First Fertility Clinic Appointment Tomorrow

[dogmam]

Me and my partner have our first appointment with our fertility clinic tomorrow!

We went to the GP after a year of TTC and after 21 day bloods and partners SA, we were referred straight away to the fertility clinic. GP tests were in October/November so it's moved along quite quickly so far.

Feeling slightly nervous but also excited to hopefully get some help! My partners SA showed low motility and morphology so I assume that will be discussed..
What else should i expect from this first appointment? Is there anything I should be asking?

Thanks in advance! I'll update this after the appointment tomorrow as I know there are a few others on here who are in a similar position and might find it useful.

Well I just had the appointment! They were 15 min late and it lasted a whopping 13 min . She never even asked if OH was there and asked me all the questions! She also didn't seem to have any of my results from previous tests, she could just see that they'd taken place.

She was a bit concerned about my family history of early menopause and has told me to come in on CD2-4 for a repeat test of day 3 FSH and estradiol, plus AMH this time. OH has to redo his SA as well and she was surprised they hadn't put him on antibiotics after the last result showed an abnormally high count of white blood cells. On day 1 I also have to call the hospital to arrange an HSG so it sounds like I'll have that done in the next two weeks or so. After that I need a follow up appointment to discuss results and we'll take it from there. No mention of IUIs/IVF or anything like that. The lady was rather to the point and perhaps a bit brusque - but I guess at least we got the ball rolling!

In terms of questions asked:

• nothing about DTD
• if my periods are regular, how long do I bleed for and do I bleed in between periods
• do we drink alcohol
• do we smoke
• confirming our age and any previous pregnancies
• nothing about ovulation, LP or anything like that
• nothing about supplements
• any family history
• I also brought up my concern about chronic UTIs in the past (I'm now actually wondering if my kidney pain wasn't just PID?) but she dismissed them - only to ask a minute later if I have any history of PID... Well I guess the HSG might help clarify that!

That was it really? I'm 11DPO now and my heart rate is dropping which normally signals AF's arrival so I guess I'll be calling the hospital this weekend!

Oh and she focused a lot on my pap smear results from the past. That will be specific to me though as I had CIN3/severe dyskaryosis results in 2017 and had to have a LEEP procedure done to zap my cervix lol.

@Juno231 interesting. We had to fill out paperwork before that had on about drinking, weight, height, dtd frequency, period length, spotting, past pregnancy, medication, family illness, any vits you were on etc. She had that with her. She also had copies of my bloods etc. I did wonder if she'd have the SA analysis as I just sent a copy to my dr. But she did.
So she did ask if we'd had them explained and then went over mine with me and DHs with him. She was keen to involve him. She asked if we had questions. Said we can call any time but might be best to email. And it's monitored daily. I have actually emailed too and they were quick to reply. Ours lasted about half an hour and she was already there when we logged in. She did give DH the direct number for the SA too and she booked my scan herself. I usually find them fast and hurried (gp is) but this really wasn't. So I'm disappointed they were like that with you! Really you need to feel reassured. Having said that- they are at least doing something! And that's a bit concerning no one raised the white cell count thing with DH?
As long as its moving forward though, that's all that matters! I think as long as there's a plan in place for a next step, you've something to aim for? And something is happening. Steps likely change anyway depending on results of things?

@paintfairy yeah yours sounds like the platinum service in comparison to mine! I read it to OH and he said "well la-di-da!". She genuinely didn't ask if we had any questions and if I hadn't butted in several times I wouldn't have been able to ask purely logistical things that are kind of important! E.g. I didn't even know which hospital I' m with now as they changed it last week or where/how she expected me to get my Day 3 bloods done again (and as day 3 is on Monday I don't have time trying to figure it out via post/email). And god knows who I'm meant to call about the HSG - I suppose I'll try and call the reception where she presumably called me from. OH is then apparently having his SA at a completely different hospital but had I not asked we wouldn't have known that either.

I didn't feel like it was a negative meeting at all, just rushed/stressful. I did say to OH though that going through something as difficult as IVF with a consultant that brusque won't be too too pleasant...

@Juno231 no, I get they are short of time but you kind of need basic information? Like where to go, where to call etc? And no one can already know so it's a bit odd they assume they do? Maybe you'll deal with someone else next time? Mine was a fertility nurse and not a dr. Maybe they have more time?
My letter came today and the SA pot.

