Fertility Appointments and Beyond.... the journey continues

[Gracie2021]

New thread for us to continue our fertility clinic appointment progress...

Some of us are waiting for initial appointments, some are having tests and some are starting treatment!

@tillybabs
@thislittlebird
@kay00
@jeaniej
@PurpleUnicorn01
@paintfairy
@dogmam
@flutterby8
@Ughmaybenot
@dancingfairydreams
@beckycarlos
@jkjellyhead
@juno231
@decaffe
@bumble44
@BritinNZ
@tinkerbell098
@pinkginpls
@thedaydreambelievers
@everymumday
@wanderlust16
@lori23ttc

@Angelik1988

Thank you very much for the reply and support. I called Croydon fertility just to ask if I am on the list for ivf and everything is all right . They set up an appointment on Monday for me and my husband ! They said that I will do some tests and that appointment can take 1.5 hours :) . Does that mean the procedure will start there ? I am not sure ! But I hope

Hi @Angelik1988. I doubt it will be the start of IVF if you’ve been told an 18 week wait. What the appointment will likely be is filling in consent forms for the procedures, possibly a semen analysis for your partner, some blood tests for both of you and an internal scan for you. That’s what my first appointment was, then I had to wait to be called to start ivf a few months later.

Here’s a link to a guide provided by the NHS that talks you through the process step by step. It might be worth having a read of it if your clinic hasn’t told you very much.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/ivf/

Thank you very much for sharing your experience.
Very helpful to know.
I had already done a lots of tests some months ago through ferility department ( blood tests , internal scanning and salpinography) and also my husband did the semen test . All good . I hope that we do not have to go through that again …

@Angelik1988 it often depends how long ago it was. We did all our tests in August and now we need to re-do them next week, when we’re due to start IVF medication. Your nursing team will be happy to answer any questions on the process if you have any.

@Gracie2021 I did ignore the message. If you haven’t told me you’re pregnant then why are you asking me to come to your mat leave call? I was baffled. I have been trying to conceive a lot, lot longer than she was, feels really horrible when someone gets to go on mat leave and you’ve still never had that chance.

Also the puppy thing is literally the reason I was keen to do it. But it might be too late now, I didn’t want the anxiety at the same time as IVF. I guess we could still look into it after EC if I have a freeze all. Although work want us to go back to the office a few days per week soon and that’s super annoying, j don’t know how long I’d need at home with a puppy.

@thislittlebird I Getcha. People coming back from maternity hits hard too. It's like these milestones people are passing and you're stuck in the same spot.... on the puppy, I love her to bits and she's been great for my headspace but without family next door that mind her while I work I wouldn't have managed without a ton of stress. We also got a slightly older dog and even then it's impacted sleep a little bit too. So yeah hope that's a balanced stance on it. Love her and no regrets but if we didn't have daycare next door I'd 100% be regretting it. I'd forgotten how much work they are.

Just got off from our IVF prep call. Baseline scan booked in for next Friday and egg collection estimated for 11-14th Feb with transfer estimated for about the 19th. Had one of those "this is really where we're at" moment just after the call. Sometimes it just hits that yes we are THAT infertile couple....

@Gracie2021 arghhhhh im excited and nervous for you all at the same time. Egg collection u get the best sleep ever and the tea and toast after tastes like heaven.

It is hard sometimes being THAT couple but on the flip side we get to see our babies before anyone else ever does on transfer day. Praying for you.

Thanks so much @PurpleUnicorn01 tbh the support and chats on here make all the difference. Being able to have the convos and the rants with people who really get it helps so much!

Just emailed all my estimated dates to my boss. So glad I hate the conversation with him already.

There’s a really annoying thread I just saw that’s triggering me a bit lol. Infertility really is another world and experience altogether, if we have a kid I just know I’m gonna hate all the nonsense people spout about their kids.

Anyway! Did you get tea and toast on the nhs @PurpleUnicorn01? I’m kinda excited for that part 😂😭

@Gracie2021 yeah that’s my worry. We don’t have anyone nearby, it’s not really an option to just drop a dog off with someone.

Good news on the baseline scan, mine is on Wednesday! If it helps, we’re all THAT infertile couple with you.

I have my prolactin test tomorrow, amongst others, I’m kinda worried it’ll be high again because that’s a whole can of worms I don’t want to open. Only time will tell. I should have done it last week so I would have had the results by now.

@gracie2021 @thislittlebird yey! So glad things are moving for you! Everytime I go to the clinic I have a wave of 'how is this my life, fml' but then I get poked, prodded, or penetrated and that goes away 🤣

@thislittlebird yes it was THE best. Could just be the drugs and hunger at the time lol. Do you have any dates yet?

@beckyCarlos could really do without the 3 Ps :/

@PurpleUnicorn01 we have our bloods and scan (maybe baseline?) on Wednesday and the drugs teach the same day which my husband isn’t allowed into 🙄. My period is also due on Wednesday.

Typing it out is weird, it’s almost here. First there’s the prolactin hurdle though.

I haven’t lost the weight I’d wanted to (need to lose about a stone really) but there’s not much I can do about that now.

In case anyone reading this ever needs a hysteroscopy with polyp removal, my experience was nothing but positive!

