Anyone else awaiting fertility referral?

[MallonMary]

Hi all,

Been ttc (unsuccessfully!) for over a year and just found out there's a problem with DH sperm (low mobility and zero normal forms), so awaiting referral to fertility clinic to seek further help/advice.

Just wondered if there's anyone else in a similar situation about to embark on this journey too?

Also similar success stories welcome :) x

They are really good results!! If it's just the morphology you need to improve then I really think you've got a good shot!

Can't see the actual sperm count ? It should say something like 'total sperm count in millions'? It's the number that should be 39 million or above.

Yes he knows the cycling isn't good but it's his real passion. He hasn't done it in a while as it's winter weather but I do worry he'll want to start up again in spring. X

@MallonMary yeah I wonder if the clinic will make him do another sa.

I think he withheld for 5 days. He went to the clinic to do it so they got the sample pretty much straight away. He said it was a very bizarre experience, one I'm sure he's not in a hurry to repeat.

That's nice that she's been there for you! Yeah, people announcing is hard. Just have to stay positive and keep yourself distracted. Have you got any holidays coming up?

@MallonMary aw you have made me fee better already. The only result that is is millions is the ‘total sperm concentration - 111million’. But thats way above 39. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Thats a shame for him, is there anything he can do? Ie, loose shorts or something along them lines? I wonder how much impact cycling would actually have.

@thelittlepeanut I tried to get oh to do it there but he wasn't keen. They said if he delivered it within one hour that would be fine. It did make us laugh afterwards though as he said the receptionist was quite sultry with huge boobs ha!

No holidays planned as yet. Kept thinking I won't book anything in case I'm pregnant and not feeling well etc etc also I know there are some places to avoid when ttc. Have you booked anything?

It's so lovely speaking to you guys about this stuff. A breath of fresh air to be able to talk honestly about it all! So thank you :)

@nobunintheovenyet yes I thought that 111 figure might be it! That's great honestly right now I'd be chuffed with those numbers!

Well he's just gone out for a run so I'm hoping that will become a new hobby

@MallonMary @thelittlepeanut I also thought about how long it took oh to get the sample there and how long before they actually tested it but they must also take all this into consideration. I even jokes with oh about them mixing his sample with someone else’s lol.

Thanks so much for that info, when oh gets home ill tell him, don’t know that he will feel much better though, I think he might have resorted to ivf/isci being the only option.

Thats it when he’s back talk him into it being a new hobby.

Yes so great to have a place to share with you both, and as you say be honest as that the hard part x

@Nobunintheovenyet it's hard to process so it's totally normal to feel down! Plus like @MallonMary said your results seem positive other than the morphology.

I took my oh's results to my GP (we have different ones) and it was my GP who referred us to the infertility clinic. My oh's GP said that we should still fall pregnant naturally and to just 'keep trying', so I'm glad I went and got a second opinion. If you're struggling to understand the results I'd definitely recommend booking an appointment with your GP so they can shed some light and advise on next steps.

My oh takes fertilitysmart for men, but it's quite expensive. We just thought we'd try the more expensive one out first, but I've heard wellman is very good so think we'll switch to that once he runs out.

@MallonMary haha I wonder if they picked the receptionist especially to help with the erm.. process?!

We've booked a trip in mid-March, just before our clinic appointment so that we can relax before embarking on whatever next journey awaits us. I've also been putting off travelling for ages for the same reason, but so glad we have something coming up. Honestly can't wait now!

Yeah it's so nice to be able to talk about this stuff freely with other people going through the same thing! Makes such a difference, thank you! x

I just didn’t see our ttc journey being this way 🤷🏻‍♀️ Yes need to hang onto that and look at the positives otherwise who knows where my head will be at!

@thelittlepeanut so strange we are literally steps behind you both in this journey. My oh also has a different gp, he received his results over the phone then went and picked up a print out so I can take it to mine. His gp is making him have a chlamydia test and send some urine. He doesn’t like to ask too many questions whereas I would ask a million.

Will call my gp tomorrow to make an app and take the results with me. Did your go refer you straight away?

Going out to get dinner and some Wellman soon!

A trip away sounds perfect and literally what you need right now. We spoke about going away in Feb with friends, perhaps we should get booking.

Couldn’t agree more!!!!!

Hey guys.. do you mind if I join? Been ttc for 3 years now. Had a laparoscopy in October but we decided that if we didn't get a BFP by new year then will start ivf.. so going to start the ball rolling tomorrow. Feel really sad about it. Turning 35 this year so are going to be going private so that we don't waste any more time. Plus my gp isn't very sympathetic so don't think she will refer me.

@mrsV2018 sorry to hear that. Do you know what your fertility issues are?

I've not heard of the procedure you've had, what was it for?

It must be so hard getting your head around starting the ivf journey, but I think putting a deadline on trying to conceive naturally is sensible. I think we will do the same and then start talking ivf. So so hard and please keep us updated on your journey.

@MallonMary thanks for your message. Laparoscopy was to check for any cysts and make sure tubes aren't blocked. They removed the cysts and unblocked the tubes. The consultant said we could start ivf straight away but thought that we should conceive naturally before ivf would begin. I wish we had started the ball rolling earlier now but hindsight is a great thing I guess. We've had sperm tested and eggs and they say all ok. Just feel really depressed today that something that should be so simple isn't for us.

How are things with you?

@Nobunintheovenyet tell me about it! I guess nobody starts this journey expecting it will be a long and difficult road.

