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?

Yeah think I will give them a call and just see.

Exactly, if the communication was a bit clearer about if they would contact me once things calmed I'd feel calmer but if doesn't say that, just says cancelled and that's that :(

Little update - a very lovely lady from the clinic called me just now to go over what it meant. It does mean my appointment is cancelled as they have all been redeployed to other areas - totally understandable. Really appreciated the lady who called, she was so lovely and seemed to be under pressure too. She did everything she could to reassure me that once they were back up running those who had been cancelled would be the first people to be contacted and given the first appointments. I know it was confirming cancelled and it's a gutting time but I felt a lot calmer after talking with her.

Really feel for them too. They are under so much pressure and I know they are upset on behalf of everyone having things cancelled too.

I really hope we can kick this things butt soon! Hoping all of you are doing good

@willithappen that's good that she was able to reassure you that those with cancelled appointments will be the first to be seen again. I feel for the staff having to phone everyone with bad news, cant have been easy for them either.

Hi everyone!

I’ve been lurking this thread for a few weeks now and amazing to see how people have came on and got their dream BFPs from Scotland’s hospital’s Congratulations to you all and hope you are all doing we’ll understand the circumstances.

Everyone else who are in limbo waiting for next IVF cycle, investigation results and other fertility treatments how are you all doing? Were you all told your treatments are postponed? How consistent is the communication from your hospital?
I’m still waiting to hear anything from Ninewells, a friend told me I should have been told the screening appointments are postponed but not heard a word.

Stay safe ❤️ X

@Paige2207 welcome!
I explained my clinics process a couple posts down but we are postponed for now. They said all those with cancelled appointments will be the first to go on the appointments when back up and running.

Also had a quick question for everyone. With all the current uncertainty around when NHS clinics will get up and running or if they even will be up and running and allow IVF through NHS, I have been considering saving up to go private. Trying to look into the costs and see if this is an option for us and the benefits.
Do any of you have a rough idea what the costs are for going private in Scotland? (I've had a check on websites but gets a bit confusing. Just want to know a final total cost for one round)

@paige2207 Hi, how are you? I'm similar to others here, was waiting for our appointment to discuss starting treatment but got a call to say all new treatment is postponed, staff are being redeployed to other departments and they don't know how long it'll be until they start again.

@willithappen I was thinking the same thing, but I'm also concerned about our jobs in the current situation so going private will maybe not be ab option. I'm not sure about costs so would keen to know that to.
I'm also not sure if paying private would affect any nhs eligibility, for example, could you stay in the NHS waiting list while getting private treatment then go onto an NHS round once you get to the 'top of the list'?

@kikisparks thanks, I've been watching friends too non-stops whilst working from home 😁

@willithappen it's really hard that all of our appointments have been cancelled but it's good we'll all be the first to get appointments again when they're back up and running.

@Paige2207 welcome! We had an appointment for sperm analysis the week before lockdown got announced and were phoned and told it was cancelled. We then received a letter last week for an appointment we have in a few weeks saying all appointments are cancelled until further notice. Hopefully we all won't be waiting too long but who knows.

@willithappen I was thinking the same and had similar questions to @nextweek - I can't afford to pay for it then to fail and be told we're not now entitled to any rounds.

Struggling again this weekend. AF appeared, I mean I never expect it not to arrive when due but it's still shit. Also baby bombed twice this weekend. It just never gets any easier. Just feels like there is a huge big baby shaped hole in our lives and who knows how long we'll be waiting for for treatment to begin again. Argh this is shit is so hard 😢

@itsmschanandlerbong I'm so sorry about the baby bombing, it's like a punch to the gut when you hear about other people's good news. It's so tough at the best of times, but worse at the moment when we're in limbo.
I keep trying to remind myself that this would be such an anxious time to be pregnant/have a new born, the risk of catching the virus, the worry about going into hospital, not being able to have friends and family physically there for support etc. Our time will come and it'll be even more special after everything we've been through to get there.

@nextweek that's a lovely way to look at it, thank you.

Hi, saw this post and hoped I could help with some insight. @willithappen
We had one round of IVF in Aberdeen last year and it cost us £4,200 initially but then they charge you if you need any additional drugs so it was just over £4,500 by the end. ICSI would be more than this but can't remember how much more. Hope this helps

Thanks @Loopylou4812 that's really helpful

Thank you so much that certainly helps give me something to know to have kept aside. Going to focus on keeping myself fit and healthy for now for when we can get back to it

Don't know why I keep tricking myself into thinking it will happen naturally for us when it clearly won't

@willithappen we're the same... like I know how unlikely it is but still disappointed every month.

Tonight on a group chat I've had a friend who is 9 months pregnant showing off her bump with lots of photos and on the same chat a friend whose wife is due in 3 weeks talk about how excited they are. Other mums in the chat talking about how those last few weeks feel. Baby bombed last week by a friend too "we weren't even trying but we're happy it's happened!". Argh it's so hard 😞

@itsmschanandlerbong Sorry about the baby bombing. I hate the group chat baby talk, I probably seem rude as I just change the subject.

How is everyone? I had been coping ok just taking things one day at a time. I’ve had a few Facebook baby bombs

My appointment to start IVF that was cancelled was scheduled for 21 April so passing that day was hard, even though it would have had to have been moved by a few days as my period was late and has just arrived. I knew I wasn’t pregnant as we were really sick in my fertile window so couldn’t TTC this month.

Now I’m in crippling agony again due to endo pain. Been really sad too. I know it’s because hormones cause me to get very low when my period starts but it doesn’t make it easier.

