REFERRED TO IVF

[enocar]

So last appointment with the gynecologist, he didn't explain to me about my last blood test, even thou i asked, said something i didn't understand as he had such a strong accent, and then just started filling in forms about IVF, I don't even know if it was the forms for joining the ivf list or funding? All he said about that was it could be Swansea or Cardiff, I asked about how long the waiting list was and he said he could phone and check but didn't. The form asked about if we were smokers and our weight, height, bmi and other questions, which he filled in, he didn't ask many questions, practically filled it in without our help. So now I have no idea what the next stage is, do I wait for a letter? Can someone on their own ivf journey help me please.

Hi enocar. This sounds like the forms we filled in to confirm we were eligbible for NHS funding after we saw the consultant when all our tests were complete and were told our best option was ICSI (a form of IVF). Since then I was sent an appointment to see the head nurse for her to explain the process to us. She also told us the date i'd start injecting and what my scan dates would be during ivf cycle. Then we were sent an appointment to learn how to inject the drugs. You can look up waiting lists on hfea website. It says no wait for our clinic, and to be fair there's been only a couple of months from seeing nurse to starting our cycle, but from referral to starting has been almost 12 months.
I'd suggest speaking to your GP and seeing if they can find anything out on your behalf. they may be able to give you printouts of test results - you can then post them on MN and there will be plenty of people here to help you interpret them.

That sounds like a shocking appointment! I'd definitely phone someone to ask what this doctor has done with regards to referring you to a clinic. Did you choose which clinic you preferred? If you did maybe give them a call to see if you've been added to the waiting list. Otherwise call the gynae dept and explain to the receptionist your confusion and they should ask the Dr and get back to you. Don't be afraid to ask!

We had loads of forms to fill in for our clinic which included all our medical and sexual history, child protection forms and consent to use our gametes for research purposes! The form the Dr filled out was possibly the referral form which our GP did for us as we didn't need to see gynae.

You may be in for a bit of a wait because you're in Wales but you need to find out what stage you are at or you'll worry yourself silly. Pick up that phone tomorrow and good luck. Do post again with an update so we know you're ok ;-)x

What a nightmare enocar - that sounds very much like our experience of fertility clinics in South Wales. The way we were treated nearly drove me to the brink of a nervous breakdown. It took us nearly 2 years from referral to fertility clinic getting on the waiting list despite having factors on both sides that mean its near impossible we'd ever conceive without ICSI that were present from the start.

I think the forms you were filling in were to check you eligibility for IVF. After you've done these you do the Welfare of the Child forms (suitability, rather than eligibility, but no one fails!), then they put you on the waiting list... which is a good 18 months long I'm afraid. We moved to England not long after we were put on the waiting list, and it's completely ridiculous but there is no waiting list at all in our new area and I'm currently waiting for AF to start injecting.

Like the others said, I'd get on the phone and get some answers about what is going on. The consultant's secretary is normally a good place to start as they're often the ones dictating the letters and processing the forms, and they usually have your notes in their office. Best of luck and let us know how you get on.

hi Vic. enocar I got sent the forms Vic is talking about just before my explanatory appt with nurse so don't worry too much if you haven't got them yet, but maybe ask when you can expect to receive them. you can get them online too on hfea site.

Hi everyone, thanks for taking the time to reply :) I didn't get to choose where I would have the ivf, I was trying to read the paperwork as he wrote in it, and I saw the name of the 2 hospitals, Swansea would be closer for me, they have a year waiting list, I am 35 now, feels like I'm on borrowed time, as far as ever getting pregnant :( I want the ivf to happen quick as poss obviously, but it feels like it's my last chance, if it don't work, the dream is over, I'm trying to think positive but I've been let down by my body, too many times not to be pessimistic.

Little talks, of course people are considered unsuitable based on the welfare of the child test! Why do you say 'no-one ever fails'! Do you work in the field to know this?

I've had a letter from the gynocologist to have a urine test for chlamydia and yet another full blood test, done that yesterday at my local surgery and phoned hospital to let them know, they said they would keep a look out for the results, so I guess I just wait now......

Please could anyone tell me what happened once they were referred to the IVF Tertiary Centre, and how long they waited. I've found out my sister in law is pregnant (First grand child for my in-laws) I burst into tears when my husband showed me the text, just feels like another kick in the teeth :( Dont get me wrong I'll be happy for them, but outside while I'm smiling, my heart inside will be breaking :( I'm so worried that even thou I've told them I've had the tests, being nhs and ppl being overworked, that they might not complete the referral :( How will I know it's been done?

Hi enocar - I'm also in the waiting for IVF, although not the NHS route, and with donating my eggs thrown in on top of the IVF, so our experiences won't quite be the same. My journey's taken a long time, but half of that was because I had to lose weight and get my BMI under 30, which took a while.

The best advice I was given was to just keep asking until someone answers your questions. I'm not the most outspoken of people, but am starting to speak up when needed.

I've posted in a thread here with what's happened so far, so if you wanted to look at someone else's experience, please feel free to read it. I'm hoping to have my egg recipient lined up by the end of February and to start the treatment on my first period after then, which would probably mean egg transfer in early May, pretty much one year after I was referred. I imagine most people would be a lot quicker than that.

I would just like to add that I've received my letter to say we have been accepted onto the ivf list, I spoke to a lady on the phone, and she said the waiting list atm is 8 months, but to ring in a few months for an update :) Also for anyone waiting for the letter, it's always worth putting your mind at rest and phoning to make sure they have received the referral, as I did, even thou I was worried they might think I was being pushy, but it turned out a month after I had received my copy of the referral letter, the ivf clinic hadn't received it and another one was sent out, so always worth checking! Thankyou Frettchen, good luck with your IVF journey :)