New year, new 'starting the journey' thread

[CloudSway]

I know there are a lot of threads about people starting out, but they were all started a while ago and everyone seems a lot further ahead these days.

So.... newbies unite?

DH and I have been ttc for 2yrs. Saw our gp who ordered blood tests and sperm tests. He gave us a boat load of info..... jokes, he was pants. Told me I was 'fine' and husband was 'not fine', only detail was that DH has 4mil out of a necessary 16mil sperm, mentioned ivf and referred us to a specialist. That's all the info we got. Today I had a transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound. It was not the most fun 20 mins of my life but it was fine, now I'm trying to play Sherlock and figure out what the random numbers the radiologist was shouting about my ovaries meant. How about you?

Because I'm early stages, I avoided forums/Google etc because I'm prone to anxiety and didn't want to panic unnecessarily. Therefore apologies but I'm still trying to figure out all the abbreviations and lingo! Also sorry, I'm naturally sarcastic and a bit sweary, but that doesn't mean I'm insensitive - it would be great to share stories and support each other here

[Pinkroseuk]

Hi - newbie here can I join?
We have been ttc for two years and had various tests done -
Have now been told we will need IVF when my BMI is under 30. The doctors gave us no information about how long the wait could be for this or what we will need to do so feeling a bit nervous. My mum had IVF for many years (failed, they adopted me) and she said there's injections each day at a clinic and she has to collect all her urine each day and take it in?! Is this still the case?! The clinic DH got sent to for analysis were great but nearly 3 hours away so not sure if it's practical to need to go there everyday. Any help would be great thanks :)

[FinallytakingtheplungewithIVF]

Hi @pinkroseuk

Just to answer you quickly you normally do the injections yourself at home and no urine required! You will need to go in for scans and bloods!
Can’t help with time frames though we are private!

Hello @sl85!

[Pinkroseuk]

Thanks @FinallytakingtheplungewithIVF :) that sounds better :)

[FinallytakingtheplungewithIVF]

@Greyc ahhh sorry it’s hard trying to remember who is having what with out keep going back! Well just think at least the can hopefully give you something to help with that! [smile

[2fingers22018]

@sl85 thats whats worrying me the most atm im scared for my poor OH i get pms really bad! and work aswell i dont want to get hormonal and cry all the time😶

[sl85]

@FinallytakingtheplungewithIVF hey 

@2fingers22018 it's a worry isn't it lol. My friend had ICSE 2 years ago and she said she really struggled with the hormones made her insane, but she had a lovely daughter at the end of it, so just have to focus on the end goal! Maybe just pre-warn the OH, that's what I've done! 🤣 guess that just have to understand that we are being pumped with hormones and to be a little patient.

When do you start treatment?

[squirrelnutkins1]

Welcome newbies 👋🏻
Safe space here to vent etc!

Got my second blood test tomorrow, cycle day 26. Let's hope I don't get the preggo lady again 🙄 did I read on here that a result above 30 suggests ovulation? The consultant told me to start letrozole on day 2 of my next cycle, not needing to bother ringing for the test results.... I'm wondering whether to ring for the results or just go along with the plan 🤔

Pros and cons.... if it's negative for ovulation is that going to send me into a spin when I've been feeling ok this last few days??? Hmmmmm. Decisions!

How is everyone feeling? Xx

[veeboo]

@squirrelnutkins1 yes my nurse told me they look for above 30 to indicate ovulation. Sorry but I don't know much about the meds orprocedure you mentioned so can't advise but I've found asking the nurses really helpful. I have my hsg Thursday and starting to panic they will find endometriosis. I have a history of terrible period pain. I'm worried as my hospital don't offer ivf so confused about what would happen next.

[squirrelnutkins1]

Thanks for the info @veeboo

They found stage 3 endo on my recent laparoscopy and did HSG while they were in there. They lasered off what they could and unstuck me and said try for the next few months.

Next steps for me are medication to make me ovulate. After that, I'm about 3 months we'll move on to IUI. Maybe that'll be an option for you?

[squirrelnutkins1]

*in about

[sl85]

@veeboo hey, not sure where you are based so may be different for you. But my fertility investigations started at my normal hospital, once they had done everything they could and determined I need IVF, they referred me to a hospital that does do IVF and I had my first appt a few weeks back after a 5 month wait. No further waiting list after initial consultation, ready to start. So, if they do recommend IVF it could be as simple as referring you to an alternative hospital!

