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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

Original poster

First Fertility Clinic Appointment Tomorrow

964 replies

dogmam · 04/01/2021 18:07

Me and my partner have our first appointment with our fertility clinic tomorrow!

We went to the GP after a year of TTC and after 21 day bloods and partners SA, we were referred straight away to the fertility clinic. GP tests were in October/November so it's moved along quite quickly so far.

Feeling slightly nervous but also excited to hopefully get some help! My partners SA showed low motility and morphology so I assume that will be discussed..
What else should i expect from this first appointment? Is there anything I should be asking?

Thanks in advance! I'll update this after the appointment tomorrow as I know there are a few others on here who are in a similar position and might find it useful.

OP posts:
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Juno231 · 04/06/2021 10:56

@dogmam could be a deep clean for the clinic-y parts where they do EC and embryo transfers and therefore not affecting you right now? So pleased it's all set up for you! Fingers crossed you can get started next cycle!

@PurpleUnicorn01 all good, nothing to report as per usual! FW starting next week but feeling pretty pointless lol. If it wasnt for the consultant asking us to "try really hard" until the next appointment I'd have been tempted to just foret about it.

@Myfavouritefudgecake tell me about it! I had another pregnancy announcement this week - she looks 4-5 months pregnant and they only got married in Dec... another first or second cycle unicorn then!

Original poster
dogmam · 04/06/2021 10:41

Hi ladies

I had my consent appointment yesterday (face to face at the clinic) so everything signed and ready to go! I've got to ring up when my cycle starts which is not until 30th June as I'm on my period now, and hope to start then if there's space, if not it'll be towards the end of July. Either way I can't believe it's happening!
My consent appointment was really good yestersay, both me and my partner had bloods done (@purpleunicorn01 it's for screening for HIV, Hep B and C) and I got weighed.
My protocol is in line with my normal cycle so I'll start Rekovelle stims which the dose is specific to my AMH and my weight to controll OHSS and focus on quality eggs not necessarily quantity. Then from day 5 of stims I'll start Cetrotide injections which blocks premature ovulation. Go in for scans I'm between to check for follicle growth and then I'll be told to do the HCG trigger ready for egg collection.
It was all very positive and so informative, we really feel like we know exactly what the plan is now which is good. She did have to go through success rates which but a bit of a dampner on it but it's facts.

@juno231 to be honest I'm not sure about the whole shut down for the clinic as they keep mentioning it but obviously we were there yesterday so I'm really not sure. Doesn't seem yo be affecting us so that's good.

@thislittlebird I wonder then if you do go down the ivf/ICSI route you'll be put on a Rekovelle too? My clinic has actually only been using it for just over a year but has had good resulsts from it and I really like how it's tailored to specific weight and AMH.

@purpleunicorn01 looks like we will be starting at the same time! How are you feeling? I'm nervous/excited!

@myfavouritefudgecake pleased you have your Hycosy booked in, at least it's progress and hopefully not a long wait for treatment once you reach the two year mark. I know exactly how you're feeling with your friends news.. I've just recently had the same from the one friend I've told we are going through this so feels like I've lost my only real life support.

OP posts:
Myfavouritefudgecake · 04/06/2021 08:38

@PurpleUnicorn01 wow that’s great! Glad things are speeding along for you! I’ve got a hycosy booked in for July. Then it’s just waiting until our 2 years is up to apply for IVF. A friend just got pregnant on her first month of trying and it’s all so depressing. Lots of tinkly laughs and “ooo it just happened! We must be super fertile”. Grrr.

thislittlebird · 04/06/2021 06:48

Very exciting! @PurpleUnicorn01

The end of the waiting (at least for now) is the dream.

PurpleUnicorn01 · 03/06/2021 10:28

@Juno231 i know it has. Im so excited. Argh! How are u getting on?

Juno231 · 03/06/2021 10:24

@PurpleUnicorn01 woop that's come round quickly I feel! No idea about the blood test. Let us know as things progress though - I'd love to hear about the meds and how you feel etc :)

PurpleUnicorn01 · 03/06/2021 10:19

Hi Guys, how are you all doing? Haven't checked in with you all.

So im going to start my treatment either this month or next month cycle depending. Woohoo. They said i need a blood test before i start? What is that for?

