Hi Serena
of course you can :)
Well... our process took 6 months BUT it was complicated due to the fact that we are in a same sex relationship and there was the sperm to "source".
However, I can tell you what the general process requires you to do and how this will affect your timescale.
First you will need to get INTO your initial appointment. This I would think will be fairly quick especially if you are looking to go private. My gp referral was for the gyneocologist. The gyneocologist had to then run tests to confirm I was suitable for IVF and indeed infertile.
that took 3 months.
Then the gynaecologist referred me for IVF and the referral takes 6 weeks.
Once at the IVF clinic, there was the appointment, then the blood test (done on the same day) and an internal scan (done the following week).
at this point I was confirmed as viable for the treatment and given my "S number". This meant I was now in the system.
Then me and my partner needed therapy (we are waiting to go to that now) because we are using donor sperm. you can skip this if you are using your partner.
You also need to come for a 1 hour appointment to sign all the paperwork. you will BOTH need to attend this appointment and sign loads of stuff about what to do with your eggs if you die mid-treatment (I know ...) and loads of moral questions etc. They will briefly ask about your relationship, marriage if applicable and some small personal questions.
you are now ready to start. Depending how soon you can get all that sorted will depend when you can start.
to start now, you will need to know what protocol they are going to put you on. there are two I believe. Short and long. Short takes 5 weeks from the moment you start to the point when you test for pg. Others will be able to tell you more about the long protocol. The doctors will decide which one is for you depending on why you need ivf.
So you wait for your next period and call them on day one. they will then start what they call the "test month". you will be called in to a group session to learn to inject and find out everything you need to know about the drugs. you will NOT be trying to conceive this month (which means you are unlikely to start the real IVF until March from the sounds of it).
after the test month, you wait for your period again and then start the treatment. On short protocol you will hopefully be pregnant 5 weeks later! (there are appointments during this period and various tests).
I am sure other members can fill in the gaps and add their experience to the above time line. I am using the Manchester clinic and I am sure things vary according to location and if it is NHS or private! feel free to message me whenever you want with anything you like :)