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

Hi Leala20
Do you think its stress affecting your period? Best of luck today!

So that's another pregnancy announcement come in at work today.

I work in a small office, there were seven females and one male. Two of those seven have just recently had a bay and another two recently announced pregnant (our male boss must be having a field day haha). I'm so happy for them but can't help that stabbing pain of hurt too that it'll likely never be me like that. An hour and a half until I can go home for lunch and have a little cry.

@willithappen bless you, its so difficult to hear and see isn't it? im exactly the same a expected to fall pregnant straight away, and a girl a work with fell that month and gave birth in January, which I thought would be me.

take some time to yourself, and be kind to yourself, its a horrible journey but we must tell ourselves that we will get pregnant one day, its just something we have to fight a little harder for.
I cried all day Monday to my mum, and Tuesday I bounced back. we will get there xxxx

Thanks @Morpho123

It's is yeah. They are all in the office now discussing others being broody and telling the younger ones to wait and I'm just screaming inside about how it isn't as easy for everyone. Painting on a smile though.
There are a couple of other ladies in the office, recently married and everyone is expecting them to announce next too. I don't want any of them to know my issues or not wanna talk about stuff in front of me because they are excited and I don't want them to feel they have to keep quiet (I'd be screaming from the rooftops) so not gonna let on how much it's hurting inside

It's been a hell of a tough month.

On another note - any experience with a Hycosy?

@willithappen a hycosy and hsg are the same thing I read, Iv got mine on 6th feb, when is yours? I’ll let you know once Iv had mine.
I haven’t told anyone at work either so it is really difficult I understand! Xx

Oh I read they were slightly different in how they were carried out but I could be wrong!

I think Hycosy you just need some painkillers before and it's a quick procedure similar to a smear test?

I think hycosy they scan you and do internal and I thing hsg is X-ray and internal. The only difference is X-ray or scan apparently. They do the same thing.

I’ll be having painkillers before my HSG as Iv heard it’s painful! 😭 dreading it x

@Limeflower2 a lot must be stress but biology too. I have been told the chances are too low for ivf for me with the results I have ( unfortunately it’s all premature for me) by NHS and they will only fund ivf 3 cycles if I find a donor. So we are reviewing this now.

@willithappen I feel your pain!! So hard with all these announcements making it look so damn easy!!

Exactly the same boat and it's not a fun one to be in. Sending love and positive baby vibes!

Oh another thing I was going to ask those that have got their referral appointment (or perhaps have even had it already) got my letter through (appointment two weeks today) and it lists the results of the tests to bring (sa, bloods, scan etc) does that mean I personally have to bring the results or will my gp have sent them to the hospital in advance of our appointment?

Thank you xx

@MallonMary that’s weird because my appointment has access to my doctors records? Assume my doctors must have sent my file. To be safe, I’d ask your doctors for a copy so it’s not a wasted appointment if they don’t have the information xx

@MallonMary

Thank you ❤️

I just had my first appointment and it said about getting the tests and bringing them but the fertility centre already had them along with the referral. Are you both with the same GP practise?

@Leala20 I'm sorry to hear that. Stress has a big impact! I had a blood test 8months ago and my prolactin level was so high there was no way I could conceive. I then went to a Chinese Dr for herbs and some acuptunture. My prolactin level is now normal. And I had a day 2 blood test recently, my GP said my hormone levels looks good. I'm not sure if it is down to my Chinese Dr or I simply tried to relax more.
Do you think you will have the option to even try alternative treatment before finding a donor?
To speed things up, I'm going to pay for my first consultation with a consultant, he is also on the nhs system in the hospital I've been referred to. I'm not sure what to expect. Hopefully the day 2 blood test is enough for him to judge?

@willithappen Can I ask what tests did you have for your first appointment? As I'm going private for my first consultation, I would want to have all the test result done before my appointment. Thanks in advance.

@Limeflower2 my blood test showed high prolactin but as far as I know you can still get pregnant with this as long as you're getting positive OPKs and regular periods.

