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Infertility

Our Infertility Support forum is a space to connect with others in the same position, discuss causes, treatment and IVF, and share infertility stories of hope and success.

Original poster

ivi chester

708 replies

red1hen · 22/02/2018 15:15

Anyone any experiences of treatment at ivi chester? Just been referred for IVF there. Told i should have first appointment within 6 weeks!!! Would be great to chat to anyone who's having/had their IVF there too!

OP posts:
stuggi01244 · 22/02/2018 15:23

Hey red1hen
I had successful ivf at Chester (countess) last year. I have a 5 month old boy from it. Do you know who your consultant is? I can't fault them tbh they were brilliant start to finish. If you have any questions let me know as hth xx

Original poster
red1hen · 22/02/2018 16:01

Thank you stuggi congratulations on your little boy! My consultant is prof kingsland, been seeing him in the gyne unit at my local hospital and he’s now referred me for IVF.

Do you mind me asking if your treatment was NHS or private? If it was NHS did you have long to wait? Just wondering what to expect at that first appt in a few weeks time, we expected a longer wait to be honest!

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stuggi01244 · 22/02/2018 16:30

Thank you, I also know lots of other ladies who have had success from ivf at Chester so you're in good hands.
We were NHS - from when I went to my GP to actually starting injections it was almost exactly a year. I got my referral think it took about 12 weeks, then had loads of blood tests, hycosy, scratch and then started. It was the wait between appointments that took the longest. On average I think I waited 8-10 weeks for appointments which was a bit frustrating. Have you already had all your bloods? That might speed it up x

Original poster
red1hen · 22/02/2018 16:36

I haven’t had any tests recently as just finished 6 months of clomid but had bloods, ultrasound & hycosy about this time last year. I imagine they’ll want to do more bloods and probably another ultrasound before we start so that might take a bit longer. What’s a scratch if you dont mind me asking?

Good to hear people have good experiences there.

OP posts:
stuggi01244 · 22/02/2018 17:07

It's where they scratch the endometrial lining to help chances of implantation. I'm sure as you're in the system already that might help speed things up but I'd expect waits between appointments at least then if you don't have to wait then youre happy rather than disappointed. Good luck with it all. Happy to answer any questions you have a long the way and really hope it's a short wait xx

Original poster
red1hen · 22/02/2018 17:37

Thanks stuggi I appreciate it :)

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Kdee52 · 23/02/2018 08:53

Hi, me and Dh have been referred to IVI in Chester for IVF. At the stage where I am quite frustrated and feeling like it's going very slowly. Low sperm count, so currently at point of making appointments for further sperm test and then maybe a TESE. So far Countess of chester have been very good (with everything but the office staff making us appointments that suit), we are under prof Kingsland and Mr Simon Wood.

Previously both of us have had ultrasounds, bloods, dh sperm tests, endocrine appointment, gynae apps. We did all those tests at preston, and now have to do quite a few of them again at Chester.

Referred from Royal Preston, and told we would only be given 2 rounds of IVF. Been on this journey since January 2017, and now hoping that we have at least a few swimmers for one very special baby through ICSI. Next appointments 6th March and then again 13th March!

Lots of love and luck to you girls having IVF!

Original poster
red1hen · 23/02/2018 11:55

Thanks for that kdee very informative! I’ve been referred from RPH too and also under prof kingsland! I am anticipating needing to repeat a few of the tests we’ve already had as it’s been over 12 months since we had bloods, SA, ultrasound and hycosy. It’s my irregular cycles and dodgy hormones that is the reason for our referral.

Just waiting for the first appointment to come through now. He said should be within 4-6 weeks but not sure if that will actually be the case or not!

OP posts:
Kdee52 · 23/02/2018 12:21

Hi redhen,

If you think you should have had a letter through but haven't get in contact with the number they have given you. We almost missed our first app at chester because we didn't receive a letter. From then on I have always rung up to confirm appointments, and made sure we are going for a specific reason. Sounds silly but it's a long way to go for a chat about nothing. Ended up cancelling one appointment as no one had a clue why it had been set up, and we couldn't get any further with consultant until we had had more tests.

In terms of appointments they are very good though. Had 2 every months for the past few months. Just be prepared to take all your notes and be organised with your time.

I'm on here any time if you need to talk about it. Xx

Good luck.... Dee

Original poster
red1hen · 23/02/2018 12:25

kdee do you mind me asking what the next steps are for you now? What are your next couple of appointments for?

