When can investigations resume? (Scotland.)

[theotherfossilsister]

Just that really, I know it's a difficult time for so many people, but clinics shuttered just as DP finally agreed to get his semen analyisis done. My progesterone was normal, and I have regular periods, so I don't think Clomid would be an option for us. We've been trying for a year and a half, and I am 35 on Saturday.

If we do get a referral, and need IVF, how long will that take? So many questions?

Thanks

My friend went to GCRM and now has a lovely little girl and talks very highly of her time there. I think we are quite lucky in Scotland with the fertility treatment options and clinics, if I’m honest.

Our consultant also told us one IVF ‘round’ is the egg collection, transfer and any subsequent FET if first one not successful. So any time you need an egg collection counts as one cycle. Which is quite reassuring to me.

Not insensitive at all @RonRon1 😘 I'm fully aware that my issue with private clinics is entirely mine 😂 Would certainly never advise anyone else not to use them.x

There was a really helpful documentary on iplayer a year ago called Making Babies that was actually based at Ninewells ACU and Glasgow and followed 3 different couples having IVF on the NHS - it was brilliant, but not sure if it's still available 🤔 I made DP sit and watch it to help explain the difference between transferring a 3 day and a 5 day blast - I had the laser pointer out and everything! 😁

Possibly a stupid question but... what happens if I go to an appointment and my BMI is 30 or higher? Do they kick me out of whatever waiting list I'm on?

I didn't say earlier, but I conceived during the time when the clinics were all closed (didn't mention as the whole "lockdown pregnancy" thing is a bit of a cliché). This was a miracle pregnancy as after 6 years of trying, PCOS, previous gynae surgery and a previous early miscarriage, we didn't think it was ever likely. Then in the second trimester we found out our baby had died.

I'd put on about the right amount of weight for the pregnancy but with complications from delivery meaning I haven't been able to exercise, I think my BMI is probably still around the 30-31 mark (pre-pregnancy was about 28).

My appointment has been moved forward to October and I'm now panicking in case somebody goes "Nope! We don't care that some of it's weight from the pregnancy - go to the bottom of the waiting list!"

Unless I chop off a limb, I can't see myself losing much before the appointment. Managed to walk round the block today and that's about the most I can do.

@BeHereNowx32 Just wanted to check in with you and find out how things have been this weekend?
@Scirocco I know that if you are self funding your bmi can be upto around 34 if I remember correctly, I think around 29 otherwise.

@Daisz

Yeah, I just don't know what they do if someone turns up to an appointment with a higher BMI?

@Scirocco Not too sure. My last cycle was self funded and I was not even aware they had an increased Bmi threshold for that until the consultant brought out the chart. At the very worst they could ask you to pay, but I am just guessing though.

One of the fb groups I am on the woman's bmi was too high they gave her another appointment in 3 months time.

@Daisz hi. Thanks for asking. I had to order a pregnancy test for delivery and it’s coming today. So will just do it when it turns up. I don’t feel pregnant. I did have a tiny bit of spotting over the last couple of days and have been irritable. I wonder if my period is trying to start.
How are you?

@Scirocco so sorry to hear that. I don’t know about the BMI limit. Worth phoning and asking if you’re worried?

@BeHereNowx32

Thanks - I think I'll do that. Probably better than sitting here worrying. And thanks for saying you're sorry to hear that; I've found people have seemed to not know what to say so they say nothing, which somehow adds to the loneliness.

How are you feeling?

@Scirocco it’s devastating news. You’ve been through a lot. ❤️

I’m ok, thanks. Although I have found myself day dreaming if I fell pregnant naturally. Which is impossible. 🙄 it can’t happen at all.
But I am ok. Very surprised that my period has came so soon.

Yeah, speak to them and they may say it’s completely fine to go ahead as normal, and if not, then you can make a plan. Good luck xx

It was a negative test xx

@BeHereNowx32 so glad for you.x

Typed a reply and then I think the app lost it, so trying again.

@Scirocco that's horrible, I'm sorry. If you're in Edinburgh I would love to go for some walks with you if that would help? I know what trauma is like and how horrible it is to be scared to leave the house.

@Bambionice my acupuncturist is lovely, no strict timeline, which I like, although was gutted that period still came like clockwork this month so I wasn't one of those awful people who go 'well I had one month's acupuncture and...'

So glad you can have the other five transferred on the NHS.

I think I do still get an NHS round if I go private but GCRM is so expensive and I asked an acquaintance about her experience there and she told me she would recommend anywhere but there. My family live in France and the prices are capped at €4000 there so tempted to do that after Covid. I don't know how much unpaid leave I would need to take for a round though. I feel a bit jealous that women who can get pregnant are protected by law, but those who need fertility treatment are not. I not saying they shouldn't be, just that we should.

Really glad you have period and are maybe ready to start again @Beherenow

@Ronron I hate the exploitative elements to IVF so much. Dp was saying he thinks that the refund programmes actually push up the prices for everybody. Thirty seven rounds is awful and just plays into heartbreak. I can imagine myself being that desperate. It's sad she had no one there to say, hey, it's tough but it's time to stop now.

