What happens at the fertility clinic?

[Sheep94]

Hi everyone,

I'm finally getting a cycle day 21 blood test and a referral to the fertility clinic tomorrow.

I'm so scared, but also excited and I have no idea what goes on there.

Does my partner have a joint appointment or do I go on my own just for me?

Does my doctor and my partners doctor become a team and share our health records for best results?

Or does my partner have to set things up himself depending on my results and tests?

Thank you so much.

We've been through this process twice (NHS - both times in London but different trusts as we moved house in between) and both times were broadly similar.

2020 - referral waiting time was about 7months but some of that was during the first lockdown when all services were suspended

This year - i was told waiting time of 6months but i think my appt came in 4 months? So not as bad as i was expecting.

1st appt - detailed history of me and DH. I went on my own but had him on the phone to answer some questions about his medical history. First time (during covid) i had to fill in a detailed questionnaire so it was easy for him to whatsapp me the answers. Second time (this year), it would have been fine for him to come actually but in the end i knew his history well enough to provide answers. It might be worth him coming to at least sit in the waiting room with you at the very least. More bloods ordered, internal ultrasound booked for me and DH semen analysis booked. Second appt scheduled for 3 months time. Advice given to us on supplements and i needed to lose some weight.

2nd appt - we went together. The Dr talked through both of our results and what our options were. First time round after this appt we moved straight to ovulation induction so i was then given all the prescriptions i needed and a detailed plan of how and when to take the meds + book the scans. I did three cycles of letrozole and was successful. Second time around, it was decided i should have an HSG to check for any blockages since DD1 was born. So detailed instructions given on how to book and prescription given for antibiotics ready for the procedure. Appt booked for 3months time again to follow up after the HSG (but would have been sooner if not for the Dr going on annual leave). As it was, i actually fell pregnant naturally (first time in 5yrs of TTC!) so we didn't go ahead with any more appts.

Good luck. I actually found once you are in the process, it all moves rather efficiently and a bit like a conveyor belt. Which can feel a bit odd when its so personal to me as the patient, but i guess Drs see this all day every day and so just crack on! Hope it is a positive outcome for you.

Sorry you are having to go through this process, it’s no fun at all.
DH and I began fertility investigations before falling pregnant naturally with DC1 so I can’t comment on the whole process and obviously experiences will differ.
When I first went to my GP and had the ovulation blood tests, she also advised that DH made an appointment with his GP as well (he is registered at a different practice, otherwise may have been different) which he did and was sent for a semen analysis. All tests came back normal and we were referred to the fertility clinic. We each attended separately for the specific tests we needed. I had an internal ultrasound which I was dreading but for me it was nowhere near as bad as I built it up to be in my head, it was so professional and actually such a positive experience. DH was sent for another semen analysis. We had also had to provide information about ourselves, lifestyle etc. When we received the results of these tests, we had actually already conceived, but we were seen together and they still gave us advice on why it may have taken the time it did to conceive before discharging us. The wait times were pretty long for us but also covid was a big thing then and I think that was the case with everything!

I'm in the process of getting referred and the GP has put in requests for blood tests (done now) and an internal ultrasound for me, and my other half has an appointment with his GP for semem analysis. Once all the results are back the full referral gets put in and then the wait for an appointment begins! I think it might be around a 6-7 month wait for an appointment in my area.

We are just starting our fertility journey and are just about to be referred. During the first consultation do they ask about medical history whilst you are with your partner? Along with examinations or is this done separately?
I have been pregnant before but not with my current partner so I feel talking about these details during medical history could be awkward.

Thank you in advance… 😊