Fertility consultations London

[secondtimelucky87]

Hello,

I am 16 months into TTC baby number 2. Took 3 years to conceive our first. When it finally did happen it was during lockdown and we've always felt like the dramatic reduction in stress played a big part but who knows. Partner and I are late 40s and late 30s respectively. We've had semen analysis done which has found some factors need improving so have been working on lifestyle changes in the first instance. Most recent results showed some improvement. I am finally having my first TV scan in September after a long wait on NHS. I've just repeated my FSH, LH and Oestradiol tests and will get results in next few days. My partner will repeat his SA to ensure results are as current as possible to coincide with my scan and bloods. Once we have this information, I am under the impression that beyond the bloods and scans, there isn't much else the NHS can do to help us as we've conceived naturally before (please correct me if I'm wrong!). So I was wondering if anyone had recommendations /experience of any private clinics in London where they've been able to supply results already obtained elsewhere and talk about what next steps are? I think I've read that some will accept NHS results? One thing I wonder about is whether there'll be an immediate push towards say IVF or is this not always the case? I think I really just want a specialist to tell us honestly what to do. We're both so drained and need answers.

Any advice gratefully received. Thank you.

The NHS won't offer much because you've already got one baby, that is correct. I think pretty much all fertility doctors will be happy to chat to you about your nhs results tbh, the issue is that there is a limit to what they can do that isn't IVF. Beyond advice around improving parameters, perhaps trying superovulation drugs like Letrozole or similar, there aren't really too many options.

We saw Dr James Nicopoullos at the Lister and he was very straightforward to deal with, told us what tests to have, what was worth doing or not bothering with, and tweaked our IVF protocol a few times and we did end up with our baby after 5 years trying. I'd suggest paying for a consultation and asking what options you have that aren't IVF and going from there.

Thanks so much. I really appreciate your reply and this is very helpful. I have found that consultant's page and will keep it in mind for when I've done my scan and we get our next set of results. Sounds like it would be money we'll spent with time seriously ticking now. Makes sense about there not always being a huge amount of options but it would definitely be good to have that initial chat and see what gets said.

I'm glad it was a positive experience and that you got your baby in the end. 🫶