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, does the 6/10 month waiting list refer to the first appointment or for the actual IVF?

Sorry very ignorant here as we only just had our referral before lockdown so we've sent our form back and just wondering what sort of time frame we can expect? We may not get IVF, we haven't had a consultation yet

Hi @Daffodil21 I can't remember exactly but I think it was about 3 or 4 months max between being referred and our first appointment at the fertility clinic

@Daffodil21
So I first went to GP back in October do go over everything. Was asked to go in for blood tests and partner arranged for SA.
I think it took 2 weeks for his results to come back. Once they were back they referred us to fertility.
We got a letter in 16th Dec to inform us first appointment was 21st January. (At this appointment they just spoke over everything and gave me an internal scan)
Was told at that appointment they suggested me getting a HyCoSy done. Was given an appointment for 25th February for that.
At that appointment I was told that because my partner had admitted to being a social smoker back in January appointment we needed to go back in two months time to confirm he'd stopped smoking before they would refer us. We initially got given an appointment for 28th April then.
Covid happened, appointment was eventually cancelled.
Once things opened up again we were given video appointment for today, 18th May, and then officially put on waiting list. It'll be the 6+4 months for us for getting our 'top of the list' appointment so quite some time!

We have obviously had setbacks with both my partners smoking and then Covid so that's added on 3 months to what we would have initially had.

We have also been trying 4+ years so because of that they just go straight to IVF route because our tests are fine so we're unexplained

Your journey may vary depending on what tests are given and the outcomes. Hopefully things move quickly for you!
We'll be at over a year from when we initially went to doctors to when we are eventually top of the list

Thank you @willithappen and @nextweek. Wow, it looks like it will take a little longer than I initially thought. A little disheartening that it's likely to be over a year before anything starts but I suppose that's the way it has to be. Good luck to both of you (and everyone else) x

It could go a lot quicker for you. As I said it all depends on each individual couple and what their circumstances are. We're NHS as well so that's why. If you went private it would be a lot quicker.

We decided to go with NHS as we're still quite young (28 + 30) and can hopefully afford that wait time during our process. It gives me a bit of time to chill out also after being stressing about not get pregnant for years. We did consider private, depending on the outcome of when clinics could open back up after Covid. They have started opening a lot quicker than I expected so going to stick out NHS

Thanks @willithappen. We're both 29 so will stick it out on NHS too. It takes as long as it takes I guess! Let's just hope it's successful (we may not even be offered IVF, we're only at the beginning of our referral)

It was 2 years after we first went to our GP that we finally had an appointment where we got our IVF protocol, obviously things have taken even longer to get started since then due to coronavirus. Unfortunately the whole infertility process is waiting, waiting and more waiting, especially on the NHS. So very grateful to get 3 funded cycles here in Scotland though.

2 years is a long time @kikisparks, I hope you get your treatment soon now it looks like things may pick up a little.

Good to know what timescale to be prepared for so thanks for all your help, I think I'll try and put it to the back of my mind for a bit (who am I kidding?!)

@Daffodil21 how long have you been trying for?

@willithappen we've been trying for 18 months, I've been pregnant twice but both times ended in MC so I'm not sure what we'll be offered. We got referred because of DH's test results. I've only had bloods done so far which came back clear.

4 years of TTC must be so difficult. It's something I naively just assumed would be ok - I was prepared for it to take some time but I stupidly wasn't prepared to get to the point of a referral

@Daffodil21 I'm sorry to hear that :(

I would assume depending on what they maybe find when doing the internal scan that will determine your next step. As you've been pregnant before I'm unsure if they'll offer you a HyCoSy like I had

My doctor has said my partners 1% morphology doesn't cause any concern at all because the rest of his numbers are high :/ so we are down as unexplained and straight to IVF because we've never had a BFP ever together

GRI now has approval to resume treatment 😊

@Scotgirl1 Brilliant news, hopefully things will start moving forward shortly!

I've seen Aberdeen is now on the list also!

@willithappen that's great Aberdeen are on the list now to, hopefully I'll hear from them soon!

Hallelujah!!

Hey everyone I’ve just read the amazing news about Ninewells, Aberdeen, Glasgow Royal Infirmary & Edinburgh ACU being approved by HFEA to reopen!

Good news for us all at last!

Hope everyone is ok xox

Delighted! Going to phone on my next period in 3 weeks and see what’s what if I haven’t heard by then. Our next step was to get virology bloods taken, then on to starting our first cycle.

Update on GRI www.nhsggc.org.uk/your-health/health-services/assisted-conception-service/

It’s a bit confusing but I read it that they have 3 categories to start with:

1. Those who started a cycle and had to have a freeze all due to coronovirus closure get a FET
2. Those who had been scheduled an FET that was cancelled get their FET
3. Those who had a fresh cycle booked that didn’t go ahead get their fresh cycle

I’m in category 3 so probably a couple of months to wait yet. I’m still going to phone on my period though because last time I didn’t phone I wasn’t on the waiting list, I would hate to just wait and then get missed again. I’d love to just have a date even if it was in September!

Not sure if other NHS clinics will follow the same model, I think it’s FETs first because they don’t need an anaesthesiologist.

Anyone heard anything from their clinic recently?

@kikisparks No I've not heard anything (Aberdeen) Their website says FETs and IUIs first, doesn't sound like they'll be starting new rounds of treatment anytime soon

I was told on my video call with Aberdeen that they had the capacity to go through more people than they usually would so hopefully they get moving fast

Thanks @willithappen that's good to know. I wish they could just give me a rough timescale even if it's going to be a few months, at least then I could stop waiting for 'the call' and put it to the back of my mind for a little while

I’m the same @nextweek I’d love a rough timescale. I’m not expecting a call for a few months though.

Hi! Sorry, I’m just jumping in, don’t have time to read the full thread.
I am with Edinburgh fertility clinic. Was due to start FET this week (need the tablet to bring on my period). The nurse said to phone back on Wednesday. They’re having a meeting tomorrow. Even though the HFEA have approved them to go ahead, NHS Lothian are unsure that they’re ready. Just to let anyone know who is with Edinburgh.
Very frustrating, but hopefully it goes ahead ok.

I got a call today from GRI offering a telephone appointment next week because our appointment was cancelled just before lockdown. It was the appointment that would have led to us being placed on the waiting list for ICSI so fingers crossed we're placed on the waiting list next week!