First Fertility Clinic Appointment

Been TTC for 19 months or so now @Msrivia but more cycles as mine are a little on the short side. Had one early miscarriage in that time almost a year ago but absolutely nothing either side of that. What will the ultrasound look for? I've had an internal and AFC done but not a general ultrasound.

I spot up to a week before my period, early loss, short cycles and only 1/4 of my 'day 21' bloods have been above 30. There has been research to show that there is no harm in prescribing progesterone for those TTC for extra support so thought I'd ask!

@RugbyGirl1 That's frustrating for you, how long have you been trying? I think ours was going to tell us to keep trying until he realised we were already at the two year mark - got referred in January but it took 6 months for the gp to send through all the required test results 🙄. That's interesting about the progesterone, it's something I've had concerns about because I tend to spot for up to a week before my period, but to be honest I chickened out of asking because I know NHS aren't generally very impressed by luteal phase issues. What's made you worried about your progesterone?

@Decaffe if you download the NHS app and request access to your medical file you should be able to see all your test results, consultations, jabs etc that you've ever had. It can take a few days for them to upload it but I love it - always know the results before they come in the post and you have them on record forever 😊

@Msrivia my NHS consultant wasn't keen on booking me in for a HSG / HyCoSy either, just said to keep going for another 6 months then straight to IVF if still no luck. I've contacted a private clinic today as I felt a bit fobbed off and disappointed with the NHS consultant. Will see if they recommend anything different. I'm also going to ask for progesterone support.

@SunshineS1 glad you're appointment went well - you must feel like you're making some progress!

Had my phone appointment today, the consultant was very pleasant but I think in a bit of a rush! He said I could have an HSG if I really want one but he wouldn't recommend it because there's nothing in my history to suggest an issue, there's a small chance (1/200) of the procedure having a negative impact on fertility e.g. by introducing an infection, and regardless of the outcome we'll still need IVF if we haven't conceived naturally by then. He's booking me for an ultrasound then going to apply for IVF funding, their are a few clinics I could be referred to so he couldn't give a timescale.

I totally get what you mean about it being overwhelming. I don't know why but I burst into tears after the phone call! I think it suddenly felt very real - part of me still hopes we could conceive naturally, but now we're looking at timelines for IVF and planning to ration our holidays for next year to fit it in.

It’s all so emotionally overwhelming and I think it’s kind of becasue you expect from very young that sex=baby just like that and I truely think that somehow there should be more awareness of these things! All the best with it all 😊

Oh and just another note, the timing of the HSG within your cycle is really important and they make you deffo have no intercourse during that cycle and do a pregnancy test at the appt before hand. I can’t lie I found the test really anxiety triggering and I had a little pre-procedure-cry despite knowing I’d have to have a test 😞 I know it’s a silly thing but we can’t control our feelings and just wanted to pre-warn that it might make you feel emotional x x

I would say it was ok, my main issue was they had to do 6 attempts so I was in ‘the position’ for an hour (and also tipped backwards slightly so blood rush to the head by the end) and my legs wouldn’t stop shaking by the end and I was achey bum and legs for like a week after! But the process bit was fine just a bit uncomfortable but not the agony or anything that’s on Google 🙃 the radiographers who did it were angels though and kept asking if I wanted a break etc but I rathered to just plow through!

Altho no issues were found, I’m wondering if they cleared some ‘funk’ or something with it taking quite a few goes! I would deffo do it again though for what it’s meant for me deffo 100% and anyway it can give you assurance or answers to things 😊 unfortunately for me I had to wait ages before they opened the service again with COVID ergh.

All the best with everything, I was starting to give up hope in the end and with everything being so delayed I was just so worried my time was running out. It’s such a hard time and I won’t say keep positive becasue I do understand those feelings, but just know you’re not alone and it’s ok to have a mard and a cry, sending you love and baby dust!

Just wanted to add that we were trying for just short of 3 years and the month after the HSG test we got pregnant and didn’t need any further treatment etc, so although it didn’t find an issue as such, I fully believe it helped! They say it increases fertility by 30% for 3 months after! I’m currently 35 weeks 😁😁

Hi all, I have my first NHS IVF appointment next week. I have a scan first and then a meeting with the consultant a few days after.

They’ve asked me to bring copies of NHS tests but I haven’t been sent any letters following my HSG or AFC examinations. I only know what I was told verbally in those appointments.

I have never met or even spoken to an NHS consultant! So, I have been told that my HSG was fine, I have researched my blood test/DH’s sperm results which all seem fine, I believe my AFC is ok for my age.. so as far as I’m aware the cause for our infertility is not yet diagnosed.

Just a bit concerned that the IVF consultant will have expected me to have had a conversation with an NHS consultant but it hasn’t happened. I’ve had no guidance at all really.

That's great, thanks for the update! Glad he was nice. Did he give you any idea as to further timelines after the hsg, like waiting times for IVF? How do you feel about the 3 month wait? I'm pretty much convinced we're not going to conceive naturally so getting impatient to get on with everything 😅.

Our telephone appointment is on Monday, fingers crossed they are as nice and efficient.

Hey @SunshineS1 , did you have your appointment on Friday? How did it go?

I have good days and bad, every now and then it hits me really hard AF arrives yet again. I try to keep an eye on my calendar and not schedule much social stuff around then, so I don't have to pretend everything is fine. I'm seeing a counsellor for the work related stress and she's really helpful too - sometimes you just need to hear someone else tell you that you're not being pathetic or dramatic for finding it so hard!

Let me know how you get on with your appointment, we can compare notes! They want me and DH to be on the call, which is good because he's a lot more assertive than I am 😂

Hi @SunshineS1 my appointment was referenced gynaecology but both me and DH were expected to attend so it may be worth checking?

I feel ok about it, although I have made an appointment with my GP to see if they'll prescribe progesterone. I don't see any harm in trying it and there has been lots of research on it recently about how it can support pregnancies, so we'll see... I did think about booking in for a private HyCoSy just for peace of mind but I have to have an initial chat with another consultant first, then the procedure so it all adds up £££ - I'll see how I feel about it next week and may just go for it!! The hardest thing is trying to get DH to quit vaping.... The consultant said we can't have IVF on NHS until he's quit for at least three months

@SunshineS1 for me the HSG was absolutely no problem at all. I barely felt it to be honest and I had prepared for the worst. The nurse at the head end talked and talked and talked trying to distract me and the doctor who did it was clearly very experienced so maybe that was why, but I didn't even really cramp at all. Try not to be too worried about it!

Ye so it's a really female driven experience which I found quite annoying because I felt like I was having to organise and drive the whole thing on behalf of both of us. We booked a joint discussion with the doctor when we were deciding when to start because I felt my OH hadn't had a chance to ask all the questions whirling round in his mind. That helped.

Good luck x x