Barts Fertility Clinic IVF

[pinacollama]

Hi all,

I‘d appreciate some info/advice from anyone who has had experience of fertility treatment (probably specifically IVF) under Barts.

My husband and I have been trying to conceive since January 2018. After a year of trying we were referred to the fertility clinic at Barts, and we saw them in May last year. We had a few tests and a follow up in July, and were told there was no reason for our sub fertility and to request re-referral after a further 6 months of trying and then IVF would be considered. We did so, and have just received an appointment for the end of May (so far away). Does anyone know whether this appointment will immediately get the ball rolling for IVF, it will we then have to go on another separate waiting list for IVF months on end?

I have tried to ask the referrals team directly over email, but they just said the appointment is a consultation and the doctor will advise on next steps. I’m even more anxious to start now than I was before as I had a laparoscopy last Monday (scan done in May by Barts fertility clinic showed a possible endometrioma - I pushed for gynae referral to investigate further) and was diagnosed with endometriosis. My right ovary has endometriomas and was stuck to my pelvic wall. The consultant who performed the surgery basically said I shouldn’t waste any time trying to conceive...

Sorry for the ramble, and thanks for any input.

Hi Pinacollama!

We chatted on May last year! I'm currently on my first IVF cycle (hopefully first and last) with Barts clinic.

I reckon that if they recommended you to keep ttc and then come back if it didn't work then This should be it.

You will see a doctor and they will send you blood tests to see what's the reason behind infertility and then proceed to tell you the options. (Between bloods and appointment for results it's around 1-2 months it depends on what day of your cycle are since one of the blood tests happens on the 3 day of your period if I remember well)

I had to pause the process cause I had to fly to Peru and since is a country with risk of Zika virus had to wait 3 months to start. But once I did it was very straight forward.

Got my appointment to see results with doctor and DH 1 month after consultation appointment. Here we were told our best option would be IVF and so it all started.

Because I had to wait 3 months after my trip (and this happened in Aug.) I called them by the end of November and had my 1st IVF appointment on December 18th, which was an informative session with more couples and that day got all my meds along with a schedule of when to start.

It differs from couple to couple but from my personal experience I would say that if they put you in for a treatment it should probably start around 2-3 months after your consultation appointment.

Hope it helps but feel free to ask me anything, happy to help!

Ah yes, I remember! Thanks for your reply. How’s it all going so far, are you happy with the clinic? Sending lots of positivity - hope it’s a success for you.

I hope it’s nice and straightforward like that for us too. I feel so anxious about it all, I don’t know how sustainable it is for me to carry on in my current state! I think I need to work on my resilience. I wonder if they will still need me to have more tests as I’ve only recently had my lap/hysteroscopy. I guess they probably will for their procedures.

As a side note, I’d love to go to Peru...for the llamas of course

Hi! Yes, I must say am very pleased with the clinic, of course don't expect getting a personalised service lol I saw my consultation doctor twice, then like 4 different nurses and on every scan a different doctor. To me was strange but that's how things work here and got used to it.

The process is so straightforward that things happen when you are not expecting them.

My advice: ask EVERYTHING! Because you will go for every appointment and listen to everything and then when I'm home you will start googling things that you forgot haha, bring a diary if possible, take photos when necessary. Specially when they teach you how to give yourself the injections!

At the beginning it might be a little bit overwhelming but then you get used to it and Barts will be your second home for 2 months! 😅