Requesting referral to a fertility clinic

[Frettchen]

So I finally feel ready to start things rolling (long story short - looking to get pregnant on my own, using donor sperm. Diagnosed with PCOS last year - treating with Metformin, but stopped taking it for stupid reasons. Back on it now.)

I called my chosen fertility clinic yesterday but they don't allow self-referrals, so I've made a GP appointment which is in a fortnight. I figure I just have to go in and reiterate my position, then ask for a referral to the consultant/clinic? Presumably the GP will give the clinic my medical history, or I'll sign something allowing them to have it, so I won't have to be re-diagnosed on the PCOS front...?

I'm going to ask to be referred for IVF, as I don't think I'm ovulating properly, even when I was taking the medication, and it seems like the IVF is a more reliable option for my situation.

Anyone else currently in this situation/has been here? How long does it take to be referred?

Congrats dizzy, I wish much boringness upon you for the duration of your pregnancy! All textbook all the time, that's my current motto.

What a lovely thread. Congratulations

Post-Xmas update;

I'm still around, not had much to say, but will make sure I return another time or two to give this thread an ending, once the time comes.

36+1 today, saw MW yesterday and all is well. Baby is head down but not engaged yet. Heartbeat is all good, movements are regular, all seems to be going well. Had to have a growth scan after my 34 week appt as my bump was measuring small, but scan showed baby was all good and well proportioned and nicely within the normal range, weighing at the time about 5lb, so just turned out to be an afternoon off work, and a sneak peek at the youngling.

Just counting down the last days of work, ML starts on Monday (well, on Friday at 6pm, but won't sink in until Monday morning) and I am bloomin' well looking forward to doing a whole heap of sleeping and as little else as possible until the big day arrives. Bags are packed, just need to make sure the car seat and going home pramsuit are somewhere obvious for when I need someone to collect them and then bring me and baby home. When do the nerves kick in? I don't know whether I'm in denial, or am genuinely chilled out about the whole thing.

Have GP appt at 38 weeks, then back to the MW for 40 weeks. I think I'd expected more appointments this late in the game, but as there's nothing worrying going on with baby or me it's actually kind of reassuring that they don't want to be constantly monitoring me. MW mentioned that she would likely offer a sweep at the 40 week appt (which would be the first time in going there that she'll have done a physical exam - so far it's been pee pots and palpating/measuring my belly), and also that we'd book an induction that day, as is standard for this area, but most women don't keep that appt, so it's not a portent of expecting to go way overdue.

Seems almost unbelievable that I'm only 4 weeks away from my due date, and that within the next 6 weeks (at the most) I will become a mum and that there'll be a whole actual baby for me to be responsible for.

Good going!

7 weeks until ML for me. Not that I'm counting or anything....

Just found your thread and read it all in one sitting. As someone else commented earlier, what a strong woman you are!! I found your story inspiring and wish you lots of love with bump :)

Massively late to update, but am delighted to be able to announce that baby Frettchen was born on the 15th Feb, just one day before his due date.

Contractions started on the morning of the 14th and eased off a few times before the afternoon of the 15th when they were frequent enough for hospital to want me to come in. Contractions ramped up further once in hospital until starting active labour at 19:10. Six minutes later and my baby boy was born. He wasn't hanging around!

We've been home since the day after he was born, and are working out all this sleeping and feeding stuff.

Fantastic news! Congratulations :-)

Wow congratulations frettchen!!! So happy for you x

Just read thread beginning to end... What a lovely lovely outcome!! Congratulations

My GP referred me to my private clinic (not eligible for NHS treatment). Within a few weeks we had our assessment appointment (very long included testing and results all in one afternoon). Then it was up to me to call the clinic on the first day of the cycle I felt ready to start on. It was very quick, probably because of zero NHS involvement.

Congratulations!! What a lovely, happy ending to your journey

Just sat and read this whole thread. Absolutely wonderful news, congratulations!

Congratulations! I've just read your whole thread, you are an inspiration

Congrats Fretchen.