First Fertility Clinic Appointment Tomorrow

@Ughmaybenot oh that's good they got the ball rolling so quickly for you! Did the doc say why she thinks you don't ovulate?

I was meant to go to my day 3 blood test today btw but my cycle has gone crazy and the AF I expected on Sat is still absent! Tested yesterday though and it's stark white so def not preggers.

Hey @dogmam thanks for asking 😊 yea I know what you mean, definitely feels like we’re all in this together!
We had our initial phone consultation on Thursday and are booked in for further tests on the 25th. Me for an internal ultrasound and a blood test and DH for a further SA. The consultant is of the opinion that letrozole will be the best first point of call for us as she seems quite convinced that I don’t really ovulate at all.

@dogmam I'd have it done, definitely! Only thing to bear in mind is that it's normally done after your AF but before ovulation and that you're not allowed to DTD at all from CD1 so you might not be able to just tack it on to your appointment on the 1st if those requirements aren't fulfilled? You can still have it done after ovulation but you'll miss out on the egg that cycle as no DTD allowed.

Mine is booked for the 26th now. That includes an internal scan as well - which the doc didn't mention at all. Just had a delivery of the two antibiotics I'll need to take for it as well - very efficient so far! Although it took 11 phone calls for the HSG booking on Friday and 3 phone calls for the antibiotics, so maybe not THAT efficient lol.

@Kitekat81 to be fair I think they focused on it partly because part of my cervix is probably gone from the LEEP procedure they used (they basically remove the cells with a steel wire they send electric currents through to burn it off) and because they'd be worried I could have the cells again. In which case they can't proceed with fertility treatments as if I get pregnant and end up having cancer, they'd have to wait to treat me until I give birth and that could obv have dire consequences waiting that long. At least that's why I think they focused on it! I've never read anything to suggest it would hinder TTC otherwise.

I'm gonna call and book the HSG today so let's see if it's true that I'll actually be able to do it this soon or if I'll end up going private like you.

@Juno231 thanks for the report. Wow 13 minutes that has to be a record! It's amazing isn't it how different all our first appointments have been. That's brilliant that you are getting the hsg in a couple of weeks. It was going to be a 4 month wait for me on the NHS, so I'm paying £500 for a private hycosy next week 😣 A lot of money to pay but I really don't feel I can wait 4 months at this stage. Interesting that they focused on your smear test history. I've just had my smear test results and it said they did detect hpv but no visible changes to my cervix observed. So now I'm worrying whether this is having any effect on my fertility, haven't had a chance to do much research / phone my GP for advice yet. I might just ask at the clinic when I go in for the hycosy scan next week whether that's something I should be worrying about.

@Juno231 possibly not they must realise you can't do that now. 🤣 Doh. But yes- onwards and upwards!

@paintfairy yeah although I guess if it's a doc they'd be used to people getting all that info from reception on the way out - except that obv it's all over phone now 🙊

Oh well, I'm just glad things are happening!

@Juno231 no, I get they are short of time but you kind of need basic information? Like where to go, where to call etc? And no one can already know so it's a bit odd they assume they do? Maybe you'll deal with someone else next time? Mine was a fertility nurse and not a dr. Maybe they have more time?
My letter came today and the SA pot.

@paintfairy yeah yours sounds like the platinum service in comparison to mine! I read it to OH and he said "well la-di-da!". She genuinely didn't ask if we had any questions and if I hadn't butted in several times I wouldn't have been able to ask purely logistical things that are kind of important! E.g. I didn't even know which hospital I' m with now as they changed it last week or where/how she expected me to get my Day 3 bloods done again (and as day 3 is on Monday I don't have time trying to figure it out via post/email). And god knows who I'm meant to call about the HSG - I suppose I'll try and call the reception where she presumably called me from. OH is then apparently having his SA at a completely different hospital but had I not asked we wouldn't have known that either.

I didn't feel like it was a negative meeting at all, just rushed/stressful. I did say to OH though that going through something as difficult as IVF with a consultant that brusque won't be too too pleasant...

@Juno231 interesting. We had to fill out paperwork before that had on about drinking, weight, height, dtd frequency, period length, spotting, past pregnancy, medication, family illness, any vits you were on etc. She had that with her. She also had copies of my bloods etc. I did wonder if she'd have the SA analysis as I just sent a copy to my dr. But she did.
So she did ask if we'd had them explained and then went over mine with me and DHs with him. She was keen to involve him. She asked if we had questions. Said we can call any time but might be best to email. And it's monitored daily. I have actually emailed too and they were quick to reply. Ours lasted about half an hour and she was already there when we logged in. She did give DH the direct number for the SA too and she booked my scan herself. I usually find them fast and hurried (gp is) but this really wasn't. So I'm disappointed they were like that with you! Really you need to feel reassured. Having said that- they are at least doing something! And that's a bit concerning no one raised the white cell count thing with DH?
As long as its moving forward though, that's all that matters! I think as long as there's a plan in place for a next step, you've something to aim for? And something is happening. Steps likely change anyway depending on results of things?

Oh and she focused a lot on my pap smear results from the past. That will be specific to me though as I had CIN3/severe dyskaryosis results in 2017 and had to have a LEEP procedure done to zap my cervix lol.

