Infertility investigations/IVF in Scotland

[justbeingelle]

Just thought I'd start a thread for those who are undergoing infertility investigations/IVF in Scotland because it seems as though it can vary from the rest of the UK.

DH and I have been TTC since June 2018. Started investigations around July 2019. I have a large ovarian cyst which will be removed, hopefully after Christmas. Getting a laparoscopy and dye to check tubes too. I have very regular periods and I am ovulating. DH has a low sperm count, but the ones he has are good quality. Still awaiting results from ultrasounds, genetic tests etc so still feel like we're at the beginning of our journey. This is our first time TTC and we've not had a hint of a BFP.

Anyone else?

Hi all, just been catching up with all the posts. Hope everyone is doing well? And it's great to see some of you are at the top of the list/getting your appointments in to get started!
I've seen a few references to an 'ART' appointment, I have no idea what that is lol! Can someone tell me what it stands for?

Welcome @spacegirl123 So sorry about your miscarriages, that must be really tough, here's hoping you have success with your next cycle!

@nextweek ART just stands for assisted reproductive technologies. It’s on my letter for the first appointment when you reach the top of the list. I think they just take blood, a vaginal swab and you also need proof of having had a MMR vaccine and a smear within 3 years. The letter explains it all and gives you a run down of all your next appointments

Had my HyCoSy today, wasn't bad at all, just strong cramps (about three times throughout, lasting for 2/3 seconds max). Was more just the whole scenario and not knowing what to expect that panicked me.

Doctor said my left tube is open, and my right one is 'more than likely open' they just couldn't see or something but was stuff coming out? Don't quite understand. Second time I have had a 'more than likely' response. Being told I'm 'more than likely' ovulating also

Anyway they didn't refer us today. Said we have to go back in two months as my partner was a social smoker and had to quit so has to have done that for three months before they will refer us. Bit of a bummer as it's just even further of a wait but I'm just counting my blessings that this is still an option for us. It's a 6 month waiting list too so another 8 months before anything further is done :(

@willithappen sorry to hear about the vague information you’re getting and the delays. It’s a bit silly to wait on your partner not smoking for 2 months before even putting you on the waiting list when you won’t get the breathing test until after you reach the top of the waiting list, surely 6 months of not smoking would be enough! But it does all seem to be a waiting game.

@spacegirl123 welcome to the chat, so sorry to hear about your miscarriages, how heartbreaking. Where abouts are you getting treatment? What cycle did your frozen embryo come from?

I called the GRI today to book in for treatment and was told there is no space this month but I’ve been given a start date for treatment of 21 April and to phone at the start of my next period to book the blood tests for day 14 of that cycle. My short cycles are good for something!

How’s everyone else getting on?

The very same thing happened to me today @kikisparks. I knew it was a strong possibility but it’s still disappointing isn’t it? I’ve been provisionally booked for the 27th April.

@sheepytheduck funny we were calling on the same day! yes it was disappointing, I’m just glad I’d heard it was a possibility or I would probably have been freaking out a bit. I did clarify it definitely won’t be delayed any further and she said no now we’re provisionally booked it will definitely go ahead that month.

@kikisparks I know that’s funny, I was taken by surprise this morning right enough, wasn’t expecting to start my period until Monday at the earliest, hopefully I’m in for another cycle like that one. Yeah she assured me it would definitely go ahead with my next cycle. I’m going to use this extra time to just try and get as healthy as possible, and maybe lose a couple of lbs. I hadn’t been doing as much in that area as I had told myself I would.

Hi everyone, how are you? How are you getting on?

Sorry for the ones that have their treatment postponed, that sucks...more waiting all the time! Before I joined this chat I honestly did not even know it's a thing and they can just move you to the next month.

I had a scan on Friday and again today and am progressing well. I have 22 follicles total and they are happy with the size and all, so my retrieval is scheduled for Tuesday. I am a bit nervous about the sedation and the pain as I would prefer to be completely out, but this is a conscious sedation. @Lily999 did you feel any pain? You did it at Ninewells as well so hope you can advise.

@Pinecone88 22 follicles sounds great! Good luck for your retrieval on Tuesday. I didn’t think egg retrieval was done with conscious sedation I thought it was under general anaesthetic, is doing it under conscious sedation something your hospital suggest? I’d prefer to be completely out too but recovery will be much quicker for you, are you just taking the one day off work?