I had a chat with the doctor who would be doing my procedure, about what would happen, how long it might take (10-30 mins from speculum in to hysteroscope out), and then left to change into a gown and cap/hair net (with bra, pants, socks and shoes left on)

Then a nurse collected me and we went into the room where there was relaxing music playing (did not hear this at all due to anxiety haha) and I got into the chair, was tipped back and settled by the nurses (one to help the doc, and one to help me). A speculum was put in (always a pinchy experience) and my vagina and cervix were cleaned, and the local anaesthetic administered. I was very anxious at this point so it probably hurt less than I think it did. But it didn't "hurt" was just your typical injection pain.

Then the speculum was removed, and the scope, plus saline, passed through my cervix. There was NO pain for me here, no cramps, nothing, just pressure sensations like having an internal ultrasound. This is where my anxiety got the better of myself (things in where they shouldnt be) and I started to feel faint and saw stars, hearing was going a bit, but no because of any pain, just the situation. The nurse kept me talking, and breathing, and checking I was ok. Once I relaxed that wore off and I was able to chat a bit better rather than babble like a loon!

I have no idea how long it took, but 20 mins max with the scope inside and the instruments doing their thing (which I could not feel, at all) then another 5-10 mins laying with my legs closed and tipped back a bit more in the chair to recover. Then I was sat up (saline will run out 🤣) given some tissue to hold between my legs as I waddled to the side bit to put my pants and NHS issue pad on, and walked back to recovery for a cuppa and a sit (was offered biscuits) and then I could leave.

Overall, wouldn't have one voluntarily, but I could definitely do it again, and the pain was...maybe a 3 for the injection, then just lots of feeling movement and sensation. Im very aware I still have the local in me, and have my alarm set for some more ibuprofen and paracetamol in case I have after cramps.

Hope this helps someone in the future 😊

@thislittlebird how excitingggggggg. Yes it's all very real now. Yes he won't be allowed in until egg collection and transfer day.

@PurpleUnicorn01 the stupid thing is he’s there anyway 🙄. He has to go for bloods, but going into the drugs teach room with me is a step to far.

*too

@thislittlebird that is sooooo silly

@beckyCarlos I'm glad it went well! One thing I've learnt from reading about this is that they might have left the chopped off polyps in there so don't be surprised if you start passing grey blobs - it's part and parcel apparently!

@Angelik1988 no they'll most likely need blood tests to check for viral STDs, maybe a scan, go through all the protocol stuff. Basically all the things I told you about last week! Your meds will start on very specific cycle days and you'll need to order those through a local pharmacy so it's highly unlikely you'll start anything on Monday - it'll probably be the cycle after at the earliest.

@PurpleUnicorn01 I know, it’s ridiculous. I said to them can he come in and they said the nurse might do a session with him separately 😂. We live together, they might as well just let him come in!

@juno231 she did warn me about that 🤢 although Inhad LLETZ about 10 years ago and that was basically a rainbow so it cant be as bad as that!

@thislittlebird thats ridiculous! Although we got a video call teach, so while we could both be there I have no idea what I'm actually doing 🤣

@beckyCarlos so glad it went well for you and all over with. How are you feeling today after it? Any soreness?

@thislittlebird the rules make no sense do they. They told me yesterday that he can actually come in with me for egg collection but not into the procedure itself which is fine. Doesn't sound like we're getting any drugs teach at all though. They just have video tutorials on our portal. Feel glad to have gotten some practice with needles during the TSI cycles. Can't believe you're starting this coming week!!!! Wow how are you feeling? We'll just be two days apart so. Hope you don't mind being IVF cycle buddies 😂🙈 have to admit I'm a bit unsure of the CD1 period scan..... just seems a bit ick.
Hope the prolactin comes back ok today btw. Do you have to wait for results of find out today?

@Juno231 how are you feeling these days? Did you have a scan coming up?

@gracie2021 thanks :) apart from getting three hours sleep because my brain wanted to rerun everything I'm fine today, I keep waiting for a twinge or an ache or something, but fingers crossed everything seems alright!

Ive had a scan on CD1 and CD2, and the idea is gross, and for me its harder to relax with cramps and I felt like I could feel everything a bit more, but they put one of those puppy pad type things down, and give you extra paper to wipe with after, and they're super discrete when they take the condom (is it actually a condom?!) Off the wand so you dont see loads of blood...god its ridiculous being female sometimes 🤣

Does anyone know if a Day 3 FSH of 9.5 is as bad as I’ve read about on the internet? My Day 21 progesterone was 38.

@beckyCarlos glad it all went well! I will say the online videos were helpful for us when we did triggers for me before, I’m sure we’ll be using those again.

@Gracie2021 I’ll accept all cycle buddies!

I had to do the period scan once before accidentally when I went to the first appointment at Guys so I’ve passed that hurdle 😂. It was fine, she offered me tissues, a pad etc if I wanted them.

Right now I’m worried about the blood tests, I won’t have the results until next week so it’s all cutting it a bit fine. I had the high prolactin which I’m getting it done again, plus liver, kidney bloods and it’s all making me worry the results will mean my cycle is cancelled. Anyway, my immediate concern is that I want a cup of tea and I’m having to fast 😭