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

@thislittlebird cant you have a cuppa of you're fasting?! The things we have to do 🤣 haha I do not enjoy the NHS pads, I felt like a waddling duck yesterday with it on!

@decaffe my FSH is 16(!!) Which isnt good, but from my despair googling back in August I seem to remember 8 being fairly 'normal' so I wouldnt be too concerned about a 9 (very much easier said than done I know), and I think clinics say under 12 is best, but the other ladies (with better FSH than me 🤣 will be able to confirm) x

Hi! Sorry I've been away for a while.

@Gracie2021*@thislittlebird @PurpleUnicorn01* wishing you lots of luck for your cycles!! :)

And @beckyCarlos that sounds very intense but I'm glad it was a positive experience!

I'm stiiiill waiting for my period to start so I can start my letrazole/IUI cycle, 10 days after my baseline scan where they said I looked to have ovulated from my right ovary this month. I rung the clinic this morning and am waiting to hear back from them today on whether I go in for another scan or if I am prescribed norethisterone to induce a bleed (hoping as it then just delays the cycle starting by around 15 days).

Trying to stay positive but all feels a little odd - had 4 school friends announce births this week, and I told a close friend about starting IUI and she laughted hysterically at me for about a minute and then said "well it's sure not the good old fashioned way, is it!". I've got my 2 year old godaughter's birthday party tomorrow, hosted by my 6 month pregnant best friend, which I'm looking forward to but will be hard to attend also. Everything just seems so complicated!

Sending positive vibes to all and a good weekend! x

@Decaffe I think it can depend on your age. You’re ovulating ok if your progesterone is 38, have you been trying a while?

@beckyCarlos my FSH barely exists, it’s 1 point something so I’ve never had to Google high FSH. I’m not sure it should be quite so low but no one ever said anything.

They said just water! I’m going to Morrison’s for something after this, might end up in the cafe 😂. I’m annoyed I’ll have to fast for EC too, it better be a morning appointment.

Waddling sounds about right. I turned down her pad offer as I’d got my own, but it’s nice they offer I suppose!

@thislittlebird isn't it funny, I never considered FSH could be low! Haha yes, I was very grateful that I had one (I couldnt take anything into the room apart from me, and my shoes, socks, bra and pants (although even then I'm sure I managed to flash my butt everyone on the ward))

In my protocol book/diary it says fast from midnight for EC (water can be had until 2 hours before collection) but you have to be at the clinic for 7.30am 😅 so pretty nil by mouth for the morning! Im terrible with things like that though, tell me I cant wee, I need to wee, tell me I can't eat and I'm starving 🤣

@Decaffe depends! If you're wanting to go for NHS ivf then double check the CCG policy as a lot of the trust's have a threshold that the FSH has to be under in order to qualify. From memory it's usually around 9?

@Gracie2021 I'm good thanks, trying to keep pregnancy updates to other threads so I don't trigger anyone here. I'm 11 weeks on Monday (or today depending on what dates I go by) and had no nausea/morning sickness at all in the end. Had a NIPT scan on Tuesday and all looks good, now awaiting the test results and then my 12 week scan on the 4th :)

@beckyCarlos rainbow?? I had LLETZ in 2017 and I think I only had some spotting luckily!

@juno231 aw thats amazing news on your progress 🥰 yeah, I had all the colours of bleeding/discharge, dark red, bright red, pink, brown, and then there were some...scabby bits...that looked just like when you get scabs on your skin from cuts healing. Every day was a surprise!

Thanks for the heads up @Juno231, I have just checked and my Trust only seems to imply low ovarian reserve is an issue if I am 40 or over. I am 39 now and it says I can have two IVF cycles and doesn't mention ovarian reserve. I'd better get pushing for them?

@Decaffe yes go for it - don't want to give them any excuse to fob you off!

@beckyCarlos ah that makes sense! Makes me wonder where my crap went! Btw I'm being referred to obstetrics because of my LLETZ so when it comes to it make sure to mention yours to the midwife too as it can cause complications in pregnancy.