Feel nervous and excited. We are on long protocol icsi.

thislittlebird · 02/06/2021 18:43

@Kay00 we already know he has wonky swimmers unfortunately, just need to see how bad the dna fragmentation is.

@dogmam we have similar situations and the doctor today said she wants to get the balance right to avoid OHSS etc. I guess levels like ours are still high enough to respond very well, or too well. Would be nice for the nhs to recognise our issues at least, it’s been a frustrating few months. She was very confused by their lack of investigations and the dismissal of us.

I’m just waiting for my period to start in the next day or so and then I need to book a hycosy with them. I don’t want one but I think it’ll be good to get it done this cycle so I don’t have a month to worry about it.

Juno231 · 02/06/2021 17:33

@dogmam woop full steam ahead! Short protocol is good - I think long protocol would feel like eons to me. Typical about the full clean though.... Sounds like something they should be able to do without shutting the whole clinic down for 3 weeks?

Original poster
dogmam · 02/06/2021 15:24

Hi ladies. So I have had my implications appointment today, before consent forms tomorrow. It was to go through out treatment plan, short protocol confirmed and I'll be on Rekovelle injections, couldn't confirm exactly how long as that will depend on how I respond. She said I'll be closely monitored for OHSS even though my AMH isn't sky high at 34.1 and AFC 32. She went through the whole process in detail, how it works etc. Told me to take folic acid and Vit D, nothing else, also mentioned no intense exercise during treatment, but to stay active with plenty of walks. She said not to lie in bed all the time and to just live as normally as possible. Lots of pretty generic advice but it was really helpful.

I have to ring them when my next cycle is starts and then it's all happening! Although she did mention the clinic is shut for a deep clean for 3 weeks currently so there's a possibility due to how busy they'll be when they reopen that it might be my July cycle when I start, but either way is fine, just a pain not knowing until I ring them in at the end of this month. Final bloods, weight etc tomorrow aswell.

@thislittlebird I am so pleased for you. Finally getting somewhere. It would be even better if you manage to get some treatment entitlement through the nhs.

OP posts:
Kay00 · 02/06/2021 14:59

@thislittlebird that's great news! Sounds like good progress is being made with this new team of experts Smile My OH has his SA next week too. Fingers crossed they both have decent swimmers!

thislittlebird · 02/06/2021 14:23

@Juno231 he could have gone for the tests on the day but he said he had to get to work so annoyingly they’re not until next week sometime now. Then about 3-4 weeks after that we should have all the results. Would be nice to get a plan in place by early July, I’m keen to get started. Although we’re away for a week in July so maybe not then.

Juno231 · 02/06/2021 14:07

@thislittlebird I'm so pleased for you! Sounds super positive :) When are OH's SA results due back in?

thislittlebird · 02/06/2021 13:40

Sorry some of you here will have to read this on another thread I’ve always posted this in Grin.

Virtually met with Alison Taylor at the Lister and she was great. Wasn’t pushy about ivf, is going to wait for my husband’s test results with Mr Ramsay and then meet us again to discuss options. Either a) ovulation induction with letrozole plus trigger shot and scans for a couple of months before ivf or b) straight to short protocol ivf/icsi if his dna frag is poor.

She was very pro natural conception and wants me to have a hycosy so we have the best chance, also going to write a letter so we can challenge our “unexplained” classification with the NHS because she thinks we should get our tests and treatment entitlement. Really impressed with her, a very nice doctor that filled me with confidence tbh.

Gave me the stats for ivf success with my age and high amh, was very positive, and raised the issue of OHSS and getting the balance right. Honestly a relief after all the horrible doctor encounters I’ve had the last year.

Kay00 · 01/06/2021 14:08

@kaylsd @Juno231 @paintfairy hmmm, interesting. Might be nothing to worry about or might be an indicator for some sort of PCOS.

My TSH, FSH, LH and Testosterone were all within normal limits when tested in December. And my fertility consultant said there was little chance of me having PCOS (esp. as I have no other symptoms). But my AMH came back as 64 pmol/L which could indicate PCOS... but it could be something else (such as high reserves or a tumour).

Maybe I just have a shit ton of eggs in there, and the reason I struggle to ovulate is down to over stimulation Grin.

