First fertility clinic appointment- what happens?

[daisyrosie]

Hi everyone. I've recently been referred to my local NHS fertility clinic by my GP and my first appointment in at the end of February. I just wondered what usually happens at the first appointment, is it just a review and a chance to talk about further tests and fertility treatments or will I have tests done on the day?

For background, I came off the pill nearly 4 yrs ago and I have PCOS which was diagnosed 9 yrs ago. I've had a smear test and 21 day bloods and hormone/infertility screening blood tests done. All results have come back normal and GP said I ovulated last cycle as progesterone level was 45. My DH had a SA done and he is normal too, so the issues are to do with me. Are there any questions I need to be asking when I go to my hospital appointment?

Thanks in advance, would really appreciate any help.

[Mrsmch123]

Hi ladies I think it varries greatly from area to area.we were first referred in January 19, gp done progesterone blood test and thyroid which came back fine. OH had to have a sperm analysis, which showed low count.(3 mill). We had our first appointment in Feb 19 were they went over the results and done a internal scan for me look at ovaries and womb. they also checked weight bmi and co2 levels.They recommend condysil for OH and to repeat test with in 3 months. We then went back in September as the July appt got cancelled. OH sperm had increased to 8 mill so they said we would need icsi. So they put us on the waiting list and had an appointment in November which they done swabs on me took blood for AMH and gave us our consent letters to read over. We went back in January to sign consent forms and to be given our protocol. They told us to phone at next period to get started. Unfortunately there was no space so having to wait till March. Hope this helps somewhat

[Abiv123]

Any update I know it’s a few years on but I’m in same sitch at the moment x

[Abc1122]

hi everyone..we have been going through this..i have not got any period for 5 mths..not pregnant..dont know what to do

[donnas146]

I would also like to know that too Lisaian !

[Lisaian]

Hi can anyone tell me would you get refused nhs ivf treatment if you use a vape pen with nicotine In it got our first appointment soon and I no you can’t smoke but not sure if they class vapeing as smoking

[ScottishLady7]

Hi tata
I'm 27 and been ttc #1 since October 2015 with no luck.

We have our first fc appt in 10 days. DH's SA was rubbish the first time but I think he let it get too cold on the way there. The second sample I took to the lab and transported it in my bra- it was much better! Unfortunately the consistency was abnormal in both- too viscous and small volume. GP didn't know what impact this might have so referred us on.

I then had to have day 21 bloods done- progesterone low but repeated a week later as cbafm told me I had ovulated on day 21 - progesterone ~39. Had day 2 hormones done- all fine.

Feeling mixed about the appointment- glad to be proactive but sad that we have to go- I had hoped we would be successful and not need the appointment!

I'd love to keep each other company and to hear from anyone else with any relevant experience or advice?

[tatatetelle]

Hello, I'm hoping this threat is still active, I'm 28yo, ttc since January '16 but I've known I have PCOS since I was 19 so always knew it might be a bit more difficult to get pregnant. Hubby did SA and all is good for him so our GP has agreed to refer us to a fertility clinic, although I'm a bit worried about waiting time now!
Because of PCOS I haven't had a cycle in 5 months so can be..challenging to keep trying while we get the referral appt (for me more than for him I think!), so if anyone's still there it would be great to have people going through something similar to chat to from time to time :)

[daisyrosie]

Just a quick update for anyone who may be interested. I had my first appointment yesterday. It was pretty similar to what others have said upthread really - they took a history of mine and husbands general health, do we drink/smoke etc, weight check for my BMI, any previous surgery which could have affected fertility, any previous known STI's. Also checked the results of my blood test GP did. I had to have a swab done as although all my tests for chlamydia have been negative they need an up to date test before HSG otherwise any infections there could be moved further up into your reproductive organs which they obviously don't want!

They said as I am producing eggs and ovulating the fact I have pcos is irrelevant as it mainly causes ovulation to not happen if it is a problem for fertility. So I have to have day 21 bloods taken again for comparison (although I've never had a day 3 blood test, not sure why unless they aren't worried about that if the first day 21 showed I ovulated) and book in for a HSG when my next period starts to check my tubes are ok. Then have a review after that to discuss the results of blood test and HSG and treatment options. But basically I was told if tubes ok I can start clomid, if not it would be IVF. So really hoping tubes are all good!

