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

@Morpho123 what day in your cycle were you when you had the HSG?
I'll be CD 15 and I usually ovulate that exact day so worrying how it will affect that. Will it just flush the poor egg out or is that me overthinking haha

@willithappen I had my hsg CD10 so now I’m worried everything got flushed and maybe I won’t ovulate? I don’t know. I can’t tell my temp if I have or not! Xx

@Morpho123 Thanks for asking. I had my hsg 2 hours ago. I was being all brave when the nurse asked if I wanted to hold her hand, I refused. Next minute I was squeezing her hand so hard. Lol. She was trying to distract me with a conversation. I told her I can't speak to her as I was in so much pain. It was one of the most painful experience for me so far. I hope IVF won't get any more painful than this.

I had an ultra sound on Monday too. It was a scan on my belly and a transvaginal one too. I did asked why they needed this, they said it was too see if there is any fibroid and cysts etc. Maybe your Dr. wants to check everything first?

@limeflower2 bless you, it was horrendous for me too, are you in pain after? Mine really hurt during but hardly any pain after! So I was grateful for that.
She said this morning my uterus looked perfect no PCOS, fibroids or anything so couldn’t understand why I wasn’t pregnant, then we explained I don’t have the issue really he does, and she understood.
The things we have to go through though!
Did they give you your hsg results there? Iv got to wait til mid March for mine as my fertility specialist is on a months holiday 🙄
But I know it’s all okay, as I saw the dye spill and my ultra sound was fine this morning!

Hope you are okay lovely, we will all get there eventually, I really hope someone in this group falls pregnant soon so we can all stay positive 💕 xxx

@Limeflower2 glad all went well today. I can confirm that HSG is the worst pain I have ever had. I think it was even worse than labour!

@Morpho123 Thank you for your kind words. There was no pain afterward but I was light headed for a while.
I've asked after my hsg and the dr. said my tubes are clear and the result will be sent to consultant today. I'm going to arrange another appointment with my consultant next week. So I will know then whether it is IUI or IVF for us.

Sending positive vibes to everyone!

@Chochaw Good to know that was worse than labour pain.🤣

Girls quick question, do any of you use preseed? If so, sorry for the tmi, but do you use it with the applicators or just a lube?
We use it only as lube because the whole applicator thing bothers me and it’s really not sexy and I’m sure it would all just fall out? Lol
Advice please xxx

@Morpho123 I used Preseed with the applicator. 😉

Thanks @Chochaw. So glad hsg was done! That's great news about IUI. Is it a natural cycle or stimulation one you are planning?

@limeflower2 We will do the stimulated cycle again. It worked well last time and I liked being able to see exactly what was happening to my body with all the scans. It took the pressure off thinking 'have I ovulated yet?' I used OPK for 2.5 years and found I always ovulated really late and i never trusted them. At least I can watch on the screen and see when it has happened.

What are your thoughts on IUI vs IVF?

@morph123 I used the preseed with applicator too.

Another random thing that our fertility nurse told us about last time was to take a couple of spoonfuls of cough bottle(must contain guaifenesin) each day to create a 'sperm friendly' environment. It creates more cervical mucus and makes it easier for the sperm to swim in the right direction.
I was also told to avoid taking antehistamines as they dry up all mucus and make it harder for them to get to the right place.

@Chochaw I'm completely new to assisted fertility. IUI sounds less intrusive then IVF, plus it is cheaper. I'd like to try IUI first.

I've used OPK in the past I was never able to get two dark lines. I've tracked my BBT though, I'm definitely ovulating every month.

Insightful tip about guaifenesin, I will bear that in mind.🤗
Since you had great outcome with IUI last time. Would you mind telling me how many scan do they do before basting?xx

You let them know when your period arrives and they get you in on CD1-3 and scan you to check if you can start with that cycle or not. They are checking that all follicles have gone and no cysts are present before starting. Then I was shown how to inject myself(stomach) and did it there in the clinic. They like you to do it in the clinic so they know you can do it. They send you home with the injections and you do it every night for a few days. I had first scan CD2 Thurs, then CD6Mon, CD8 Wed,CD 10 Friday, and then had basting on CD11.

