Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

Original poster

infertility testing NHS Wales

15 replies

spring1986 · 22/09/2019 22:17

Hi everyone, I was wondering if anyone has been through infertility treatment in the Newport area and can tell me about the process i.e. type of tests, waiting times, type of treatment offered etc. My partner and I have already gone for the first set of tests - sperm test and day 3 and 21 tests and they all came back normal. It is going to be two years ttc in October so we will be returning to the GP, but I wanted to get an idea of what to expect. Thank you Smile

OP posts:
BewilderedBee · 23/09/2019 20:42

Not sure if this helps @spring1986 I'm in mid wales but nearest fertility clinic is in Shropshire. I went to the GP mid August and we have our first appointment 16th October. GP has done the two blood tests. Have to wait until first appointment at clinic for my partners SA.

Original poster
spring1986 · 24/09/2019 07:56

Thank you BewilderedBee, is that for initial testing or full checks (i.e. Ultrasound etc.)? Good luck with your testing, hope you get good news soon

OP posts:
BewilderedBee · 24/09/2019 08:48

I've had bloods done - day 21 and day 8 and I'm going to the GP on 9th October to discuss them. I've had the results over the phone and my LH is high. My partner hasn't had a SA yet - can't be done at the GP, needs to be at the clinic, I think it's cos we're so rural and if the SA was done with GP, wouldn't be transported to lab in time.

So our first appointment is 16th Oct at fertility clinic. The appointment letter says it's initially to take our history and decide what next, and says tests may be done on the day. But I spoke with the lady on the phone and she said usually first appointment doesn't include tests. So we'll know more after that.

Original poster
spring1986 · 24/09/2019 23:14

Aw thank you so much for this information, that really helps. It's really hard to find any information on this so really appreciate you being willing to explain your journey. Fingers crossed for you @BewilderedBee

OP posts:
DianaBlythe · 24/09/2019 23:31

Not sure how it works for Newport but for UHW we were referred to Gynae and then they refer to the Wales Fertility Institute from there.

We had already had private ultrasound and semen analysis at CRGW and day 19 (short cycle) bloods with the GP. Gynae clinic - saw the nurse practitioner who was really good. She repeated the ultrasound, did day 2 bloods and an HSG. All came back normal so they had planned to refer us for IVF. We would have been eligible for 2 cycles and they said we could try clomid with them even though unexplained and IUI whilst waiting for IVF. It never came to that as I found out I was pregnant just before that appointment.

I think I asked for the referral in May, we were seen in early August (think that was a cancellation though, otherwise would have been November), tests completed through September and due for follow up in October but not needed.

This is probably the most useful info for you:

www.whssc.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/documents/1119/CP38%20Specialist%20Fertility%20Services%20v9.1%20Feb%202018.pdf

BewilderedBee · 25/09/2019 18:26

@DianaBlythe thanks for sharing that! How long did it take you to conceive?

Find it a long time to have to wait for 2 years before IVF, hope we manage to conceive before then even if it is via an assisted way. Hoping I'll get all the checks etc very quickly after our first appointment on the 16th!

BewilderedBee · 25/09/2019 18:27

No problem @spring1986 happy to keep in touch!

DianaBlythe · 25/09/2019 18:43

Literally just under the 2 years, but really quickly after I had the HSG so not sure if that was a coincidence or if I did have slightly blocked tubes that were flushed out. They certainly took a bit of poking and prodding and fiddling around!

They were happy to try clomid and IUI whilst waiting for IVF. You’d be as well to get all the tests done so you’re ready to go as soon as eligible. And from what you’ve said it might still happen on its own or with assistance. You’re certainly not out of options but it’s so hard isn’t it?

Original poster
spring1986 · 25/09/2019 20:46

@DianaBlythe thank you for the info, that gives us infertile bunch some hope! Glad you finally got your positive, you must have been over the moon and relieved to not have any more procedures. Yes it is very difficult. Knowing I can go back to the GP in October is the only thing keeping me sane at the moment, hopefully it won't take too long to get referred to a fertility specialist but the UHW sounded like a very long waiting time had you not had a cancellation! Anyway will have to see what the GP says

OP posts:
DianaBlythe · 25/09/2019 21:12

Will have everything crossed for you. I went on to cancel my appointment so I guess cancellations do come up.

Original poster
spring1986 · 25/09/2019 22:45

Thank you @DianaBlythe

OP posts:
BewilderedBee · 13/10/2019 10:54

@spring1986 have you been back to your GP yet? Our appointment at the clinic is Wednesday!

Original poster
spring1986 · 13/10/2019 11:52

Hi @bewilderedbee I was waiting to see if af came this month and what a surprise, it turned up on Friday Sad so I will be calling the gp on Monday to get our 2 year appointment booked. Fingers crossed we won't have to wait long but not feeling positive tbh. So happy your wait is over and you have got your clinic appointment next week!! Hopefully it will get things moving for you, I have all my fingers and toes crossed. Let me know how it goes, I will let you know what the gp says! X

OP posts:
BewilderedBee · 17/10/2019 10:06

Hi @spring1986 just letting you know how we got on. We were seen by a senior nurse who took our medical history. She asked me what tests have already been done and said they always ask for a repeat day 21 test to check that ovulation is consistent.

Based on everything she could see from us she said everything looks fine on paper and nothing to explain why we haven't conceived so far. My day 21 test is being done at the GP when it's due. I was also asked to have the AMH test and chlamydia test - choice of having these done same day as 21 one. I opted to have them done at the hospital yesterday - made the day feel more productive and I know some of the staff at the GP practice so wasn't keen to go and get chlamydia tested there! Lol

Husband will need semen analysis done - twice so he will be sent dates in the post. I will be sent and appointment for a pelvic scan too.

We will also receive an appointment with the consultant in the post - who will review all the results! This will be in a few months time - really hoping it will be before Christmas!

Original poster
spring1986 · 07/06/2020 22:55

Hi @BewilderedBee I'm so sorry, I completely missed your last reply. I hope you're OK and you have managed to keep moving forward with the clinic etc. despite the lockdown situation. I went back to my GP in October, I should have had my appointment in May but lockdown has unfortunately delayed it indefinitely at the moment. I hope you are getting on OK and lockdown hasn't completely affected any tests or treatments you had lined up.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page