Hope everyone else is doing well x

[daisyrosie]

Hi popmpl, I'm not sure what happens in the case of secondary infertility, but they probably would want to do the tube test again if that worked for you before. It will also depend on what your blood results and SA showed. I have my first appointment a week on Friday so I can let you know what happens if you would find it useful. Xx

[popmpl]

hey huns. I am facing secondary infertility, and referred for a fertility treatment. Hubby SA is done and my blood works are also done. Can anyone tell what shall i expect? Are they going to do the tubes test again? I have a son already, who i conceived after the treatment. So i had that tube test done even before. I have PCOS too

[daisyrosie]

Hi Rachel, when do you get your blood test results? Hope it goes well, I'm sure you'll get some answers now as you've had the day 21 done as well.

[rachelb1985]

Thats really interesting to read mrscrumbtious as i have recently started taking pregnacare conception vitamins also and had a very strange and late period this month. I will have to see if it happens again. I had my blood test today "day 2 blood test" the doctor called it i cant wait to hear the results and get some amswers.

[daisyrosie]

How have you found the pre-seed? I've heard it mentioned on here but never tried it. Like you say it can't hurt! My hubby is the same, he did take the male conception vitamins for a while but stopped them. We have been having smoothies for breakfast for a few months so I'm hoping they will help a bit with the diet! I've had some blood tests recently but not had a scan for 10yrs since I was diagnosed with pcos, so I will be interested to see what's happening in there! Xx

[MrsCrumbtious]

I'm good thanks, had the letter through for our appointment yesterday and strangely looking forward to it
Have been trying pre seed for a few months to see if that helps instead of supplements but guess it wouldn't hurt to ask about any vitamins to take especially for my hubby (he's more likely to listen to a medical expert rather then me nagging!)
So have you had any scans etc before your appointment? You said you've got PCOS? Xx

[daisyrosie]

I'm the same, I've been taking the Healthspan conception vitamins but I've not tried anything else. I did wonder, if things like that work, surely they would be recommended by doctors, so I might mention it at my appointment at the end of the month. How are things with you? Xx

[MrsCrumbtious]

No, there's so many different supplements/treatments out there it's so confusing haha! I took pregnacare conception last year and AF disappeared so really worried about taking anything that might mess up my cycles xx

[daisyrosie]

Mine too, I guess because we're constantly reminded of TTC with our cycles we are much more aware of it. It's certainly hard to ignore! Still, not too much longer to wait now. I'm actually looking forward to the testing in a weird way, one step closer to baby!

I saw an advert online for inofolic which is a treatment for PCOS, have you heard of it? I've not heard of it before.

[MrsCrumbtious]

I'd love that! Hubby thinks I'm getting a bit obsessed with ttc so it would be great to find someone to chat with going through the same :-)

[daisyrosie]

Hi Rachel, that's good news about your day 21 test, I'm sure they would have said if it had indicated that you hadn't ovulated. Good luck with your partners next SA, fingers crossed it was just the wee infection causing the issue, they are nasty things aren't they!

Mrs Crumbtious, my first appt is the last week of Feb so similar time. I'm so glad I started this thread, perhaps we could all update how things are going/vent when we want to?! As supportive as my hubby is I don't want to bore him with all the talk of tests etc. Good luck to you both xx

[MrsCrumbtious]

So glad to find this thread. We got a referral to the fertility clinic in March so not too much of a wait.

Hoping they can answer some questions we have and hopefully won't wait too long for more diagnoses

Xx

[rachelb1985]

Hi daisyrosie i was just about to start up a message similiar to this as i have recently been referred to a fertility specialist. I had my first appointment a few weeks ago. He just said my day 21 blood test was good but didnt tell me the progestorne level was which i would like to ask on my next appoint. He asked questions about me and my partner. I had taken my partners sa results with me as he had been given them by his doctor. The specialist said his results were poor but he needed another test done incase this was just a one off or something had caused that reading i.e wee infection which he found out he had a few days after doing the test.
They have sent me appointmenrs for a internal scan which is a camera looking inside im told it feels a bit like smear test. Im also waiting to have a day2 blood test on my next period.
My body seems to let me get my hopes up a lot :(

[daisyrosie]

Thanks whatdoido, I shall be prepared for lots of form filling and weighing! To be honest that is a good thing as the info my GP had is out of date so it may help things along if they can see I've been trying to lose weight and eat more healthily.

[daisyrosie]

I know how you feel about the frustration, I felt like I was losing my mind sometimes! Feeling much better now that the ball is rolling. Did your GP give you an e-referral? That's what mine did and you can choose where you go for treatment, the waiting time for first appointment and the appointment dates and times available. If you still need blood tests and SA test done, your best bet is to do these and then ask the GP for the referral based on the results. It does feel like jumping through hoops but keep going!