I'm so sorry @Scirocco 💐 Nobody gets it like people who've also been through it 💙 I'd definitely ring your clinic directly and double check what the crack is with BMI's. Everything I've heard is second hand, so wouldn't want to advise you incorrectly.x

I know it sounds weird congratulating someone on a negative test @BeHereNowx32, but I'm glad it's done and you can start to look ahead. Did you give the clinic a ring in the end?x

I'm all muddled up on time lines @Daisz, but is it your scan this week? Hope everything goes OK 🍀

A €4,000 cap sounds like one of the most sensible things I've ever heard @theotherfossilsister. It's appalling what some unscrupulous clinics will recommend to keep the money rolling in 😔 I was reading a review paper at the beginning of the year from the Royal college of obs and gynae called "First do no harm", which they'd written as a reminder to their private sector colleagues about IVF add ons... it's a minefield 😔

As for me, my paperwork arrived on Saturday 👍 Relieved is an understatement! 😪 Rang this morning to confirm our slot and, seems it's also CD1 today, I've an appointment to go in in 3 weeks time for the prostap injection. Wasn't expecting that (thought everything would be starting with next months period), but so happy that we'll be getting going again soon 🙂

@BambiOnIce80 That's great news! I just assumed they would always work with the first day of a period, but it is good that you finally know where you are. Yes I have my scan tomorrow. Excited and nervous all at the same time.

Thank you @Daisz ❤️ I was assuming the same, but the nurses said that they're insisting on the day 21 prostap protocol if the patients periods are regular (so I presume it'd be the day 1-3 protocol if the patient is irregular 🤔). Very glad I rang today, otherwise I could've been too late to get in this month and if I'd called with my October period (late in the month, like I was supposed to 🤨) and been told to come in in 3 weeks time, then do 3-4 weeks of oestrogen/progesterone, we would have been cancelled for clashing with the Christmas shutdown (and I would've lost my 💩 completely! 🤯)... does the stress never end?!

Ooooh, tomorrow!! I'll be thinking of you 💓

@BambiOnice80 I think a lot of the time we are told to do stuff without an explanation why, but that makes sense and it works in your favour which is good. So potentially only about 6 weeks to go before your Fet, which is so exciting . Thank you, the wait feels like it has been forever. I shall be 12.4 weeks tomorrow, so hopefully a nice clear picture.

Keeping everything crossed for you @Daisz 🤞🍀🤞🍀

They definitely don't seem explain stuff unless they have to 🙄 It so easily could have ended up with me calling at the end of October when AF is due (as per the letters instructions!), but then on that course of treatment we wouldn't actually be starting until towards the end of November and then our transfer would probably end up being cancelled due to clashing with the Christmas shutdown! 🤯 Anyway. At least that disaster looks to have been avoided 🤞

@BambiOnIce80 yeah I am curious to know why they changed the pessaries from Cycolgest to Ugolest, just a small thing I know, but when I hinted at an explanation they just said oh that is how we do it now.lol.

I bet you anything that Ugolest is cheaper! Either that or it's something to do with Brexit and supply...

@BambiOnIce80 I was thinking that, but it is more of a pain having to do it 3 times a day instead of 2 for a lesser dose. Makes not much sense. Still Ugolest is less messy!

Thank you. Suppose I’m used to those negative tests. But time to move on. My DH doesn’t want to think about our next FET just now. So, I may phone in January. I am really scared to do it again tbh. So, some time off will be good.

@Daisz good luck for your scan. So exciting for you and your family. Xx

@BambiOnIce80 great to hear that everything is starting up for you. Must be a relief. Hoping everything keeps going along smoothly

@theotherfossilsister that does sound like a good plan to have in mind. Nice if you can stay with family too. Such a shame that ERI aren’t doing self funded fresh cycles. It’s hard when you don’t have a time frame to when things will start. Our ICSI was just under £5000, so there is a big difference x

@BeHereNowx32 a negative test is always horrible though, a feeling of, Oh, of course.

Although I am glad you now have the freedom to maybe think about January. Totally understand taking a break after the horribleness you've been through.

@BambiOnIce80 I know, I think 4000 euros (can't find euro key on here) is great, and it is something I would love to do, unless EFREC lets us pay for a round in the meantime while we're waiting (not sure when they will open self funding again though.)

I have to take a pregnancy test tomorrow to be allowed into the Hycosy, even though I have just had my period. I hate seeing that one stubborn line, as though it's saying 'really? what else did you expect?' Might be easier this time knowing it's negative.

@Daisz great luck!

Ooh, @theotherfossilsister France sounds good for treatment if you end up needing to go. I'm with Gcrm too and have to admit I'm not overly keen. Can't quite put my finger on why, but suspect it's because I don't feel things are explained enough / feels very transactional.

@daisz good luck tomorrow, hope you get a lovely clear look at healthy wee baby!