Well I just had the appointment! They were 15 min late and it lasted a whopping 13 min . She never even asked if OH was there and asked me all the questions! She also didn't seem to have any of my results from previous tests, she could just see that they'd taken place.

She was a bit concerned about my family history of early menopause and has told me to come in on CD2-4 for a repeat test of day 3 FSH and estradiol, plus AMH this time. OH has to redo his SA as well and she was surprised they hadn't put him on antibiotics after the last result showed an abnormally high count of white blood cells. On day 1 I also have to call the hospital to arrange an HSG so it sounds like I'll have that done in the next two weeks or so. After that I need a follow up appointment to discuss results and we'll take it from there. No mention of IUIs/IVF or anything like that. The lady was rather to the point and perhaps a bit brusque - but I guess at least we got the ball rolling!

In terms of questions asked:

• nothing about DTD
• if my periods are regular, how long do I bleed for and do I bleed in between periods
• do we drink alcohol
• do we smoke
• confirming our age and any previous pregnancies
• nothing about ovulation, LP or anything like that
• nothing about supplements
• any family history
• I also brought up my concern about chronic UTIs in the past (I'm now actually wondering if my kidney pain wasn't just PID?) but she dismissed them - only to ask a minute later if I have any history of PID... Well I guess the HSG might help clarify that!

That was it really? I'm 11DPO now and my heart rate is dropping which normally signals AF's arrival so I guess I'll be calling the hospital this weekend!

@paintfairy it's two years for fertility treatment in my ccg unless they identify something wrong with you. So far all of our tests have been fine so unless the hycosy shows blockages I guess we're waiting? If that's the case then I've been contemplating doing an IUI round or two privately in the mean time.

@Kitekat81 thank and I will do - I've found this thread super helpful so far :)

@Dancingfairydreams I hadn't thought about that, it does make sense though. That is a lot to think about then. If the next step is to lower your bmi, you could take a couple of months away from ttc to focus on your health, and then as @Juno231 suggested, perhaps it might be worth getting a second opinion before you make any further decisions?x

@Juno231 good luck for tomorrow, really hope they don't postpone on you again! Let us know how you get on x

@Juno231 that's not the rule, is it? Maybe it varies. My understanding was they might make you wait 2 years for ivf if they can't find a cause. But if there's a reason then you don't have to wait at all? And all the other stuff - I thought you didn't have to wait for either? You just need to be ttc for over a year?
Interestingly there was zero reference to AMH. I don't think they even look at that.

@Kitekat81 I'm sorry they weren't as positive. If I were you I'd perhaps get a private consult as a second opinion? It's a big decision otherwise to make on one persons opinion.

@paintfairy I'm still so pleased with how yours went!

Well my appointment is supposed to be tomorrow (although with how last minute it got rescheduled last time, I'm not holding my breath until it actually happens) so I'll give you an update then. It won't be as positive as paintfairy's I don't think - partly because I'm below 35 so will have to wait until the 2 year mark for any treatments I think!

@Dancingfairydreams oh no, I'm sorry. I was thinking the same as @Kitekat81 about the ectopic. My mind naturally would assume that it's less likely? Because it couldn't get stuck on its way down the tube. I suppose its possible but you'd hope also possible that it would be ok?

@Kitekat81 yes it definitely feels better to have some kind of process and an idea. I am definitely someone that deals better with knowing things. Even if it's ages away.

@Kitekat81 apparently the embryo could still move around & get into the wrong place, he said the remaining tube could suck it up,or of there is any scar tissue from the other side from where the tube was removed last year it could also attach there 🤷‍♀️

@Dancingfairydreams I just saw your update as well, sorry that yours was not as positive. Sorry for my ignorance, but is there a risk of ectopic if you end up doing ivf? I thought they would have more control over where the embryo might implant?x

@paintfairy that does sound positive, and gives you a solid plan for moving forward! Lots happening in the next month for you then. I don't know about you but for me when I have these things all mapped out it makes me feel more in control and like we are taking steps forward in this journey!x

Hi @paintfairy your news sounds promising, glad your appointment went well.

Mine not so well. Consultant doesn't believe I have much chance of conceiving naturally & stressed the odds of another ectopic are high, for this reason he cannot prescribe clomid etc as this would push the risk up higher again. I need to loose some weight to get my bmi lower & can then consider a referral for ivf...but again the risk of ectopic remains. Lots to think about.

@Dancingfairydreams did you have your appointment?

I thought I'd update with mine. It was more positive than I expected.
Quick rundown:
GP has already done day 2, 21 and general bloods. A rubella immunity test, and chlamydia test. In 2019 i went to GP with spotting and had pelvic scans that year for that. DH had SA in Sept.

Prior to video appointment today we had to fill out paperwork with all info. So they didn't really ask questions. She went over all past results and made sure we understood them. She asked me about my spotting and said I maybe have a LP defect. She also talked about DHs motility. Her thought is that IUI should work for us and I'll be supported with progesterone.

So, DH needs another SA next week. They'll wash it to see if it is OK with that, for IUI purposes (if not, then we'd be referred for IVF). I go on 1 march for an internal scan. Then they go over that with me and the SA results too. If all looks OK then I need to have tubes checked (if blocked, then its IVF). And then they'll apply for funding for IUI.

@Flutterby8 I know some massive people (both sexes) that got pregnant though. So it doesn't affect everyone? That said- i need a diet. 🤣