[2fingers22018]

@sl85 we re on the waiting list for ivf they said itl b about 6month wait😠😣

[squirrelnutkins1]

Did they say how many rounds of ivf you get on nhs? I'm my area it's one! I'm sure I've heard others say three! May be wrong tho.

[veeboo]

Thanks @sl85 that's really helpful. Wishing you all positive vibes whilst on waiting lists.its such a minefield finding out all these things we were unaware of before ttc! If my hsg is all clear they have recommended IUI for us.

[2fingers22018]

@squirrelnutkins1 thats terrible! My area you get three suppose im part of the lucky few sorry hun

[GreyC]

Hello everyone!

My bio is Ttc over a year now. Had all the usual tests and my ovulation came back as 24 so waiting to hear the next step from GP at next appointment

[squirrelnutkins1]

Glad you get three tho 👍🏻 @2fingers22018

I don't know if I dare ring for my result 😕 don't want to be tipped over the edge 🙈

I think from what I've seen on here 24 is decent 😊 @GreyC when will you see your gp?

[sl85]

@squirrelnutkins1 I live in wales and get 2 free rounds.

@2fingers22018 we were told 6-9 month wait for IVF and were told there would probably be another wait list after our initial consultation. We had our first appt within 5 months and there is no wait after initial consultation. They're ready to go. At our next appt we will agree a treatment plan and they will give us our drugs. We've been lucky in that it's all happening much quicker than we expected. Just have to recover from my op now and we're good to go! Hopefully you'll get an appointment sooner than you expect! It's the waiting that's horrible!

[GreyC]

@squirrelnutkins1
It’s the 22nd. Have been waiting ages for it now. My other bloods were ‘satisfactory - to be discussed at the appointment’ and sent myself crazy googling so I’m trying to not do that as it stresses me out and I do wonder if half the issue is stress related as I have a stressful day job. Let’s hope they can do something quickly :)

[2fingers22018]

@sl85 im hoping that its quicker but we did get told that we re going straight to ivf (if we were happy to do so)she said i can send yous for an appt to go into the details of ivf or you can read up on it yourself and avoid waiting another 4months for your follow up appt if that makes sense. I just know im happy that we re on the list finally nearly a yr of investigations and 3 1/2 years of ttc! Im beyond fed up of it all now..

[veeboo]

@squirrelnutkins1 realised I didn't reply sorry. Yes they have suggested IUI depending on hsg results buy I didn't realise you could still have it if you have endo. I think if we are suitable I would like to try IUI before IVF. Have been foolish and googled and now convinced they will find something wrong on hsg!

[squirrelnutkins1]

No worries! To diagnose endo they have to go in and do a laparoscopy. That could be an option. The surgeon said to me that within 4-6 months following my lap is my best chance I have to get preg naturally or with the help of IUI etc.
Dr Google can be terrifying can't it!
Don't freak out too much, easier said than done tho I know!
I would imagine it could depend on what stage and how aggressive the endo is whether you go for IUI or straight to IVF.
to us it makes sense to have IUI first as we get 3 gos at that and only 1 IVF. May as well have 4 chances than just 1 before paying.

My friend fell preg 2 months after having a polyp removed after YEARS of ttc. Lots of success stories out there 😊

After saying all this, all hospitals seem to work differently so just have to wait and see I guess. I do like gathering others experiences tho.

When is your HSG sorry? @veeboo

[sl85]

@2fingers22018 ah that's good, hopefully they'll get you in a bit sooner than you expect, especially since you have been waiting a long time overall. That's what happened to us. I'm praying they call me in for my treatment plan so that I can begin treatment on my April period. If you're doing the research into it yourself, I read a really good book when I was told what our options were and it really helped me understand the process. It's written by a consultant gynaecologist but is written for patients (all the terminology etc is explained in layman's terms) - you might know all you need/want to know, but just in case it's called: Infertility, IVF & Miscarriage - The Simple Truth - Dr Sean Watermeyer. It wasn't all relevant and some are the stats are a bit upsetting but I guess realistically managing expectations is part of the process 🤷🏼‍♀️ but I found the section on ivf and exactly how it works and what happens so interesting and helpful!

[2fingers22018]

@sl85 thanks al defo check that out. They also said i had a very large ovary during my hycosy but no cysts do u think that would affect ttc?

[sl85]

@2fingers22018 I have no idea. Did the dr not elaborate when they told you is was large? At my initial IVF consultation they did an internal scan to look at my uterus and ovaries to see if any concerns - maybe they will do that with you at your IVF appt?