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?

@Mrsrielly I wouldn't say thinking about is negative. I'd say I'm hopeful, optimistic but realistic. There are people who it never happens for and there's no knowing if that'll be us.
Now that we're close to starting IVF, and maybe because I've been listening to a podcast about infertility, I have been thinking more about future options.
My thoughts right now are since we're lucky enough to get so many cycles on the NHS that we wouldn't continue privately once those were done. As we're unexplained I have considered birth control if we're unsuccessful as I don't think I could handle that cycle of hope and disappointment anymore.
My husband was more inclined towards adoption than IVF until it became a reality but at the moment I'm way to bitter for that to be an option.
Despite all that I'm trying to take it one step at a time. Next step is period coming and working out when to ask for time off work.

@pixelflower that's a good way to think about it.
I just sometimes get so disheartened every month and with so many people pregnant around me at the moment I can get down.
We've spoke about adoption too and I am open to it but not 100% looked in to it until I know for sure we can't.
We can just be positive and I know it will happen for many of us xx

I think I'm the same as @pixelflower and would do the three cycles with NHS and then if it got passed then I'm not sure I'd continue. Although it would depend on what happened during those maybe - if it's three full cycles and not a single BFP I'd probably give up. If I got some BFPs but things went different I might continue on

I don't think I would use donor eggs or sperm, but again might be different if it actually got to that stage. I'm 28 so still have time on my side

@willithappen yeah I think I'm just overthinking everything because I feel like another friend has got pregnant and I'm still not 🙈 sorry I hope you all don't think I'm being a wee downer! I just wanted to see what other people's opinions were.
I have an appointment at the start of February for the next steps so I just have to stay positive.
Xx

Hi ladies, happy new year, hope everyone is good.

@Mrsrielly I have been asking myself the same question a lot recently, I am 40 (should have started treatment at 38 but due to circumstances we couldn’t). Anyway I have been thinking lately that maybe I’m too old now and should just forget it. But for me personally I pulled on my big girl pants and said don’t be silly your not too old, loads of other women have babies at your age and early 40’s so let’s do this!!

As we only get one cycle due to my age (was not impressed by the way the first doctor we had on video call pushing that home he may of well told me not too bother 🤬) we have decided to do the NHS cycle then pay for 1 if it doesn’t work first time. I know people say 3 is the magic number but it’s a lot of money and heartache. I obviously will know more when I can baseline scans and egg retrieval too see the state of things.

I don’t feel I left it too late, I feel we got ourselves in a good place to have a family. If it doesn’t happen for us then I just have to live with that 💔

@LabradorMum thank you for sharing your opinion. I definitely don't think people at 40 or more are too old so you're definitely not too old! I had 2 work colleagues who both because first time parents at 42 and 43 so definitely not too old.
That doesn't sound very nice what the doctor did, just not fair to do that. Doctors are supposed to be there to help not make you feel worse!
Sounds like you have a great plan, I think that's what's wrong with me just now, because I'm waiting on my next appointment to discuss next steps I feel like I'm in limbo but I'm going to be positive 🥰
Thank you very much for sharing really appreciate hearing other people's views xx

Your welcome @Mrsrielly it’s so difficult when we obviously don’t know the outcome, I like to be in control like to know what the end result will be and obviously we cannot know that 🤷🏼‍♀️

I am glad he won’t be our doctor the lady we got is much better she is very positive and that shines through in the way she talks to you.

I know what you mean about limbo until you have a definite plan with actual dates then it’s very difficult.

Not sure about people’s thoughts on this. But I actually visited a physic about a year ago, she told me a lot of things she couldn’t possibly have known. Then said your trying to get pregnant aren’t you but it’s not straight forward, I didn’t say anything (so not to give anything away) I won’t say exactly what she said but she did say you would have no problem getting pregnant. She gave me an event I was attending and said I would be pregnant by then, that was obviously pre covid so it didn’t happen. But she has correctly foreseen a lot of women who have gone on to have babies. I do take what is said with a pinch of salt but found that bit quite interesting. Not sure if you ladies probably think I am mad now 🤣

That's good about him not being your doctor!

Ohh well I use to visit psychics and 3 of them told me I would have troubles getting pregnant but that I would have 2 boys eventually. Now I use to always think what they said there was some sort of truth to it, I know everything they say can be taken with a pinch of salt because they work on your reactions etc but surely there is some truth to them?! So no I don't think your crazy 😂 or I am crazy too 🤣

@Mrsrielly well we can be mad together then 😂😂 I by no means live my life by what she said but I gave her no information apart from my name, I don’t have any sort of social media so she couldn’t look for me on line. And some of the things she said were so specific she couldn’t have possibly made it up, it was literally spot on, two of the things she said have already happened but that could be purely coincidence in not pinning any hopes to what she said but 🤷🏼‍♀️

Haha ok!
Well I haven't been to one in many years now as I went to one and I don't want to say a negative thing but she specifically told me I would be pregnant that year and that was 8 years ago so I stopped going after that. I was literally going by what they said and I just felt it wasn't a healthy way to live but I do still believe that some of them do and can see things (maybe I'm naive and some of you are going to be like what the hell are you talking about) but because I was pinning all my hopes on what they said I felt it wasn't healthy for me so stopped visiting them xx

@Mrsrielly I totally get that, I think a lot of them just prey on what you say and want! I have only ever been to two and many years apart, this lady is very well known in my area for correctly predicting but I would ever just believe what she said, I think sometimes they tell people what they want to hear so you keep going back and it can play havoc with people mental state, but of course as it isn’t regulated what can you do 🤷🏼‍♀️

