Referred to Fertility Clinic

[ElleL91]

Hi all,

Husband and I have been TTC for the last 18m with no luck. We're both 29 healthy non smokers/drinkers slightly over weight but not too much.

We've spoken to our GP's and are having a few tests done and once the results come back will be referred to the fertility clinic.

I'm hoping that there isn't anything wrong with either of us and it just hasn't happened yet because it's not the right time.

I was wondering if anyone who has been in the same situation had any advice on what to expect at the clinic.

Also if the tests don't come back as I'm hoping how do you begin to have that discussion/decide what route you want to take etc?

Thanks.

The fertility clinic will decide on the best route for you if they are any good. I assume you are entitled to nhs help in your area ( it’s a postcode lottery sadly). When we were referred it went gp tests, endocrinologist tests, gynaecologist tests and then to the assisted conception unit (ACS) at the nearest hospital that has one. The ACS did semen tests and blood tests, did an internal scan, reviewed all previous results ( they’ll probably need an up to date smear), the weighed me and then decided the best route for us was ICSI IVF which I agree was since we both had issues . They will explain their rationale and do a consent appointment (assuming you meet their eligibility criteria). Then there will be explaining your protocol, taking a tonne more blood tests and scans, explaining an medication, more bloods and scan, a trigger shot, egg collection, embryo development and then implantation.

Have you had any success with your treatment?

I have been there.

Concentrate on what you have control over. If you are both slightly overweight, make the choice to change that. In three weeks, you can make a difference.

Have been referred did a sperm analysis for my husband. A internal ultrasound for me plus blood tests. Have a previous diagnosis of PCOS and got pregnant before my consultant appointment but did lose 1 and 1/2 stone which I think helped.
Second time they did day 21 bloods to check i was ovulation which I wasn't so have prescribed me clomid. One cycle two so fingers crossed.

I have no experience with fertility tests but my partner and I had been TTC for 2 years before falling pregnant naturally and I am currently 12+6 weeks so there is definitely still hope that there are no issues and it's just taking a wee bit longer. Definitely good that you're getting the tests done though and fingers crossed you manage to get that BFP! Keep trying in the mean time as you never know! 🤞

@ElleL91

Have you had any success with your treatment?

Yes. I had my daughter from my first cycle ( third embryo implantation) from ICSI. She’s one now. It was hard though as I had two times where I nearly got to implantation but my body wasn’t ready so we had to defer and two implantations that didn’t take. What’s important to remember is that a cycle of IVF is based on the number of egg collections you have, so you want to get as many good quality eggs ( which then become fertilised embryos) as possible because then you have more goes under that one cycle. Some hospitals ( and private clinics) do count a cycle as a single implantation though, but that’s not the norm.

@GreyBow

I have been there.

Concentrate on what you have control over. If you are both slightly overweight, make the choice to change that. In three weeks, you can make a difference.

Last year we lost 6.5/7 stone between us and I was hoping that would make a difference but still nothing. I'm struggling at the min as I've been working from home since the beginning of lockdown so I'm not doing as much running around as I would usually do so have put some of that weight back on. Now that we are having these tests done etc I am going to try to get out a bit more and hopefully loose some of that weight

@Lou98

I have no experience with fertility tests but my partner and I had been TTC for 2 years before falling pregnant naturally and I am currently 12+6 weeks so there is definitely still hope that there are no issues and it's just taking a wee bit longer. Definitely good that you're getting the tests done though and fingers crossed you manage to get that BFP! Keep trying in the mean time as you never know! 🤞

Thanks

I'm hoping now that we have things in place it will happen naturally and we won't end up having to go to the clinic etc