Been referred for IVF-any idea how long???

[spook]

DH's GP has referred us as a couple for IVF and ICSI (v low motility)
We're not eligible for NHS funding as I'm 41 so I phoned the clinic to make an appt but apparently still need a referral from the GP
I'm sure everywheres different but just wondered how long everyone elses took (its Centre for Life in Newcastle BTW)
Thankyou !!

Hiya

Dont know if this will help but i last saw Gynae Cons on 22feb and received appt to see Consultant in reproductive medicine for today, i saw him this afternoon and they informed me (i am on the NHS waiting list which could take 12-18 months) so i would say 6 wks for IVF clinic appt. hope this helps

Hiya

Dont know if this will help but i last saw Gynae Cons on 22feb and received appt to see Consultant in reproductive medicine for today, i saw him this afternoon and they informed me (i am on the NHS waiting list which could take 12-18 months) so i would say 6 wks for IVF clinic appt. hope this helps

Depends entirely on the clinic and how busy they are - some are only small and have restricted numbers of couples having IVF etc at any one time

You should be able to get to see the consultant pretty quickly - 1-2 weeks with any luck - and the clinic will be able to tell you this. After that it is up to the scheduling and how busy they are as to when you can start your treatment. Again, ask the receptionist or if she can't help you speak to the practice manager or consultants secretary as they will know.

I've self referred once already and my clinic was fine with this, and when I needed a new clinic due to a move I self referred again - funny how clinics are different.

I agree with Onlyaphase it does depend on where you live aswell. good luck spook hope all goes well and that we all have gud news soon

And actually, when you do find out please can you let me know as I may well end up using that clinic once I have moved!

Hello Spook
Just to pass on some other information - low sperm motility can be helped by food high in anti-oxidants and avoiding things such as caffeine (found in fizzy drinks, alchohol as well as the usual coffe, tea, chocolate)as well as using vitamin / mineral supplements (vits, C,D, E zinc and selenium are important.
Also if a smoker, stopping smoking. Wear loose fitting trousers, underwear. He should not have his mobile phone on standby if in his trouser pocket. Certain occupations where a man sits for long periods of time have also been found to affect sperm motility.

If you know of a fertility awareness practitioner in your area then I would visit one but they are few on the ground - we have two in Edinburgh but I don't know of any around Newcastle. If none in your area then a good nutritionist specialising in fertility matters would be an idea. Even though you have been referred for IVF and ICSI you both need to be in tip top condition so it's worth getting checked out thoroughly.
Hope this helps.

Hi everyone and thankyou so much.
Ofcourse I'll keep you updated Onlyaphase
Didn't even know there was such a thing as fertility awareness practitioner so thankyou for that JulietM!
I'll print your post off and stick in on DH's forehead so he sees it everytime he looks in the mirror (backwards obviously )
Just thinking about this whole process makes me want to cry tbh. After a ruptured ectopic then 2 years TTC I just can't face another failure.

We were referred for IVF at the end of Jan by the fertility centre of local hospital to the IVF clinic, who contacted us at the end of Feb and we're starting the IVF treatment already (10 weeks in total - I hadn't realised it was so quick til now!!) so it really varies depending on where you are/which clinic you're with and their workload. Can you ring them (the IVF clinic) for advice?

Thanks Nomoremagnolia. I will call the centre on Monday. And all the luck in the world to you

Best of luck to you too (with calling the centre and with the IVF) Come and join us on the IVFers thread if you want some on-going support - I'm only doing this for the first time but there are some very knowledgeable ladies on there

Well-called Centre for Life and they reckon its 10 weeks from being referred to first appt
Will stop holding my breath then!

That's good - isn't it?

I was hoping it would be quicker nomoremagnolia. I'm just hurry hurry hurry
I'm away all through August too and just have feeling it will all be underway then and will probably have to come home.But that would be worth it!! Not too worry. I'll just try and put it to the back of my mind until we hear something.
Have started to read IVF thread but want a good sit down with no DS's chirping away in the background!

oh, then sorry but honestly 10 weeks isn't that long and the treatment takes so long anyway that it's all about waiting. We're being funded by the local PCT and thought that we'd be waiting ages to even get referred, so 10 weeks is brilliant from where we stand!