First appointment at fertility clinic

[Bubblegum89]

Finally got a date for my initial appointment at the fertility clinic. I’m going to Liverpool Women’s hospital, has anyone ever been treated there? Anyway, I was just wondering what to expect at my first appointment. My GP said when she referred me that she wanted me to get a HSG done to check my tubes but I’m assuming they won’t do that at the first appointment? If they don’t, do they have a specific amount of time they like to have you wait between appointments? Any help/advice would be great! I’m going on 19th December and want to be as prepared as possible :)

Ooh good luck Bubblegum! The women's is a fantastic hospital with a great reputation. I'm hoping to have a preparatory consultation with a consultant called Joanne Topping around preparing for my next hyperemis pregnancy. I hope you get some answers and it's a positive experience for you xx

Thank you seahorses :) there are closer fertility clinics but I knew I wanted to go to Liverpool Women’s if I could so when I got the option I chose that one and luckily it was the clinic with the shortest waiting time! Lots of luck to you too

Good luck Bubble looking forward to hear of your journey

Thank you stoesmxc :)

It's been a while since my first appt but from memory they just took a really detailed history from both of us (so have to hand the dates you started TTC, how long your cycles are, family history etc)

Think they then talked through some of the first steps eg sperm samples, HSG. That needs booked in as a procedure so will be a few weeks or months later. Think the sperm samples we were just given the equipment and told when and where to drop it off. They'll talk through other investigations they will plan for and give you an idea of timescales.

It's great that you have your first appointment, but for us it was a long journey from there. They'll be reluctant to rush straight to invasive treatment like IVF until they have a better idea of what might be the problem and until they've explored other options if suitable such as clomid.

I'm assuming an NHS clinic? In that case everything has a waiting list and you'll join that for each step of the way.

Be prepared for it to be the beginning of a long process, but a very positive step along that way! Very, very good luck.

Sorry I should say mine was not at Liverpool but at another large NHS hospital with a great reputation.

chocolatecake thank you! Oh don’t worry, I’m under no illusions about waiting times haha I love the NHS but they aren’t exactly in a rush about things. I waited three months for an ultrasound scan earlier this year!

My partner has done a SA and that came back normal and I’ve had my blood tests done and they also all came back normal (apart from my prolactin which was very slightly raised but my doctor didn’t think that was an issue) so I’m hoping that will shave a bit of time off things. Unless they like to do all the tests again at the clinic?

To be honest, I was expecting to be waiting much longer than I did. My referral was sent on 10th November and had they not sent my letter to the wrong address (luckily my sister lives in my old house!) I could have got my initial appointment even sooner than 19th. I was thinking more Jan/Feb even. I strongly believe that both of my tubes are blocked and so I’m hoping an HSG will pick that up straight away. I already have a child from a previous relationship so I won’t be eligible for NHS IVF treatment anyway, I already checked it for my area. It’s mostly the not knowing that I hate right now. But I’m definitely getting myself settled in for a long ride!

That all sounds good for getting things moving. You might do more bloods and more SA, if memory serves we had several rounds of tests to keep checking whether anything had changed or anything new happening.

Ah well that’s fine too :) although I can’t say my partner will be all too pleased about doing another SA, the first one scarred him for life I think 😂