@kikisparks
It's going to be a very hard time for us all :( so sorry to hear the stage your appointments were cancelled at. Fingers crossed they can start up again and get people back in soon and you'll be up there with the first!

I actually had a really bad day on ovulation day. We didn't dtd that day (or we tried to in the morning but it was too early and partner wasn't able to, well, you know). I spent the entire day of ovulation crying. Just wondering why even try, it's never going to happen for us and it isn't fair etc. I had to take a long shower just so I could stand there and cry.
We dtd the three days before ovulation would take place but for some reason I just don't feel it's enough. Even if my some miracle my partners morphology has increased, I still think we needed to dtd on actual ovulation day to give us any chance.

All I'm seeing everywhere now is either people with babies or people pregnant. There's no escape :(

@willithappen thanks for your reply sorry about ovulation day managing to the 3 days before is really good though! The hospital we went to didn’t even test DH’s morphology they said it’s not important so who knows they do all ICSI though.

If it helps I read ovulation day is one of the less “effective” days to DTD and chances are better the day or 2 days before. I also might have read somewhere that where there are sperm issues it’s better to DTD every 2nd day but don’t quote me on that, might be worth looking into it? I know sometimes though none of these things help as it’s about how you feel mentally and emotionally.

One of the things I hate about TTC with infertility is how it has affected our physical love lives. Both our libidos have gone through the floor. My endo causes sex to be very painful for me pretty much every time and my husband hates hurting me. There’s nothing medically that can be done unless a) I get pregnant b) I get surgery which might perforate my bowel or c) We stop TTC and I try hormonal treatment to stop me ovulating/ in the extreme, a hysterectomy. When there isn’t the pressure to DTD we can take things slow, wait til we’re in the mood, focus on me etc so the pain can be managed. DH can also have difficulty with performing due to mental health issues which can be so frustrating when it’s the right time, but I obviously I need to be supportive and not frustrated because it’s not his fault. Honestly I’m often ready to give up trying naturally and just wait for assisted conception as it’s so painful and emotionally draining even though it’s what I want most in the world. I know ivf/ icsi is no walk in the park but at least it’s something that will hopefully feel a bit more in my control and DH only has one task so I won’t feel there’s so much pressure on him.

Sorry that turned into a big rant. Fingers crossed the rest of this month is better for you.

@kikisparks
Don't apologise for the rant, it's what we are here for and honestly reading through your advice really helped me. I've calmed down a bit now, but that day I was just constantly crying. The smallest thing was setting me off!

I completely get what you mean and how you feel about just giving up and waiting for IVF. If things hadn't been so hectic now I think I'd be more in that mindset. I used pre seed for this first time this month also, the day that I got my peak on ovulation so hoping it's enough. But if I'm honest I think I knew that ovulation day that it's just going to be another pointless try and that's why I was so upset.

I've spoken with DH and he's said he doesn't want to necessarily 'know' when I'm ovulating as he doesn't want the pressure of it or making it feel like a chore. I completely get that but then I think it's making me a bit more stressed with it because it's all on me trying to time things out and then dtd the right time with partner. Trying to do the SMEP but we don't usually dtd that much (6 years into relationship so we're not at it like rabbits all the time) and finding it a lot of pressure with doing the three days in a row.

@willithappen so glad if my advice helped even a little bit. I also get what you’re saying of the stress of not telling DH when it’s “time”. My DH said that It was stressing him having to perform on demand but I usually just do tell him now because he knows I’m so fed up about it all I can’t pretend it’s just for fun any more, plus the whole pain thing. We’ve been together 15 years so that probably impacts things too!

On a positive note DH and I are lucky to both be key workers so still working and getting full pay and we’re saving more money as we can’t go out. I’m starting to wonder if we should save really hard and try private ivf if the nhs clinic is much slower than private clinics to re-open. Will need to see how things go.

@kikisparks I'm saving up at the moment so we can go private if it's an option for us and if things take a drastic turn with the NHS too. I'd like to try stick with the NHS as we get the three shots at it. We're saving a lot more also so will so how much I can get with saving by the time things open up again

Completely understand where you're both coming from and I've felt the exact same, it helps not feeling alone in all of this. Myself and DH are both still at work so we are fortunate and we're the same, looking into prices and trying to save. If you go private and it doesn't work do you still get your free NHS turns? Probably not and I understand why, just hate that there's no guarantees with this either. We're both trying to focus on eating better and exercising more but it's not easy during all of this - some days are better than others!

@willithappen I wondered that too but I found this:

fertilitynetworkuk.org/trying-to-conceive/nhs-funding/scotland/

“NHS funding may be given to those patients who have previously paid for IVF treatment, if in the treating clinician’s view, the individual clinical circumstances warrant further treatment. However if there are any Frozen Embryo’s remaining in the private setting these must be used prior to NHS treatment commencing.“

So assuming that’s correct you could potentially still qualify for NHS treatment if you have a private round or rounds and it is/ they are unsuccessful. It’s not guaranteed though.

Sorry I meant to reply to @itsmschanandlerbong

That's okay, helped me too haha

I'm with Aberdeen and I think they are both NHS and private so I might ask them once things are going. I've been called from them twice now since appointments cancelled (but I don't think it was on purpose) just confirming everything and explaining they will be in touch with everyone the minute they can so might ask them when I next hear

How is everyone? I've been trying to put IVF to the back of my mind during lockdown so couldn't believe it when I heard the announcement yesterday about clinics being able to restart treatments soon, such good news!