IVF this spring - anyone else here too? Advice from those in the know? (Anything v. gratefully received!)

[LeviStubbsTears]

Dear all,

I've been on other threads, at an earlier stage of TTC, but am having difficulty finding quite the right one (at least that seems active) now. Just wondered if anyone else was having IVF in the next few months, or had any advice from past experience. I'm quite nervous, especially as my DH, while lovely in almost every other respect, is lukewarm about the kids idea so I feel a bit alone. He's cooperating, obviously, but is not yet even interested in the whole process. (Not the best start, I know, but have at least some reason to believe he'll be supportive, and even keen, when kids, or even a pregnancy, is a reality, if it ever is.) We've got an 'information seminar' and consultation with a doctor at the IVF clinic in early February. Any thoughts from those more experienced on how long after that we can expect to wait for treatment (this is NHS funded)? Any other thoughts at all also very welcome - thanks! LST xx

hi, just coming to lurk on the thread really, we're at early stages of fertility testing, after ttc for 15 months, and may have to go down the IVF route in the near future.

just wanted to say too that my DH is being supportive, and I do know he wants children, but sometimes he seems not interested in all the process, testing etc. He said to me though, when this upset me, that he just finds it easier to cope if he doesn't think about it too much. And I guess thats just as natural a coping mechanism as mine (trying to find out lots of information etc). So just wanted to say that you're not alone in having a slightly disinterested DH, but maybe don't worry about it too much although I know what you mean about it making you feel more alone

(sorry, that was a bit waffly! had a long day!)

Hi there - I'm in a very similar boat and have joined this thread where there are lots of ladies who are in various stages of going through IVF and other types of assisted conception. There are also some ladies who are pregnant as a consequence, to give us all hope and the benefit of their experience!

I've got the information evening next week at our hospital (Guy's in London) and with luck should be starting ICSI soon after - this is NHS funded and it seems there is no waiting list here, which amazes me.

Look forward to seeing you on the thread if you decide to join.

Hi Levi hope you're doing well (and are not too busy with the masters!). I've been wondering how you are.

I found the assisted conception thread Cerubina linked to a lifesaver during my IVF/ICSI, as there was always someone to explain something/offer advice/just listen to my moans...but I also lurked a lot on Fertility Friends talkboard, as they have monthly cycle buddy threads, and various other threads about just about everything you could be wondering about. V informative (you may need to be blind to all the pinkness and emoticons though!). Really hope you get your funding through quickly and, more crucially, a BFP as soon as possible

Oh thanks, folks, for your prompt replies and support/ fellow feeling from different angles - it's sooo nice to know that there is a community of people in a similar situation (not that I'd wish it on anyone), or hopefully through it and out to the other side happily. On that note, great to hear from you, Caitni! I've been away for ages, partly busy, partly a bit low about the whole TTC thing (though having a date and progress am now feeling much better) - but have looked at the WIMB-whatever-it-is thread and kept following (stalking?!) you and am really happy that things are good - you must be so close now!! It is so encouraging to hear good news stories. I know it's not exactly plain sailing from here on in in terms of life, managing child-rearing, having some time for yourself etc. - but it will be wonderful too.

And thanks, Cherubina for the link and spur to join that thread - had looked at it, but somehow it's a bit intimidating sometimes to join these well established threads when there is already a group of 'friends' - even though everyone is invariably friendly and helpful on here, in my experience. But will be encouraged to get onto that as it sounds like a really good source of help and advice. And of course hope things go really well for you.

And will no doubt also hover on Fertility Friends (thanks, Caitni) - suspect it will be any port in a storm over the next few months!

Good luck with it all, tiredfeet - sounds like the right thing to do to get on with testing etc. as we waited for more than 3 years, and it's taken another year and a half even to get to this point, with trying another couple of things. But that was almost entirely because we were rather lacklustre at the beginning so sure you can get things moving much more quickly. (I'm 37 so feel it's about time we took action.) Sounds like your DH is worried about being too emotionally involved, whereas mine genuinely isn't bothered, in the sense that he can't and won't devote the smallest bit of time and energy to something that isn't a reality - he's weird like that generally, and it's very frustrating. But he's amazing with kids, so I'm hoping he'll get on board as and when necessary! It's hard though, whatever the cause - hope you don't feel too alone with it all. Mumsnet is great for that in my limited experience, anyway!

OK, way past bedtime, but thanks, all, for being there. All the very best for whatever stage you're at! LST xx