First Fertility Clinic Appointment

[SunshineS1]

Hey everyone!

Just wanted to post for some information/advice really. Me and my partner have been ttc our first for 2 years with no success. We went to see the GP in December and my partner has had a semen analysis. I have had blood tests, an ultrasound and both have had sti checks. All came back good and clear.

We were referred to a fertility clinic by our GP and after a long wait we finally have our first appointment with the fertility clinic in 2 weeks.

I was just wondering if anybody can advice on what usually happens at the first appointment? Is it similar to the first appointment with the GP?

Any info helpful!

Thank you x

Hey, it's actually this Friday! I'll definitely update on what happens, still not quite sure what to expect at this appointment😂x

Hey everyone! Just an update if anybody was waiting for one!

So we had our first appointment today, the doctor was really lovely. I had my height, weight/bmi checked. He asked us both a few questions about medical history, periods, how long we'd been trying etc. Asked us what we have had done testing wise already and then told us the next step. So our next step is repeating my day 21 bloods and also checking my kidney function, if all is well then it's a case of going in for a hsg to check how my tubes are.

The doctor said around 3 months now to getting the hsg done so not as long as expected.

A pre warning, expect a novel of a form to fill out😂 around 8 pages front and back that you have to fill in, I've definitely got cramp in my hand haha!

That's great, thanks for the update! Glad he was nice. Did he give you any idea as to further timelines after the hsg, like waiting times for IVF? How do you feel about the 3 month wait? I'm pretty much convinced we're not going to conceive naturally so getting impatient to get on with everything 😅.

Our telephone appointment is on Monday, fingers crossed they are as nice and efficient.

Hi all, I have my first NHS IVF appointment next week. I have a scan first and then a meeting with the consultant a few days after.

They’ve asked me to bring copies of NHS tests but I haven’t been sent any letters following my HSG or AFC examinations. I only know what I was told verbally in those appointments.

I have never met or even spoken to an NHS consultant! So, I have been told that my HSG was fine, I have researched my blood test/DH’s sperm results which all seem fine, I believe my AFC is ok for my age.. so as far as I’m aware the cause for our infertility is not yet diagnosed.

Just a bit concerned that the IVF consultant will have expected me to have had a conversation with an NHS consultant but it hasn’t happened. I’ve had no guidance at all really.

He didn't give any timelines for ivf etc, I sort of wish I'd of asked now though!! I feel okay about the wait, time seems to fly pretty quickly when ttc😅 it's a horrible feeling isn't it, I've felt like that for around a year and it's so hard! Fingers crossed it doesn't come to treat me for you or anything.

Let me know how you get on with your appointment on Monday! X

Hey!

You should be able to ask for paper copies of your results from your GP or whoever carried out the tests. I just got told my results verbally too but my partner asked and got his semen analysis results on paper. Luckily we did because when I got to our appointment yesterday the GP hadn't even included his results on our notes so they had no idea it had been done!! X

Just wanted to add that we were trying for just short of 3 years and the month after the HSG test we got pregnant and didn’t need any further treatment etc, so although it didn’t find an issue as such, I fully believe it helped! They say it increases fertility by 30% for 3 months after! I’m currently 35 weeks 😁😁

Oh wow how amazing!!! Congratulations!!

I have actually heard a few people say they've conceived shortly after having the HSG. I hope it's not a coincidence😂

How did you find the hsg, loads of different opinions on it? X

I would say it was ok, my main issue was they had to do 6 attempts so I was in ‘the position’ for an hour (and also tipped backwards slightly so blood rush to the head by the end) and my legs wouldn’t stop shaking by the end and I was achey bum and legs for like a week after! But the process bit was fine just a bit uncomfortable but not the agony or anything that’s on Google 🙃 the radiographers who did it were angels though and kept asking if I wanted a break etc but I rathered to just plow through!

Altho no issues were found, I’m wondering if they cleared some ‘funk’ or something with it taking quite a few goes! I would deffo do it again though for what it’s meant for me deffo 100% and anyway it can give you assurance or answers to things 😊 unfortunately for me I had to wait ages before they opened the service again with COVID ergh.

