Cycle 13...Gynaecologist referral question...

[missmoosh]

Hi!
Hoping for some information. Been trying on and off for few years, but had some health issues along the way. On cycle 13 now of fully trying since the last break and still nothing to show for it. I have had a lap&dye privately which showed everything was normal.

I have been waiting for my nhs gynaecology appointment (based in Kent). Which sounds like it's going to be at least another couple of months (been waiting 8 months already!)

Was hoping someone could advise me on what to expect at the appointment and if there is anything I can do prior to speed any processes up. Or just any general tips!

Depends weather you have time on your side. Are you under 35? If over I'd have everything sorted before hand. Be within your bmi limit ect

Jumping on this as I have my first gynae appointment on Friday after waiting 7 months, I'm exactly the same, no idea what to expect! We're now 17 months ttc and never had a bfp, good luck OP let me know how you get on x

@OhChacha I am 28, nearly 29 so time is on my side thankfully. BMI is in range, although could still probably do with dropping a few pounds, I shall hit the gym!

@NLO94x good luck! Let us know how it's goes! Sorry to hear you are also having to go through seeing someone for help in the journey

@missmoosh thank you! Have you already had tests done? Day 5 & 21 bloods and scans? Has your partner been for sperm analysis? X

First appointment is really just the basics. They'll take your height and weight to determine to your bmi as fertility treatment has a strict criteria . Each ccg will have their own criteria so it varies area to area. Mine is 30 bmi but I recall someone on here saying their board only funded up to 25 bmi so if there's any chance you do need to lose weight then getting in front of that now would be a good start. They'll ask questions, just about lifestyle . I.e do you smoke, drink and how long you've been trying ect
Alot of my consultation aswell as alot of other women I've spoken to have also said alot of it focused on the men. We were referred as i have known fertility issues but It felt like they were more interested in him. They'll organise a semen test for him and they'll probably take your bloods aswell . They might scan you and they might not. Depends on the doctor. I waited another 9 months after my Initial appointment before they would even scan me to check everything was OK. Where they go from there really depends on what further investigations they feel is necessary and what approach to treatment they'll take

So we went private for some tests after my referral as the wait time was just under a year at that point.
They did day 21 bloods which came back showing ovulation happened.
I had scans prior to this due to abdominal pain, all in order there.
I have a had a lap & dye which showed again everything is normal with me in that regard (although appendix was fused to pelvic wall, hence my pain 🤣)
Sperm analysis done and normal.
I assume they will redo blood and sperm analysis as they were towards the end of last year now...
Will try shift a couple of pounds as I have been sad eating my feelings for a couple months just to be on the safe side 😂

When you say they focus on then man, in what regard?

@NLO94x how did your appointment go?

@missmoosh so they took my weight and height, the doctor took note of our history of ttc, asked if we drank excessively or smoked etc and decided our only option was to be referred for IVF, which I was kind of expecting but still felt like a bit of a shock to hear it out loud! He didn't think there was much use in trying anything else, I have suspected PCOS although no one has ever said for definite, irregular cycles and don't always ovulate and my boyfriend has a really low count so he said together the chances of us getting pregnant naturally is really low, he said he could of tried medication to get my ovulating but with both factors he said quite frankly it would be a waste of time. My boyfriend has to do a repeat test in about 4 weeks and they will review but it is looking very likely we will go straight for IVF. Have you heard anymore about an appointment date x

@NLO94x oh wow so very matter of fact there then! How are you feeling about it? I think me and my husband know that's what's coming but I guess to hear it can take the wind out of your sails a bit!
Did they say how long it will take to get going on the IVF? I really hope it all works out for you 🙂

Nope, I chased them and they said I am 28ish weeks into an average 36 week wait. However, PALS have said they will get womens services to contact me. I think its mental how long the wait is. Given that if it is IVF there is going to be even more waiting, its like hello time is ticking I want a baby! 😂 Really hoping I hear something soon, I'm rather impatient now lol

@missmoosh very!! I presumed they would try other options first so to hear we're going straight for IVF was a shock! So my boyfriend needs to book for his test in about 4 weeks time, that will be 4 months since his first test just to see if anything has changed then from there the doctor said it should be quite a quick process getting the first consultation then get started within a few months he thought! I'm Manchester based so will be going through either Saint Marys or CREATE!

I would keep chasing, I had a nightmare with my first referral, the GP forgot to send it through so I pestered and managed to get an appointment a couple of months earlier than expected! X

@NLO94x gosh so it's literally just more a wait for that check and then all a go! Hopefully whilst you wait for that you can have your initial stuff with the IVF clinic as well.

Yeah I have checked and the referral has definitely gone, its just an insane wait list. I hold out hope that we won't need it anyway, but my hope is dwindling with every passing month tbh...

@missmoosh hopefully!

Oh good, I know the waiting is hard but it will all be worth it, well that's what I keep telling myself! X