Referral seacroft first appointment

[Amb121]

Hey ladies
Hoping someone can help me? I have my first referral appointment in two weeks and I am feeling really worried, just wondering if anyone can tell me what to expect? Will they do my bmi and such in front of my partner? I know it is high but the thought of it is making me really anxious...

Hi,
I am currently going through my first ivf cycle at Seacroft! They are all lovely, I haven’t met a member of staff that hasn’t been helpful and supportive!
The first appointment is a discussion with a nurse about both partners backgrounds, past medical history, any previous pregnancies, the social side eg smoking and drinking.
They go through what tests you have already had, and then advise what other tests they want you to do. They wanted to repeat a couple of mine, do a baseline scan, and they always want their own sperm analysis.
The tests all had to be booked in but there wasn’t a wait for anything, the receptionist literally said “let’s have a look at what we have tomorrow”!

They do weigh you, the scales are outside the clinic room but I’m sorry I can’t remember if my husband was still in the room or if she weighed me on the way in to the room and he was stood next to me. They have weighed me a few times during the course of appointments and I’m within normal BMI, but I think it is to make sure meds for the sedation are tailored to body mass.

Good luck, I hope it goes well! Emily

@Amb21 I was under Seacroft recently and was sue to start a cycle of Ovulation Induction in January but actually conceived naturally a couple of weeks before! I can echo what @Embri says in so much as the first couple of appointments focus on what tests you need and then going through the various results. We had completed most of the tests through our GP prior to our referral (lots of bloods, sperm analysis) but I also had to have a HyCoSy scan to physically check out my tubes.

It is worth being aware that if your BMI is above 30 they may ask you to lose some weight before they can start some treatment protocols, in particular if you are being treated under the NHS. Mine was slightly under 30 and they asked me to try to lose some weight so I was on a weight watchers regime when I fell pregnant. This is my third pregnancy with the other two having ended in miscarriage, Seacroft have been really good to me and gave me an early reassurance scan, I'll be discharged from there if I get to 12 weeks but I can't fault the service I've received over the past few months. Good luck to you!

They'll weigh you outside the room so your husband won't see the numbers, but they might say to try lose some weight if you're between 25 and 30 bmi when you're back in the room.
Are you private or nhs? They're all lovely there, few communication delays but nothing you wouldn't expect from nhs. Good luck

I was at seacroft too, and my icsi was successful my beautiful baby is now 7 month... good luck all ❤️ X

Hey! I'm also at Seacroft and can't fault them! NHS and Private their good level of service and support remains so ur in good hands.

They do weigh you outside and then come back in the room and work out ur bmi in front of your husband. At least they did with me anyway apart from one appointment when I was alone. Good luck 🤞 💜

@Amb121 I hope it goes well for you. I got referred this Monday after all initial blood tests, ultrasound, swab and smear came back. How long did it take them to contact you from GP referring you to getting an invite for an appointment?

Thank you for the info everyone. You have made me feel much better now I know what to expect. So I have been diagnosed with PCOS, I fell pregnant 18 months ago but sadly had a miscarriage. Been TTC since with no success, my BMI is bang on 35 at the minute and that’s what it has to be for them to accept you on the NHS. I am really trying to shed some pounds but it is difficult with PCOS! I am hoping they will give me clomid, has anyone else been given this with a similar BMI? And @iRawra they sent me a letter a few weeks after to fill in our details and then another with a date so all in all I think about 8 week since GP referred me. Good luck!

@Amb121 I was prescribed letrozole which I believe they prefer to Clomid. I do suspect that they'll advise you to lose weight - I was told that my BMI couldn't go over 30 though I hope they will be more lenient with you - maybe tell them you're on a weight loss regime.....? I am similar to you in that it took me a year to conceive naturally and that ended in miscarriage, followed by another a few months later. My cycles were 60+ days again after the second loss which was why I was going to start the treatment but I fell pregnant naturally again against all expectation. Don't give up hope that things might happen naturally for you - it might be harder for women like us, but the fact you've been pregnant before is encouraging. Good luck!

Hi. Ive had one failed round of icsi at Seacroft, just getting myself ready for my second. @Amb121 the bmi limit for NHS treatment is 30 not 35, and trust me they enforce this. I was only just over 30 (like 30.8) and they cannot release funding. We decided to go private anyway for other reasons too. But I just didn't want you to get your hopes up. The 35 bmi limit is for private. They will not give any fertility treatment over a bmi of 35 regardless of if you are willing to pay. They will give you 12 weeks to loose the weight before your next appt or you switch to private or go away and get re referred when you have reached the target weight

Hi @Mseddy thanks for the info. Like I said I’m currently just under 35 have managed to loose a few pounds before my appointment and will continue to do so. I would be happy to go private and pay for the treatment so may look at doing this instead! I’ll see what my options are at the apppointment!

Thanks for the info @Amb121 @Avocuddles and @Mseddy

I’ve also got my first appointment coming up. I’ve had bloods and a swab and DP has had speed analysis. All ok.

Does anyone know whether you can ask for appointments for tests first thing on a morning? I haven’t told work and don’t really want to as I think it’ll impact on my chances of a wage rise and promotion this year. I was hoping I could get in before work.

@Greywind1523 hi, yes all my tests were first thing, I think the first slot is 8am, you just organise these with reception.
Unfortunately the appointments to see the consultant or nurse are just given to you in a letter that comes through (NHS cycle), I never called to see if you could change them which I’m sure you could, but it may mean you wait a while for a free appointment at the time that is suitable for you.

@Greywind1523 Yes you are fine to change the appointment. I got my date on a letter through the post, I did try to ring and change but my appointment is with a consultant and they said he was full until end of April so chose just to stick to the appointment and take the day off work! If your appointment is with a nurse I think it is a little easier to move... good luck at your appointment!

Thanks both I feel a bit better about it now.

I can probably get away with a couple of appointments in work time so that’s not too bad. I was just worried about having to make excuses for loads of different tests and appointments.

I was prepared for one appointment and then a long wait so I’m glad things move quite quickly.