Sounds odd as that's where they'd spot PCOS/thyroid concerns etc. Any chance you can email the consultant via their secretary and say you haven't had an HSG or day 3 bloods booked and express your concerns? Perhaps they could set something up for you without having to wait another month to see them first.

@PurpleUnicorn01 I've had my AMH done twice online before but the numbers did fluctuate a fair bit so I don't trust the accuracy of it tbh. The thought of sending a blood sample via post and expecting accurate results don't add up to me in hindsight. From what I gather I'd have to wait until the 2 year mark and then apply for funding and THEN go on an IVF waiting list. So could potentially be a year away still if I wait for the NHS.

@Juno231 i share your anxiety, im not far behind you. I got my AMH test via superdrug online, its really simple, the hospital accepted the results too, its not too expensive either just to put your mind at rest u could get that done. I think they will recommended ivf or icsi i think as the last SA showed a low overall count. But let's see. It's unfair they make u wait the 2 year mark. Will they apply for your funding etc now so you're actually ready to start in July?

@PurpleUnicorn01 results and treatment options. I've just got anxiety as they booked it in for July so I'm worried they'll fob me off somehow. Ultimately I just want to know what the results are so I know what steps to take next as I don't want to wait until the 2 year mark just to apply for funding and then go onto a long waiting list after that. I'll ask if we'd be good candidates for private IUI and I'd want to know what my AMH and TSH is etc.

What are you hoping/thinking your appointment will result in treatment wise?

@Juno231 what's your next appointment for? I have a pelvic scan next week then my second appointment in a couple weeks to discuss results and treatment options.

@PurpleUnicorn01 yeah it's only one round on the NHS here too. Well, one round of egg retrieval and then one FET - not sure how that counts.

Got my follow up on Thursday ladies so will update you then. Anyone else got anything happening soon?

That's useful to know, I think Birmingham are stricter. Sometimes they are only offering 1 round on the nhs.

@kay00 @PurpleUnicorn01 it will say in your local CCG policy. My one states that I can do two rounds of IVF privately before I forfeit the NHS one.

@Kay00 you need to check the rules for your CCG as they all differ.
The GP cannot refuse to refer you though if you fit the criteria. So you need to badger them.

As far as i know if you've had private ivf then you can't have the nhs ivf. But you can have private tests as that's what i am doing. I hope that helps.

Hi ladies :-) I'm thinking of paying for private fertility appointment and tests etc. as I am keen to get the ball rolling. I have been off the pill since beginning of June 2020, I ovulated 5 times then stopped ovulating (last ovulation on 1st Dec). Im 35, 36 in July and worried time is slipping away. I will chat with my GP one last time but if I'm not referred then I'll pay to go private. My question is (if you know) if I pay to go privately does that exclude me from accessing ivf on NHS if that is needed? Is it worth trying to get the NHS referral whilst paying for private assessments in the meantime?

Yes that's what the secretary of my Dr said, she said email them over and that way they are ready for the second appointment.

I’m going to book a hycosy soon. I don’t want to pay for it but I can’t wait months, might as well get it down and show the consultant.

@PurpleUnicorn01 they’ll scan them onto the file? That’s interesting. Maybe I should call them and ask to put my results so far on.

Hi Guys, I wasn't sure if you are all aware but u can have your tests done privately anywhere as there are 3 month waits with nhs at the moment. If you contact the secretary of your consultant they will scan them on to your file for you when you have your results.