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?

@Laurenx92x it's very overwhelming to start with and it took me a while to get used to abbreviations too.
I emailed about the lighter periods but was told I needed to go back to GP for another referral to get them to look into it. Doesn't make sense to me. Think I'm quicker not going to GP and waiting til my top of the list appointment.

@pixelflower so when I was on the list they told me it's usually 6 month wait and that they had a backlog of 4 months to get through still so looking like 10 months. I'd heard of people getting quicker before so wasn't sure if the six month wait was accurate or just something they told you. I have been doing the counselling sessions Aberdeen offer you for free and because I had been getting really anxious and over thinking about when it might be and basically just not even having a rough idea of when I could be called up, the counsellor went ahead and asked where I was at on the list and when I was likely to be contacted. That was early last month and she was told I'm six/seven months away from being contacted :(
I don't know if it will be quicker, I know a lot are getting impatient and deciding to go private. The way I am looking at it is I'm trying to get Christmas/holiday season out the way and then hopefully into the new year things will move fast and I can get prepared.
Oh - I was also told they are prioritising those aged 40+ I'm 28 so I presume a few are getting ahead of me on the list due to age factors.

Thank you @willithappen, right now I feel like knowing that is going to help. When we went on the list she said they couldn't say how long. Hope the counseling sessions are helping you and that you're feeling less anxious.

@pixelflower it definetely helps me have something in my mind to aim for. Just fingers crossed Covid doesn't derail anything else!
I'd imagine you will be not far off the same as me, if not at the same time since it seems like we were both referred at the same time.
How have you found things so far?

@willithappen sounds like we could be. Not sure if you mean the whole thing or the centre, I'm blaming post Nightshift brain I've had some rough points during lockdown, probably cause I communicate best/most comfortably in person and felt even more alone in this. We didn't have much in the way of investigations and classed as unexplained so haven't actually had much contact with the fertility centre.
How about you?

@pixelflower
Sounds quite similar to us. Had blood test and SA through GP, then ultrasound and HyCoSy with fertility centre and that has been it.
I have seen a lot of people mention AMH tests but I don't think I got those done.
We were pushed back a bit as my partner mentioned he was a social smoker (so smoked very rarely when out drinking) and they wanted him to have stopped that three months before they would put us on the waiting list.
They were all lovely, I'm just a bit gutted at being put as unexplained and straight to IVF rather than trying to figure out what's wrong :(

@willithappen
We were the same, husband was a smoker, so had to stop. I did say before but to his credit he quit pretty much as soon as we left that appointment.
I don't know if this sounds insane but I found being unexplained really hard. If we knew there was no chance we could conceive naturally then it would just be the waiting for IVF, instead of the highs and lows every month wondering if this will be the month.
I actually burst in to tears during the internal scan because they showed me the screen and I just felt overwhelmed with sadness that it wasn't to see a baby. Poor staff didn't know what to do.

@pixelflower
That's exactly how I feel! 'Unexplained' kinda gives you the feeling that there is still hope every month. So even though I have been trying to basically say 'I'm not getting anywhere until IVF' I'm still always wondering each month if that will be the month and then the same heartbreak when AF comes :(
I do feel like not enough tests have been done, but I think they see it as the length of time we have been trying it's likely IVF will be our option.

@willithappen Had a few days away from here. It's such a rollercoaster of emotions. I think it's the same with us, haven't taken any precautions in over four years and not even had a properly late period ( hasn't stopped me taking many tests ) OH's repeat SA was cancelled due to Covid but would have like to see if stopping smoking had affected it at all.

@pixelflower sometimes the time away does good. I think being on the list now I'm not as anxious about it all right now, but still get plenty of those moments too.

My partner only got one SA done, no option of a repeat at all. They barely even looked into him

Hi everyone I am new to this. We have been trying to conceive 3 years or so. Had blood tests done and DP has been tested and is fine. Waiting for my HSG next month and internal scan. Has anyone been in a similar situation? We are being seen at Dundee

@Thornberry88 sort of a similar situation. My partner had 1% morphology though but been told that was okay. I didn't get a HSG and instead got a HyCoSY. I'm not 100% certain on the difference and why they go with one over the other?

I've just woken up to a big fat envelope through the door from fertility clinic. A bit taken by surprise as I was informed I was looking at March next year before I was anywhere near top of list to be seen. It's given us an appointment via video on 26th Nov to discuss plan for our treatment and a load of consent forms. Some of the forms look similar to what we have already signed so gonna look through my paperwork from before and see.
I don't know how quickly things will move from here - anyone else had the same? I'm NHS.
We did originally go on waiting list in May but with Covid and the delays was told 10 month wait. So that's six months since waiting list to that appointment.

Hi @Thornberry88 I just had blood tests and the internal scan. Only issues were a couple of my husband's numbers were a bit below average but they said it's unexplained infertility. We're still in the waiting game for the next step.

@willithappen Wow! Must have got a shock after being told it would be next year. How you feeling? Fingers crossed for you that this is it and things will move quickly now 🤞🤞🤞

@pixelflower yeah it really was a shock.

I'm still thinking it will be into next year though. Even if they say at this appointment I can start on next period, my period after they won't be until mid Dec and I'm guessing they will have a little break over Christmas so thinking maybe January. Gonna keep March in my head though so I don't get disappointed

@willithappen sounds sensible.

@willithappen looks like we are very close in timings, just received a letter today and have the video call appointment on the 3rd of December. I should be excited that things are progressing but the timing could have been better - period due today, a colleague just announced she's pregnant and I have a headache so actually feeling pretty sorry for myself

I’m still waiting for my hsg test results. The tubes aren’t locked but it showed something on the X-ray they wanted the oncologist to check. Then I have another internal scan the end of November. I’m wondering if they come back ok how soon would I start clomid? Or join the waiting list for ivf?

@Thornberry88 I'm not sure, sorry. We were told at our first appointment together it would be IVF and then had a three month wait for my husband to stop smoking and then an appointment to go in the waiting list. That was in Aberdeen.

@nextweek how are you getting on with things? I know you are Aberdeen also! We have our appointment tomorrow to discuss the treatment so I think that's our 'top of the list' appointment.

@pixelflower how are you coping with things?

@willithappen how you feeling about your appointment? We've got ours next week and stressing out cause have put on a little weight and I was borderline, other than that I'm fine.

@pixelflower bit excited and nervous! Just need to stop trying to guess what they will say haha. I'm sure I will be more chill by tomorrow once I know the plan and if it will be Jan that we get started!

Is your appointment early in the day? Hopefully a better year for you next year🤞🤞🤞

It's at 1pm tomorrow, video appointment. So I will be at work in the morning and then get home for the appointment. So anxious! 😬

@willithappen Hope your appointment went well and you're feeling less anxious and more excited 😁

@pixelflower oh god, what a palava
I'm no better off haha. I'm a bit drained from how I feel after it.
It was just for us to sign consent forms over to video call. Didn't get told anything about procedure (I asked and it will be short protocol but that's literally all I was told) didn't get any idea of times or anything else. I could barely understand what was being said either due to a strong accent and I didn't want to be rude.

Had to book blood tests (std ones I think) and that took me over an hour being on phone to my GP to try figure out. Eventually got there in the end and have them Monday afternoon.

I now have to wait for an appointment to come through to speak to the nurse about the drugs. No idea when that will be so I'm back to square one of having no idea of timeframe. Just been told it likely won't be before Christmas.

Oh no, sounds so disappointing after all the stress of waiting. Hopefully your letter will come quickly. Suppose at least with it being video you didn't have to take time getting to the hospital just to sign forms. What a day for you !