NHS first appointment

[hopefully2021]

After TTC in July 2020 without any luck (not even the slightest hint of a BFP in all that time) I have my first NHS appointment next week, can anyone who has had theirs already let me know what to expect?

Hi @hopefully2021 , long time no speak! Sad to hear that you are still on TTC mode though.
I assume you mean your first GP appointment to discuss fertility so will lay out my experience and timings from there:

GP appointment on 5 July - Initial discussion about cycles, how long we had be TTC, how many times we DTD, health conditions, what tests I had already had (if any). Since we had been trying for over a year, they had no issues with referring my to the fertility clinic at the hospital.
HOWEVER prior to them being about to process the referral they very strictly needed (1) day three bloods (2) pelvic scan results (3) DH sperm analysis. They excepted the sperm analysis DH had privately 5 months prior.
12 October - finally had my pelvic scan at a local hospital.
19 October- follow up GP appointment to discuss scan results. All fine and referred me to St Barts.
Today- still waiting for my initial appointment at at. Barts (apparently I will hear when it will be by 25 November).
It is all taking such a long time, DH and I have started going the private route with ABC IVF. As part of my initial tests for that, they asked me to get a TSH test which came back too high so I am on levothyroxine. I WISH I had had this simple 20 quid test earlier as could have been my problem!
In case you do need ivf the other thing they asked me for so that you can make sure you have it already and don't have delays is an in date smear test result.

Wishing you luck and a speedier journey than mine!

Hi @LondonladyTTC! I hope you are okay and I'm sorry to hear that you have not had any success yet, its so disheartening isn't it!
No, I've got my first appointment at the hospital next week so just wondering what to expect - I've already had my referral from the GP and my blood tests & DH has had his sperm analysis
Feeling a bit anxious as the letter has stated that DH is not allowed to the appointment due to COVID and has to join remotely so trying my best to prepare myself not to cry or get upset at any point - I literally find it so hard to talk about without the tears coming out

@hopefully2021 ah amazing!! You are further ahead than me, well in that case obviously none of that info will be remotely relevant, sorry 😂

That is so disappointing about DH not being allowed in! I didn't realise those restrictions were still in place, I can understand why you are nervous about it and TTC is something which involves both couples equally so very odd one is left out of the in person convo! It is a really stressful and upsetting time and not being able to talk about it to friends and family makes it even more high pressure I think, so crying is very natural. I almost feel like I am creating a barrier between me and the people I love as there is such a big part of my life I can't open up about. DH says he hasn't felt the same and isn't being as impacted by it, but knows I am as he hears me talk about it/ sees how upset it makes me all the time. I can understand why you would want yours there!

Sorry I wasn't any help but hope someone comes along and tells you about there experience.

Looking forward to hearing how you get on also!

Hi @hopefully2021 I won't be much help but I am at the same stage as you I have my first appointment at the clinic mid-December. Ours is remote so we will do it together. I have had bloods at day 21 but that is all. I am guessing first thing they will do is semen analysis for DH but I'm hoping they will refer me for any scans etc at the same time and we won't have to wait for SA results first. I'm anxious to get moving with the investigations.

Hi @LondonladyTTC and @Hopefulhedgehog, hope you have both had a good week! Just thought I would update you both on my appointment, firstly loads of forms to fill in, then we sat down with a doctor and a nurse, answered more questions, had an internal scan - all looked fine, discussed DHs semen results (also fine - last year he had very low morphology but has been taking supplements which seemed to have made a massive difference)
We also discussed options, cycle tracking at a cost of £300 per cycle, IUI at a cost of £1,000 per cycle (both not covered on the NHS) and IVF which is thankfully funded, long waiting list for IVF so we joined the list straight away - we have been told July 2022, and the doctor was happy to put us on the list straight away as she could not see any obvious issues. Also have been referred for more blood tests and already have a virtual follow up appointment for end of Jan.
We've been told to keep trying in the meantime and we are welcome to go ahead with any of the other options in the meantime if we wish, have also been told no need to do the HSG test if I'm not going ahead with IUI unless I really want too
Success rates on IUI is 10% and IVF between 30-40%
All in all, was a positive appointment - just an emotional subject isnt it! I've decided now to stop putting my life on hold due to infertility and to begin my year looking for a new job (been putting off just 'incase' I fall pregnant)
By the way, DH was allowed with me in the end thankfully! the letter they sent me saying he wasn't was an old letter which applied during more tough times in COVID
Wishing you both the best of luck!

Thanks so much for the update @hopefully2021 great to hear that it was such a positive experience. Also very good you are now on the list for IVF and helpful to know that I will probably be looking at end of 2022 by the time
I make it on the list given that I haven't yet got a date for my appointment.

About not putting life on hold, I am trying to do that too but sadly every time I tell myself I wont, I change my mind back to why it's a bad idea! I have been thinking about looking for new jobs since we started TTC in May last year so could be well settled in by now if I hadn't expected everything to happen more quickly! Hope you are braver than me though and find one you love though! 🤞🏻

Thanks for updating @hopefully2021 I really hope it works out for you xx

The life on hold thing really resonates with me. I've spent the last year thinking oh I might be pregnant by then so don't buy that new outfit, don't book that holiday, don't make those plans, might not be drinking then....feel like life has been put on pause to some extent. Hopefully you have a mental window now until at least July where you can try and let go of some of that.