Haha my oh doesn't ask many questions either! Yeah, we got referred straight away after I took my oh's results to my gp.. Just wish I'd done it sooner!

Yeah really looking forward to going away! Definitely get booking 

Hi @MrsV2018 sorry you've been trying for so long! Did the laparoscopy help to diagnose you with anything? Has your oh had any tests?

Sorry about your gp. I had an unsympathetic one once but asked to see a different practitioner next time I went. Is that something you could do as well? They should definitely be referring you if you've been trying for so long with no success. Totally get that time is of the essence though and if you're ready to go private then you have to do what's right for you. Lots of support on here for whatever you need x

@thelittlepeanut the laparoscopy removed the cyst which the consultant was saying was stopping me from getting pregnant, sperm test done and all ok and AMH was 29.3. I think that's ok as well. Was hoping the laparoscopy was the solution but I guess not. That's good you got referred straight away. At least the ball is rolling for you. How are you feeling about it all?

@mrsV2018 Can I ask, other than struggling to conceive, did you have any symptoms or anything with the cysts and blocked tubes?

If you had the procedure done in October that's only a couple (albeit feels forever) of cycles of trying post blockage/cysts removed, so I wonder (and hope!) you still have a good chance naturally if oh sperm is all good and you are good now too.

Even couples with nothing 'wrong' can take 6 months to a year, I'd be tempted to pursue ivf to get ball rolling but keep trying the natural way too. Have you tried sperm meets egg 'technique'? I've only just learnt about it but have tried it this cycle JUST in case x

@MallonMary I didn't have any symptoms for the cysts. Was a complete surprise that I had them. No pain and no problems with my periods. But yes I'm going to carry on trying naturally and hope it happens but if not then start the ivf process. Hopefully it will happen naturally but am losing hope.

Tried smep, reflexology, acupuncture, pineapple core, all sorts of tablets but never even had a sniff of a BFP.

How long have you been ttc?

@mrsV2018 how strange! So did they just find them when actually doing the procedure or did it come up on a scan first?

Ah that's a lot but I guess it you'd been doing all that pre procedure then that may be why no bfp. I would LOVE to see that second line!

We have been trying just over a year. We know dh sperm is a miss but that doesn't mean all fine with me, I wonder if they'll suggest that procedure for me too... or just assume that the issue is with dh?

@MallonMary I had a scan first and he found 1 cyst and suggested the laparoscopy He found some abrasions and other cysts during the op. Are you going through the nhs or private?

NHS... we are waiting for letter giving us very first appointment x

Morning ladies,
Had a chat with oh yesterday and he seems more positive but knows we need to be realistic. Going to make a drs app today.

@MrsV2018 sorry to hear your troubles, we have decided to keep trying naturally too, at least the pressure will be so much less.

We also had the nhs/private chat last night, am I right in saying if you go private you forfeit your nhs rounds? Am so new to all this so sorry if I’m asking silly questions.

I'd be interested to know answer to your Nhs/private question too! I don't understand how it works at all x

Hi ladies

@MrsV2018 haha I've tried pretty much all those things too! I'm starting to think they're all a myth. Feel like I'm getting more cynical as time goes on, which isn't a good thing.

Did you do the scan & AMH test privately or were you referred?

@Nobunintheovenyet glad you and oh are both feeling better today!

You should check your local CCG policy with regards to funding: www.nhs.uk/Service-Search/Clinical-Commissioning-Group/LocationSearch/1

My local CCG will only fund 2 rounds of IVF and won't fund if you've had 3 previous cycles - whether these were done through nhs or private. But I think it's different for each CCG so definitely worth reading up on your local policy.

I think I'm going to go down the nhs route first if I can, as I can always go private afterwards if those rounds don't work but can't revert back to nhs if I go private first.

Can I join- been trying for 12 months now (I’m 36 hubby 43) first doc appointment this thu x

@thelittlepeanut I went to the gp last year but she wasn't too interested and wouldn't refer us so I went privately and got the scab and AMH and semen test done privately.
@Nobunintheovenyet did you make the gp appointment?
@MallonMary hopefully you get your appointment soon. How long have you been waiting? Do you think it's worth chasing?
@Lammoshay good luck for Thursday. Is your appointment with the gp or at the fertility clinic?

@MrsV2018 I can't believe they weren't interested so you had to go privately! It seems so pot luck with what gp you see and whether you're taken seriously or not.

Been waiting about 4 weeks now for the letter. Will chase up tomorrow definitely.

@Lammoshay good luck in first appointment. For you, they'll prob suggest blood tests to check you're ovulating and an ultrasound scan to check all looks ok. For your husband, it'll be a semen analysis. I found the first bit quite quick so hopefully you get some answers soon! Or a bfp even better!!

@MallonMary I’m still unsure but it makes sense that you wouldn’t be able to go private then have nhs to fall back on 🤷🏻‍♀️

@thelittlepeanut thanks for posting that, i know my ccg but still can’t seem to find answers to how many rounds ect, probs not looking hard enough lol. I’m sure we will end up doing the same. Am just worried now saw a post that said in my area they wont start ivf until trying for 2 years plus!!!! I’m so worried about waiting that long.

@Lammoshay course lovely to have you here. Sorry to hear about your struggles. Let us know how you get on.

@MrsV2018 couldn’t get one at mine they literally have no gp’s.... never even heard of this 😡 i got oh to make one at his and he has it this sat. I’m just hoping they will refer us based on his results. I will definitely cry some more if they don’t lol.