All the best with everything, I was starting to give up hope in the end and with everything being so delayed I was just so worried my time was running out. It’s such a hard time and I won’t say keep positive becasue I do understand those feelings, but just know you’re not alone and it’s ok to have a mard and a cry, sending you love and baby dust!

Oh and just another note, the timing of the HSG within your cycle is really important and they make you deffo have no intercourse during that cycle and do a pregnancy test at the appt before hand. I can’t lie I found the test really anxiety triggering and I had a little pre-procedure-cry despite knowing I’d have to have a test 😞 I know it’s a silly thing but we can’t control our feelings and just wanted to pre-warn that it might make you feel emotional x x

Thank you so much!!! See, they make it sound like it's going to be agonising the way it's described.😅
Hopefully I'm not waiting too long, I waited 7 months for my first appointment so I've got everything crossed it doesn't take that long for the hsg.
I'm so happy for you though, it's always nice to hear some positive news. I'm expecting to be an emotional mess throughout the whole thing, I went into our appointment on Friday absolutely fine and came out a moody, emotional wreck for no reason🤣 it's not even like we'd gotten any bad news, I think the whole process is very overwhelming isn't it?

I was hoping it wouldn't get to this point but took a test this morning 10dpo and bfn... what a shocker😅x

It’s all so emotionally overwhelming and I think it’s kind of becasue you expect from very young that sex=baby just like that and I truely think that somehow there should be more awareness of these things! All the best with it all 😊

Had my phone appointment today, the consultant was very pleasant but I think in a bit of a rush! He said I could have an HSG if I really want one but he wouldn't recommend it because there's nothing in my history to suggest an issue, there's a small chance (1/200) of the procedure having a negative impact on fertility e.g. by introducing an infection, and regardless of the outcome we'll still need IVF if we haven't conceived naturally by then. He's booking me for an ultrasound then going to apply for IVF funding, their are a few clinics I could be referred to so he couldn't give a timescale.

I totally get what you mean about it being overwhelming. I don't know why but I burst into tears after the phone call! I think it suddenly felt very real - part of me still hopes we could conceive naturally, but now we're looking at timelines for IVF and planning to ration our holidays for next year to fit it in.

@Decaffe if you download the NHS app and request access to your medical file you should be able to see all your test results, consultations, jabs etc that you've ever had. It can take a few days for them to upload it but I love it - always know the results before they come in the post and you have them on record forever 😊

@Msrivia my NHS consultant wasn't keen on booking me in for a HSG / HyCoSy either, just said to keep going for another 6 months then straight to IVF if still no luck. I've contacted a private clinic today as I felt a bit fobbed off and disappointed with the NHS consultant. Will see if they recommend anything different. I'm also going to ask for progesterone support.

@SunshineS1 glad you're appointment went well - you must feel like you're making some progress!

@RugbyGirl1 That's frustrating for you, how long have you been trying? I think ours was going to tell us to keep trying until he realised we were already at the two year mark - got referred in January but it took 6 months for the gp to send through all the required test results 🙄. That's interesting about the progesterone, it's something I've had concerns about because I tend to spot for up to a week before my period, but to be honest I chickened out of asking because I know NHS aren't generally very impressed by luteal phase issues. What's made you worried about your progesterone?

Been TTC for 19 months or so now @Msrivia but more cycles as mine are a little on the short side. Had one early miscarriage in that time almost a year ago but absolutely nothing either side of that. What will the ultrasound look for? I've had an internal and AFC done but not a general ultrasound.

I spot up to a week before my period, early loss, short cycles and only 1/4 of my 'day 21' bloods have been above 30. There has been research to show that there is no harm in prescribing progesterone for those TTC for extra support so thought I'd ask!

Sorry to hear you've had a miscarriage, that must have been so hard. Certainly no harm asking about progesterone. My cycles are 25-27 days on average, with luteal phase 11-12 days, so I have my suspicions about mine too. I was told my progesterone was fine but it was only tested once and that was over 9 months ago now.

Ultrasound is just a general transvaginal one, nothing exciting, my gp just didn't do one before referring me! They haven't mentioned anything about an AFC, first time I've heard of it - was that done at the same time? The doctor we spoke to was nice but a bit condescending ('we may need to put a camera in your tummy', that sort of thing, which I get a bit impatient with because I'm a vet myself so I don't need medical terms explained!) so possibly could be planning on doing it at the same time but didn't want to bother explaining it.