@paintfairy yeah although I guess if it's a doc they'd be used to people getting all that info from reception on the way out - except that obv it's all over phone now 🙊

Oh well, I'm just glad things are happening!

@Juno231 possibly not they must realise you can't do that now. 🤣 Doh. But yes- onwards and upwards!

@Juno231 thanks for the report. Wow 13 minutes that has to be a record! It's amazing isn't it how different all our first appointments have been. That's brilliant that you are getting the hsg in a couple of weeks. It was going to be a 4 month wait for me on the NHS, so I'm paying £500 for a private hycosy next week 😣 A lot of money to pay but I really don't feel I can wait 4 months at this stage. Interesting that they focused on your smear test history. I've just had my smear test results and it said they did detect hpv but no visible changes to my cervix observed. So now I'm worrying whether this is having any effect on my fertility, haven't had a chance to do much research / phone my GP for advice yet. I might just ask at the clinic when I go in for the hycosy scan next week whether that's something I should be worrying about.

@Kitekat81 to be fair I think they focused on it partly because part of my cervix is probably gone from the LEEP procedure they used (they basically remove the cells with a steel wire they send electric currents through to burn it off) and because they'd be worried I could have the cells again. In which case they can't proceed with fertility treatments as if I get pregnant and end up having cancer, they'd have to wait to treat me until I give birth and that could obv have dire consequences waiting that long. At least that's why I think they focused on it! I've never read anything to suggest it would hinder TTC otherwise.

I'm gonna call and book the HSG today so let's see if it's true that I'll actually be able to do it this soon or if I'll end up going private like you.

Hi ladies, just catching up with all of your news with your appointments..

@paintfairy your video consultation sounded like it went really well and you've been given a clear plan. Do you feel better for knowing what the next steps are? My appointment is also on the 1st March for internal scan!

@dancingfairydreams how are you feeling? So the clinic have asked you to focus on getting your BMI down and are they doing any other tests in the meantime? Do you have a follow up appointment?

@juno231 pleases you have finally had your first appointment! I know you waited ages for it. It sounded very to the point but at least you are one step forward and have a bit of plan for the next steps. It will be amazing if you can get the HSG booked in so quickly. Did they mention booking you in for an internal scan at all?

@flutterby8 @ughmaybenot how are you both?

I feel like we are all in similar positions! Got the first appointment done and bow just having tests! I'm in two minds about what to do, I'm booked in for an internal scan and my partners SA, but during my first appointment she did mention getting a Hycosy done aswell if I wanted to but then kind of said why don't I wait for that and just see the results of the SA and scan first.. so I just went along with that but now I think should i also just get the Hycosy done whilst I'm there and then it's done and less waiting if it turns out I do need it doing. I was thinking about ringing the clinic today to see if they can book me in on the 1st March.. or is there any reason I should wait to get it done?

Happy Monday girls!

@dogmam I'd have it done, definitely! Only thing to bear in mind is that it's normally done after your AF but before ovulation and that you're not allowed to DTD at all from CD1 so you might not be able to just tack it on to your appointment on the 1st if those requirements aren't fulfilled? You can still have it done after ovulation but you'll miss out on the egg that cycle as no DTD allowed.

Mine is booked for the 26th now. That includes an internal scan as well - which the doc didn't mention at all. Just had a delivery of the two antibiotics I'll need to take for it as well - very efficient so far! Although it took 11 phone calls for the HSG booking on Friday and 3 phone calls for the antibiotics, so maybe not THAT efficient lol.

Hey @dogmam thanks for asking 😊 yea I know what you mean, definitely feels like we’re all in this together!
We had our initial phone consultation on Thursday and are booked in for further tests on the 25th. Me for an internal ultrasound and a blood test and DH for a further SA. The consultant is of the opinion that letrozole will be the best first point of call for us as she seems quite convinced that I don’t really ovulate at all.

@Ughmaybenot oh that's good they got the ball rolling so quickly for you! Did the doc say why she thinks you don't ovulate?

I was meant to go to my day 3 blood test today btw but my cycle has gone crazy and the AF I expected on Sat is still absent! Tested yesterday though and it's stark white so def not preggers.

@juno231 its a good job youre so proactive in getting your appointment stuff sorted! Exciting for you that it's all happening so quickly! Ah I didn't know that about the timing of getting HCG done.. I will be 3dpo on the day of my appointment so suppose I wont be able to get it done then. Hmmm that's strange that your AF hasn't arrived??

