Initial Gynae appointment - telephone only

[ohmahgah]

Hi!

As a quick background, we've been TTC for 2.5 years, and I'm almost 38. We were about to start seeking medical help earlier this year, and then Covid kicked off and that delayed things.

I've now been to my GP, who referred me for blood tests and an appointment at the Gynaecology department of the local hospital. I just wanted to check whether my experience so far is normal:

• I had the blood test yesterday, now awaiting results. This happened really quickly after my GP appointment which is great, but it wasn't timed to coincide with a specific day in my cycle; I've read that day 3 & 21 (?) are normal. Does the specific day not matter for the initial test?

• I've now received an appointment letter for the hospital, but it's a telephone appointment like my GP was. I get that they want to discourage people coming into hospital unnecessarily, but I'm surprised a physical examination of some sort isn't the norm; otherwise I'm not sure this conversation will be any different than the one with my GP. Anyone who has started this process during Covid, we're your appointments over the phone?

Once I get going with something I can get a little excited and impatient, and I know this is a long process so I just want to set my expectations right from the start :)

Hello!

Just read your post and thought I'd tell you what my experience was.
Once my gp had referred me I had my telephone consultation which they asked lots of questions- took about 45 mins the phone call. They took a history from me and my partner. She also requested for different types of bloods to be done. And told me to book in for an ultrasound scan also. It is important which day you have the blood tests on because it's all to do with hormone levels throughout the cycle. So they'll want more bloods certainly. Probably some on day 2-4 which would check LH and FSH and others on day 21 to see if you are ovulating. Depending on your cycle length.
They will probably also ask for your partner to have a semen analysis if he has not already.

Once you have all those results (you should be able to phone to get them). They will book you in for another appointment which is where if there is any treatment needed or other tests will be discussed there.
To give you an idea of times, my initial telephone appointment was back in June. The follow up appointment is 29th October. So 4 months in between. But I think it must depend on the hospital etc and I am just sharing my experience. Any questions just ask.
I got all my results and they show I am not ovulating and I have pcos. Which is why I haven't got pregnant for 12 months trying.

I am glad I know so I can find a solution. My partners not had his SA but pretty sure it will be fine.

Hope this helps and good luck xxx

Oh yes was meant to say they will give you an option if you want AMH levels testing which measures your ovarian reserve. At my hospital it's a test that you do have to pay for, I think that will be the same at most hospitals. It cost me £80 xx

@ohmahgah - what did they test your blood for? At my NHS clinic it was just for infectious diseases and AMH, which can be taken on any day.

The first couple of meetings were all chat and signing, so they want to do as many of those remotely as possible. Next step is a scan and teach appointment, covid test, and then you're good to go.

This process was pretty quick for me this time round, but my treatment has been delayed multiple times and I'm 40 so they're keen to get me going now so I'm high on their priority list.

Thanks all, this is really helpful! The doctor didn't actually say what the blood tests were for, and stupidly I didn't ask - I guess I'll only find out when I get the results!

Good to know an initial telephone conversation with the specialist is normal, and thanks for providing timelines as I really have no idea what to expect!

Hello,

Thought I’d share my experience. I had an initial appointment with my GP in February. I was referred for day 3 and 21 bloods, ultrasound scan and husband referred for a SA.

The day 3 test is a baseline for FSH levels and the day 21 test is for progesterone to tell whether you have ovulated. So it does matter what day they are on. The day 3 also included thyroid function and to check rubella immunity - which can be taken at any time - so possibly your test was for those if not a specific day. It might be an idea to check your GP. I had to have both tests done before we could be referred to the consultant.

We couldnt book the ultrasound or SA for a while due to Covid but once that was done in June it was only 3-4 weeks until my appointment with the consultant.

That appointment was by phone and was only about 10 mins long. The main outcome was I have been referred for an HSG. This is a test to establish whether the Fallopian tubes are blocked. I’m arranging it privately as the NHS in my area is not currently doing them. I understand after that I will have another appointment with the consultant where he will likely advise trying for a while longer naturally if the HSG shows no issues, or otherwise it’s IVF.

I would say it seems from reading people’s experiences on here the process varies from area to area and that’s not been helped by Covid. Do make sure you are asking questions about what happens next. I often feel it’s just assumed you know or it’s not important that you do!