I am just having a positive attitude what will be will be, having reiki and reflexology really helps with this I think, but obviously with all these restrictions can’t even get that done just now 🤦🏼‍♀️

I don't think 40 is too old, but for me that would mean having spent the entirety of my 30's TTC and that's hard. I understand that sometimes we need to be warmed of things but that Dr sounds like a #*¥$¢€× ( add your own word 🤣)

I've never been to a psychic one on one, just events. I'd really like to though. I'm open minded about it rather than 100% would believe what they say. My mad thing has been signs, things like my cousin who I grew up with getting pregnant, my SIL getting pregnant, job opportunity for my husband that would mean better hours for childcare - I'd think, if course, it's just not happened cause NOW is the perfect time 🤦

On the subject of announcements why is it now a thing to share other people's!?! Couple of people on Instagram posting other people's announcements 🤷🏼

Hi @pixelflower, for me during my 30’s I was working on getting a degree and working my way to a job, we didn’t use contraception but my partner works overseas and was away for months at a time before we realised it I was approaching late 30’s and a load of obstacles where then put in our way.

😂😂 believe me I was not impressed I think he realised that too and yes there were a few choice words after the video call!

I kinda thought the same, my partner is home just now and I’m working from home and not looking like ever going back so again same would be prefect timing, would it be thanks COVID 🤷🏼‍♀️😂😂

That’s odd, as I said I don’t have any social media so wouldn’t be announcing anything, to be honest if I was lucky enough to get pregnant first time I am not sure I would tell people for well over the 3 months just incase.

@LabradorMum funnily enough on the telling people I'm considering the opposite and telling people early. Not everyone, but colleagues and people I see even during Covid times. If I was to finally get pregnant then lose the baby I think I'd maybe need people at work to understand and be able to talk about it with family/friends who were excited for me and feeling the lose with me.

One week tomorrow until period due. Counting down? Me? Course not

@willithappen exciting! I'd be counting down too! I'm getting my Prostap shot in two days. Totally counting down.
General question, has anyone majorly changed their diet or exercise while going through treatment? I don't really exercise other than daily walks with the dog. Just wondering on the diet side whether there's any research suggesting having more or less of anything in particular?

@jonrik have you already been on northisterone? Exciting times.

I'm trying to up my protein intake and get more veg in too. Gonna try hit 10k steps a day just to get the blood flowing as well. A general healthy diet is recommended

My apps confused and saying day 23, four days till test but period due on the 14th, so a 32 day cycle instead of 30 🤣🤦
Stupid but still hopeful of a last minute miracle, but for the first time will also be excited when period comes.
We've got our blood tests on the 11th. I've not had a prescription sent for Norethisterone so slightly worried about that 😶
I'm phasing into healthier eating now and going to up my activity again but not going mad. I've heard stuff about different diets being better but I'm just going to aim for balanced.

[quote willithappen]@jonrik have you already been on northisterone? Exciting times.

I'm trying to up my protein intake and get more veg in too. Gonna try hit 10k steps a day just to get the blood flowing as well. A general healthy diet is recommended [/quote]
No, I don't know what that one is. Prostap is the first medication for me.

That sounds good re diet. I suppose more veg and protein alongside less sugar can't be wrong at any rate

Morning ladies, hope everyone is well.

@jonrik you must be super excited, your journey is well and truly starting.

I asked the nurse and she said during the stimulation and retrieval and transfer that exercise is limited to mainly walking and I think swimming , even some stretching to do with your core wasn’t a good idea. If you exercised before you could after I think the third trimester get back to a scaled back routine. I have to scale right back no kick boxing (haven’t been able to since lockdown anyway) and no heavy weight training ☹️

I found this article white interesting
www.healthline.com/health/guide-prepare-for-ivf

I had an issue with my Norethisterone the surgery didn’t get a copy so had to go down and hand it in was told I would need a consultation with the doctor but that didn’t happen they just sent it to the pharmacy, got it just before Christmas.

Bloods tomorrow for me and period due on Friday.

@pixelflower mine came as a letter through the post and I had to take that to my GP reception for the repeat prescription bit.

I'm a bit worried now after the lockdown announcement. Wondering if I'll be cancelled :(

Hi @willithappen as far as I know it won’t be as the travel is classed as essential that’s what the nurse said when I asked at my December appointment. We won’t be going into the clinic until February and it will be limited. There is usually a statement put on the website after any announcements so maybe tomorrow as it’s still closed for the holidays. Fingers crossed nothing changes!

@LabradorMum I think the only thing that would affect it for us is if staff were pulled to help with other areas of hospital. I wasn't sure how it worked that way with AFC also offering self funding so not sure if they are classed as private or not.

I think I can handle any delays though better than before. As at least now I know I'm top of the list and would get seen to quickly once they can. The first time it was so hard because they couldn't give any dates and had no idea how long it would take to get me to top of list

Hi @willithappen I am sure they are classed as NHS offering private (but they aren’t talking on any private at the moment I’m sure I read). I think they are doing this lockdown so that doesn’t happen with reference to resources such as staff.

Fingers crossed nothing changes and we are good to go 💁🏼‍♀️

@LabradorMum I hope so. Either way thank you for reassuring me - I really needed that! Hope you are doing fine!

I'm back to working from home as of tomorrow. Had been back in the office since June last year but I'm kind of glad that's me wfh again now. I imagine I will still be wfh during Feb and it will make things a lot easier doing the meds and scans if I don't have to explain to those in the office with me every time I leave. Also means I will feel more comfortable knowing I'm not catching anything.

The nurse told me they had someone test positive right before EC so that had to be cancelled. I couldn't imagine going through all the meds and then not getting the collection :(