@ughmaybenot sounds like things are also moving quickly for you! Let us know how you appointment on the 25th goes. I'm nervous for my scan!

@Juno231 oh that sucks, why do our bodies do this to us? Just behave yourselves 😩 just based on my bonkers cycles and the previous blood test results. I don’t know 😂

@dogmam I know, so quickly, it’s brilliant, I feel so much more positive already! I kind of wish we’d done this sooner now, but tried to have faith in the nhs system. I’m not too bad, I’ve had one before and they’re not unpleasant, just undignified... same as a lot of this I guess 😂 I will let you guys know 😊

@Juno231 got to love AF not appearing when it really needs to!
@dogmam I don't know why, but even though she wants to do a Hycosy she wants to do the SA and internal scan first. Then book that? So maybe yours was thinking the same? I suppose in case the internal scan shows something maybe?

I definitely feel better having a plan of action!

@Juno231 that's interesting about your missing AF! Any clues in your BBT? Have you had a temp drop?

@paintfairy right?? In a way I'm a bit pleased though (unless it doesn't show at all in the next few days!) as it means my HSG is better timed. The original timing would have been at CD14 and you can't DTD for 24-48h after so would have most likely missed ovulation for Feb. Now it's looking more like CD11 so it gives me a chance to hit that egg!

Considering you're meant to be extra fertile after an HSG/hycosy I'm keen to not miss my chances.

Although this is all on the assumption that the results from the test aren't horrendous...

Hi all, just putting my head in to this thread. I’ve been referred for our nhs referral now but pretty worried about how long it might take for the first appointment so interested to hear and read up how it went and how long it took for everyone here.

@thislittlebird I rang my gp in July originally but through faffing and ballsing up tests, they referred me November but it bounced back- due to them being useless. We redid tests and the proper referral went through early Jan. I got my first phone appointment this month. So pretty fast?
@Juno231 I'll actually be around ovulation time that I go for my scan. So not ideal timing for the HSG/hycosy anyway.

@paintfairy it's annoying the thought of losing out on a whole month, isn't it? Not much you can do though with how tricky these are to schedule in. My clinic can do them on Fridays only so that limits it by a lot!

@thislittlebird hello! nice to see you here - do join us. I started with tests in July much like pantfairy did. Got the referral sent through in Nov and was told the earliest appointment was 17th of May. In the end they rescheduled me to the 1st week of Feb so from referral to appointment it was actually just 2 months.

I started the process in July too (after 6 months, we’re over 35) but they told us our tests were fine so we left it. Later realised they weren’t fine and kicking myself for not following up for results breakdown earlier. My doctor said the nhs might contact us to tell us the wait time, not sure if that happened to anyone here?

If it’s two months from now that takes me to April and I may not be ovulating so talking to a private clinic (again, already had tests with them) tomorrow to see what they suggest for next steps from their POV. If it’s something like a hycosy then I’m just going to get on with it I think and pay, get it out of the way. It’s hard to know how to combine private with nhs when time is not your friend.

I typed a hi to @paintfairy and @Juno231 but somehow deleted it so here it is again

@thislittlebird that's odd of them not to refer you back then, even if your tests were fine! Having a private consult is worth it in my opinion as they could put you on clomid straight away rather than having you wait for the NHS. You could proceed with the NHS stuff in the background yet actually be ovulating and hoping you get pregnant in the meantime? Just make sure you check what the local CCG policy says about it.

@Juno231 my GP has been horrendous over the last year (I had another ongoing issue that they just failed to diagnose for a year), when they ran SA and day 21 tests we called for results and got told over the phone they were normal or fine. Wasn’t offered an appointment so we just kinda thought ‘what happens now?’ and then just carried on since we were “fine”. I’m really disappointed though because husband’s SA was iffy and my day 21 test had “possible defective luteal phase” on the notes and I have no idea how they concluded normal or fine. Anyway, much delay and many phone calls later we have another set of tests for me, a referral, and his second test coming up that he needs to take with him to the appointment (and private clinic told him to start taking impryl so hoping to see an improvement by the time of the nhs appointment).

That’s what I was thinking too re: clomid. If I need the hycosy (seems like I should have it if I’m likely to be put on clomid) then let’s get it done, and then clomid maybe? I would rather pay and use the next few months trying with a chance than just sitting on my hands for months waiting and not ovulating. The CCG thing is my concern because I googled and couldn’t find reference to clomid use or similar. Do you know if CCGs go into detail on what you can and can’t have beyond ivf?