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?

@BeHereNowx32 hopefully all goes ok on Wednesday!

Hi, I'm new here. We're with GRI and I'm really upset after speaking with the clinic today. We got a letter before the weekend cancelling our next appointment. I phoned today to ask if there was any idea of timescales for reappointing. The person on the phone said that they would be lying if they said it was likely to be this year. I just don't know what to do now...

@Scirocco not likely to be this year!? What stage are you at, was your next appointment to start ivf? That’s really disappointing, I’d be really upset too. I’m with GRI and my appointment in April to start IVF was cancelled, I’ve been hoping to get a call in the next few months, not next year!

@itsmschanandlerbong I hope you get put on the waiting list 🤞 and that they can give you some idea of timescales.

@BeHereNowx32 oh that’s so annoying that Edinburgh might not even start treatment yet even though they have the go ahead. I thought the HFEA would only approve them for treatment if they were ready? I hope for you that they get up and running very soon and you get your FET started. GRI told me FETs are getting done much sooner than full rounds because they don’t need an anaesthetist.

@kikisparks

We're still getting investigations done, but they've been postponed indefinitely. We're "not a priority case". We might not be, and i know there are people in worse situations, but it still hurts to be told that when this is pretty much the highest priority thing in our lives.

@scirocco sorry to hear that what investigations did you have already? Are you unexplained at the moment? Are there any tests you might be able to pay for privately?

@kikisparks
We've had some blood tests and SA. HyCoSy was cancelled due to covid. I think we'd be classed as unexplained so far. I don't know if private will be an option for us - we'll look into it though as the idea of just sitting around indefinitely isn't that appealing.

@scirocco we’re unexplained too- are you TTC your first? How long have you been TTC for? If it has been 2 years TTC and you have no children yet I’d push to be put on the waiting list for IVF. The hycosy will confirm if your tubes are clear or not, if they are blocked it will give you a diagnosis for your infertility but I understand that either way you’ll end up at IVF/ ICSI in the end.

Yeah, we're trying for our first. We conceived once, a few years ago, but miscarried. We were meant to go on the waiting list just before covid hit so we're probably right at the bottom of it.

@scirocco really sorry about your miscarriage I had the same and it meant it was very unlikely my tubes were blocked but they did the hycosy anyway. It’s up to you but you might want to check that you are on the waiting list as I didn’t get put on it until after all of the investigations were done.

Hi, does anyone know how to get data on comparative success rates etc for the clinics in Scotland, ideally from an independent body?

If we need to go private, I'd like to pick somewhere that offers us the best chances of success - it's expensive so we won't be able to have many tries.

Had the telephone consultantation with the consultant. We can't be placed on the waiting list until DH has his sperm analysis which they can't do at the moment because of the covid situation. It will likely not be until the end of the summer until they can open for that. Pre covid the waiting list was around 6 months long, it's now likely to be much longer. Just feel so deflated and low today. Also worrying because my AMH is lower than what they would have expected, so it's just something else to add. Gahhhh.

@scirocco sorry I’m afraid I don’t know, it sounds like something the HFEA would do though? Or you could ask the fertility network if they know?

@itsmschanandlerbong oh I’m so sorry, that’s really upsetting. If you got the semen analysis done privately would they put you on the list then? Sorry to hear about your AMH, how far off the level they expected was it?

AFM we’re trying naturally and my period is one day late, although I’ve had spotting and cramping, and I feel like I’m going mad. I keep thinking maybe those are pregnancy symptoms, especially because I’m tired and going to the loo a lot and the time I had a chemical pregnancy that happened. I don’t know where I got all this hope from as I thought I had lost that long ago. If it’s not here tomorrow morning I’ll take a test but I’m sure my period will come before that and bring me back down to earth.

@Scirocco I think the HFEA have this on their website.

Thanks, I'll check that out. 💙👍

Hi ladies just checking in on how everyone is surviving?

@itsmschanandlerbong I’m ok just waiting for a call from GRI to let me know what the next steps will be. I phoned on Wednesday and was told the call would be Thursday or Friday but haven’t had it yet, hope it’s Monday. I’ve heard some people are getting given the go ahead to book fresh cycles so I’m crossing everything that that’s what they’re calling to say.

How are you getting on?

We've had a call from the clinic to arrange a phone appointment. Not sure exactly what that will cover and they didn't say anything about timescales.
Hope everyone is starting to see some sort of progress!

Hi everyone, I got a call from the clinic to say that I can restart my fresh cycle. To call at next period to book in for prostap injection so things are moving again. Hope you are all well😃

@Mrsmch123 that's great news!

Which clinic are you with again?
I'm Aberdeen but still on waiting list so a long time off before we're called.

I'm at Glasgow. Tbh I was surprised that they called so quick but not complaining!

@Mrsmch123 that’s great! I’ve got the go ahead for a fresh cycle at Glasgow too.

That's fantastic that some of you are starting to get the go ahead for fresh cycles!!

That's great news, fingers crossed for everyone starting back up and hopefully it won't be too long for everyone else.