IVF Scotland - thread 5

[itsmschanandlerbong]

Hello, made a new thread for us Scots going through IVF, thread 5. Hoping this is the best thread yet for dreams coming true ❤️

Wowowoweee @Kitty12345678 that is just lovely to read. What great news.x

@at2011 I had an initial consultation in April, then was referred for an HSG which I had in June, and also had to get my smear tests up to date and an MMR booster through my own GP. I then had a follow up with the Fertility Centre in July but just a telephone appointment, and that was all until I got the call in November when I reached the top of the list. I've had several appointments since, mostly in person, and one was just a video call with a nurse. I would say it would definitely feasible to do some travelling, but just to be wary of anywhere that may be a risk for Zika virus 😊

@1stTimeIVFer welcome! In Glasgow I've found sometimes waits tend to be quoted as longer than expected but then other times are less than expected. Best to hear from people from the same clinic.

So we've been told a possible transfer date of end of Jan now. Only thing is (in my mind no one has mentioned this) is my weight has crept up. My bmi is now 32. Should I wait a month and try and get it below 30? I can usually get it down fairly quickly.

For clarity I'm paying privately as nhs wait for the treatment we need was too long and basically told we wouldn't get there by age 40

Thanks @IVFlife @Sabrinafive @Nosejug @Ellenn. It definitely was unexpected. I have my scan booked for the end of Jan. tbh I’m really struggling with worry at the moment. I keep feeling that my symptoms keep fluctuating, like my boobs are really sore one day and the next they aren’t at all. I never get morning sickness either. Because mc happened before I just can’t help but worry. Has anyone else had anything like this? The NHS don’t test for hcg, so I need to just hope that it’s fine.

@Kitty12345678 I'm so happy to read your news! Just came in for a quick catch up on everyone's posts and delighted to see that. My symptoms were all over the place. I know that's probably not reassuring given my outcome but that was the case even at 7 weeks when we had a heartbeat. Wishing you the happiest of pregnancies.

I can't remember if I said but we've decided to take a year off before deciding what to do with our last 2 frosties. I need to lose some weight and get my health back, the side effects after the immune treatment have been horrific for me but I'm getting there now. Love to keep caught up with the news though.

@Kitty12345678 congratulations! My symptoms came and went also. Could you book a private scan for some reassurance?

We just had our protocol chat... my amh has gone up a little(!) though that's apparently impossible. I'm thinking this is due to inaccurate measuring techniques on whatever side rather than magic but I'll take it! I was pretty much expecting to be told we couldn't go ahead so it's a good first step. On the highest protocol apparently, 9, so if anyone's had the same I'd be interested in hearing your experience. We have a wait annoyingly as my blood is not yet back to normal after haemorrhage, and waiting to get conformation that I can go ahead without waiting for 6 month test of cure from lletz (doc said he got it all for sure so fingers crossed).

Excited to get going! Who knows, maybe I'll actually get enough eggs for further nhs treatment. And if not then at least I'll know next steps. I sure have had enough time to prepare myself anyway. A bit bored of living like a monk and dreaming of a glass of wine, but that's of course a small price to pay.

I tested positive for group b strep... had never heard of it. Anyone else had this? Apparently not a big issue but they do give the baby antibiotics which isn't ideal (though I mean, wow, if I ever get to that stage I will be absolutely fleeing)

Hi @at2011 I’m with Edinburgh. We were referred in Feb 2023 to the hospital (I think it took three months to get that initial appointment) and then we didn’t get a call until November. And I’m having my egg retrieval tomorrow morning! 😬 so it has taken a while. @1stTimeIVFer I’m glad you were seen a bit more quickly.
We put life on hold for this, to be honest. I’d go travelling while you can. Good luck!

Thank you very much @potatosconelover for your reply. Was it the referral from your GP to the fertility specialist that you got in Feb last year or a referral from fertility specialist for IVF treatment? Can you remember how long it took you between the GP’s referral and you meeting the fertility specialist? Best of luck with your egg retrieval! Thank you, after falling pregnant unexpectedly and that resulting in ectopic and an infertile diagnosis I am weighing up what I want to do before the long road of IVF ahead. Maybe a slight mid life crisis!

