IVF/ICSI in South Wales

[happylass]

Hi. Yesterday we were told we're being referred for ICSI on the NHS. We were also told the waiting list here in South Wales is 12-18 months. Just wondering what other people's experience of the waiting list is? Is it closer to 12 months or more likely to be 18 (or more? ). Also we've pretty much decided that we are going to have one private cycle whilst we wait. We've already been to an open evening in CRGW. Would be interested to hear experiences of this and other private clinics in the area. Many thanks.

[Believinginmiracles]

Hello all 🤗
I’ve just joined this group 👍in the hope that someone may be able to share their experiences of treatment in the UHW in the 6 months?
We’ve had testing done privately and my husband has low count. We were referred by GP in August and were told there’s a 24 week waiting list until first appointment, which takes us roughly to April.
I just wondered how quickly treatment starts from the first appt and whether it will be quicker as we have already undergone necessary tests. 🤔 Anything you have to share would be great to hear!
😘😘

[Miss83]

35counting hope the symptoms get better for you as the days go on. So not nice feeling like that. Funny how things effect people differently. Knowing my luck I'll be unwell, the pill use to make me really sick for the first few days after my 7 day break. Dr said my body doesn't like the change in hormones.

[Miss83]

I have been refered to another consultant for a different issue the same time so I have so many hospital appointments lately I told two of the women on my team. They are pretty laid back about me going, dont want to see my letters or anything.

It's good to speak to people who have been through the it/going through it. Especially local. You hear so many different things and get so much information given to you it can get so overwhelming so it's nice to understand and beagle to ask questions.

[lucieloos]

We had to wait 3 months to have another attempt but only because I had an ectopic which I needed treatment for. If it had been a straight bfn we could have gone again in a month or two if that's what we had wanted.

The needles are so fine you barely feel them at all. I was really surprised the first time. It is nerve wracking though but it's sadly something you get used to fairly quickly. I have had a lot of treatment (also had private ivf abroad) and I never told my employer about any of it. I didn't find the drugs interfered with work at all and I preferred to use my annual leave or sick leave for any time off as I wanted to keep it separate from my work life but that's just me personally.

[35counting]

@Miss83 I absolutely hate needles but have not found it too bad, my DH has been doing them most of the time but I have had to do them myself twice as timings are very specific (between 6-7pm for me but again varies). This causes the biggest issue with work as means I cannot work late (drugs have to be refrigerated).

Yes I work, my boss knows (although I didn’t tell him until we started) and he has told the team leader too. We also have an ivf policy and, although I wasn’t planning on taking any time off, from what others have said on the July/August forum, I may need to. Apparently towards and after EC is the best time, and then after ET. My main issue so far has been tiredness and lack of concentration, I hit a wall around 4pm. I don’t want to take too much time off though as others will start asking questions and I don’t want everyone to know.

[Miss83]

Thanks for the advice both... Will see what happens in October. I have to have an internal x-ray before then and OH needs to go for one more blood test. But they want them all done before October so they can hopefully just refer us on. Our GP has been wonderful though as have the royal glam and CRGW in llantrisant where were sent to do the SA's. We have been quite lucky.

Congratulations lucieloos on your DD. Did you have to wait long before you could do your second attempt? I bet it was hard the first time around to go through all that but now you have a beautiful little girl.

35counting I'm really not good with needles so dreading it. OH will deffo have to do them for me. Hope you start feeling better soon, it'll all be worth it. Think it'll have to write everything down lol. Do you work? If so how are you finding the meds along with work? My company have re-done there family policy and they are offering women 5 paid days off for fertility treatment up to three cycles a year, which may come in handy. Not that I have told my manager yet as I feel it maybe a awkward conversation to have with him.

[lucieloos]

Ah ok we didn't have any of those problems and generally found it relatively easy to park. Maybe we got lucky. The clinic isn't far from the main reception so didn't have to wander too far around the hospital. I would have gone to heath had it meant being treated any sooner though but personally I don't think you can go far wrong with either.

[35counting]

Sorry @Miss83, missed your questions, I’ve just started the stims. Had two weeks of down regging which stops your natural hormones and the stims replace them. Should be around 10 days of this and then egg collection. I’m not looking forward to it and have had a dreadful first day on the stims, horrendous headache and nausea but I’m hoping it’s just the initial reaction and that it will wear off!

When you get to the top of the list (after all the tests) they ask you to call on the first day of your period and you then have to go in within 10 days for treatment planning. They give you all the drugs and talk you through administering and you start 14 days later. I am on long protocol though and experiences/drugs tend to vary quite a bit depending on your test results. Best of luck, hope you get in soon!

[35counting]

We didn’t have a bad experience with any staff at the Heath at all, it’s just the hospital itself, it is so busy we’ve spent nearly an hour trying to find somewhere to park before and usually end up a mile away and walking in. Plus it is so hot, always a building site and so difficult to navigate.

When I say Neath @Miss83 I mean Neath Port Talbot and the hospital is in Port Talbot. Much smaller, quieter and much bigger car park! If you’ve been offered that I’d jump at it.

[lucieloos]

I have a different view of the heath. We had 2 rounds of icsi there and the staff there were amazing they couldn't have been nicer. We didn't have any real trouble parking at heath in the multi storey and the car parking is now free so if it's more local to you I would go for it. We waited quite a while for treatment but that was a couple of years back. I had heard they have reduced the waiting list significantly now so you might get seen a lot sooner.