2nd time- CD3 Wed, CD8Mon, CDWed 10, CD12Friday, CD 14Mon and basting on CD15 Tues.

Then it's the 2ww and all they do is give you a home pregnancy test to take 2 weeks later. If its positive you are signed over to midwives and if not then contact to start next cycle when AF comes.

@Chochaw Thank you for that! The sound of injecting myself though. 😖

I didn't realise so many scans are needed for IUI, I'm going have to come up with some excuses in work.

Have you spoken to your boss about treatment? I was very open about it all. It was great to have the support but it meant everyone was constantly waiting to see if it worked. Our 1st treatment fi wished just at the summer holidays so i didnt have to tell when it didn't work. They just assumed when I hadn't messaged it didnt work.

Luckily I managed to get 9am appointments and it only took 10 minutes so I was normally back in work for 9.45. The day of basting was husband in at 9am to do his bit and then the lab washed it and I was in for IUI at 11 am. I had to lie with legs in stirrups for 20mins after so that day was the latest.

This time I want to keep it a bit more private. I hated the wait till 6 week scan when they found heartbeat and then waiting again till 12 weeks. As soon as people know you are pregnant all they talk about is pregnancy and it's a long enough wait without other reminding you. I've had 3 MC and I had told a couple of friends about 2 of them and I found that it was easier to deal when noone knew because I just battled on and distracted myself but when friends knew they constantly checked on me and one friend phoned me on babies due date and asked me if I was ok. I forgot what date it was until she told me and it hit me again. She meant well but it didnt help me.

My boss will need to know but I'm just going to pretend I have physio for prolapse to other colleagues.

Sorry this message has jumped about a bit with my ramblings.x

Hi @Chochaw I really appreciate your posts. It definitely prep me with what I will expect soon. Unfortunately I will start a new job soon, I don't think telling my new boss is an option. I probably will have to lie about physio.😁

For my first IUI we aren't going to tell anyone. Just want to avoid pressure and expectation from people. Happy Friday! xx

Hey ladies sorry I haven't checked in in a while! DP got his SA back and he count is very high but morphology is a bit low at 3.3% but it's not a concern as his count is good.

So I thought I would call today to see how long the list is for my tests and was told 12 months!! I nearly died so I got a private doctor recommendation from my GP so I have booked an appointment today and I am being seen on the 26th Feb for a consultation and my internal scan will be a week later depending on my cycle. Blows my mind how long NHS waiting lists are!!

Should I bring my DP to my consultation or go alone? He doesn't want to go and end up being a spare part if he's no need to go?

Hi All, hope you are okay?
where are you all in your cycle? im in the tww, but not sure how many dpo because I ddint track much this month. after my HSG I wasn't sure if it threw ovulation out, then I was poorly so BBT was inaccurate. so I haven't a clue, however iv once again got brown spotting, which to me would mean around 8/9dpo. I always spot roughly a week before AF. I wish I could stop it, because I feel like I don't even have a chance of falling pregnant!
iv got day 3 bloods booked in (at a guess) and ill alter the date whenever AF comes. so I guess ill be starting clomid in may...although I ovulate on my own so I don't get it.

I have progesterone pessaries, they are what I want to start using!

going to get my husband to do another SA soon, but I obviously don't believe its improved as im not pregnant sooooo.

im so hoping one of us will get a positive soon, it would be so great for this group to know morphology can be okay!

lots of love and wishes to you all girls xx

Hi @Morpho123,

Will clomid force you to ovulate more and create extra follicles? Do you have an issue with the thickness of your womb? Just wondering why you are getting the progesterone?