OP posts:
Original poster
red1hen · 23/02/2018 12:29

Sorry I cross posted with you!

That must be frustrating thanks for the heads up! I’ll make sure I confirm appointments. I haven’t got any paperwork/notes yet as was literally only referred yesterday so I assume I’ll get all that at the first appointment. Wishing you all the best, I will probably be back to pick your brains again at some point! So helpful knowing others going through the same.

OP posts:
Kdee52 · 23/02/2018 12:32

Hi redhen

Not at all.
Next two appointments are on the same day. Sperm sample in the morning, and then consultant in the afternoon. They said we will have results of the sperm test by afternoon so we will stick around (maybe go for a shop at cheshire oaks with the spare time). Following app is one for me, to discuss what plan I will be on and to sign forms.

From then on I hope (depending on if we get sperm or not.) Steps will be. TESE for husband. Sperm frozen at point in chester. Teach session for me. And onto IVF/ICSI protocol once we know what path we are taking.

Dee

wanab · 19/04/2018 17:06

Hi, just wondering how you are all getting on?
I have just started testing at IVI Chester. I am waiting for my cycle so I can book Hycosy which i’m not looking forward to. Also waiting for paperwork from the clinic so I can start metformin for PCOS. I am with Karen Woodburn (or something like that)- i’m not at home currently. Where are you all up to?

wanab · 19/04/2018 17:10

Sorry Karen Woodcock..

Kdee52 · 22/04/2018 19:08

Hi Wanab,

We are ready to start our IVF in may. I think we are under the same nurse. I'm starting to worry about work, as I'm already quite stressed with the workload at the moment. I know I will need time off for the treatment, but hoping 5 days (appointment days) is enough. We haven't got our schedule yet, we get that next week I think.

I'm hoping for the best, but also feeling very nervous about it all. I remember the nurse said something about being signed off work but I wish I had asked a bit more about it now. X

wanab · 24/04/2018 20:10

Thanks for your reply Kdee52. Have you been waiting since jan 2017 for the ivf or was that when you started testing? Wishing you lots of luck and babydust. I will pray it all works out for you!

wanab · 05/06/2018 19:31

I’m now on the ICSI ivf waiting list now. Although it didn’t feel like it it’s been a relatively quick process from being referred to now. They also said it’s only approx 3-4 month wait or treatment. Much shorter than I’d mentally prepared for. Fingers crossed.

wanab · 29/08/2018 10:14

Hi ladies. How is everyone getting on? I’m on stimms at the moment but had scan today and had to up my dose and go to freeze all as I have high AMH, and likely to hyperstimulate. 😢 Provisional egg collection next Friday.

IcanMooCanYou · 30/08/2018 00:16

Hi. I had a freeze all egg collection at Chester at the beginning of June. I've had to wait until now for embryo transfer (hopefully next week).

They've always been wonderful at IVI and I know they want the best outcome but it's been so bloody frustrating to wait!

Good luck with the egg collection - the drugs are fab! Stock up on yummy things in the house (I shuffled to the shop for chocolate and really shouldn't have).

My transfer may well be next Friday!

wanab · 30/08/2018 11:03

Thanks for replying!
Yeh, that’s where i’m at. I know it’s probably for the best and will give me body chance to recover but frustrating all the same. What drugs have you been on for the FET? Hoping I at least make it to egg collection.
Good luck for transfer and beyond! X

IcanMooCanYou · 02/09/2018 13:58

I was on cetrotide and menopur. Hope all is going well for you.

I got +ve ovulation test today so will be in for transfer either Sat or Mon (should be Sunday but they're not open Sundays so not sure if they'll go a day earlier or later- hopefully hear back from them tomorrow)

You still on track for Friday egg collection?

wanab · 02/09/2018 14:51

Hi, as far as I know yes. My scan is Wednesday so just a waiting game. Fingers crossed for us both, you could be just a day behind me but obviously will transfer before me. I did a bit of research on ohss and understand why they are doing frozen now. I didn’t know why the symptoms were worse after collection but makes sense now. I thought as I wasn’t feeling much in particular at the moment I would be ok but I know I have a fair few follicles providing they get to the right size by weds. Last three days of injections! Xxx

IcanMooCanYou · 08/09/2018 14:30

How did you get on with egg collection? Just back from transfer, now comes the frustrating wait!

wanab · 08/09/2018 14:50

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IcanMooCanYou · 08/09/2018 17:00

That's great news. You must have been really uncomfortable with all those on there!