Anyone else just starting their journey ?

[TTC73]

DH is going for his sperm sample to be tested today and hes so nervous and the GP wants me to have some blood tests done and swabs at a later date. So nervous of what to expect and terrified of the possibility of IVF I've heard its so painful ?
We've been trying to have a baby for over 3yrs with 2 chemical pregnancies so far

Evening ladies, I have just started my treatment for our first attempt at IVF. I was hoping for some insight on the injections - I am petrified of needles so I am very nervous about this, I start them on the 30th September. Small cost to pay for something I haven’t wanted for so long but still... xx

@thisisouryrfx well done! Made bolognaise from scratch last night. It's one of my go-to recipes as is easy and good :)

@CharleneX I just got my NHS referral yesterday (just in the nick of time!), so yet to talk in detail about injections but aren't they spring-loaded so it's like a sting rather than having to insert the needle yourself etc.?

Hi, no it’s actual needles. I got everything delivered on Saturday morning and was shocked that the needles are not pre filled thankfully I have my injection teach tomorrow and taking my mother in law - husband is also petrified of needles xx

@SpringLake thanx day3 i have to say its definetely givin me sumthin else to focus on which is gd! Although im craving sugar really bad today i havent caved in..glad u got ur referral in time that must b a relief x

@CharleneX gd that ur mother in law is going with u to help..i dnt have a fear of needles or injections but i would b nervous injecting myself i think incase i done something wrong but fx ur lesson will clear it up gd luck hun x

How are you feeling now? @TTC73

This cycle has been so cruel (last one before IVF), I've had cramps since 4dpo, my luteal phase is usually 10/11 days, I've made it to 14dpo just enough time to think maybe this is it, then AF got me this afternoon. Deep breath and move on. IVF it is then. Hope everyone is ok.

@CharleneX the actual needle you use to inject are very small, the bigger needles are for drawing up the drugs into the syringe just incase you have spotted them first. I'm more concerned with using the right drug, the right amount at the right time.

Im actually looking forward to IVF ( never thought id say that with my fear of hospitals needles and pain) AF is 1 day late but tests are still negative. My nausea has gone away which is also weird just hate my body in general at the moment

@LillyLeaf that is soo fuckin cruel hun my af was1day late this cycle and it was gettin my hopes up nevermind 3/4days late! @TTC73 I totally get the whole hating ur body thing i feel exactly the same i just keep thinkin why cant u do what everyone elses body does! Its not a gd place to b in ur head but i suppose its naturally in this situation uuugghh x

@TTC73 when will you start IVF? I'm starting to feel excited about it too. The doctor said I do have one more natural cycle before IVF, so I can do this all again, great! I just want to get on with it.

@LillyLeaf not gonna lie i know i sound a bit nuts but im jealous i wish i could start now, glad for yous tho no one deserves to keep waitin x

Asking to be put forward for it tomorrow so not sure how long the referral and first appointments take before you actually get the IVF itself hoping to have had a cycle by Christmas though

Just been to docs and they have now said they actually did all my other blood tests at the wrong time so i need to re do them before been referred to fertility clinic so angry we've been waiting months now and we're no closer to getting answers or treatment so its another 3 months before we get anywhere cos it takes 3-6 weeks just to get in and see the doctor

@TTC73 the nurses usually do bloods at my doctors. I would kick us a fuss and demand a blood appointment at the next correct time, then the results should only take a few weeks. blood work should not be slowing you down. do you know what the IVF waiting list is at the feritility clinic? it very much depends on your area, be prepared you might have a longer waiting list then you think. i feel your frustration.

@thisisouryrfx18 i'm so sorry you have such a long wait. You have been trying a lot longer then me and i'm really done with this. We can ttc this cycle as I would start taking the meds on cd2. i'm starting to feel a bit stressed about how i'm going to take time off work for IVf.

No idea what the waiting list is for IVF don't think they'll tell you that till you go. Im having the 1-5 day test on Monday then the 21 day one on the 11th October and I'll get the results the week after that if we can get booked in

@TTC73 ive only had the day 21 bloods what r the other ones for out of curiousity @LillyLeaf if only we were rich eh? We wouldnt have all this waiting bout i think im goin to have to accept that im not goung to b a mum for a very long time if ever!😟

No idea what the day 5 bloods are for either but I'll do them if it means finally getting referred to the fertility clinic

@TTC73 well gd luck hun sorry theyv been messing u bout keep us updated x

See the link for blood test details. I've had all now except AMH which you can't get on NHS. Since you can self refer to a local IVF clinic, if that's the service you're heading for, then I'd recommend going to visit them and asking all the questions. I would guess (as they're commercial) they' d be happy for you to walk in and ask for AMH or an ultrasound etc just because you want to, and they'll be helpful (hoping of course that you go back for a full round of ivf ).

www.duofertility.com/fertility-blood-tests/

I had AMH on the nhs a few years ago and was never told why, it was just done when I was having some other gynae issues. I don't know how accurate it is. You'd think if it was very accurate it'd be a standard test for all with fertility issues. Hmmm 🤔 wonder if the guidelines have changed and it's not available on nhs anymore. It's all very confusing and depends which area you live as well, seemingly, as to what tests/treatments/investigations you're sent for.

Can you self refer on NHS or are you on about private fertility treatment ?

I had AMH on the nhs as it was required to have the results at my first appointment with the nhs fertility clinic. Once my gp referred me she gave my a list of tests that had to be completed before our appointment, stuff like hiv, hep, stds etc, some of these were done at the gp. The fertility hospital sent me a letter with our first appointment and details of how to get the AMH blood work done for me and DP. Hope that helps but different places might work differently.

You can self refer to a private clinic but not the nhs, your gp has to do that. We went to a private clinic nearly a year ago for a fertility couples mot just to see if anything was wrong. I had the AMH test then and a scan, DP had the SA.

No good for us Then we're NHS patients