@Limeflower2

Prior to my appointment I just had day 21 bloods done and my partner had SA. The bloods tested a lot other things at the same time I think like thyroid etc.
I had my smear test done two months prior as it was due but that want to know you are up to date with that. I also had STI testing during this time (as I usually ask for it just to be sure) so I didn't need that as it was recent.
They also wanted to know I had my MMR immunisation which was initially showing up that I didn't have it and I needed to book in to get it done before they would refer me but I then got a letter through saying they found record of me having and it just hadn't been transferred to my electronic record so they cancelled my appointment for that. I think they had already referred me to fertility centre prior but knew that I would need MMR.

At the appointment a nurse came and took weight, height and smoking test.
The only other thing that happened other than talking things through was I had to have an internal vaginal scan (I'm the biggest wimp ever and found this a breeze) where they checked everything was looking okay. They checked my lining, checked for fibroids and showed me a follicle that was there which would eventually 'burst' and release the egg he said. He showed me this all on the screen at the time

That was all for that day. We discussed me having a Hycosy (flush of tubes) done because I had previously had an STI and it can cause scarring in the tubes so we wanna rule that out. Regardless of the outcome I will be put on IVF waiting list after that test but I wanted to have it done so I know for peace of mind. I have also heard that women and more fertile after having this and a lot conceive within three months after it (whether this is true or not I don't know. I'm not banking on it but it's something to have hope for)

In terms of tests I guess it just all depends on your results. If something shows up not 'normal' they may want other ones to investigate. I only needed day 21 bloods as doctor said he is pretty convinced I ovulate and that was it.

My partner apparently has a 'normal' SA however I have seen the report and know it says 1% morphology which worries me but apparently fertility experts don't put any weight on morphology at all.

Hope this helps. Sorry if I have repeated myself from any of my previous posts but wanted to try give you as accurate of a response as possible. Good luck for your appointment!

@willithappen & @morpho123.. just seen your comments about the hsg
.. i had mine yesterday. I went in very open minded, id read lots online, some saying it really hurt and some saying it was just like a smear test.
For me, it really hurt. Not gonna lie im still abit traumatised lol. It wasn't a long lasting pain... there was 3 instances of very intense very low down sudden cramps, ive never experienced pain like it in my life. But you guys might have a totally different experience to me, fingers crossed! The speculum thing going in was fine, the catheter going in was fine, it was when they put the dye through that hurt. I dont intend to scare you just be prepared, like i say id read about it and thought i was prepared but id also got it into my head that i would be in the "doesnt hurt just a little uncomfortable" category. I consider my pain threshold to be very good by the way but i was close to tears by the 3rd time( i had also taken 2 paracetamol and an ibuprofen about an hour before). the lady doing the scan said the pain comes from the uterus contracting to get rid of the foreign body ( the dye ). Anyway sorry for the doom and gloom just wish id read more stories of a bad experience before i went so that maybe id been more prepared. Xx

@mallonmary have you gone privately or via the nhs? I have just had my first NHS clinic appointment and i didnt have to take any of my results with me, the doctor at the clinic already had them so my gp must have sent them through 😊 maybe just double check though if the letter specifically asks you to bring them xx

@Beddie11 thanks for the update

How long did it last total for you? How long did the pain part last?

I'm a wimp. Fainted at smears and over think everything so already going into it expecting the worst but know it's another thing I need to get ticked off the list

@willithappen... oh it was very quick, i was in the room probably 10-15minutes and the pain was literally 3 times for about 3 seconds each, so very fast. They were really lovely though the ladies doing it. There was on who was there just for comfort lol so that was nice she stood near my head and held my hand! Xx

@willithappen I agree with @Beddie11 I found HSG very painful. I had it almost 2 years ago and I would say it intense pain and I had cramping like the worst period pains for about 3 days aftern I didnt expect to have to take time off work but I ended up off for a week. Definitely take paracetamol and ibuprofen before. Did you get your results of HSG @Beddie11? My doctor was able to tell me there and then that tubes were clear and discuss options.

So basically is there no difference between HSG and Hycosy? I was told there was but I'm unsure now

@chochaw yes i felt quite poorly for the rest of the day following my hsg, my stomach was sore, you know like how it feels when youve been vomiting for days.. and i got backache too which was weird think it was from tensing during the scan! I got my results there and then yes they showed me the pictures from the scan which was interesting xx

@willithappen have u googled the two? Im pretty sure they are the same ye! Xx

I've googled and discussed with my doctor and confirmed they are two slightly different tests