On our first icsi attempt I got a bfp but sadly ended in ectopic. The second attempt resulted in our beautiful daughter who's now just over a year old. I wish you lots of luck for your treatment and hope you have an equally positive outcome.

[Miss83]

Yes thank you I will look in to that. Anything to get this ball rolling.

At our appointment they did mention to us that I would be cardiff or port Talbot we would be referred to and was hoping for cardiff as we are more local to there, but now after what you said I think I'll try and push for Neath, and yes the parking is a nightmare in the Heath.

It's amazing how many people go through this. I have one close friend who is in the same boat as me, so it's nice to have someone to talk to about it sometimes.

What stage are you at in regards to ICSI if you don't mind me asking? Do they pretty much get going from your first appointment? Thanks for the advice, you have been a big help.

[35counting]

The staff at Neath are lovely and overall the experience is just far nicer than the Heath, the hospital is newer and far quieter, there is no issue parking and it doesn’t actually take us any longer to drive there than it does battle through traffic to the Heath! I was referred there as I have a heart condition and they have a full time anaesthetist in WFI in Neath (whereas they don’t in WFI Heath apparently) so it’s safer. It is certainly worth asking though. I’m nearly 37 now so was your age when I was first referred.

Had some friends over earlier who went through ivf about 5 years ago and she just searched for ivf trials and amazingly got a free one privately in London (and conceived first time). Maybe that is worth a look? I did look at local nhs trials but hadn’t thought of private ones.

[Miss83]

Hi 35counting that's crazy how long it's taken for you! I had heard that it was a two year waiting list from someone else. All tests have come back that I'm fine but OH has nothing in his samples so that's why they were saying ICSI to us. We can't really afford to go private but I really don't know if I could wait... I'm 35 now, been told it's 9 months to get in to the Heath and then another (possible) two years wait on top of that is giving me anxiety.

How are you finding the process so far with Neath? Maybe we could just ask to go there instead of cardiff. Glad things are finally moving for you.

[35counting]

Hi @Miss83, sorry to be the bearer of bad news but I’ve just started treatment for ICSI after being referred to the Heath in Oct 2016, the process is painfully slow!

We had tests privately at CRGW last year but then the next step on the NHS was looming so we decided to wait. We gave it until May this year when we had the “treatment planning” app through and finally started 2 weeks ago. We also then had the opportunity of being transferred to Neath to speed the process up (which we jumped at as we hate the Heath). I hope your wait isn’t as long!

[Miss83]

Hi guys, know this is an old thread but was wondering how everyone had gotten on and any new people being refered to on to the Heath?

We are currently under the Royal Glam waiting for our (hopefully) last appointment before we get referred to the Heath. So far we have been told it is a 9 month waiting list to get in. Looks like we are going to be going down the route of ICSI. Thanks.

[Lululoonytoons]

I hope so! Thank you xx

[lucieloos]

Thanks lulu I think they are getting through the back log now so i don't think you have to wait that long after your initial appt anymore. Hopefully you will hear something the first half of next year.

[Lululoonytoons]

Thanks for replying lucieloos, I'm coming up 33 so don't qualify for that category. Someone did tell me that they had an appointment after about 6 months and then had the treatment about 12 months after that again but I suppose I'll just have to wait and see! It's taken over two years of going back and fore the doctors to get this far so I suppose a bit more patience won't hurt! All the very best for your appointment, fingers crossed it all goes smoothly and quickly for you xx

[lucieloos]

Hi lulu, I was referred the beginning of March and have finally received my first appt for a couple of weeks at the beginning of December so 9 months for us. She did say that this was because they are trying to see those who are 36+ sooner so it may help if you fall into that category.

[Lululoonytoons]

Hi, we were referred to the Heath in July, can anyone tell me when they received their initial appointment? All our tests and blood work has been done at Neville Hall and our referring Dr told us it would be a few months before we heard about an appointment. I've tried to be patient but am suffering badly with period pain atm and am feeling a bit disheartened that once again we haven't cracked it! It's unexplained fertility, any answers and advice will be greatly received.

[kelsey0092]

Ah thats fantastic , its so encouraging to here people who have had succesfull treatment ...always gives me a boost of hope, that one day that could be us :) xx

[sunshineonarainyday1]

Yes DD is daughter! She's now 14 months and every day we are so grateful for our little miracle!

[kelsey0092]

Thanks you ladies thats how i am doing it but i have read on here other people injecting elswhere which confused me a bit...i am alternating everyday to try and even it out so its not so sore ..thats fantastic news happylass :) wishing u all the best over the next 2 weeks . X

Sunshineonarainyday , thats fab for it to happen in ur 1st cycle...im new to all this terminology so im guessing 'dd' means you have a daughter? Fingers crossed that your 2nd go turns out aswell as your first :)

[sunshineonarainyday1]

Like happylass I would alternate between left and right of my belly button and about an inch below and an inch to the side of it....if that makes sense?
Happylass, congratulations on the 2 being back on board! When is your otd? Hope you're doing some nice relaxing things over the next two weeks xxxx
Kelsey, we had 1 cycle (luckily) that produced my DD. Looking to start again in the new year in the hope of a second child. Wish I could start now tho!!