Ready You're back. . Hope you had an excellent holiday and feel truly relaxed.
Well, we had our first appointment at UCH-ACU on Monday. For the benefit of Gilly who wanted to know whether it was any different from the NHS, I will bore you with the details. Everyone else, please feel free to ignore
I have to admit my day did not go quite according to plan. We were rung at 9am to say the doctor we were booked in with wouldn't be there so did we want to see another one or re-arrange. As DH had arranged to work from home, it made sense just to go ahead - wasn't particuarly bothered if we saw the Deputy Director or not (and the appointment letter had warned us we might not see him). I'd booked myself a facial in the morning as I was a bit nervous about the appointment but after the noise of drilling in the shop next door and having what felt like every one of my pores squeezed, I can't say I felt particularly relaxed. I then spent 45 minutes at the doctors, trying to get print outs of all the tests we've had done (despite having written to the doctor the week before with a list of all the things we needed, there was nothing ready, and still some tests missing). After a 10 minute discussion about whether they could give me DH's SA results, (they did in the end), by the time I got home, I was so fed up and walked in and burst into tears on DH. Complete over-reaction, I know.
We turned up 45 minutes early as they'd said that DH would need to do a SA sample. However, much to his relief, because he's had one in the last few months, they didn't insist. (I think he's quite happy with the results he's got so far and doesn't want to ruin that!) We were then kept waiting for ages - to be honest, I think the doctor they'd reallocated us to had gone AWOL (and there was I thinking that waiting times might be less than the NHS!) At least it was a nice waiting area with a better selection of magazines / papers than our hospital though DH was certainly getting itchy feet by the time the doctor finally saw us, 45 minutes or so after the appointment time!
We ran through the usual history - have to say I felt it was less thorough than when we'd seen the registrar at the fertility clinic at our local hospital, maybe because they assume you're there as a last-ditch attempt and they don't need to check you meet the NHS criteria for treatment. I also think he was a bit rushed - we didn't spent the full hour or so I'd expected. He said the clinic had a non-agressive approach to treatment so suggested that we start with IUI for three consecutive attempts and then review if that doesn't work. Have to admit this suits me although the statistics aren't great (I think DH was a bit disappointed) - for my agegroup (38-39) it was only 7-8% over 3 months, though the figures for the next agegroup up were slightly higher which doesn't quite follow, so I think it's not the largest sample! Gilly they are a lot higher for younger people - it is quite incredible how much the statistics change after 35 Am trying to fool console myself that there are no known problems so I should have a better rate.
I did persuade him to scan me (more as reassurance, partly as I still haven't seen the HSG results) and he could see which side I'd ovulated on, told me that I've got no cysts or fibroids and that the lining of my uterus was a good thickness. All very reassuring!
I then went to see the nurse so she could give me clomid - we decided that it was easiest to pick it up whilst I was there although we won't be able to start next cycle as we'll be on holiday for the relevant bits. Procedure sounds similar to yours, Gilly - 5 days of Clomid and a scan on day 9/10. I need to use OPKs and ring them the first day I get a positive and they'll do the IUI the same day or following morning. (My biggest concern here is that DH isn't miles away at a meeting which could make it impossible. He's aware it's an issue so planning to make sure he doesn't book any meetings on his own). If they find more than 3 or 4 follicles, they either cancel it or carry out follicular reduction.
I've come away feeling positive that we've got a plan of action. Have to admit the doctor made me laugh gesticulating with his liberal use of "quotation marks", particularly when he said they encouraged us to "make love" the day after the IUI . Also had a good chat with DH on Monday evening about future plans - if it doesn't work, IVF and then adoption (wasn't sure what the agelimits were for this but just found there isn't one which is a relief).
Anyway, enough of me. Nomore & Gilly Am keeping lots of fingers crossed for you both at the moment.
Sybil Tell Jamie to get a move on.
Mistlethrush Glad the weather was good in Scotland. We're off to Ireland at the end of next week. I full expect it to rain so can't be disappointed
Hello to everyone else. Just previewed this - sorry it's so long