On that note, I have started taking Conceive Plus Fertility support AND Conceive Plus Ovulation Support (about 2/3 months ago) and I had an ovulation on CD18 last time, and looks like I might have just ovulated on CD15.... which would be amazing!!

paintfairy · 01/06/2021 12:19

@Juno231 yesterday it got meaner! 🤣 AF due any time from today by my calculations.
@@Kay00 I don't think they even did mine so I've no idea what mine is!

First Fertility Clinic Appointment Tomorrow
Juno231 · 01/06/2021 12:15

@kay00 mine was 500 I think (juuuust under the upper limit?) but tbh it is strongly linked to stress as well and apparently can fluctuate a fair bit cycle to cycle. People with infertility problems due to prolactin seem to have it in the thousands and not the hundreds so I try not to think about it - I hadn't heard the link to pcos though! What did your other results come back with?

@paintfairy oh that is being mean! But AF hasn't started right? Sorry to hear about June being a dud - it can be really nice to take a break from TTC for once though!

kaylsd · 01/06/2021 11:49

@Kay00

Morning ladies, hope you are all OK and had a lovely bank holiday weekend?

I just had my prolactin results in... 405 mU/L which is within normal range, but at the higher end. I guess this might also be pointing towards a possible PCOS issue when you consider my AMH is 64 pmol/L ??

How does my prolactin compare to yours?

Mines 421, I've just been recently diagnosed with PCOS sweetheart xx
Kay00 · 01/06/2021 11:17

Morning ladies, hope you are all OK and had a lovely bank holiday weekend?

I just had my prolactin results in... 405 mU/L which is within normal range, but at the higher end. I guess this might also be pointing towards a possible PCOS issue when you consider my AMH is 64 pmol/L ??

How does my prolactin compare to yours?

paintfairy · 28/05/2021 22:07

@Juno231 yeah next month falls wrong. I'm away for 3 days right around the wrong time. So it'll be July.
I know what you mean about getting hopes up. Or reading into stuff. Look at my rhr. And do you know what? It means nothing. 🤣🤣🤣

First Fertility Clinic Appointment Tomorrow
thislittlebird · 28/05/2021 21:50

@Juno231 I’ll raise it on the call and ask that they think. Obviously the motility issue counts against our possible success even if my issue is fixed.

It made me laugh, he must have said it three times and I had a giggle lol

@Kay00 he didn’t talk about prescribing me stuff because it was just for DH. I’ll raise it with the other doctor next week and see what she says.

Juno231 · 27/05/2021 10:24

@thislittlebird sounds like on your side they could finally set you up with clomid and progesterone supplements to help - you just need OH's swimmers to play ball too! Lol at "a very good pair" Grin

@paintfairy I can't even imagine bleeding for that long! Next cycle is a write off IUI wise right? So July if they have space for you?

9DPO and trying hard to not get my hopes up again!

Kay00 · 27/05/2021 09:54

@thislittlebird oh wow, what a huge difference between Dr Ramsey and the other rubbish fertility clinics you have been to. Sounds like you have a bunch better idea of what's going on too. Are they able to prescribe progesterone to help in your LP?

@juno231 that's come around quickly! Do you know what you want to come off the back of your next appointment?

paintfairy · 27/05/2021 09:31

@thislittlebird yeah 10 isn't ideal! Hopefully he's got some ideas though and you can formulate a plan.
@dogmam its very frustrating!

Original poster
dogmam · 27/05/2021 09:13

@juno231 not long for your appointment then. Yeah hard not to get hopes up isn't it, I suppose with unexplained aswell, it could very much still happen it's just a matter of when.
I've stopped opks etc I don't even know what cycle day I am and not timing dtd so that's took the pressure off but it's hard to not be in control as ultimately I'm not giving it my best chance by doing this but I just am focusing completely on icsi now.

@thislittlebird how exciting you got to see Dr Ramsay in the flesh! Aw I'm so pleased you are finally getting somewhere, after all the hurdles you've faced. It'll be interesting to know what he has planned for your partner once the results come back.

@paintfairy last cycle I was exactly the same, spotting for about 10 days then 2 days of AF then mode spotting. So annoying.

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