Hi @kikisparks Thank you! :)
It's definitely policy of the hospital, to be fair I though it's like that in Scotland in general.
I am taking 2 days off work, in case I'm in pain the next day.

Hi @Pinecone88, glad to hear you are getting on well. Did you do the trigger last night? When I first saw it was "conscious sedation" I freked out as I said I don't want to remember anything at all! But they assured me I wouldn't feel a thing and they were right. So please don't worry about pain as you I didn't have any. Are you at risk of OHSS? My EC was at 12:30 so had to wait for a long time, I would have preferred early morning appt, but it was totally fine, I was the last one on that day. The staff is absolutely great, they'll make you very comfortable and explain everything. There is really nothing to worry about, bring slippers with you, that's all. :) You'll be fine. I went back to work the next day.

@Lily999 Thank you for reassuring me, I feel better now.
Mine is at 09:30, so early enough thankfully.
I did my trigger last night and it was the least painful injection of all, so that was good!
They never said anything about OHSS, only after I asked as I was concerned due to large amount of follicles nurse said that I am on the verge of being at risk. I am a bit concerned about it, but will just have to wait and see🤪

So sorry I've been so rubbish at replying on here. I've not been coping well. Lost 1.5 stone since December cos so distressed. Things haven't been looking good and yest was told at the royal that even attempting egg retrieval is pointless. Had previously been told worth an attempt and they would try dhea. But more senior dr said no point.

I left the clinic sobbing through corridors of the hosp. I'm so so upset my amh is so low.

Hi, not been on here for a few days so just catching up...
@MelAndShoe so sorry to hear that, totally understandable to be upset, sorry I don't have any advice or anything but hope you're doing ok.

@Pinecone88 did your EC go ahead today, how are you feeling?

It sucks that some of you have had to wait an extra month as there was no space. It never occurred to me that could happen so I'm glad I know now and will be prepared for that when my time comes. We've had our letter now to say we're at the top of the list and we've got an appointment early next month!

@Pinecone88 hope retrieval went well and you’re resting now at home!

@melandshoe so so sorry to hear that. What’s next? Can they try you on a stronger protocol? Do you have an appointment to discuss things?

Have you tried seeing the counsellor to discuss how you’re feeling? I have been coping ok recently so haven’t been to see them but am definitely going to if and when I get overwhelmed which will probably happen at some point.

@nextweek good luck for your appointment early next month!

@MelAndShoe sorry for all the questions just realised that might be overwhelming. Appreciate you might just want to grieve for egg retrieval not happening hope you’re getting some support.

Hi guys!
All went well, they got 11 eggs! A bit less than I expected after the follicle count, but nurse said it's a good result.
I do not remember anything and I love it! Really wasn't bad at all, just my nerves were imagining the worse I did cry when I was waking up, but they said it's the drugs
Anaesthesiologist did say afterwards that I squeezed and twisted her hand, but she's ok, I just feel bad about doing it, I might have been in pain, but don't remember

The hospital staff was really nice, everyone was very friendly and caring and made me and hubs feel at ease

@nextweek You are almost there then! After that appointment it all moves faster!

@MelAndShoe So sorry to hear about your struggles, hope you have someone to talk to and support you in this.

@pinecone88 well done for 11eggs! That's a great number, trust me you don't want to go over OHSS territory as then they postpone the transfer. I had 10eggs, so let's hope for a very nice fertilisation for tomorrow morning. Are they doing IVF or ICSI?

@nextweek great news! I am the same as you timing wise. Feels good to have a date to work towards

@Pinecone88 glad to hear all went well. Fingers crossed for the next stages. Exciting!

@MelAndShoe so sorry to hear that this. I hope you’ve got some support and someone to talk too

@Scotgirl1 Thank you 🙂

@Lily999 They are doing ICSI, in the morning embryologist still thought that IVF might be possible, but husband's sperm did not have enough motile ones.
Yes, I am glad tho that I did not get 22 eggs at that would have concerned me. 😬

@Lily999 How are you feeling btw? 🙂

It was the same with us, the embryologist said depending on the sample they might do IVF, but then went with ICSI.
Thanks, I'm ok, will cross 7weeks tomorrow morning having our first scan on Thursday at 10am, feeling very nervous about that scan as that'll confirm I'm actually having a baby and not just pregnant if you know what I mean :)
Morning sickness arrived on Sunday and it's quite bad, but I am hoping it's a good sign. Xxx