First visit to fertility centre - what can I expect & should my partner be there too?

[lozster]

I've just got an appointment for early Sept to attend a fertility clinic. I know that I am not ovulating from tests that my GP did (hence the referral) and my partner has already done a semen test (result to GP in next couple of days) pending the appointment.

Will the clinic be expecting me to arrive with my partner? I kind of assumed that they would however now I'm wondering if they will expect to see just me. He is planning to come along but the hospital is miles away and it will involve both of us taking most of the day off work. I'm thinking that if I'm in for a long haul here of multiple appointments should I 'save' his time for when I might need him more? The GP seemed to think that I could just be prescribed clomid and was going to do it himself until he found that the rules for my practice had recently changed and I would need a referral. Has anyone had a similar experience and know if the fertility clinic are likely to just prescribe Clomid straight off (assuming semen sample ok) or whether they are likely to do further tests, where I might need someone with me, to find out exactly why I'm not ovulating. There is no obvious reason why I'm not - no health issues, normal periods etc.

Thanks for any answers!

Hi IfAtFirst I think it would have been good for her to do it to put your mind at rest BUT the FC clinic may well have done it again anyway. I had already had Day3 and 21's done by the GP and the clinic have had me do them all again plus chlamydia and rubella (even tho I told them I had rubella vaccination as a teen) They said they wanted the blood sample to be available within the hospital not just the results. IDK why tho.

So thats is at least 4 people on MN who have FC appointments on the 9th that I know of and I am pretty sure there was a 5th mentioned on another thread. How very very synchronicitous. Perhaps I should start a support thread for that specific date and see if anyone else is. :o

My chlamydia test is a blood test but that may be because blood is being taken anyway.

I don't think the absence of these tests will be a deal breaker with regards to the fertility clinic - you just need them done at some point.

So sorry about your miscarriage - that must have been such a blow. Good luck for Thursday.

Thanks guys, that makes me feel alot better knowing that they may have requested the test to be done again anyway!

How bizzare is that that so many of us have appointments on the same day!

HI - just thought I'd give an update!

Our first appointment was very relaxed and the nurse there is lovely, she put us both at ease and went through medical history with us both. She was great and explained in detail our results from the GP and talked us through the next steps. I'm too old for NHS IVF so it's something we need to decide if we are going to go through if and when it gets to that stage.

I had an internal scan there and then and then went back a week later for another.

I've been back for another lot of bloods and the results from those are due this week.

I have a feeling that I'm going to be "Clomid"ed this week as it seemed as if my follicles weren't as big as she expected them to be at the 2nd scan.

I've got the paperwork ready for my HSG (or is it HGS?) and another lot of bloods. I'm to phone for an appointment for the scan and bloods on day one of my next cycle.

The funny thing is it should have been Friday (10th) or at the latest Sunday (12th). I've had some usual symptoms: stomach ache, sore boobs but nothing yet! I shall be keeping my fingers crossed for the next few days but considering I've not got a positive yet it would be hilarious if I did now.

Anyway if you've not been for an appointment yet really don't worry as from my experience it isn't anywhere near as bad as I had expected!

I have first appt this week too and I'm really concerned because my GP has only sent me for Day 21 test and when I asked about DH having SA she said the hospital would deal with it. That was 4 months ago so now I'm thinking he should have just gone to his own GP and requested one??? I'm 37 a(nd a half) and every month counts, as you all know.

I just feel that we've wasted lots of time and will only end up having to wait again now.

I keep trying to find information about appointments and what to expect but it seems every area/hospital is different.

I'm also worried that we might not even be eligible for IVF as DH already has children from previous marriage.

Good Luck MsChutney

My DH had his initial SA done at his own request, via our GP. He mentioned to the GP that I was having initial investigations with another Dr at our surgery and the GP immediately gave him the form and told him where to take it, etc. He then had a second one done with the Fertility Clinic. I'd suggest your DH go to his GP and ask. It could save you time (even if the FC suggest another one).

We had all our other tests, Chlamydia, etc. done at our first consultant appointment. I was quite surprised I tell you, but easy enough to get most of them out fo the way that day (bar the HSG), though I am starting to think we have just had a good hospital/consultant helping us on our way.

Joining in here..

had blood tests done..bloodclotting profile and 2-21 day tests...awaiting another test that they keep losing..urgh

weve been referred to FC but are still awaiting confirmation letter after couple weeks is that normal? appoinments Oct 9th.

im 41 and all my doctor said was they would need another sample of hubbys..and eggs extracted from me..which may i add has scared me to death ..surely not ivf already?

hi jerzygurl - OP here! There seems to be massive variation between clinics in everything from how the booking system works to the tests proposed and the monitoring applied. I'm 38 and IVF was suggested by the clinic if 5 rounds of Clomid don't do the trick (having done some research I don't think it will as I'm not PCOS). My 1st appointment confirmed that we both met the criteria for IVF but I was surprised too at how rapidly it was suggested. I've had a bit of a set back this week though as I can't get a booking for a HSG (you can't book in advance of your period) which I need before the Clomid can start - maybe not that much of a blow if what I've read is true but it feels a bit of a set back all the same - there's no guarantee for next month either. If it carries on I won;t have time to take the 5 rounds of Clomid before my next appointment!

btw... something I've been mulling over since my appointment .... my partner and me both heard the registrar say that IVF success rate is 70%. This, in retrospect seems crazily high? Did we both mis-hear 17%??

CosmicClara - re your husband's sample, I'd recommend calling the FC and asking for their procedure. WE had a muddle on this as my GP gave me the form and pot (!) for him and said we could just drop it off at the FC but you actually had to make a booking to drop off as a nurse needed it receive it. This took longer than an FC appointment becoming available!

Sorry I know its been a long time since anyone has posted on here. I am going for my first appointment today and taking my husband. I am 28, have PCOS, haven't had a period for over 10 years. I wondered whether anyone had any similar experiences or had any advice or tips they could share with me, or stories of success. I am a little nervous, and also unsure that it will ever happen for us!