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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

Original poster

First fertility clinic appointment

8 replies

MrsT8509 · 08/05/2023 16:04

We have been referred to a fertility clinic by our GP. We have been trying for 18 months and had 1 chemical last March, and nothing since. I'm 38 DH is 32. I'm just wondering what we can expect at the appointment. The appointment is just for me, but they have taken DH details and said he should come with me. Any info would be appreciated. Xx

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Barbarbarf · 08/05/2023 16:10

Good luck. In my experience - they'll run loads of tests etc and then if they think you're in with a chance of conceiving with IVF refer you to a hospital/fertility clinic. They'll focus on you and give your DP a rudimentary sperm test, not really caring about his fertility despite it being half of the picture.
This took around 18 months for me, loads of stress, incorrect info and lost paperwork. They were truly terrible. Followed by not much better during the actual treatment. If you have the money go private straight away.

Ask at your appointment - what tests they'll do and why, what treatment they think you'll need, what your entitled to according to your CCG, how long you should expect to wait for everything, what your choice of treatment centres are.
Keep on top of them and keep chasing everything.

Original poster
MrsT8509 · 08/05/2023 16:19

@Barbarbarf Oh gosh, sounds like you didn't have the best experience! Unfortunately we're not in a position to go private 😔. This appointment has been arranged really quickly (within 2 weeks of my blood results coming back from gp), but maybe that's how quickly they triage you 🤷🏻‍♀️. My bloods all came back normal and DH was above average in all his results except morphology which was at 3%. Thank you for your advice about keeping in top of them, i certainly will! X

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ar91 · 08/05/2023 16:32

@MrsT8509 my first appointment was a video call and the Dr just asked lots of questions about my cycle and medical history, relevant family history etc.
She then referred me for more bloods (AMH levels) and a hycosy to check tubes, which I had I think 2 months later.
My husband's morphology is also low at 1% but they haven't done anything else for him.
I think because I'm <35 they have said they'll leave us a full 2 years before referral for ICSI so will go back to be reviewed in a few months, but I'm sure when you're >35 they don't wait as long before IVF/ICSI referral.

Sunnybunnyx · 08/05/2023 20:43

@ar91 I'm 37 and still had to wait a hell of a long time

Original poster
MrsT8509 · 08/05/2023 21:07

@Sunnybunnyx @ar91 Do you think it depends on where abouts you are? I was told we could wait up to 18 weeks for the initial appointment, but it was 2 weeks x

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Vividdreamer88 · 08/05/2023 21:35

We just had ours. The took an incredibly detailed history - it’s worth knowing cycle length/copies dates of any tests/ any illness you’ve had. I have also moved since some tests were done so took copies as they can’t always find them! They also did an internal ultrasound scan that day. Next is blood tests and a further test. But we’ve been referred to ivf while we wait for those tests.

My Gp gave me the impression it would be ages but was 3.5 months.

Anon9899 · 08/05/2023 22:02

@MrsT8509 I had a similarly quick NHS referral despite being told it would be longer and once I was in for the first consultation they got moving right away with tests and, in my case, starting letrozole quickly.

I'm still in early stages and have only just started my second round of letrozole now but I can't fault the clinic in my area. They gave me a nurse's helpline phone number which I can call up with any questions along the way and they always call back with advice on the same day. They are also all too willing to monitor me every step of the way and I haven't had to fight for anything. I was initially told they'd only monitor my first cycle and then leave me to it once they know I'm responding but they have now asked to monitor my second too because of concerns about my lining thickness.

It seems to be a postcode lottery and lots of people clearly have an awful time having to fight for help but just wanted to share that it's not the case everywhere!

Original poster
MrsT8509 · 08/05/2023 22:08

@Vividdreamer88 @Anon9899 Thanks for sharing, and it's nice to hear some nicer experiences. I suppose i'll find out if i win the postcode lottery after Thursday. So far i can't really fault our experience, from the gp, to blood tests, to sperm analysis, it's all been very quick and not a daunting as i had imagined. X

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