I’m sorry to hear you had an ectopic @at2011. I got the tests done by GP (the blood tests at diff points in the cycle), so did husband and he needed an operation, which had quite a big waiting list. So our referral process and times won’t be relevant to you. We did some private tests too, but referral was from our GP. 👨‍⚕️
I have to say once you are in at the Royal it’s like a well-oiled machine. It just takes a while to start treatment.

@Kamiros I'm sorry to hear you've had such a bad side effects after the immune treatment. Wishing you all the best for the future whatever you decide to do with your frosties 🤗.

We're rolling the dice again at the minute, and I started meds a couple of days ago to do a FET sibling round. All going smoothly so far with no side effects, so will see what my lining looks like next week and narrow down a day for transfer. I feel oddly calm this time around, but I'm waiting for the anxiety to kick in (though I've always found FETs much easier going).

@2mumlife Thanks. Lots of luck with your FET

@Kamiros Thank you. See what happens.

Hello. How are we all doing?

Just wondering if anyone took time off work for their transfer. And if so how much? I'm unsure what's best. Thanks.

Hi @IVFlife I took the day off for transfer yesterday. I felt a bit interfered with after it (the same as I do after a smear) and so enjoyed dozing on the couch in the afternoon. But today was fine. I think it depends how you’re feeling overall - if the drugs are making you really heavy and uncomfortable that won’t disappear immediately.

Good Luck for transfer!

Thanks @potatosconelover love that name BTW. I'm really torn between keeping busy vs having a few days in a bubble.

I sort of feel because this is a donor transfer I want to "meet the embryo" I know that might sound v odd. I just have this instinct I want to have a bit of time.

@IVFlife I think we've all had to endure quite a lot to get to this stage, so you should do whatever you feel like! If you can take a few days off then definitely do it. Since I started stims I've only wanted to be cooried in under a blanket. I've said no to everything else and it's been great. X

@IVFlife I've generally just taken off an afternoon for transfers, but wouldn't physically need to, its just nice sometimes to have a little bit of time afterwards to relax and watch a movie. If you're doing a fresh cycle I find its particularly nice as there is a lot more stress leading up to transfer day about whether there will be an embryo to transfer etc. With the frozen transfers its just a bit of luxury taking the afternoon off! Do whatever feels right to you though :)

@IVFlife as I'm quite sure I'll be going down the donor route after our first nhs round, the idea of taking time to meet the embryo sounds quite lovely to me. Sounds even like a helpful process. Wishing you all the best luck.

Hi all, hope you don't mind me popping on to ask a couple of questions about Aberdeen Fertility Clinic and wait times. I've been added to the IVF waiting list and I was just wondering what happens when you get to the top and how long you generally have to wait between top of this list and starting your cycle? I appreciate it can be different for everyone! Wish everyone all the over the next year! 🤞 x

Hi all, is it ok if I join in?

I’m currently in limbo just now, as I feel like I am ready to prepare for a FET but because I had a procedure, it seems they don’t really want to see me just now.
But happy to be a support if it’s ok that im here.
I never feel like I fit in within the ttc community

Hi @Sassttc I'm in Edinburgh, not Aberdeen, but maybe this is helpful. We were on the waiting list for.. nine months I think (oh the irony), maybe 10 before we got the call that we were top of the list. And then things went FAST. We were a bit delayed because of the Christmas shutdown, but I think we went in end of Nov to get treatment plan and do all my scans, then in December I went back for more and was sent away with the pill. Then I started injections on 4 Jan, had my egg retrieval on 10 Jan and my first embryo transfer last week.
It will be different for everyone, but once you're at the top of the list I think they just bash on. Good luck, hope you don't have to wait as long as we did!

Hi @StuffLoriThangs hope you're okay - are they making you wait just to be sure everything has settled down? Are you on NHS?

I’m not sure tbh. I am NHS but I don’t really know why. No one seems to ever go into any detail with me, but I do try and ask.