@beckyCarlos speaking of socks, I must remember to pack mine for my upcoming scantastic couple of weeks.

I’m the same. Not good at fasting, I get very weak and hangry quite fast.

@Juno231 good news!

@Decaffe definitely move quickly, it’s a real slog of a process sometimes! Good luck.

I’m waiting for my blood test results (really hoping they’re back by Wednesday) and then we go in to the clinic on Wednesday morning. It’s certainly feeling real now.

I feel a bit guilty I never shed the extra weight I’m carrying, it’s about a stone probably. I wanted to lose it but too late now.

@thislittlebird I've got evrything crossed for you :) are you going for 'nice' socks, or some IVF themed socks? X

@beckyCarlos I’m going for whatever socks really lol. I mentioned this because I once forgot socks (I was wearing pumps) and didn’t feel right without the socks! So then I started carrying them around in my bag in case!

Haha its funny isnt it, what makes you feel 'normal' under those circumstances. I camt decide if I think the IVF socks are cute, ott, or too jinxing for me 🤣

Oh my god, you have just reminded me to take a pair of pants out of my bag though! I wore a thong to my appointment (controversially perhaps I exist in them, and find them SO much comfier than 'normal' pants) and pants after, the thong is hanging round in my bag since I've not been anywhere but I'm in the office a day this week...that'd certainly
Be a talking point!

@beckycarlos 😂😂😂 you don't want them to fall out as your fumbling around in your bag for your purse when queuing in the Postiffice (or something) 😂😂😂

Haha, I kinda like some of the IVF socks... but they might be too optimistic for me. I think I have desended too far in cynicism 😅

I'm definitely not an IVF socks or a thong person lol, but regular socks to make myself feel a bit less exposed somehow is required. I remember when I had my HyCoSy and I felt so exposed in the stupid, small paper sheet, I was pleased I could wear my socks.

I was just browsing the BPAS site. I have to say, I will definitely consider them if this IVF round doesn't work for us. £3,500 for ICSI including collection and storage for a year is pretty good tbh. Plus £1,500 per FET, which seems a bit more expensive than Guys. Medication prices are not included of course.

They aren't penalising the patient financially for needing ICSI, which I like. Guys private arm charge £3,300 for self-funded IVF and £4,200 for self-funded ICSI which isn't bad. But that £1k less would like pay for my meds.

Forgot to add Guys FET price is £1,400. Similar, but good to see more options for more affordable treatment popping up.

@thislittlebird I always seem to rip the paper sheet that they give you! I've just looked at the BPAS website and thats really interesting! Thanks for flagging it!

So, for me, fingers crossed, but I'm looking to start downregging on my next cycle, so end of feb! With stims mid March, and egg collection w/c 28th... eeeek!

@beckyCarlos I hate that sheet! They're so small lol.

That's come round really fast, good news.

So I have a dilemma. I read the IVF appointment email and it says reschedule if you haven't started your period. I haven't, I'm hoping it'll be tomorrow, but I don't know what to do about the appointment. We both need blood tests, if you were me would you just turn up anyway and tell them you're here for the bloods because your DH has scheduled the day off?

@thislittlebird id get the bloods done at least personally

@PurpleUnicorn01 that’s what I think too. I don’t want to give them the opportunity to tell us to go away and come back another day when he can’t just take other days off.

Yeah @thislittlebird definitely go for the blood tests! If its anything that needs you to be CD1 you can just go back another day (i am so cynical now 🤣 6 months ago I'd have said 'oh no, ring and make another appt, but not now 🤣)

@beckyCarlos right, I agree! I’m not missing my slot I’m sorry lol. My cycle might have started tomorrow anyway.

AF did not arrive today. Pffft. This is typical. We went for our blood tests anyway, guess I’ll be going back in a couple of days.

It never comes when you actually want it does it 🤣 hopefully the people there didn't say 'are you sure youre not pregnant'! Fingers crossed it shows up soon x