First Fertility Clinic Appointment

Hi @SunshineS1 I don't have time to read all the other comments but...

My first appointment was just for me (as with many of them tbh) and it was with a gynaecologist from the hospital where I would receive the treatment. It lasted about 30 mins. He went over both our results in detail and specified next steps. He said I should have a HSG to tick that off the list and I needed to have my rubella blood test to check for immunity. He applied for our funding for us and said we didn't have to use it immediately. He then booked in our appointment with the doctor who took me through the protocol they would recommend.

I had the HSG about 6 weeks after this appointment - all clear. I also had the bloods. The only appointment which we both had to be at was our nurse consultation at the hospital where we ran through the protocol in detail and all the paperwork was checked. Hope that gives you an idea of how it worked here at least (London based).

I happened to be pregnant at that nurse consultation without knowing - 2nd cycle after HSG but could be coincidence.

Good luck, always believe it can happen, particularly with all clear results as you have! X

Heya - we had our first appointment last week after being referred via our GP. There were some forms to fill in and return beforehand then at the appointment the consultant just went though them all in a bit more detail and did a transvaginal scan. She then went on to say that she reckons we'll be pregnant by Christmas (!) and if not she'll happily start IVF in the new year without having to go back through referrals etc, just to call her secretary directly and get it all started.

Tbh I was a little disappointed. I think I have low progesterone (spotting before periods, short luteal phase and borderline or low results) but this was dismissed as I'm getting a regular periods so I'm ovulating. They also suggested I didn't need a HyCoSy or similar as I had a miscarriage in September 2021 so everything is 'working fine'. Ultimately 19 months of unsuccessful TTC was put down to my age (36, just) and my husband's vaping habit.

Infertility is really difficult but unfortunately more common than you think. Good luck with your upcoming appointments, I hope they offer a bit more insight and further options than mine did.

It did help I think, it's nice to be able to blow off steam and talk through things with someone. My mum keeps saying she's sure we'll be successful and she knows it will all turn out OK in the end though, which isn't as helpful as she thinks it is! If you don't think you'd get much support I can understand being reluctant to share though, it's a very personal thing and it did make me feel a bit vulnerable letting other people in.

How is your partner dealing with it? Mine is very pro-active with appointments and that, but doesn't like to talk about the emotional side very much.

Yes I am nervous but I’m at the point where I almost want them to poke and prod at me!
I am wondering where my journey may be heading, I’m very much in the do whatever pay whatever category whereas dh is more laidback and says let’s just stick with the one!! Which infuriates me and he’s like for it and annoying asks me “if I’m pregnant yet” and then depending on his mood will then says we need to get on with our lives.

After this scan that’s all the NHS will do for me I think - due to my BMI being 35 also with me having one child there’s no way they would offer treatments.

I wish there was a simple way of going to a private scan for like £60 or something just to see if there’s a follicle or something progressing? I’m surprised we can’t stick a camera up there and monitor the egg ourselves and the journey!!
I just want to know where it’s going wrong, the implantation. The semen fertilising the egg? It just consumes me.

It's impossible to stay relaxed! My husband helpfully advised me to try not thinking about it, which nearly led to murder 😆. You'd think after 2 years that you wouldn't feel the monthly disappointment so much but somehow I still get my hopes up every time.

I've told our families - we were getting a lot of hints about not waiting too long, and then my sister in law got pregnant so it was good to have some understanding around why I might need to take a step back from baby showers etc. Some of my friends know too. I got a lot of similar comments about relaxing which is less than helpful!

That's very hard with your friend getting pregnant - my SIL was similar, I confided about our issues and found out she was pregnant a couple of weeks later! I was happy for them but it was pretty gutting on a personal level. She's just given birth so that's a bit tough at the moment.

It's so tough, isn't it? There is absolutely nothing abnormal so far. We're now 30 and 33, healthy bmi, non smokers, don't drink heavily, I have regular periods, seem to be ovulating, no previous illnesses that could have affected fertility. If there was something I could work on I'd feel better! My only issue is stress (work and infertility related) so I'm trying to adopt better mental health practices, but easier said than done!

Have you told anyone you're trying?

I have a gynaecology appointment coming up too. An ultrasound and an internal check. It really is in the forefront of my mind. Me and my husband have been trying for 20 months with secondary infertility.
I’ve had blood tests which were fine.
it’s strange but you almost wish something was wrong so I can have an explanation.

I’ve been using a clear blue fertility monitor and it’s not helped. I’m ovulating and having regular periods.

sending you love xx

I'm in the exact same situation at the moment, TTC just under 2 years with zero success, no issues on initial tests, we have a telephone appointment with the fertility clinic in 2 weeks. I'm hoping they're going to give us a schedule for the next tests and a timeline for when we'd expect to start IVF. My GP didn't do a scan so I'm assuming I'll need that. Have you had an HSG/HyCoSy done?

I can't remember all the details, plus ours was during covid so all remote, but I think we went through our medical history and test results and make a plan of what to do guided by the doctor.

If your partner's semen analysis was ok then they'll probably recommend regular IVF rather than ICSI, and normally clinics have a preference on whether they do long or short protocol IVF, but they might also make that decision based on your AMH/other health factors for you.

We talked about when we wanted to begin, and also did lots of consent form signing, though they may send you away with links to videos to watch/things to read first so you can give informed consent. Factor in about 700 years to read all the info and sign all the forms!! 😱

Good luck, hope it all goes well for you. And try not to be too nervous, they are amazing at making you feel at ease and have seen it all before. I've burst into tears for no reason at multiple appointments, just being overwhelmed by the process finally getting going, and they're very good at looking out for these kind of reactions.