I'm CD8 so probably got another week before ovulation. I'm going to try OPKs again this month and hope I fall before IUI. I got copied in on a lovely letter that my consultant sent to GP to confirm we are eligible for more IUI. She was really nice and I felt it was very personal. I sometimes feel that maternity notes are very clinical but this was nice. I have about 2 month wait till I start IUI but I think I may need to postpone because we have booked a holiday for April. I'm hoping we can get a cycle in before the holiday. X

Hi ladies, hope you are all going well.
@Morpho123 I had been spotting for 3 days after my HSG. It has definitely affected my body, not in a good way. I also had my smear test done yesterday. I think I've done enough tests for now.😂
I'm on CD13. I'm not BBT right now as I was stressing about it so much. I'm trying to relax more. I have my day 21 blood test book in for next week as well as prolactin level again. When I requested my prolactin blood test appointment with my GP (same surgery, different gp this time as my previous gp has left), she wasn't too keen to give me one. And claimed the lack of sleep can caused a peak in prolactin. I had to explained to her my previous 2 results have been quite high. She reluctantly agreed to organise a test for me next week.
In the meantime I've started seeing an acupuncturist last week. I showed her my blood result. She raised concern of my prolactin level (650). It is interesting how two people (both specialise in fertility) have raised concern for my prolactin level but not my new GP.

@Chochaw That was so nice of your consultant informing your gp! My (new) gp was so annoyed my consultant hasn't left her any note about my blood test.
Maybe you will conceive naturally on holiday in April?🤗
xx

@Chochaw I’m being given clomid to release more follicles to up the chances of conception, however I do think surely if morphology is the issue what’s the point in me releasing me?
The progesterone is because I spot so much after ovulation so the doctor seemed to think maybe my progesterone was low, it can’t hurt to take more so I guess to him that was an ‘easy fix’. My periods are really light also, lasting 1.5-2 days at best.
So glad your new GP is being personal about this! It’s such a difficult time so that really can make all the difference.
Does your husband have morphology issues? We were told iui wouldn’t work with morphology, but we’re going to meet a consultant at an ivf clinic next week so I’m going to put that question to him! Iv been considering giving iui a go!

@Limeflower2 wow bless you, you really have been though it! Hsg is just awful isn’t it, I couldn’t imagine doing a smear too! The prolactin is obviously an issue isn’t it, what causes that? And how can you change it?
Why isn’t your gp recognising the issues though? Seems weird doesn’t it.

I want to ask for an amh test when I next see my specialist. And for my husband to have another SA, although the specialist said not worth him having another because it’s so low? Surely it’s always worth doing another to see if any improvement?!

I felt down last night and we have decided we may bring ivf forward depending what the specialist says next Saturday. If he agrees morphology is an issue and ivf with ICSI is the best route we’re just going to do it xxx

Hi @Morpho123 Sorry you were feeling down. It's a lot of waiting around with test and referral. I think you should definitely request an amh test. I'm nearly sure you have to pay it for though.
Is your DH taking any supplements or make changes to his diet? If so, I would ask for another SA!
My previous job caused my high level of prolactin. I think it could be control by medication though. Will see.
Not much going on until I see my consultant next week. xx

@limeflower2 thank you, Iv just taken a test as I need an MRI Friday- so you can’t be pregnant, well thankfully I’m not 😭
BFN- I don’t even get indents lol! It’s shit I don’t know what else to do, I feel like I’m giving up it’s really getting me down, every month having hope and then nothing. We need help with morphology- even though the doctors say you can still fall naturally but it ‘takes a little longer’ like how much longer, months.... years? I’m 32! I don’t want to wait until I’m 33/34 xx

@Morpho123 Really sorry to hear about your bfn. Don't give up!
Are you considering going private in order to speed things up for you?
Is there anything you could do to distract yourself from the waiting? I'm reading "it starts with the egg", it gives plenty of information about preparing your body for ivf.
I know its painful about the waiting. You still got time, I'm 40, I need to hurry. 😁So let's stay positive together!🙌🌈

@limeflower2
Yes we will go private as we don’t get nhs cycles where I live, which is disappointing but at the same time I don’t think I could do the waiting around!
Iv got it starts with the egg I haven’t read it all yet, I might do that actually to prepare for what’s to come!
I guess it’s because I always wanted 2-3 children that now that may not become a reality. I’ll stay positive ❤️ Xxx