Are you pushing for IVF via the NHS at the same time?

Ah ok! At my first (and only) meeting with the NHS fertility consultant she did a transvaginal scan as part of the appointment, checked everything looked ok (uterus, lining etc), could tell I was about to ovulate, and counted an AFC of 18. I imagine your scan will be looking at similar things? It's a shame they were a bit condescending - usually if people have got to this stage they generally have good awareness of fertility matters - especially if you're a vet! When is your ultrasound booked for?

The consultant said to try for another 6 months, which wil take us to two years, then go straight to IVF. Just need to ring her secretary in January to get booked in and she said it would start pretty quickly after. Do you have to pick which clinic you want to go with?

It would be great if I got that much info from the scan - my appointment was over the phone, but he said he thinks I should get an appointment for the scan in 4-6 weeks. If nothing found then they apply to the CCG for funding, which can take about 6 weeks, then I get referred to the IVF clinic. He said we'll have a choice from the three in the area so I've been madly researching them and their success rates!

How are you feeling about continuing to try for another 6 months? It was around the 18 month mark that I was losing hope that we'd conceive naturally, and it's hard to keep going through the monthly cycle of hope and disappointment. My GP surgery was just a bit useless with the referral paperwork so we got held up for 6 months trying to get referred, otherwise I'd be in the same boat as you!

Thanks for the tip 😊 I have tried it but it only shows my GP test record. The HSG and AFC I had at the hospital aren’t on there. However, you prompted me to email the hospital, and they’re going to try and email them over, so that’s good.

I have my IVF baseline scan this morning and then a meeting with the IVF consultant tomorrow.

Good luck @Decaffe ! Is the baseline scan to check where your cycle is at?

No, apparently it’s to check blood flow… or something?! I will update after!

@Decaffe good luck for the scan today and meeting with the consultant tomorrow 😊 I hope they're able to give you some good news and timelines etc. I find it helpful to write questions down as I always forget when I'm actually there!

@Msrivia 4-6 weeks isn't too long to wait then so hopefully you hear soon! The clinic we were referred to is a satellite clinic for three different clinics so we get to choose too. Where do you look for stats? Is there any easy way to compare places?

I don't mind trying for another 6 months tbh. DH has to quit vaping for 6 months before IVF can proceed so it gives him a chance to get 'clean' 😂 I've booked the private place in the meantime to see if there is anything more that can be done to help conceive more naturally before IVF which can be quite intensive from what I hear

@RugbyGirl1 I used HFEA as well as using the clinic's own reported success rates. HFEA is good as well for having a patient rating for things like communication, care and costs - one of the clinics was 5/5 for patient rating and the other 3/5 so we'll go for the first if possible!

Just got an email with my scan appointment, it's in two weeks which is sooner than expected! Then I have a follow up telephone appointment one month after that, and I'm guessing that the application for ivf funding will happen then. It does seem a little odd that I have literally never been seen in person by a doctor since this whole process began - only the phlebotomist for bloods.

When is your private appointment? Let us know if they have any gems of wisdom! I'm still holding out a little hope that it could happen before IVF gets underway. I've started taking vitex since last month and it is helping with the spotting, but who knows if it will have any significant impact.

I’ve had my results for my internal scan and ultrasound. All results normal and clear.
today was my second appointment and he looked again (different man) And said because I’m on day 22 i should have a blood test today (it says progesterone on the request). I’ve already had two blood tests which were fine but anything to find something !!
I feel deflated and sad that there’s nothing to fix. There is something wrong I know there is, or else I’d have been pregnant by now.

I asked about the fact I’ve had a peak fertility yesterday and today and that it seems to late in the cycle. To which he said that’s right about day 22, as I should ovulate before the spike in hormones. And should be having sex on day 12.
my monitor says to have sex on high and peak fertile days. But I’ve been guessing the peak days are better than the high ones and that’s when the egg is ready to be fertilised. But what he said is making me think that waiting for the peak is too late.

just for lols- he asked if I’m on contraceptives. Hahahahahaa wtf

this is secondary infertility….