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?

Hello. I hope you don't mind me jumping in on your thread. I only just joined and seen there was a Scotland ivf thread. I've just stated my 2nd cycle of I've. Last year we had a bfn fresh cycle and a bfp frozen cycle but I had mc at 7 wks 😢 been on my tablets now for almost 2 weeks only 1 week to go. Has anyone started their cycle yet?

Hope everything goes well for you this time @Loulou00. Sorry to hear about lasg time 😓 I think everyone here is playing the waiting game for appointments at the moment xx

@Loulou00 I'm really sorry to hear that, that sounds so rough. Hope all goes well for you this time.

Oh ok. Thank you

Hi @Loulou00 We haven't started our cycle yet, just been added to the waiting list.
Sorry to hear about your experience so far, wishing you lots of luck for your new cycle!

@Scotgirl1 v useful info on royal, thanks. I really felt so unsettled going to that appt cos I dont know the hosp at all. I didn't think that would bother me but I just felt so unsure.

@justbeingelle hope you got accepted onreal one ok? Sorry to hear you're off work hope you're better soon. I defo think it is harder when off work/not busy/in routine. Gives too much thinking time!

Welcome @Loulou00

My closest friend has just had her baby. I'm utterly delighted. Genuinely. But tbh I had a wee cry, for myself. Cos I know it's v v unlikely to happen easily for me. Which makes me feel like a horrible self indulgent human for daring to feel sorrow at my own altered future.

I've been increasing my exercise and trying to eat more healthily. Want my bmi a wee bit lower, it's fine for any treatment but still above 25 so would prefer it a bit lower if I can. It's giving me something to focus on at least for now.

How is everyone else doing?

I'm having a rough one to be honest. We have first appointment at fertility clinic on 21st, but thing is my period is currently 4 days late. My cycles vary between 27-29 days so always base it on a 28 day cycle so it's four days late from that, no sign of it this morning.
I did a test, used the 'test 6 days early one' to be sure (every part of my body knew it would be negative, we have never had the positive result) and sure enough it was completely negative. No hint of a line.

It just feels like my body's way of giving me cruel torture with this little bit of hope before we go down an assisted route and then smashing it away from me.
I'm assuming my period is going to arrive at some point today and that it's perhaps late due to the two week break from work over festive period and change in my schedule :(

@MelAndShoe it doesn't make you horrible or self indulgent. Your response is completely normal, honestly. Try and just sit with how you feel and process it, rather than beating yourself up about it.
It's good you have something to focus on too, although it's related to TTC, I always find that having something that isn't TTC/testing etc helps get me through.

@willithappen I'm so sorry you're having such a rough time. Bodies can be so cruel! Shit timing for this to happen. You might be right about being out of routine causing this - last summer I was on holiday for 2 weeks and my period came a full week early and I'm normally very reliable, every 27-29 days. Try and be kind to yourself at the moment, you're going through so much.

@willithappen It is annoying, cause it's giving false hope. I have however noticed since started trying 5 years ago that my period is late during winter. So again just this past December period was 6 days late. I did not even bother testing as I've been 10days late before.
It just messes with your head!

@willithappen oh that sounds so hard the false hope thing.

@justbeingelle thank you. Wee one ended up needed to go up to hosp as unwell and I felt massive guilt even though the 2 are not connected. I am settling a bit. I tend not to be food when people are preg/labour etc but when the baby is actually born I slowly improve. I've always loved babies anyway so I naturally want to be around them. Friend has been sending more pics and I do feel love for her and really can't wait to meet her now. I know I'll love her as much as i do her son. Friend really including me in stuff and things.

I haven't had it be this late in over three/four years but turns out it just was.
AF showed her ugly face this morning. Part of me was hoping it was a false negative test and that I wouldn't need to go to this appointment next week.

I'm looking on the bright side though. Appointment is next week and that's the beginning of actually getting help with this. I could let my emotions take over and sit and wallow about it never happening but I'm going to try some positive thinking again.
Hopefully have some answers soon or a plan of action at least

Usual 28 day cycle, this month turned into a 32 day cycle.

It's crap girls. I feel like every month my body gives me false hope, whether it be sore boobs, spotting, a late period. We just got our official letter from the Royal yesterday, saying we were put on the waiting list on the 3rd of December. Has anyone been watching Deadwater Fell? That's a tricky watch with one of the characters going through IVF xx

hi everyone just been catching up as I have been on holiday. @NG9876 glad you are officially on the list. Hopefully it's not to long. @willithappen uck that's such a shame!im sure our body's like to mess with us!hope everyone else is doing ok x

@NG9876 Thanks for the heads up re Deadwater Fell, was planning to catch up with it, but I do find it difficult watching TV shows or films where they're talking about IVF. I watched a documentary recently about couple going through it and really wish I hadn't!!

Hey, for the people in Aberdeen who got the forms sent out to them did you fill them all in prior to your first appointment?

I have noticed a few say 'witness signature' and I'm not sure if it means we have to get a witness at home to sign or wait until we are in the appointment and sign then and have a nurse/doctor sign?

Also just realised it asked for passport photo too so going to have to go get those done today or tomorrow

@willithappen I'm Aberdeen, we filled in all the forms beforehand buy the Dr signed the 'witness' sections at our appointment. We didnt get actual passport pics done, just resized a recent photo of each of us and printed it off at one of those kiosks at the supermarket, they seemed fine with that at the clinic.

@nextweek

Thank you! Getting a bit worried and anxious about it now or doing anything wrong

@willithappen Will this be your first appointment at the clinic? Dont worry if it is , the staff are all really nice and will keep you right if you're not sure of anything

@nextweek

Yeah this is our first at Aberdeen. So far we have just done the appointments with our GP. I'm super nervous about what to expect

@NG9876 that's good you got your letter about being on the waitlist, when was your appointment when you were told you'd be placed on the waiting list? We were early December but haven't had a letter, wondering if I should phone just to double check.
Our bodies can be cruel and it still hurts when you're disappointed, even though you know the chances are probably slim. Had the same scenario yesterday.

What about the forms for a chaperone, did any of you guys consent to that? Should I need one or say yes to one?

@justbeingelle our appointment was 28th of November, letter from our consultant must have arrived on or before 3rd Dec to Royal. Then the letter to us just arrived yesterday. When was your appointment?

@willithappen Its all a bit overwhelming isn't it! Are you familiar with the hospital? You may already know, but the main door to the clinic is the same door as the maternity dept (it sucks seeing all the pregnant woman and babies coming and going) but there is another door to the clinic at the side, just long to the left and round the corner from the main door. I think I said I wouldn't need a chaperone. At one appointment I got an internal scan and it was just me, the Dr and a nurse but did get the option of my husband being in the room to

@NG9876 It's great news that you are officially on the waiting list!
Getting letters from the clinic always just marks that you are one step closer 🙂